Santorini and Mykonos receive approximately 3 million visitors per year combined — a significant proportion of all Greece tourism. Both are extraordinary in different ways, but both are also extremely crowded and expensive in the peak season. The Greek islands are an archipelago of 227 inhabited islands — here is where to go instead (or as well).
The Ionian Islands: Green and Different
The Ionian Islands (off Greece’s west coast — Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Lefkada, Ithaca) are geographically and culturally different from the Aegean islands: they are greener (more rain), have Venetian-influenced architecture rather than Cycladic whitewash, and historically were under Venetian, French, and British rule rather than Ottoman. Kefalonia: the largest Ionian island — the inspiration for Louis de Bernières’ novel “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.” Myrtos beach is ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Greece — a steep road descends to a white pebble cove with turquoise water and dramatic limestone cliffs. The Melissani Lake cave — an underground lake in a cave with a collapsed roof, creating a natural amphitheatre where sunlight penetrates the turquoise water at midday. Lefkada: connected to the mainland by a floating bridge (the only Greek island accessible by car without a ferry). Lefkada’s west coast beaches — Porto Katsiki and Egremni — are among the most spectacular in Greece. Corfu: the most visited Ionian island — significant Venetian old town (UNESCO) in Corfu Town, British-influenced cricket pitch in the Esplanade square. The north (around Kassiopi and Agios Stefanos): quiet, beautiful coast, British expat community. The south: more developed resort strips.
The Dodecanese: Rhodes and Beyond
Rhodes (Old Town UNESCO): the largest Dodecanese island. The medieval old town was built by the Knights of St John (the same order that later went to Malta) and remains one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe — 4km of walls, cobblestone streets, Gothic architecture. Rhodes is large enough to have a north (tourist resort) and south (quiet, largely untouched) — the valley of Butterflies (Petaloudes) and the medieval village of Lindos with its ancient Acropolis are the highlights of the south. Kastellorizo (Megisti): the smallest inhabited Dodecanese island (population 500), 2km from the Turkish coast and 120km from Rhodes. A tiny harbour of coloured neoclassical houses; underwater cave (Fokiali Blue Cave); complete isolation. Reached only by ferry from Rhodes (9 hours) or flight. Patmos: the island where St John wrote the Book of Revelation (the Cave of the Apocalypse is UNESCO-listed). A small, quiet, sophisticated island with excellent restaurants, a yachting crowd, and the enormous 11th-century Monastery of St John overlooking the entire island from a hilltop.
Lesser-Known Aegean Islands
Ikaria: named for Icarus (who, according to myth, fell into the sea nearby). One of the world’s Blue Zones — an area of unusually high life expectancy and centenarian population. Famous for: the Ikarian lifestyle (Ikariot parties — panegyria — are legendary for their chaotic, all-night music and dancing; the island lives on its own schedule, unofficial “Ikarian time” runs 2–3 hours behind). Excellent beaches (Seychelles beach, Livadi). Low tourism infrastructure. Naxos: the largest Cycladic island, less visited than Santorini or Mykonos. Chora (Naxos Town) has a Venetian castle on a hilltop and an ancient marble doorway (Portara — part of a Temple of Apollo left incomplete) framing the sunset. Excellent food: Naxos produces the best cheese in the Cyclades (graviera, arseniko), excellent potatoes, and kitron (a liqueur made from citron fruit found only on Naxos). Samos: the easternmost major island, close to Turkey. The Heraion of Samos (UNESCO) — a vast ancient temple to Hera, once the largest structure in the Greek world. Ikaria wine and Samian wine have been produced since antiquity.
