A couple of decades ago, in terms of popularity, Greece was up there as one of the all-time favourite holiday hotspots for tourists and holidaymakers from all over the globe.
After all, why wouldn’t you want to visit Greece, as it’s sunny, the locals are friendly, the nightlife is great, the beaches are out of this world, and the food is divine.
So, what went wrong? Well, without getting political, Greece’s economy plummeted and as a result, amenities suffered, the country itself suffered, and holidaymakers began looking for alternative beach destinations for their summer getaways instead.
Well, that was then, and this is now, and now, Greece is back.
If, like me, you’re a fan of Greece, and no, I don’t mean the movie, perhaps you’ll consider any one of the following Greek islands I’m about to list?
Here’s a look at se7en of the most awesome islands in Greece.
Paxi
Greece is home to a number of stunning islands, yet there are some that have proved to be more popular than others such as Santorini, or Mykonos.
Don’t get me wrong, the aforementioned islands are indeed gorgeous, but Greece is just full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. Paxi is one of said hidden gems. If you can’t find it on the map it could be due to the fact that the island also goes by the name of Paxoi or Paxos. Not confusing at all!
This large island is located not too far from Corfu and because it is lesser-known, it is the perfect island for those seeking peace, quiet, and tranquillity away from other holidaymakers.
Paxi is home to some stunning beaches and restaurants, serving up some of the best seafood you could ever wish for.
Tilos
Next up I present to you, the island of Tilos.
Tilos is the perfect Greek island for those of you looking for somewhere fun and exciting to take your next holiday.
It is best suited to those of you who enjoy an active holiday as it is home to gorgeous coastline along with rugged cliffs, mountains, and Trekking routes along with rough back roads.
If you go exploring here you’ll find a series of stunning off-road routes and a diverse selection of wildlife, the likes of which you probably have never experienced before, nor will you again unless you head back here.
Naxos
For those of you reading this that are looking for a family-friendly destination, Naxos is perfect.
Naxos offers large and expansive white sandy beaches, along with a friendly old town with heaps of amenities and activities to keep the kids active and plenty of pubs and bars to keep the parents happy.
Head a little out of town and explore the inland villages and you’ll come across some of the most unique architecture you’ve ever seen in your entire life.
If you consider yourself to be a foodie, Naxos is the perfect island for you as the bars, cafes, and restaurants here serve some of the most amazing authentic Greek dishes that you could ever wish for.
Paros
Paros is an island that I’ve been doing a lot of research into as of late, and so far I’ve been very impressed with what I’ve found.
Paros is perfect for those of you who are looking for the stunning beaches and villages you find in Naxos, along with the upmarket vibe and bustling nightlife that you get with Mykonos.
From the looks of things, Paros is slowly becoming more and more popular with each passing year, yet despite this, when compared with islands such as Mykonos or Santorini, it is a great deal quieter and more laid back.
If you do visit Paros, be sure to check out the stunning towns of Parikia and Naoussa which are beautiful to behold and make for the perfect base for exploring the rest of the island.
Hydra
Hydra may have a dramatic name, but don’t worry, this island has nothing to do with many-headed serpents like those found in Greek mythology, or the bad guys found in G.I Joe.
The Hydra I’m talking to you about today is the Greek island considered by many to be the most picturesque in all of Greece.
Not only will you find gorgeous countryside, but you’ll also notice the distinctly unique architecture from years past, which has been fully preserved due to the very strict development regulations and policies on the island.
To make this stunning harbour location even more special, the island has a complete ban on motorbikes and cars, so not only is it peaceful and relaxing, but it is also very safe and the sea air itself is absolutely gorgeous to breathe in.
Ikaria
Ikaria is located roughly 20km south of Samos in the Aegean Sea and was named after Icarus, the god from Greek Myth. The legend goes that Icarus fell into the sea close to here whilst fleeing Crete.
If you want an upmarket, modern, cosmopolitan metropolis then you might want to skip this section because Ikaria is about as far removed from that as you could possibly get. Ikaria’s charm lies in the fact that it is wild and mountainous, making it quite inaccessible and therefore much quieter than many other holiday hot spots in Greece.
The seafood here is out of this world, as are the warm light blue waters of the sea, which are perfect for scuba diving and fishing.
Skiros
Last, but certainly not least for you today, I have the gorgeous island of Skiros.
With hot sunshine, clear blue skies, stunning coastal locations, and some of the finest beaches in all of Greece, it’s easy to see why Skiros is such a hit with holidaymakers from all over the globe.
Skiros is one of the largest islands in all of Greece, yet many consider it to be one of the most tranquil.
With a distinct lack of nightclubs, there’s no more relaxing way to spend an evening than relaxing on the shore, listening to the waves, and watching the sun gently set as dusk rolls in.
What I really like about this island is the fact that it is an island of such contrast. The south of the island is barren and desert-like, whereas the northern part of the island is green and hilly and is home to Mount Kochila.
And there you have it. If that doesn’t make you want to drop everything and teleport straight to a Greek an island, I don’t know what will.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also want to check Se7en of the most Instagrammable Islands in Greece.
Until next time stay safe, stay curious and don’t stop wandering!
