There are lots of islands to choose from in the Greek Islands so there’s one for everyone. You just have to know which it is or what you’re after. With so many options to choose from, it’s hard to know where to begin. This blog aims to break down which Greek island is best for whatever you want.
Corfu. Photo by: milosducati/Adobe Stock
Couples
Santorini
There’s a case for naming Santorini as the most famous of the Greek Islands for one simple reason. Picture the Greek Islands in your mind, are you seeing white buildings with blue roofs on a cliff above the sea? If so you’ve proved my point.
Firá, the island’s capital, is only really worth visiting for the view. There are, however, some excellent museums to explore including the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Prehistoric Thira.
A volcanic island, Santorini is extremely fertile and well cultivated. As you drive through the countryside you’ll pass wheat fields, tomatoes, pistachio fields, and vineyards.
Families
Corfu
Made famous by Gerald and Lawrence Durrell, Corfu is a fantastic destination for families. If you’re after modern coastal developments, you can find them scattered around the island whilst inland Corfu is still traditional and quieter and filled with olive groves.
Prices are usually low, even in high season, thanks to the number of hotel/apartments on offer (over 5,000). Even when the island is busy it’s not crowded. If you’d like some peace and quiet, read our post on how to escape the crowds in Corfu.
Relaxation
Lemnos
Lemnos’ remoteness meant it wasn’t really until the 1990’s that it became a tourist destination. A military island, the majority of visitors were Greeks visiting their relatives in the forces. The capital of Myrina is protected by a striking Byzantine fortress and is home to an Archaeological Museum and a number of fabulous tavernas.
Leave the town and you enter a world of rolling wheat fields, vineyards, open bays, shallow beaches, volcanic landscapes, and beautiful lakes. Lemnos really is a wonderful island for those looking to put their feet up. The traditional villages found inland are a world away from the mass tourism resorts often associated with cheap Greek holidays and well worth a visit.
Navagio Beach, Zakynthos. Photo by: tanyaeroko/Adobe Stock
Sandy beaches
Zakynthos
Perhaps the 2nd most famous image of the Greek Islands is that of Zakynthos’ Navagio Beach (Smugglers Cove). This horseshoe bay is home to the wreck of The Panagiotis, a tobacco smuggling ship that ran aground whilst trying to escape police boats.
Accessible by charter boats from ports such as Porto Saint Nikolaos and Porto Vromi, Smugglers Cove is one of the few beaches on the island not home to nesting turtles.
Other great beaches include Gerakas, Kalamaki, and Porto Zoro which are perfect for families, whilst Porto Vromi, Amboula, and the pebbled Stenitis offer seclusion.
Food & wine
Crete
Crete’s southerly location makes it the perfect place for farming and agriculture. Even bananas can be grown here. Recently, Crete has started a new wave of fine Greek cooking and there are a number of restaurants challenging out of date preconceptions that Greek food is simply roasted lamb and feta.
Methexis in Paleóhora is one such restaurant and extremely popular with the locals. Be sure to get there early if you want a full choice from the menu.
When you’ve had enough of the food, explore the ancient Minoan remains such as Knossos Palace or hike into the rock interior and explore the stunning gorges.
A great alternative to Crete, particularly for wine fans, is Kefalonia. Home to some excellent vineyards and wineries, there’s more to this beautiful island than just Captain Corelli.
Knossos Palace, Crete. Photo by: Pavel Timofeev/Adobe Stock
Gay travel
Lesvos
Whilst it produces around 70% of all Greece’s ouzo, Lesvos is best known as the birthplace of the poet Sappho and the origin of the word “lesbian”. A rocky, and at first glance, slightly unappealing island, Lesvos is actually home to some beautiful scenery, pine forests, olive groves, and wonderful beaches.
Fine examples of medieval and Ottoman architecture can be found dotted around the island at places such as Mytilíni, Sígri, and Eressós. The main olive oil production area on the island can be found in the south around the Gulfs of Kalloní and Yerá.
Has this helped you pick the best of the Greek Islands for you?
I hope this has helped narrow down your choice even if it hasn’t convinced you. If you have any suggestions for alternatives, get in touch below and let us know. Grab a quote for car hire for your trip to the Greek Islands now.
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It’s very difficult to identify the best Greek Island. Every Island in Greek is the best Island according to their specialty. Great information shared. Thanks.