Greece is a downright gorgeous country that boasts a rich and diverse culture that dates back more than 5000 years to the time of antiquity. It’s also particularly blessed in terms of natural scenery. From sun-drenched shores with their emerald-blue waters to mountains, forests, rivers, caves, gorges, volcanoes, lagoons and lakes – pretty much, you name it, and Greece has it! Because of all of this, it leaves you with little wonder why Greece is one of the most visited countries in Europe.
Now that the pandemic has relented somewhat and the country is once again open for business, you have your choice of more than 6,000 breathtakingly beautiful Grecian islands to choose from. And while pretty much all of them offer stunning beaches, there are many more reasons why these isles rank highly on just about all Greece vacation guides.
From cinematic sunsets to ancient ruins to delectable cuisine, Greek Island vacation destinations offer a little something for just about everyone.
Since we’re lucky enough to have been just about everywhere at this point, we’re pretty well versed on what’s worth seeing and what’s worth passing on. Greece is an incredible vacation destination on it’s own, but its myriad of top-notch islands rank very highly on our list of top things to see while visiting the country. Join Viewcation as we take a closer look at the best Greek islands to visit.
Naxos
This island is the largest Cycladic island. You can get to Naxos via a ship from Piraeus port. Once you arrive, you’ll recognize the island by it’s iconic monument, Portara – a massive monument that is very similar to a gate. This ancient structure is actually the Temple of Apollo.
Throughout the island, you’ll discover several world-class luxury hotels to stay in. It’s also known for being a very family-friendly island as it’s quite easy to find an abundance of sandy beaches where you and the family can spend the day playing in the sand and splashing in the water.
There are also several museums and archaeological sites to visit. For instance, you can visit the castle of Naxos. This marvelous place will make you feel like you just took a trip back in time. If you’re a meat lover, you’ll be pleased to discover that Naxos is renowned for it’s livestock and fabulous meat dishes.
Corfu
This ranks highly on our list of best Greek islands as it’s perfect for first-timers. Corfu boasts a ton of unique character due to it’s diverse colonial influences. You’ll see elements of British, French, and Venetian architecture and culture as you explore the island.
We recommend making your first stop at Corfu old town. Here you can get lost amidst the alleyways and maze-like cobblestone streets. It’s also a great spot to take in some of the local flavor while appreciating the architecture of the ancient city.
Corfu old town is also the home to the Archaeological Museum as well as the famed Church of St. George. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can either hike or drive to the top of Mount Pantokrator. This spot is the highest point on the island. From atop it’s peak, you’ll be blown away by the view.
Serifos
If you’re in search of a Greek Island to visit where you won’t be overwhelmed by tourists, then you should really consider visiting Serifos – which in our opinion, is one of the best Greek Islands for couples.
Serifos is a clean, pristine, and remote island that easily accommodates travelers who are on the lookout for something a bit different.
Since gasoline is very limited on the island, Serifos instead offers visitors the chance to explore the island either on foot or via bicycle. The isle’s backroads are all unpaved and quite scenic. The capital city, Chora, is home to many cafes, bars, churches, and other buildings of historical significance that offer guests a taste of traditional Greek culture.
There are also two museums in town as well several excellent restaurants to try.
Serifos is known for having some of the most secluded yet beautiful beaches in Greece. A few of our favorites include Vagia, Kalos Ambeli, Livadakia, and Skala beach. Since it’s such a well-known fact that Serifos has some of the best beaches in the Greek islands, it makes sense that the beaches are among the most popular attractions on the island.
There are eight beaches that are accessible within walking distance from town as well as an additional eleven that are bit more remote. There are even a few that are only accessible via boat.
After spending the day at the beach, be sure to check out some of the other tourist attractions on the island, such as Monastery Evangelistria. For a delicious meal, grab a tasty bite to eat at Stou Stratou, Metalleio, or Kalis Seafood Restaurant. There are also quite a few places to stay such as Cocomat Eco Residences, the Captain’s House, and the Alexandros Resort.
Rhodes
If you’re a history buff, Rhodes is the perfect Greek island for you. Rhodes is famously the birthplace of one of the most famed ancient Greek philosophers, Aristotle. It was also the home of the Colossus of Rhodes, an enormous statue that was once considered to be among the seven wonders of the ancient world.
One of our favorite parts of Rhodes is it’s medieval old town. This region is jam-packed full of ancient ruins, ornate Byzantine churches, and synagogues. It’s also home to a medieval citadel that we highly recommend visiting.
Another spot worth visiting is the much quieter and subdued pedestrian-only town of Lindos. This town features numerous paved alleyways, shops, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. While in town, make sure you stop by the Lindos acropolis. The ruins of this age-old temple are quite impressive and overlook the city.
After taking in the cultural sites, be sure to visit one of the many beaches on the island, such as Faliraki, Afondou, Tsambika, and Agathi beach. Most of the island’s beaches have taverns and restaurants if you’re trying to find a place to grab a quick bite to eat.
Santorini
This is perhaps the second-most famous of all the Greek islands. It’s fantastically photogenic and beautiful, making it an ideal spot to visit for those who are new to Greece. The island is typically bustling with tourists and is known for being a popular honeymoon destination, but it’s still very quiet and serene. We especially enjoyed watching the marvelously colorful sunsets here, which resembled something straight out of a postcard.
Every visitor to Santorini should make a stop at Fira, the island’s capital. This town is famed for it’s jaw-droppingly beautiful whitewashed cubic houses. After visiting Fira, you should head on over to Red Beach, although it’s worth noting that during the summer months, the beach can get quite congested with tourists.
Kefalonia
This island is perfect for family vacations due to it’s abundance of activities. You can take four-wheel-drive safaris that are sure to get your blood pumping or visit the national park where you’ll see wild deer and horses.
There are naturally quite a few amazing beaches to explore as well, such as Petani beach, with it’s pristine sand and emerald-blue waters. We also advise you to check out the little village of Assos, which is known for it’s vibrantly hued buildings and gorgeous bay. There are also several restaurants to visit here as well.
Crete
Crete is arguably the most famous of Greek’s islands. It’s located in the Mediterranean sea and is renowned for being the go-to spot for visitors to flock to who are in search of endless sunshine, lush colors, and dazzling natural beauty.
Crete’s dramatic mountains tower over it’s picture-perfect clear waters. There are also dozens of ancient ruins and traditional villages to explore as well.
Crete is sure to meet and exceed your expectations whether you’re in search of relaxation or an action-packed getaway. It’s the largest and most populated Greek island and is home to some of the most stunning beaches on the planet.
Crete is also popular with foodies who come from all over the world to sample it’s fresh seafood and locally-made wine.
Obviously, it’s also a great spot to go if you’re a history lover like us. Crete has been called the birthplace of Western civilization. It’s home to countless ancient archaeological sites, including the wonderful Palace of Knossos.
Mykonos
This gorgeous Greek island has long been a popular destination for tourists due to it’s world-famous nightlife scene. It’s a particularly popular destination among international travelers since it’s a frequent stopover spot for tourists making their way to either the Greek mainland or the nation of Turkey.
The town of Mykonos is noted for it’s narrow streets and fine restaurants. If you mosey down the town’s twisting and winding streets, you’ll come upon many shops and cafes to explore at your leisure. You can also book a boat tour to get a closer look at some of Greek’s most iconic and famous sights. And while this might be getting a bit redundant at this point, the island’s beaches are quite stunning as well.
The island is especially popular with visitors who enjoy water sports. From scuba diving to yachting to fishing, pretty much anything you could imagine doing out on the water, you can do on the island of Mykonos.
The island is also of note for history geeks. You can visit the ancient and sacred island of Delos – which is widely considered to be one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece. There is, unfortunately a lack of accommodations on the island, so you’ll have to take a day trip out to Delos or get a return ferry at a nearby island such as Paros, Naxos, or Mykonos.
Greece is already one of our favorite destination destinations, but when you take into account the abundance of islands that the country has to offer, it makes booking a Greek vacation that much more enticing.
Not only is Greece one of the most historically significant places on the planet, but it’s also one of the most beautiful! We could go on and on about our love for the Greek islands, but we think that they’re best experienced in person. With that, we’ll go ahead and wrap this video up, but before we go, we’d love to hear from you.
Did you know that Greece had so many islands to explore? And did you know that many of Greece’s most culturally and historically significant sites can be found on these islands? Let us know in the comments. And as always, happy travels!