Go Greek: which island should you visit?

Olive groves in the distance, a towel over your shoulder and the biggest decision being pool or beach. Greek island holidays are the stuff of summer dreams. 

Yes, they all have beaches, blue shutters and grilled octopus – but there are a few differences worth knowing before you book. Whether you’re after flip-flop simplicity, designer dining or a beach your kids can run wild on, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite islands to help you find your perfect match.

Make it Mykonos

All polished white stone and bougainvillaea-draped balconies, Mykonos is Greece’s glitziest island – but it’s not just for the party crowd. Beyond the DJs and designer shops, you’ll find sugar-cube chapels, boats bobbing in tiny harbours and beach clubs that shift from rosé-fuelled lunches to sunset sets. It’s a grown-up getaway, where mornings start with linen-sheet lie-ins and afternoons are for gallery hopping or drifting between daybeds and a glassy-blue pool.

Crete is calling

Crete is an island with room to roam. It’s the largest Greek island, and that scale shows – across dramatic mountains, carved-out gorges and a landscape shaped by legend. On one side, Chania’s old town opens onto a Venetian harbour, with checkered tables spilling onto the quay. On the other, Elounda leans quiet, with mirror-flat water, pebble bays and loungers shaded by tamarisk trees. Inland, you’ll find scorched hills and wind-battered plateaus dotted with goats and crumbling ruins – ideal for a windows-down wander.

The icon: Santorini

Yes, it’s famous, and yes, it’s absolutely worth it. This is Greece’s headline act: honeymoon-ready havens clinging to the caldera, sunsets that stop you in your tracks and breakfasts that feel like a film scene.

Oia gets the spotlight, but Pyrgos is where locals go for sunset, with castle ruins and barely a tripod in sight. For a break from the cliffside buzz, head south to the dramatic beaches and Akrotiri’s Minoan city, frozen in time by a volcanic eruption.

It’s a natural pick for couples and honeymooners, though some families base themselves by the black-sand beaches or stop here as part of a cruise or a longer island-hopping trip.

Take it easy in Kos

Kos is all about laid-back days and low-effort adventure. Long beaches, palm-lined promenades and ancient ruins all sit within easy reach, with plenty of beach bars and cafés to break up the day. It’s a great choice for first-timers or families, with bike paths, walkable towns and hotels that tick all the boxes. Hire bikes, stroll the old town then settle into a waterfront taverna with a carafe of wine and fresh-off-the-grill souvlaki.

Go green in Corfu

One of the first places to put Greek island holidays on the map, Corfu’s been doing it right for decades. The island is green and graceful, with hillside villages in gelato shades, terracotta rooftops and cypress trees tapering down to the sea. Along the coast, resorts like Kassiopi, Dassia and Acharavi line up soft-sand beaches, vine-draped terraces for shady lunches and one of the highest numbers of Blue Flag beaches in Greece.

Roll with Rhodes

Rhodes is an island that can be all things to all people. Wellness lovers come for the forest-backed beaches and spa-style resorts. History buffs get lost in the Crusader-built Old Town, with its cobbled alleys and arched doorways. Families find space to roam, calm seas to paddle in and enough variety to keep everyone happy.

Lindos is a favourite for good reason; a hilltop tangle of white crowned by an ancient acropolis. In summer, Butterfly Valley comes alive with clouds of colourful wings. Then there’s Monolithos Castle, high on a headland and often left off the itinerary, but well worth the climb.

Beyond the islands

Athens & the Athens Riviera

Pair your island time with a few days in Athens, where the Parthenon watches over a city alive with music and mezze. For a slower pace, skip the ferry altogether and head for the Athens Riviera, a coastal stretch just 45 minutes from the city with calm bays, polished hotels and open-air bars. Even better, pair the two for a city-meets-sand duo that gives you the best of both worlds.

Halkidiki

Not technically an island, but with its three beach-fringed peninsulas and pine-covered coastline, Halkidiki feels every bit the part. You’ll find peaceful coves, luxury resorts tucked between the trees and the sea and a slower rhythm that suits both couples and families.

This feature was created on 17th April 2025. The information shared is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of print. Feature by Heather Flanagan.