Top 10 Must-See Greek Islands
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
WRITTEN BY: Nick Roffey
Pristine beaches, ancient ruins, or cool parties? How about all three? Welcome to MojoTravels, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 Must-See Greek Islands. For this list, we're looking at the Greek islands that have something a little extra to offer visitors - or a bit of everything at the same time.
Top 10 Must-See Greek Islands
Pristine beaches, ancient ruins, or off-the-wall parties? How about all three? Welcome to Watchmojo.com, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 Must-See Greek Islands. For this list, we're looking at the Greek islands that have something a little extra to offer visitors - or a bit of everything at the same time.
A step onto Hydra’s crescent-shaped harbour is a leap back in time. Cobblestone lanes, red-tiled rooftops, and grandiose stone mansions spill down the hillsides of amphitheatrical Hydra Port. Since motor vehicles are banned, water taxis, mules, and donkeys provide transport. It’s easy to lose track of time on the anachronistic island, which seems to have become unstuck in time itself long ago. What Hydra lacks in sandy beaches it makes up for in the sheer charm of its galleries, Byzantine cathedral, and traditional tavernas. At just over one hour by high-speed catamaran from Athens, it’s tough to find a reason not to go.
#9: Kefalonia
According to legend, the hero Cephalus was given Kefalonia as a reward. It was one heck of a prize. The largest of the Ionian islands, Kefalonia boasts stunning beaches, excellent wine, and a full and rich history. Newcomers might recognize the azure waters of Myrtos Beach from the movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”, but should also make time for magical Melissani Lake, pastel-colored Assos, and the rustic waterfront cafes of fishing town Fiskardo. And let’s not forget the capital, Argostoli - flattened by an earthquake in 1953, but now a lively city with authentic, unpretentious restaurants and a renowned archaeological museum. Kefalonia has something for everyone - and plenty of it.
#8: Paros
Paros is an island packed full of action: whether that’s kiteboarding and windsurfing in the Meltemi summer breeze, or bar-hopping and busting a move when the sun goes down in Parikia, the island’s capital. Of course, for those more interested in just sitting back and soaking up the sun, there’s also the inviting, 700 metre long stretch of sand at well-named Golden Beach. Paros has a laid-back vibe and fewer visitors than its crowded cousins Mykonos and Santorini - but is just a short ferry ride away from both.
#7: Zakynthos
There’s a reason Zakynthos is called “the flower of the Levant”. This verdant Ionian island has a beach for everyone stretched out between its white limestone cliffs. But the jewel in the crown is undoubtedly Navagio, where turquoise waters meet a gravel beach at the feet of towering headlands. The cove’s centerpiece is a rusting freightliner - reputedly a smuggler’s ship - washed ashore in 1980. Just try to get there before the crowds . . . When the sun sets, there’s a thriving party scene for revelers on the south coast. And between May and October, a rare spectacle: the hatching of hundreds of loggerhead turtles on Gerakas Beach at the island’s southernmost tip.
#6: Milos
Known as “the island of colours”, Milos is renowned for stunning natural beauty, rivalled only by its Cycladic cousin Santorini. It’s also the site where the famous Venus de Milo was discovered. Rugged and windswept, Milos rests in the Aegean like a pearl in cobalt waters. The island owes its unique splendour to volcanic origins, which have given the island diverse beaches, sea caves just begging to be explored, and singular rock formations popular with yacht cruises. Nowhere is this more evident than in the surreal lunar landscape of Sarakiniko Beach, where pumice has been eroded into otherworldly shapes. The island might be relatively quiet, but that just makes it easier to take in.
#5: Corfu
Visitors to this sickle-shaped Ionian island are in good company. Hercules, Odysseus, and Jason and his Argonauts are all said to have stopped by. Oh, and also the god Poseidon - who named it “Korkyra” after a beautiful nymph famed for her “lovely locks”. Lush forests cover the island’s mountainous interior, while golden sand and pebble beaches line the coast. It’s idyllic, but never seems to get old - whether you’re ambling down the pedestrian streets of Corfu Town’s old quarter, admiring classical Italianate architecture, or indulging in a drink or three at the busy bars and clubs.
#4: Naxos
Naxos has everything you could want from an island getaway: white sand beaches, dreamy, picturesque villages, and warrens of cobbled laneways perfect for aimless wandering. It also has an important place in legend: Zeus received his trademark thunderbolt from an eagle on the craggy peak of Mt. Zas. The island is an ideal place for hiking along ancient mountain trails; family fun at the beaches and waterpark; and visiting ancient sites like the ruined Temple of Apollo and Temple of Demeter. Naxos town, also known as Chora, is crammed with cafes and restaurants - and throws in an impressive Venetian fortress for good measure.
#3: Mykonos
Welcome to the party mecca of the Cyclades - Greece’s answer to Ibiza. By day in high season, bronzed bodies cram the popular beaches, while spellbound crowds from cruise ships spill through the maze of the main town’s narrow streets. In the evening, visitors jostle for the best spot to watch the sunset from Little Venice. But it’s when the sun disappears that Mykonos really roars to life. Pounding basslines animate a bacchanalian crush of bodies at the island’s superclubs, as people dance until the sun comes up. It’s loud, it’s decadent . . . but it’s unforgettable, and the best way to let loose on the islands.
#2: Santorini
If Mykonos is the party island, Santorini is the postcard perfect one. Seen from the sea, its famed whitewashed houses and blue domes sit like a snowy crown on rugged red heights. But the view from the top of Fira, the main town, is even more breathtaking - looking out over houses clinging to the cliffside to a drowned caldera that cradles a shimmering, ink-blue sea. The classic Cycladic architecture and spectacular sunsets, best viewed from the gorgeous village Oia, have made the island particularly popular with honeymooners. Add in fantastic boat tours, wine tours, and sparkling black sand beaches, and it’s pretty easy to explain Santorini’s appeal.
Before we reveal the identity of our top pick, here are some honorable mentions:
Kos
Patmos
Rhodes
#1: Crete
Bigger isn’t always better. And some of Greece’s other islands are unparalleled in one or two areas. But Greece’s largest island, Crete, has it all - irresistible beaches, captivating seaside towns, winding gorges ideal for hiking, and, most of all, food - glorious food. Crete’s fresh and delicious cuisine is justly famous the world over . . . and we admit we might be thinking with our stomachs a little in making the island number one. But can you blame us, with a diet this good and healthy to boot? With a vibrant nightlife, and magnificent historical sites, Crete is the well-rounded winner in our list.
Pristine beaches, ancient ruins, or off-the-wall parties? How about all three? Welcome to Watchmojo.com, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 Must-See Greek Islands. For this list, we're looking at the Greek islands that have something a little extra to offer visitors - or a bit of everything at the same time.
#10: Hydra
A step onto Hydra’s crescent-shaped harbour is a leap back in time. Cobblestone lanes, red-tiled rooftops, and grandiose stone mansions spill down the hillsides of amphitheatrical Hydra Port. Since motor vehicles are banned, water taxis, mules, and donkeys provide transport. It’s easy to lose track of time on the anachronistic island, which seems to have become unstuck in time itself long ago. What Hydra lacks in sandy beaches it makes up for in the sheer charm of its galleries, Byzantine cathedral, and traditional tavernas. At just over one hour by high-speed catamaran from Athens, it’s tough to find a reason not to go.
#9: Kefalonia
According to legend, the hero Cephalus was given Kefalonia as a reward. It was one heck of a prize. The largest of the Ionian islands, Kefalonia boasts stunning beaches, excellent wine, and a full and rich history. Newcomers might recognize the azure waters of Myrtos Beach from the movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”, but should also make time for magical Melissani Lake, pastel-colored Assos, and the rustic waterfront cafes of fishing town Fiskardo. And let’s not forget the capital, Argostoli - flattened by an earthquake in 1953, but now a lively city with authentic, unpretentious restaurants and a renowned archaeological museum. Kefalonia has something for everyone - and plenty of it.
#8: Paros
Paros is an island packed full of action: whether that’s kiteboarding and windsurfing in the Meltemi summer breeze, or bar-hopping and busting a move when the sun goes down in Parikia, the island’s capital. Of course, for those more interested in just sitting back and soaking up the sun, there’s also the inviting, 700 metre long stretch of sand at well-named Golden Beach. Paros has a laid-back vibe and fewer visitors than its crowded cousins Mykonos and Santorini - but is just a short ferry ride away from both.
#7: Zakynthos
There’s a reason Zakynthos is called “the flower of the Levant”. This verdant Ionian island has a beach for everyone stretched out between its white limestone cliffs. But the jewel in the crown is undoubtedly Navagio, where turquoise waters meet a gravel beach at the feet of towering headlands. The cove’s centerpiece is a rusting freightliner - reputedly a smuggler’s ship - washed ashore in 1980. Just try to get there before the crowds . . . When the sun sets, there’s a thriving party scene for revelers on the south coast. And between May and October, a rare spectacle: the hatching of hundreds of loggerhead turtles on Gerakas Beach at the island’s southernmost tip.
#6: Milos
Known as “the island of colours”, Milos is renowned for stunning natural beauty, rivalled only by its Cycladic cousin Santorini. It’s also the site where the famous Venus de Milo was discovered. Rugged and windswept, Milos rests in the Aegean like a pearl in cobalt waters. The island owes its unique splendour to volcanic origins, which have given the island diverse beaches, sea caves just begging to be explored, and singular rock formations popular with yacht cruises. Nowhere is this more evident than in the surreal lunar landscape of Sarakiniko Beach, where pumice has been eroded into otherworldly shapes. The island might be relatively quiet, but that just makes it easier to take in.
#5: Corfu
Visitors to this sickle-shaped Ionian island are in good company. Hercules, Odysseus, and Jason and his Argonauts are all said to have stopped by. Oh, and also the god Poseidon - who named it “Korkyra” after a beautiful nymph famed for her “lovely locks”. Lush forests cover the island’s mountainous interior, while golden sand and pebble beaches line the coast. It’s idyllic, but never seems to get old - whether you’re ambling down the pedestrian streets of Corfu Town’s old quarter, admiring classical Italianate architecture, or indulging in a drink or three at the busy bars and clubs.
#4: Naxos
Naxos has everything you could want from an island getaway: white sand beaches, dreamy, picturesque villages, and warrens of cobbled laneways perfect for aimless wandering. It also has an important place in legend: Zeus received his trademark thunderbolt from an eagle on the craggy peak of Mt. Zas. The island is an ideal place for hiking along ancient mountain trails; family fun at the beaches and waterpark; and visiting ancient sites like the ruined Temple of Apollo and Temple of Demeter. Naxos town, also known as Chora, is crammed with cafes and restaurants - and throws in an impressive Venetian fortress for good measure.
#3: Mykonos
Welcome to the party mecca of the Cyclades - Greece’s answer to Ibiza. By day in high season, bronzed bodies cram the popular beaches, while spellbound crowds from cruise ships spill through the maze of the main town’s narrow streets. In the evening, visitors jostle for the best spot to watch the sunset from Little Venice. But it’s when the sun disappears that Mykonos really roars to life. Pounding basslines animate a bacchanalian crush of bodies at the island’s superclubs, as people dance until the sun comes up. It’s loud, it’s decadent . . . but it’s unforgettable, and the best way to let loose on the islands.
#2: Santorini
If Mykonos is the party island, Santorini is the postcard perfect one. Seen from the sea, its famed whitewashed houses and blue domes sit like a snowy crown on rugged red heights. But the view from the top of Fira, the main town, is even more breathtaking - looking out over houses clinging to the cliffside to a drowned caldera that cradles a shimmering, ink-blue sea. The classic Cycladic architecture and spectacular sunsets, best viewed from the gorgeous village Oia, have made the island particularly popular with honeymooners. Add in fantastic boat tours, wine tours, and sparkling black sand beaches, and it’s pretty easy to explain Santorini’s appeal.
Before we reveal the identity of our top pick, here are some honorable mentions:
Kos
Patmos
Rhodes
#1: Crete
Bigger isn’t always better. And some of Greece’s other islands are unparalleled in one or two areas. But Greece’s largest island, Crete, has it all - irresistible beaches, captivating seaside towns, winding gorges ideal for hiking, and, most of all, food - glorious food. Crete’s fresh and delicious cuisine is justly famous the world over . . . and we admit we might be thinking with our stomachs a little in making the island number one. But can you blame us, with a diet this good and healthy to boot? With a vibrant nightlife, and magnificent historical sites, Crete is the well-rounded winner in our list.
