Serifos is of my favourite islands, and I cannot be objective as I have spent some summers there working locally. But, we have to wait!!! Also,If you are visiting Greece on June or September then you add Ios island (i tend to avoid this). But other than that I think it would be fine. Im looking at the Cyclades because I fancy a couple of days in Mykonos and Santorini but am open to any and all ideas and this. Do the ferrys change much in price booking on the day/ booking in advance? But you can also check Syros and Tinos! Its my first holiday as a singleton. It has great mainland with traditional villages and great culture. Naxos has similar characteristics but note that it is larger and more mountainous than Paros. Koufonisi is a great choice. It has fantastic beaches, and you can do snorkelling and hiking (less options). It has picturesque villages, great beaches and also many different option for activities, like water sports, hiking etc. I havent done it myself, but I think if you select the flight in sky express website, it shows you if for both legs you are going to fly with the same aircraft or not. Spetses is a good choice as it has an easy access from Athenas, it has a nice vibe and good beaches (not amazing, but good). Donousa is getting more popular lately but I think it has kept its character and authenticity. Hi hubby and I are wanting to go island hopping over 3 weeks next year. We hired a car an explored together we loved it! There are several things that you can do in Ios. hopping It is not for everyone taste as it is very small and it looks from another older era. Many thanks for your advice. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Instead I skipped them altogether, and went to Igoumenitsa and then Athens. Mykonos (find our dedicated post here!) It is quite large though. the best hotels and apartments in the area. And it is a way to move to the next destination which is Koufonisia. Really hoping to go on a boat tour and travel around and swim, snorkel most of the time. And last and probably best is Patmos. Poros is a little bit different from the other island with more options, and you can get there by car through Peloponnese and pass thereby small boats. Let me know if you need anything else Megan. You can spend a couple of days there and then you can visit Kalymnos, which is one of the best destinations in Europe for climbing! What a plan! Alternatively, if you are in Paxos then you can go to Igoumenitsa port on the mainland. Does anyone try this before? Delos is not an island that you can stay there as it is an archaeological site and it is designated as a Unesco World Heritage site. Then, from there, you can get the bus to Lefkada and then another bus to Nydri. The Ionian Islands or Eptanisa (in Greek). My friend and I (early 30s) want to island hope from Kastelorizo all the way to Athens this summer (August). We want to relax and have a local experience. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Ihave three weeks but dont want to rush ,also do i get tested at each island? We are only staying for a week and are wondering which islands we should visit. The only issue is that you have many options!! If you are going at the beginning of October you wont have many issues on the islands as quite few of the shops/restaurants will be open! So, I will say Paros should be one of the islands as it has some nice hiking options and many water sports options like Golden Beach, Santa Maria and Monastiri. Now, Santorini is a place that during pre covid era you should have pre-booked it 6-9 months before as it is one of the most famous islands in the world and it gets really really busy! We were looking specifically at Rhodes, Kos and surrounding islands, but would like to start in Athens, if possible. My partner and I are planning to visit some Greek islands for around 7-10 days during the first 2 weeks of October this year. And last, Serifos might be a good choice. This picturesque island will provide you with remote beaches, great food and unique moments. Also, some yachting holidays seem not to be actually sailing (motor powered mainly) Do you know of any companies to recommend and/or island groups to focus on. Wow the advice you are offering is so helpful, thank you so much! My 1st and only trip to Greece was 2 years ago was and visited: Kos>Kalynmos>Telendos>Paros>Naxos. Naxos is large island, but you can stay at the main town where you can visit some lovely beaches nearby. I would also be interested in a sailboat cruise from Athens to multiple islands, but not sure what my options would be as a solo traveler in October. Last island that you might visit, can be Ios which normally I do not recommend it, as at some areas gathers too much massive young tourism but for middle of May it would be very nice. Just bear in mind that the weekend from 10-13 is a long weekend in Greece (Monday is a bank holiday), so the ferries on Friday and Monday would be quite full. Kos This island is very touristy but still it has a great history as it is the birthplace of Hippocrates, the so-called father of medicine! I want to spend a two or three days in Athens (sites of historical interest) and visit two Islands for three or four days each. I am leaving 3-4 days for Athens. If you need any other help or guidance, just let me know Steph. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Now, you could also go first to the most remote island of the 3 of them, which is Milos and then get closer to Athens to Paros and Mykonos, but I dont think it will make a lot of difference! There are also some small and uninhabited islands that you can visit! We made sure there was an airport at the first and last stop and the rest was island hopping inbetween! Then, there are other islands less famous and not so developed like the aboves, like. My friend would like beaches and I historical sites. Thanks again for the great advice! Finally, the car tickets can be taken, but this concerns you only if you get your car with you on the ferry, which I think it is not a case for you. And, in my old age, the accommodation needs to be charming, traditional, and comfortable 4*+ boutiques. I am here to help as much as I can! I think you all have great time and you will totally love it! That should be an amazing trip Deithi! They are quite small, so dont expect big hotels and resorts. Thanks . It has amazing beaches and you can walk to every beach on foot (5-40). Skiathos is more vivid with more nightlife, great beaches and beautiful nature. Thanks so much for your tips, theyve been really, really helpful. You can start with Athens and then Mykonos, Santorini and Milos sound like a great choices. You can do the route Milos Ios Koufonisia and you can fly back again from Naxos (which is next to Koufonisia) Or fly to Rhodes then Symi Nisyros Astypalaia. One would be Sporades. They might not have the best beaches in Greece but I think you feel the Greek culture (especially in Amorgos.). If you need some extra information, just write us an email! ferry greek islands santorini greece ferries map travel island mykonos route crete isles kendall ken doll vacation cruise Literally the most adventurous weve ever been and didnt even know where to start. Note also that beginning of April is quite early in the season and most of the shops on the islands arent open yet and the weather isnt great usually. folegandros island greek hopping itineraries europe church chora navin75 flickr fodors Hi, I am islanding hopping soon in the cyclades. fourni map greek island fournoi maps greece islands aegean north ikaria forgotten synopsis Ionian islands I think is perfect for beginners as usually the winds are quite smoother than some other areas in Greece and you can find beautiful beaches. Saying that I would ask you if you are going to visit Greece at the beginning of September or at the end. For now, there are no special restrictions for ferries and islands, but this might change. Im looking to go Greek Island hopping as a solo female traveller (20s) for a month between mid June Mid July. Here you can find the iconic white houses with blue coloured windows (or at least at most of Cyclades islands!). is famous for its fantastic nightlife and beaches. Amorgos is an island with wild beauty and with one of the most beautiful, traditional central villages (Chora). And you dont need to book ferries. Can you see multiple islands this way? great and many beaches and good nightlife with nice bars and few clubs. Wow! I just recommend it lastly, as it is not so famous and you might prefer to visit more well-known islands. We love food and less touristy places. I have loved reading all of this blog, its so helpful and made me so excited. Naxos. Do you have any question about the Greek Island Hopping? These are for travellers that prefer wilder and quiet places and experiences. Now saying that I just want to highlight that August is the peak of the season and everything will be overcrowded and more expensive than other months. You should organise the trip very well before and pre-book all the hotels. Do you have any recommendations about which islands and cities we should visit? If you are interested in sailing in that area we can recommend one company that we have used in the past and we were very pleased. What I loved most were the wonderful traditional Greek tavernas, the village squares, the hiking, the bakeries, the sovlaki, the retsina. Also, the case that you might have issues with ferry bookings are Friday or Sundays when Athenians book tickets for weekend breaks. You can check our mini-guide here and our recommendation about the best places to stay! Dont hesitate to ask me whatever you need to know! You are welcome! Especially the mainland villages are just marvellous. There are different, as Santorini is considered more romantic with the out of this world landscape and the volcano views and Mykonos more cosmopolitan with great nightlife and beaches. Skopelos was featured in the Hollywood movie Mama Mia, and Alonissos has an incredible Marine Park. Except for climbing, there are routes for hiking and some great one-day trips to close small islands. Kythnos is relatively close to Athens. Also, Kimolos which is very close to Milos is an alternative if you are looking for something with great beaches and not so touristy with local characteristics. Thank you so much Dimitris, thats really helpful. Ios on the other side is a party island where many young people around Europe choose it. 1.40 from Lavrio port and around 3 hours from Piraeus. I am here to help if I can! Both have good bus connection, so if you want to visit some great beaches you can go without renting a car. Thank you so much for your reply I will check out Sail With Us Also, your website has so much useful information thank you for taking the time and effort to share your knowledge Best wishes, Julia. But if you prefer checking some whitewashed houses with blue windoes that you may have seen in photos, then I think Cyclades might be a good option. There is a wide range of options! I have written some posts about both islands, where to go and where to stay etc, so you can have a look and also check some nice boutique hotels. Sporades islands are as well as superb for sailing as you can visit 3 main amazing and green islands Skiathos(the most touristic), Skopelos, Alonissos (the quietest and not so touristic) with stunning beaches. Thank you in advance for the advice! You will have more choices to fit the needs of both of you! I wouldnt recommend Iraklia or Donousa islands (Dosousa is my favorite island from the small Cyclades complex), as they might not fit to everybody in your family. Ios can be a good choice and relatively calm during October. Thanks again, and keep your good work with this website! One is Paros. The food is also delicious, but overall dont expect too fancy restaurants (only in Skiathos probably) but nice and original taverns! Personally, I think one day for these islands is not enough. Kastelorizo Rhodes Amorgos Koufonisia Naxos Paros Delos (I will explain)- Athens, Kastelorizo Rhodes Symi Kos Santorini Naxos Delos Athens. We are about to book and finalize details of the trip. Is a large island but t has beautiful beaches and great historical sites, like the old town of Rhodes and Lindos etc. We are not interested in visiting Mykonos or Santorini and would like a similar adventure we had before, but new ideas for Greek islands and plan to visit end of June for 10days, are you able to provide some ideas please? I am not sure about some details of your itinerary, like which town of Crete are you going to land etc, but I will try to give you some ideas! Sorry if I didnt help you a lot, but if you have any other question, just let me know! Also, you can visit the archaeological museum and the Skarkos archaeological site. Wow! But it is wild, with great traditional villages and great hiking trails! Or you can arrive by flight directly at international aiport of Rhodes, check the amazing sites of medieval city of Rhodes and Lindos and then fly to Athens. It has lovely, long, sandy beaches, really nice mountainous villages and you can do a wide range of activities! Anyway, if you have any question, just let me know! Thanks so much for getting back to me! Also, it is quite wild, rough and still quite traditional. Both islands provide beautiful trails, but I think Amorgos is one of the two best islands in the Aegean for hiking and in case you are wondering, the other is Andros. If you need anything else, just let me know. If you are looking for activities on the islands, I use the. Now about the 2nd island. But if you are going at the beginning of June I expect quite fewer tourists than July and August. And I will cheat a little bit and I also recommend two more islands that I personally love, Koufonisia and Donousa. Cyclades might be a better ft I think. I will recommend sth opposite than you are asking. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. And Tilos is one of the small islands that you just become one with the locals, and it has kept its traditional character. Zante is nice, but also Cyclades are great and very picturesque! Paros. Not sure if Mykonos is to your taste, but it is considered one of the most famous Greek islands in the world. It is quite a long time with ferry but it will give you the opportunity to visit some great islands! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. I have looked a bit more into it and I love your suggestions! Thanks for your help, Sarah. Naxos is much bigger and Paros has a little bit more intense nightlife, especially in Naousa where at the picturesque harbour there are many nice bars! You have some terrific options to visit from Ios, like Santorini, Paros, and Naxos, which are some of the most famous islands in Greece. Note that the main town that probably you would stay isnt the most quaint in Cyclades, but still has its wonderful corners! Syros is the capital of the Cyclades with a beautiful city Ermoupolis and Tinos has magnificent hiking trails and fantastic food! But again, these are personal preferences! Hi im new to greece island hopping, i was hoping to do Santorini , Amorgos, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Mykanos then back to Santorini, which order should i do them or are there better islands to substitute with ? amorgos But I dont think it fits your needs as you described them to me. Can you weave magic and give us some contemporary suggestions? Also are they often full and we would have to wait etc. Thats perfect! Rhodes. Me and my friend are traveling to Athens the first week of August and are planning on exploring as much of the greek islands as possible while we are there. We will have two weeks in total and would like to go to peaceful family friendly places (my children are 11 and 12), not the big touristy islands, to experience beautiful beaches, history, food and tradition. Now about the plan. If we want to spend most of our time In the water sailing around different beaches etc what island would you recommend doing that where we can get the most out of this experience.. being able to see as much as possible. I think Hydra doesnt have so nice beaches and Crete is quite large and you might not get the island feeling in 4 days. If you want to have an easy access to the airport then the old twon of Rhodes can be your choice. Ferries-activities-sailing-experiences? Do you have any recommendations on the safest islands and those that suit my needs? Another option would be to visit directly Athens for 2-3 days and make some daily trips to Hydra and to Delphi or Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns. Now, regarding the two islands that you would like to explore. You can find our travel guide here and the best hotels in Naxos here! Were quite adventurous and want to have fun but also want to relax on the beach. Hi, I was wanting to do a greek trip for about 2 weeks and just wanted to see if you think the current itinerary is feasible? From Corfu you can visit Paxos, which has some of the most amazing beaches, using a boat from New Port Kamelia Lines. ), If you are looking for specific hotels then you can look my specific page Best hotels in Rhodes. And I find quite clever that you arrived at one island and you flew from another! Which other island(s) near or places in lefkada would you recommend? Additionally, are there any must-see experiences/sights you would suggest for these locations? focus We love Greece and usually head to Kalamaki, Zante but feel like a bit of an adventure after the pandemic. I put this island on this list as I think it is a great site for those that love history! Also, ideally wed like to stay on just one island for those four nights, and not have to pack up and head to another hotel/AirBnB. Amorgos is much wilder, with incredible colour of the sea, beautiful Hora and wonderful paths. But it has also nice beaches and a great vibe! I think your advice sounds perfect, book our return flights and accommodation ( maybe ones where we with cancellation just incase) and then buy our ferry tickets on the day. Of course the beaches are great, long and sandy. But to be frank, I am not sure about Skopelos. So, there are my recommendation Francisco. I love Greek food but am not looking for anything too fancy and also simple accommodation. I am hoping to visit Greece at Easter next year (beginning of April 2023) for two weeks with my family and would really appreciate your advice. Note that almost all the mentioned islands feel quitesafe and lately there is an increasing of solo female travellers, so I dont think you will have any issue. I have only sailed in Greece twice, one in Ionian islands with some friends sailing boat and one in Sporades islands using Sail with us. Or should we keep it simple and do Athens, Mykonos and Santorini? I would recommend bigger and more touristy islands as on the small ones, most of restaurants will be closed. I agree that Sporades might be easier to navigate but in the middle of May, they might not have too much things to do. Or you can try something different like Sifnos, which is lovely island with amazing food and nice small villages, but not the best beaches in the world!! Road trip around Greece in 11 days Central Greece, The only pass that gives some discount on Greek islands is the. I like the idea of somewhere quieter and less touristy but ideally I want to be able to get there direct from Ios. island santorini oia greece crete aegean ferries karpathos sleeping beauty hopping village vothonas where margo houses I am really jealous right now Francisco! It has none of what you are looking for as it doesnt have amazing beaches or archaeological sites. But the other two islands have amazing beaches and they are smaller and easier to walk around! but would like to see it again. Thanks for the great site! So, it totally depends on what you prefer on your holidays! There are many options! I hope I didnt confuse you more. complete travel guide about this wonderful island. Im open to all options but dont want to not have enough time at each island so need to factor in few nights at each one thanks, Hi Dimitris, So glad that I stumbled across Secret Greece. places to stay on this beautiful island! Another beautiful island, with a long, sandy beaches, many water sports, great mountainous villages, but quite large. For Corfu you will need to get a plane and I think it would better to find an island closer to Athens that you can approach by ferry. Happy to help! can i say how wonderful your web site is! Sifnos has probably the best food that you can try on the Cyclades and many, but many small churches. One more possible route could be Rhodes Leros- Patmos- Piraeus. Only once did I arrive to an island with no pre-booked accommodation (Paxos, early september), and it took me a little time to get it, so I guess thats out of the question during the high season. Milos is considered a more romantic island and many couples prefer it but it doesnt mean that there is no nightlife etc. You might already know, but bear in mind that the Greek orthodox easter is on 16/04/23, which means that during those days Greeks go for holidays and everything will be much more expensive. Many islands have some traditions that they celebrate during orthodox easter. Ano Koufonisi is the most touristically developed, but at the beginning of June it would be quite nice and peaceful. And finally, you should visit the magnificent beaches Mylopotas, Manganari, Ag.Theodoti, Pathi etc. It has only one main village but you can also visit the opposite island (Kato Koufonisi) on a daily trip by boat. You can take the plane from Corfu to Kefalonia, which is cheaper and quicker than ferries and buses. Or you can remove one island from the route, for example, Naxos. You can find here our dedicated travel posts about Santorini island. Note that you can fly to Milos as it has an airport and return by ferry, stopping to the island that you prefer! Santorini we are going simply as a bucket list location! We will recommend some of our favourite routes, but then you can create your own ones! And I totally agree with you. and then visit a number of islands, and are happy to fly home from a different airport. Tinos has many hiking trails, which some of them passes through picturesque villages and lovely squares! I am a solo female traveller for UK. Thanks. One possible route could be Kos- Nisyros- Astypalaia Naxos and then you should definitely visit Delos island, with an amazing archaeological site and final destination would Piraeus. It depends on what kind of holidays do you want! Now, regarding you question. Dont forget that, otherwise you will get disappointed. Koufonisia might be a no for July as it becomes very crowded, but it has amazing beaches and you can walk almost the whole island (it has only one main village.) Koufonisia. The perfect itinerary! As I mentioned above, it totally depends on your preference, budget and time. And also there are places, where nightlife is quite nice in case you want also to enjoy some nice bars and cocktails. It has amazing food and great beaches! Santorini is now one of the most famous places in the world and it can be quite crowded. We are really interested in your suggested route of Kos-Nisyros-Astypalaia-Naxos-Piraeus, and were wondering if you had similar route you may suggest, or another with Rhodes as a starting point? I could keep on listing more islands, but you can check those and ask me if you need anything else! I also enjoy sea swimming (not pools) and hiking. And from Lefkada, you can use Ionian Sea Ferries and arrive at Fiskardo Kefalonia. But also another choice would be Folegandros island, where it might not has amazing beaches but it has a picturesque main village and you can enjoy there, romantic dinners and walking by dusk. Generally the plan was flying to Athens and spending a day there and then going to Mykonos and Santorini but I also would like to go to Milos and a lot of the other islands that you recommended in the thread. All the islands that you mentioned are super nice and each has a different style! Sorry about that! Namely, fly to skiathos which is quite touristy, but then you can visit Skopelos and Alonissos that have excellent beaches and amazing waters! It is a really picturesque island with a fabulous main village and great, crystal waters. Were thinking about Hydra, Spetses, Corfu, Naxos, or Crete. ferries map ferry greece greek island islands routes lesvos flights lines turkey airlines grecia route hopping naxos travel athens plane ( 2 3 weeks to play with). As of now, we were looking into Athens, Paros, Milos, and Santorini. They also have airports so you can fly from Athens to them. It is quite small, and it has kept its character. Bear in my mind that is a large island but there is a good bus connection. Discover more about this island on our travel guide here and check our recommendations for the best accommodation! So, I dont know if you like smaller or larger islands or if you prefer more developed islands over underdeveloped ones, but here is what I recommend! It is small with great hiking routes and still quite traditional. But in August both will be very crowded! Hi guys mine might be a stupid question but I was planning to visit Kasos from Rhodes and by ferry it would take more than 5hrs. You can try other routes of course! Also, take into account that middle of May would be still quiet in the islands so you might prefer visiting some more popular islands than small and remote ones. You can pass Mykonos or Paros, which have both a great energy and vibe. You can check Ios Paths, https://iospaths.gr/trekking-experiences/. Generally, I prefer Milos to Ios but I would think that in your case Ios might be a better choice. No, in general you dont need to book any ferries in June. From the 4 of them, Koufonisia has become quite popular in the past years (find our detailed travel guide here and our list of the best places to stay on this beautiful island!). In case you decide on visiting Skopelos, then, of course, Skiathos or Alonissos might be good choices! It is quite wild, with fantastic beaches and picturesque Chora village. And which route would you suggest? Amorgos. Now, I want to introduce my teenagers and wife to the Cyclades and/or Crete over a 4-5 day visit. Learn more about this amazing area, on our special mini travel guide about Pelion and our list of the best hotels and apartments in the area. Even though I am not looking for night life I really want to revisit Ios where I was first time round. I might replace Amorgos with Koufonisia or Donousa, but this is just me as I love small islands! Its fairly easy to arrive in one island, book ferry and accommodation for the next one on the first day, and enjoy the island for 2-4 days before heading to the next one. A small island with 4 amazing beaches, that you can walk or bike everywhere! Then, Naxos could be a nice choice. Ive been trying to do my own research, but I was wondering if you might know the best way to traverse this route, or have suggestions for a route that would give a similar experience (we were also interested in islands such as Zante and Hydra)! For not having a car, Lindos also might be a good choice, as it has easy access to beaches and plenty of bars and restaurants and of course a magnificent town. I think your schedule for first time in Greece is great!! For example, in Apeiranthos village you can visit 4-5 different museums and learn more about tradition and history. If you are in the Volos area, you can explore some of the best beaches there in the Pelion area. If you want anything else, or anything more specific, just let me know! As it says on the article, you can combine it with some other islands that are close, like Kefalonia and Zante or even Corfu! he choices of the islands is of course a personal choice based on your preference! The Cyclades looks as though it might be the best choice? Travel (@secretgreece). Thank you Kelly for the nice words! Hi, were interested in seeing green locations with beautiful coves and beaches combined with dining in great restaurants at night. We want to go to Nidri and will hopefully have 2 weeks. And it is so much freedom to be able to plan or amend your plans based on your mood and desire! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The official predictions are that this summer will be super busy for the touristic destinations in Greece! Any recommendations or suggestions? Im planning a weeks holiday in September this year and have decided on Rhodes and Symi on your recommendation. And Paros of course is another good choice! Daughter must have Instagram white beauty, wife wants hiking, swimming of course, but all of this not over whelmed by developments and tourists. On the other hand, Mykonos is a wonderful island with beautiful beaches and a cosmopolitan atmoshere! We will definitely visit both Paros and Tinos, and I think we will prioritize to visit Kithnos as well as it looks magical.