Which Greek Island Should You Visit?

There are over 6000 islands and islets in Greece, with 227 inhabited by people. It can be a battlefield when trying to choose which Greek island you should visit, this is why I'm here to help!

I've lost count how many times I've been to Greece, I first visited Athens when I was 12, followed by various Greek islands over the years, I guess you could call me a Greece super fan... There is definitely an island for everyone, but which one will suit your needs?

Solo Travellers - Naxos Island

Naxos has a little bit of everything but it's a little more chilled out than its neighbouring islands, making it the perfect place for solo travellers visiting Greece.

Naxos Chora (the main town) offers a maze of charming backstreets filled with tavernas, wine bars and boutique stores. It is the best place to head if you want to meet likeminded travellers, people on Naxos are usually pretty open and welcome socialisation. It is also relaxing enough that if you want to be left alone to do your own thing and relax in silence (me when I travel!) that is absolutely possible too.

Naxos is all round a safe island, of course you can never say bad things won't happen, but in general women (and men) can travel alone safely.

There are plenty of cheap rooms in the streets behind Agios Georgios Beach which is on the south side of Naxos Chora. The island has plenty of good beaches, mainly on the west of the island, they tend to become prettier and quieter the further south you go. It is definitely worth hiring a car to get around easily.

Naxos is one of the main hubs in the Cyclades so it is very well-connected by ferry to other islands such as Santorini, Paros and Mykonos.

Couples - Santorini

Cliché it may be, but there is good reason for that. The tourism industry in Santorini is particularly catered for romantic breaks for couples. The island is full of boutique hotels with plunge pools, Jacuzzis and you will always find a double bed!

This volcanic Greek island always offers incredible views of the sparkling Aegean Sea which just adds to the romance! There are a handful of beaches, idyllic villages, exciting activities, remote escapes, great restaurants, and wineries. Alternatively, the hotels are so beautiful if you wanted to have a day to enjoy each-other's company in total tranquility, chilling out in your hotel room is absolutely not a waste of time!

Check out my favourite Santorini hotels with amazing views here

Girls Trip - Paros

Girls trip to Greece? Now that is an excellent idea!

It's very tempted right now to tell you to go to Mykonos BUT a girl's trip to Mykonos could get VERY expensive, so instead I will suggest my favourite alternative... Paros!

Imagine everything you have seen about Mykonos, but shrink it a little, take 40% of the people away, lower the prices and swap the clubs for sophisticated cocktail bars and that's how you get to Paros.

Paros is my favourite Greek island that I would recommend to anyone and everyone but I am here to talk about the gals!

I would highly recommend visitors take a day trip to Antiparos, Paros' smaller neighbouring island that is just a stone's throw by ferry, 7 minutes to be precise. there is a popular beach club here named Soros which will give you a fix of Mykonos if you're looking for it!

If you are struggling to decide where exactly to stay on the island, you can read my comparison of Parikia and Naousa here (spoiler alert, Naousa wins). A list of my favourite boutique hotels on the island can be found here.

Young Families - Corfu

A truly underrated island filled with pretty Venetian towns and oozing in natural beauty, Corfu has been reborn and successfully moved away from its original label of a package holiday destination.

Firstly, Corfu has excellent infrastructure meaning most people can get there relatively easy without the need for connecting flights. In peak summer you will find 11 daily flights from London, 4 from Manchester, 2 from Birmingham, 2 from Bristol and 1 from Leeds.

Aside from the incredible beaches and family-friendly hotels, Corfu is home to one of the world's largest waterparks, Aqualand, I actually went here when I was a kid and loved it!

Corfu Town is a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some excellent restaurants and shopping opportunities and just outside you will find an array of historic monuments and sites such as the Imperial Palace of Achilleion.

Older Families - Crete

Crete is the largest Greek island and has an abundance of things to see and do, making it ideal for families with older children.

Crete offers a unique natural beauty which is best seen from the sea itself so why not take a boat trip and do some snorkelling and paddle boarding whilst you're at it?

For adventurous families, popular activities include hiking through the Samaria Gorge, an all day trip to Richtis Waterfall and a journey across the north coast, and abseiling the Tsoutsouros Gorge.

Agios Nikolaos is the ideal place to base yourself, the resort is very safe with plenty to do, lowkey bars and restaurants and you shouldn't need to worry about giving some independence to the kids!

Budget - Lefkada

Lefkada isn't the most well known islands, but it definitely has a reputation for being more budget friendly than most, it just so happens to be incredibly beautiful too.

Lefkada is part of the Ionian Island chain, it doesn't see such a high number of tourists which is why prices are kept lower, it also means you can enjoy a little more peace than other nearby islands such as Corfu.

Lefkada Town has the biggest variation in accommodation and despite it being the most populous town, it remains pretty laid back. Nidri is great for families and beach seekers whilst the quiet but beautiful village of Agios Nikitas will offer a very authentic Greek experience.

The majority of activities are beach and sea based, popular experiences include snorkelling trips and sailing cruises.

Luxury Living -  Mykonos

Mykonos is one of my absolute favourite Greek islands but it's never been kind on my bank balance. Whether it's the high end boutiques, world-famous beach clubs or oysters in Little Venice, to experience a lot of Mykonos it will certainly cost you!

The island has been popular with the rich and famous for decades and has become somewhat of a paradise for anyone of some importance, you will see that from the amount of super yachts that visit daily.

However, for those looking for a slice of luxury life, I couldn't think of anywhere better! Beach clubs will keep you busy until the early hours of the morning, cocktails on the seafront are an absolute must, and there are plenty of incredible hotels to choose from.

Those who really want to push the boat out can take a helicopter tour over the island, or perhaps you just want to fly over to Santorini for the day? I think I should stop typing now before I get too jealous...

Beach Lovers - Kefalonia

Which Greek island is for beach lovers? Back to the Ionian Islands! Kefalonia is well-known for its stunning sandy beaches making it an incredible destination for beach lovers around the world. Kefalonia boasts long sandy coastlines, amazing turquoise waters, dramatic backdrops and a sprinkling of charming villages that will make you feel like you're taking a step back in time.

Myrtos Beach is most probably the most popular on the island, just 30 km from Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia. There are no shops or tavernas here so its important to bring refreshments with you, especially water as the summer months are HOT, there are sun beds and umbrellas available however.

Other well-loved beaches include Antisamos Beach, a flat beach popular for snorkelling, Foki Beach which gives way to perfect emerald waters, and Fteri Beach backed by soaring cliffs and lapped by the neon-blue sea.

Useful links

Train bookings in Europe: Trainline

Car hire: RentalCars

Hotel bookings: Booking.com

Airport transfers: Kiwi taxis

Book trips and attractions: Getyourguide

Holiday home rentals: Vrbo

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