With over 200 islands to choose from, you’ll want to find the best Greek islands to explore before you plan your next holiday. From bustling tourist hotspots to islands off the beaten path, you can find the perfect island (or islands) to soak up the sunshine. You’ll find unique volcanic sand beaches, fascinating archaeological sites, unreal sunsets and much more on Greece’s best islands.
The best Greek islands: Sifnos
Sifnos sits in the heart of the Aegean Sea and is known for its traditional Cycladic architecture, fairytale-style vistas and culinary delights. It’s very popular for both couples and families, with plenty of family-friendly accommodation and attractions and lots of romantic vibes to be found. When you reach Sifnos from the port of Piraeus, in Athens, you will most likely arrive close to Kamares Beach.
It’s a long, clean beach with shallow water and golden sand and is the perfect place to start your trip, with lots of restaurants and bars close by. If you visit the island in spring, you’ll find wildflowers blooming and Easter festivities. In summer, it’s at its warmest but also its busiest, and in autumn, particularly October, you’ll still get warm weather with fewer crowds. Winter still sees plenty of sunshine, though the temperature does drop and the water gets cooler.
Sightseeing and activities in Sifnos
Sifnos is full of picturesque villages that line the island’s natural landscapes with small white-washed houses. Kastro, once the capital of the island, is one of the most popular attractions, retaining a mediaeval feel that speaks to its history and offers incredible sea views from its clifftop location. Apollonia is around 3 kilometres west of Kastro and is the current capital of Sifnos, in the island’s centre. The town is home to some stunning churches and a folklore museum, which hosts artefacts from throughout Sifnos’s history.
Places to stay in Sifnos
There are plenty of beautiful neighbourhoods you can stay in on Sifnos. In Platis Gialos, you can stay close to the beach, at locations like Niriedes Hotel; it’s only around 100 metres from the beach. Aglaia Studios offer gorgeous apartments in Kamares right on the waterfront and Astarte Luxury Apartments are a treat-yourself option with a large swimming pool and sea views. In the island’s capital, Apollonia, Gerofinikas Boutique Hotel offers minimalist rooms and a quiet, cosy atmosphere, and NiMa Sifnos Residences offers apartments at the heart of Apollonia.
The best Greek islands: Corfu
One of the most popular Greek islands, Corfu is perfect for couples seeking a romantic getaway or solo travellers searching for history and art. The main attractions are in Corfu Town, which sits on the east coast of the island, and once you’ve had your fill of mansions, museums and historic squares, you can head out to the coastline and discover some of the island’s beautiful beaches.
The beaches are sheltered by forests and mountains, with soft sands and clear blue waters that are usually lovely and warm in spring and summer. To avoid busy crowds but still get warm, sunny weather, visit between April and May or between September and November. If you don’t mind crowds, July and August are the warmest months to visit.
Sightseeing and activities in Corfu
One of the first things you’ll see if you’re reaching Corfu by ferry is the imposing Old Fortress of Corfu, which dates back to the 15th century. You can enter the fortress from Spianada, Corfu’s largest square (and the second largest square in Europe), between 08:00 and 20:00 for about €6 (around £5.15).
The Achillion Palace is a stunning building, built in 1890 for the Empress of Austria; one of its best features is the palace garden, which is filled with statues of the Greek gods and goddesses. The island is also home to multiple museums and galleries, including the Archaeological Museum, which hosts archaeological finds from around the island, and the Municipal Art Gallery, which mostly hosts the collections of local artists and often has temporary exhibitions.
Where to stay in Corfu
The best place to stay in Corfu will depend on what you’re hoping to do during your visit. If you’re planning on sticking to the beaches, then consider staying at one of the hotels in the seaside village of Paleokastritsa, such as Corfu Akrotiri Beach Hotel, which has balconies providing sea views. There’s also the beachside resort of Dassia, which is a little closer to Corfu Town than Paleokastritsa and offers small boat tours to nearby beaches. If you prefer to stick to Corfu Town, there are some fantastic centrally located options, including Divani Corfu Palace, a four-star hotel around 3 kilometres from the town centre, and Acanthus Blue, a three-star hotel close to the airport and the town centre.
The best Greek islands: Mykonos
Mykonos is one of the most well-known Greek islands, renowned for its party atmosphere and lively beaches. If you’re after that lively atmosphere, then Mykonos might be the rare island you’d prefer to visit in the high season, between June and August; this is when you’ll get the sunniest days and busiest crowds. Spring and autumn tend to be more laid back and are a great time to use Mykonos as your base, taking day trips or sailing tours around the nearby islands. During winter, you’ll get the lowest prices and the smallest crowds, making it a great time to explore the island’s most popular cultural attractions that might be too busy during spring and summer.
Sightseeing and activities in Mykonos
The Mykonos Windmills are a symbol of the island, mostly located in Chora, recognisable by their white walls and red blades. From the windmills, you’ll get a great view of one of the most unique parts of the island, Little Venice. Here, beautiful old houses sit right at the edge of the Aegean Sea and the neighbourhood is frequently visited by artists who attempt to capture the unique atmosphere. To experience the Mykonos nightlife, check out the Cavo Paradiso Club on Paradise Beach, which can see up to 3,000 party goers, or for a more low-key atmosphere, try Kastro’s in Little Venice, which has a balcony that sits over the sea and is perfect for watching the sunset.
Where to stay in Mykonos
If you’re after the best nightlife and cosmopolitan attractions, then the main town of Chora is the place to be, with hotels like A Hotel Mykonos just outside of town or Belvedere Hotel in the Fine Arts District. If you’re after a beachfront location, you can stay super close to Ornos Beach at the five-star Mykonos Blanc Hotel. For a unique stay, you can book one of the houses that sit right on the sea in Little Venice.
The best Greek islands: Santorini
Santorini is not just one of the most popular islands in Greece but one of the country’s most popular destinations overall, renowned worldwide for its jaw-dropping sunsets, high cliffs and dream-like landscapes. The eruption of the Santorini Volcano in 1600 BCE shaped the island into what you see today, including the island’s volcanic beaches with red and black sand. If you want to visit in the summer months, make sure to book your flights and accommodation well in advance.
Spring is usually the best time to visit to experience comfortable weather with smaller crowds, especially before May; autumn is good too, but some accommodation and restaurants close in late November and won’t reopen until March.
Sightseeing and activities in Santorini
Oia is a village that is centuries old and has become world-famous for its traditional houses with whitewashed walls and blue-domed roofs. The Venetian Castle of Oia, constructed in the 15th century, sees hundreds of tourists gathering to watch one of Greece’s most beautiful sunsets over the Aegean Sea. Santorini Volcano is dormant, though still active, and you can visit its crater on Nea Kameni, which you can reach only via boat. The ground here is covered in black and red lava stones, and you’ll get a view of the ‘caldera’, a crescent-shaped volcanic crater that has been connected to the myth of the lost city of Atlantis.
Where to stay in Santorini
There’s no shortage of beautiful towns and neighbourhoods to stay in on Santorini, whether you’re looking to be surrounded by nature inland or beachside at the edge of the Aegean. Try Revelis Villa & Canava in the island’s capital of Fira for a stay that’s close to the city centre with a sea view. The Art Maisons Oia Castle hotel is right by the Venetian Castle, so it’s a great place to stay close to the town’s stunning sunsets, plus you’ll get a great view of the Santorini Volcano, too. The Atlantis Beach Villa is right on the edge of the black sand beach of Perivolos and also close to the Santorini Water Park, making it a great place to stay for those looking to spend their holidays in the water.
The best Greek Islands: Crete
The largest of Greece’s islands, Crete is home to stunning landscapes, brilliant beaches and fascinating historical sites, perfect for families with plenty of kid-friendly accommodation and activities. You can feel as though you’ve gone back in time in the mediaeval-style towns of Chania and Heraklion, or soak in the sunshine at beaches like Balos or Elafonsi.
You can reach the island from the Piraeus Port in Athens; during peak season you’ll find daily trips to the island. From Crete, you can travel to the nearby islands of Santorini and Rhodes from the port of Heraklion. Crete sees gorgeous weather from mid-May to the end of October; it will get a lot busier in the summer months, especially July and August, so book well in advance if you’re set on visiting at that time.
Sightseeing and activities in Crete
Crete is a perfect place to visit for travellers who love getting out into nature. There are plenty of walking trails and hikes, such as the famous Gorge of Samaria, which sits on the south side of the Chania region and is home to many rare species of flora and fauna. In the region of Heraklion, you can visit the Minoan Palace of Phaestos (on Kastri Hill), whose excavation began in 1884 and is still ongoing.
Much of the palace is still closed off, but visitors can get access to some areas and take it all in from the outside. The region of Rethymno is great to visit for divers, with a few diving tours available to some of the interesting underwater reefs and shipwrecks. You can also visit the historic Preveli Monastery, which dates back to the 17th century.
Places to stay in Crete
Crete is divided into four main regions: Heraklion, Rethymno, Chania and Lassithi. Heraklion is a great place to stay for those who love Greece’s archaeological sites, with some of the best on Crete very close by. Rethymno is great for adventurous travellers who want to head to the beaches and the hiking trails. Chania has some excellent luxury tourist resorts, perfect for a laid-back holiday, and Lassithi has some of the most beautiful natural landscapes and picturesque villages on the island.
The best Greek islands: Serifos
If you’re tired of the streamlined tourist experience and are looking for more of a local feel, Serifos is one of the best Greek islands to visit. A less popular but still beautiful island with gorgeous natural landscapes to explore, you’ll find only a few tourist facilities located near the arrival port. You can reach the island by ferry, with boats departing from Piraeus Port in Athens and arriving at the island in around 4h. The island is best visited between May and October when you’ll get pleasant, sunny weather and little rain; opt for May or September to October to avoid the busiest crowds.
Sightseeing and activities in Serifos
At the highest part of Chora sits the beautiful Church of Agios Konstantinos, a small, blue and white church with murals inside and a small garden outside. The views of the sea alone are more than worth the short hike up to the church. Serifos has 12 main beaches to choose from, with Livadakia Beach being one of the most popular due to its picturesque landscape and proximity to the port. History buffs will find plenty to do on Serifos, from the ruins of Grias Castle to the Archaeological Museum and the Old Mines of Serifos.
Best places to stay in Serifos
Many of the hotels and accommodation options in Serifos emphasise eco-friendly designs and materials. There are several options with gorgeous sea views, including Coco-Mat Eco Residences and Pende Natura Residences. Serifos Blue Apartments sit only around 1,200 metres from the harbour, providing up-close views of the deep blue Aegean Sea. The stone villas of Pende Traditional Luxury Villas sit only around 80 metres from Livadakia Beach and include a fully equipped kitchen.
