The Greek Islands are renowned worldwide for their unrivaled beauty and incredible diversity, making Greece a popular destination for island hopping. But with more than two hundred islands to choose from, it can be overwhelming to plan your island-hopping adventure, especially if you're doing it for the first time. If you need help with this, here's a guide to luxury island hopping in the Greek Isles.
The first thing you need to think about when planning your luxury Greek island-hopping adventure is the city where you will fly in. Greece's major airports are located in Athens, Chania, Santorini, and Mykonos. Most international visitors start their adventure in Athens, the capital city. From there, you can take a ferry to kickstart your island-hopping trip and head to the islands you wish to visit.
There are various route options to choose from for your island-hopping adventure. You can choose from any Greek island group and create your own route. If you're flying into Athens, you can start your journey from the port of Piraeus and explore the islands in the Cyclades or the Saronic Gulf Islands. You can also explore the more remote islands from Piraeus, such as Dodecanese. Athens is also close to the port of Rafina, which is the starting point for boat trips to the eastern Cyclades. If you prefer to visit the Northern Aegean Islands, fly to the airport of Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece.
If you want to spend most of your time exploring a specific group of Greek isles, take a domestic flight from Athens to reach the city where you plan to start your journey. Most of the major islands in Greece are served by domestic flights, and some have direct international flights from nearby European cities.
The Ionian Islands are some of the most popular islands to visit on an island-hopping adventure in Greece. This group has fourteen different islands, with Corfu and Zakynthos being the most popular. These islands lie in the Ionian Sea and are known for their rich culture, fascinating architecture, and vibrant culinary scene.
Corfu is the best place to jumpstart your adventure in the Ionian Islands. Spend time discovering its charming Old Town, home to some UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Paxos is a tiny island close to Corfu, blanked in olive trees, and has secluded bays where you can enjoy swimming and snorkelling. It has a satellite island called Antipaxos, famous for its gorgeous beaches with crystal-clear waters.
Kefalonia is the largest of all the Ionian islands, home to beautiful beaches and many scenic hiking trails. The island has a mountainous landscape with vast green spaces that you can explore without the tourist crowds. From Kefalonia, sail to Zakynthos, and visit the Shipwreck Beach, which is accessible only by sea. Discover its iconic blue caves and experience its vibrant nightlife.
The Cyclades are some of the most popular islands for those looking to travel around Greece, especially Santorini and Mykonos. There are more than two hundred islands in the Cyclades, but most are uninhabited. If you plan to explore the Cyclades on your luxury Greek island-hopping adventure, begin in Mykonos. Before heading out to sail, spend a day or two on the island to enjoy its vibrant nightlife scene and explore its white-washed villages and famous windmills.
Santorini is also an ideal base for your island-hopping adventure in the Cyclades and is more suited to couples on a romantic holiday. Famous for its postcard-perfect views and stunning sunsets, Santorini offers plenty of fun things to discover that it's worth spending a few days here. But for those who want to escape the tourist crowds, Milos would be a good alternative. This tiny island in the Cyclades is home to beautiful beaches, charming boutique hotels, and excellent seafood restaurants.
The island of Tinos is another fascinating island to visit in the Cyclades, where you'll find the site of the famous church of the Virgin Mary. Naxos is also worth a stop, and so is Syros, the capital of the Cyclades.
The Dodecanese Islands consist of twelve different islands, with several smaller ones. It has some of Greece's most popular islands, and some are close to mainland Turkey. In fact, some tourists from Turkey would take a day trip. If you want to explore this group on your island-hopping adventure, begin in Rhodes or Kos, both have international airports.
Rhodes is renowned for its well-preserved walled city, ancient villages, and beautiful beaches. If you're visiting Rhodes, you can take a day trip to Turkey's famous resort town of Marmaris. Symi, a tiny island in the Dodecanese, is also becoming a popular place to visit for an island-hopping trip. It has a lovely harbor surrounded by colorful houses, a fun place to explore and people-watch.
Kos is a captivating island to visit for a beach vacation in Greece. It has some of the country's most beautiful beaches, and where you can enjoy water sports, such as windsurfing. Kos is also famous for its vibrant nightlife scene, archaeological sites, and ancient castles and ruins.
The Saronic Islands are some of the closest islands in Athens. If you're flying into the capital city, take the time to explore these group islands before you venture to the other Greek isles. Some of the most popular Saronic islands are Hydra, Poros, and Aegina.
Hydra is a lovely island you can visit on a short ferry ride from Athens. Unlike the bustling capital, it has a more laidback atmosphere and some remote beaches where you can enjoy a relaxing dip. Meanwhile, Poros is a mall island famous for its clock tower and palm-lined beaches. Its Old Town is lined with colorful houses, while the lively waterfront is a fun place to enjoy a relaxing stroll.
Aegina is another island worth dropping by on your island-hopping adventure in the Saronic Islands. It has rich culture and history and is home to great restaurants serving delectable seafood dishes.
