You can fly right to many Greek islands from Athens, which might be a quicker option than taking a ferry. Symi is a really great alternative to busier islands in the Dodecanese like Kos and Rhodes. We visited Symi on a Turkish gulet cruise that sailed from Turkey and Greece and fell in love with this fairy tale island. It’s one of the larger Greek islands and takes some time to explore.
Beaches are mostly small and pebbly, but the sea is as clear and refreshing as gin. Authentic, unspoiled and infuriatingly hard to reach, rugged little Ithaca is somewhere you can still disappear. This painterly landscape was shaped by the minerals that have long been a source of wealth – obsidian, alum, barite and sulphur, which still bubbles up in the island’s many hot springs. As the 11,000-year-old mining industry is gradually giving way to tourism, several chic hotels have made an appearance.
For those looking for alternatives to Mykonos and Santorini, options abound. Up-and-coming Milos has otherworldly beaches and the famed Kleftiko caves, Tinos is the site of a famous church to the Virgin Mary, and the rustic Lesser Cyclades are great for camping. There are large islands, like Naxos and Syros, the archipelago’s capital, and tiny ones with very little tourism, like Sikinos. Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades and was the center of archaic Cycladic culture. Despite not being one of Greece’s most visited islands, it has a lot of great things to see, and you’ll skip a lot of the tourist crowds. Naxos has an area of 166 square miles, and is, therefore, one of the Largest Greek Islands.
Afterwards, make sure to spot the Melissani Cave and visit Myrtos Beach, too. Now, the island is much more chilled and laid-back than Rhodes, with the pace of life much slower. This all makes it the perfect place to relax on a holiday to Grece. You can easily head to Symi for a day trip from Rhodes or even stay a few days longer in the town itself. Now, Poros might not be well-known as one of the best Greek islands to visit, but it certainly has a hidden charm that most visitors to Greece bypass.
The forest of Alyko which covers nearly 1,000 acres surrounding Alyko Beach is also one of the island’s most peaceful and scenic spots. Adventure lovers should walk the Fira-Oia hiking trail along the island’s volcanic ridge or try a standup paddleboard and snorkeling experience. The city of Corfu and its historic Old Town is packed with Venetian architecture.
The Minoan civilization was overrun by the Mycenaean civilization from mainland Greece. Crete was later ruled by Rome, then successively by the Byzantine Empire, Andalusian Arabs, the Venetian Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. In 1898 Crete, whose people had for some time wanted to join the Greek state, achieved independence from the Ottomans, formally becoming the Cretan State. For an underground tour of the history of winemaking in the region as well as a wine tasting to top it all off.
Traffic speeds on the new road will increase by 19 km/hour (from 29 km/hour to 48 km/hour), which should reduce journey times between Messara and Heraklion by 55 minutes. The scheme is also expected to improve road safety by cutting the number of accidents along the route. Building works include construction of three road tunnels, five bridges and three junctions. This project is expected to create 44 jobs during the implementation phase. Greece’s largest island and one of its most popular tourist destinations, Crete has been charming visitors for thousands of years. Whether searching for history, outdoor adventure or lazy beach days, this sun-drenched island is the perfect destination.
Days are longer, and the weather is HOT, so you’ll want to be close to a pool or ocean. Hotel and car rental prices are at their highest during the summer. Here you can find grand neoclassical buildings, breathtaking beaches, narrow cobbled streets, small churches, and a whole bunch of color! One of the best things to do here is venture to Panormiti Monastery and see the views. If you want to stay in Antiparos, the only town to do that at is Chora. The other option is to rent a car and venture to some small villas and guesthouses around the island.
Rhodes is the fourth largest Greek island and can be found within the Dodecanese Greek island group. Home to just under 115,000 people, it has a charming small-town puerto rico topless beach vibe about it. Because it is relatively off the beaten path and its tourism infrastructure is not well developed, it is also one of the cheapest Greek islands.
On the other hand, sometimes you want to visit a small island and just get away from it all. In this article, you have learned that Greece has a vast number of beautiful islands to explore. The 10 largest Greek islands listed here are not only the largest in size but also offer a wide range of experiences for visitors looking for something new and exciting.