The Greek Islands in Autumn.

Autumn can be a great time to get away for a bit of late sun. Why not jet off before the rains of the British winter settle in? Cooler than mid-summer and less busy; the Greek Islands are a fantastic choice should you wish for one last spell on the beach.

Yes I know the economy has been a nightmare! To be perfectly honest, as long as you take euros and don’t rely solely on your cards, you’ll be fine. The islands haven’t been as badly hit as the mainland. It’s still a good idea to head to some of the more popular tourist islands though.

Loutro, Crete. Photo by: gorelovs/Adobe Stock

Crete

Head to Crete in the autumn and you should experience an average British summer! Okay it cools down in December but let’s face it, it’s still better than the UK.

Autumn is when the farmers start to harvest their olives, grapes, and chestnuts. The fields are a hive of activity. If it’s walking and scenery you’ve come for, the scillas, narcissus, crocuses, and cyclamens will be flowering as you hike through the island.

If you’re here for the Minoan and Roman ruins, the cooler temperatures make for a much more enjoyable experience. This will allow you to really explore the archaeological remains of these great civilisations.

Top 5 attractions in Crete

1. If the weather does turn a little chilly, head to Aquaworld Aquarium and Reptile Rescue Centre at Hersonissos. Here you’ll discover both local and exotic fish and reptiles. Founded in 1995 by John Mclaren, it’s well worth a visit.
2. Heraklion Archaeological Museum is home to an outstanding collection of Minoan art and the most complete collection of Minoan artefacts in Greece. Normally €10, admission is free on the last weekend of September, every first Sunday from November 1st to March 31st and October 28^th.
3. Samariá Gorge National Park is located in the south west of Crete and is home to the rare Cretan white-toothed shrew, the extremely rare bearded vulture, and the Griffon vulture, amongst others. Make sure you hike through the gorge for some spectacular views.
4. If you’re around Hersonissos, the Lychnostatis Open Air Museum is worth a visit. This privately owned collection explores Cretan folklore and tradition. There are a number of live events held during September such as Greek dancing and wine tastings.
5. If you want to continue the wine tasting, head to the Manousakis Winery in Vatolakkos. There are some fantastic wines on offer and the location isn’t bad either!

Paleokastritsa Bay, Corfu. Photo by: CCat82/Adobe Stock

Corfu

Corfu is cooler than Crete in the autumn but there’s still lots going for it. Once the majority of tourists are gone, Corfu returns to the more traditional way of life that captivated Lawrence Durrell. The cooler weather also makes it the perfect time to explore the island by foot. You won’t have to worry about the constant threat of sun stroke or turning Ferrari red.

The autumn is also a popular time of year for festivals. The Kavadades Wine festival, Kassiopi Wine festival, and Vatos Myrtidiotissa festival all take place in September and are worth a visit.

Top 5 attractions in Corfu

1. The hilltop castle of Angelókastro near Kríni may be pretty empty inside but the views more than make up for this minor shortcoming. Its location helped repel a Turkish invasion in 1571 and ensured Corfu was the only part of Greece not to be conquered by the Turks. It’s only open until the end of September so try and catch it early.
2. If you’ve read any of the Durrell brother’s books, you’ll know they lived on Corfu between 1936 and 1939. Their houses are all privately owned but worth scoping out to bring some of Gerald’s stories to life. Although Lawrence’s famous White House in Kalami is now an excellent taverna. Alternatively, take a stroll to Lake Antiniotissa or Barbati for the scenery and wildlife.
3. If the weather is nice and you fancy relaxing on a beach, head to the west coast near the Rópa Valley where you’ll discover some of the best on the island.
4. The Achilleion Palace in Gastouri was built in 1890 by the Empress of Austria Elisabeth of Bavaria. After her assassination, it was bought by Kaiser Wilhelm II before being used as a military hospital. More recently it’s been used in James Bond’s For Your Eyes Only and is now a museum.

Agios Gerasimos Monastery, Kefalonia. Photo by: pkazmierczak/Adobe Stock

Kefalonia

It wasn’t until the late 80’s that Kefalonia started to focus on tourism. The aftermath of the 1953 earthquake and massacre of 5,000 Italian soldiers during the war coupled with the islands stubbornness ensured they resisted any major changes. But these changes have come and Kefalonia has become a very popular destination amongst British tourists.

The largest of the Ionian Islands, Kefalonia is home to some great wine, fantastic beaches, and wonderful food.

Top 5 attractions in Kefalonia

1. Whilst it doesn’t have much in the way of facilities, a drive up Mount Énos offers spectacular views over Kefalonia and the surrounding islands. Declared a National Park, it is also home to the Robola Winery and Agios Gerásimos monastery which hosts a festival to Saint Gerásimos on October 20^th.
2. Take a day trip to the neighbouring island of Ithaki or Ithaca if you know your Greek mythology. Home of Odysseus, Ithaki is unspoilt by tourism and offers some wonderful sights for Odysseus fans such as the Cave of the Nymphs, the Arethoussa Spring, and Alalkomenae (Castle of Odysseus).
3. Head south from Sami and you’ll come to the Drogarati Cave, a huge stalagmitic cavern that dates back 150 million years or so. Make sure you check out the Royal Balcony, and Chamber of Exaltation which is used for concerts and can host 500 people.
4. The island’s lively and typically Greek capital, Argostoli, is well worth a visit. Completely rebuilt after the earthquake in 1953, the town is home to the De Bosset Bridge and an excellent Archaeological Museum.
5. If you’re near Assos, make sure you visit the Venetian Castle of Assos. This 16^th century fort is one of the largest in Greece with over 2,000m of walls. The scenery is stunning and there are some excellent walks along the hills from the castle.

Get booking your Greek Islands trip!

If you’d like some more Greek Island inspiration, check out our guide to escaping the crowds in Rhodes and Corfu.

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