1slandHopper

Hi all- I am a 26 year old female (unmarried, no kids) who frequents Greece (usually islands) just about every summer and I am looking for a new island to visit this September (first week of sept). I have been to Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, and Rhodes multiple times but would like to try a new spot. I am looking for an island with beautiful beaches, decent nightlife, and accessible by plane since this year I only have 8 nights to spend there. I will stay on the same island all 8 nights.

I was considering Skiathos. But I am looking for other suggestions or if you've been to Skiathos, would you recommend it? My vacations are typically spent sleeping in til noon, sipping cold cocktails on a beach all afternoon, and evening hours out for long dinners and ending the night with a drink or two (or three ) at a cafe or bar with good tunes and good vibes (I don't need crazy nightlife, but I'm also not opposed to it). This trip I'm mainly seeking beaches with that turquoise water and light sand. Sounds like a silly request, but as many of you know, Greek island beaches are very diverse and range from the gorgeous Elafonisi to the black sand of Perissa).

Thanks for all input and opinions. My budget is pretty open. I like to splurge ***IF*** a hotel or restaurant is worth splurging on, if not, I love a good deal and I value quality--which could be a small, charming family run b&b type spot, -or- a sexy boutique hotel if it has good reviews. Thanks guys

jamikins

Have you considered Naxos? We spent a lovely week there in 2011! We liked that it didn't have cruises docking and seemed more real than some if the other really touristy places like Santorini or Mykonos.

Pics here http://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gir...7627668851905/

WWK

Or Paros... Golden Sunshine Beach is one of the prettiest beaches I've seen in Greece so far. And there's plenty to do on the island especially if you'll have a car. We stayed in Nauossa, a beautiful port city (really town?) with plenty of good restaurants, boutiques, some nightlife. If you need a real scene, or more nightlife, take a look at Parikia, the much busier port city on the other end of the island.

clausar

I can only recommend Skiathos, which is a small but beutiful island that has everything you are looking for....

Great sandy beaches, a nice town with good nightlife, great restaurants, and a variety of hotels.

Skiathos has enough beaches for a 8 days stay, so that you could visit a different one every day plus youdepending on the time that you will be there, there might be excursions to nearby Skopelos, the famous Mamma Mia island....

Chania

I loved the island of Karpathos. Some really great beaches. I want to return to the town of Lefkos. Great beaches on the island. As far as night life, probably the main town has it but I was off season so didn't experience it. Direct flights from northern Europe such as Amsterdam bring in many European tourists. Can get there by ferry from Crete or Rhodes or fly from Athens. A great Greek experience. Visiting the village of Olympos was a highlight of my trip.

mariha2912

For something less discovered but still great, I strongly suggest Lemnos.

TravelingSeeker

Skiathos is a wonderful island. But keep in mind Corfu(more relaxing) and Paros(suitable for party kind vacation) as well.

travelerjan

Since nightlife seems important be aware that on many islands, even early in September, things begin to slow down. Of course it roars on in Mykonos/Santorini but u have been there. I would second the suggestion of Paros ... Naoussa is charming (tho it sometimes strikes me as a bit of a Potemkin village, no longer a 'fishing village' despite the boats in harbor). Does have those restaurants & I guess night life. One problem -- best beaches not walkable from there, & bus system radiates from Parikia.

Naxos (my favorite) may delight u, if you get right beach & lodging. Ag. Prokopios is top beach for swims in september, may still have night-life Sept 1 -8, and some restaurants. There is certainly plenty of dining/nightlife still, in the port town & the local busses run until 11 pm. In Ag. Prokopios, my pick is http://www.lianastudios.gr/introduction.html or Lagos Mare - http://www.lagosmare.gr/naxos-greece.html ... bus stop right near both. If u are OK with a shallow beach for walks & sunbathe (take a bus for swim-day at an outer beach), then the perfect lodging place is Ag. Giorgios beach, directly adjacent to Naxos Town, just a 10 min stroll to cafes, restaurants, clubs, shopping etc. Check Hotel Asteria, BEST central spot on beach... also Villa Naxia. Here's a wonderful pic intro to Naxian hi-lites by a Fodor's regular: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...5629689/page2/

1slandHopper

Thank you for all of your suggestions! I am going to continue to do my research on the islands that you have suggested. They all sound like places I need to experience. Every greek island is so unique in its own ways and I think that's why it's so easy to fall in love with Greece.

stanbr

Just saw this thread. The link on Jans post for Naxos doesn't seem to be working. You have to hit the slideshow icon for the images to appear.
Not sure what is wrong but I will provide another link hopefully that works better.
Wouldn't want you to make a decision without seeing Naxos images.
Trip around Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7634605629689/

gogogreece

Until recently my husband and I have also been yearly travelers to Greece due to our age and the higher expense to do so. We plan on going every two years now. We find the green islands more preferable, but we lost count of the times we have been there after we hit numbers 30! Extra special for us as he speeks fluent Greek.

Your original email mentioned Skiathos. It has everything you described, and if you visited a different beach or two each day, you would just scratch the surface. The night life is perfect for a gal of your age, and even could be somewhat more sophistacated tnan the Cyclades. We do enjoy Naxos, and this Fodors' site certainly concentrates on its pleasures.

The entire Sporides chain is delightful, and a day trip to Skopolos will afford you even more beaches to explore! The beaches are exquisite, with white sand. The bus transport on both islands is exceptional and frequent to the beaches. Early September is perfect weatherwise. Towards the third week things start to slow down. We spent the last two weeks of September there last year. When the transport went to limited schedule on September 30 we decided to leave a week early. It is not as easy to access from Athens than the other island chains. That could be a negative for you unless a flight was schedualed on you arrival to the airport.

Naxos beaches are lovely too, and we prefer Plaka beach and that area to stay in over the port area. Easy enough access to port by bus, and in September it is delightful there.

Have fun planning. You will enjoy whereever you chose.

michaelmorrison

You might consider also Kos, it's such a great island.