The Greek islands have attracted people for centuries. From conquering armies to merchants, and from artists to billionaires, everyone seems to appreciate the colours and tastes of this blessed country. In particular, the Greeks islands are a big draw.

Let’s take a look at some of the most special Greek islands. Which ones tickle your fancy?

Paxos

Paxos is a hidden gem, one that will give you a taste of the greener side of Greece. To the west of the mainland, the Ionian islands receive more rainfall than Greek islands in the Aegean Sea do (although mainly in the autumn and winter months), lending it a lush landscape that combines beautifully with the turquoise and aquamarine of the sea, and the white pebbles that make up its beaches. 

Paxos is another one of those islands that cannot be reached by plane – unless you have a water plane, that is. Paxos has no airport and the nearest one is on Corfu. From there, you can take a ferry to Paxos.

While staying on this low-key islands, make sure you take another boat to visit sister island Antipaxos. Nowhere else in Europe will you find such white beaches and such crystal clear waters.

Mykonos

Mykonos is the iconic Greek island. Its villages, with whitewashed houses and streets, blue doors, pink bougainvillea, and lively taverns, are typical of the Cycladic island group. It is a pleasure to stroll around the eponymous capital of the island at any time of the day, really, but around sunset is when the atmosphere gets especially magical. Crowds of hip and young visitors gather around the area of Little Venice to watch the sun go down behind the row of flour mills that feature on so many postcards of Mykonos.

With a choice of art galleries, boutiques, and hippie markets, Mykonos caters to the rich and famous. In fact, this island is becoming the Greek version of Ibiza. It is dotted with impressive beach bars and nightclubs that attract top-of-the-bill DJs.

Santorini

Santorini is possibly the most famous Greek island. It features heavily in Instagram posts, on calendars, and in travel documentaries. It is also a popular destination for cruise tourists. So yes, you can expect some crowds here, but they flock to Santorini for a reason.

This island is in fact part of a collapsed volcano. From the crater’s edge, which has converted into steep cliffs, you have world-class views over the Aegean Sea.

In fact, those very cliffs are what make Santorini so photogenic. The locals have built their houses and churches on a rough and steep terrain, meaning that everyone has amazing views. Nowadays, boutique hotels with infinity pools and gourmet restaurants cling to the same cliffs, offering sunset views that make visitors erupt in applause, every day of the year. This may be an expensive island to visit, but it’s an once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Hydra

A little island with no motorised vehicles, and just donkeys for transport. This used to be daily reality on most of the Greek islands well into the 20th century, but for some reason time has stood still on Hydra. A relatively short ferry ride from Athens will take you to this island, which is popular with the locals for weekend escapes. But not only locals appreciate the stately houses, the narrow alleys, the waterfront restaurants, and the luxury boutiques.

The rich and famous have felt at home here since the seventies, when Leonard Cohen and Sophia Loren started spending time here. There is only one way to find out for yourself how inspiring this Greek island is.

Crete

If you are one of those persons that get claustrophic on an island, just for the sheer reason of being surrounded by water, Crete would be a great place for you to go. Yes, this is an island, but it’s also so big that you’ll often find yourself in the countryside or in the mountains, without that big blue thing on the horizon.

At over 8,000 square kilometres, there is also lots to discover. No wonder some people return to Crete every year. Whether you like sleepy fishing villages, bustling cities, some seriously challenging hiking, dreamy beaches, or loud nightlife, you can have and do it all on Crete. And with two international airports to choose from, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to budget airlines.

Skopelos

Have you watched the movie Mamma Mia? If you haven’t, you definitely should. This modern-day classic is a feel good musical with actors such as Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, and Colin Firth, among other famous names. Admittedly, it is filled with Greek stereotypes, but some of them are still spot on.

In the film, the characters travel to the island of Kalokairi, which is a fictional name. In reality, the azure waters, the spectacular bays, and the traditional villages were shot on Skopelos. This island is part of the Sporades archipelago, a little over 100 kilometres north of Athens, as the crow flies.

Despite its popularity after the movie, Skopelos maintains an authentic feel. Because it has no airport, it can’t attract large masses of tourists. By ferry from Athens, you can get to Skopelos in two to four hours.