Best Greek Islands: How to Choose the Right One for You

Greece has over 200 inhabited islands, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Each island has its own personality — from the party-fueled nightlife of Mykonos to the rugged hiking trails of Crete, from the volcanic drama of Santorini to the untouched beaches of Milos.

The truth is, there is no single "best" Greek island. The best one depends entirely on what you want from your trip. This guide breaks down 12 of the most popular and rewarding islands so you can make the right choice.

Quick Comparison Table

Island	Best For	Budget Level	Crowds	Best Time
Santorini	Romance, sunsets, photography	$$$$	Very High	Apr-May, Sep-Oct
Mykonos	Nightlife, beach clubs	$$$$	Very High	Jun-Sep
Crete	History, hiking, food	$$	Moderate	Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct
Rhodes	History, family beaches	$$	Moderate	May-Jun, Sep-Oct
Corfu	Lush scenery, culture	$$	Moderate	May-Jun, Sep
Naxos	Families, authentic vibes	$$	Low-Moderate	Jun-Sep
Paros	All-rounders, windsurfing	$$-$$$	Moderate	Jun-Sep
Milos	Beaches, geology, quiet	$$-$$$	Low	May-Sep
Zakynthos	Dramatic scenery, turtles	$$	High	May-Jun, Sep
Kefalonia	Nature, beaches, quiet	$$	Low-Moderate	Jun-Sep
Ios	Budget partying, beaches	$	Moderate	Jun-Aug
Hydra	Car-free charm, art	$$$	Low	Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct

Santorini: The Iconic Romantic Escape

Santorini is the island that launched a thousand Instagram posts, and for good reason. The caldera views from Oia and Fira are genuinely breathtaking — white-washed buildings cascading down volcanic cliffs into an impossibly blue sea.

Best For

Couples, honeymooners, photographers, and anyone chasing that iconic Greek island postcard moment.

What to Know

• Oia sunsets are world-famous but extremely crowded from June through August. Arrive at the castle ruins two hours early for a spot, or watch from a restaurant terrace instead.
• Beaches are unusual — Red Beach, Black Beach (Perissa), and White Beach are all volcanic. Don't expect Caribbean-style sand.
• Accommodation is expensive. A cave hotel with a caldera view runs EUR 300-800/night in peak season. Budget travelers can find rooms in Perissa or Kamari for EUR 60-100.
• Fira is the main town with better nightlife and transport connections. Oia is quieter and more photogenic.
• The hike from Fira to Oia (10 km, 3-4 hours) is one of the best free things to do on the island.
• Wine tasting at volcanic wineries like Santo Wines or Venetsanos is a must — Santorini's Assyrtiko grape produces outstanding white wines.

How to Get There

Direct flights from Athens (45 min) or ferries from Piraeus (5-8 hours). High-speed ferries take about 5 hours. In summer, there are direct flights from many European cities.

Budget Estimate

EUR 150-400/day for a couple, depending heavily on accommodation choices.

Mykonos: The Party Capital

Mykonos is Greece's most glamorous island, with a deserved reputation for world-class nightlife, luxury beach clubs, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. The town itself — with its windmills, narrow lanes, and Little Venice waterfront — is genuinely beautiful.

Best For

Party-goers, LGBTQ+ travelers (Mykonos is one of Europe's most welcoming destinations), luxury seekers, and beach club enthusiasts.

What to Know

• Peak party season is July-August, when international DJs play at clubs like Cavo Paradiso and beach bars like Scorpios and Nammos.
• Paradise and Super Paradise beaches are the party beaches with loud music all day. For something quieter, try Agios Sostis or Fokos.
• Mykonos Town (Chora) is genuinely charming and worth exploring beyond the bars — the Paraportiani church and Little Venice are highlights.
• Prices are steep. A sunbed at a top beach club can cost EUR 50-100. Cocktails run EUR 15-25.
• Day trip to Delos is essential — this uninhabited island is one of Greece's most important archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Boats run from the old port (EUR 20-25 round trip).

How to Get There

Direct flights from Athens (40 min) and many European cities in summer. Ferries from Piraeus (2.5-5 hours).

Budget Estimate

EUR 200-500/day for a couple. This is one of Greece's most expensive islands.

Crete: The Island That Has Everything

Crete is Greece's largest island and arguably its most diverse. You could spend two weeks here and barely scratch the surface. Ancient Minoan palaces, dramatic gorges, pristine beaches, and arguably the best food in all of Greece.

Best For

History buffs, hikers, foodies, families, road trippers, and anyone who wants depth over a quick island hop.

What to Know

• Crete is big. It is 260 km from east to west. Renting a car is practically essential.
• Samaria Gorge is Europe's longest gorge hike (16 km, 5-7 hours). It is spectacular but demanding. Book early in peak season.
• Chania is the most atmospheric town, with a stunning Venetian harbor. Use it as your western base.
• Heraklion is the main city and gateway to Knossos, the legendary Minoan palace (EUR 15 entry).
• Elafonisi and Balos are two of the most beautiful beaches in all of Europe — pink-tinged sand and lagoon-like turquoise water.
• Cretan cuisine is a highlight unto itself. Try dakos (barley rusk salad), kalitsounia (cheese pastries), and lamb with stamnagathi (wild greens). Eat where locals eat — portions are enormous and prices are fair.
• The south coast (Loutro, Sfakia, Matala) is rugged, less developed, and rewards adventurous travelers.

How to Get There

Direct flights to Heraklion or Chania from Athens (1 hour) and many European cities. Overnight ferry from Piraeus (9-10 hours).

Budget Estimate

EUR 80-180/day for a couple. Crete is excellent value.

Rhodes: History Meets Beach

Rhodes combines a UNESCO-listed medieval old town with long sandy beaches and reliable sunshine. The Old Town of Rhodes is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe — walking through its cobblestoned streets genuinely feels like stepping back in time.

Best For

History enthusiasts, families, couples who want culture and beach in equal measure.

What to Know

• The Old Town is a must. Wander the Street of the Knights, visit the Palace of the Grand Master, and get deliberately lost in the maze of lanes.
• Lindos is the island's second star attraction — a picture-perfect village topped by an ancient acropolis with sea views.
• The east coast has calmer, warmer water and more developed beaches. The west coast is windier, better for surfing.
• Prasonisi at the southern tip is a windsurfing and kitesurfing paradise where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean.
• Rhodes is well-connected for day trips to smaller Dodecanese islands like Symi (famous for its colorful harbor) and Halki.

How to Get There

Direct flights from Athens (1 hour) and many European cities. Ferries from Piraeus are long (13-18 hours) — fly if you can.

Budget Estimate

EUR 90-200/day for a couple.

Corfu: The Emerald Isle

Corfu is the greenest Greek island, with a lush landscape of olive groves, cypress trees, and rolling hills that feels more Italian than typically Greek. Its Venetian, French, and British colonial history gives it a unique cultural layer.

Best For

Nature lovers, culture seekers, families, those who want a greener, more lush island experience.

What to Know

• Corfu Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with elegant Venetian architecture, the Liston promenade, and excellent restaurants.
• The northeast coast (Kassiopi, Kalami) has stunning coves and was beloved by the Durrell family — read Gerald Durrell's "My Family and Other Animals" before you visit.
• Paleokastritsa on the west coast has dramatic cliff-backed coves and a hilltop monastery with panoramic views.
• Canal d'Amour near Sidari is a natural rock formation worth visiting, though the beach itself gets crowded.
• Corfu's cuisine shows Italian influence — try sofrito (veal in garlic sauce), pastitsada (pasta with spiced meat), and kumquat liqueur.

How to Get There

Direct flights from Athens (1 hour) and many European cities. Ferries from Igoumenitsa on the mainland (1.5-2 hours).

Budget Estimate

EUR 80-180/day for a couple.

Naxos: The Authentic All-Rounder

Naxos is the largest of the Cycladic islands and one of the most underrated. It has everything — great beaches, charming villages, ancient ruins, mountain hiking, and excellent local cuisine — without the inflated prices of Santorini or Mykonos.

Best For

Families, couples seeking authenticity, foodies, travelers who want a well-rounded island without the crowds.

What to Know

• The Portara (Apollo's Gate) at sunset is Naxos Town's iconic sight — and unlike Santorini, you won't be fighting for space.
• Beaches are outstanding. Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka are long stretches of golden sand with clear water. Plaka is the most unspoiled.
• Mountain villages like Halki and Apiranthos feel frozen in time and make excellent half-day excursions.
• Naxos produces its own food — potatoes, cheeses (try graviera and arseniko), citron liqueur (kitron), and meat. It is one of the most self-sufficient Greek islands.
• Windsurfing and kitesurfing at Mikri Vigla beach draw enthusiasts from around Europe.

How to Get There

Ferry from Piraeus (4-5.5 hours) or from nearby islands (Paros is 40 minutes away). Small airport with flights from Athens.

Budget Estimate

EUR 70-150/day for a couple. Excellent value.

Paros: The Perfect Middle Ground

Paros sits right in the middle of the Cyclades — both geographically and in terms of vibe. It has the white-washed Cycladic beauty, good nightlife, excellent beaches, and authentic villages, without the extreme prices or crowds of its famous neighbors.

Best For

Travelers who want a taste of everything, windsurfers, couples, groups of friends.

What to Know

• Naoussa is one of the most beautiful harbors in the Cyclades — a former fishing village that now has excellent restaurants and a lively bar scene without being overwhelming.
• Parikia is the main port town with the remarkable Panagia Ekatontapyliani (Church of 100 Doors), one of the most important Byzantine churches in Greece.
• Lefkes is a stunning mountain village connected by the Byzantine Road hiking path.
• Golden Beach (Chrysi Akti) hosts the Professional Windsurfers Association World Cup — conditions are world-class.
• Paros is the best island-hopping hub in the Cyclades, with frequent ferries to Naxos (40 min), Mykonos (50 min), Santorini (2-3 hours), and smaller islands like Antiparos (10 min).

How to Get There

Ferry from Piraeus (3.5-5 hours) or flights from Athens (40 min).

Budget Estimate

EUR 80-180/day for a couple.

Milos: The Beach Lover's Secret

Milos is a volcanic island with over 70 beaches, many of them accessible only by boat. The otherworldly rock formations and colors — white, red, orange, yellow — create landscapes unlike anything else in Greece. It has grown in popularity recently but remains far less crowded than the big names.

Best For

Beach connoisseurs, photographers, geology enthusiasts, couples seeking something unique.

What to Know

• Sarakiniko is the most famous beach — surreal white rock formations that look like a lunar landscape. Visit early morning to avoid crowds.
• Kleftiko is only reachable by boat — dramatic sea caves and rock arches with crystal-clear water. Book a boat tour (EUR 40-60 per person).
• Plathiena, Firiplaka, and Tsigrado are all stunning and distinct beaches worth visiting.
• Plaka is the pretty hilltop capital with a castle offering panoramic sunset views.
• The fishing village of Klima has colorful boathouses (syrmata) built right at water level — one of the most photographed spots on the island.
• Catacombs of Milos are early Christian catacombs, one of only three such sites in the world (along with Rome and the Holy Land).

How to Get There

Ferry from Piraeus (4-7 hours) or flights from Athens (45 min). Ferries run less frequently than to bigger islands, so plan ahead.

Budget Estimate

EUR 90-200/day for a couple.

Zakynthos: Dramatic Scenery and Sea Turtles

Zakynthos (also called Zante) is famous for one image: Navagio Beach, or Shipwreck Beach, where a rusted freighter sits on white sand framed by towering limestone cliffs. But there is much more to this Ionian island than that single cove.

Best For

Nature lovers, photographers, families, loggerhead sea turtle enthusiasts.

What to Know

• Navagio Beach is only accessible by boat from Porto Vromi or Agios Nikolaos. The clifftop viewpoint is equally spectacular.
• Loggerhead sea turtles (caretta caretta) nest on the southern beaches, particularly Gerakas. The National Marine Park protects them — follow the rules (no umbrellas on nesting beaches, no flashlights at night).
• The Blue Caves on the northern tip are stunning, especially in morning light when the water glows electric blue.
• Laganas on the south coast is the party strip — loud, crowded, and aimed squarely at young British tourists. Avoid it if that is not your scene.
• Vasilikos peninsula and Keri are much more peaceful alternatives with excellent beaches.
• The island has a clear north-south divide: the west and north are dramatic and mountainous, the east and south are flat and more developed.

How to Get There

Flights from Athens (1 hour) or ferry from Killini on the Peloponnese (1 hour).

Budget Estimate

EUR 70-150/day for a couple.

Kefalonia: Untouched Natural Beauty

Kefalonia is the largest Ionian island and one of the most naturally beautiful in all of Greece. Made famous by the novel and film "Captain Corelli's Mandolin," it has dramatic mountains, pristine beaches, and a pace of life that feels genuinely unhurried.

Best For

Nature enthusiasts, hikers, couples seeking tranquility, travelers who prioritize natural beauty over nightlife.

What to Know

• Myrtos Beach is regularly voted one of the best beaches in Europe — a sweeping crescent of white pebbles backed by sheer cliffs. The drive down is steep.
• Melissani Cave is a half-submerged cave with an underground lake where sunlight streams through a collapsed roof. Take the short boat ride — it is magical at midday when light hits the water.
• Fiskardo is the only village that survived the devastating 1953 earthquake, and its pastel-colored Venetian houses and yacht-filled harbor make it the island's most elegant settlement.
• Mount Ainos (1,628 m) is a national park covered in rare Cephalonian fir trees, with trails offering views across the Ionian Sea.
• Antisamos Beach (the "Captain Corelli" beach) has stunning turquoise water backed by green hills.

How to Get There

Flights from Athens (1 hour) or ferry from Killini (2.5 hours) or Patra.

Budget Estimate

EUR 70-150/day for a couple.

Ios: Budget Party Paradise

Ios has long been the backpacker party island of the Cyclades — where young travelers come for cheap drinks and all-night dancing. But there is a quieter side emerging, with excellent beaches and a surprisingly pretty Chora.

Best For

Young travelers on a budget, party-seekers who find Mykonos too expensive, and increasingly, travelers looking for beautiful Cycladic scenery without the price tag.

What to Know

• Chora (Ios Town) is genuinely beautiful — a classic Cycladic hilltop village with white-washed buildings and blue-domed churches. The bar strip runs through the lower section.
• Mylopotas Beach is the main beach — long, sandy, with beach bars that crank up the music by afternoon.
• Manganari Beach on the south coast is a quieter alternative with crystal-clear water.
• Homer's Tomb is an archaeological site at the northern tip, connected to the legend that the poet died on Ios.
• Nightlife peaks from mid-June through August. Outside these months, the island is remarkably quiet.
• Ios is increasingly attracting a more upscale crowd as boutique hotels open alongside the party hostels.

How to Get There

Ferry from Piraeus (5-7 hours) or from Santorini (35 min-1 hour). No airport.

Budget Estimate

EUR 50-120/day for a couple. One of the cheapest Cycladic islands.

Hydra: The Car-Free Escape

Hydra is unlike any other Greek island. No cars, no motorbikes, no bicycles — just donkeys, water taxis, and your own two feet. This 19th-century maritime merchant town is only 90 minutes from Athens and feels like stepping into a different era.

Best For

Artists, writers, couples, day-trippers from Athens, anyone craving total escape from motor traffic.

What to Know

• Hydra Town is the only real settlement — a stunning amphitheater of gray stone mansions rising from a picture-perfect harbor.
• Everything moves by donkey or boat. Your luggage will arrive at your hotel on a mule. This is not a gimmick — it is simply how the island works.
• Leonard Cohen lived here in the 1960s. The island has a long artistic heritage and still attracts painters and writers.
• Swimming is mostly off rocks near the town or at Vlychos and Bisti, which are reachable by water taxi (EUR 10-15) or on foot.
• There are no sandy beaches to speak of. If lying on a beach is your priority, Hydra is not your island.
• Day trip or overnight? A day trip from Athens is easy and popular, but staying overnight lets you experience the magical quiet after the last boat leaves.
• Four Seasons Hydra opened in recent years, bringing luxury accommodation to the island, though traditional guesthouses remain the heart of the experience.

How to Get There

High-speed ferry (hydrofoil) from Piraeus (90 minutes). No airport.

Budget Estimate

EUR 100-250/day for a couple.

How to Island-Hop in Greece

One of the best ways to experience Greece is to combine two or three islands in a single trip. Here are some practical tips and recommended combinations.

Recommended Island Combos

• Classic Cyclades (10-14 days): Athens - Paros (3 nights) - Naxos (3 nights) - Santorini (3 nights) - Athens
• Party and Culture (7-10 days): Athens - Mykonos (3 nights) - Paros (2 nights) - Athens
• Off the Beaten Path (10-14 days): Athens - Milos (3 nights) - Naxos (3 nights) - Amorgos (3 nights) - Athens
• Ionian Road Trip (10-14 days): Corfu (4 nights) - Kefalonia (4 nights) - Zakynthos (3 nights)
• Quick Athens Add-On (2-3 days): Athens - Hydra (1-2 nights) - Athens

Practical Island-Hopping Tips

• Book ferries on Ferryhopper or directly with operators like Blue Star Ferries and SeaJets. In July and August, book at least 2-3 weeks ahead for popular routes.
• High-speed ferries cost roughly double the price of regular ferries but cut travel time in half.
• Ferry schedules are more frequent in summer (June-September). Off-season routes may only run a few times per week.
• Build in buffer days. Ferries can be cancelled due to strong Meltemi winds, especially in July and August. Never schedule a ferry on the same day as a flight.
• Pack light. Wheeled suitcases and cobblestones do not mix. A backpack or soft-sided bag makes island-hopping dramatically easier.

When to Visit the Greek Islands

• Peak season (July-August): Maximum sunshine, warmest sea temperatures (25-27C), all services running. But also the most crowded, most expensive, and subject to the strong Meltemi wind in the Cyclades.
• Shoulder season (May-June, September-October): The sweet spot. Warm weather, comfortable sea temperatures (especially September), lower prices, fewer crowds. September is arguably the best month overall.
• Off-season (November-April): Most island services shut down. Only Crete and Rhodes have enough year-round infrastructure to be worthwhile winter destinations.

Final Advice

If this is your first Greek island trip, choose based on your priorities rather than chasing the most famous name. Santorini and Mykonos are iconic for a reason, but Naxos, Paros, and Milos deliver an equally memorable experience at lower cost and with fewer crowds.

Whatever you choose, book accommodation early for July and August, bring reef-safe sunscreen, and leave room in your itinerary for the unplanned — a taverna a local recommends, a hidden cove you stumble upon, an extra day on an island you fall in love with. That flexibility is where the best Greek island memories are made.