Shawna LevetThough the country of Greece has 6000 islands sprinkled throughout the Aegean and Ionian Seas, only 227 are inhabited. (Are you now looking up how to buy yourself an uninhabited Greek island?) If you’re not ready to buy yourself a private island in Greece, consider visiting one of the other beautiful, inhabited islands and take a day trip to a remote beach! With so many incredible destinations to visit, we are breaking down some of the specific attractions of the most popular Greek islands to help you narrow down your options.
Santorini
Santorini is an obvious choice for a first-time visit to Greece. You will instantly recognize the view of the caldera villages with the sun setting over the tranquil sea. Santorini is known for grapes. With the dry, windy climate, grapevines are often trellised into a wreath shape to protect the grapes from the elements as they grow into a maturity. A vineyard tour is an excellent way to pass your time while visiting this island. If you’re looking for iconic views, a wonderful culinary scene, and a dazzling nightlife, look no further than Santorini. The downsides will be the price is a little steeper than on other islands, and the crowds.
Corfu
If Santorini is known for the grape, Corfu is known for the kumquat. This wonderful, little citrus fruit first arrived in Corfu around the 19th century when the island was under Venetian rule. The kumquat thrived in the particular conditions of Corfu It has since become a cultural symbol, used widely in the local cuisine and even medicinally. The lush, verdant island of Corfu is also home to some of the finest architecture in Greece. Here you can see the influences of British, Venetian, and French architecture throughout the island.
Naxos
If you like beach activities, Naxos is the island for you! Naxos is famous for long, sandy beaches, and lots of wind which makes it the perfect place for activities such as windsurfing and kitesurfing. When you’re not hitting the waves, you can scope out all the fabulous architecture that Naxos has to offer. Naxos architecture has distinct Venetian influences. There are many churches, monasteries, temples, and castles. Check out this deserted monastery, the Temple of Apollo, or the Naxos Chora, considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in the Cyclades.
Milos
When it comes to natural beauty, it’s really hard to pick a favorite. Each one has charms of its own. But if we were pressed to pick one, the island of Milo might just be that one. It has been described by some as the “most photogenic” of the Greek islands. With otherworldly rock formations, cliffs sparkling with color, and the bluest water you’ve ever seen, it’s a wonder this beautiful island hummed under the tourist radar for so long. Milos is abounding with natural and manmade wonders. And let’s not forget that this is the discovery place of the infamous Venus de Milo.
Ithaca
Sunny Ithaca! The long-awaited home of Greek hero Odysseus, from Homer’s Odyssey, is part of the Ionian island group. Abounding in lush vegetation and tranquil beaches, it’s hard to imagine even a legendary character leaving Ithaca in the first place. If you’re a bit traveled out from your other journeys, this may be the place to stop and rest a while. Ithaca moves at a slower pace. The poet C.P. Cavafy said it best, “Keep Ithaca always in your mind. Arriving there is what you are destined for. But do not hurry the journey at all.”
Patmos
If you are familiar with the story of the Apostle, John, you may know that later in his life he was exiled by the Roman government for preaching. Patmos was his place of exile! It was here he had visions of the end of the world, and wrote them down in the Book of Revelation. Today, Patmos attracts a unique blend of religious tourists and high end luxury visitors arriving on yachts. As one of the more difficult-to-reach islands, only deep convictions or great wealth put Patmos on the top of the list.
