Greek Islands Guide: 25 Popular and Hidden Gems

Visitors to the Greek islands are spoiled for choice. There are around 6,000 islands in Greece, 227 of which are inhabited. You can visit some of the uninhabited islands on day trips, which are fantastic for pristine beaches or archeological sites, like Delos (The “Athens of the Greek islands”). Idyllic villages hanging above the sea, mouth watering gastronomy and breathtaking sunsets over sun kissed beached make this a popular vacation destination for celebrities too.

Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes are three of the most popular islands. Especially in summer, they draw huge throngs of tourists, also because many of the large cruise ships dock there. There’s good news for those that want to avoid the crowds – there’s plenty of other islands! And you can also plan a trip to the most popular islands outside summer, when crowds drop off significantly and prices are cheaper.

Here are highlights of 25 popular and hidden gem Greek islands!

Crete: Tips for Greece’s Largest Island

Crete is the largest and most southern island in Greece. It’s home to ancient civilizations that predate Athenians, picturesque scenery and one of Greece’s best culinary scenes. As we have family in Heraklion, we’ve visited them multiple times over the last few years, giving us a chance to explore this beautiful island, with great local guidance. Crete highlights include Chania, Palace of Knosos, Rethymnon, Samaria Gorge (longest in Europe) and Elafonisi, a unique pink beach. Here are tips for visiting Crete!

How to Spend the Perfect Week in Greece

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6 Fantastic Greek Islands to Visit

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The Many Reasons You Will Love Chania, Crete

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