Best Greek Island
 

Hello fellow travelers!
I am planning a 4 or 5 night trip to Greece to meet a friend this September. I'm coming from Israel, she's coming from Switzerland. We want to spend 2 days/1 night in Athens exploring the antiquities, but we also want to go to an island for 3 or 4 days. Neither of us has been there although we're both well traveled.

Santorini, Crete and Mykonos get the most attention...I've heard that Santorini has the iconic pictures and is the most touristy. Crete is larger and lusher with more options but not the best beaches.

A friend has suggested Hydra, as it's close to the mainland with good beaches (not our primary reason to go) and things to see and do.

We are willing to island hop or not - please help me out...which islands are your favorite and why?!

Thanks in advance!

With 3-4 days I would suggest picking one island and staying there. It makes no sense wasting time to get from one island to another in that short of a period of time. Time is money when you travel and spending more time getting from one island to another is not worth it for the amount of time you have.

There are numerous Greek Islands to visit. Many islands are lovely, picturesque, traditional or over-the-top touristy like Santorini/Mykonos, while Crete can give you a good combination of both. However, it's the largest island in Greece and deserves weeks to fully experience and explore.

That leaves small islands like Sifnos, Milos, Naxos, Amorgos, Tinos, Aegina, Skyros and many others. September will be off season, especially later in the month so there'll be less tourists, lower prices and still nice weather.


My favorite islands are Sifnos, Milos, Naxos, Amorgos, Tinos, Astypalea, Crete, Ikaria, Skyros and a number of others I've researched that fit my needs (culture, history, archeological sites, traditional, great food and less touristy). However, you have to decide what's right for you.

I would check out Matt's Greek Island Guide for help:

http://www.greektravel.com/greekislands/

Naxos.

The best island is the one that has the attributes you are looking for. Hydra is not noted for good beaches at all, while Crete has many, so you got that wrong way round. What sort of things are you interested in doing? Do you want an island that has good nightlife?

No island in Greece is more than an hour from Athens by air, so if you fly distance is immaterial. That opens up distant islands like Rhodes, Corfu, and Skiathos.

If you want a mix of good beaches, vibrant nightlife, and things to see, you could do worse than Mykonos. It has the most beautiful town in the Cyclades, and the archaeological site of Delos a 30 minute boat ride away. September is a great time for Mykonos!

Naxos gets lots of hype on this forum, but Paros is just as good, and an hour closer to Athens by ferry. It has a new airport, with more flights and larger aircraft.

I like Corfu and Skopelos.


They are lusher than Mykonos and Santorini. I think Mykonos and Santorini are too arid. They look like desert islands. Their beauty is overhyped.


Crete has the best beaches such as Elafonissi beach.

Great responses so far, just as I'd hoped!

We are sticking to Athens and one island.

We are looking for a mix of hiking, ancient historical sites (which we'll get in athens as well), beaches, and un-touristy places with more typical island life than what might be found in Santorini. Nightlife is less important although we're up for that too.

It is interesting that among the many islands mentioned, no one picked Hydra...any particular reason?

"Naxos gets lots of hype on this forum..."

Not sure I'd call it "hype", just one we who have been there like. On the other hand, I'd certainly accept the comparison aspect of Heimdall's post. I've never been to Paros so would take his word for it.

I just threw Naxos into the mix because I do like it very much. But the trouble with asking for the best of anything on a forum is that, like with my so-called recommendation, I haven't been everywhere, nor have most people who post. I suppose it can be useful for narrowing things down but don't neglect independent research to find a good fit, unless you're content to spend your time & money going to a stranger's favorite island that may or may not be yours.

I don't know much about Hydra. It's a popular day trip from Athens due to its proximity. Looks beautiful, though.

Madame Perdu, exactemente!

on the other hand, people's passion is infectious and this is certainly part of my research!

I like Naxos, and I have been there several times, but always go back to Paros and Antiparos, where I have been going for over 20 years now.

Although Naxos is a larger island, most of it is little developed, and nearly everyone seems to end up in the small beach strip between Naxos Town and Plaka. Naxos has more mountain villages, and a better glimpse of traditional Greek life when you get away from the beaches.

Paros has resorts around the entire perimeter of the island, and several villages in the interior, including the beautiful Lefkes. Another island, Antiparos, is separated from Paros by a narrow one mile strait, so you get 'two islands for the price of one'.

There are many small uninhabited islets and sea caves around Paros, which are visited by tour boats. The one in the following YouTube video is based on Antiparos, but picks up passengers at Pounta on Paros: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2b8nzBEWKo

I think it makes no sense to skip Mykonos and Santorini on a first visit to the Greek islands. They are famous for a reason. Start with the classics. Discover other islands on future visits.

absolutely if this is your first trip ...one island you need to experience Santorini and stay in Oia not Fira. Simply the most beautiful spot anywhere and so unique. I can't imagine going anywhere else. My advice would be different for a second or third visit.

I've been to Hydra twice. It's very pretty and has no cars or trucks. Donkeys act as trucks and carry the loads. It also has at least one traditional windmill.

But I've only daytripped there as it's an easy jaunt from Athens. I would assume most of the other visitors are daytrippers.

Coming from the Argolid peninsula on the Peloponnese, we did a daytrip to the island of Spetses. It is infested with noisy vespas; we left by the next boat. A contrast from Hydra.

I wonder how many of the other islands have this issue. Didn't seem to be a problem on Santorini.

I feel like I'm selfishly denying the locals their cheap and convenient transportation. But surely there should be something of the past preserved somewhere....

I was on Santorini a couple years ago. It's very picturesque, I took a ton of photos. But it is absolutely stuffed with tourists. Oia, while the most beautiful of the villages, is also now very sleek and polished (total contrast with what it was 20 years ago, when it was rustic and charming), and it doesn't seem like anyone really lives there any more - it's all hotels, restaurants, and shops. I spent two days there and said, I'm never coming back. YMMV.

I'll put in a plug for Rhodes, which has it all - beaches, charming medieval walled town, castle/palace, whitewashed villages, classical age and medieval ruins, lots of character and charm. It's a larger island, though nowhere near as large as Crete, and you can see a lot in three days.

I value your opinion, artsnletters, and have been wondering about Rhodes vs Crete. It sounds like Rhodes might be the one.

Mme Perdu, if you have a shorter period, Rhodes might be it. Rhodes Old Town can be wonderful, if you find a place to stay away from the 'main drag" and near to the ancient walls... then you'll be out of the onrush of the daily cruise crowds. Don't miss the walk on the top of the walls ... daily in high season, and selected days in shoulder season. Also, a walk to the Acropolis of Rhodes, also known as Monte Smith's hill -- http://www.faliraki-info.com/rhodes-map.htm -- ruins of a temple, a stadium etc... about 1/2 mile thru a sort of suburban neighborhood. Lindos is a day-trip... you can take a bus, in high season a boat excursion, or drive. VERY crowded going up to its acropolis, and most of the ruins are fake-restored, but the view is lovely. A swim in Lindos bay is warm even in chilly may elssewhere. If you do drive, you can see most of the island highlights in a day or so.

MmePerdu, if you would like a hotel rec in the old town but not on the main drag (I agree, you don't want to be there), I highly recommend the Medieval Inn:

http://www.medievalinn.com/

Very reasonably priced. It's fairly simple, but the breakfast is to die for and the owners will treat you like long-lost relatives. I absolutely loved my stay there.

Thanks for recommendation. It looks pretty perfect. If you booked a single, what size bed were you given? I see lots of twin beds, not my favorite.

I got a double. I suppose it would depend when you are there - I was there in May and there were only a handful of other guests. You could always make a request.

Rooms usually have TWO twin beds OR a double bed... you can request the latter. Ask for the upper floor... lighter & airier... the patio level rooms can be stuffy. I stayed there when it was called the Pink Elephant ... it is delightfully away from the busy parts. You would take taxi to St. Francis gate & then phone hotelier to come with a baggage trolley.

Thanks ladies. Not this year, already committed. But I've been thinking of a larger Greek island for several years and it's always easier to make it real when I have a particular destination in front of me.

I don't travel in summer, saw my first island a while back in the fall. Any recommendation of spring over fall? Probably May or October.

I can't speak to October, but I was there in May and it was very summery weather, but not too busy. There was a cruise ship or maybe two in port, not too bad. The main street was pretty busy but not swamped, but the rest of the old town was pretty peaceful. Kind of all the advantages of summer and none of the disadvantages.

And really hot, just comfortably warm.

It looks like the weather in May and in October is pretty similar. Sounds good.

*not* really hot

We knew.

:)

Difference between May & October are both climatic and scenic, and ambience ... I've traveled in May and in Late September in Greece, and much prefer May for these reasons:

• In May, the rains are over, but the greenery still abounds even on the drier islands, air is very fresh & breezy. By Mid-Sept, Greece has gone FOUR full months without rain, and the landscape is brownish, even on the greener isles and downright dusty on the others.

• In May, the water is "Brisk" but swimmable, in late Sept of course, the water is warm... but I tend not to like the bathwater feeling.

• In May, everythings opening, nothings crowded, the Greeks are refreshed, and welcoming the season, out painting their houses, their boats, the lines between the flagstone on the pathways, plenty of time to chat. By contrast, in Late sept., Greek islanders have coped with two months of HUGE EuroMobs, NOT independent travelers like us, but too many rowdy "holidaymakers"... and they're a little burnt-out. They are still hospitable of course! its in the DNA, but they're already getting on with their lives, kiddies back in school, going to Athens for dental appts, closing up shops etc. Somewhat the feeling you get at a restaurant when your group stays late, then u look around, and the staff is mopping the floor & putting chairs up on tables & you realize, I stayed Too Long at the Fair.

• Another thing - In May I always feel I get a day & a half of holiday every day, because the sun doesn't set until nearly 9 .... yet in late Sept, early Oct., it's about 7 pm and gets dark quickly.

• One last thing, if you do like to ramble around ruins, and take in museums etc, in May they are open longer. They're supposed to stay open thru October but in many recent years, with staff cuts, they've gone early to off-season hours & close at 3.

May sounds like just the time. And it's when I'm used to going to Europe so will seem natural to me in that regard. I like the sound of the green.

The first time I had a month-long stay in Mexico it was in October, the month there just after the rain and it was beautiful. Next time was in February which equates to October in Greece, 4 months since it rained. That settles it.

Thanks travelerjan.

Hello, my favorit island is Thassos it is in the north of Greece. In Thasos, you will find nice beaches, with blue crystal water (you can find this on marble beach), natural pool (search on google for "Giola Thassos Greece"), water sports: Bodyboarding, Jet Skiing, Wakeboarding, Flyboard, Parasailing etc. (golden beach). A lot of ruins like Acropolis and Temple of Athena , and the prices are not high, wherever you eat you will find very very very good food.

See more about this beautifull island https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUxD93N2_xc

My favorites are Rhodes, Corfu and Crete. All offer lots of attractions and are big enough to have a nice off season atmosphere. I like traveling in October/November or April.

I notice the OP hasn't left any trail marks since July, and no one really answered her question. Hydra is delightful, but for a first time visitor, is a bit small-ish, and a bit too much rustic, for many visitors, which is why it is ideal for day-trippers or single night stays. If THAT is what you are looking for, it is fine. But I would never recommend it as THE one island for a 1st time visitor.

Again, Sept on Mykonos would be delightful, and gets my vote, with above recommendations for Rhodes and Crete as back-up good recs. Recognize that Crete is a BIG Island, so the conflicting recommendations reflect the fact that Crete contains both EXCELLENT locations, and YUCKY locations, simply by virtue of it's size. I would never give credence to reports of a bad experience in Crete to sway my decision. That would be like someone saying they found bad Mexican food in LA . . . So? Just takes a bit more homework.

thanks docdan1 for bringing it back in focus for me (although i'm not sure what "OP" stands for...)

your points (all y'all!) are really informative and thought provoking. my travel partner was pretty sold on Hydra by a greek friend, so that's where we're headed, with days trip/hikes planned nearby. i agree that it looks a bit small, but we are independent and i think it'll whet my appetite for a return visit to other isles. what i DO like is how close the trip from athens will be, so less travel time, more traveler time!

OP = Original Poster ... Part of leftover "in" abbreviations from Fodor FOrum Past ... I usually only employ it if earlier in the message I spell it out.

Other FodorThingies that thankfully have faded away (partly because folks like me giggle in print) are things like "DH" (dear husband) "DD" (Dear daughter), "DS" (Dear son) ... when it got to DS-In-L it was a Bridge too Far - and users got twitted. Most now settle for initials of trip companions.

Hello!

Plenty of the Greek Islands could be considered as "the best", it all comes down to what it should be best for...

If you are looking for luxury vacation then it is one of the following: Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Rhodes, Crete.

If you are looking for a romantic escape:
Santorini, Milos, Folegandros, Symi, Paxoi, Koufonisi.

If you are travelling solo: Mykonos, Paros, Rhodes, Santorini, Folegandros. Safe choices are big islands, like Crete, Samos and Kefalonia.

If you are looking to visit the islands on a yacht charter:
Rhodes, Kefalonia, Mykonos, Milos, Serifos

If you are going Greek Island Hopping then it is definetely the most famous of the Cyclades: Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, Amorgos, Mykonos ( www.hostelbay.com/ferries )

Hostelbay2016 is a spammer, using multiple screen names to promote the same website.

I'm no expert, since we made our first trip to Greece and the islands 2 years ago . . . early October.

That said, what Heimdall wrote I would agree with:

"If you want a mix of good beaches, vibrant nightlife, and things to see, you could do worse than Mykonos. It has the most beautiful town in the Cyclades, and the archaeological site of Delos a 30 minute boat ride away. September is a great time for Mykonos!"

We LOVED the fact that Mykonos could be combined with a half day in Delos -- and Delos, OMG, it is such a seriously cool archaeological site where you could touch it and be up close to it.

And so much fun on Mykonos, from sunning and swimming and drinking too much.