One of the most common questions people ask is “How many Greek islands are there?” Depending on how you define what an island is, Greece has around 6000 islands! Most of them are tiny and uninhabited, but even so, you will have 227 inhabited, gorgeous islands to choose from.
Though when the words “Greek islands” are heard we tend to think of the vastly popular and breathtakingly gorgeous Santorini (Thera) or Mykonos with their whitewashed sugar cube houses and blue-domed churches, the truth is that Greece has a lot more variety in islands than you imagine.
Here are some basics that you should know about the Greek islands which may help you choose your next dream vacation there!
Map of Greek Islands
There are seven groups of Greek islands
Greece’s islands tend to be organized in clusters, mostly by the proximity they share to each other or the segment of the sea in which they exist. These clusters are called family groups or island complexes. The seven groups are The Cyclades, the Sporades, the Dodecanese, the Saronikos Islands, the North Aegean Islands, the Ionian Islands (or Eptanisa), and the Big Two (Crete and Euboia).
Each family group or cluster has its very own, unique personality. Within that cluster, each island also has its own highlights and particularities that can’t be found in other ones of the group. Therefore, never assume that if you’ve seen one island in the group you’ve seen them all!
That said, there are some general common characteristics you should keep in mind about each group which will help you choose where to go for your ideal holidays in the Greek islands.
The Cyclades
Located at the heart of the Aegean, the Cyclades are the quintessential “Greek Islands”. It’s where you will find the iconic sugar cube house architecture, the clustered little whitewashed villages at the slopes of sun-baked hills, the blue-domed churches, and the brightly painted shutters and fences.
You will be strolling on narrow paved paths, enjoying the bougainvilleas’ fuchsia and pink against the bright white, often marble-carved walls.
The Cyclades are almost always sun-kissed and windy. Especially during August, strong winds are given. Which is a good thing if you are looking to cool down from the scorching heat! However, make sure you spot where the protected beaches are to enjoy your swims.
There are several islands in the Cyclades family group, of which the biggest and most central are Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Folegandros, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros, Santorini (Thera) and Tinos. The rest of the tiny islands are uninhabited (in total the Cyclades alone boast around 200 islands!).
Each of them is unique, from the iconic and gorgeous Santorini with the fine dining scene and high-profile nightlife to Tinos with the deep religious and cultural undertones that is ideal for relaxation, rest, and recuperation from intense stress and work exhaustion.
All of them are breathtakingly beautiful, some verdant and full of natural formations you don’t want to miss (such as Naxos and Andros), others sun-baked and full of picturesque villages (such as Tinos and Folegandros).
The Sporades
In the northwest part of the Aegean, you will find the emerald waters of the gorgeous Sporades islands. The main ones are only four, but each one is a gorgeous jewel of the Aegean sea: Alonissos, Skiathos, Skopelos, and Skyros are, unlike the Cyclades, all characterized by rolling, lush, green hills that contrast beautifully with the emerald waters of their secluded beaches.
The architecture in the Sporades is vastly different than that of the Cyclades, with crimson roofs and a flair for the neoclassical. At the Sporades, you can find the highly cosmopolitan summer scene if you go to Skiathos- very popular with youth- but relax and kick back with your family in Skopelos and Alonissos.
If you are seeking to have an adventure in nature and discover rarely visited beaches, then Skyros is for you.
There is considerably less wind to be dealt with in the Sporades as well, compared to the Cyclades, and the cuisine experiments with more influences while the capital towns offer many opportunities for promenades.
The Dodecanese
If you are a fan of medieval times, the Dodecanese are the islands for you. Very close to Turkey, in the southeastern side of the Aegean, these islands are unique in their history, heritage, and architecture, but also their natural beauty.
If you are interested in medieval castles, medieval history, gorgeous vistas, and beautiful natural landscapes of verdant slopes that meet the azure waters, water caves, and wilderness, you must visit the Dodecanese.
Protected from the wind most of the time, the waters are always calm and reflective, perhaps adding to the romance of looking back to different times. The name “Dodecanese” means “12 islands” but the group has more than that. The biggest islands are Astypalaia, Chalki, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kastellorizo (Megisti), Kos, Leipsoi, Leros, Nisyros, Patmos, Rhodes, Symi, and Tilos.
From Patmos with the Orthodox Christian pilgrimage that is only second to that of Tinos in the Cyclades to Rhodes, the “island of the knights” to Kalymnos, the “island of the sponge fishermen” and more, each island has a very unique identity for you to explore.
The Saronikos Islands
These are the Greek islands closest to Athens, and for that reason, they are popular not only with tourists but with the locals as well, when they want to plan for a quick getaway. The Saronikos islands are each so unique that one can’t claim to have experienced them until they visit every single one.
The rich history, crystal clear waters that play with the sunrays, the calm shelter from the winds, and the rich history they each have will give you unforgettable experiences.
The Saronikos islands are 5: Aegina, Agistri, Hydra, Poros, and Spetses. Each one features prominently in the locals’ list of gorgeous islands for quick getaways from the capital. Some, such as Spetses and Poros, have a long tradition of cosmopolitan and family vacations, while others like Agistri are wilder, with more opportunities to explore and enjoy the lush verdant nature all around.
If you seek to relax, no matter how you choose to do it, the islands of the Saronic Gulf are where you want to go.
The North Aegean Islands
Because the islands of the North Aegean are quite far away from big cities, they tend not to attract as many tourists as other island clusters. But that’s even better for those who opt to go there and enjoy a world of immaculate beauty, fantastic history, rich culture, and excellent food without crowds smothering them.
The islands of the North Aegean are quite historic and have breathtaking natural beauty, which will offer gorgeous views but also unique experiences for those who like trekking, hiking, or other such explorative activities. The beaches are all virgin, astoundingly beautiful, and sometimes remind of tropical places rather than the Aegean.
The nine islands of the North Aegean are Ai Stratis, Chios, Fournoi, Ikaria, Inousses, Lesvos, Lemnos, Psara, and Samos. You might know of the unique mastic forest of Chios, the powerful history of Psara, and the astounding longevity of the dwellers of Ikaria, but there is a lot more to find out and enjoy!
The Ionian Islands (Eftanisa)
The Ionian Islands are located in the west of Greece in the Ionian Sea. They are a wonderful crossroad where East meets West when it comes to culture and history, which manifests in nearly every other aspect of these islands. Their unique cuisine, a delectable mix of Italian and Greek cooking approaches, their gorgeous architecture, and their music are testaments to this remarkable heritage.
But beyond the beauty of the culture of the Ionian islands, there is also breathtaking natural beauty for you to explore. Whether you want to opt for the cosmopolitan or the remote and wild, you will find what you’re seeking in this cluster.
Many of the seven islands of the Ionian cluster are quite famous, such as Corfu which was where Empress Sisi would find refuge, or Zakynthos with its Venetian flair, or Ithaca, the homeland of Odysseus. They are, namely, Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Ithaca, Paxi, Kythira, Meganisi, and Mathraki.
The waters there are almost always calm and deep emerald blue thanks to the verdant slopes that gently meet them in the various beautiful beaches you will get to explore.
The Big Two (Crete and Euboia)
Greece’s largest islands are Crete and Euboia.
Crete is in the southernmost part of Greece and requires your full time and attention to even begin to experience its beauty, culture, cuisine, and music. There are a lot of unique things to explore in Crete, from the beaches with pink sand to the illustrious, well-preserved palaces of Minoan times to the palm tree forests to the gorgeous port cities of Heraklion, Rethymno, and Chania.
Crete is so vast that it has many different landscapes and vistas, even snow-capped mountains if you visit at the right season. The island’s millennia-old history gives it a welcoming feeling of timelessness and perpetual beauty.
Vacations in Crete are ideal no matter what kind of vacation you’re going for from the pampered and relaxed to the highly active and adventurous, Crete has you covered.
Euboia (also pronounced Evia) is the second-largest island of Greece and a gem in the crown of the country’s beauties as well. Euboia’s name means “the place where cattle are happy” and it combines the traditional with the exotic.
It is only separated from mainland Greece by the Evripos Straights and remains unspoiled and virgin when it comes to its natural beauty and the traditions and culture of its dwellers.
Make sure to visit the healing hot spring baths of Edipsos, the gorgeous Drimona waterfalls, several archaeological sites, medieval castles, and beautiful coastal cities. If you’re looking for a road trip, Euboia may be for you!
What about the uninhabited islands?
There are 227 inhabited islands to visit, but what about the uninhabited ones? Usually, they are so small or remote that it’s impossible to live there. However, often you can visit them by boat on day trips from other islands or on your own if you have hired your own vessel to do your exploration.
Doing so can be an incredibly rewarding, fantastic experience as many gorgeous beaches remain undiscovered and unpopulated by crowds simply because they are on uninhabited islands.
For example, how about discovering Diaporos Island, which is off the coast of Chalkidiki? Its gorgeous, secluded beaches with golden sand and rock formations, and its natural shade thanks to its lush forest will make your explorations unforgettable.
Or perhaps you might enjoy snorkeling off the coast of Alonissos near the uninhabited islands Tsougriaki and Tsougrias with the lush underwater flora and fauna that have rare species.
Wherever you go, make sure you ask whether there are uninhabited islands to visit nearby and if there are any tours for them- often you will get to enjoy the experience with a guide!
