The Best Islands in Greece To Visit This Summer

Known For : Watch Sunset at Oia Hike from Fira to Oia Skaros Rock

Santorini Is one of the most spectacular islands in Greece. It is a part of the Cyclades islands and sits in the Aegean Sea, halfway between Athens and Crete. The crescent-shaped island is famous for its iconic white houses, blue dome churches and windmills. It is the most photographed island in the world. The highlights of Santorini are its hikes, beaches, sunset views, hot springs and clifftop wineries.

Best Time: Apr-Oct

55 Santorini Attractions

Known For : Windmills in Mykonos Little Venice Paradise Beach

Mykonos, a jewel in the Aegean Sea, is a cosmopolitan Greek island known for its captivating blend of traditional charm and vibrant nightlife. Renowned as the "Island of the Winds," Mykonos boasts whitewashed buildings adorned with blue accents, narrow cobblestone streets, and iconic windmills that stand as cultural landmarks against the azure backdrop of the Mediterranean.

Best Time: May - June, Sep - Oct

49 Mykonos Attractions

Known For : Corfu Old Town Old Fortress of Corfu Holy Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna

Located in Northwest of Greece, Cofru lies close to the Albanian coastline. It is known for its beautiful pebble-sand beaches with crystal clear waters, luscious green landscapes, and rich history and cultural heritage. Corfu is not a destination for an authentic Greek experience but it is a popular vacation destination for families.

Best Time: June to Aug

51 Corfu Attractions

Known For : Knossos Heraklion Archeological Museum Elafonissi Beach

Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea, 160km from the Greek mainland, separating the Aegean from the Libyan Sea. Crete is popular for its stunning beaches, wild natural beauty, mouthwatering cuisine and rich history.

Best Time: Apr - May, Sep - Oct

88 Crete Attractions

Known For : Temple of Apollo Portara Plaka Beach Naxos Old Town

Largest of Cyclade islands, Naxos is located about halfway between the famous islands of Santorini and Mykonos in Aegean Sea. Underrated island of Naxos is both rich in ancient history and natural beauty with long sandy beaches throughout the coastline and mystical interiors packed with white-washed-cube houses, mountains, farms, olive groves, traditional little villages and ancient temple ruins along with over 100 Byzantine churches. In a nutshell, the island has everything available on some of the most famous Greek islands minus the bustling crowds.

Best Time: June-August

30 Naxos Attractions

Known For : Tsigrado Beach Fyriplaka Beach Sarakiniko

Milos, one of the Cyclade islands, is located in the east of mainland Greece, in the Aegean sea. It is nearby other famous Greek islands like Mykonos, Santorini and Naxos. Milos, also known as Melos, is known for the village communities that sit conveniently right at the waterfront, along with the whitewashed stone buildings and traditional fishing villages with lunar-like moonscape beaches. The island is also famous for the Venus de Milo statue that was discovered here, which is now showcased in the Louvre museum in Paris.

Best Time: April to May and September to October

21 Milos Attractions

Known For : Spilia Beach Historical Archives Museum of Hydra Lazaros Kountouriotis Historical Mansion

Hydra is a small saronic island located just south of Athens in Greece. This car-free island is known for its rich history, magnificent port surrounding cute little cafes, hungry cats, and dramatic white-orange roofed house sitting on the island slopes. It is also one of the most romantic destinations in Greece.

Best Time: June to September

14 Hydra Attractions

Known For : Navagio Gerakas Beach Blue Caves

Zakynthos is located in the west of the Greek mainland and lies to the north of the island of Kefalonia. Zakynthos is also known as Zante, in Italian. It is an exotic island famous for its white cliffs expanding against the sea, dreamy hilltop villages, monasteries, picturesque landscapes, and stunning beaches.

Best Time: March to May and September to November

26 Zakynthos Attractions

Known For : Old Town Rhodes Acropolis of Lindos Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes

One of the southernmost islands in the Greek group of islands, Rhodes is locally known as Rodos. It is the fourth biggest island of Greece and is popular for its stunning beaches, fascinating culture and architecture with delicious food. Rhoes island offers an amazing landscape, picturesque countryside, spectacular valleys, serene villages, high-ridden castles and some of the best isolated paradisiac beaches.

Best Time: Jun-Sep

51 Rhodes Attractions

Known For : Holy Monastery of the Archangel Michael Chorio Symi Harbour

Eastern Aegean sea is the small island of Symi or Simi. Dwarfed by Rhodes, Symi is popular for its low-key charm that lies in its picturesque port town, mountainous landscapes, beautiful beaches and mouth-watering food. Symi is also known for its “Symi’s Shrimps”, that is pan-fried to be eaten whole, along with the shell.

Best Time: Mar to June, Sep to Oct

10 Simi Attractions

Known For : Ano Syros Ermoupoli Apollon Theatre

Also known as Syra, Syros is located in the centre of the cyclades island, 144 kms in the south east end of Athens. The island is a pure Greek bliss with lesser tourists, sophisticated landscape, exciting beaches and a great historical and cultural significance. The beaches are well managed with sunbeds and umbrellas and no water sports centres.

Best Time: May to June, Sep to Oct

10 Syra Attractions

Known For : Koukounaries Beach Skiathos Old Town Evangelistria Monastery

Quite close to the mainland of Greece, Skiathos is located in the northwestern Aegean sea. It is the smallest island in the Sporadic group and also serves as an entry point to it. Although small, Skiathos is known for its sky high pine trees descending from the hilltop till beaches giving the waters a magnificent hue of aquamarine. The island of Skiathos has over 60 sublime beaches and is popular for its nightlife.

Best Time: June to Aug

15 Skiathos Attractions

Known For : Kolymbithres Beach Parikia Town Snorkelling in Paros

The charming cycladic island of Paros is located in the west of Naxos, about 40km south of Mykonos in Greece. Paros is best known for its beautiful white-washed towns, great long beaches and an ecstatic nightlife. It is considered to be the best blend of Mykonos and Naxos as the island offers both crazy clubs, restaurants and serene beaches with traditional inland villages.

Best Time: May-September

25 Paros Attractions

Sifnos is a triangular island located 75 nautical miles away from Athens. Small island of Sifnos is popular for its traditional villages, pristine but empty beaches, exquisite gastronomy and local rembetika music. The island boasts typical mountainous villages with characteristic cycladic architecture, sandy beaches, and isolated bays.

Best Time: May to June, Sep to Oct

Known for its vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and traditional Cycladic architecture, Ios is a popular destination for travelers seeking a lively atmosphere. There are several organised tours that operate from Santorini that can be booked online or from local operators. Alternatively, one can go on a self-guided excursion taking advantage of a smooth ferry system running between the two greek islands.