You’ve decided to take a trip to Greece, but there are so many beautiful destinations to go to and only so much time. How do you decide which islands to visit, or how long to stay at each one unless you’ve already been? Planning out the perfect Greek adventure doesn’t have to be overwhelming, as long as you do some prep work and research to find out which islands suit your vacation wants and needs. Here are the best Greek islands to visit if you only have a short amount of time on your trip.
Santorini
Of course, what Greek trip is complete without even a quick visit to the island of Santorini? It’s a popular destination for a reason. With the most spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea juxtaposed with the crisp, white architecture, how could you skip this island? Even if you’re not travelling as a couple for a romantic getaway—of which this island is jam-packed full of—you can appreciate the breathtaking sights and absolutely stunning sunsets you’ll see every evening.
Paros
Another popular island for couples, Paros is a great choice to celebrate the romance with your partner. There are plenty of plenty of luxury villas in Paros as well if you want to splurge and really treat yourselves. Unlike Santorini, which is perfect for honeymooners, Paros has a much more lively nightlife scene so if you want to go into the cities and enjoy local culture, this is a good island to do it on. There’s also trendy shopping and wonderful local food, so you can see why this is one of the best Greek islands to visit.
Mykonos
This party hardy, gay-friendly, uber popular island is a must-visit if you’re looking to let loose and a have a wild time. Known as the Ibiza of Greece, the island of Mykonos is known for its nightlife, dance clubs, and exciting beach parties that last all night. When you aren’t living your best life with a cocktail in each hand, you can find lots of cute shops, amazing restaurants serving only the best local food, and enjoy spectacular beaches before night falls and they turn rowdy. If you want to see more than just one island, consider island-hopping; many Greece vacations packages combine Mykonos with other islands such as Crete and Santorini to give you a multi-centre holiday!
Naxos
Want some time just to relax and unwind on a beach? Naxos is the place to be. Since the west coast of the island is mostly one long white sandy beach, how could you say otherwise? Enjoy stunning views and crystal clear turquoise blue water. The island also gets some good wind if you’re interested in water sports like kitesurfing and windsurfing, so why not give those a try too?
Crete
If history is your reason for traveling to Greece, you can’t skip out on the island of Crete. While there are other great reasons to visit Crete, like the perfect, white sandy beaches, the history tops all. The diverse history and dramatic landscape make for a magical atmosphere. Learn about the vast number of Greek legends that are home to Crete, or explore the castles, fortified villages, old churches, and other important landmarks any history buff would trip over themselves to see. When you’ve gotten your fill of history—if ever—the beautiful nature and hiking trails await.
