The summer holidays are creeping closer and that means one thing, holidays! Making now the perfect time to start looking for your holiday destination. We’ve put together 10 of the best Greek islands to kick start you holiday inspiration.
With its idyllic blue waters, white-washed walls and relaxed attitude, it’s not hard to see why holidaymakers fall hard for the picturesque Greek Islands.
From the family friendly continent that is Crete to the small, glamourous Mykonos, there’s a holiday isle to suit any style and budget, and all come complete with long, sun-filled days and fresh seafood as par for the course.
Crete
The largest Greek island, Crete has a distinct local culture and will satisfy whatever it is you’re looking for. Full of busy, family friendly tourist resorts, wonderful old towns like Chania, beautiful deserted beaches (especially on the south coast), mountain villages, and the best food available among all Greek islands.
Santorini
Definitely a once in a lifetime experience that will stay with you forever, Santorini boasts breathtaking volcanic views and some of the best sunsets in the world. Its beaches are very unusual, due to the black and red volcanic sand. If you’re after a romantic getaway couples should visit the romantic Oia, if it’s parties and music you’re looking for you should choose Fira, the lively capital of the island built on top of the Caldera cliff with equally fantastic views.
Rhodes
Once home to one of the seven wonders of the world, the Colossus, Rhodes is one of the earliest holiday destinations in Greek. It is marked by the wonderful medieval old town. There is plenty of sightseeing to do, and a number of museums to give you a dose of culture and history.
Chios
If Greece has a magical island, Chios is definitely it. This lesser-known isle sits happily in the north-eastern area of the Aegean Sea. Chios is most famous for its cultivation and production of mastic, an aromatic resin that forms in teardrop shapes which comes from trees growing in the Mastihohoria region. This year when you’re planning your summer holiday, do not leave Chios off your list – the beaches are pretty jaw-dropping, too.
Mykonos
Mykonos definitely has the best beaches in the country and the chicest, wildest nightlife in Greece. You can sunbathe your days away on beautiful sunbeds on the beach and enjoy the nights in the narrow streets of the picturesque village, moving between bars and clubs. One for fine dining and even finer fashion.
Corfu
Fine beaches with freezing cold waters (a godsend after basking in the hot Grecian sun) situated on the eastern side attract thousands of visitors every summer and the range of holidays one can enjoy is vast. The old town with two fortresses offers plenty to look at coupled with plenty of culture, and the nature you’ll see is the best you’ll find on any Greek island.
Samos
Samos is an island ruled by legend and beauty. It’s a home to important monuments and historical tales, mountains and hiking traits, and immaculately organised beaches. If you wish to please your palate, Sammos offers the greatest selection of wine to please your inner wine connoisseur.
Skiathos
Skiathos and the neighbouring Sporades are flooded with fragrant pine trees that reach the sea and surround its numerous sandy beaches, like Koukounaries, one of the prettiest and busiest in the country. Hora, the capital of the island, is an idyllic village with red-roofed white houses built on a hillside surrounding the harbour.
Hydra
Hydra is one of the prettiest Greek islands with incredible architecture that has been preserved due to a strict development policy. A quiet island perfect for relaxing getaways, to get to one of the sandy beaches of the island, you will need to hire a sea-taxi, but the deep blue waters just off the harbour are where most people go to swim or cool down.
Paros
Probably the most typical of the Greek islands and a convenient base for island-hoping due to its excellent ferry connections. The beaches, the nightlife and the accommodation choice are all above average and many holiday-makers return year after year. Most nightlife is concentrated in picturesque Naousa, and you can easily find quiet and isolated beaches if all you want is to relax and enjoy the blue waters.