Get inspired: Your guide to the 4 most popular Greek islands

History, beaches, fresh food—see why travelers fall in love with Greece’s islands (and you will too!)

Tours of the Greek islands have been attracting visitors long before Meryl Streep belted out disco tunes on their beaches—and for good reason. Each island is as unique and stunning as the next, meaning there’s no shortage of postcard-worthy sights, like the iconic whitewashed houses with bright blue roofs on Santorini and the picturesque windmills on Mykonos. But the islands are also home to ancient sites like that of Akrotiri—a Minoan Bronze Age settlement preserved under volcanic ash, known as the “Pompeii of the Aegean,” on Santorini, and even expansive citrus and olive groves on Corfu. The fact that they’re all so different and alluring makes the Greek islands unlike any other beach destinations in the world.

Check out more of the best Greek islands to visit ➝

Why Santorini is a popular Greek island to visit

Santorini is the place to go for some of the world’s most beautiful sunsets, which draw both visitors and locals nightly. The island sits atop a caldera, which means the dramatic volcanic landscape (think: black and red sand beaches and jagged cliff-lined shores) is illuminated in the colorful hues of the ever-changing rays before the sun sinks into the Aegean. Witness one sunset, and you’ll see why it’s easy to fall in love with Santorini.

The best things to do in Santorini

• Watch the sunset in Oia. Post up on the cliffs of the hilltop town of Oia for the quintessential Santorini experience: watching that iconic sunset.
• Swim at Kamari Beach and Red Beach. Both volcanic beaches are famous for either black sand (at Kamari), or red sand (you guessed it, at Red Beach), and both offer a completely different seaside setting from the soft golden sands you may be used to.
• Tour the ancient Akrotiri ruins. View the richly pigmented Bronze Age frescoes and other Minoan artifacts that survived a volcanic eruption in the 16th century B.C.

Looking for ways to spend your free time in Santorini? Check out this list ➝

Is Santorini your Greek island match?

• Traveler style: the romantic. While Santorini offers a variety of activities, its stunning sunsets against whitewashed buildings and black sand beaches make it ideal for romantics.
• Best time to visit: We recommend planning your Greek island trip to Santorini for late spring or early fall to enjoy the longer days and warm temperatures with fewer crowds.
• How long to stay on Santorini: Your length of stay on Santorini depends on what you’d like to do. On our A Week in Greece: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini, you’ll enjoy two nights on the island before heading to Crete. If you want more time, our The Greek Islands: Mykonos, Santorini & Crete tour gives you three nights on Santorini, comfortably sandwiched between its neighbor islands.

Ready to visit Santorini? Get our Santorini Travel Guide ➝

What makes Crete unforgettable

As the largest of the Greek islands, Crete has something for everyone—great beaches, beautiful hikes, and interesting history. It’s also considered the best Greek island to visit for foodies. Locally sourced olive oil, wine, tsikoudia (a local spirit), thyme honey, mountain herbs, and Cretan cheese made from sheep or goat’s milk can all be found here.

The best things to do in Crete

• Tour the Royal Minoan Palace at Knossos ruins. These ruins offer a look into what the island was like millennia ago, and visiting is one of the best things to do on the Greek islands for history buffs.
• Stroll through Chania’s Venetian Harbor. Add the Chania optional excursion to your The Greek Islands: Mykonos, Santorini & Crete tour and learn the history of this picturesque spot, which illustrates the island’s Venetian influences.
• Indulge in local cuisine and wine. Sip Greek wines while indulging in locally sourced, fresh foods like citrus, figs, eggplants, tomatoes, olives, octopus, sea urchin, and so much more.

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Is Crete your Greek island match?

• Traveler style: the foodie. Crete is undoubtedly the culinary capital of the Greek islands, making it an obvious choice for a stop on our Food of Greece: Thessaloniki, Athens & Crete tour.
• Best time to visit: Exploring ruins is more comfortable in cooler temperatures, which is why we recommend an off-peak trip to Crete in the late fall or early spring.
• How long to stay on Crete: Stay until your belly and your eyes are full—but we prefer a three-night stay on Crete, which is why our The Greek Islands: Crete & Santorini tour is our top choice.

Why Mykonos is a popular Greek island to visit

A longtime playground for jet-setters traveling the Greek islands, Mykonos has the ingredients for a good time: gorgeous beaches, bohemian-chic restaurants, and lots of options for nightlife and entertainment. We love Mykonos because it is all that glitz and glamour, balanced with tradition, Old Town charm, and beach culture.

The best things to do in Mykonos

• Wander Chora (aka Mykonos Town). Stroll through the labyrinthian streets, bursting with cafes and shops, to Little Venice—perched right alongside the Aegean and inspired by its Italian namesake.
• Take a day trip to Delos. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Sacred Cave, the Lion Terrace, and the House of Dionysus. (Add the Delos Cruise & Temple of Apollo excursion on our The Greek Islands: Mykonos, Santorini & Crete tour for a boat ride to the island and a guided tour.)
• Immerse yourself in the beach culture. Mykonos has some of the Greek islands’ best beaches. Head to Platys Gialos Beach for unbeatable views, Paradise Beach for a lively bar scene, or Fokos Beach for a more secluded setting.

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Is Mykonos your Greek island match?

• Traveler style: the glamorous beachgoer. While Mykonos has plenty of history and delicious food to dig into, it’s a must for anyone who loves golden-sand beaches and cerulean waters.
• Best time to visit: Embrace the crowds on Mykonos in the summer—it enhances the social, beach club vibe. (Or, go in the off-peak months between April and May or October and November for a quieter trip.)
• How long to stay on Mykonos: Two nights on the island is the perfect amount of time, as we do on our A Week in Greece: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini tour. In that time, you’ll get a full day of sightseeing highlights like the windmills and Little Venice. Plus, an entire free day to either explore alone or head to Delos for a guided optional excursion.

What makes Corfu unforgettable

Corfu’s European influence floods into its museums, palaces, cultural institutions, and cuisine. (That means that alongside traditional Mediterranean specialties, you’ll find ginger beer, English breakfast, and Middle Eastern kumquat liqueur.) Those European influences distinguish it from its neighbors, making it one of the best Greek islands to visit.

The best things to do in Corfu

• Explore Corfu’s Old Town. This UNESCO-recognized area is known for labyrinthine streets and elegant archways that open up to Liston, a charming arcade inspired by Paris’ Rue de Rivoli and lined with restaurants and boutiques. Join our Greece’s Ionian Islands: Athens, Kefalonia & Corfu tour to explore the town on a guided tour.
• Tour Achilleion Palace. Built by Empress Elisabeth or “Sissi” as a refuge from her tragic life in Vienna, this palace is an homage to Greek history and mythology. Join our Greece’s Ionian Islands: Athens, Kefalonia & Corfu tour, to enjoy an included trip to the pristine, historic grounds.
• Taste the local flavors. Corfu’s distinctive cuisine, influenced by Italian traditions, kumquat products, and fresh seafood, makes it a can’t-miss fusion of flavors for any foodie (or hungry visitor!).

Is Corfu your Greek island match?

• Traveler style: culture vulture. With its blend of different cultures that influence everything from the food to the architecture, Corfu is ideal for anyone who enjoys seeing cultural influences, especially several in one place.
• Best time to visit: For the warmest weather, visit Corfu in the summer. For fewer crowds and cooler weather that’s best for exploring outdoors, we recommend going between May and June or September and October.
• How long to stay on Corfu: Two nights on Corfu, as on our Grand Tour of Greece: Athens, Corfu & Santorini, is the perfect amount of time to explore, admire, and dine before cruising back to the mainland for even more adventures.

• Getting around the islands: While each island varies, people use everything from bikes to cars, taxis, and scooters to get around. With us, you won’t have to worry about transportation on or between islands, though—it’s all included in your tour. (Yes, even those intimidating ferry rides!)
• Terrain and accessibility: Because these islands are ancient, they’re mainly walkable via uneven, cobblestone streets, with hillside villages accessible by stone stairs. So, pack comfortable walking shoes with a good grip (and your step counter!).
• Currency and costs: Greece uses the euro, and many businesses will accept credit cards, too. Costs go down during off-peak travel seasons, so consider the time of year for traveling on a budget.
• Cultural etiquette: The Greek islands enjoy a relaxed pace, so lean into the no-rush, no-stress vibes. It’s also customary to say “kalimera” (meaning “good day”) as a greeting—trust us, the warm locals will appreciate the effort.