Overview of the Greek Islands

Quick Overview

Greece is among the countries with the most islands and islets in the world. There are between 3,000 and... 10,000 of them, depending on the source (!), with a few dozen that have delighted holidaymakers for decades. Whether you're looking for beaches, nature, historical or ancient ruins, quiet islands or lively ones—even those dedicated to partying—everyone is sure to find what they're after...

Geographic Distribution

Of the thousands of Greek islands, just over 200 are inhabited. Traditionally, they are divided into several groups or archipelagos based on their geographic location. Besides Crete, the most significant island, and the large Euboea, separated from the mainland by just a few dozen metres, here are the main groups:

The Ionian Islands: These are the only islands west of Greece, with seven main ones: Corfu (the main island), Cephalonia (the largest and one of the most visited), Ithaca (made famous by Odysseus), Cythera (less touristy), Lefkada, Paxi and Antipaxi, plus Zakynthos (touristy and lively).

The Northern Sporades: Alonissos, Skiathos, Skyros, and Skopelos are the four inhabited islands in this lesser-known archipelago, located near Evia.

The North Aegean Islands: Opposite the Ionians, between Greece and northwestern Turkey. They include Agios Efstratios, the imposing Chios, the Fourni archipelago, Ikaria (large but sparsely populated), Lemnos, Lesbos (the third-largest island in the country, close to Turkey), Samos (quite touristy), plus Samothrace and Thassos, the northernmost.

The Dodecanese: Over 160 islands, 26 of which are inhabited, located between Crete and the southwestern coast of Turkey. Rhodes attracts the most visitors with its mix of beaches, seaside resorts, historical heritage, nature, and hiking. Other key islands in the archipelago include Kalymnos and Karpathos (mountainous islands), Kos (beaches and nightlife), and Patmos (monasteries and the UNESCO-listed Cave of the Apocalypse).

The Cyclades: The most famous for tourism. In total, over 200 islands, 24 of which are inhabited, including some of the top tourist spots like Andros (a "nature" island), Antiparos (beaches, relaxation, and diving), Delos (with its UNESCO-listed site), Ios (for party lovers), Mykonos (its windmills and nightlife), Paros or the Small Cyclades (beautiful beaches and some historical ruins), Santorini (its cliffs, sunsets, and whitewashed houses), and Tinos (a pilgrimage site).

The Saronic Islands: This is the archipelago closest to Athens, between Attica and the Peloponnese. It includes Angistri, Aegina, Hydra, Poros, Salamina, and Spetses.

Tourism

Travel Essentials

Destination: For beginner travellers.

By air:

Backpacker daily budget: 45 € to 70 € per person.

Accommodation: Homestays while island-hopping, all-inclusive resorts, or long-term rentals.

Getting around: Buses or renting a bike or scooter. Ferries for inter-island travel.

Risks: Almost none in terms of health and low in terms of safety.

Best time for climate/crowds/prices: Late April to mid-June or September to October, avoiding July and August, which are hot and crowded.

Interests (out of ): Nature ; Adventure ; Culture ; Relaxation/Holidays .