Islands to Visit in Greece

The islands to visit in Greece offer unforgettable experiences to travelers, hosting the most enchanting landscapes and historical riches of the Mediterranean. From Santorini, famous for its whitewashed houses, to Delos, which has witnessed mythological stories, from Mykonos, which combines luxury and entertainment, to Skopelos, the symbol of peace, many islands reveal the cultural and natural heritage of Greece. With both historical and natural beauties, the Greek islands take travelers on a journey through time with their tranquil beaches, striking landscapes, traditional villages and ancient ruins. In this guide, we have brought together the most popular islands in Greece waiting to be discovered.

Delos Island

Delos Island is an island famous for its historical and cultural riches, located in the Cyclades Islands of Greece, just off the coast of Mykonos. Considered the birthplace of Leto, Apollo and Artemis in Greek mythology, Delos is a sacred place for the Ancient Greek period. For this reason, the island has been an important religious and commercial center throughout history.

While visiting Delos Island, you can discover historical structures such as the Temple of Apollo (5th century BC), the Temple of Artemis (6th century BC) and huge structures such as the ancient theater with a capacity of 5.000 people. In addition, the altars, baths and settlements from ancient times allow you to witness the rich history of Delos. These ancient ruins make you feel like you have stepped into the past and offer impressive views.

Evia Island

Evia Island is the second largest island in Greece and attracts attention with its touristic charm. With its turquoise beaches, natural beauties and peaceful traditional villages, it offers a perfect destination for those who want to relax and be in touch with nature.

The northern part of the island is ideal for those who want to go hiking, with its mountainous areas and pine forests. Guided tours are available here, nature sports such as rafting can be done and there are peaceful picnic areas. The southern part of Evia is famous for its magnificent beaches and turquoise sea, making it an attractive option for those who want to have a summer holiday.

Halkidiki Peninsula

The Halkidiki Peninsula is a holiday destination located in northern Greece, opening onto the Aegean Sea, famous for its natural beauty, wide beaches and vibrant nightlife. It is a popular destination for tourists, especially when the weather is sunny, who relax on the beach or enjoy swimming in the clear blue sea.

Sithonia is one of the most beautiful areas of Halkidiki, known for its quiet beaches, lush nature and vineyards. Here you can find the ideal environment for those who want to spend a peaceful holiday. From wide, fine sandy beaches to restaurants with sea views, there is everything.

Hydra Island

Hydra Island is located in the Saronic Gulf and is known as one of the most popular tourist islands in Greece. The island's natural beauty, historical buildings and unique atmosphere attract a large number of visitors every year.

Hydra, an important maritime center in the Mediterranean in the 19th century, offers a charming environment with its beautiful Greek houses, narrow streets and stone-built architecture that bear traces of the past. The island is closed to vehicle traffic and transportation is mostly provided by donkeys, which is an element that strengthens the authentic atmosphere of the island. The cafes, restaurants, shops selling local products and museums located in the center of the island provide a perfect starting point for exploring Hydra.

Ithaca Island

Ithaca Island is an island located in the Ionian Sea in western Greece, with an area of ​​96 km² and a population of approximately 5.000, and is very rich in terms of history and nature. Mentioned as the hometown of Odysseus in Homer's famous epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, this island attracts attention with both its history and natural beauties.

A trip to the island can begin in the town of Vathy. Home to one of the largest natural harbours in the world, Vathy is one of the liveliest parts of the island, with its narrow streets, whitewashed houses, restaurants and vibrant nightlife.

Kalymnos Island

Kalymnos Island is a Greek island located in the Aegean Sea and attracts attention with its fascinating natural beauty. One of the most well-known features of the island is that it has become a popular center for climbing sports in recent years due to its mountainous structure. Considered one of the best climbing regions in the world, Kalymnos attracts the attention of climbing enthusiasts with its impressive rock formations and climbing routes suitable for all levels. You can climb with guides on the island and photograph the impressive views.

The beaches of Kalymnos are also very popular. Myrties, Massouri and Kantouni beaches offer visitors a perfect holiday experience with their crystal clear turquoise seas and magnificent natural beauty. They also offer great opportunities for those who want to do water sports and enjoy the sea.

Castellorizo ​​Island

Kastellorizo ​​Island is the easternmost of the Twelve Islands group and is located in the southwestern part of Antalya. Eyebrow It is a small but charming Greek island located just 2 kilometers from the town. This island, which is frequently visited by people from Turkey, is famous for its historical castle made of red rocks, turquoise colored waters, white sandy beaches and developed tourism opportunities.

Adanın tarihi, Antik Yunan, Rome, Bizans, Ceneviz, Venedik ve Osmanlı İmparatorluğu gibi pek çok medeniyetin izlerini taşır. Bu zengin geçmiş, adanın her köşesinde keşfedilecek tarihi kalıntılar ve mimari eserler olarak karşımıza çıkar. Adanın büyüleyici manzaraları ise her köşesinde unutulmaz fotoğraflar çekmenizi sağlayacak güzellikte.

Kefalonia Island

Kefalonia Island is a holiday paradise located in the Ionian Sea of ​​Greece and is famous for its natural beauty, turquoise sea and lush green landscapes. With its developed tourism opportunities, rich beaches, historical sites and fishing villages, it offers its visitors both relaxation and discovery opportunities. Kefalonia is a popular destination especially for summer holidays and honeymoons, and is also an important center for yachting and boat tours.

Myrtos Beach, one of the most famous beaches on the island, is known for its crystal clear turquoise sea and the white cliffs surrounding it. You can spend an unforgettable day with its calm sea, sandy beaches and the surrounding restaurants, cafes and water sports centers. Another popular beach, Antisamos Beach, is a perfect choice for both swimming and relaxing with its white sands and clear sea.

Lefkada Island

Lefkada Island is a Greek island located in the Ionian Sea, attracting attention with its natural beauty and lively atmosphere. Famous for its white sandy beaches and turquoise colored sea, Lefkada is a popular holiday destination that hosts thousands of tourists every year. With its untouched green nature and developed tourism opportunities, it offers a perfect getaway for holidaymakers.

Porto Katsiki, one of the most famous beaches of Lefkada, offers a fascinating view with its surrounding steep cliffs and deep blue sea. Egremni Beach is another preferred beach with its crystal clear waters and ideal environment for doing water sports. Lefkada is a world-renowned center for those interested in water sports such as sailing and windsurfing, and there are many water sports centers in the town of Vasiliki.

Leros Island

Leros Island is a touristic island located in the Aegean Sea of ​​Greece, part of the Dodecanese Island Chain, and attracts attention with its historical riches. This beautiful island, with a surface area of ​​53 km², was used as an important military base during World War II and today welcomes visitors with its advanced tourism opportunities.

The island's history bears the traces of great civilizations such as the Roman, Byzantine, Genoese and Ottoman Empires. Military buildings used by the Italians in World War II, defense lines and structures from this period are among the important places to visit on the island. The historical structures in this region allow you to witness the history of the island.

Mykonos Island

Mykonos Island is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Aegean Sea, among the Cyclades Islands of Greece. Located just 150 kilometers east of Athens, this island is world-famous for its luxury hotels, vibrant nightlife, and deep blue sea. The charm of Mykonos is not only its beaches and fun atmosphere, but also its impressive landscapes, historical buildings, and hospitality.

Mykonos beaches are famous for their white sands and crystal clear waters. The most popular beaches include Platis Gialos, Paradise Beach and Super Paradise. These beaches are not only popular for their beautiful waters but also for their water sports and beach parties. In addition to water sports such as sailing and canoeing, there are also fun activities throughout the day that add color to the island atmosphere.

Milos Island

Milos Island is one of the Cyclades Islands of Greece, located in the Aegean Sea and covers an area of ​​160 km². The island's historical and volcanic beauties make it a very popular tourist destination. Milos also contains many historical structures dating back to ancient times, the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, making it an attractive island for history enthusiasts.

One of the island’s biggest attractions is its 70+ beaches. The white sand and crystal clear waters of these beaches make them a great choice for a summer vacation. Popular beaches include Sarakiniko, Papafragas, Firiplaka and Paliochori. Sarakiniko is particularly famous for its unique white cliffs and natural rock structures.

Peloponnese Peninsula

The Peloponnese Peninsula is the third largest peninsula in the Aegean Sea in southern Greece. It offers a destination worth exploring with its rich history, natural beauty and cultural diversity. The Peloponnese Peninsula has hosted important ancient cities such as Mycenae, Sparta, Argos and Corinth, with its history stretching from ancient times to the present day. This means that every corner of the peninsula offers the opportunity to discover historical remains from different periods.

One of the most notable places on the peninsula is Mycenae, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This region, which attracts attention with its Mycenaean Cemeteries and ancient city walls, was one of the most important settlements of Ancient Greece. Another important point is Sparta; here you can learn in depth about the warrior people of Sparta.

Pelion Peninsula

The Pelion Peninsula, lying between the Pagasetic Gulf and the Aegean Sea in northern Greece, is a great getaway for nature and history enthusiasts. A paradise of lush forests, deep blue seas and charming villages, Pelion welcomes thousands of visitors each year.

One of the biggest charms of Pelion is the tranquility and authentic atmosphere offered by traditional Greek villages. Villages such as Makrinitsa, Agios Ioannis, Milies and Tsagarada are the best examples of Greek architecture. While wandering through the narrow stone streets, you can discover local handicrafts and local cuisine. The villages in Pelion make you feel like you have traveled back in time with their houses built on the slopes of the mountains and offering magnificent views.

Poros Island

Poros Island is a Greek island located in the Saronic Gulf and is very popular due to its proximity to Athens. This beautiful island consists of two separate islands and is famous for its green forests, beautiful villages and beaches. Poros offers a perfect destination for summer holidays and day trips.

On Poros Island, you can enjoy the sea all day long at magnificent beaches such as Askeli, Love Bay and Ladiko beaches, and you can find great opportunities to explore underwater landscapes with diving and boat tours. Neo Chorio Village and Galatas Village offer traditional Greek lifestyle to their visitors with their narrow streets decorated with stone houses that have not spoiled their natural atmosphere. You can try local delicacies and take unforgettable photos in these villages.

Rhodes Island

Rhodes Island is the largest and most touristic of the Twelve Islands located in the Aegean Sea. The island, which fascinates its visitors with its rich history, cultural heritage and natural beauty, is an important center of civilization with its past dating back to the 4th century BC. Rhodes, which was the heart of maritime trade in ancient times, reached a strong position especially under the rule of the Knights of Rhodes, and this heritage is felt in the historical structures of the island to this day.

One of the most iconic structures of Rhodes, the Rhodes Castle is the perfect place to start exploring the island. This medieval castle has been preserved to this day with its solid structure and offers magnificent views of the city. Filerimos Hill, the highest point on the island, is another great destination where you can take great photos with its panoramic sea and city views.

Chios Island

Chios Island is one of the most beautiful and touristic islands of the Aegean Sea. This island, which is very close to Turkey, takes its name from the mastic trees that you will come across in every corner, and the mastic obtained from the essence of this special plant is the most well-known and valuable product of the island. Drawing attention with its rich cultural heritage and historical structures, Chios Island is a perfect destination for travelers who want to both vacation and explore history.

Chios, an important settlement since ancient times, is like an open-air museum with its historical ruins from different periods, structures from the Ottoman period and villages with traditional Greek architecture. The villages where mastic trees grow have become the symbol of the island. In these villages, you can visit museums related to mastic production and learn interesting information about the island's cultural heritage. Places to Visit in Chios You can learn more about the island by reading our article.

Samos Island

Samos Island is a touristic Greek island located in the Aegean Sea, just 1,5 kilometers from Turkey's Dilek Peninsula. Samos, the 3rd largest island in the Aegean, is very popular with its charming beaches, natural beauty and historical riches. It is also important to remember that the island was an important trade center in the Ancient Greek period and was the birthplace of famous philosophers such as Pythagoras, Heracles, and Thales.

Crystal clear seas, pine forests, waterfalls and historical buildings are the main natural beauties of Samos Island. You can enjoy the sea and sun all day long at famous beaches such as Tsamadou Beach, Mykali Beach and Psili Ammos Beach; you can also take walks to discover structures such as the ancient city of Pythagorion, the Temple of Hera and the Tomb of Pythagoras, which are among the most important historical places of the island.

Santorini Island

Santorini Island is one of the charming beauties of the Aegean Sea, located in the southernmost part of the Cyclades. This volcanic island is especially famous for its deep blue sky, clear sea and whitewashed buildings. The iconic landscapes of Santorini, its blue-roofed houses and its narrow streets are every traveler's dream. However, the charm of Santorini is not limited to its visual beauty; it also attracts attention with its historical richness and unique volcanic structure.

A major volcanic eruption in 1650 BC destroyed about a third of the island, giving Santorini its unique morphology. The caldera, the huge crater that formed as a result of this eruption, offers visitors a magnificent view. Seeing the active volcanoes on the islands of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni within the caldera offers a unique experience of the island's geological history.

Sithonia Peninsula

The Sithonia Peninsula is a holiday paradise located in the Central Macedonia region of Greece and is famous for its natural beauty. With its white sandy beaches, turquoise sea and olive groves, it is the perfect getaway for nature lovers and sea lovers. Sithonia is also known for its traditional Greek villages and its peaceful atmosphere, which gives it a different charm.

Nikita, the largest settlement on the peninsula, is a wonderful place to visit with its stone houses reflecting traditional Greek architecture, restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. Nikita attracts visitors with both its historical texture and its seaside atmosphere.

Skopelos

Skopelos Island is a holiday paradise located in the Northern Aegean Sea of ​​Greece and is famous for its natural beauty. With its clear turquoise sea, lush green mountains and white sandy beaches, Skopelos offers a perfect destination for those who want to both relax and explore. Especially preferred for honeymoon holidays, Skopelos attracts attention with its calm atmosphere and peaceful nature.

One of the most famous beaches of the island, Agios Ioannis Kastri, is a great spot for photographers with its white sand and turquoise waters. While enjoying the sea on this beach, it is also possible to explore the lush forests around it. Milia Beach is another popular beach surrounded by olive trees and offering an atmosphere close to nature; here you can have a picnic and enjoy nature.

Skopelos also has a rich cultural heritage. The Skopelos Monastery is a historic building dating back to the 13th century and is a fine example of traditional Greek architecture. You can also take pleasant walks in the village of Agnondas, famous for its narrow streets, classical houses, restaurants and cafes, and discover the local atmosphere of the island.

Thassos Island

Thassos Island is a touristic destination located in the North Aegean Sea and is famous for its natural beauty. Surrounded by lush forests, this island is a perfect place for travelers who want to relax and explore with its turquoise clear sea and white sandy beaches. Thassos is as rich in history as it is in nature; you can visit many historical ruins on the island, such as ancient marble quarries, and discover traces of the ancient period.

Popular beaches on Thassos include Golden Beach, Paradise Beach, Makryammos Beach and Aliki Beach. These beaches are great places to enjoy the sea and do water sports. You can take full advantage of the island's hot summer days by doing many water activities, from sailing to canoeing, parasailing to surfing.

The islands to visit in Greece offer the most impressive holiday experiences in the Mediterranean, each with its own unique history and natural beauty. Whether you want to relax on peaceful beaches, discover the past in ancient ruins or taste the flavors of Greek cuisine; the Greek islands offer a rich selection that appeals to all kinds of expectations. With their eye-catching landscapes, colorful culture and enchanting atmosphere, the islands of Greece open the door to an unforgettable holiday.

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