Cycladic and Saronic islands are the best cases, especially when you plan to stay in Athens before or after your trip.
There are some Greek islands that are special for Greeks and foreign travellers. Every island has a special reason for being such. Every Greek island offers a very totally different experience and in and of itself, they’re magnificent.
Kea (Tzia)
The Greek island of Kea is known for many things. It has exceptional beaches and one of the best system of walking paths and trails of any Greek island. Kea is a hiker’s paradise with numbered routes that take you through a variety of landscapes to remote coves and the ruins of ancient cities.
Mykonos & Nearby Delos
Mykonos is the most popular island in the world (next only to Santorini). Many don’t even know that Mykonos actually is in Greece. They just know it by “Mykonos”. It is glowing with the brightest sunlight you’ll ever see. Mykonos is an excellent option for those who seek to take fantastic photos and get closer to its cosmopolitan allure. Don’t neglect to visit the island of Delos and the temple of Apollo.
Santorini
Maybe the most photographed Greek island in the world. The photos of the Caldera are simply regal. This island is blessed with jaw-dropping beauty. The volcanic rocks add a special energy to the whole experience. Do visit the volcano and experience the romance of Santorini wines.
Crete
The biggest island in Greece. You can’t experience Crete in a few days. That is the reason most travellers come back for many years. An island with a thousand faces that mixes the whole thing a traveller may ask for: impressive nature, a mild climate, well-known hospitality, and an excessive level of infrastructure for tourism, cosmopolitan lodges and pristine, unexplored corners.
Monemvasia & Nafplio
A spectacular combination of history, forts & scenic castle cities. Monemvasia may be a castle town next to the ocean worth going to.
Nafplio may be a whole totally different expertise. It combines the illustrious castle of Palamidi, beside a gorgeous town to run through and learn its history. You’ll not know this, however, Nafplio was the first capital of Greece, once Greece became free from the Ottoman empire’s occupancy (around four hundred years of such).
Things to Know for Greek Island Hopping:
While islands like Hydra or Kea are close to Athens, others like Crete, Santorini and Mykonos are not. You need to plan in a perfect manner in order to be able to visit them and explore all the different things they have to offer; from tastes to sightseeing.
There are different island groups in Greece. These are:
The Ionian Islands: These are closer to Italy and at the west side of Greece. The biggest island there is Corfu, along with Kefalonia (Cephalonia), Zante (Zakynthos) and more.
The Saronic Gulf Islands (Argosaronikos): These are between Peloponnese and Athens. Hydra belongs in these but not only. There is also Aegina, Angistri, Poros, Salamina, Spetses.
The Sporades Islands: the Biggest one is Evia island, which you can reach with a car too (around 1.5 hours from Athens). The Sporades are great for a weekend and are characterized by luscious greenery. Skiathos and Skopelos are really popular.
The Cycladic Islands (Cyclades): These islands have a style of their own, widely seen for their chalk-white homes, bright sun and fantastic beaches. The most notable ones are Mykonos and Santorini, however, there’s Naxos, Paros, Tinos and lots of additional islands as well. There are several and they might be a distinct Greek island hopping holiday plan by themselves.
The Dodecanese Islands: Closer to Turkey and famous for their great food, Rhodes is one of the most famous ones, exhibiting an appealing and very real-feeling old town. Patmos is a well-known religious destination.
The North & South Aegean Islands: Less famous but top choices for those that appreciate and need to understand Greece. Every island has one thing distinctive. Some are great for windsurfing, others for the food, and also the nice beaches. Ikaria is a widespread island for extreme tranquillity, whereas Samos is amazing for its wine and windsurfing locations. Aegean island is the “ouzo” capital of Greece. This is often where most spirits are made.
Martin Wynn
