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

Last updated on February 22nd, 2024 at 05:30 pmGreece conjures images of picturesque island hopping amid storied ancient sites. How to spend the perfect week in Greece depends on the individual. If you want to lie on the beach by day and party at night, visit Ios or Myknonos in summer. This article assumes you…

People eating tableside at Little Venice in Mykonos, Greece.

6 Fantastic Greek Islands to Visit

Last updated on December 19th, 2022 at 04:22 pmBy Alex Kallimanis: The Greek islands conjure images of beautiful beaches, dramatic cliffs and narrow whitewashed pedestrian laneways. In summer, popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos are packed with visitors. But late spring and early fall offer warm weather and a reprieve from the crowds. I’ve been…

The Many Reasons You Will Love Chania, Crete

Last updated on December 14th, 2021 at 10:43 pmBy Alex Kallimanis: There’s something magical about the second largest town on Greece’s biggest island. We’re frequently asked “where is your favorite place?” Chania, Crete ranks among our top destinations. There are a lot of beautiful places in the world, so the warmth and hospitality of locals…