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With most travellers only having a handful of holiday days a year, it can be hard to choose the perfect destination for a Greek holiday. But hey, we are here for you. We’ve put together a wonderful one-week itinerary in the heart of the Aegean that takes in some of the best of the Cyclades. Combine these stops with a 24-hour stay in Athens on your arrival or departure from Greece and you’ve got a great trip. And while you’re there, here are some useful tips to remember!
What are the best Greek islands to visit and how many islands are there in Greece?
That’s a big question! To give you a sense of the scale of things, there are about 6,000 separate islands in Greece. They are scattered across the country’s various seas – the Ionian in the north-west, the Aegean in the east and the Crete in the south – all of which are part of the wider Mediterranean
Thus, there are as many answers as there are Greek islands to visit. Your choice will of course depend on your interests, your physical fitness, your appetite for crowds, your desire for solitude or your curiosity for the unknown.
- There are, of course, the star islands of Milos and Crete with its Aradena Gorge.
- For Leonard Cohen fans, there’s Hydra.
- Closer to Athens there’s the hidden gem of Spetses or furthera field the Ionian islands of Kefalonia and Corfu. Some would say these are undoubtedly the best Greek islands.
- Let’s not forget the Dodecanese Islands of Kos and Rhodes
- But others might suggest Paxos, Ios, Amorgos, Andros, Paros, Zakynthos and its National Park with its protected seabed, or even lesser-known Syros…
- If time allows, why not add a few days on Sifnos, the lesser known island of the Cyclades? As long as you can keep it a secret!
The reality is that each island in the archipelago prides itself on being the jewel of the Cyclades in its own way and is its own little corner of paradise. To make it easier to choose a destination, it would be wise to decide in advance whether hiking trails, historical sites, agritourism and long sandy beaches are your priorities.
3 days in Naxos – the most interesting of all Greek islands
If you’re looking for an underrated, thriving, unspoilt island that embodies everything that makes Greece so enticing, then spend a few days in idyllic Naxos.
No superlative could possibly do justice to the splendour of this island, with its lofty whitewashed villages, tranquil seafront, friendly locals of both human and feline variety and, finally, its vivid connection to Greek mythology—here, ungrateful Theseus allegedly abandoned Ariadne after she helped him escape the Cretan labyrinth.
More than just a pretty face, Naxos has a fascinating culture and history and a strong sense of culinary tradition, with many family-run producers of ouzo and raki, Greece’s most popular aperitifs, around the picturesque mountain villages of Apiranthos and Moni. You will also see abundant olive trees and lemon groves.
Closer to the seaside capital of Hora is the magnificent Temple of Apollo and its unparalleled views (especially at sunset), the Venetian castle and the labyrinthine, cobbled old town full of inviting tavernas and craft shops.
So yes, in case you were wondering, Naxos is a giant living postcard and definitely the most authentic island in the Greek Cyclades.
A half-day in Delos – the most mythical Greek isle
To complement your two days on Mykonos, a visit to the stunning Greek island of Delos, just a few nautical miles away, is a must. It’s one of the most magnificent UNESCO World Heritage sites in Greece!
It is also one of the largest archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, if not the world. In short, a trip back in time is a must for history and mythology buffs, as reality and fiction have been intertwined here for thousands of years. Indeed, Delos is one of those places where reality and fiction play an equal role.
The birthplace of Apollo and Artemis (in theory) and the largest trading port in the Aegean during the Hellenistic period (in fact), Delos is home to more stories than we can count. A professional guide is a must to fully appreciate the grandeur of this time capsule of an island.
2 days in Mykonos – the most iconic of all Greece islands
Away from the after-school crowds, Mykonos can be explored through the maze of immaculate white streets dotted with flamboyant bougainvillea that make up the charm of the old town of Chora, and nearby are the emblematic windmills that milled grain until the 1970s and can be seen on almost every postcard of the Greek islands. A stone’s throw away is Little Venice, with its terraces and colourful facades, and away from the after-school crowds, Mykonos can be explored through the maze of immaculate white streets dotted with the flamboyant bougainvillea that make up the charm of the old town of Chora.
As well as lazing around, Mykonos has a number of famous attractions that are not synonymous with bikinis and sunbathing. You can admire the beauty of the houses, appreciate the friendliness of the locals, shop in the chic boutiques, enjoy the nightlife and dive into the crystal clear waters. Between two beach sessions, there’s more than enough to fill two idyllic days, especially at Psarou beach!
- Panagia Paraportiani and the monastery of the same name
- An asymmetrical chapel from the 1400s
- The Mykonos Archaeological Museum
- The Mykonos Maritime Museum
- The Kalafátis surf centres (Mykonos is the island of the winds)
- or an open-air cinema
3 days in Santorini – perhaps the most scenic Greek island
Formed by one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions known to man, the dramatic reddish cliffs of this crescent-shaped island surround the submerged caldera known to the literary world as Atlantis. Santorini’s incomparable sweeping vistas are, however, very real. Whether you enjoy them from the hilltop terraces of Oia or at sea on a catamaran (far from the narrow streets bursting at the seams with passing cruise passengers) is up to you, as long as you promise to stay overnight and really see what this world-famous island has to offer without the stifling crowds. Truly one of the most classic islands of the Greek Cyclades.
Aside from entertaining people watching and remarkable sunsets, Santorini has no shortage of enjoyable things to do:
- Bronze Age Akrotiri, one of the most underestimated archaeological sites in the region and Greece’s version of Pompeii
- Snorkel or dive off Perissa Beach and Caldera Beach
- Visit a winery and learn more about the unique local viticulture (hint: they grow vines close to the ground in a basket shape)
- Hike the vertiginous cliffside from Oia to Fira
- Shop for locally made oils and condiments
- Enjoy the view of the island from atop the high-perched village of Pyrgos
- Watch fishermen at work in Amoudi Bay and devour impossibly fresh seafood
- Shop for books from around the world at the cute Atlantis Bookshop in Oia
Santorini also lives and breathes its local wines, bequeathed by the Venetian Republic in the Middle Ages, which ruled the Mediterranean, including Greece. A visit to one of the vineyards is a must if you want to get to know the amazing technique of the basket vine! You will be able to taste the famous Vinsanto, a dessert wine and a great source of local pride. There are also plenty of restaurants in Santorini, not all of them good—check out our favourite spots.
What about movies – which island was Mamma Mia filmed on?
The Mamma Mia island, known in reality as Skopelos, was the main filming location of the popular movie. Despite the island’s fame, it has managed to preserve its natural charm and tranquility. Located in the Sporades island group, it is renowned for its lush vegetation and sandy beaches, making it one of the greenest in Greece.
The fictional island of Kalokairi in the film, however, was depicted as a blend of three spectacular Greek locations: Skopelos and Skiathos Islands in the Sporades and Damouchari in mainland Greece.
