It’s final. You’ve decided to vacation in Greece, excited to visit the islands, dive into crystal clear waters, live like and local and indulge in great Greek food. But there’s one question that keeps coming up, and it’s a very good one: How many Greek islands should I actually try to see in one trip?
Welcome to “All About Greece”, part of “TO BHMA International Edition Travels Greece With You” series. Here we answer your questions and introduce you to this wonderful country we call home and you call vacation!
Less Is More
One thing I can say for sure, no matter how tempting it may be, trying to see too many islands in a limited amount of time will rob you of the authentic Greek island experience. Whether your idea of the perfect holiday involves beach time, nightlife, meeting locals, exploring ancient sites, or simply doing nothing at all, rushing from island to island works against all of it. In Greece, slowing down isn’t a luxury, it’s the point.
So where to start. Have in mind that you can choose from roughly 200 inhabited Greek islands, each with its own personality, rhythm, and landscape. Imagine that. Even if you had a full year off, you’d barely scratch the surface. That’s why the golden rule applies here more than anywhere else: less is more, especially if you’re visiting Greece for just a week.
What You Need to Know Before Planning
Before you start plotting dots on a map, keep these realities in mind:
- Greek islands may look close on the map, but travel takes time. Ferry routes don’t always connect islands directly.
- Not all islands have airports, especially smaller ones.
- Ferry schedules vary by season, with fewer routes outside peak summer.
- Some ferry journeys can take most of a day, particularly to more remote islands.
- Geography matters a lot. It’s far better and more efficient to choose islands in the same island group such as the Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos), the Ionian (Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos), the Dodecanese (Rhodes, Patmos, Kalymnos, Leros).
- As for Crete, it’s vast, diverse, and a complete experience on its own.
- Your age, travel style (active vs. relaxed), and whether this is your first visit – all play an important role in deciding how many islands you should visit.
Two Stress-Free Ways to See More Greek Islands
If you’re keen to experience more than one island without constant packing and planning, these two options work especially well.
1. Base Yourself in Athens
The first is using Athens as your base and traveling to the nearby islands from Piraeus port. This is an ideal choice for those of you who have less than a week. Easy island escapes from Athens are Hydra, Spetses, Poros, Aegina and Agistri. You could actually do Aegina and Agistri in one or two days.
2. Take a Greek Island Cruise
The second way to get a full, rewarding and relaxing multi-Greek island experience is to book a Greek island cruise. You can actually visit a few popular islands like Mykonos, Santorini, Patmos, Crete, Milos, and Rhodes on cruise. There are companies offering 3-, 4-, 7- and 8-day cruises to these destinations. Smaller ship operators go even further, calling at lesser-known islands like Lipsi, Ikaria, Kalymnos, and Amorgos – places many of you would never reach on your own.
Conclusion
If you’re coming from the US or Australia or other far off countries, or are first-time visitors, don’t waste your precious travel time packing and unpacking, checking in, checking out, and racing for ferries. Instead, stick to a maximum of two islands plus a stay in Athens.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Greece for two weeks or more, three or four islands is the sweet spot, balancing beach time, sightseeing and downtime.
I can’t say this enough, you can’t get a genuine Greek island experience if you’re in a hurry, stressed and already thinking about the next island. Travelers have loved Greece for decades because life on the islands and in mainland villages and towns is all about taking it slow, breathing in, making friends, and being well.
*Send your questions to Maria Paravantes at mparavantes@tovima.com
