I dont really care for nightlife. Enjoy a Rich Cultural Life on Siros. If a sandy . 1. Taramosalata dip with Lagana bread for Greek Lent. Begin your adventure in charming Paros Welcome to Paros, Greece's best-kept secret in the heart of the Cyclades, known for its picturesque, white-washed towns and stunning beaches. The cosmopolitan capital is a charming clash of Venetian, British and French colonial influences. From Piraeus, count on as little as 4 hours and 50 minutes or as much as 7 hours and 45 minutes to get there, depending on the ferry. Getting there: As the most popular Greek island, hands down, Santorini is also one of the most accessible islands, with frequent ferry service from Piraeus (and from Heraklion in Crete in summer), as well as regular air connections from Athens. Poros even has a beach called Love Bay. This spectacular archipelago is home to some of the most famous Greek islands such as Santorini, Naxos, Paros, and Mykonos. Probably the most famous Greek liquors of them all - Ouzo. Just strolling around the main port, the contemporary artist vibe is everywhere. Here are our top picks for the most authentic islands in Greece for you to add to explore on your next Greek adventure. Our extensive wine list features beautiful reds and whites from Monemvassia, a municipality on the Peloponnese peninsula of southern Greece. What is the most traditional Greek island? What is the cheapest month to fly to Greece? Santorini. Elafonissi beach, famous for its pink sand, near Chania Town, Crete island, Greece. There are also some seriously fascinating historical spots here, such as the Museum of Prehistoric Thera and the archaeological dig site at Minoan Akrotiri, while others will come to explore the famous scuba diving sites that pepper the rugged shorelines, or to taste the Turkish-influenced cuisine. Liparo beach is also very isolated and formed in a small cove shape, perfect for swimming and snorkelling too. Pine forests and pebble beaches await in Alonissos. Syros has fewer beaches than some of its . For example, Plaka is a beautiful small village with a lot of authentic Greek houses. Visit the popular cliff-top towns of Oia and Fira for the traditional, iconic view of Santorini's blue top buildings. Located between Samos and Mykonos, Icaria is one of the largest and most picturesque islands in the eastern Aegean Sea. 6. Explore the island's incredible natural beauty, ancient monuments and local cuisine, and stay in a luxury hotel on Paros. It is the third island of the Dodecanese for size and the second for population. If you have only 5-6 days to go outside Athens it's very hard to pick out 1 or 2 islands. Best Greek islands: forget Santorini and Mykonos - why you should book holidays to these top-rated isles instead; . Contents hide. The former capital, nestled in the mountainside, is located 3km from the port of Platiri and is undoubtedly one of the most authentic Greek mountain villages in the country. Located between its neighbouring islands, Ios and Folegandros, it's truly a hidden gem in the Aegean. There is not a single Greek island that is exactly the same or that is less Greek! Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Skiathos, Rhodes, Kefalonia, Zakynthos: from one end of the sea to the other, the Greek . Discover the Greek Islands Welcome Home Answer (1 of 5): Which USA State is the most american? But this authentic Greek island is otherwise untouched by mass tourism. . 1.1 SANTORINI. Seriously dear tourist, try to transition to traveler. Poros is one of the closest islands to Athens and yet one of the most overlooked. Plan a relaxing seaside holiday and discover the best places to visit with our list of the top Greek Islands. 3. 1. 80% of them are nudist beaches! Experience a more authentic Greek lifestyle on Folegandros, Sifnos, Serifos, Syros and Kythnos. The ancient islands of Crete and Rhodes boast fascinating cultural attractions, while idyllic Naxos and Samos are blessed with natural wonders. With no cars or scooters, Hydra is also known as being the birthplace of the original bohemians including Leonard Cohen and . Milos is part of the Cyclades islands, but it is much less famous than Santorini and Mykonos that also belong to this group. Santorini, Crete, and Corfu are widely considered the most beautiful and picturesque Greek islands. The Greek Islands will awaken your senses on this bewitching 8-day tour, starting in Athens and including two popular islands. Currently, only 800 (of the 1300 rooms) can be visited and it's advisable to hire a guide. How to get to Gavdos: You can take a boat from Crete with the company Anandyk (it takes about 2 hours). Whether you are looking for the best Greek Island for couples or the best Greek Island for families, groups or solo, we've broken it down and listed some of our favourites to make it easier for you. . Re: most authentic greek islands. Located in the Aegean Sea, this horseshoe-shaped island is where the world-famous Venus de Milo statue was discovered in 1820. 11. The monastery of Panachantros is a great historical site to visit, but you can also sunbathe on their gorgeous sandy beach, Agios Petros. It is no surprise that Greece counts around 30 million international visitors annually, most of whom choose the magnificent Greek islands for their holidays. Definitely one of the greenest and most beautiful islands in Greece is Corfu. 2. Milos is very beautiful because of its villages and beaches. Kastraki is a small Greek town in the region of Meteora on mainland Greece and is the best Greek town to visit for seeing the Meteora monasteries. And don't miss Angelokastro castle, the Vlacherna Monastery and Mandraki Marina. That said, if you are looking for a traditional Greek experience, Crete is a great choice as a year-round island. Zakynthos. Delight in the sumptuous flavors of authentic Greek cuisine, spend time luxuriating on the white-sand beaches that hug the coastline of Naxos, escape to the secluded beaches of Koufonisia, bask in Santorini's serenity, and satiate your hunger for all ancient history in . Sikinos is one of the least known quiet Greek islands in the Cyclades, even among Greeks. In the past, the island prospered thanks to its shipping industry and reached a peak population of 16,000. Well, that is thanks to its jewel-colored waters and the vivid buildings, all painted in Instgrammable primary tones. Why? I am sure that all of you heard about Santorini, Milos, Rhodes, Zakynthos or Skiathos but unfortunately all these islands are very popular among tourists and they lost most of . The especially romantic Old Town is among the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, with an impressive castle, strong walls and magnificent stone . 4. Most of the islands in Greece have kept their traditional charm and vibes. Credit: Olaf Tausch / CC-BY-3. There are hundreds of grape varieties . / Wikimedia Commons. Amorgos is an unspoiled Greek Island - no cruise ships or sushi bars here, no sophisticated tourist facilities. 10. . Hydra has also remained one of the most authentic of all Greek islands, and you can really feel its culture and traditions as you walk around the town. 2. Evia island is easily reached by road or by ferry. The Greek territory encompasses 6000 islands and islets, of which 227 are inhabited. February 27, 2019 by Iuliana Marchian 7 minute read. It's small in size but packs many things to do for all visitors. Which Italian pizza is more Italian???? I had the chance to travel to four of the 6,000 islands - Santorini, Corfu, Thassos and Tinos. Cyclades, Dodecanese, Ionian islands, Crete, North Aegean islands, Sporades, and the islands of the Saronic Gulf: Cosmopolitan or secluded, with beautiful beaches and lush mountains, Greece's islands promise you a dreamy holiday. Best cities to visit in the Greek islands Rhodes Town Corfu Town Chania, Crete Rethymno, Crete Heraklion, Crete Mytilene, Lesvos Best Cities in Mainland Greece Athens One of the world's most ancient cities, Athens is a city of elegance, history, and culture, as well as taking on many modern quirks. Away from the coastline, the islands appeal with their traditional tavernas, fresh local food, historic sites, and nightlife. The island has a very different feel compared to the other islands in the Cyclades. From Mykonos to Santorini, Corfu to Crete, here are six Greek islands that you should visit this summer. Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes are some of the most popular Greek island holiday spots you'll find in our selection, while some of the hidden gems like Sifnos and Astypalaia are worth checking out too. The largest of the Greek Islands, Crete offers a different experience for the lovers. Dodecanese: . Its close proximity to the coasts of Turkey and more . We are staying in Athens and would like to take 5-6 days to see a couple of greek islands. Lefkada Located south of Kerkyra in the Ionian Sea, Lefkada is a large, lush island with striking blue waters, plenty of small charming farming towns, a beautiful marina, and a busy capital city. It has a strong taste of anise and usually has 38 %, 40 %, 42 % or 49 % in alcohol percentage. Evia Also known as Eubopea, Evia is the second largest island in Greece. Also known as 'Holy Island' and the 'Jerusalem of the Aegean', Patmos is believed to have been where Saint John was exiled by Roman Emperor Domitian. Sikinos - The ultimate Cycladic island for a quiet holiday. Nydri, which overlooks a bevy of emerald islets, is the busiest resort; for a peaceful alternative, try Geni just across the bay. Island of Kos is 43 km long and 2 km wide at the narrowest point, up to a maximum of 6 km at its widest point. Contents 1 Lemnos 2 Ikaria 3 Ammouliani 4 Meganisi 5 Antiparos 6 Kythnos. Chios, for untouched coastline Natural Feature A great opportunity for environmentalists is volunteering with sea turtles; Zakynthos offers many organisations where you can help protect these precious islands. cluster off Greece's west coast, Zakynthos is the one . Touristy islands like Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Crete are less traditional in tourist areas, but they still have historical places, authentic restaurants, old villages, and classic Greek architecture. 1 Best Greek Islands for couples. Andros is another one worth considering, but it can be a bit of a pain to get to, as the ferry leaves from the port of Rafina (closer to the airport than downtown Athens). Pyrgi is not the only historic treasure, the landscape is pocked with abandoned Byzantine villages. The Palace of Knossos is an interesting place to visit. The food is . PAROS. Heavily wooded and fragrant, George Seferis described Poros as a 'sensual temptation, something lustful'. The most beautiful Greek islands 21. Authentic Ingredients Greek Islands is proud to import its own extra virgin olive oil, wine, cheeses, seafood, olives, herbs and spices directly from Greece. Milos - Our Favorite Most Unspoilt Greek Island Milos Island, also known as the Island of Colors! This island in the Sporades group has become popular in recent years with jetsetters looking for a greener Greek getaway; there are many eco-resorts on the island, which means there are plenty of camp grounds where you can stay and convene with nature. It's a popular island choice for day-trippers from Athens and is an artists' haven. It's barely an island, with just 200m separating it from the Peloponnese. Amorgos island is the 25th largest out of Greece's 6000 islands and one of the most authentic islands in the Cyclades. With a reputation for traditional arts and crafts, you can explore the authentic pottery, basket weaving, and cookery workshops the island is famous for in the villages of Vathi and Kamares. The major Cycladic islands are: Amorgos Andros Delos Folegandros Ios Milos Mykonos Naxos Paros Santorini Serifos Sifnos Syros Tinos We decided on the islands Folegandros, Milos, and Paros - of two of them we had never heard of before. Oia Village on Santorini Island. Antiparos - one of the best undiscovered Greek islands 5. Authentic Greek Wine. It has some of the most picturesque coastal villages in Greece. Pretty Paros looks the quintessential Cycladic island with its turquoise seas, fresh beaches and gleaming white buildings made from local marble. One of the most beautiful islands to visit in Greece is Milos. 1. The snorkeling is world class, and the island is beautiful and relaxing, although if you are looking for night life and culture this many not be your island of choice. Most of the buildings are made from marble instead of the traditional whitewash. The. But to be fair, the Greek Islands in general are a dream place for many travelers seeking azure waters and sandy beaches. The Rodos Palladium is a breathtaking resort located on Kallithea Beach on the island of Rhodes, the largest and most popular of the Dodecanese, a group of 12 larger plus 150 smaller Greek islands. The most famous is Pyrgi, where you'll find unique buildings covered in black and white sgraffito, a kind of etched pattern brought by the Genoese invaders. 2. Patmos. This island is a perennial favourite with people looking for an authentic Greek Island vacation at a slower pace and it is a year-round destination too. Evia produces some high quality white wine, particularly on Lilantio Plain near Halkida. Rhodes is by far the best Greek island for families, with its shelving beaches and days out away from the sand and for getting from plane to beach ASAP, with direct flights from the UK. Here are seven of the most authentic Greek islands. Don't miss the Terrace of the Lions and the Delos Theatre. The best beaches on Gavdos: Agios, Ioannis and Potamos. Greek Islands is proud to import its own extra virgin olive oil, wine, cheeses, seafood, olives, herbs and spices directly from Greece. It's the place to be if you fancy a cosmopolitan getaway topped with some incredible beaches. There is no shortage of magnificent ancient ruins to explore here either. The country of Greece is one of the most popular summer holiday destinations in Europe. Afloat in the Aegean, east of the mainland, it is typically Cycladic with its blinding white houses, blue and pastel shutters and roofs. Toby Hughes Islands. I want to see authentic greek culture and. With picturesque views of whitewashed cliffs overlooking the vast caldera, Santorini is a must-see location on your Greek Islands trip! With more than 25 gorgeous beaches to choose from and a nickname of the "Caribbean of Greece", it's no surprise that Lefkada is one of the best Greek islands if you're looking for a beach holiday. The most beautiful Greek island is a matter of opinion. Seven Greek destinations rank specifically among the top twenty in Europe, according to the list for the 2022 Readers' Choice Awards of the prestigious US . Greek islands have topped Cond Nast's list of Europe's best.The islands were chosen according to the votes of Cond Nast Traveller readers for this year.. In the 50's and 60's the island was very popular among the Old Hollywood stars. There are five main settlements on the island, with the one of Polis and the port bearing the ancient ruins of the past. Famous islands like Santorini or Mykonos are usually among the preferred choices but there are so many other, quiet Greek islands that are worth visiting. Delos. The Most Authentic Greek Islands You Need to Visit We've all heard of Santorini and Mykonos with their picture-perfect vistas, world-famous beach clubs and must-see sunsets. Tinos is a great place to relax and experience true Greek island life. LEROS Can you see a theme emerging? In Greece, the culture of sharing small plates called meze is very strong. Our Top 5 Greek Islands with Stunning Beaches. Best Greek Islands Santorini Corfu Crete Hydra Kefalonia Naxos Mykonos Skopelos Delos Paros Zakynthos Koufonisia Ikaria Patmos Kos Ios Skiathos Milos Kythira Sifnos Syros Kalymnos Nisyros Kasos. This is the beautiful Greek Island for history lovers.