The Best Greek Islands To Visit In 2025

It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to Greek island getaways, but with more than 200 islands to visit, deciding where to fly or sail into can be tricky. These are some of the best Greek islands to visit in 2025.

Greece saw a record number of tourists last year: more than 40 million people are estimated to have chosen it as a destination, making it the ninth most visited country in the world. Many visitors head straight to the Greek islands, with Mykonos and Santorini ever popular options, alongside Crete, Kefalonia, Corfu and Rhodes.

But, over the last few years, savvy travellers have been looking further afield. Paros – an island long-favoured by in-the-know Greeks – is quickly gaining traction with global visitors; and Hydra is reclaiming its place as a see-and-be-seen destination, with some traditionally lesser-known Greek islands, like Syros, Milos, Naxos and Folegandros, hot on its tail. But still, there are many more.

When it comes to pinpointing the best Greek islands to visit in 2025, you have plenty of choice. Not only are there a smattering of new hotel openings for 2025 – but expect a truly diverse mix of history, culture, views, food and experiences too. The one thing they all have in common is brilliant beaches. These are some of our top Greek island recommendations this summer.

The beaches of Milos – where moon-like cliffs overlook bright, cyan waters – truly need to be seen to be believed. Its raw natural beauty was kept hush-hush for years, with only those-in-the-know venturing to the Cycladic island. Thanks to social media the secret is out, and Sarakiniko, the most famous of all the island’s beaches, will be crowded by 9am. Visit early. With more than 70 beaches dotting its coastline there are, thankfully, plenty of other stretches of sand to pitch up at for the day. Papafragas, Paliochori and Agia Kyriaki all make a wonderful place to do so. In the port town of Adamantas, while away a few hours shopping at chic boutique stores, and from here head slightly north to Klima – another place you’ve likely seen on social media and home to quaint fisherman’s houses clinging to the coastline.

The Best Greek Island For: Beaches

Where To Stay: Skinopi Lodge, or a Fisherman’s House for something straight off your Instagram feed

Greeks have been quietly holidaying in Paros for years but, until now, have managed to keep it under wraps. All that changed when Netflix released a hit series based on David Nicholls’ popular book, One Day. In the screen adaptation the main characters, Emma and Dexter, visit a Greek island together. While the in-show island was never named, filming took place in Paros and the world woke up to the Greek secret. Visit for a good mix of lively restaurants, upbeat bars and relaxed beaches; this is a place with plenty to do, but also plenty of opportunity for downtime. The main town, oh-so-pretty Naoussa, is a hub for dining (visit Barbarossa for a harbour-side dinner of freshly caught fish) but has managed to keep its traditional charm; expect to see plenty of whitewashed buildings covered by trails of bougainvillea.

The Best Greek Island For: Set-Jetting

Where To Stay: Cosme Hotel Paros

About as authentic as it gets, low-key Kythnos seems happy to hide beneath the limelight of most of its Cycladic sisters. Tourists visit, but most of them congregate in the main town of Messaria, the port town of Merichas, or the terracotta-roofed village of Dryopida. Oh, and unlike other islands, most of them are Greek – visiting from Athens or other nearby islands for a summer slowdown. And life does move slowly here, starting with a strong morning coffee, followed by dips in the sea, and punctuated by taverna stops for large lunches of fresh seafood. That’s not to say there isn’t a scene: as the sun sets, the main town comes alive as people head out for dinner and drinks. But in Kythnos, there’s the option to avoid it all, instead spending days hiding out on one of the island’s many – some say close to 100 – (mainly) crowd-free beaches and coves, sands to yourself. Don’t miss the double-sided Kolona Beach (pictured).

The Best Greek Island For: An authentic Greek island experience

Where To Stay: YFES Kythnos

Forget any preconceptions you may have, Kos, an island in the Dodecanese, is more than just a party-holiday destination. So much more, in fact. Side step all that, and instead explore the historical sites – the Temple of Dionysus, the Asclepieion of Kos and the Roman Odeon all date back to the 2nd or 3rd centuries AD, to name just a few. Elsewhere, head to black-sand beach Thermes, so named thanks to its hot springs with therapeutic qualities, or hop on a bike to explore the island’s cycling routes which might take you through olive groves and traditional villages, or pass by large lakes home to flamingoes. Last but not least, take a tour of the coastline by boat – Kos is one of the closest Greek islands to Turkey, and you’ll spot the neighbouring country within minutes of leaving the port.

The Best Greek Island For: Exploring by bike

Where To Stay: Oku Kos

Quietly cool – with an emphasis on the quiet and on the cool – visit Sifnos for an off-grid Greek-island experience. Beaches aside, days here are filled with slow wanders around churches and monasteries (with 237, it has more than any other Cycladic island, most dating back centuries); boat rides to discover nearby islands including Milos and Polyaigos; and village hopping – from the capital, Apollonia, which is dotted with chic boutiques, to perhaps the most picturesque of them all, Kastro. The foodie scene is strong here too: eat with your feet in the sand at Omega 3 or one of the nearby beach bars on Platis Gialos beach, or overlooking the countryside at To Christo in the village of Artemonas. Expect to see a goat or two in the next-door fields from the latter.

The Best Greek Island For: Foodies

Where To Stay: Sigma Residences

Underrated (and we secretly hope it stays that way), Serifos has one of the most impressive main towns of all the Greek islands, thanks in part to its elevation – as a former fortress it sits 230-metres above sea level – but also because of its higgledy-piggledy, white-washed, winding and rock-carved streets. Today, those streets, though still dotted with churches, are seeing an increasing number of boutique stores and trendy bars open up, but it’s the tavernas that have our heart. Marathoriza is a good place to start, with plates of mezze to share. Back at ground level, hiking is a big deal with signposted trails to follow – as are the beaches, and Agios Sostis is one of the best. Or simply spend your days café hopping and people watching in the port town of Livadi – it’s a popular docking spot for various yachts and their owners throughout the summer months.

The Best Greek Island For: Those in-the-know

Where To Stay: Nōstos

You can’t go much further east than Kastelorizo without leaving Europe. More easterly than even Istanbul, this tiny Dodecanese island sits just two miles beneath the Antalya region of Turkey and is a well-guarded secret amongst in-the-know Greeks. At just 10 square kilometres and with only one village to speak of, you’d be forgiven for thinking a trip here might prove somewhat dull. But you’d be wrong. Take a boat trip to one of the biggest underwater caves in Greece; admire the pastel-coloured neoclassical houses and island Minaret; soak up the sun before descending a ladder into the sparkling waters; visit the ancient Acropolis and castle; and hike the 400 steps of Kastelorizo Mountain to the Monastery of St. George, taking in views of the nearby Turkish coastline as you go.

The Best Greek Island For: A remote, sophisticated escape

Where To Stay: Mediterraneo Kastelorizo

There’s no airport on the island of Tinos, instead you’ll need to take a ferry from Athens, or from one of its nearby islands; the journey from Mykonos takes just 30 minutes. For years, Tinos has been most famous as a pilgrimage site: destination, the marble Monastery of Virgin Mary Evangelistria, believed to be the site of a miracle. Marble is a common theme throughout the island, you’ll spot sculptures made from it in most places. But beyond this, visit to while away time draped across sun loungers or towels on its beaches and small coves; explore small village streets; hike the 150 kilometres of dedicated, signposted walking trails through wildflowers, valleys and monasteries; and taste-test the local food and drink – you won’t be disappointed.

The Best Greek Island For: Hiking

Where To Stay: Odera Tinos – opened in May 2024.

One of the trendiest Greek islands for centuries, Hydra has stepped back into the limelight over the last few years and comes with serious status. Laid back and effortlessly cool, this car-free island in the Greek Saronics first found its place on the global stage when big names such as John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Eric Clapton, Maria Callas and Leonard Cohen visited in the sixties and seventies. Yet, despite still attracting a cosmopolitan crowd of Greek and international artists, musicians and politicians, Hydra has also managed to remain somewhat off-radar. Just 90-minutes by ferry from the country’s capital, Athens, visit to soak up contemporary art across the island: DESTE Foundation is a good place to start, before sinking into a seat at all-day bar-restaurant, Plakostroto, for Greek, international and vegan dishes.

The Best Greek Island For: Art

Where To Stay: Mandraki Beach Resort

Located in the Ionian islands and one of the most varied Greek islands of all, in Kefalonia you’ll find quaint villages to explore, local-design stores, elevated dining and plenty of lush greenery. Oh, and there’s lots of picturesque beaches too – one of which, Myrtos, is consistently voted as one of the world’s best. To get to Myrtos you’ll need to have a car – and nerves of steel – as you navigate the island’s unique mountainous landscapes with twists, turns and tight corners. The view from above is worth a pit-stop for photos, and once on the beach be sure to head to the very left to swim through a small cave. In the north of the island, visit the small harbour town of Fiskardo for boutique stores and seafood dining, or spend a day on the Asos peninsula soaking up the sun on small beaches and dining at spots with serious sea views. Argostoli, the capital, is worth an evening stroll too – stop for dinner at Captain’s Table and order the honey-drizzled baked feta. You won’t regret it. For an offbeat activity, and one where you’ll probably learn a thing or two as well, pay a visit to the family home of Thanassis and Eleni for an introduction to beekeeping.

The Best Greek Island For: Rugged beauty

Where To Stay: Eliámos Kefalonia

The once little-known island of Kea is stepping into the tourism limelight. The closest Cycladic island to Athens (and served by direct ferry routes from it) Kea hasn’t seen the fame of many of its neighbours, such as Mykonos and Santorini (or more recently, Paros and Milos), but things are changing. Global hotel group One&Only opened on the island last year, following their debut in Greece on the Athens Riviera. Visit for a somewhat surprising change of scenery; rather than the rocky, slightly-barren landscapes of many Cycladic islands, Kea boasts lush green forests, and instead of villages awash with blue-and-white houses, here you’ll find more natural and terracotta tones.

The Best Greek Island For: A taste of the quiet life

Where To Stay: One&Only Kéa Island

Staying in Athens and short on time? Hop on a ferry from Piraeus Port in the southern Athens suburbs and, in under an hour, you’ll find a slice of the good life. Aegina is well-known amongst Athenians as a quick weekend getaway, yet it retains its island charm. You’ll find less beaches here than on other islands, but this is more than made up for by ancient sites to visit. Hire a car and drive around the Saronic island – you could circumnavigate it in 40 minutes minus any stops, though the Temple of Aphaia and the abandoned medieval town of Paleochora are good places to do so. There are also small, authentic Greek villages to explore: in the fisherman’s village of Perdika, wander the beachside streets and watch as the catch of the day is brought to land on small boats before making its way to your plate. Nontas Fish Restaurant is a great place to settle for the evening to dine on a dinner of fresh calamari, muscles and octopus. Many of the dishes are pistachio-infused thanks to the surrounding pistachio fields: this island is known to produce the best pistachios in Greece, some may even say in Europe or the world.

The Best Greek Island For: A day trip from Athens (and plenty of pistachios)

Where To Stay: The Amber Houses

The largest of the Cyclades, Naxos lays claim to a long, rich and extensive history – it’s been inhabited since prehistoric times. As such – and as you might expect – there’s a wealth of ancient monuments to explore here. Acropolis remnants dating back to 2400 BC can be found in Panermos, there’s a castle built in 1207 AD, and the Temple of Apollo’s timeline stretches back to the 6th century BC. Beyond this, discover a slew of old-time villages to meander around, a number of art, design and boutique stores (you’ll find many of them in Chalki), and of course, plenty of beaches for soaking up the sun – the best are along the island’s southwest coast.

The Best Greek Island For: History

Where To Stay: Naxian Collection

At 260 kilometres wide, Crete is the largest of all the Greek islands and offers a true bounty of culture, landscapes, experiences and cuisine. Here, you’ll find miles upon miles of beautiful beaches, as well as mountain roads to cruise, Byzantine churches to peer into, traditional towns and villages to explore, and ruins to wander. The Bronze Age Minoan Civilisation called Crete home, and one of the island’s most impressive sites from that time – the 17th century BC Palace of Knossos – is located just inland from is capital, Heraklion. Add a large choice of hotels – including the newly opened Tella Thera and the soon-to-open JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa (the brand’s debut in Greece) – plus plenty of unique Cretan dishes to try, and this becomes the most diverse of all the Greek islands. You’ll likely find you can’t cover everything in just one trip – prepare to start planning your next visit the minute you leave.

The Best Greek Island For: Variety

Where To Stay: Domes of Elounda, Numo Ierapetra, Metohi Kindelis, Phāea Blue – but the list goes on, and we’re looking forward to the opening of JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa in summer 2025.

Ask a handful of Greeks which is their favourite island, and no doubt a few of them will say Folegandros. It’s not hard to see why. Intimate and understated, this is a place where days are spent splashing in the sea, and evenings entail long dinners in traditional tavernas as groups gather nearby to play card games or backgammon. But that’s not to say there’s nothing to do here – there’s plenty should you wish to step away from your sun lounger. The main square is somewhat of a meeting place come sunset, and fringed by small bars and restaurants. For an aperitivo, Aquarius is a favourite, followed by plates of Greek mezze at family-run restaurant, Asyngrito.

The Best Greek Island For: Escaping the crowds

Where To Stay: New to the island Gundari – which opened in May 2024

While many of the Greek islands all but shut down over winter, Syros – the capital of the Cyclades – is a year-round destination. As a result, it pays less attention to attracting tourists than its neighbours do, and in this lies its charm. The capital, Ermoupoli, surrounds a large harbour and is a vibrant mix of stores, cafés, restaurants and bars. Look out for Turkish delight (known as loukoumi in Greek): during the 1822 Greek War of Independence, Syros welcomed refugees from Smyrna (now Turkish Izmir) and some families brought recipes for the sweet with them, so this is the real deal. Elsewhere head to the quaint hillside town of Ano Syros to shop boutique stores and dine with a birds’ eye view of the island; head to one of the beaches; or make like the locals and visit Asteria – a small concrete platform with steps into the sea and views of the surrounding Venetian-inspired architecture (pictured).

The Best Greek Island For: Year-round exploration

Where To Stay: Argini Syros which is new this year, opening in March 2025.

No guide to the Greek islands would be complete without Mykonos, the undefeated holiday and party Queen of the Cyclades. It’s true, the town centre sees more guests than it can realistically handle but, if you can keep your patience as you wander amongst the crowds, you’ll soon discover why. Whitewashed streets with overflowing bougainvillaea in all shades of pink and red lead the way to the island’s most famous site: Little Venice. The views of Mykonos’ ever-so-Instagrammed windmills from here really are worth the hype. Take a seat at one of the many restaurants and bars overlooking them – we love Cocco by Belvedere Hotel. For a beach day filled with music and dancing at some of the most-coveted island spots head to Scorpios, Nammos or Kalua. For a less-lively tanning day, visit any of the beachside restaurants at Platios Gialos, or the untouched stretch of coastline (yes they still exist in Mykonos) of Agios Sotros – but be sure to bring everything you’ll need for the day including snacks, water, beach towels and sun hats. The big news for 2025? The opening of Four Seasons Mykonos, the second property from the brand following their in-country launch on the Athens Riviera in 2029.

The Best Greek Island For: Living the high life

Where To Stay: In town: the 2024-opened Deos Mykonos or Anandes Mykonos. On the southern coast: Santa Marina. On the quieter southeast coast: Cali Mykonos

We’ve all seen the iconic photos of Santorini’s cave-like accommodation and impossibly beautiful views across the caldera. So what’s left to say about this island? As it turns out, plenty. Yes, social-media darling, Oia village, is a must – but once you’ve snapped your photos (arrive early to beat the majority of the crowds), escape it to the more rugged, untouched areas of the island, of which there are plenty. Inland, the small village of Pyrgos is worth visiting for the food alone (Penelopes is a good spot to enjoy it) and don’t miss the local wineries – Santorini is famous for its viticulture, thanks to its mineral-rich soil. Santo Wines, close to Pyrgos, hosts wine-tasting sessions with caldera views, merging the best of two worlds.

The Best Greek Island For: Romance and sunset views

Where To Stay: On the southeast coast: Sandblu Santorini, which opened in 2024 and Istoria. Inland: Noūs Santorini, Santorini Sky. In (or close to) Oia: Andronis Arcadia or Nobu Santorini

You may not have heard of Therasia island but if you’ve been to Santorini there’s a strong chance you’ve seen it – it’s just off the caldera coastline. The two were part of the same island until a large volcanic eruption in the 17th-century fractured it into pieces creating a number of islands and islets, of which Santorini is (by far) the best known, and Therasia its little sister. For all of Santorini’s popularity – and the short ferry time between the two (about 10 minutes) – few visitors venture to Therasia, but those who do will discover a slice of traditional Cycladic life. Small villages, original cave houses, tasty tavernas and volcanic beaches make up most of the island, but come minus the crowds. Accordingly, accommodation is typically hard to come by and are mainly private homestays, save for one exclusive retreat often reserved for the rich and famous. But in 2025 a new, more accessible hotel is set to open and change the game – The Duchess by Aria Hotels, with 11 suites plus a pool, spa and restaurant, will open towards the end of the year.

The Best Greek Island For: Bragging Rights

Where To Stay: The Duchess

Poros isn’t an island that crops up on many lists of the best Greek islands, likely in part due to its lack of places to stay. But if you’re looking for a quick getaway from Athens (roughly an hour by ferry) and hoping for a few days in the sun with a more days-gone-by feel, then this under-the-radar Greek island might be the perfect choice. Crowds are few and time doesn’t really matter here; days are spent meandering through slow streets punctuated by coffee stops at small cafés and belly-filling dinners at seafront tavernas. Beaches – even the most popular – are far from crowded, and often involve a bit of work to find, like Love Bay, a small cove surrounded by pine trees and with a scattering of loungers and a small food shack. Landmarks are few and far between, but keen historians might want to visit the ruins of the 500BC Temple of Poseidon in the north, or the Archaeological Museum of Poros in the island’s main town, where you’ll also find a number of port-side restaurants to visit by night: Poseidon Restaurant is one of the best.

The Best Greek Island For: An under-the-radar getaway

Where To Stay: Limeri

We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.