BEST GREEK ISLANDS

Best Greek Islands

Best Greek Islands for families with young children: 

If you’ve made the big effort to get your young family to the Greek Islands, you definitely want to find an island that will suit you.Some features you might be looking for are sandy beaches with shallow entry, a good range of accommodation options and family friendly eating offerings Luckily there are plenty that fit the bill but our suggestions to consider are:

Naxos and Koufonisia

Best Greek Islands for teenage families:

Teenage families might perhaps be looking for a variety of features in an island holiday – beaches of course but also some physical activities on offer, plenty to see, good dining options and a bit of nightlife

Suggestions: Paros and Milos

Best Greek Islands for a quieter holiday:

If you’re looking for a quieter time, there are 2 main factors to consider – when you go and where you go. If you are able to visit in the quieter months like May, June or September then you’ll find the majority of the islands are pretty quiet and not over-run. But if you’re restricted to travel in the peak times, maybe consider:

Tinos as a larger island or one of the Small Cyclades like Iraklia.

Best Greek Islands for an authentic experience:

There’s plenty of choice here – many of the Cyclades islands would be considered relatively unspoilt even though tourism is a key factor for them. Syros  is very much a year-round working island as the capital of the Cyclades but offers a good range of things to see and do. Amorgos  is another island where tourism blends in with normal island life.

Best Greek Islands for beach club fun:

Well Mykonos is the obvious choice here, perhaps Ios too. Of the others you’ll find plenty of individual beaches with ‘club-style’ options if you’re looking for that.

Best Greek Islands for remoteness:

If you like to really get away from it all the smaller villages on the larger islands or smaller islands at quiet times will give you that sense. Driving across the barren and rock coast of Serifos to Megalo Livadi and weaving through goats with not another car in sight gives you that feeling and Amorgos is another island with a similar feeling.

Best Greek Islands for foodies:

Any of them! But to be picky, if you’re looking for islands that really make the most of their produce and have a history of superior food then Sifnos and Tinos are two islands that you should consider. They’re both good options apart from the food.

Best Greek Islands for photographers:

Again, any of them! But of course Santorini is the popular choice for some spectacular caldera views with the blue dome churches and the whitewashed terraces making a fantastic backdrop. You’ll also be guaranteed some great scenery on Folegandros and Amorgos. Of course there will be options everywhere for photos of beaches, sunsets, fishing boats, food…….

Best Greek Islands for wine lovers:

Greek wine is often under-estimated but if you end up on Tinos, be sure to give the local wines a try, either at the vineyards themselves or at the local restaurants. T-oinos, Vaptistis and Volacus are all excellent and the big Mavrotragano is my favourite.

Best Greek Islands for older couples

It’s hard to generalise for ‘older couples’ – it really depends if you’re still pretty actives or concerned about mobility and access. If you’re active then maybe just follow the other recommendations. If there are restrictions (and assuming you can manage travel to get to the islands) then perhaps islands like Koufonisia with its compact chora and easy beach access is a good choice or Paros with Naoussa as a location that has everything you’d need in an easy access area.

Best Greek Islands for first time:

My first Greek island visit was to Skopelos in 1987, a great introduction to island holiday life. I guess for the cliche first time, Santorini will be popular for many along with Mykonos but in the Cyclades – both a re worth visiting with perhaps Paros another island worth considering as a good destination all round.

Best Greek Islands for walking/hiking:

Sifnos and Tinos – both have a network of well signposted pathways with challenging walks, both long and short, with plenty to see enroute. You can organise your own hiking itinerary or join guided groups for a friendly experience. 

Check out Sifnos Hiking and Tinos Trails for more information.

Best Greek Islands for island hopping:

Naxos is a great base for island hopping giving yo easy access to Paros, Milos and all of the Small Cyclades with other ferry options if that doesn’t give you enough to choose from. You’ll just need to work out your itinerary carefully – check out Greek Ferry tips

Best Greek Islands for relaxing:

Any of them – just find a nice comfortable spot, select your favourite book, get your best playlist on then punctuate with the occasional swim and some Greek snacks – bliss!

Best Greek Islands for cycling:

The Cyclades are probably not the first islands that people think of for cycling touring and whilst there are some tours on offer and you see some intrepid cyclists around the islands, it’s not a big thing. Many of the small islands are probably too small for anything serious (a cycle round Koufonisia is fun but not really serious cycling material) but he larger islands like Paros (with a relatively flat round around) could be a good option and Naxos too if you dont mind hillier country.

Best Greek Islands for history:

You probably cant beat Crete for historical sites and references – but you’ll find many in the Cyclades as well, with the Portara (Temple of Apollo) remains near the entrance to Naxos harbour as an example.