There are 6000, yes, 6000 Greek Islands. That’s an awful lot to choose from. However, there are a shortlist of islands that are most popular with holidaymakers, for their beauty, culture and accessibility as tourist resorts. There are islands that are popular for their nightlife, islands that are popular for their cuisine, islands that are popular for their beaches, and some that are popular for all of these, and more. With that in mind, we’ve compiled our favourite Greek Islands, to help you choose where to spend your holiday.
Crete
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean. It balances its own, rich, cultural heritage against its appeal as a tourist resort, with the two being intricately linked in many ways. Crete’s south coast beaches, with clean sands and isolated coves, are a real paradise for sunseekers, whilst party-lovers head to the north side of the island to live it up in Malia, which is just half an hour’s drive by airport transfer from Crete Heraklion airport. Culture and history buffs enjoy a visit to the Minoan ruin complex at Knossos, whilst everyone can enjoy the island’s beauty and great weather.
Mykonos
In the sixties, trippy dippy hippies hailed Mykonos as a haven for free love. Whilst some of that rep remains in the ageing relics of the era, parading naked up Paradise Beach, Mykonos is now seen more as an upmarket, trendy Greek retreat for bronzed beauties who come to bask in the sun and to party in the island’s sophistocated south beach bars and clubs.
Samos
At quite the other extreme from Crete and Mykonos, Samos offers something completely different. Its appeal as a tourist destination is conversely in its resistance to the encroaching demands of mass tourism. Retaining its unspoiled, authentic culture and charm, this is an island for those who come seeking peace and quiet away from the pounding music and resort-focussed beaches of the other Greek islands.
Corfu
Corfu Town is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, which in itself tells you something about Corfu as an island. It is beautiful, in that picture-postcard, gnarled and stereotypically Greek way, with sun-bleached architecture and its high profile status within the arena of Greek mythology. It is also great for nightlife, with a heady mix of loud-mouthed, vodka jelly-downing 18-30’s fun down in the south at Kavos, and the more restrained, sophistocated offerings of the New Town.
Santorini
The romantic island of Santorini boasts some of the finest beaches in the Greek Islands, notably the famous Red Beach near Akrotiri, which is also a great place to go if you’re into archaeology. The island curves round a gorgeous lagoon, and beyond its magnificent sights and jaw-dropping sunsets, also offers some excellent cuisine and fine wines, as well as a lively nightlife.
