It's the islands of the northern Aegean. 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. Its reputation as 'the new Mykonos' is gathering pace; the narrow streets are quickly filling with boho shops, boutique . 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. The Spectacular Scenery of Santorini Island. It has a strong taste of anise and usually has 38 %, 40 %, 42 % or 49 % in alcohol percentage. and we've gone with Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes and Corfu as 5 of the most popular Greek islands. We only use healthy, natural and fresh ingredients in our cooking. Amorgos island is the 25th largest out of Greece's 6000 islands and one of the most authentic islands in the Cyclades. It's the place to be if you fancy a cosmopolitan getaway topped with some incredible beaches. I dont really care for nightlife. Located between its neighbouring islands, Ios and Folegandros, it's truly a hidden gem in the Aegean. Most of the buildings are made from marble instead of the traditional whitewash. The most beautiful Greek islands 21. Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Skiathos, Rhodes, Kefalonia, Zakynthos: from one end of the sea to the other, the Greek . But you can also drink it without water, and the nicer ouzo versions are very tasty and smooth. cluster off Greece's west coast, Zakynthos is the one . Why? 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. 1.1 SANTORINI. 6. Pine forests and pebble beaches await in Alonissos. The ancient islands of Crete and Rhodes boast fascinating cultural attractions, while idyllic Naxos and Samos are blessed with natural wonders. The country of Greece is one of the most popular summer holiday destinations in Europe. Zakynthos. Our extensive wine list features beautiful reds and whites from Monemvassia, a municipality on the Peloponnese peninsula of southern Greece. But to be fair, the Greek Islands in general are a dream place for many travelers seeking azure waters and sandy beaches. 1. Its close proximity to the coasts of Turkey and more . 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. Groups of worshippers and revelers start arriving in the late afternoon, by boat from Diafani or on foot from Avlona. Kos is also an excellent starting point for exploring the Dodecanese islands or neighboring Turkey. It is the third island of the Dodecanese for size and the second for population. Just strolling around the main port, the contemporary artist vibe is everywhere. Most beaches in Thassos are long and sandy with crystal clear waters and full services. Without a doubt one of the most romantic Greek Islands is Hydra. Thera 847 00, Greece Santorini is probably the most popular Greek Island. Contents 1 Lemnos 2 Ikaria 3 Ammouliani 4 Meganisi 5 Antiparos 6 Kythnos. . Milos is very beautiful because of its villages and beaches. Toby Hughes Islands. The. Contents hide. Chios, for untouched coastline Natural Feature Alonissos. Patmos. Samaria Gorge is one hour drive from Chania, Crete, Greece. Oia Village on Santorini Island. Kastraki, Meteora. 11. 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 most beautiful Greek island is a matter of opinion. A great opportunity for environmentalists is volunteering with sea turtles; Zakynthos offers many organisations where you can help protect these precious islands. The Greek territory encompasses 6000 islands and islets, of which 227 are inhabited. Afloat in the Aegean, east of the mainland, it is typically Cycladic with its blinding white houses, blue and pastel shutters and roofs. Taramosalata dip with Lagana bread for Greek Lent. 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. 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. Santorini. If you have only 5-6 days to go outside Athens it's very hard to pick out 1 or 2 islands. If you talk with a tourist they will immediately tell you "Ouuu. The remote island is definitely not for everyone. Answer (1 of 5): Which USA State is the most american? 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. Milos - Our Favorite Most Unspoilt Greek Island Milos Island, also known as the Island of Colors! The best beaches on Gavdos: Agios, Ioannis and Potamos. Kasos is unspoilt Greek island with incredible natural beauty, gorgeous sandy beaches, and whitewashed villages. 8. 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. With picturesque views of whitewashed cliffs overlooking the vast caldera, Santorini is a must-see location on your Greek Islands trip! Discover the Greek Islands Welcome Home It is no surprise that Greece counts around 30 million international visitors annually, most of whom choose the magnificent Greek islands for their holidays. 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. It's barely an island, with just 200m separating it from the Peloponnese. / Wikimedia Commons. Some people might say that Santorini is the most beautiful because of its unique landscape and Heavily wooded and fragrant, George Seferis described Poros as a 'sensual temptation, something lustful'. Hydra Island (or Ydra or Idra) is a stunning Greek island off the mainland coast. Evia island is easily reached by road or by ferry. We are staying in Athens and would like to take 5-6 days to see a couple of greek islands. 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. If you are seeking a smaller, more low-profile, culturally diverse island, Siros, about 78 nautical miles from Athens, is worth considering. 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. There is no shortage of magnificent ancient ruins to explore here either. What is the most traditional Greek island? With more than 5000 islands and islets floating in the seas, out of which 250 are inhabited, choosing which Greek islands to visit for an authentic experience might prove to be more complicated than you ever imagined.. Don't miss the Terrace of the Lions and the Delos Theatre. Answer 1 of 10: Me and my 2 adult children are going to greece for 10 days on April 30, 2011. 2. There are five main settlements on the island, with the one of Polis and the port bearing the ancient ruins of the past. Pretty Paros looks the quintessential Cycladic island with its turquoise seas, fresh beaches and gleaming white buildings made from local marble. Away from the coastline, the islands appeal with their traditional tavernas, fresh local food, historic sites, and nightlife. Amorgos is also called the island of the colors because of the magnificent colorful houses and villages. Authentic Ingredients Greek Islands is proud to import its own extra virgin olive oil, wine, cheeses, seafood, olives, herbs and spices directly from Greece. Elafonissi beach, famous for its pink sand, near Chania Town, Crete island, Greece. For example, Plaka is a beautiful small village with a lot of authentic Greek houses. 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. As you probably already know, the most popular Greek islands include Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Zakynthos -or Zante- and Crete. 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. 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 . The island is the most Catholic of the Greek Islands. . Evia produces some high quality white wine, particularly on Lilantio Plain near Halkida. I had the chance to travel to four of the 6,000 islands - Santorini, Corfu, Thassos and Tinos. 1. Well, that is thanks to its jewel-colored waters and the vivid buildings, all painted in Instgrammable primary tones. Chora was once built on several . It has some of the most picturesque coastal villages in Greece. The Ionian, Cyclades, Dodecanese and Sporades are chains with dozens of magical islands to choose from. Re: most authentic greek islands. Milos is part of the Cyclades islands, but it is much less famous than Santorini and Mykonos that also belong to this group. Dodecanese: . Most of the islands in Greece have kept their traditional charm and vibes. 1 Best Greek Islands for couples. 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 monastery of Panachantros is a great historical site to visit, but you can also sunbathe on their gorgeous sandy beach, Agios Petros. 1. Sikinos - The ultimate Cycladic island for a quiet holiday. 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. Best of the Greek islands for: character and lush landscapes Corfu is the It Girl of the Ionian islands. One of the most popular of the Ionian Island. Pyrgi is not the only historic treasure, the landscape is pocked with abandoned Byzantine villages. With lush green hillsides, beautiful gorgeous sandy beaches protected by huge cliffs, and a Unesco World Heritage designated old town area in Corfu City, you'll love this magical place, especially if you plan to visit Corfu with kids . Experience a more authentic Greek lifestyle on Folegandros, Sifnos, Serifos, Syros and Kythnos. Visit the popular cliff-top towns of Oia and Fira for the traditional, iconic view of Santorini's blue top buildings. And, most visitors to the island are Greek locals. Sikinos is one of the least known quiet Greek islands in the Cyclades, even among Greeks. With no cars or scooters, Hydra is also known as being the birthplace of the original bohemians including Leonard Cohen and . But all the islands have their own charms and beauty and every island has its passionate devotees who claim their island is the most beautiful in 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. Here are our top picks for the most authentic islands in Greece for you to add to explore on your next Greek adventure. If you're looking for a truly quiet Greek Island experience, Xyla beach, 15km west of Ioulida, is the most remote beach and is reached from a mule-track or by boat. In Greece, the culture of sharing small plates called meze is very strong. In my honest opinion, these are the cream of the crop! Our Top 5 Greek Islands with Stunning Beaches. 2. Poros is one of the closest islands to Athens and yet one of the most overlooked. 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. This spectacular archipelago is home to some of the most famous Greek islands such as Santorini, Naxos, Paros, and Mykonos. Seriously dear tourist, try to transition to traveler. Known as 'the most delicious Greek island,' according to Conde Nast Traveller, Sifnos is an island for foodies and creatives. It's small in size but packs many things to do for all visitors. 2. The cosmopolitan capital is a charming clash of Venetian, British and French colonial influences. In the past, the island prospered thanks to its shipping industry and reached a peak population of 16,000. Best Greek islands: forget Santorini and Mykonos - why you should book holidays to these top-rated isles instead; . 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 . Zakynthos. Santorini, Crete, and Corfu are widely considered the most beautiful and picturesque Greek islands. 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