Greek islands compared: Which should you visit?

1. Santorini

• Great for: honeymooners and couples; anyone looking for unbeatable views, unique volcanic sand beaches, and cliffside hotels carved right into the rock

Rising out of the crystalline waters of the Aegean Sea, Santorini's otherworldly volcanic landscape of black and red-sand beaches and enormous caldera meet quintessentially Greek white-washed houses and blue-domed churches. The island's beauty has been waxed lyrical over the years, fully earning the epithet kalliste ("the most beautiful") and making it a popular destination for couples. 

The island is split into picturesque villages masterly painted in dazzling blue and white hues, outlining the holiday resort's multi-faceted personality and its extraordinary variety of landscapes. The scent of wine grapes and vineyards, the unique taste of tomatoes grown solely on volcanic soil, the smoothness of the white pebbles and turquoise waters, the buzz of nightlife, and the visual art that is the sun setting behind the village of Oia and the caldera combine for a world-class romantic backdrop.

2. Crete

• Great for: foodie travelers looking to try something new; history buffs who want to explore the beginnings of Ancient Greek civilization

Crete is one of the most popular Mediterranean travel destinations. The largest island in Greece combines everything a traveler might ask for: a rich history, several major attractions, a unique food culture, a vibrant nightlife, magnificent nature, and pristine beaches.

The first prehistoric European civilization of note, the Bronze Age Minoans, flourished on Crete, and its majestic palaces can still be visited today. A multitude of different cultures and conquerors have passed through since, leaving behind important traces on the island. 

The heart of Crete beats in its cities. In addition to museums and historical sites and buildings, you'll find many shops selling local products, lively bars and cafés, as well as restaurants where you can try the delicious and healthy Cretan cuisine. At the same time, Crete stands out for its unique natural environment. There is a seemingly endless and indented coastline with beaches for every taste. At the other extreme, there is a spine of high mountains ideal for hiking and mountaineering. Gorges to wander through, caves to explore, valleys to admire, all waiting the visitor’s glance.

3. Kos

• Great for: beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, and boaters; travelers interested in the history of medicine

Kos is one of the most visited islands in the Dodecanese, and teems with activity every summer. It has immense selection of superb beaches, which are usually found on the south coast. Naturally, most of activities on the island are based around the water. There are endless swimming possibilities and it is a great place for diving or snorkeling as well. Moreover, Kos is an excellent place for windsurfing, jet skiing, or even sailing in your own yacht. 

The mountain villages on the island possess a remarkable beauty and it can easily be visited either by car, bus, or bicycle. Kos also has historical sites associated with Hippocrates, its most famous resident. These include the Asclepeion temple where he is said to have trained in medicine, and a tree under which legend holds he taught his students.

4. Lesbos

• Great for: hikers looking for natural landscapes; people interested in trying ouzo; visitors who want a quieter, laid-back atmosphere

This island is renowned for its olive groves and ouzo distilleries. As Greece's third largest island, it has plenty of landscapes to explore, including a protected petrified forest formed by repeated volcanic eruptions. There are also views of the Turkish mainland, just a few miles offshore to the east.

Activity on Lesbos centers on the towns of Mytilene and Mithymna, where visitors can sample the local ouzo and explore historic winding streets. Those looking for more space can head to the countryside, where rolling hills invite explorers to discover monasteries, olive groves, and museums.

5. Mykonos

• Great for: shoppers, foodies, those who want to people watch in one of Europe's hippest places; visitors who also want to tour nearby historic Delos

Mykonos is an eclectic place—pristine beaches, elegant boutiques, fine dining, and rowdy bars are all on a tiny piece of land, a mere 9 miles long at its widest point. Partying is a round-the-clock affair here, against a scenic backdrop of whitewashed houses and Little Venice, Mykonos Town's most charming neighborhood.

The island, along with its tiny neighbor of Delos, featured prominently in Greek mythology and was first settled in 11th century BC. Excursions into the past may be made via the island's several tiny museums and the well-maintained Archaeological Site of Delos.

6. Naxos

• Great for: laid-back travelers, hikers, those who want to explore at their own pace; foodies looking for an authentic experience

Naxos stands out thanks to its unusually crisp white beaches and lush, fertile terrain. With none of Mykonos' pretense or Kos' ferocious partying, the island is a destination for those who enjoy a good hike and low-key evening entertainment. Naxos is also home to its fair share of ancient sites, off-lying mountain villages, and excellent family-run taverns.

Sites of interest include the gate-shaped Portara, Venetian Kastro, the beautiful hiking trails inland (toward the village of Halki, containing the historic Vallindras citrus distillery), and the island's few archaeological sites.

7. Rhodes

• Great for: architecture and history enthusiasts, especially castle lovers; shoppers

Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese islands, is no ordinary holiday resort. It's a cosmopolitan place with an international reputation: The charming medieval town, the sophisticated Lindos, the irresistible valley of the butterflies, the high-quality lifestyle, and the long golden sand beaches make the days and nights on the island unforgettable.

Rhodes is a combination of medieval tradition and modern style which impresses and fascinates visitors of all kinds. The romantic medieval Old Town holds amazing historical buildings, and the modern New Town also has its archaeological findings. Millions of tourists walk through the narrow streets of the Old Town every year to visit the museums, the churches, and the fortress walls, following the steps of medieval knights.

8. Corfu 

• Great for: hikers, nature lovers; architecture enthusiasts interested in the unique fusion of Greek and other European styles

Corfu is considered by many to be the most beautiful of all the Greek islands. It is the greenest of the Ionian Islands and probably the best known. A beguiling landscape of wildflowers, cypress trees, olive trees, and luxurious sandy beaches await visitors. 

The island's capital, also named Corfu, is a beautiful, sophisticated, and charming town. It's also one of the most elegant island capitals in Greece, as it was modernized for the 1994 EU summit. The town's architecture is influenced by the French, the Italians, and the British, but it still has a contemporary Greek feel to it, which makes it an amazing place to visit.

9. Zakynthos 

• Great for: beachgoers; hikers looking for verdant landscapes

Called "the Flower of the East" by the Venetians, Zakynthos is still one of the lushest and most-loved Greek islands, with green flower-covered hillsides in spring and early summer, cliffs dropping to dazzling turquoise waters, and some of the country's best beaches.

Most visitors to Zakynthos are attracted by the vast selection of dazzling beaches, but don't forget to explore the island's museums, architectural masterpieces, and ancient ruins. Covered by lush Mediterranean vegetation, the area that stretches along the southern coast from the promontory of Marathia Cape to the beach of Gerakas has been designated as a National Marine Park, housing many endangered species and several walking trails.

10. Cyprus

• Great for: those looking for unique culture, architecture, ancient sites; travelers seeking a larger destination with something for everyone

Clear blue waters, mild temperatures, and caressing sunshine: It's easy to see how Greece’s goddess of love, Aphrodite, was born from the waves lapping onto Cyprus’ shore. The mythology, language, traditions, and lifestyle are Greek, but the island features a beauty that is shrouded by its own, one-of-a-kind atmosphere, shaped by a structure that divides Cyprus and its capital Nicosia into a Turkish North and a Greek South. Its multi-faceted personality has an allure that attracts tons of travelers.

Bask in sunshine year round and feel the warmth of welcoming people, swim in the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean Sea, marvel at the splendors of nature, explore ancient sites in perfect autumn temperatures and in the mild winter, or keep fit with a round of golf or an invigorating tennis match.