Islands

Holidays by Destination Europe Greece Islands Where to Go 

The following is a very, very brief outline of the options, designed as a starting point before you look for more details from one of the specialist tour operators or a guide.

The Ionian

The greener islands and the ones to the west of the mainland. Corfu can match Spain for tourism levels, the development particularly marked on the east coast, especially either side of the airport. The more exclusive resorts are in the northeast (Nissaki, Kalami, Kouloura and San Stefano), with luxury villas more usefully served by boat than car hire. If you want beaches further round to the north are Sidhari with a wide sand and shallow waters, plus Rhodos and Acharavi to Kassiopi. Good beaches are the big draw to the west, Agios Gordis with lots of watersports. If that palls there is an Aqua-Land water park four miles from Corfu town but there are still olive groves and tiny fishing villages in small coves on the east coast. The south is partyland while inland are old mountain villages. Zakynthos (Zante) is also notable for beaches and charter flights are bringing development which has spoilt some parts. Paxos lacks the water or sand beaches for too many visitors but is a popular upmarket spot. Lefkadha, connected to the mainland, is still rather low key but does also have some decent beaches, Kefallonia (Cephalonia), the largest, is seeing a boom, with again beaches a significant draw. Ithaki has seen very little. Kithira sees mostly Greek tourists, attracted to the beaches.

The Sporades

All are easily accessible from the mainland and have become very busy, Skiathos in particular with highly crowded beaches, though considered some of the best. Skopelos is marginally less crowded, despite an on-going jellyfish problem. Alonissos a little less so though the main town is unattractive. Skiros remains more traditional though development is happening with charter flights. The large Evvia, just off the mainland, feels little different from it.

The Cyclades

Home to the classic bright white cube houses above brilliant sea. Mykonos is the place for clubs and bars open all night, and a base for a day trip to <Delos, a centre of the ancient Greek world. Steep shelving beaches. Also overcrowded at the height of summer, Sifnos is one of the prettier islands with an upmarket profile, not overly welcoming. Probably second only to Mykonos, Paros combines lively night life with traditional villages and monasteries, plus good beaches. Naxos is the largest and most fertile of the Cyclades and in the southwest offers what the Rough Guide judges some of the best Greek beaches. In addition there are Venetian and Cretan remains. Thira (Santorini) was once a Minoan outpost but then its volcano erupted. Despite dark sand beaches (scalding in the afternoons) it has become a big tourist destination. While Kamari is a package destination, IA is an attractive quiet centre, with some Minoan remains. Folegandhros has donkeys as generally too steep for vehicles. Hora town is the big draw but there are beaches too. Alternatively there is Iraklia reported just being discovered, with a particularly good beach. Amorgos can currently get very crowded in summer but there are plans to cut ferries and make it more exclusive. There is a fine monastery and decent beaches. Milos has been scarred by quarrying but this was where the Venus de Milo was found and there are two moderately good museums and some reasonable beaches. Andhros is the second largest of the group, fertile valleys housing Athenian holiday homes, so busy at weekends. Kithnos being close to Athens is used for weekending and therefore relatively expensive but has decent beaches.

Crete

Inland this still feels pretty undeveloped and as home to the oldest known European civilisation there are some attractive sightseeing options, notably Knossos and the beaches are considered some of the best among the islands. The northeast coast has been sadly overdeveloped for tourism. Parts of the south and west are less so. The towns of Hania and Rethimnon in the northwest are the two most attractive, the second with good beaches nearby. Stavros on the peninsula to the north offers a fine beach on a shallow near-enclosed lagoon.

The Dodecanese

Rhodes is the most famous of these, now made over to package tourism, not least because of its medieval centre (seeing 50,000 visitors a day), plus lots of sandy beaches and dutyfree drink. The far south is much less developed. Kos has also largely turned itself over to tourism, again largely driven by its beaches, but has some fine ancient monuments. Simi being short of water sees mainly trippers from Rhodes with just two or three hotels for longer stays though old houses have been done up for holidays. Tilos is really cut off but offers seven small Knights' castles plus chapels and beaches. Patmos is considered by some the most beautiful and the monastery commemorating St John has prevented tourism taking too strong a hold. The beaches are good and even in winter things don't close entirely (though it gets cold).

The Aegean

Samos has a rich history but is now dependent on sedate tourism. The best beaches are in the west, Votsalakia the big family resort. Ikaria is relatively undeveloped. Hios, ravaged by forest fires, was opened to tourism only in the ‘80s but sees plenty of tourists (few British) in the capital or nearby resort of Karfas. Villages are attractive and there are Byzantine monuments. Lesvos offers medieval and Ottoman architecture, relatively undeveloped tourism, and good beaches at Vatera and Skala Eressou. Limnos is well off the tourist track with long, sandy, shelving beaches, unfortunately sometimes besieged by jellyfish. Thassos is close to the mainland and sees significant visitor numbers, but seems attractive enough to absorb them.

Near Athens

Eyina is best on week days with a range of fine monuments. Idhra (Hydra) with the notably attractive Idhra town is completely packed in summer when it turns into one of the more expensive resorts. Spetses sees a lot of British package tourism but the town still manages to maintain its sense of character. Beyond is attractive with a good beach.