Choosing where to travel next can be a challenge with so many countries you could go but one country you really have to visit, and which I absolutely love is Greece.
Greece is home to historical cities, ancient history, culture, tasty food and spectacular islands.
Although there are said to be around 6000 islands in Greece, only around 200 are inhabited, which is still a daunting amount when you’re faced with narrowing the list down to a choice for where to go on holiday!
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the Greek islands as your next travel destination:
1. The Beaches
Nowhere else in Europe will you find such a high concentration of idyllic beaches than within the Greek islands. This is probably why they have been the backdrop for so many movies. Most are backed by olive groves, pines, acacias or lemon trees. Often small bays and hidden coves of pristine sand and temperate spearmint glassy sea. Fortunately, the choice of idyllic beaches is simply overwhelming but if pushed to choose we would select the following islands: Crete, Lipsi, Kefalonia, Skiathos and Mykonos – home to some of the best beaches in Europe.
2. Diving and Snorkelling
It’s a sin not to bring snorkelling gear to any of the Greek islands when visiting, as the sea is so crystal clear, especially in the mornings. However there are some Islands that offer divers and snorkelers excellent facilities and activities to appreciate stunning colourful aquatic life. This is one of the top rated dive sites on the planet. Karpathos has a diving school offering organised dives in sea caves. Diving in Milos offers incredible close encounters with Dolphins, deep-sea creatures and even monk seals. Snorkelling is unforgettable in Milos, Paros and Rhodes.
3. World’s Best Seascapes
There is no other European destination that offers such exclusive views of the majestic Med. Any of the groups of Islands provide unforgettable views of sea channels swirling around land, unspoilt marinas and fishing ports, where local fishermen are only too pleased to offer affordable trips to appreciate a sailors perspective on island life and even the odd turtle!
4. World famous Historical Archaeological sites
Greek mythology fascinates even the most historically illiterate. Its romantic, philosophical and the stuff of many a blockbuster epic. Almost all of Islands offer fascinating historical experiences but for those looking for a more romantic angle, we’d pick the following five Greek Islands: Cosmopolitan Corfu for its stunning architectural mix of colonial influences.
Unspoilt Delos for its exquisite mosaic-clad villas and statue shrines to the ancient gods. Patmos, which houses the incredibly preserved Greek orthodox monastery of St. John, where the ‘Book of revelations’ was written. Finally Rhodes, where a medieval walled town hides stunning cultural and historical treasures from 1300’s – 1500’s, as does the Palace of the Grand Masters.
5. Social and Cultural Delights
Each Island offers a unique culinary and cultural surprise, but if you’re looking for a good social scene it’ll be no surprise that the best social scenes are on the larger islands like Corfu and Crete. Whilst Corfu has never been ottomanised and retains a very Italian culinary influence, Crete offers a more eclectic cuisine.
Rhodes, like most of the islands along the Turkish coast, is influenced by exotic ottoman flavours, but all could be described as cosmopolitan and bustling and offer a mix of delicacies and local wines and nectars from neighbouring islands. Ios, Paros, Santorini, Mykonos and Santorini are the best for sampling a bustling social scene. There are also so many tasty Greek foods you need to try.
6. Romance
Yes Santorini has to be one of the most famous romantic Islands in the world, and a must if this is the one and only trip to the Greek Islands but there are a few other ‘Love Islands’ on offer which are a little off the beaten track.
For instance, Skopelos is a quiet idyllic island with dazzling white sand beaches with turquoise waters and backed by pines where dreamy sunsets can be watched over a sun downer at the beach bar. Egremi beach is one of those bleached white coves hidden cosily on the coast of Lefkada.
On Ikaria lies another hidden beach paradise for couples with the temple of Aphrodite sits alongside a babbling brook filled with terrapins and dragonflies. The knee high warm turquoise waters of Crete’s Balos beach and lagoon is one place every couple in love should wade through while watching the sun set over its little islet.
Lastly for those intrepid lovers, Milos where totally secluded beaches offer total privacy. Try our best kept secret at the south end of the island, Tsigrado beach, which lies down a steep footpath.
7. Relaxing Island Life
No other place on earth offers such genuine, accessible and affordable variety in Island life. Every Greek island possesses its own distinct character, unique natural beauty, culture, cuisine and temperament.
Most Islands are inhabited with its own little cosmos. They all offer spectacular seascape views, ports and marinas and most have dreamy beaches or cosy coves, either backed by arid moonscapes or spectacular green cliffs.
Almost all have intriguing historical value and all are endowed with extremely welcoming Greeks!
8. Easy Ride
The Greek Islands are as easy to reach as you want them to be. If you plan your journey well you can breeze through at least 3 Islands without breaking the bank or breaking your back. Whether you choose to use boat buses, charted hovercrafts or hired dinghies and local fishermen, there’s no excuse for not visiting one or more of these magical islands. There are also lots of Greek island tours where you can get guided to the best locations and have a lot of fun!
9. Nightlife
The Greek islands have some of the best nightlife in the world, some locations like Mykonos even give places like Ibiza a run for their money.
10. Nothing Compared to Travelling
As the famous travel quote goes, it’s better to see something once, than hear about it a thousand times. You’ve probably seen a million photos of popular tourism hotspots like Santorini and Mykonos on Instagram, but in real life it is much better! You really need to see it for yourself.
