The A-Z Of Greek Island-hopping

Why holiday on one Greek island when you can plan abeaches, stunning ancient ruins and a world-class
trip that includes visits to many? Getting around takesarchealogical museum.
a bit of planning, but you can choose from cruise ships,Dodecanese
ferries, yacht charters or air travel. AccommodationRhodes
options include rental villas, hotels, guest houses andGreen and mountainous, Rhodes is renown for its
home stays. Listed here by region are 20 of the mostnatural beauty, fine architecture, and its cosmopolitan
popular Greek island destinations.charm. It is the most popular of the Dodecanese
Cycladesislands, and its superb variety of architectural treasures
Amorgosand top museums bring visitors year round.
Rugged Amorgos, the most easterly of the CycladesKos
islands, has beautiful sandy beaches, a precipitousThis fascinating island is rich in Hellenistic, Roman,
coastline, peaceful and serene bays and theByzantine and Venetian archaeology and the
magnificent Monastery of Hozoviotissa. Tourismagricultural interior is perfect for bicycle riding. There
infrastructure is rudimentary which this makes for aare daily ferries to and from Pireaus, and Turkey is
laid-back charm.just a short boat trip away.
DelosIonian
First inhabited in 3000 BC, this small island was theCorfu
religious and commercial centre of ancient Greece.Popular Corfu, the greenest of the Greek islands, has
There are no towns or accommodation here, justancient ruins, castles and distinctive Italianate
quietness and a sense of history in the archaeologicalarchitecture in Corfu town. The old fort (Paleo Frourio)
ruins.is the location for a Sound-and-Light show in summer.
FolegandrosKefalonia
This small, beautiful island has plenty ofKnown as the location for filming of Captain Corelli's
accommodation. Its busy port of Karavostassi has anMandolin, this rocky island, with its pine forests and
extensive selection of restaurants and hotels, whilemany species of wildflowers and herbs, is becoming a
Cars and motorcycles are banned in the cliff's edgepopular destination. Loggerhead turtles nest on
village of Hora.Kefalonian beaches.
MykonosNorth East Aegean
This cosmopolitan island, an expensive travel mecca,Chios
with unique cycladic architecture, bare hills, narrowJust a few kilometres from the coast of Turkey, in the
alleyways and streets and red-roofed churches, isAegean Sea, Chios has many churches and
everything that Greek islands are famed for.monasteries, medieval villages and ancient monuments,
Naxoswhich date from times under Macedonian, Roman,
Mount Zeus towers over this relatively quiet andTurkish and Greek rule. From beautiful beaches and
charming island which is green and fertile. Prettycoves to mountains and traditional villages, the island is
agricultural villages are perfect for experiencing islanda delight to explore.
life sampling fresh produce including wines and oliveLesvos
oils.The third-largest Greek Island is a good budget
Parosdestination with idyllic beaches, fascinating villages, hot
On the main ferry run and popular with all types ofwater springs and a variety of flora and fauna. Mainly
travellers, Paros has picturesque inland villages, a busyagricultural, the provincial economy is based on olive oil
port main town and some pretty beaches, particularlyand ouzo.
in the north around the fishing village of Naoussa.Saronic Gulf
SantoriniAegina
The most popular of Greek Islands. From theA great beginner's Greek island experience, Aegina is
archaeological wonder of Akrotiri, a town preserved ina perfect day trip by ferry from Athens. A city state in
volcanic ash, to its rocky outcrops and charmingancient times, be sure to visit the ruins of Paleohora,
white-washed domestic architecture, Santorini is oneone of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples.
of the world's most spectacular islands.Angistri
SifnosIntimate sandy beaches are the trademark of this
This mountainous island, a 3-hour ferry trip fromsmall island near Aegina. But there is also an interesting
Pireaus, has enchanting fertile valleys and medievalfarming and fishing side of the island that is off the
architecture, a fine archaeological museum and tranquilbeaten tourist track.
sandy beaches. A wide range of hotels, tavernas andHydra
shops cater for island visitors.Head for the waterfront restaurants and cafes of
SyrosHydra Town on this famed maritime destination for
The administrative centre of the Cyclades, Syros hasgreat Greek ambience. Wander around and view the
a busy harbour and shipyard, lovely beaches, attractiveold sea captain mansions, and check out some of the
architecture and many churches and museums. Thehundreds of old churches.
interior of the island has many fruit and vegetablePoros
farms.Handy to Athens, the busy town of Poros is an island
Tinosjoined to the island of Poros by a causeway. The
The third largest of the Cycladic Island group, aisland is home to the scant remains of the Temple of
30-minute ferry ride from Mykonos, Tinos is anPoseidon but the beaches are not so good.
important destination for religious pilgrims. The inlandSpetses
villages, nestled into the mountain slopes, areFamous for its great beaches and nightlife, Spetses
connected by a network of walking paths.also has a harbour known for its wooden boat building
Creteindustry. The main square in the town, the Dapia, has
The largest of the Greek islands, mountainous Cretelots of interesting restaurants, while on the busy
has it all, including bustling towns, idyllic rural villages,waterfront you can watch the boatbuilders at work.
fields of olives, fruits and vegetable crops, sandy