Ahh Greece, beautiful beaches, tasty wine and amazing food. A country full of history, vivid culture and unmatched hospitality. This and a lot more is Greece. However, Greek islands still stand out and are a definite must visit for anyone coming to this beautiful country. From 6.000 islands in total, scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, around 227 are inhabited, so narrowing down the choice to only 5 was not easy. Read on and find out what makes these five so special.
Kefalonia
This amazing island is the largest of all the Greek islands in the Ionian sea. It has of recently become a favourite among tourists, but due to its long sandy beaches and large size, this Ionian beauty is never crowded. You can get here by plane or take a ferry from the mainland.There are several exotic beaches and other attractions in the island that are simply a must visit, and these include the fascinating Melissani Cave, Myrtos, Antisamos, Lourdas and Skala. You also don’t want to miss the opportunity to explore the untouched nature of this beautiful island.
Rhodes
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Out of twelve Dodecanese islands on the Aegean’s eastern edge, Rhodes is the largest and most popular. With it’s well-preserved medieval city of Rhodes, fabulous hotels and quaint little villages it has a lot to offer tourists. And if you want a taste of authentic Greece you can opt for a trip to the interior of the island. From shops to cafes and vivid nightlife, Rhodes does not disappoint.
Lesbos
Although it is the third largest of the islands in Greece behind Crete and Evia, Lesbos is virtually untouched by the growing Greek tourism. This beautiful, green slice of nature provides you a taste of ‘real Greece’. Oh, don’t’ worry you won’t get bored here. Lesbos offers amazing authentic foods, beautiful uncrowded beaches, magical pine and hardwood forests, rivers and over a million olive trees. There is nothing more beautiful than an evening walk through an old olive grow.
Evia
Being the second largest island in Greece, for years Evia was reserved for Greeks, and not open for tourists. But that has all changed in recent years with a lot of property development, Evia is slowly becoming one of the most popular islands. It is renowned for its seafood and handcrafts, you can visit several small villages in the mountains to experience the old Greek customs and culture. In addition, make sure you visit a few thermal springs with mineral baths. There are some great spas offering luxury treatments on Evia as well.
Crete
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The biggest and some say the most beautiful island in Greece. Being the 88th biggest island in the world means that you won’t be able to conquer it on foot, that is for sure. In order to tully discover all the treasures of Crete you should definitely consider renting a car for a couple of days, and going on a small road trip around the island. Apart from beautiful beaches, you can also expect to see stunning and significant historical sights such as the Minoan palaces of Knossos, Phaistos, Malia and Kato Zakros. And not to mention numerous monasteries, some dating to the 15th century.
Rich history, amazing beaches and fantastic food and wine, the Greek islands
