Over 3000 islands and islets are scattered off the coast of Greece. They all look so beautiful that it can sometimes be difficult to decide on one to visit. To ease your decision-making process we introduce you to the five most beautiful Greek islands.
Santorini: One of the most beautiful of the Greek islands
The whitewashed houses with their blue domed roofs and small terraces high above the Aegean Sea are characteristic of the Santorini archipelago in the south of the Cyclades. The volcanic archipelago was formed by a huge tidal wave that washed over the rocks after a volcanic eruption in 1525 BC. What remained was the caldera, a massive cone of black rock.
The main town of Thira is right on the edge of a 300-meter-high cliff that drops steeply into the sea. But probably the most beautiful place on Santorini is Oia in the north. There, in addition to the pretty network of stone streets, there is a fantastic vantage point: the ruins of the Venetian castle Argyri. Tourists like to gather here, especially in the evening hours, to watch the sun bathing the archipelago in soft light.
Santorini is not exactly the cheapest island in Greece, but those who can travel outside of the main season can look forward to cheap offers. A nice travel month for Santorini, for example, in October, when the sea still reaches a pleasant 22 degrees and there is significantly less going on.
Amorgos: An island to switch off
The windswept island in the heart of the Aegean is the perfect place for those seeking tranquility and solitude. Amorgos is different from the rest of the Cyclades islands – rugged and rocky, with high mountains and deep gorges. You will look in vain for hotel castles and long sandy beaches, instead, you will find something else very often: mule tracks! A network of cobbled paths crisscrosses Amorgos, connecting the villages since time immemorial. Today the old mule tracks are marked with red and white hiking signs.
Probably the most beautiful and longest hiking route is the Palia Strata – an old path that leads from the main town of Chora to Aegiali. Also not to be missed is the Byzantine rock monastery of Panagia Chozoviotissa which literally seems to be stuck to the steep cliffs.
A lesser known island among the tourist, Amorgos is famous elsewhere, i.e the gaming community. Known as “25th island of Greece”, it holds certain notoriety as a meme for the players of the famous game “Among Us”. For those who still don’t get the meme, it’s the same sounding names of the 25th island of Greece and the video game.
Mykonos: Where the rich and famous meet
Mykonos is one of the most popular Greek islands in the Aegean, which can mean crowded beaches and accommodation, especially in the high season between May and September. So if you can, you should visit Mykonos in the off-season.
Then, for example, the white windmills that characterize the image of Mykonos can be explored without stress. They stand directly on the sea and are driven by the north wind. Grain was ground into flour here until the beginning of the 20th century. The streets of Little Venice are less busy. The foundations are built directly into the sea and have defied the tides since the 18th century.
Mykonos has been a popular travel destination since the 1960s – even with the stars of this world. From Hollywood greats to soccer professionals and hip DJs all like to vacation here.
Crete: The species-rich Greek island
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands with an area of 8261 square kilometers. Bizarre rock formations, lovely bays, and charming villages alternate on 1066 kilometers of coastline. The hinterland can also do more than its meager reputation suggests. The Cretan flora is very rich in species. Around 170 endemic plant species thrive on the island alone. It can be particularly green in the Askifou plateau. Here in the west lies Crete’s largest hiking area with many small surrounding gorges that have been declared nature reserves.
The most famous gorge, however, is elsewhere: The Samaria Gorge stretches from the middle of the island for almost 17 kilometers through the southwest to the Libyan Sea.
Ancient monasteries, fortresses, and temples also bear witness to the cultural wealth of the island. If you don’t have time for all of Crete’s cultural highlights, you should at least take a look at the Palace of Knossos. It is one of the largest Minoan palaces in Greece and has been awarded the European Heritage Label.
Zakynthos: The insider tip among the Greek islands
Zakynthos, that was the island with that shipwreck, wasn’t it? We agree! The southernmost of the larger Ionian Islands is best known for the stranded shipwreck in Navagio Bay. But Zakynthos has much more to offer. The island is very fertile and the hinterland is correspondingly green.
In addition to olives and wine, cereals and citrus fruits are also grown. The beaches at the southern tip are also home to the last and most important breeding grounds of the loggerhead sea turtle. From the beginning of June, the females of this sea turtle species come ashore to lay their eggs.
Life in Zakynthos revolves around the beaches and rocky shores where snorkelers can explore cave systems and reefs. Among the most popular beaches on the island are Agios Nikolaos, Alykanas, and Tsilivi. They offer good bathing and water sports opportunities. The cultural center of Zakynthos is the main town of the same name.
