Last updated on January 25th, 2023
Greece is a magnificent country with lots of things to see and do. It is divided into the mainland with cities such as Athens and the islands. There are over 6,000 islands scattered through the Ionian and Aegean Seas.
With so many wonderful places to explore and Greek island hopping routes, it can be a little overwhelming to narrow down to only a few destinations.
This guide goes in-depth on how to best visit the Greek Islands. I will talk about how to get to the islands, the different clusters of islands, and what islands are ideal for each type of traveler.
You will also learn how to budget for your trip, ways to get around, and other tips to help you plan your adventure to Greece.
Best Times to Visit the Greek Islands
The nice thing about Greece is you can really visit any time of the year. The best times in regards to weather would be during the summer months of June and August. These months are also the busiest time to visit and the most expensive.
If you visit in the middle of the summer, you are bound to run into lots of crowds as tourists flock to Greece during these months.
My advice is to visit during May, early June, and September. Not only will the weather still be beautiful, but the beaches and towns will be much less crowded than traveling during peak season.
You may also be able to save a little more on accommodations, especially in places like Santorini and Mykonos, which are known to be more expensive.
How Many Days in Greece
The number of days you spend in Greece will depend on how many islands you decide to visit. At a minimum, you will want to stay at least a week. Any less and you are not giving yourself enough time to explore.
When you plan on a vacation with multiple locations, try to stay for two weeks with at least 2-3 days at each location.
Something to take into account is the time spent traveling from destination to destination as well.
You want to give yourself enough time to get from one place to another without limiting your time there. It is easy to waste half a day between ferries and checking in and out of hotels.
All About the Greek Islands
With over 6,000 islands, it can get pretty complicated understanding which islands to go to, or even where they are located in regards to each other. Breaking them down into clusters is a great way to help you plan which to go to.
My advice is to pick islands that are close together so you are not spending 4-5 hours on a ferry between each. The islands are mostly either in the Aegean or the Ionian Sea.
The most well-known and visited are located in “the Cyclades” in the Aegean Sea. This is the largest group of islands with over 50 including Delos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini, Paros, and Tinos.
Other popular islands include Rhodes and the large island of Crete, which are the furthest out from the mainland. Of course, there are other clusters of islands in the Aegean Sea, but if you have not yet visited Greece, I would stick to the Cyclades for your first time.
Next is the Ionian Sea on the west of the mainland. These islands are not as crowded as those in the Aegean, but they are just as breathtaking. Islands like Zakynthos, Corfu, Ithaca, and Kalamos are extremely beautiful and worth the visit.
Just like those in the Aegean Sea, there are many more here as well to choose from. If you want to experience Greece like a local, you may want to focus on these islands.
Sample Itinerary | Two Week Trip
Like I said above, I would focus on the Cyclades for your first trip to Greece. The most important thing when planning your visit is deciding what order to visit each island. The easiest way is by location. Start at the closest island to the mainland and work your way out.
Also, you may want to take into account islands that have their own airports. These could also be a great place to start or end your trip. Since Athens is such a historic city, it is almost a waste not to see it while in Greece, so I would start there.
This itinerary starts in Athens and then hops to the different islands for a two-week-long stay. The islands I have chosen are not only easily accessed from each other, but they offer a mix of experiences.
While Santorini and Mykonos are more about luxury and nightlife, the other islands are great for historical sites and outdoor activities. Visiting different types of islands helps give you an overall experience of Greece.
Two Week Island Itinerary:
- Stop #1: Athens for 3 days
- Stop #2: Mykonos for 2-3 days (possible day trips to Tinos or Delos)
- Stop #3: Naxos or Paros for 2-3 days (Try exploring both if you have time!)
- Stop #4: Santorini for 3 days
- Stop #5: Rhodes or Crete for 3 days
Greek Island Hopping Route Travel
Fly from Island to IsLand
Some larger islands like Rhodes and Crete have airports. Mykonos and Santorini also do too. Many people fly into Athens and hop on a ferry from there.
If you want to explore Athens, I would fly there and then choose an island such as Rhodes as your last stop so that you can fly home from there.
Take the Ferry
The easiest way to get from island to island is by ferry. Several different companies are depending on location, with prices and time schedules varying. Seajets and Blue Star Ferries are two great companies that connect to many of the islands.
During the summer months, ferries will offer more trips than the colder months. There are three different ports to choose from, Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrion, that will take you to the clusters of islands.
The port of Piraeus is the largest and will take you to pretty much any island that you want to go to. Next is the port of Rafina, which will take you to the islands of Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos, and Santorini. Last is the port of Lavrio, which is the smallest and will take you to many of the northern islands of the Aegean Sea.
Traveling Around the Greek Islands
There are several ways to get around the islands while you are there. What you choose will depend on the size of the island and the types of activities you want to do while there. Some options are public transportation, renting a car, scooters, ATVs, or taxis. If you are staying close to town, walking is probably the best way to get around.
Other ways to get around would be tour groups. If you are planning to mostly stay in a resort or close to town, joining a day tour may be a good option if you want to explore for part of your stay.
My least favorite way to get around on the islands is by taxi. They are very expensive and not worth it to me unless you have a bunch of luggage with you.
If you want to get around by car, rentals are the better way to go. ATVs and Scooters are also a great alternative and the most fun way to get around, in my opinion, as they allow you to enjoy the nice weather and take in the sites.
TRAVEL TIP: Take into account the amount of time it will take to travel from one island to the next. Ferry trips can be hours long depending on where you are going.
How to Budget Your Trip
Everyone’s budget is different, but it is one of the most important things to think about before any vacation. Your budget will influence where you stay, what you do, and how long to plan your visit.
If you are being budget-conscious, try staying at smaller hotels outside of town, and not large resorts. Also, not traveling during the peak season will help save some money.
Come up with a daily budget and stick with it. Think about what activities you want to do that day, travel expenses, and food. Spending most of your time at the beach or outdoors will save you a lot of money unless you want to hang out at a Beach Club, which can add up quickly.
Also, researching restaurants ahead of time is a great option so that you don’t end up spending more on dinner than planned. This is easy to do, especially when you start ordering drinks!
Other great ways to save money on food are to stay at a hotel that offers complimentary breakfast or buy groceries for a couple of nights.
Lastly, keep in mind that some islands are naturally more expensive than others. Islands like Mykonos and Santorini are the more expensive islands. Knowing this ahead of time and doing some research is going to help if you want to budget.
Overall, I would plan around $150-$200 each day on activities, food, and expenses (not including accommodations).
What Geek Islands to Visit
Deciding what islands to visit is probably the most challenging part of the planning process as there are so many which all have something unique to offer. Some factors to think about are the type of vacation you want, if you are traveling with kids, what you want to do, and the overall budget.
Islands like Mykonos and Santorini are the most popular and therefore will be the most crowded and expensive. They are known for having a younger party crowd and some luxurious resorts and beach clubs.
That does not mean that is all there is to do here! These islands offer unique accommodations, beautiful views of the Aegean Sea, and dozens of beaches to choose from.
If you are looking to spend a relaxing holiday with your family, islands like Naxos, Crete, and Corfu are more laid-back. These islands also have stunning beaches, but they are more kid-friendly and are much quieter.
Rhodes is also another quiet island to visit for families. It is also full of Unesco World Heritage sites and the perfect place to learn about Greece’s history.
No matter what you choose, you really can’t go wrong. Even though each island has unique characteristics, they are full of options that will meet everyone’s needs. From adventurous activities, historic villages, pristine beaches, and delicious restaurants, you will find it all on any island you visit.
Conclusion
There are many Greek island hopping routes you can take. Whichever you choose, make sure you leave plenty of time in your itinerary for travel. If you are hopping from islands close in proximity to each other, then ferries are the way to go. Have other questions about island hopping in Greece? Let me know!
Enjoyed this post? Here are some other Greek destinations!
MILOS
- The Ultimate Milos, Greece Travel Guide
- The Top 10 Best Beaches in Milos
- 10 Best Restaurants in Milos, Greece
SANTORINI
MYKONOS
RHODES
OTHER GREEK DESTINATIONS
Travel Planning Resources
BOOK YOUR FLIGHT
Skyscanner is one of the top search engines for finding and booking flights. They price check over 1,200 travel sites to help you find the best prices.
BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION
Booking.com is one of the best sites to book hotels and vacation rentals. They offer some of the cheapest rates and different payment options.
BOOK TRANSPORTATION
RentalCars.com is my go-to site when booking rentals. They work with 900 companies worldwide to help you find the best car for your needs and budget.
SCHEDULE YOUR TOURS
Get Your Guide is one of the top sites for tours, excursions, and activities. Viator is another terrific website for all types of experiences.
GET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
World Nomads is one of the top travel insurance companies. It will cover you if you must cancel your trip or if something unexpected happens.
Check out the resource page for additional travel planning resources.
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