Sigh. It’s winter. I’m looking at rain and dreaming of sunshine ... and Greek island idylls. But there are more than two thousand Greek islands/islets, so which one is best? Only about 200 of Greece’s islands are inhabited, so the search narrows dramatically. And although there are officially three seas lapping Greece’s lovely shorelines, they’re all part of “the Med”. They are: the Sea of Crete, the Ionian and the Aegean. Most of the islands are in the Aegean, so that’s where you’ll probably be heading – unless you choose Crete or one of the Ionian group (Corfu, Paxi and Antipaxi, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaki, Zakynthos [Zante], Kythira and Antikythira).
But relax: I’m not going to debate the merits of them all. I’m looking at two options (busy and beautiful, or just plain beautiful) and just one area, the Cyclades, in the Aegean.
Photo by hassan abdel-rahman
Busy and beautiful
Want to be in the heart of the action? Head for Mykonos or Santorini in the Aegean’s Cylades group. Both hum with tourists all through the summer, but Mykonos hums the loudest, so do NOT go there if you want peace and quiet. About five hours by ferry from Athens, this island is famous for its windmills, gorgeous white houses, blue sky and blue, blue sea. It really is lovely, and if busy is what you want, you’ll adore it. Away from Chora, the main town, it’s even possible to find some quiet countryside.
Santorini (also called Thera) is probably the most popular island in Greece. There are good grounds for this: it’s stunning. But again, don’t go in search of serenity, unless you go out of season. Home to a still-active volcano, the island is famous for its fiery sunsets, dazzling white villages which seem to spill down cliffsides, blue-domed churches and lovely beaches. Most people want to stay at the beaches, Kamari and Perissa, the town of Fira (the capital; also called Thira), Imerovigli or Oia (also called Ia - sunsets supreme; that's it on the right). For somewhere quieter, try Monolithos.
Photo by Wolfgang Staudt
If you opt for either of these two islands, it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed in the scenery: they really are quintessential Greece. Both offer plenty of nightlife, beaches and big range of accommodation. And if neither of these two appeal, have a look at Ios – it’s another archetypical Aegean beauty-spot where there’s plenty of partying in season.
Just plain beautiful
Thank goodness I decided to limit myself to one island group; otherwise I’d be here till the cows come home. There are just so many beautiful islands in Greece! Here are a few of the quieter, beautiful Cyclades destinations – all with the traditional whitewashed houses and picture-postcard views.
- Amorgos; mountains, windmills and the almost unbelievable monastery of Hozoviotissa.
- Folegandros: small, beautiful; three villages; beaches, peace.
- Delos: uninhabited, so you can’t stay there, but do visit it to see the archaeological sites.
- Andros: more touristy, but not impossibly so, and big enough to offer something for everyone. Easy to reach.
- Serifos: popular but still peaceful; good visitor facilities; good food; a very beautiful, very typically Cycladic island.
Obviously there are many, many other fantastic Greek islands – including others in the Cyclades group, plus Rhodes and Crete. If you’ve got an opinion on which island(s) to visit, please leave a comment. Very few of us will ever be lucky enough to see them all, and chances are you’ve been somewhere we haven’t. Your opinion might make a big difference to someone planning a trip, so speak up!