Guide to the Greek Islands
Sun, Sea and Secret Coves: A Holidaymaker's Guide to the Greek Islands
With more than 200 inhabited islands spread across the Aegean and Ionian seas, "going to Greece" can mean wildly different holidays depending on which dots on the map you choose. This guide blends the islands everyone's heard of with a handful of quieter gems, plus the practical details that make planning easier.
When to Go
Greece rewards different travellers at different times of year. Use the strip below as a quick at-a-glance guide, then read on for the detail.
Peak: Jul–Aug
The hottest, busiest, and liveliest time to visit. Book ferries and accommodation well ahead.
Shoulder: May, Jun & Sep
Warm, swimmable seas with far smaller crowds — generally the best value time to go.
Off-season: Oct–Apr
Quiet and cooler. Larger islands stay open year-round; smaller islands wind down for winter.
The Big Names: Why They're Still Worth It
Crete
Greece's largest island functions almost like a self-contained country. The north coast (Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno) has the main resorts and the Minoan palace of Knossos; the south coast and interior offer mountain villages and the Samaria Gorge. Crete is a strong choice if you want variety within a single trip — beaches, history, hiking, and food all in one place.
Best for: combining beaches, history, and hiking in a single trip.
Rhodes
Rhodes Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, with cobbled streets, the Palace of the Grand Master, and a genuinely walkable historic centre. Outside the old town, the east coast has well-developed family resorts with calm, shallow water, useful for families with younger children.
Best for: medieval history alongside easy family resorts.
Corfu
Corfu sits in the Ionian Sea rather than the Aegean, and it looks the part: greener, lusher, and more reminiscent of Italy than the bare, sun-baked Cyclades. Corfu Town has a strong Venetian influence, with grand squares and narrow lanes reflecting centuries of Venetian, French, and British rule. The east coast has well-established family resorts with calm water, while the north and west coasts offer quieter coves and dramatic cliffs.
Best for: lush scenery and relaxed family holidays.
Kos
The third-largest of the Dodecanese islands, Kos is largely flat, which makes it one of the easiest Greek islands to explore by bike. It's home to the Asklepieion, an ancient healing sanctuary linked to Hippocrates, who was born on the island, alongside Kos Town's lively harbour and old town. Long, sandy beaches and a well-developed resort infrastructure make it a popular choice for families.
Best for: easy cycling, ancient history, and family-friendly beaches.
Kefalonia
The largest of the Ionian islands, Kefalonia is known for dramatic mountain scenery, dense pine forests, and some of Greece's most photographed beaches, including the cliff-backed Myrtos Beach. Melissani Cave, a partially collapsed cave with a striking underground lake, is a popular day trip, and the island's relaxed atmosphere makes it a favourite for travellers wanting scenery alongside their beach time.
Best for: dramatic scenery and a relaxed pace.
Santorini
Famous for its caldera views and sunset over Oia, Santorini is dramatic, photogenic, and genuinely as beautiful as the photos suggest. For a quieter base with the same views, try a village like Imerovigli or Pyrgos, then head to Oia in the evening for sunset.
Best for: Honeymoons, anniversaries and luxury escapes.
Mykonos
Known for its beach clubs, boutique shopping, and lively old town, Mykonos suits travellers who want nightlife and glamour built into their beach holiday. Little Venice and the windmills are the classic old-town sights; Paradise and Super Paradise beaches are the social hubs, while quieter beaches like Agios Sostis sit at the other end of the spectrum.
Best for: lively nightlife paired with a stylish beach scene.
Lesser-known Gems
Milos
Some of the most otherworldly coastline in the Aegean, white rock formations, hidden coves, and a laid-back vibe all its own.
Ferries are the backbone of island travel in Greece, with routes ranging from large car ferries to faster catamarans. A general approach: choose one or two "anchor" islands for the bulk of your stay, then add a smaller island or two via ferry for a couple of nights each. During July and August, book inter-island ferries in advance, as popular routes can sell out. Outside peak season, tickets can usually be bought closer to travel.
Domestic flights connect Athens to the larger islands (Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, and others) and can be a useful time-saver if you're short on days, though they cost more than ferries.
Greece uses the euro, and most places accept cards, though it's worth carrying some cash for smaller tavernas, markets, and island ferries. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, particularly on the more visited islands. Tap water is generally not recommended for drinking on the smaller islands; bottled water is cheap and widely available. Sun protection matters more than people expect: the combination of sea glare and high UV can catch out even experienced sun-seekers, so pack a higher-factor sunscreen than you might use at home.
For families, Crete, Rhodes, Kos, and Corfu tend to work best, thanks to their established resort infrastructure, calmer beaches, and wider range of family activities. Corfu and Kos in particular offer a gentler landscape and shorter flight times from the UK than many of the more remote Aegean islands.
Can't choose just one Greek island?
A multi-centre holiday lets you experience different sides of Greece in a single trip, from cosmopolitan islands and historic cities to secluded beaches and traditional fishing villages. Whether you're looking for romance, adventure or relaxation, combining destinations can create an even more memorable Greek getaway.