Greek Islands

1. Santorini

The island of Santorini, known in Greek as Thera, practically erupts with charm, with a mythical experience provided by this island phenomenon.

The island has been immortalized by painters and poets due to its picturesque sunsets and colorful cliffs.

It is one of Greece’s most luxurious vacation destinations. Visitors can relax in an infinity pool situated at the edge of a cliff, offering a spectacular view of the Aegean, or relax in the sun with a refreshing cocktail.

A wild landscape of black and red rocks can be seen around the crater at Nea Kameni, located at the caldera’s center. Map

2. Corfu

The Greek island of Corfu is considered to be the “Grand Lady of the Ionian,” and is often characterized by a number of mythical images.

The iconic mansions in the city and the Liston Arcade are equally as majestic, along with Spianada Square, which is the largest of its kind in the Balkans.

Greeks, Russians, French, English, and Venetians all have lived and thrived on Corfu and have each left their mark on the many attractions and sights of the island.

The result is an island with diverse culture that visitors will discover in Campiello’s labyrinth of alleyways and with every glass of kumquat liqueur. Map

3. Amorgos

Turquoise sea and crystal-clear blue waters surround the island of Amorgos, the same waters that provided the name of the movie The Big Blue. The island is hidden away, with untouched timelessness and secret beaches, making it one of the more intriguing of the Greek islands. There is a range of different beaches, from rocky to pebble to sandy, with visitors easily able to find their own little patch of beach that is theirs alone. Amorgos is beautiful and wild with high stretching mountains falling steeply into the clear sea, providing visitors with surprises everywhere they look. Map

4. Antiparos

The Greek island of Antiparos is quite picturesque with whitewashed chapels and beautiful beaches. The island is about 30 minutes from Paroikia by way of a small ferry, or 8 minutes from Pounta aboard a car ferry that runs every 30 minutes. Antiparos boasts a friendly atmosphere and more laidback pace to life. While there aren’t really facilities for watersports available on Antiparos, they can be found in nearby Pounta. Life on the island tends to revolve around the harbor, with the main street leading from the harborfront to the square, taking visitors past several restaurants, tavernas, and shops.

5. Chios

Chios is full of medieval villages, wildly beautiful beaches, diverse landscape, and the “miraculous” mastic trees. The island is located along the edge of the beautiful Aegean Sea and is one the area’s most unspoiled and unexplored islands, with hidden treasures, surprises, and secrets wherever visitors look. Around 20 medieval villages can be found in the southern end of the islands, with Mesta and Pyrgi being especially noteworthy. Patrika, Nenita, Armolia, and Vessa are also worth a short visit. The narrow roads of Kambos can also be interesting to explore, with their ornate doors, beautiful arches, and tall stone walls.

6. Delos

Delos of the Greek islands has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s an island of full of history on the Aegean Sea, situated only a few miles from the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos. The island retains its uniqueness in the world, as no other island boasts such a number of monumental antiquities from the Hellenistic, Classical, and Archaic periods.

The island isn’t a museum, but rather history itself, and is an entire experience of it own. Delos is the birthplace of immortals of the Greeks, and the island’s sacredness still lives on. The enchanting landscape isn’t home to anyone. Map

7. Folegandros

Situated between Milos and Sikinos in the Aegean Sea is the small island of Folegandros, an island that features quite a bit of beauty for its small size. Known for its magical charm, the island is thought by many to be one the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades. Folegandros features the charming white-washed Hora with an old castle in the medieval era district of Kastro. There is also the Ano Meria settlement, famous for its “themonies” or agricultural complexes. The island’s main town is considered to be one of the country’s most striking. Another interesting attraction is the Aspropounta lighthouse.

8. Hydra Island

Hydra Island is perhaps the most impressive of the island within the Argo Saronic Gulf. Due to the island’s close proximity to the city of Athens, Hydra Island is quite a popular destination on the weekends during the summer months.

The town on the island was built along the slopes of a hill near a port and continues to impress visitors at first sight with its elegant stone mansions. One of the best things about Hydra is that no motor vehicles are allowed on the island. All transportation is by foot, boat, or donkey. There are also some beautiful beaches.

9. Ikaria

Ikaria may not exactly be one of the most amazing of the Greek islands, but it is certainly wild and rugged. While it lacks the array of beautiful beaches that many tourists look for when visiting islands in Greece, it makes up for them with gourmet food and a modern and lively nightlife. The picturesque village of Arethousa features the Theoskepasti Chapel, carved within a massive rock and photographed by many tourists. Visitors can also explore the island’s Folklore Museum and Archaeological Museum in Aghios Kyrikos to learn more about Ikaria, while the fishing village of Avlaki offers amazing fresh seafood. Map

10. Ios

The Greek island of Ios is one of the islands of the Cyclades. The island is known for its spectacular beaches, its intense nightlife that draws many young people, and its picturesque village of Chora. Ios isn’t just for parties, however, as it also offers relaxing places away from the noise and crowds. The shoreline boasts several beautiful beaches that consist of emerald waters and soft sand. Breathtaking views of the sea can be found from Chora’s highest point. While the island is popular with the younger crowd, there are still places where families with children can have a relaxing and fun vacation.