The best Greek islands for every type of traveller

The islands of the Aegean offer something for everyone (Picture: Getty Images)

Sparkling turquoise waters, sugar-white beaches and mouthwatering gastronomy are just some of the reasons the Greek islands continue to captivate British holidaymakers.

And that’s before we get to the spectacular hiking trails, ancient ruins and mythological ties.

Each island region has its own personality, too. The Cyclades have charming whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches, while the Sporades are known for vast pine forests and stunning beaches.

Metro readers told us all about their favourite Greek islands earlier this year, but with hundreds scattered across the Aegean and Ionian seas, it’s hard to know which slice of paradise to visit first.

Whether you’re hoping to dodge tourists in lesser-known spots, sun yourself on the world’s best beaches or fill your boots with local cuisine, the Greek islands have something for everyone — if you know where to look.

Best for foodies: Crete

As Greece’s largest island, Crete is also one of the most popular, and it’s renowned for its wineries, olive oil farms and other culinary delights.

Crete is Greece’s largest island (Picture: Getty Images)

Visitors can enjoy guided walking food tours through Chania and Heraklion, sampling local delicacies such as Cretan cheese and apaki (cured pork loin), try a cooking class or visit local markets.

Other Cretan food highlights include honey, Stamnagathi (boiled leaves), Staka Me Ayga (an egg dish), bougasta (custard pie) and Chochlioi Bourbouristi (pan-fried snails).

Metro‘s Newsletter Editor Sophie Laughton visited Crete earlier this year and was blown away by the island’s food offering.

The Mediterranean gem is famed for traditional Greek food (Picture: Getty Images)

Sophie knows a thing or two about gastronomy, having reviewed London’s best restaurants, but she says: ‘They’ve got nothing on this Greek island’.

‘How can you beat juicy tomatoes that taste like sunshine, generous glugs of extra virgin olive oil grown just a few miles away, freshly made cheese from centuries-old recipes, decadent desserts dripping in Cretan honey…’

Is your mouth watering yet?

Best for culture lovers: Skopelos

The 37sqm patch of paradise boasts verdant hills, turquoise water and ancient history, and is embroidered with golden beaches, traditional domed churches and whitewashed villages.

It’s also the filming location of Mamma Mia!, the 2008 musical rom-com based on the songs of ABBA.

Metro travel writer Sophie-May Williams has visited the tiny, craggy island, writing: ‘A holiday in Skopelos is more than hopping from beach to beach. There’s a strong culture to lean into, from food to religion. The island is home to many picturesque churches and monasteries — all of which are at the centre of every celebration.’

Skopelos is a lesser-known island in the Sporades (Picture: Getty Images)

Throughout the year, locals organise festivals to honour their saints, with events taking place across the island.

The feast of Agios Reginos, the patron saint of Skopelos, takes place each year on February 25. There’s also the summer Loizia Festival in Glossa, dedicated to one of the most famous composers in Greece, Manos Loizos.

If you’re in the market for free booze and a boogie, The Wine Festival, also in the village of Glossa, takes place in the middle of September. Visitors are offered free wine, and traditional dancing lasts until the early hours.

Best for going off the beaten track: Antiparos

Greece’s most popular islands attract millions of visitors each year, with Santorini reporting over 3.4 million visitors annually and Mykonos more than 2 million.

For those looking for a holiday spot relatively undiscovered by tourists, Antiparos, in the Cyclades, is the perfect destination.

Located 51km southwest of Mykonos, the hidden gem boasts near-empty beaches with shallow water ideal for swimming, and trees that provide welcome shade.

The island’s crown jewel is the Cave of Agios Ioannis, open daily from 10am to 4pm. Plunging 85 metres, it’s home to the oldest stalactite in Europe, at a mind-bending 45 million years old.

Antiparos is for holidaymakers looking to escape crowds of tourists (Picture: Getty Images)

The island is located 51km southwest of Mykonos (Picture: Getty Images)

Meanwhile, boat tours take visitors to the uninhabited island of Despotiko and the sea caves that surround it.

She said: ‘I realised I’d stumbled across a place few foreigners visit. The ferry that greeted me was practically deserted and cost just €1.50 for the trip.

‘As the Aegean Sea gave way to golden sands, tiny Antiparos revealed its secluded coves and deserted beaches.’

Best for beach lovers: Lefkada

Nicknamed the ‘Greek Caribbean’ for its iridescent ocean and superstar beaches, Lefkada is another slice of Greek paradise that remains under the radar for British tourists.

Though the island is small, at just 35km long, it’s home to some of Greece’s most breathtaking beaches; Porto Katsiki and Milos regularly rank in Lonely Planet guides.

Milos beach is one of the island’s most famed spots (Picture: Getty Images)

Metro‘s Travel Editor Alice Murphy has visited Lefkada several times, and describes the island as ‘Greece’s best-kept travel secret’.

She spoke to Viktor, a 21-year-old local and DJ who grew up there.

He says you won’t find the best in a tourist guide, and recommends Kalamitsi, a coastal village surrounded by four beaches: Gaidaros, Kavalikefta, Vrachos and Avali, the most beautiful but most difficult to reach, set against a backdrop of majestic limestone cliffs.

Best for travellers on a budget: Rhodes

The largest of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes is perhaps best known for its UNESCO-listed Medieval Old Town — but it’s also got a reputation as a budget-friendly destination.

I chose the island for my first (and, so far, only) all-inclusive holiday last year, after I spotted an irresistible Black Friday deal.

My partner I spent a week at the Sol Cosmopolitan Rhodes hotel, in the north of the island, with full-board accommodation and flights for less than £450 per person.

The deal was so good that we struggled to justify leaving the resort, lest we spend unnecessary cash, but when we did, we were impressed by Rhodes’ offering.

Tourists can take their pick from boat trips around the island (Picture: Getty Images)

The Old Town is a labyrinth of cobbled streets lined with boutiques, lively cafes, and bustling with tourists, enclosed within 2.4 miles of medieval walls.

At the marina, visitors can pick from a variety of boat trips to more secluded parts of the island, stopping off for lunch and the opportunity to swim in the crystal-clear water.

According to Gavin Lapidus, company director at holiday provider eShores, my affordable escape to the Aegean was far from a rarity.

Rhodes Old Town is charming, despite its busy streets (Picture: Getty Images)

He told Metro: ‘Rhodes consistently offers good value due to its range of accommodation and activities.

‘The island has a strong selection of well-priced resorts and hotels, making it a solid option for travellers who want variety without the higher costs of some smaller islands.’

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