The Greek islands are the fantasy of tourists from all over the world. But while you may be thinking about visiting one or more of them on your next vacation, how do you choose? Which are the most beautiful?

What are all the Greek islands?

There are about 6,000 Greek islands, if we count the uninhabited “rocky islands”. In all, only 200 Greek islands are inhabited in the archipelago.

Archipelago containing moreover itself several strings of “sub-archipelagos”: Cyclades, Ionian islands, Dodecanese islands, Saronic islands… And among the most famous islands of Greece, we must see :

  • Santorini
  • Mykonos
  • Corfu
  • Rhodes
  • Ios
  • Hydra
  • Paros
  • Milos
  • Naxos
  • Zakynthos
  • Samos
  • Kos
  • Amorgos
  • Sifnos
  • Andros
  • Kassos
  • Ithaca
  • Syros
  • Tinos
  • Folegandros
  • Ikaria
  • Skiathos
  • Patmos
  • Provided
  • Antiparos
  • Serifos
  • Euboea
  • Skopelos
  • Delos
  • Kefalonia
  • Anafi
  • Cytherea
  • Samothrace
  • Chios
  • Island of Euboea
  • Symi
  • Spetses
  • Karpathos
  • Egine
  • Salamis
  • Skyros
  • Leucade
  • Kea
  • Lemnos
  • Lesbos
  • Poros

Which Greek island to visit in the Cyclades?

It’s hard to choose as there are so many Greek islands and they are all so beautiful. Discover below our Top 3 of the most beautiful islands in Greece.

1. Santorini island

Comment s'appelle le volcan de Santorin ?

Santorini, an island of volcanic origin, is certainly the most touristic and well-known island of the Cyclades. But should we neglect it? Certainly not, since it offers many possibilities of visits, but also of sporting activities.

Along with Crete of course, Santorini tops our list of the most beautiful islands in Greece. As well as being one of the most famous, Santorini is one of the most sought-after destinations for tourists in search of that typical, pristine beauty of Greek villages. Mediterranean aesthetics in its purest form, with symbolic white houses with blue roofs and doors.

The most beautiful and picturesque village is undoubtedly Oia.

Make up your mind: spend your next holiday in Santorini!

Book your hotel in Santorini here!

Booking.com

2. Crete island

How could we forget about Crete?

Unlike most of the islands of the Hellenic nation, Crete is a large island. With an area of 8,450 km², it is the 5th largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Comment aller à Elafonisi ?

Most of all, landscapes are breathtaking

  • Balos Beach and Elafonisi (picture above) and their multicolor lagoons,
  • the Venetian heritage of the cities of Chania, Rethymnon or Heraklion
  • its villas, each one more luxurious than the other
  • its incredible cultural heritage visible from Knossos to Spinalonga…

Make up your mind and spend your next holidays in Crete!

Book your hotel in Crete here

Booking.com

3. Naxos

For some, Naxos is the most beautiful island of the Cyclades. It is certainly one of the largest and most varied. Beneath the mineral ridges that stretch across the middle of the island, the valleys are covered with olive trees, Byzantine churches and villages where rural life and traditions have remained firmly rooted.

Make up your mind and spend your next holidays in Naxos!

Book your hotel in Naxos here

Booking.com

How to visit the Cyclades by boat?

Why not opt for a boat rental to visit the Greek islands?

Every year, many sailing and boating enthusiasts choose this option and experience a dream holiday. What about you?

To visit the Cyclades from island to island, you can of course take a ferry or speedboat from Blue Star Ferries or Direct Ferries, which are the two preferred shipping companies.

But La Crete Autrement strongly recommends that you opt for a catamaran rental with Click&Boat and its large fleet of boats for rent in Greece!

Depending on your wishes, the winds and the sea, you can take a dream cruise from one Greek island to another, from one cove to another, from one port to another… The best way to spend a dream holiday in slow motion and in paradise.

Which greek islands to choose for 1 week stay?

Mykonos, Santorin, Hydra, Corfou and Crete.

But they are also undoubtedly the most touristy. Mykonos, Santorini, Hydra and Corfu are absolutely beautiful, and it’s hard not to fall in love with the white villages, small shopping streets and stunning views.

Above all, for a full week’s holiday on site, these destinations will offer you something to marvel at and entertain you every day:

  • beaches, each one more paradisiacal than the next
  • restaurants with intoxicating gastronomy
  • numerous possibilities of nautical activities and sailing cruises
  • hiking
  • shopping…

Such perfect islands for a perfect 1 week stay in Greece!

Greek islands: which island to choose between Naxos and Paros?

If you are more of a night owl, then we recommend Paros without hesitation. The nightlife here is more intense than in Naxos. You will have no trouble finding trendy clubs.

In addition, Paros is a bit more upscale than Naxos: you will find very good restaurants on the island.

Hydra, the greek island to visit without a car

Visiter Hydra en Grèce

On the Greek island of Hydra, mules are replacing cars and motorbikes, to the delight of locals and tourists alike.

Hydra is a Greek island in the Saronic Gulf, south of Athens, in the Aegean Sea, just opposite the Argolid peninsula. Like all of its sister islands, it shines with its villages with white houses, its transparent water, but also with its highly developed local art.

If it is possible to visit Hydra without a car, it is also possible to use a boat to do so!

Make up your mind and spend your next holidays in Hydra!

Book your hotel in Hydra here

Booking.com