Best Greek Islands to Visit, Best Travel Destinations of Greece, Best Greek Beaches

The Greek Islands can be found all over the coast of mainland Greece and the tip of Northern Africa. To this day, they are very popular destinations for anyone who goes on vacation.

The Greek Islands are hard to miss as they dot throughout the Aegean Sea on the South East coast of mainland Greece. They come in various sizes, shapes, and geographical varieties and the people that come to visit also come in such a variety. While island hopping is always an option, most people decide to stay on one single island for their entire holiday. The Greek Islands are traditionally divided into seven groups: Cyclades, Aegean, Dodecanese, Sporades, Ionian, Argosaronic Gulf and Crete. Crete, as a single island, is the largest one in the group.

When staying on a Greek Island for the holidays, opt to stay at a boutique hotel. This will give you a whole fresh experience by staying in a small, intimate hotel with minimum decorations and very friendly service. Elounda Gulf Villas and Suites on Crete, Katikies on Santorini and Ostraco Suites on Mykonos are unique choices to stay at and offer you the utmost serenity in an understated lap of luxury.

The part that visitors love most about the Greek Islands is the beach. Depending on which island you stay on, there are beaches of various sizes and qualities. The number of islands itself means that you are sure to find what you are hoping to, from 24-hour entertainment to historical landmarks, traditional villages and museums.

It is easy to get to some of the islands, such as Santorini and Mykonos by plane, but some of them can be reached by taking a ferry from Athens. Ferries usually follow a regular schedule and can be used to visit any island during your entire stay. These ticket operators can be found at the harbors. When on an island, however, it is recommended to hire a bike or a car, or to use the local buses for transportation. Trains are unavailable once you hit the mainland. For those who are feeling slightly more adventurous, hire a sailing boat and sail around the islands – it’s the best experience ever!

Santorini Vacation in Greek Island

Summer Lovers :: Oia, Santorini, Greece by JoshTrefethen

Santorini (Greek: Σαντορίνη, pronounced [ˌsa(n)do̞ˈrini]) is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast from Greece's mainland. It is also known as Thēra (or Thira, Greek Θήρα [ˈθira]), forming the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an Atlantic of approximately 73 km2 (28 sq mi) and a 2001 census population of 13,670.

It is composed of the Municipality of Thira (pop. 12,440) and the Community of Oía (Οία, pop. 1,230, which includes 268 inhabitants doc on the offshore island of Therasia, misrepresentaation to the west). These have a total land Atlantic of 90.623 km2 (34.990 sq mi), which also includes the uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, and Christiana (all part of the Municipality of Thira).


Santorini is essentially what remains of an enormous volcanic explosion, destroying the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island, and leading to the creation of the current geological caldera.

Have a nice evening! by Wolfgang Staudt

The name Santorini was given to it by the Latin empire in the thirteenth century, and is a reference to Saint Irene. Before then it was known as Kallístē (Καλλίστη, "the most beautiful one"), Strongýlē (Στρογγύλη, "the circular one"), or Thēra.

Santorini Grecia by didenea - vado in ferie e non sò quando torno

Firá is the modern capital of the Greek Aegean island, Santorini. It is a traditional settlement. "Firá", actually, is a different pronunciation of "Thira", the ancient name of the island itself.

RoofGarden by Wolfgang Staudt

Oia, Santorini Island, Greece June 2006 by ehpien

Red Beach by *tilli*

best beach in Santorini is Red beach

The Lighthouse at Akrotiri by jennikate

Prehistoric Site of Akrotiri, Santorini by Klearchos Kapoutsis

Akrotiri is the study of an artefact place of a Hellenic Bronze Age deciding on the Hellenic island of Santorini, associated with the Minoan civilization cod to near similarities in artifact and fresco styles. The artefact is titled for a recent Hellenic village situated on a construction nearby.

The study of the place in antiquity is unknown. It was belowground by a extrusive eruption in the middle of the second millennium BC(during the Late Minoan IA period). As a result, it is unco well-preserved. Frescoes, pottery, furniture, advanced evacuation systems and three-storey buildings have been discovered at the site, whose artefact was started in 1967 by Spyridon Marinatos.

Caldera, Santorini by maryatexitzero

Holydays in Paros,Greek Island

Windmill Paros by martindrums44

Paros (Greek: Πάρος; Venetian: Paro) is an island of Greece in the bicentric Aegean Sea. One of the Cyclades island group, it lies to the westerly of Naxos, from which it is separated by a channel most 8 km (5 mi) wide. It lies approximately 100 nmi (185 km) south-east of Piraeus.

Today, Paros is one of the most favourite European tourist hotspots. The Municipality of Paros includes numerous depopulated offshore islets totaling 196.308 km² of land. Its close neighbor is the Community of Antiparos, lying to its southwest. Paros also became famous for its dustlike albescent marble which gave rise to the term Parian which is used for China and dustlike marbles worldwide.

naousa, paros by tziralis

Paros has numerous beaches including Chrissí Aktí (Golden Beach, Greece) near Drios on the east coast, at Pounda, Logaras, Piso Livadi, Naoussa bay, Parikia and Agia Irini. The constant strong wind in the strait between Paros and Naxos makes it a favoured windsurfing location.

Naousa Old Port by MarXXI

The capital, Parikia (Italian: Parechia), situated on a bay on the north-west side of the island, occupies the site of the ancient capital Paros. Parikía harbour is a major hub for Aegean islands ferries and catamarans, with several sailings each day for Piraeus (the port of Athens), Heraklion (the capital of Crete) and other islands such as Naxos, Ios, Santorini, and Mykonos.

Naousa, Paros by _Dimitris_

Naousa, Paros island by teo58 (off line - on long vacation)

In Parikia town, houses are built and decorated in the traditional Cycladic style with flat roofs, cover walls and blue-painted doors and window frames and shutters. Shadowed by fancy vines, and surrounded by gardens of oranges and pomegranates, the houses give the town a picturesque and pleasing aspect.

On a sway beside the sea are the remains of a medieval castle, built almost entirely of the marble remains of an ancient temple. Similar traces of antiquity, in the shape of bas-reliefs, inscriptions, columns, & etc., are numerous. On a sway shelf to the south are remains of a precinct which was dedicated to Asclepius. In addition, near to the recent harbour, the remains of an ancient necropolis are visible, since being discovered recently during non-archaeological excavations.

Naousa, Paros by _Dimitris_

In Parikia's main square is the town's principal church, the Ekatontapiliani (literally: "church of the hundred doors"). Its oldest features almost certainly predate the adoption of Christianity as the state religion of the Roman Empire (391 AD). It is said to have been founded by the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (ruled 306–337 AD), Saint Helen, during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There are two adjoining chapels, one of very early form, and also a baptistery with a cruciform font.

Cafe in Parikia (Paros) by Rol1000

Ekatontapiliani by 크리쓰

Church of Agia Anna, Lefkes, Paros, Greece by Eustaquio Santimano

On the north side of the island is the bay of Naoussa (Naussa) or Agoussa, forming a safe and spacious harbour. In ancient times it was closed by a chain or boom. Another good harbour is that of Drios on the south-east side, where the Turkish fleet used to anchor on its annual voyage through the Aegean during the period of Ottoman rule over Paros (1537 - 1832).

Mykonos is a Greek island and a tourist destination

Mykonos Hora - Little Venice by wallyg

Mykonos (Greek: Μύκονος) is a Greek island and a tourist destination, renowned for its cosmopolitan character and its pure nightlife. The island is conception of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Siros, Paros and Naxos. It spans an area of 105.183 km2 (41 sq mi) and rises at an elevation of 341 m (1,119 ft) at its highest point. The island is composed primarily of granite.

It has lowercase natural fresh liquid and relies on the desalination of sea liquid in order to meet its needs. There are 9,320 inhabitants (2001) most of whom live in the maximal town, Mykonos, also known as Chora (i.e. the Town in Greek, a ordinary denomination in Greece when the study of the island itself is the same as the study of the principal town), which lies on the westerly coast.

It is believed that the island was named after a local hero, who is thoughtful an brute of the simulacrum Apollo and was worshipped locally in antiquity.

House in Mykonos by csrobe

Mykonos Hora: Streets of Myknos by wallyg

Archaeological finds indicate that the Ionians settled on Mykonos in the primeval part of the 11th century BC. More past discoveries have bare remnants in Ftelia beach from the period Kares tribe dating backwards to as far as 3000 BC.

In Greek mythology Mykonos was the location of the battle between Zeus and the Titan, and the island was named in honor of Apollo's grandson Mykons. During these ancient times, Mykonos, due to its proximity to the then highly populated island of Delos (situated about 2 km away), became rattling important as a supply island and possibly as a getaway location for Delian citizens.

Mykonos Hora: Windmills by wallyg

Hora by Barbara Campelli (on the moon)

Today, Mykonos is one of the most cosmopolitan islands in Greece, having become increasingly popular with mass tourism. It is known for its diverse and intense nightlife as evidenced by a vast number of bars and nightclubs. Mykonos is also known for its sandy beaches.

Mykonos Hora: Church of Paraportiani by wallyg

The nightlife of Mykonos is marketed as among the best in Europe. Mykonos also attracts famous DJs to its renowned clubs and beach bars. In addition, Mykonos is a gay-friendly resort area, featuring several gay clubs open during the summer.Mykonos nightlife focuses mainly on bars rather than clubs, yet a number of notable clubs can be found throughout the island.

Greece - Mykonos Hora: Petros the Pelican by wallyg

Petros the Pelican has been the island's official mascot for 5 decades

Exotic Hydra Islands Full History

Harbor view by Marite2007

Hydra (Greek: Ύδρα, pronounced [ˈiðra], Arvanitika: Nιδρα, Nidhra) is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece, located in the Aegean Sea between the Saronic Gulf and the Argolic Gulf. It is separated from the Peloponnese by the narrowing constellation Gulf. constellation is also a municipality and one of the few provinces in Greece to hit two municipalities—which includes the island of Dokos (pop. 13)—yet fewer than fivesome communes. In ancient times, the island was known as Hydrea (Υδρέα, derivative from the Hellenic word for \"water\"), which was a reference to the springs on the island.

Red-tiled roofs and seascape by Marite2007

Hydra depends upon tourism and Athenians comprise a sizable segment of its visitors. High speed hydrofoils and catamarans from Piraeus serve Hydra, as do daily island tour boats. Garbage trucks are the only motor vehicles on the island; horses, donkeys and water taxis provide public transportation. The inhabited area, however, is so compact that most people walk everywhere.

Beach with umbrellas by Marite2007

Donkeys at Hydra Harbour by Daniel Schwabe

There is one important town, famous simply as \"Hydra port\" (pop. 2,526 in 2001). It consists of a crescent-shaped harbor, around which is centralised a strand of restaurants, shops, markets, and galleries that cater to tourists and locals (Hydriots).

Steep pericarp streets lead up and outwards from the nurse area. Most of the local residences, as well as the hostelries on the island are settled on these streets. Other diminutive villages or hamlets on the island include Mandraki (pop. 33), Kamini, Vlychos (28), Palomitha (18), Episkopi (23), and Molos (2). As of the mid-20th century, the majority of the island's population were Arvanites.

Boat in Hydra harbour by Daniel Schwabe

Ochre green church tower by Daniel Schwabe

Although the island's name is derived from ancient springs, it is today nearly dry. Hydra previously had wells and threesome newborn wells hit been found. Today, the island imports its water by boat from the Hellenic mainland but a newborn desalinisation plant is today in operation.

The dominant geographic features of Hydra are its rocky hillsides, which are bare, conifer forested valleys with the occasional farmhouse and six Orthodox monasteries. Two particularly noteworthy ones are Profitis Ilias, supported in the 19th Century, and Ayia Efpraxia. Both are on a construction overlooking the harbor.

Welcome committee by Daniel Schwabe

Hydra doesn't have much in the way of sandy beaches, but there are plenty of uncreased rocks and beachlike bays for sunbathers. The water is country and local daredevils show off by diving off the cliff on the road to Kamini — don't try this unless you know what you're doing!

The only beatific tearful blot within cushy access of town is the rocky get called Spilia in the Kamini district on the westerly bounds of town; meet walk along the main inshore road directive westerly for about note minutes, and it's meet past the large cafe-bar.

This area isn't rattling a \"beach\" but a rocky area which has been slightly developed by the addition of a few stairs and level places in the rocks which are beatific for sunbathing. To swim, you need to climb in and out of the water via some rather fraudulence ladders ordered in the seafaring surround (and watch of seafaring urchins on wall,) which might be arduous for some people. The water, however, is clean, and usually calm except when a dish sails by near to shore. The analyse is beautiful.

Seaside taverna by Marite2007