The 8 most beautiful Greek islands – from Corfu to Crete

Greece Blog › The 8 most beautiful Greek islands – from Corfu to Crete

Greece has exactly 3,054 islands. More than 100 islands are inhabited, which is where tourism is concentrated. But which one should it be? Versatile Crete, historic Rhodes or green Corfu? The choice is overwhelming. The good news is that you can’t really go wrong. Among the islands in Greece, there is something for every taste. To help you decide, I present my favourites and insider tips from the Greek island world below.

When you think of Greek islands, the popular beauties of Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Mykonos usually spring to mind. These are also the most visited, but for good reason: here you will find snow-white beaches, genuine natural treasures, crystal-clear water and a rich cultural programme – perfect for a dream holiday in Greece.

Table of Contents

Greek Islands Map

Whether it’s the Cyclades, Dodecanese or Ionian Islands: it’s often difficult to find your way around the Greek islands. Here is an overview.

As someone who has visited 20 Greek islands, I have a few favourites — and some I would not return to.

• I found Kefalonia and Symi ideal for escaping the crowds, and Skiathos offers a lively nightlife.
• In my opinion, Mykonos is overrated. Kos had nothing special to offer really but can be considered a more quiet and peaceful place.

Kefalonia – Greek island insider tip spared from mass tourism

Although Kefalonia is larger than Corfu or Zakynthos, covering around 780 square kilometres, the island remains surprisingly quiet. This is mainly because it never became a classic destination for mass tourism. Instead of crowded hotspots, you will find hidden bays, traditional tavernas and picturesque mountain villages here.

The landscape is impressively diverse: gentle olive groves meet rugged coastlines, white sandy beaches alternate with imposing limestone cliffs. Particularly striking is Mount Ainos, which towers over the island at over 1,600 metres. It is part of a protected national park and home to the rare Kefalonian fir tree.

You also earn points that you can use for free nights or special extras. Exclusive benefits await you from your very first booking – and with each stay, a higher status with even more goodies is within reach. Alternatively, Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy are also good options.

Beaches that rival the Caribbean

Kefalonia has some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece – and yet they remain largely quiet:

• Myrtos Beach: An almost surreal stretch of coastline with dazzling white pebbles and bright blue water. Often referred to as one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe.
• Petani Beach: Just as impressive as Myrtos, but with fewer visitors. Ideal for those seeking peace and quiet.
• Antisamos Beach: A dream for snorkellers – crystal-clear water and a rich underwater world.
• Xi Beach: A special feature among Kefalonia’s beaches – the sand is reddish and full of minerals, making it a kind of natural spa.

Beautiful places away from the hustle and bustle

In addition to its beaches, Kefalonia also has charming towns and villages to offer.

• Assos: A picture-perfect village with colourful houses, a Venetian fortress and a romantic bay.
• Fiscardo: The only place on the island that survived the devastating earthquake of 1953 almost unscathed. Here you will find pretty fishing boats, fine restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere.
• Argostoli: The island’s capital, where you can watch sea turtles foraging for food among the fishing boats in the morning.

Symi – the perfect island to relax

Symi is definitely one of my favourite islands in Greece because it is quieter than some of the more famous places like Mykonos or Santorini.

Symi is a charming Greek island in the Aegean Sea, known for its colourful houses and picturesque harbour. This small island in the Dodecanese is the perfect destination if you are holidaying in Rhodes. Symi offers attractions for impressive photo opportunities as well as bays with crystal-clear water for swimming, far away from mass tourism.

For breathtaking views across the bay, I recommend hiking up the hundreds of steps of Kali Strata. I also recommend a full-day boat trip with Poseidon Cruises or a water taxi ride to one of the nearby beaches.

Symi island – Highlights

Despite its modest size, Symi is an island that offers a wide variety of highlights – from culture and nature to beaches and cuisine.

Panormitis Monastery: One of the most famous monasteries in the Dodecanese islands, is picturesquely situated in a sheltered bay in the south-west of the island. With its magnificent neoclassical architecture, it attracts numerous visitors and pilgrims to Symi every year, who arrive directly from Rhodes or via Gialos.

Clock tower in Gialos: Another landmark of Symi which dominates the harbour and is one of the first things you see when arriving by ferry. Around the tower, also known as ‘Roloi’, you will find numerous taverns and small shops – from here you can also easily reach the old town of Chorios.

Beaches: The beaches of Symi are hardly inferior to those of Rhodes, Crete and the like. On the contrary – on Symi you will find several hidden bays and secluded beaches, some of which are only accessible by boat. Incidentally, it’s not only on large Greek islands such as Rhodes that you can enjoy good snorkelling: the beaches of Agios Georgios Disalonas, Marathounda and Nanou, for example, are ideal for both relaxing and snorkelling. In addition to colourful fish and squid, with a little luck you may even spot seahorses and sea turtles here.

Despite its small size, Symi also has a lot to offer nature lovers: numerous small hiking trails wind their way through the partly barren landscape and offer spectacular views of the Aegean Sea.

Symi island sponge divers: Although Symi is tiny compared to Rhodes, it used to be far ahead of its neighbour in terms of status. After all, the Symiots, as the inhabitants of Symi are called, were the first Greeks to dive for sponges in the Aegean Sea.

Crete – Diverse landscapes & ancient Minoan sites

Crete is not generally considered part of an archipelago, even though it is located in the Aegean Sea, but rather as a separate region. The largest island in the country measures 8,336 square kilometres and is home to more than 620,000 inhabitants. Crete is also considered the most diverse holiday island in Greece, offering activities to suit every taste.

Beaches such as Elafonissi, Balos and Vai offer breathtaking scenery against an emerald green sea, the Samaria Gorge is a paradise for hikers and the famous Palace of Knossos is a must-see for all history buffs. In the cities of Chania, Rethymno and Agios Nikolaos, holidaymakers can round off the day with Greek food and wine, and Rethymno also has an impressive fortress with magnificent views of the island.

Crete has three different airports: the largest and most used by international airlines in Heraklion, one in the coastal town of Chania and one in Sitia. The ferry connections are also excellent, allowing travellers to sail to numerous other islands or as far as Athens.

Find out more about the most exciting sights in Crete here.

Rhodes – The island of culture & sun

With an area of 1,400 km², Rhodes is the fourth largest island in Greece and the largest island in the Dodecanese. It is located not far from the Turkish coast in the southern Aegean Sea.

On holiday in Rhodes, beaches, sea, and history await you on this sunny island in the Aegean Sea. Right in the old town of the island’s capital, Rhodes Town, you will encounter history in the Grand Master’s Palace of the Order of St John, and further south in the village of Lindos you will find another acropolis. Even more ancient history comes to life in Kamiros, and Monolithos Castle offers a panoramic view of Rhodes and the Aegean Sea. At the end of the day, enjoy traditional Greek cuisine in quaint tavernas all over Rhodes.

Beaches: The most popular beaches on Rhodes are located in the east of the island. Here you will find long beaches with fine sand, crystal clear water and a wide range of tourist attractions. The west side, on the other hand, with its pebble beaches and strong winds, is a mecca for windsurfers.

Corfu – Rugged mountains and rich cultural heritage

As time went by, the island of Corfu may have changed, but any traveler can still feel the spirit of a distant glorious past. Its rich multi-cultural heritage, its historic monuments, its stunning natural landscape, its crystal clear seas, and its excellent weather all year round. Corfu is one of the most cosmopolitan Mediterranean destinations weaving a powerful spell on its visitors.

Corfu (Kerkyra in Greek), unlike the rest of Greece, never fell under the Ottoman oppression. Due to the successive dominations of the Venetians, the French and the British over the centuries, the island has primarily become part of the Western rather the Levantine world.

In the beautifully preserved Old Town of Corfu, a UNESCO world heritage site, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical “repertoire” came to be successfully applied to local artistic traditions. Palaces, fortresses, austere public buildings of the Venetian rule uniquely blend with lines of drying washing in tiny alleyways and small secluded squares. Strolling through a complex of narrow cobbled streets with stairways and vaulted passages, the so-called “kantounia”, will make you feel as if you’ve travelled to Genoa or Naples.

Cultural Highlights:

• The impressive 15th century Old Fortress, as well as the New Fortress.
• The Saint Michael and George Palace at the northern part of Spianada, built during the British occupation.
• A considerable number of churches. The most imposing one is the city’s Cathedral, the Church of St. Spyridon, the island’s patron Saint, whose relics are kept here. The church’s immensely tall bell tower certainly reminds us of that of San Giorgio dei Greci in Venice.

Beaches: The west coast has the most beautiful beaches on the island, while the east is characterized mor by pebble beaches. Some beaches in the north and west are miles long, so that even in the high season you will find a quiet place. The beaches in the north near Sidari, e.g. on the Canal d’Amour and in Acharavi, as well as in the west are very busy in summer. Partly untouched paradise like beaches can be found around Agios Georgios in the southwest.

Greek Islands Hidden Gem – The unknown island of Euboea

Euboea, the second largest island in the Aegean Sea after Crete, has so far been spared from mass tourism. Anyone holidaying on this quiet island feels like an explorer, as the amazingly varied landscape constantly offers new surprises.

Euboea is located east of Athens and is connected to the mainland by two bridges spanning the Euripos Canal. A total of around 220,000 people live here.

This destination is as diverse as Crete: visitors can choose from a variety of beaches, but mountain landscapes, rivers and even thermal springs can also be found on Euboea. The Edipsos spring in the town of Loutra Edipsou, with its surrounding orange rock, is one of the island’s landmarks, as are the so-called dragon houses.

These are the ruins of prehistoric stone buildings scattered across the landscape like lost places. Euboea is definitely a good choice for those who already know Crete and perhaps some other Greek islands and want to combine this destination with a trip to Athens.

Some Practical Tips

Getting there: Depending on whether your destination is in the south or north of Euboea, we recommend flying to Athens or Thessaloniki airport. You can reach the island either via the bridge at Chalkida or by ferry from Rafina or Glyfa. A car is essential once you arrive.

Accommodation: Rovies: Bright and lovingly furnished, Stefanos and Marina Villa’s small country hotel ‘Eleonas’ overlooks the coast, with double rooms and breakfast from €110 (eleonashotel.com).

Kymi: The Archontiko Boutique Hotel offers clean, lavishly decorated rooms, sweeping views of the island of Syros, and a special breakfast with vegetable quiche and cinnamon yoghurt. Double rooms with breakfast start at €54 (arxontikokimis.gr).

Loutra Edipsou: Where the ancient Romans and perhaps even Hercules himself bathed in thermal waters, today the Belle Époque Thermae Sylla Spa Wellness Hotel exudes a touch of Greek Baden-Baden, double rooms with breakfast from €212 (thermaesylla.gr).

Mykonos – The Party Island

When you think of the romantic Cycladic island of Mykonos, you immediately think of the many white houses and windmills, beautiful golden beaches and great parties! If you’re looking for exciting nightlife, this island is the place to be. The beaches in the north are quieter than those in the lively south, which is more suited to partygoers. Elia Beach in the south is particularly popular.

At night, party animals flock to Mykonos Town. If you don’t feel like partying, you can also spend a lovely evening in one of the many restaurants. In addition to its wild party scene and beautiful beaches, the island is also known for its culinary delights. Among the sights that are a must-see on the island are the uniquely styled churches, such as the most photographed Panagia Paraportiani Church.

Island Facts

• Known for: Trendy destination for influencers/creators
• Best time to visit: May to October
• Perfect for: Luxury holidays and good parties
• Highlights: Beach clubs

Naxos – Unspoilt Beauty

Naxos is an enchanting island in the Aegean Sea and the place where Zeus, father of the gods, grew up. Mountains, valleys, rivers, caves and sandy beaches surrounded by dunes and cedars – it is above all the diverse landscape that distinguishes it from its neighbouring islands.

Just as beautiful as the landscape are the impressive ancient ruins and sculptures. The symbol of the island is the Portara – an ancient stone gate that once stood at the entrance to an ancient temple and is now one of the most photographed sights in Naxos. Behind the stone gate, you can enjoy a breathtaking view at sunset. To really relax between all the sightseeing, I recommend Agios Prokopios Beach. Various water sports are offered here. In the evening, visit one of the many small tavernas run by locals, treat yourself to freshly caught fish and a glass of Greek wine – wonderful!

Island Facts

• Known for: Multifaceted insider tip
• Best time to visit: April to November
• Perfect for: Nature lovers
• Highlights: Beaches and historical monuments

Mysterious Zakynthos

Steep cliffs and lush greenery characterise the island of Zakynthos, as do the numerous beautiful bays and crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea. One of the most famous and beautiful beaches is the breathtaking Navagio Beach, also known as Smugglers’ Cove. This bay is surrounded by high, steep cliffs and can only be reached from the sea. However, due to its popularity, this beach is often very crowded, so the quieter Kalamaki Beach in the south-east of the island is better suited for relaxed sunbathing.

The small turtle island of Marathonisi, also known as Turtle Island, is truly paradisiacal and definitely worth a boat trip. With a little luck, you may even be able to watch the cute little Caretta Caretta turtles hatching. Another excursion tip is Agios Sostis, also known as Cameo Island, a small idyllic island with a beach bar, and the Keri Caves, impressive rock formations that can be explored on a snorkelling tour.

Island Facts

• Known for: Instagram hotspots
• Best time to visit: May to October
• Perfect for: Relaxing hotel holidays
• Highlights: Smugglers’ Cove and Turtle Island

FAQ

Which are the 10 most beautiful islands in Greece?

The most popular and beautiful Greek islands are Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, Corfu, Mykonos, Kos, Zakynthos, Naxos, Kefalonia and Karpathos. This selection includes a mix of the largest islands such as Crete, historical sites on Rhodes, the iconic volcanic island of Santorini, green islands such as Corfu, and party islands such as Mykonos.

Summary of the top islands in Greece:

1. Crete: Greece’s largest island with diverse nature and historical sites.
2. Rhodes: Known for its sunny island atmosphere and the legacy of the Crusaders.
3. Santorini: Famous for its picturesque white and blue houses on the volcanic island.
4. Corfu: A green jewel in the Ionian Sea with lush nature.
5. Mykonos: One of the most famous islands, known for luxurious holidays and parties.
6. Kos: A popular island for beach holidays with many beaches and the birthplace of Hippocrates.
7. Zakynthos: Famous for the breathtaking Navagio Bay and its turtle population.
8. Naxos: A rather undiscovered gem in the Aegean Sea with diverse landscapes.
9. Kefalonia: An island of nature and relaxation with breathtaking bays and caves.
10. Karpathos: An insider tip in the southern Aegean Sea, known for its unspoilt nature.

Which Greek island is still considered an insider tip?

Greek island insider tips – islands far away from the crowds

• Andros: The noble island of sailors.
• Amorgos: The queen of the Cyclades.
• Nisyros: Home on the island.
• Patmos: A truly sacred place.
• Kasos: Insider tip at the end of the Dodecanese.
• Chios: Treasure chest of the North Aegean.