The main island Groups of Greece

Greek island groups

Every year about 30 million visitors arrive in Greece, with many of them visiting the Greek islands in various groups of islands like the Cyclades, the Sporades, the Ionian islands and Crete. Which island each visitor will choose, depends on the type of vacation and tourism he wants to do.

In Greece there are 15 international airports and many ferry lines so that one can go to the islands. Of course, even if the distances of the islands seem short, they often take several hours at sea, plus in some cases, the itineraries are not daily.

An ideal destination for fans off the beaten path, without of course excluding complete relaxation, the islands of the Eastern Aegean and minor islands of the Cyclades ( Anafi, Sikinos, Heraklia, Kea) and the Dodecanese ( Leros, Lipsi, Agathonisi, Kasos, Nisyros )

About 1/5 of the total area of Greece consists of islands. The Greek islands are more than 2,000 and most of them are located in the Aegean Sea. The main island groups of Greece are: the Cyclades, the Sporades, the Dodecanese, the Ionian Islands and the islands of the North and East Aegean.

CYCLADES ISLANDS

More than any other region of Greece, the Cyclades are one of the most popular holiday destinations. The trademark is the bare rocks and the contrast of the white of the houses and the endless blue of the Aegean. But apart from the picturesque white countries and the beautiful beaches, each Cycladic island offers its own package of experiences, from the cosmopolitan life of Mykonos to the relaxed, sophisticated rhythms of the inland of Tinos and from the gastronomic pleasures of Sifnos to the romantic dream of Santorini.

In general, the Cyclades are identified with cosmopolitan vacations, romantic getaways for two, casual outings and trips on the barren line. However, most Cycladic islands, especially the larger ones, are not limited to a single holiday profile and offer different proposals depending on your style and budget. Some of the larger islands, such as Syros, are alive all year round and are an ideal destination for weekends, while the smaller and more remote ones, such as Amorgos or Anafi, are aimed mainly at lovers of the alternative and have a short season, which limited mainly to the summer months.

cyclades

DODECANESE

One of the largest groups of islands in Greece, the Dodecanese offer the traveler a special view of the Greek summer. From the atmospheric town of Patmos and that of Astypalea to the rising neoclassical states of Symi, Halki and Kastelorizo and from the vast beaches and archeological sites of Rhodes and Kos to the unspoiled landscapes of Karpathos and Nisyros, every trip can find the type of vacation that suits him.

Fans of the beach, lovers of luxury and nightlife and families usually choose the largest and most developed tourist islands, such as Rhodes. Couples, sophists and youth groups looking for the different have made Symi, Tilos and Nisyros their hangout. Archaeologists will find interesting monuments that testify to the rich history of the islands: citadels of antiquity, medieval cities and interwar monuments-legacies of the Italian occupation.

The hotel infrastructure follows the style of the holidays of each island: luxury resorts, spas and family hotels in Rhodes and Kos, atmospheric hostels in old houses in Kastelorizo, Symi or Astypalea. Although the connections between them are not ideal for island hopping, there are many who choose to share their vacation on two or three different islands, usually combining one of the big ones with some smaller satellites like Rhodes with Halki , Symi or Kastelorizo and Kos with Nisyros or Tilos.

IONIAN ISLANDS

Turquoise waters are the first image that comes to mind when we think of the rich Ionian beaches. You will enjoy them, depending on the style of vacation you choose, either on the big islands with the manorial tradition, the abundant sightseeing, the cosmopolitan life and the luxury hotels or in the smaller and quieter ones, with a more nature-loving and sophisticated development profile, the which has become fashionable in recent years.

If you choose one of the first, you will definitely need several days to turn it, while even in the smallest the car is necessary. Corfu is the island richest in images, with a wonderful Old Town, intense archaeological interest, dozens of villages to explore and, of course, very worthwhile suggestions for accommodation, taste and nightlife. Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Lefkada, with some of the most “postcard” beaches in Greece, are offered for every type of vacation: relaxation and exploration, family and youth.

Paxos and Ithaca, with a contrast of green-blue and beautiful villages, are constantly rising on the tourist map, while Kythira, although geographically far from the other islands, does not lag behind in local colour, beaches and an interesting hinterland for motorhomes. Finally, the Ionian Islands are a sailing paradise. If you are traveling by boat or vacationing in Corfu, steal a few days to visit the unknown to most Diapontia Islands (Othonoi, Ereikoussa, Mathraki), three small islands of the barren line just a few nautical miles northwest of Corfu, forgotten by the large deserted sandy beaches, ruins of Venetian castles, small settlements and a sense of absolute peace.

SARONIC ISLANDS

Near to Athens, the islands of the Saronic Gulf serve as a stress reliever for the Athenians and are a timeless and favorite destination for weekends and last minute getaways, especially in spring and autumn but also at other times of the year.
Aegina, the closest island to Athens and a classic solution for day trips and summer vacations is constantly renewed in recent years: the neoclassicals of the port have been refreshed, Paleochora is being restored a few, but remarkable new investments add points to its travel profile.

Hydra, the most picturesque island of the Saronic Gulf, with atmospheric boutique hotels in restored mansions, stylish restaurants and vibrant nightlife, is ideal for romantic and secular breaks. Equally picturesque Spetses, two steps by dolphin from Piraeus and βήμα half a step by sea taxi from the port of Costa to Argolida (connected 24 hours a day), are a favorite choice of the laity for a stylish getaway, timeless preference of couples and a classic youth date for summer fun, which culminates during the September weekend of the Armata celebration.
More low profile, with the picturesque Old Town, the proximity to the Peloponnese and the selected accommodation proposals, Poros has its own fanatical friends.

SPORADES ISLANDS

Wonderful pine-covered beaches, the lively settlements that combine the local color with the intense life, the sea park with the mediterranean monk seals for the lovers of eco-tourism and the exuberant flavors with the relaxed, unadulterated summer atmosphere. Favorite choice for nature lovers and for those who prefer a quiet vacation, without missing the secular and sophisticated proposals.

Boat or inflatable rides, all-day fun on the beaches, fresh fish, but also nightlife in picturesque settlements compose the profile of the holidays in the Sporades. There are many who are not limited to one of the islands, but indulge in island hopping between Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos, since the connection between them is regular.

Skiathos is the most cosmopolitan of the Sporades, with a lively city, good hotels and famous beaches. Green, ideal for nature lovers Skopelos, with low profile development, very nice beaches, picturesque town and routes in the pines. You will prefer Alonissos for its beautiful beaches, its atmospheric Chora, which was developed relatively recently, but maintaining its character intact, and the proximity to the seal park of the Monk-Monk seal. More isolated and different from the rest of the Sporades, Skyros turns a blind eye to the Cyclades and gathers sought-after visitors who are fascinated by its wild beauty and low-key development.

NORTH AND EAST AEGEAN ISLANDS

An ideal destination for fans of on the road, without of course excluding complete relaxation, the islands of the Eastern Aegean have maintained a relatively low growth profile. Recently, breaking away from the fashion of the barren islands, they are attracting more and more travelers for value for money holidays with authentic color.

The traditional villages, the green paths and the lunar landscapes in the hinterland, the vast beaches, the sightseeing in the fossil forests, the picturesque fishing villages and the variety of local flavors are some of the highlights of the holidays on this side of the Aegean. Mostly large islands with many different faces require you to spend several days enjoying them without getting tired, while the means of transport is usually necessary. Uncomplicated and without a secular profile, they are offered for nature-loving but also for family vacations, for lovers of tradition and local color, for low budget and gourmet travelers.

Mytilene and Chios are the largest and most special islands, with intense architectural interest and gastronomic surprises. Samos wakes up the nature lovers and the fans of the sea and the flavors without falling behind in youthful life, Ikaria is famous for the beaches, the festivals and the inimitable relaxed philosophy of its inhabitants, while Lemnos, with its strong papers the beaches, the nice routes and good food, gathers more low profile travelers and lovers of the original.