Top 10 Greek Islands
With 227 inhabited islands, surrounded by crystal clear waters and
offering world class beaches and landscapes, it is only natural that
Greece was one of the first holiday destinations when mass tourism
started a few decades ago. Some islands became so popular that their
entire economies are now centred on the tourist trade. However, there
are others that have only been ‘discovered’ as holiday destinations -
even by the Greeks - in recent years. Although the generalised term
“Greek Islands’ brings to mind one particular kind of holiday, every
single one of them has its own distinct character. Some are rocky,
others green. Some are mountainous, others flat. Many are infamous for
their nightlife, while others are renowned for their tranquility and
relaxed lifestyle. Quite a few cater to high-end tourism and exclusive
crowds, while there are islands that attract young and alternative
types. A top ten list can never be exhaustive by any means, and you can
only discover your own personal paradise by trial and error. In this
issue we present ten of the most popular islands, a beginner’s list of
classic Greek destinations.
01. Santorini Island
If you’re going to visit only one Greek island in your life then let it
be Santorini. Breathtaking volcanic views and one of the best sunsets in
the world consistently place it at the top of any Greek islands list.
Its beaches are very peculiar (and do not appeal to everyone) due to the
black and red volcanic sand. Couples should opt for tranquil and
romantic Oia, where luxury rooms with a Caldera (the volcanic crater)
view can cost a forune, whereas those young at heart should choose Fira,
the lively capital of the island built on top of the Caldera cliff with
equally fantastic views. The eastern side of the island is generally
cheaper and has little of the magic Santorini feel. 09 more after the break...
02. Crete Island
The largest Greek island, Crete has a distinct local culture and will
satisfy whatever it is you’re looking for. Busy touristy resorts,
wonderful old towns like Chania and Rethymno, amazing deserted beaches
even in August (especialy on the south coast), unspoiled mountain
villages with people utouched by the tourism ‘gold fever’, and the best
food by far among all Greek islands. It is a trecker’s paradise, with
top attraction the challenging Samaria Gorge and one of the highest
mountains in the country Idi (locally known as Psiloritis). It is
imposible to ‘do’ Crete in one visit so try to concentrate either on the
East (based around Agios Nikolaos) or West (based at Chania or
Rethymno). A car is neccesary in any case.
03. Mykonos Island
A cross between Capri and Ibiza (in its good days) but with a very
cycladic feel, Mykonos boasts of the best beaches in the country, the
craziest nightlife and the most ridiculous prices you’ll pay in Greece.
Celebrities, gay, and wannabes flood the island every summer. They
sunbathe their days away on their pre-booked sunbeds and the nights
squeezing pass each other in the narrow streets of the picturesque
village, moving between bars and clubs. Bring along the best pieces of
your wardrobe (preferably white), all your energy and credit cards. The
fact that world famous Japanese restaurant Nobu set up shop first in
Mykonos and a few years later in Athens says a lot about the kind of
holiday you should expect here.
04. Hydra Island
Just an hour and fifteen minutes from Piraeus, Hydra is one of the
prettiest Greek islands with a unique architechture that has been
preserved due to a strict development policy. Large houses belonging to
historic figures loom on the hills on both sides of the picturesque
harbour and there is a total car and motorbike ban on the island.
Instead, mules lining up with their owners untertake all the
transportation burdens of locals and visitors (and litter the narrow
cobbled streets). To go to one of the sandy beaches of the island, one
must hire a sea-taxi, but the deep blue waters just off the harbour are
where most people go to swim. Nightlife is basic but adequate for a
relaxing holiday.
05. Cephalonia Island
Louis De Bernières has done for Cephalonia what the best PR consultant
wouldn’t even begin to imagine with his wonderful novel and worldwide
best seller ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ (Amazon £5.99) which is set on
the island. And when the film came out a few years later the natural
beauty and the sapphire waters of Cephalonia were advertised on screen
too and its tourism fortunes were turned upside down overnight. Myrtos
is the most famous of its beaches, but there is a plethora of things to
do and wonderful nature to appreciate away from the coast too. Argostoli
and Lixouri are the two (rival) main towns, while Fiscardo and Sami
(the village where the film was set) are well worth visiting.
06. Paros Island
Probably the most typical of the Greek islands and a convenient base for
island hoping around the Cyclades due to its excellent ferry
connections. The beaches, the nightlife and the accomodation choice are
all above average and many holiday makers return year after year.
Parikia with its lovely old town is the capital and the port of Paros,
but most nightlife is concentrated in piqturesque Naousa. Regular
international windsurfing competitions are held at noisy Chrysi Akti
beach but you can easily find quiet and isolated beaches if all you want
is to relax and enjoy the blue waters. And if really quiet holidays are
more up your street, Antiparos is the tiny and alternative neighbour
just minutes away on a local boat.
07. Corfu Island
A northern Ionian island with a mixture of influences ranging from the
Venetians to the French, Italian and British (the only place in Grecce
that you can watch locals playing a cricket game and drinking ginger
ale!). The old town with the two fortresses is an UNESCO world cultural
heritage site and the nature one of the best you can find on any Greek
island. Fine beaches with freezing cold waters on the eastern side
attract thousands of visitors every summer and as in every large
tourism-orientated Greek island the range of holidays one can enjoy is
vast.
08. Skiathos Island
Unlike the Cyclades, Skiathos and its neighbouring Sporades complex are
flooded with pine trees that reach the sea and surround its numerous
sandy beaches, like Koukounaries, one of the pretiest and busiest in the
country. Hora, the capital of the island is an idyllic village with
red-roofed white houses built on a hillside sourounding the harbour. An
ideal destination for families and those not attracted by the harsh and
rocky natural beauty of the islands of southern Aegean. Easy access to
the rest of the Sporades, Skopelos, Skyros and Alonissos, makes a local
island hopping possible.
09. Rhodes Island
Once home to one of the seven wonders of the world the ‘Colossus’,
Rhodes is one of the earliest holiday destinations in the country. It is
marked by the wonderful Medieval old town, another UNESCO world
herritage site. Most holiday makers arrive on charter flights as the
ferry from Piraeus can take many hours, and they have a good choice of
resorts on the island, ranging from the top all-inclusive five star
hotels to downright ‘sun ‘n booze’ holidays. There is plenty of
sightseeing to do, and a number of museums to give you that cultural
alibi between your long days on the fine beaches and the long nights
out.
10. Ios Island
The alternative corner of the Aegean during the 70s and 80s. Its fans
have grown up now and have proper jobs but something of the atmosphere
of those days is still preserved on the island. The whitewashed houses
of Hora, its main village, hide a frenetic but not high quality
nightlife, that you’ll appreciate more if you are under 25. Its beaches
though, are at par with the best in Cyclades and indeed the whole
country (Ios and in particular the isolated beach of Manganari is the
favourite summer destination of Prime Minister Karamanlis). If you
suddenly feel too old for the exhausting pace of the place, you are only
a short ferry ride away from Santorini.
