You need to be prepared to go to the Greek islands – such beauty can shock you! Any beaches in the world after them seem not so interesting, because they are colorful and have a unique charm. Greece owns about 3 islands – of course, you won’t travel around all of them, but you can get to know the best of them.
Greece is a country that surprises not only with its islands and landscapes. It amazes with the endless celebration of life: during the summer, a festival takes place on the Halkidiki peninsula and Ithaca island, and a youth rave on the island of Samothraki. Music sounds from all sides! And Greece amazes with delicious dishes!
We invite you to pick up Greek goodies in a basket, and then go on a picnic to one of these islands. Their beauty is amazing!
10 Hydra
The second name is Hydra (can be called differently). This island is one of the “most-most” and is always included in the top lists. This is one of the largest islands in the Saronic Gulf, located 1,5 hours sailing from Athens.
You can get here by any means, but tourists prefer a cruise. On the island Hydra there are many churches, the atmosphere pleases: it is so serene and quiet around, you can meditate! In some places, donkeys and horses are “parked” near the houses.
It is difficult to find a similar island city – it is a round port with yachts, surrounded by rocky mountains, on which two- and three-story houses stand almost closely – starting from the embankment and ending with mountain peaks. Hydra is a little piece of heaven on Earth!
9. Corfu
This island can become a dream for you, and quite real! Corfu – the Greek island, covered with greenery, surprises with the diversity of nature, delicious cuisine and the lack of crowds on the beach.
Corfu is quite a diverse island. There are green valleys and velvet mountains, rocky headlands and sandy cliffs. What is curious – the beach of Acharavi-Roda, 7 km long, is completely different, but the bottom is sandy with a gradual depth.
Among the main attractions of the island are the Sea Fortress and the Coastal Fortress built in the XNUMXth century. Art connoisseurs will appreciate churches and monuments, and aesthetes can keep a camera with them, because the sight of rocks and waters is speechless!
8. Milos
This island is one of the favorites of the Greeks themselves, because cute houses on the hills, blue clear sea, bright sunsets – something that no romantic can look at with indifference! And there are many romantics in the world.
The famous Greek sculpture of Venus, by the way, was found on Milos in 1820. And she became armless during the conflict between the Turks and the French. The second wanted to bring Venus out, and the Turks defended their right to it.
But let’s not go into the details of this story, let’s talk about the island. Milos is for those who love the unconventional. For those who are ready for the beautiful and terrible at the same time, for surprises. This island is of volcanic origin. It is also famous for its fishing architecture.
7. Euboea
Another island that impresses with its appearance. On Euboea beautiful nature, temples, here you can be spiritually reborn and meet interesting people. It is the largest island along with Crete.
Since Euboea adjoins the mainland and is separated by a road bridge, there is no feeling that you are on an island. But this island is often chosen for recreation, because it is located close (80 km) from Athens.
For entertainment on the island of Euboea, tourists usually go to Chalkida, the capital of the island, or the city of Eretria. Geographically, the island belongs to Northern Greece, and the nature here is enchanting! The whole island is green, there are many flowers and, of course, the most beautiful sea, into which you just want to dive!
6. Skopelos
Skopelos – an island for true connoisseurs of nature, from the sight of which you instantly break through with inspiration and start thinking in a poetic way! Forest, sea, mountain landscapes are breathtaking with delight!
Only on this island grows an unusually tasty thorn plum – be sure to try it. Olive plantations are everywhere, as well as chickens, goats and sheep!
Vacationers do not have to think about where to stay – there are equipped beaches and many guest houses on Skapelos. And, of course, sea views deserve special attention. 70% of this island consists of coniferous forest. In the mountains among the forests there is an island monastery, within the walls of which it is very cozy.
5. Crete
This is one of the most famous islands in Greece – according to legend, it was here that Zeus was born. The painter El Greco (1541–1614) was born in Crete, so here you can visit the museum organized in his house.
Crete has very clean, well-groomed beaches, most of them conducive to a perfect holiday. Pavilions are located everywhere where you can choose and purchase excursions. The river is cold, but very clean – you can go fishing and even try the fish!
Nature delights with its grandeur: mountains, wide beaches, seashores rise in Crete. Crete surprises travelers with outstanding places: there is a playground, comfortable apartments, and the Dinami villa can accommodate up to 10 people – you can relax with a large company.
4. Zakynthos
The Greek name is Zakynthos. This is a small and very hospitable island in Greece, where no one will be bored! natural resource Zakynthos amazing: in addition to a huge number of plants, on the shores you can see rare turtles passing by the sea waves.
On Zakynthos there is a villa where you can relax from the hustle and bustle. “Bozonos” offers a view of the sea, the pool, which makes you feel like you are in paradise! Renting such a villa per night is 5 € (3 rubles), yes, it is not a cheap pleasure.
On the island, locals are very proud of their sights: picturesque bays, olive plantations. Oil, it is worth noting, the inhabitants of Zakynthos have magic – orange, and no chemistry! And is it possible to imagine Zakynthos without the bay of Navagio? There is the same ship Panayiotis, which was wrecked.
3. Chios
Chios impresses many, but mostly the cleanest air that you want to eagerly inhale and enjoy, nature, beautiful sea. The island is quite large in area, and infrastructure is developed on it.
Historically, Chios was part of the Russian Empire, and then the Byzantine Empire. It has been part of Greece since 1912. On the island of Chios, everyone will find something to do: beach lovers will go to the beach (just keep in mind that the bottom and shore can be rocky), others can look at the sights: Chiops fortress, mastic trees, Kambos and others.
Against the backdrop of the blue sea, the mountains look incomparable – take a brush in your hands and become an artist! Residents here delight with their hospitality and cordiality, asking tourists how they are doing. The beaches are different: there are black pebbles and fine sand. There are bays where you can be alone.
2. Paros
Island Paros, which will surprise you with magnificent views, is located in the Aegean Sea and belongs to the Cyclades archipelago. Previously, the island was called Minoa and was a major trading center of the Cyclades.
The advantages of a holiday in Paros, of course, include ideal conditions for a beach holiday: it almost never rains here, the temperature is acceptable for swimming and sunbathing, the sea is warm and clean. You can find all kinds of fish in it! And a lot of sea urchins.
In addition to a beach holiday, there are many interesting things in Paros! What are the quarries where marble was mined. By the way, Venus, which was mentioned earlier, was created from Parian marble. Entrance to the quarry is free, you can also see the Church of the Virgin.
1. Rhodes
Rhodes – perhaps the most expensive Greek island, but the rest on it is unforgettable! It will take about 4 days to fully see it, the most popular tourist attractions are the city of Rhodes, the city of Lindos, the butterfly park, monasteries and shrines, the valley of 7 springs, the zoo and others.
Rhodes is well known to many since school, because it is here that one of the 7 wonders of the world is located. As befits the south side, the island is quite hot, but it is blown by winds from the Aegean Sea.
The beaches here are mostly sand and pebbles, as for the sea, there are 2 of them: Aegean and Mediterranean. It is interesting to visit the wine cellar here (by the way, resinous wine known as “ricina” is popular here. Its history goes back to antiquity). If you are a lover of antiquity and interesting places, you definitely need to visit the island of Rhodes!