Greece has around 6,000 islands scattered throughout the Mediterranean of which just 227 are inhabited. Visiting one or several islands is very popular among the tourists, and boaters can find everything anything from sheltered bays to fancy yacht harbors on the islands and along the Greek coastline.
The largest of the Greek islands is Crete, a popular destination for charter tourists from northern Europe. The Crete landscape goes from sandy palm-filled beaches at sea level to snow-covered high mountain peaks in the interior. In addition to beach life and water sports, Crete is know for its vibrant night life.
The Greek islands are divided into eight regions:
Saronic Gulf Islands
Cyclades
Dodecanese
Rhodes
Sporades
East Aegean Islands
North Aegean Islands
Western Greek Islands
The Western Greek Islands are, as the names suggests, located off the western coast of Greece. All the other island regions are found east of the Greek mainland, from the North Agean Islands east of Thessaloniki to the Dodecanese Islands which are scattered to the west and south of Turkeys southwestern end. Due to its shear size and large population, Crete is not included in the eight regions. Also, the island of Evvia is located so close to the mainland and has such excellent connections to it that it is for all practical purposes considered a part of mainland Greece rather than a separate island.
Here are few examples of the many islands well worth a visit in the Greek archipelago. It is by no means a complete list, it’s just a starting point for the prospective visitor who wish to pick out one or several islands for the next vacation.
Greek islands famous for their beaches
- Corfu
- Kefallonia
- Kos
- Lefkada
- Milos
- Mykonos
- Naxos
- Thasos
- Rhodes
- Serifos
- Skiathos
- Skopelos
Greek islands famous for their party scene
- Corfu
- Ios
- Mykonos
- Paros
- Rhodes
- Santorini
- Skiathos
- Zakhynthos
Greek islands with significant archeological sites and/or museums
- Aegina
- Delos
- Kos
- Lesbos
- Rhodes
- Samos
- Thasos
Greek islands that has been especially important in the history of Christianity
- Chios
- Milos
- Patmos
- Tinos
Greek islands with medieval towns and/or fortresses
- Corfu
- Rhodes
- Serifos
- Sifnos
Greek Islands famous for their impressive landscape
- Nisyros
- Naxos
- Milos
- Santorini
- Syros
Greek Islands with great hiking opportunities
- Andros
- Kefallonia
- Samos
- Sifnos
- Skopelos
- Tilos
Greek Islands with best access by airplane
- Chios
- Corfu
- Kos
- Lesbos
- Mykonos
- Rhodes
- Samos
- Santorini
Greek Islands with major harbor towns
- Chios
- Corfu
- Hydra
- Lefkada
- Symi
- Naxos
- Rhodes
- Mykonos
- Syros