Island guides · Greek Islands, Greece
The Greek Islands: our island guides
Every island has its own personality. Here are our guides: the story of each island, who it suits, and where to stay, eat, swim and explore.
Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Greek Islands
Island guides
A guide for each island: the back story, towns, sights, beaches, where to eat, drink and stay, and getting there.
MykonosGlamour, beach clubs and Delos
SantoriniThe caldera, the volcano and the sunset
ParosParikia, Naoussa and golden beaches
NaxosBeaches, mountain villages and food
MilosColours, sea caves and boathouses
IosGolden sand and famous nights
SifnosThe gourmet island
FolegandrosA clifftop village, unspoilt
SyrosThe neoclassical capital
TinosMarble villages and pilgrimage
AmorgosThe island of the Big Blue
CreteMinoans, Venetian harbours and gorges
RhodesThe medieval city of the Knights
CorfuVenetian elegance and green coves
HydraCar-free and close to Athens
AeginaPistachios, a temple and the first capital
PorosA green island across a narrow strait
SpetsesElegant mansions, pine woods and BouboulinaInsiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love the Greek islands.
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The back story
Which Greek island is for you?
Glamour, romance, nightlife, peace, food or history: how to match the islands to the trip you want.
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Parikia, Naoussa and golden beaches
Paros
Easy-going, central and beautiful, with the lively capital Parikia and stylish Naoussa.
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Beaches, mountain villages and food
Naxos
The biggest and greenest Cycladic island, with golden beaches, marble villages and famous produce.
The full list: The Islands, A–Z
Plan your trip 2
Choosing your islands and when to go.
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The back story
When to go to the Greek islands
Month by month: sea temperature, the meltemi, crowds, prices and when islands open and close.
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The back story
Which Greek island is for you?
Glamour, romance, nightlife, peace, food or history: how to match the islands to the trip you want.
The Cyclades 11
Our guides to the Cyclades.
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The island of the Big Blue
Amorgos
Wild, mountainous and peaceful, with a monastery hanging from a cliff.
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A clifftop village, unspoilt
Folegandros
A small, steep island with one of the most spectacular villages in Greece.
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Golden sand and famous nights
Ios
Famous for nightlife, especially historically, with some of the loveliest sand in the Cyclades.
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Colours, sea caves and boathouses
Milos
A volcanic island of white moonscapes, red cliffs, sea caves and painted boathouses.
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Glamour, beach clubs and Delos
Mykonos
The most fashionable island in the Aegean, with a farming soul and Delos on the horizon.
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Beaches, mountain villages and food
Naxos
The biggest and greenest Cycladic island, with golden beaches, marble villages and famous produce.
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Parikia, Naoussa and golden beaches
Paros
Easy-going, central and beautiful, with the lively capital Parikia and stylish Naoussa.
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The caldera, the volcano and the sunset
Santorini
Born of a volcano, crowned with white villages: the most romantic island in Greece, and the busiest.
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The gourmet island
Sifnos
White villages on green hills, potters, walking paths and some of the best cooking in Greece.
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Hydra & the Saronic 4
Island guides on Hydra and the Saronic Gulf.
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Pistachios, a temple and the first capital
Aegina
The closest island to Athens: a busy harbour town, the Temple of Aphaia, pistachio orchards and fish tavernas at Perdika.
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Car-free and close to Athens
Hydra
A car-free harbour of stone mansions, an artists’ island and the easiest short escape from Athens.
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A green island across a narrow strait
Poros
A small, green island separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strait, with a hillside town crowned by a clock tower.
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Elegant mansions, pine woods and Bouboulina
Spetses
An elegant, pine-covered island of captains’ mansions, horse-drawn carriages and the heroine Bouboulina, with few cars in town.
Crete 1
Our guides to Crete.
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Minoans, Venetian harbours and gorges
Crete
The largest Greek island, with Minoan palaces, Venetian harbours, mountains, gorges and beaches.
The Dodecanese 1
Our guides to the Dodecanese.
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The medieval city of the Knights
Rhodes
A medieval walled city, an acropolis above the sea and long sunny beaches.
The Ionian 1
Our guides to the Ionian.
