This blog is devoted to my search for the perfect Greek island, so all island posts pass through the prism of my own wants, likes, and dislikes.
I’ve noticed, however, that most people who land on this blog are looking for advice on which Greek island to visit so I’ve compiled a list of island recommendations, setting my personal preferences aside and doing my best to see the vast Aegean as a trip advisor would see it.
I’ve been to 33 of Greece’s 72 inhabited islands and, believing islands to be much like human beings — you can’t really know one until you’ve been there — I’ve only included islands that I’ve actually visited, and I’ve added links to islands that I’ve posted about on this blog.
First trip to Greece: Mykonos, Santorini, Crete. (This is the classic route for first time visitors to the Greek islands and much recommended.)
For families with children: Lefkada, Naxos, Kos, Rhodes, Skopelos, Corfu, Crete, Kephalonia, Zakynthos, Samos, Syros, (I’m assuming a ‘typical’ family, where parents want to make sure children are kept busy and entertained. If you’re an adventurous Swiss Family Robinson-type, or looking for a quieter holiday, you might want to stick to the ‘off the beaten path’ islands below.)
Off the beaten path: Amorgos, Ithaka, Kythnos, Sifnos, Nisyros, Skyros, Tilos, Patmos, Paxi, AntiPaxi
Way off the beaten path: Karpathos, Fourni, Kimolos.
Beautiful beaches: Ikaria, Ithaka, Skopelos, Lefkada, Kephalonia, Santorini.
Picturesque: Symi, Folegandros, Amorgos, Santorini, Paxi (Let’s face it, every Greek island is picturesque, but these stand out as unique as well.)
Resort islands/Package tours: Kos, Rhodes, Naxos, Lefkada, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Corfu, Kephalonia, Samos
Mingle with Greeks: Tinos, Ikaria, Fourni, Skyros, Nisyros, Karpathos.
Mingle with the beautiful people: Mykonos, Folegandros, Santorini.
Historical/Archeological significance: Rhodes, Naxos, Patmos, Crete, Delos.
For women interested in marriage: Ikaria.
© 2011, Ithaka Bound. All rights reserved.
Excellent! But a few of the jems I recall from your first trip don’t appear above… Are you selectively editing, or just not finished yet? I must confess, I preferred the old layout… it felt like my own private vacation
Bella, it’s been forever! How are you and mancub doing? What an eagle eye you have… I’ve been to 33 islands, 31 made it on the list.
Good list. For beautiful beaches I would definitely add Milos.
For off the beaten path I would add Astypalaia (Astypalaia town would also qualify as very picturesque).
For mingling with beautiful people I would add Antiparos, which has become very fashionable in the last 2 years for some reason.
Thank you, Alex! I wish I’d included Astypalaia in my trip through the Dodacanese last year.