Best islands in Greece for holidays

Greece is a sunny country that attracts tourists with its rich history, beautiful beaches, delicious food, and amazing islands. The country is home to more than 6,000 islands, of which only about 227 are inhabited. Each Greek island has distinctive features and carries its own history. Greece is open for travel all year round, so you can definitely visit all the interesting islands. In this article, we will share with you the best of them.

Santorini is one of the most famous Greek islands. It is located on the remnants of a volcano, so you will see red, white, and black beaches. The island is famous for its white houses with blue domes. We recommend visiting the town of Oia, located on the edge of the caldera, a huge volcano crater. From there, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea and the volcano. Santorini has many vineyards where tourists enjoy tasting exquisite wines from local varieties.

Crete is the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of about 8,300 square kilometers. One of the most popular attractions in Crete is the Dikteon Cave. It is considered the birthplace of Zeus according to legend. The island has the Knossos Palace, which was built about 4,000 years ago, and the Phaistos Palace, built in the Bronze Age. On the island, you can relax on the beautiful beaches of Elafonisi and Balos.

Mykonos is an island in Southern Europe that is part of the Cyclades archipelago. It is known for its nightlife and beautiful beaches such as Paradise, Super Paradise, and Psarou. We recommend visiting the town of Chora, located on top of a hill, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the sea and the surrounding islands. The town has many museums, shops, restaurants, and bars. People go to Mykonos for the nightlife – clubs, bars, and restaurants offer local cuisine and a special atmosphere.

Rhodes is a beautiful place with a rich history. When visiting Rhodes, you will see the famous Knights’ city, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island attracts tourists with its beaches, where you can enjoy the sea breeze and swim in warm waters. Here you can also try the local wine.

Zakynthos is one of the largest islands in the Ionian Sea. It has the Laganas beach, which stretches for 9 kilometers and is a habitat for Caretta Caretta turtles. On the island, there is the Bohali fortress, the Monastery of Saint Maurice, the Solomos Museum-Library, and the Costume Museum in the old town. On Zakynthos, they also produce olive oil, in addition to wine.

Corfu has been named one of the most beautiful islands in Europe and is located in the northwest of the Ionian Sea, near the coast of Albania. The island is an ideal destination for those who love history and architecture. Its old town is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. In addition to historical buildings and beautiful streets, you can see the Achilleion Palace and the Museum of Asian Art. If you love beach vacations, we recommend visiting Paleokastritsa – a beach surrounded by high cliffs and caves.

Naxos is one of the largest islands in Greece, located in the center of the Aegean Sea. Beaches, green hills, clean water, and local villages are what this island is famous for. In the main town of Naxos, you can see historical buildings and monuments, such as the Venetian castle and the Temple of Apollo. You should try local cheeses and wines on the island. People come to Naxos to do windsurfing, kiteboarding, paragliding, and cycling.

Kefalonia offers rich history and nature. One of the main attractions here is the city of Argostoli, the capital of the island. You will see historical buildings, museums, and beautiful streets. The city has a very beautiful port where locals fish. You can buy fresh fish there. The island is famous for its mountainous nature, where hiking is popular and you can see beautiful landscapes. There are also caves and waterfalls on Kefalonia.

Skiathos is an island of beaches, coves, and green hills. If you visit Koukounaries Beach, you will see white sand and crystal-clear water. The same awaits you at Lalaria and Banana beaches. The main town of the island, Skiathos, offers you the chance to see the Castle of Bourtzi and many museums. The island has preserved its beautiful architecture, streets, and Venetian buildings. When on Skiathos, try the local cheeses and wines.

Karpathos is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, located in the southern part of the Dodecanese Islands. There are many interesting beaches here, such as Achata and Ammoopsaro. While on the island, it’s impossible not to see the fortress of Paleochoa and the stone windmills, which are unique in their architecture. You can try local cuisine in the main town of Pigadia. Karpathos offers places for windsurfing and kiteboarding, as well as opportunities for diving and snorkeling.

The Greek archipelago is something beautiful that all tourists to the country should see. Each island has its unique character. If you plan to visit Greece, don’t miss the opportunity to visit at least a few Greek islands. But if you will be booking a hotel in the country, consider using car rental in Greece. The thing is, such a service allows you to be independent of public transport and not tied to time.

How to have time to see all the islands in Greece

The islands are scattered around the mainland coast of the country and are located in each of the seas washing Greece. Some have turned into resorts for fashionable recreation, while others have preserved their wild nature. Each island has its own type of recreation, but one thing remains unchanged: tips on how to make your leisure time better and more budget-friendly.

1. Plan ahead. This is an excellent idea to save money and take the first step in preparing for your trip. Make a plan: determine the length of your stay in the country and the number of islands you want to visit. Write down a list of desired places to visit, and then plan out an optimal route.
2. Select transport. In addition to choosing air tickets, you should think about ways of getting around in Greece. Despite the availability of public transportation in the country, it is best to rent a car. If you plan to see many attractions, it is more convenient, cheaper, and faster to do so by car. Cars in Greece can be rented on the website of LocalCarRents. There you will find transportation that suits any request.
3. Be flexible. Sometimes unexpected situations happen during trips. For example, a flight may be delayed or the weather may turn bad. In such moments, you should always have a backup travel plan. That’s why when planning your main route, you should think about alternative options in case of force majeure. And, by the way, having a rented car here will only be a plus, because you can wait out short-term weather deterioration in it.
4. Visit tours. Even if you want to explore the country or the island on your own, we recommend taking at least a couple of guided tours. Fortunately, tourist agencies offer such an opportunity. During tours, you will be able to see the sights and learn information about them that may not be available on the Internet.
5. Explore lesser known islands. Most tourists choose the most popular islands in Greece, such as Santorini and Mykonos. This leads to a large influx of people and, consequently, uncomfortable vacations. We recommend choosing less well-known islands. The scenery there is no worse, but there will be orders of magnitude fewer tourists. Some of these islands may be less accessible, but the sights are worth the effort.
6. Travel during the off-season. The summer months are the peak season for visiting Greece. But the country is beautiful all year round. And if you want to avoid crowds, plan your trip during a quieter season in spring or autumn. By the way, then you can find cheaper prices for tickets, accommodation, and restaurants.
7. Respect local culture and nature. Greece is blessed with beautiful nature and historical sites. However, if tourists show disrespect towards it, the beauty will quickly deteriorate. We urge not only to respect local laws and rules, but also not to litter in inappropriate places, not to pick flowers and other vegetation. In 2020, tourists from the United States were detained on the island of Santorini for violating the rules of visiting an archaeological site and scattering stones around the ancient theater. Such behavior leaves a negative perception of tourists by locals.

If you love adventure and are willing to spend enough free time on it, we recommend visiting the Greek islands. These places will appeal to tourists with different hobbies. However, if you plan your trip in advance, take into account all the details. In addition to accommodation, do not forget about choosing the right transportation. And here we advise you to rent a car – it will become your flexibility and convenience during the journey. We wish you to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of each Greek island.