Our Best Selection
Beaches, history, walking, cycling, water sports, festivals, food, ecology—if you want it, Greece’s islands have it. Here are just a few of the incomparable offerings.
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Best for beaches: Crete, Lipsi, Kefalonia, Skiathos, Mykonos
Almost every Greek island has excellent beaches, but few come with a Venetian castle, like laid-back Frangokastello Beach in southern Crete. Try Platys Gialos and Kambos on quiet Lipsi and the stunning cove at Myrtos Beach in Kefalonia to lap the turquoise waters. To see and be seen, bowl up to one of Skiathos‘ 65 beaches, join the mainstream masses at the 1,200m-long Koukounaries Beach, or bronze up on nudist-friendly Banana and Little Banana Beach, popular with the gay and lesbian set. Even more full-on are the legendary Paradise and Super Paradise beaches on decadent Mykonos.
Best for history: Rhodes, Delos, Corfu, Patmos
Gape at Rhodes‘ magnificent, walled old town, where the Knights of St John ruled from 1309-1523, and explore their quarter before visiting the 14th-century Palace of the Grand Masters. Tiny Delos, near Mykonos, was once dedicated to Apollo; see ruins of shrines to the gods and explore mosaic-rich ancient dwellings. Kick back to Corfu’s old town, which has Venetian, French, and British architecture. On ethereal Patmos, visit the Monastery of St. John the Theologian and see the cave where the saint wrote the Book of Revelations.
Best for walking: Crete, Naxos, Alonnisos, Skopelos
The terrain on Greece’s biggest island, Crete, ranges from gentle plateaus dotted with windmills to canyons and mountains. Hiking the Samaria Gorge, Europe’s longest at 16km, brings you through the homeland of Crete‘s famed wild goat, the kri kri. The Zakros to Kato Zakros (a former Minoan palace site) is more relaxed in eastern Crete. Excellent relief awaits on the forested ‘river walk’ at southern Plakias (inquire at the excellent Youth Hostel Plakias). The Greek Mountaineering Club of Hania informs about trekking opportunities and conditions. Fertile Naxos boasts numerous walks along the old paths connecting the villages of the central plain; these traverse ancient temples, Hellenistic towers, and Byzantine churches. For guided walks, contact Flisvos Sport Club. The Sporadic isles of Alonnisos and Skopelos, full of forests, orchards, and wildflowers, offer more excellent walks. Related: Best of Greek Islands, Islands close to Athens
Best for cycling: Evia, Kos, Thasos
The meandering country roads of Evia make for blissfully stress-free cycling. Another favorite is well-equipped Kos, bursting with bike-rental places. Excellent forested trails (and a famous international race) bring mountain biking enthusiasts to Thasos.
Best for diving and snorkeling: Karpathos, Milos, Paros, Kastellorizo
For organized dives in sea caves full of colorful aquatic life, check out Karpathos Diving School on Karpathos. Milos has phenomenal diving skills, and Diving Center Milos brings you face-to-face with deep-sea fish, dolphins, and even monk seals. Snorkeling is also great here and on Paros and remote Kastellorizo.
Best for responsible travel: Zakynthos, Chios, Crete
Volunteer to protect endangered wildlife like sea turtles on Zakynthos with the Earth, Sea & Sky Center and Sea Turtle Protection Society. Get your hands dirty while tending endemic mastic trees, and explore Chios’ other eco-tourism opportunities with Mariculture in Mesta. Finally, enjoy guilt-free eating and sleeping in Crete’s secluded mountains at Milia Traditional Settlement, powered by solar energy and living off its organic farm and good vibrations. Related: Best of Greek Islands
Best for food and drink: Lesvos, Samos, Corfu, Folegandros, Crete
Lesvos is renowned for its olive oil and ouzos (it produces some 70 percent of all Greek ouzos). The national aperitif is served with mixed mezes (appetizers) at traditional ouzerias (ouzo restaurants), which blend the island’s old Turkish influences with Greek seafood specialties. Lesvos produces fine wine, as does Samos, famed for its sweet Muscat dessert wine. Corfu was not Ottomanized like other Ionian islands, and its cuisine remains Italian-flavored. Folegandros ‘ Cycladic specialties include matsata (pasta with rabbit/chicken in red sauce), astakomakaronada (lobster with spaghetti) and liokafto (sun-dried fish). Crete is famous for its olive oil and specialties like dakos (rusks topped with tomato, olive oil, and cheese) and myzithra (sweet cheese used in kalitsounia pastries). Horta (wild greens) provide seasoning for fish or roast lamb.
Best Greek Islands for Families: Crete, Corfu, and Rhodes
It is not easy to choose which island to visit in Greece. After all, there are over 6,000! We’ve done the hard work for you by creating this list of the best Greek islands for families: Crete, Corfu, and Rhodes. These islands are large Greek islands and are incredibly popular with overseas visitors. They share a history of Venetian rule still visible in beautiful castles, historic towns, and fortified ports. However, each island also has a unique character and something different.
