CATEGORIZATION OF THE GREEK ISLANDS

Hey there!

Many have approached me with a common dilemma, prompting me to craft this article for your convenience!

If it’s your inaugural visit to Greece, navigating the plethora of options can be overwhelming. Questions like whether mainland Greece is a worthy exploration, if dedicating time to Athens, the capital, is essential, or if there’s an island where a car is unnecessary may leave you feeling perplexed. It’s entirely normal to be confused! Let me help….

Having explored numerous destinations in Greece, I can genuinely say that I’ve never encountered a place I didn’t appreciate. Every island and corner of the mainland has its own charm, making each visit a treasure trove of experiences!!

Greece, with its plethora of islands, offers something for every traveler. From extraordinary beaches to family-oriented havens, stunning panoramic views to lively nightlife, each destination has its distinct allure. This article aims to address the myriad questions surrounding these diverse characteristics.

Angel’s tip: If you want those famous Greek islands with white houses and blue windows you see in pictures, check out the Cyclades islands complex and some close by like Astypalaia and Patmos. But remember, not all Greek islands look like the ads. The classic white and blue style is typical for the Cyclades, not every island in Greece.

Regarding ATHENS, yes it is worth it. If it is your first time in Greece I certainly recommend to spend few days in the capital, stroll around the wonderful neighhborhoods of the city center like Plaka, Psirri, Monastiraki, Kolonaki etc, visit Acropolis, feel the nightlife, watch a theater performance in Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Ancient Herodes theatre in the center of Athens), spend time in the beaches & the beach bars in South suburbs (Anavyssos, Agia Marina, Sounio, Vouliagmeni etc) and eat exceptional food.

Click here for my personal recommendation regarding restaurants in Athens and here to see the entire Athens article.

But after Athens, I really suggest to visit at least one GREEK ISLAND. Some islands can be combined since there are great ferry connections between them, otherwise you can return to Athens and take a plane or another ferry.

Check the itineraries and book your tickets here: Ferryscanner.com

Let’s try to categorize somehow some of the islands:

Destination: Crete island

CHARACTERISTICS: the biggest island in Greece, family island, party island if you want, great beaches of different kind & beach bars, parties in the beach bars, amazing variety of villages-cities-choices, insane food, friendly people… Crete combines everything!!! BUT you will face long distances and better to focus on a specific area. Read some tips here. Angel’s tip: Car is a MUST .

Destination: Mykonos island

CHARACTERISTICS: very crowded and famous, many cruise ships stop here, amazing hotels/resorts, magnificent town with the classic blue-white houses, parties and top beach bars, wonderful beaches and crystal clear waters. Angel’s tip: Mykonos is very expensive but there are options & ways to make it affordable for you. Read more in my article.

Destination: Koufonisia island

CHARACTERISTICS: a small island, relaxing holidays, no car needed, dreamy waters with no beach bars and sunbeds at all (be careful as you need to carry your own umbrela or tent), beautiful pedestrian streets, easy for kids as well, great bars for night,  locals. Read more here.

Destination:  Astypalaia island, Folegandros island, Amorgos island.

CHARACTERISTICS: romantic islands, delicious food, absolutely terrific and cute town with the classic blue-white houses, stunning views and sunsets. Beaches are greatttt with crystal clear waters but not something super extraordinary. (Please note I am Greek and strict haha) Loved both of them. Click here for more.

Destination: Santorini island

CHARACTERISTICS: very touristy island during high season with breathtaking sunset and views – scenery is insane from Oia and other villages. Santorini is a romantic island with dreamy beauty, beautiful town with the classic blue-white houses, nice waters & beaches but not so impressive like other islands. Many cruise ships stop here. Angel’s tip: super expensive island in general.

Destination: Agistri island, Andros island, Tzia(Kea) island, Kythnos island, Spetses island, Hydra island, Poros island, Aigina island.

CHARACTERISTICS: small beautiful islands relatively close to Athens with usually cheaper ferry tickets (some depart from Rafina and Lavrion ports and not the main one – Piraeus), ideal for 2-4 days, family friendly. Angel’s tip: The last 4 islands are beautiful but do not have wow beaches unless you take a boat to have a tour around the island which I recommend.

Destination: Koufonisia island, Hydra island, Spetses island, Elafonisos island, Donousa island, Symi island.

CHARACTERISTICS: cute little islands that car is not necessary and you can approach the beaches by local ferry taxis, on foot, bike etc! (in Hydra and Spetses islands cars are not permitted at all)

Destination: Poros island, Spetses island, Hydra island, Elafonisos island.

CHARACTERISTICS: small beautiful islands that you can drive opposite of them in the mainland (2-5 hrs) and take a cheap ferry from there for like only for 5-10 minutes to get to the island. Great for families as well. Elafonisos has insane waters and beaches – the 3 others not so much unless you take a boat and have a tour around!

Destination: Patmos island, Syros island.

CHARACTERISTICS: religious islands in conjunction with nice clear waters (not wow beaches though), delicious food, good nightlife, beautiful bars/restaurants, magical views from above! Not easy to discover the wonderful downtown of Patmos and beatiful “Ano Syros” with baby buggy.

Destination: Leros island, Leipsoi island, Symi island, Chalki island, Kimolos island, Sikinos island, Irakleia island, Schoinousa island, Donousa island, Kastelorizo island, Symi island, Nisyros island, Alonissos island, Ithaki island, Elafonisos island.

CHARACTERISTICS: With small size and not so touristic islands but super cute,  far from Athens with wonderful crystal clear waters and delicious food. Some of them unknown to many from abroad or even Greeks. I would say these are some of the less touristy islands of Greece.

Destination: Peloponnese region – especially Mani & Messinia, Parga-Syvota area close to Preveza, Lefkada island.

CHARACTERISTICS: beautiful places (family friendly as well) for summer holidays accessible by car from the capital Athens, amazing waters & beaches – great vibes and beach bars. Many options for food.

Destination: Naxos island, Tinos island, Paros island, Samos island, Chios island, Mytilini island, Kefalonia island, Zakynthos island, Lefkada island, Amorgos island, Limnos island, Rhodes island, Ikaria island, Crete island.

CHARACTERISTICS: big islands with great beaches, family friendly, crowded during high season, many villages to discover, delicious food, distances between the villages & the beaches but many options from ancient temples to organized beach bars & clubs. Angel’s tip: Must have is a car.

Destination: Ikaria island, Amorgos island

CHARACTERISTICS: big authentic islands with Greeks, delicious food and crystal clear waters. Many Greeks visit Ikaria and Amorgos especially July and mid of August for its well known festivals (panigiria). Amorgos belongs to Cyclades island complex and its “Chora” is absolutely amazing while Ikaria is famous as a surf spot in Mesakti beach. I would say both are islands with more “alternative” vibes and crowds and camping spots. Check my articles for more!

Destination: Messinia area in Peloponnese (mainland), Kalymnos island, Samothraki island, Kythira island, Limnos island, Thassos island, Samos island, Karpathos island.

CHARACTERISTICS: places with great hiking points, family friendly, magical nature, waterfalls,  great food, beautiful beaches, many locals.

Destination:  Serifos island, Ios island.

CHARACTERISTICS: medium size islands with really wonderful beaches, amazing Hora(downtown), great bars, friendly people, car needed. Angel’s tip: I was not impressed by the food in Serifos, read my article for more.

Destination:  Sifnos island

CHARACTERISTICS: medium size island famous for the absolutely delicious food, stunning views, cute Hora(downtown), great bars, not so amazing beaches like others…

Destination: Antipaxoi island, Paxoi island, Zakynthos island, Koufonisia island, Crete island, Mykonos island, Donousa island, Elafonisos island,  Leipsoi island, Syvota area in Thesprotia in mainland, Chalkidiki area close to Thessaloniki.

CHARACTERISTICS: places famous for their fabulous crystal clear waters and blue-green colors in the beaches.

Destination: Koufonisia island, Ydra island, Spetses island, Agistri island, Antiparos island, Elafonisos island, Kimolos island, Folegandros, Donousa island, Irakleia island, Schnoinousa island, Leipsoi island, Arkoi island.

CHARACTERISTICS: splendid islands where the car is not absolutely necessary or not permitted  at all like Hydra or Spetses. Distances are small in these islands but, if needed, you can take a taxi/boat/horse carriage to stroll around. Many beaches are not organized and you need to have your own umbrella/tent.

Have you been to many islands or places above?

Pleased to hear your comments!

Check my Instagram highlights & posts for more details regarding many places mentioned above !

IG: angeliki.a_