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Which is the best Greek island?
Sandy shores and sorbet skies? There’s more to Greece than meets the eye.
Peppering the Aegean and Ionian seas, Greece is home to around 6,000 islands and islets – hands up if you knew! No two are alike, so when it comes to choosing the island that ticks your holiday wishlist, it can be tricky to find your perfect spot. From off-the-radar spots like Thassos to the ever-popular Santorini, we’ve got the inside info on the best Greek islands for families, food lovers, partygoers and more – cue the moussaka.
Sound good? Swot up on your island knowledge, then bag a great-value Greek getaway.
Sound good? Swot up on your island knowledge, then bag a great-value Greek getaway.
Zante
Zakynthos – better known to us by its Italian name Zante – tops the best beach crop. And it’s not hard to see why. Come summer, Insta feeds flood with snaps of Shipwreck Cove (or Navagio Beach as it’s also named) – no filter needed. But it’s not just about one famous sandy stretch, Zante has beaches by the bucketload. Porto Limnionas Beach on the island’s southern coast (our recommendation for a secluded spot to swing by) is always camera-ready. The turquoise waters here are enough of a reason to visit – the underwater caves are an added bonus. Pick up a set of snorkels, and you might spot a starfish or two.
Check out our Zante holidays.
Check out our Zante holidays.
Kefalonia
Foodie fan? You’re in for a treat – Kefalonia ups the Greek cuisine ante. Whether you dine at top-notch restaurants or traditional tavernas, you'll find loads of tasty plates to tuck into. ‘Kreatopita’, is what Kefalonia does best. It’s a flaky pastry pie filled with vegetables, beef or lamb marinated in a tomato, wine and herby sauce – a must for your tastebuds. For those with a sweet tooth (we see you), snacking on ‘mandoles’ – named after the Italian for almonds – will become your daily ritual. Cooked in a copper pan with sugar and red food colouring sourced from seaweed, you’ll find these traditional treats in every bakery, supermarket or corner cafe.
Check out our Kefalonia holidays.
Check out our Kefalonia holidays.
Rhodes
History buffs, this one’s for you. The Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans have all left their mark on this ancient isle, so ticking off Venetian forts, centuries-old temples and Gothic towers is a breeze. Rhodes Old Town (the clue’s in the name) is where most of the good stuff is. Step out onto the cobbles of the famous Street of the Knights, and you’ll be transported back to the Middle Ages. The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes (on par with Frances’ Le Louvre, don’t you know) is home to mosaics, sculptures and pottery dating back decades – no wonder this lost-in-time city got the UNESCO nod back in 1988. Head 30 miles south for Lindos, where the scene-stealing Acropolis – a high city in modern-day lingo – awaits. Cameras ready…
Check out our Rhodes holidays.
Check out our Rhodes holidays.
Santorini
Mother Nature worked her magic on scenic Santorini. With red-rock beaches, coastal capes and some of the best sunsets you’ll ever see (Oia, we’re looking at you), this place has romance written all over it. For a ‘do not disturb’ vibe, Imerovigli’s the crème de la crème. Here, clifftop – well, cape-top – strolls at Skaros Rock and feta-filled feasts at traditional tavernas are firmly on the agenda. Up the ante with a trip to nearby Thira, the island’s cosmopolitan capital. Cobbled streets wind their way past museums, cathedrals and galleries, and street vendors line up to sell souvenirs of the Blue and White Isle – the perfect memento to a getaway for two.
Check out our Santorini holidays.
Check out our Santorini holidays.
Crete
Enter Crete – a challenger to the typical blue sea, white beach Greek norm. The mountainous scenery here is a magnet for hike-on-holiday types – and it’s not hard to see why. Ancient gorges, steep mountains and valley villages give you a peek into the island's soul. Ready to lace up your boots? Samaria Gorge – Europe’s second largest – is perfect for hikers and history lovers. The 16 kilometres long crevice can take up to seven hours to walk, and you’ll pass tiny chapels, lost-in-time towns and, if you’re lucky, a wild kri-kri goat along the way. Psst! The trail is only open a few months a year, so keep that in mind when booking your Crete getaway.
Check out our Crete holidays.
Check out our Crete holidays.
Mykonos
Mykonos – AKA Greece’s glamour isle – rivals the Balearic beats of Ibiza with its bohemian cafés, posh piano bars and lively beach parties. Sound like your kind of scene? Perfect. Make tracks for Paradise Beach Club in Mykonos Town, the island’s undisputed hub for all-night parties and big-name DJs. Scarpa’s the place for sunset to sunrise strobe lights. A part of Little Venice – a charming corner of Mykonos Town – for over 40 years, this place has a must-try cocktail menu. We’ll have Scarpa's speciality drink, the Roger Rabbit (a vodka, carrot, lime, peach and passionfruit mix) if you're buying.
Check out our Mykonos holidays.
Check out our Mykonos holidays.
Thassos
Hear that? Silence. Peace is part of the appeal of Thassos. This relatively unknown Aegean isle is traditional to a T – think tavernas, dinky villages, vineyards and olive groves aplenty. Our recommendation? Panagia – a white-washed hillside town with winding cobbled streets and spectacular sea views. Keen to see more? Pack your snacks and head to Giola Lagoon or Aphrodite’s Tear to the locals. Said to be created by the Greek God Zeus for his wife Aphrodite, this natural, tear-shaped pool is a popular spot on the island’s southern tip. The water’s ever-shifting shades of blue and green make for the perfect summer’s day dip.
Check out our Thassos holidays.
Check out our Thassos holidays.
Corfu
Culture high on your holiday wish list? Answer the call of Corfu. Sure, the sandy beaches serve up sun and solitude, but swap them for museums, galleries and UNESCO-listed cobbled streets, and you’ll never look back. Head here in August for one of the island’s most historic celebrations, the Varkarola Festival. Legend has Saint Spyridon saved the island from Turkish invasion in 1716, and locals celebrate yearly with a battle recreation, fireworks and traditional dancing. Museums also come thick and fast here and are a great way to learn about local island life. The Olive and Oil Museum in Kynopiastes – one of the island’s oldest towns – pays homage to the fruit that’s to thank for Corfu’s nickname, The Emerald Isle – how cool is that?
Check out our Corfu holidays.
Check out our Corfu holidays.
Inspired? Greece has something for everyone – all that’s missing is you.
Browse our holidays to Greece, or read the best tours to take while you’re there. Want to lowdown on where to lay your towel? Take a look at the best beaches in Greece for more island inspo.
Get holiday ready and find out more about travel money in Greece.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Laura Wilkinson
Last updated: 12.11.2024
Browse our holidays to Greece, or read the best tours to take while you’re there. Want to lowdown on where to lay your towel? Take a look at the best beaches in Greece for more island inspo.
Get holiday ready and find out more about travel money in Greece.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Laura Wilkinson
Last updated: 12.11.2024