Greece is known for glorious sunshine, delicious food and of course, lots of islands to explore. But with so many to choose from, and plenty of hotspots on the mainland, it can be hard to decide where to visit on your next holiday to Greece.
Here’s a breakdown of each island, who we think would enjoy it best and, of course, a fabulous hotel recommendation for each one!
Corfu
Corfu is a fantastic family holiday destination, thanks to its well-established tourism scene. Whether your family prefers a more chilled out, beach lounging holiday or are ready for a fun-filled, action packed break, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in Corfu.
Aqualand is Corfu’s best waterpark, and is located in Aghios Ioannis which is one of the most loved resorts on the island. You can get a full day ticket if you want to make the most of your trip, or you can opt for a three-hour slot which is half of the price. Make sure you try the Black Hole while you’re there – visitors say that it’s one of the best waterslides in Europe!
If relaxing on a beach is more your style, then you’ll have more than 50 to choose from in Corfu. Paleokastritsa is one of the most popular beaches on the island, and is a small but well-developed rocky-edged cove on the west coast of Corfu. Here, you’ll find everything you could imagine in terms of facilities, bars and restaurants on hand, though its popularity means space can be limited during peak times.
Check out Michelangelo Resort, which is a beautiful village style hotel.
Crete
Crete is one of the more popular Greek islands, and rightly so! It is also the largest of the Greek islands at 160 miles wide, and most southerly, meaning it’s almost always summer. Crete is a fantastic island to visit for a family holiday, with miles of beaches, delicious food and tonnes of history to immerse yourself in.
With Crete’s warm and glorious weather,you won’t be surprised to know you can find a range of water parks and theme parks there. One of the best is the Limnoupolis Waterpark in Chania, a 65-acre fun zone filled with slides like the black hole and freefall, as well as a lazy river and plenty of sun terraces to lounge along. All across the island, you’ll also find a number of smaller slides and splash parks at hotels.
If you and your family are into Greek mythology, then Crete is a great place to expand your knowledge. Crete happens to be where many Greek mythology fables are set, so you’re sure to feel immersed in wonder when exploring historical sites. You can see the cave in which Rhea was rumoured to have stashed baby Zeus just before his father prepared to eat him, or the bay beside Aghios Nikolaos that Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and War, was reported to have bathed at.
TUI SUNEO Chrissi Amoudia has fantastic family friendly facilities, perfect for a Greek getaway.
Halkidiki
For a gorgeous Grecian getaway with your other half or best friends, Halkidiki is a great choice! Kalithea, the most popular resort in Halkidiki, combines old-school beauty with lively nightlife. Nea Moudania is where history-lovers flock, as even days at the beach feature views of Mount Olympus, home of the Greek Gods, in the distance.
When travelling with your partner, activities help to make the holiday so much more memorable, especially when they’re breathtaking and romantic. If you’re prepared to set an early alarm, you can have an unforgettable view of Halkidiki from the air. It’s made even more sensational by the opportunity to watch the sunrise over these historic and majestic peninsulas. A hot air balloon tour comes complete with food and drink from the team of experts, who’ll help you into the basket and lift you high above the landscape. How amazing is that!
They say you’ll never forget a Sani Beach sunset, and they’ll make the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening with your loved ones. Make sure to take time to enjoy the beautiful stretch of coastline that looks out to Mount Olympus on the mainland during your trip to Halkidiki.
For the perfect Grecian retreat, Akrathos Beach Hotel offers rolling countryside views and a sandy beach on your doorstep.
Kefalonia
Though it’s the largest of the Ionian Islands, holidays to Kefalonia enjoy a lack of crowds. Visitors come for the island’s understated beauty and quiet beaches, making it the perfect place for a couples retreat. 11 of the nearby beaches are Blue Flag accredited, while the turquoise waters are perfect for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving.
Nightlife in Kefalonia is more cocktails, good company and singing your heart out to karaoke as opposed to dancing til the early hours like you might find on some other Greek islands. There’s plenty of places where you can enjoy traditional Greek entertainment and work your way through endless colourful cocktails.
If during your holiday you’re hoping to get up to some adrenaline pumping activities, then why not try your hand at scuba diving? It is a hugely popular pastime in Kefalonia and you’ll find diving schools in just about every major resort. Kefalonia’s coastline is home to caves, reefs and lots of marine life, even the occasional turtle!
The Aeolos Beach Hotel is perfectly positioned and offers a great panorama out to sea.
Kos
Stunning white beaches, wet and wild water parks and historic ruins – Kos has them all, and much more! There are numerous beaches around Kos’ coastline, all with a wide variety of watersports available, including windsurfing, scuba diving and snorkelling. When travelling with your family, you’re sure to find plenty to keep everyone entertained here!
You’ll be able to experience not one, but two exhilarating water parks on your holiday to Kos – Lido Waterpark is in Mastichari and Aquatica Waterpark is in Kardamena. Both of these spots have fast slides, kamikazes, tube rides and wave pools. Make it a whole day adventure and grab a bite to eat at the park’s restaurants and cafes.
Foodies will be able to enjoy plenty of different dishes and cuisines including Greek, Italian, British, Chinese and Indian. Kos has rich Grecian and Mediterranean roots, and its local cuisine consists of meat, fish, vegetables, olive oil and potatoes in its classic recipes. Prawns, squid, lobster and octopus are popular catches, but if seafood is not for you, you can instead try delicious Greek favourites like moussaka, souvlaki and tzatziki.
TUI SUNEO Niriides Beach is in a fantastic location, and it makes for an amazing family getaway.
Lefkas
Lefkas is like an adults playground – sailing and watersports galore with a side of spas and relaxation. Lefkas has maintained its authentic Greek charm, so you’ll mainly get traditional Greek cooking in the eateries here. They serve bites of mezze, moussaka and seafood freshly hauled from the sea that day, along with lots of Ouzo and wines from Lefkas’ vineyards!
The resort of Nidri is where you’ll find all the most popular bars and clubs, with these evening joints staying open until the early hours of the morning. Vassiliki also has a few terrific bars and clubs that host a range of evening entertainment and live music. The smaller resorts around the island focus their nightlife on the Greek tavernas, where you can sit outside under the stars and spend your Greek island holiday sipping on local wines and fresh cocktails.
If you want somewhere to relax and rest off the hangover, Porto Katsiki, the most famous of the Lefkas beaches, is considered one of the best in the Mediterranean. Agiofili Beach is a popular location for watersports, and has a pebbled beach with a sandy seabed.
Hotel George is within easy reach of a beach. Some of the best shops, bars and restaurants in Nidri are nearby, too.
Mykonos
Stunning views, tasty food and delicious cocktails are a given in Mykonos. This beautiful island has plenty to offer for a couples retreat, including white and golden sand beaches, historic landmarks, a variety of Greek and international cuisines and a thriving nightlife scene.
This island is a fantastic place to shop, and all around on your holidays in Mykonos you’ll find quaint shops selling traditional Greek gifts. If you’re looking for a spot to buy the newest fashions head to the capital city of Mykonos Town. This city has it all, from designer boutiques, handmade crafts, jewellery stores, shoe shops and outdoor markets.
Mykonos has a thriving and exciting nightlife scene. Known for its epic beach parties and international DJs, Mykonos holidays are popular with people who want to get down on the dance floor and have a wild night out on the town. If you’d rather have a quiet night sipping wine under the stars during your holiday in Mykonos, there are also plenty of venues that offer a more relaxed nightlife scene.
Archipelagos Luxury Hotel is perfectly located and has fantastic views of the ocean.
Parga
Parga is located between gorgeous seaside and picturesque mountains and is the perfect combination of beaches, scenery and culture. Parga is a calming island, and is a great getaway spot for a solo holiday.
The beaches remain a highlight of holidays to Parga. The coastline here offers so much more than just sunbathing spots, though they are a top priority for holiday goers in this part of the mainland. The main beaches like Valtos and Lichnos offer the widest range of seaside activities, from pedalos and canoes to rent, banana boats, wind surfing and paragliding. Smaller spots like Sarakiniko Beach keep things laid-back with quiet pedalo rides and snorkelling.
History lovers will be in their element here! Found about a 30-minute drive from Parga is the Necromanteion of Acheron, a ruinous building believed to sit atop the entrance to Hades. The ruins give way to a maze of catacombs underground, and are also bordered by the Acheron River, which is said to be the River Styx. Also found in Parga is Aphrodite’s Cave, where the Greek goddess used to bathe.
The beautiful, hillside Terra Verde Apartments all come with air conditioning, kitchenettes and a balcony or terrace for a bit of outside space and an al fresco dining option.
Rhodes
Rhodes is the largest of the Greek Dodecanese Islands, and its culture, history and beaches make it an attractive spot for families looking for the perfect summer holiday. The coast plays host to lively resorts such as Faliraki and Lindos, while inland there are pine-clad forests, low-lying mountains and pretty villages to explore.
Greek cuisine has been developed over thousands of years and has come into its own on the island of Rhodes. Traditional Greek food can be found in abundance, with ingredients sourced locally, from organic fruits and vegetables to locally reared meats, and fish from the Aegean Sea. Mezze is one of the most popular dishes on the menu across Rhodes. This main meal arrives as a set of appetisers that you can share between friends and family.
The Old Town of Rhodes is the oldest inhabited medieval city in Europe and is filled with impressive medieval buildings, water fountains and Byzantine and Gothic churches. The Palace of Grand Masters of Knights is a must-see, and good value for money. Go early or late to avoid the crowds and team it with a visit to the Archaeological Museum, Hospital of the Knights.
Just a stone’s throw from the beach, the Atlantica Princess Hotel has calming sea views and plenty of beach activities right on its doorstep.
Samos
If you’re pining for a relaxed beachside holiday with your friends or other half, why not check out Samos? The island of Samos has plenty to see and do and is the perfect destination for couples and groups alike. You can enjoy everything from hiking to diving, monasteries to vineyards, water sports to waterfalls.
Samos is famous for its wine, so be sure to visit a winery while you’re on the island in order to get a taste of the authentic Samian experience. The grapes grown on Samos are of the Muscat variety, and consequently a lot of the wines made on the island are sweet dessert wines, including the famous Samos Nectar and the Samos Vin Doux.
If your passion is jet-skiing or paragliding, Samos has an awesome array of watersports on offer. You can even rent a boat from some of the companies offering watersports services and take your sweet time exploring Samos’ secret coves. Potakaki and Remataki beaches are most popular with holidaymakers looking for watersports opportunities.
You can relax on your gorgeous Greek getaway in style if you choose to stay at Fito Aqua Bleu Resort.
Santorini
When picturing a Greek holiday, images of Santorini certainly spring to mind! The white cliffside buildings and blue roofs are an iconic sight, and Santorini is the perfect place for a romantic holiday.
Santorini is home to around 13 vineyards. Vinsanto is the island’s main export and is famous for its deliciously sweet taste. If your palate prefers a dry white wine, then Assyrtiko might be more to your liking. And beer lovers needn’t fear they’ll miss out. The Santorini Brewing company in Thira is a young company that developed into a successful microbrewery.
In recent years, the coastal resort of Kamari has developed a lively beach-bar scene which has grown into big business for the south-east of the island. At the top of the chain lies Dom, the biggest club in town. Here you’ll find a mix of tunes that make you want to dance – and, if you’re feeling daring, the cage on stage is open to anyone and everyone. Get ready to party until the sun comes up here.
If you want a boutique spot to rest your head after a long day of exploring and partying, we recommend the Acqua Vatos.
Skiathos
Skiathos holidays are the epitome of laid-back, with drinks along the waterfront and hikes through the rugged green landscape inviting you to unwind – making for the perfect solo escape. The island itself is only 12 kilometres long and six kilometres wide but its coastal towns pack a lot in.
The island is one of the greenest of all the Greek islands, and many of the beaches that edge Skiathos emerge from a pine-forest backdrop. The beaches on the southern side of the island have more facilities and are more organised than those in the north, but they’re also busier, while some of the northern ones are terrifically secluded making for the perfect place to kick back with a good book.
Agia Eleni is located about 20 minutes’ drive from Skiathos Town, or a 10-minute taxi-ride from Achladies Bay on the west coast. There are several lovely restaurants and bars here, all providing undisturbed views of the sea. You can also hop on a sunset cruise from Skiathos Town – complete with food and dancing.
The Mythos is in a hidden away spot that provides you with plenty of peace and tranquillity. But, you’re still close to the shops, bars and restaurants of Troulos.
Thassos
For a secluded family holiday, filled with fun, food and fantastic sights, Thassos is an amazing choice. Thassos doesn’t have an airport of its own but you can access the island via a ferry from Kavala’s port on the mainland.
Thassos is surrounded by 96km of sand, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a beach to relax on. If you’re looking for a more developed beach, complete with all of the modern conveniences such as showers, sunbeds and lifeguards you should check out Golden Beach, while the more active beach bum might want to try his or her hand at windsurfing and other watersports at Paradise Beach.
If you time your visit right, you might just be lucky enough to witness Thassos in full festival swing. Carnival, taking place at roughly the same time as the Christian festival of Lent, pays homage to the Greek god Dionysus, who presided over wine and revelry. Because of this, the 40 days prior to Ash Monday – known as Clean Monday in Greece – are filled with music, dancing, costumed parades and parties of all kinds.
If you’re looking for an exclusive spot as secluded as Thassos itself, Villa Giannis is the perfect choice.
Zante
Zante has a fantastic reputation as being a great party destination. It’s also home to one of the most photographed beaches, with chalky white sands and turquoise blue waters. Zante has been nicknamed ‘The Flower of the East’, and with good reason. The island boasts a mild Mediterranean climate, rich vegetation and stunning mountain ranges dotted with traditional villages.
Naviago, also known as Shipwreck Beach, is only accessible by boat and has become one of the most renowned beaches in Greece. The water is a little cooler here, meaning you probably won’t want to stay submerged for too long, but the views are incredible and the sand particularly soft.
The towns of Argassi, Kalamaki and especially Laganas are where things get a little wild. In Laganas, there’s a much loved spot called Fishbowl, which, as the name suggests, serves fishbowl sized drinks to eagerly awaiting customers. If all those drinking games, bars set on fire and people dancing in cages have worn you out, you might want to head to Kalamaki, to Oceanic Chill Out Bar by the beach.
The all-inclusive Bitzaro Palace Hotel is in the perfect spot, just five minutes away from Kalamaki’s strip.
Going, going, GREECE!
If all this talk of Greek getaways has got you craving a beach holiday, check out our fantastic deals to the beautiful islands and mainland of Greece.
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