By Cristiana Dias
The Greek Islands are considered a dream vacation to many travelers. Scattered throughout the Aegean and Ionian Seas, Greece’s 6,000 total islands, 227 of which are inhabited, make for a fantastic, island-hopping adventure.
Starting off with the most well known group of Greek islands is the Cyclade group. The scenery at Santorini is one that we typically associate with Greece. There, the chalk-white houses and colorful windowsills make for some of the best views in all of Greece. It is the most southern island of the Greek archipelago and is made out of volcanic rock.
As Santorini is typically for couples, Mykonos, another island in the Cycladic group, is known for its nightlife. The crowd on this island is international, especially during the warm summer months. Mykonos is also a charming island, as it has a reputation for being a fishing village and is covered in narrow allies.
Paros is a sporty island in the Cycladic group. Thanks to the constant wind, it is the perfect island for kite boarding and windsurfing. Its main beaches are the Golden Beach (Chryssi Akti) and the New Golden Beach (Nea Chryssi Akti). The town of Parikia is a must-see!
What separates Paros from Naxos, another island in the Cyclades, is a channel. Naxos is known as one of Greece’s greenest islands, with clear waters and about 100 kilometers of white, sandy beaches.
Milos is another great island for couples, with over 80 amazing beaches, with white sand, black sand, rocks, and shells. It has become a holiday hotspot and is nicknamed the Island of Colors.
With its Venetian style ruins and plentiful vineyards, Old Perithia is the oldest village to be found on Corfu Island, right near Mount Pantokrator. To contrast the antique side of Corfu would be a visit to Kavos, its town known for its flashy bars and nightclubs.
Rhodes, a Dodecanese island, is quite sunny, and in the southeastern part of Greece, near Turkey. It is named after a Greek flower, and features a more rustic, less developed scenery than that can be found on the Cylcades islands. The entire city center of Rhodes is a UNESCO heritage site with the Colossus, an ancient statue made as a tribute to the sun god.
Practically its own country, Crete is an island where tourists could easily spend a week of their time there. Luxury hotels dominate the island, as well as mountains, beaches, provincial villages, and caves. For nightlife, head to the party town of Malia!
