The AZ of Greek island-hopping

Why holiday on one Greek island when you can planarchealogical museum.
a trip that includes visits to many? Getting aroundDodecanese
takes a bit of planning, but you can choose fromRhodes
cruise ships, ferries, yacht charters or air travel.Green and mountainous, Rhodes is renown for its
Accommodation options include rental villas, hotels,natural beauty, fine architecture, and its cosmopolitan
guest houses and home stays. Listed here by regioncharm. It is the most popular of the Dodecanese
are 20 of the most popular Greek island destinations.islands, and its superb variety of architectural
Cycladestreasures and top museums bring visitors year round.
AmorgosKos
Rugged Amorgos, the most easterly of the CycladesThis fascinating island is rich in Hellenistic, Roman,
islands, has beautiful sandy beaches, a precipitousByzantine and Venetian archaeology and the
coastline, peaceful and serene bays and theagricultural interior is perfect for bicycle riding. There
magnificent Monastery of Hozoviotissa. Tourismare daily ferries to and from Pireaus, and Turkey is
infrastructure is rudimentary which this makes for ajust a short boat trip away.
laid-back charm.Ionian
DelosCorfu
First inhabited in 3000 BC, this small island was thePopular Corfu, the greenest of the Greek islands, has
religious and commercial centre of ancient Greece.ancient ruins, castles and distinctive Italianate
There are no towns or accommodation here, justarchitecture in Corfu town. The old fort (Paleo
quietness and a sense of history in the archaeologicalFrourio) is the location for a Sound-and-Light show in
ruins.summer.
FolegandrosKefalonia
This small, beautiful island has plenty ofKnown as the location for filming of Captain Corellis
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
alleyways and streets and red-roofed churches, isthe Aegean Sea, Chios has many churches and
everything that Greek islands are famed for.monasteries, medieval villages and ancient
Naxosmonuments, which date from times under
Mount Zeus towers over this relatively quiet andMacedonian, Roman, Turkish and Greek rule. From
charming island which is green and fertile. Prettybeautiful beaches and coves to mountains and
agricultural villages are perfect for experiencing islandtraditional villages, the island is a 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
port main town and some pretty beaches, particularlyoil and ouzo.
in the north around the fishing village of Naoussa.Saronic Gulf
SantoriniAegina
The most popular of Greek Islands. From theA great beginners Greek island experience, Aegina is
archaeological wonder of Akrotiri, a town preserveda perfect day trip by ferry from Athens. A city state
in volcanic ash, to its rocky outcrops and charmingin ancient times, be sure to visit the ruins of
white-washed domestic architecture, Santorini is onePaleohora, one of the best-preserved ancient Greek
of the worlds most spectacular islands.temples.
SifnosAngistri
This mountainous island, a 3-hour ferry trip fromIntimate sandy beaches are the trademark of this
Pireaus, has enchanting fertile valleys and medievalsmall island near Aegina. But there is also an
architecture, a fine archaeological museum and tranquilinteresting farming and fishing side of the island that
sandy beaches. A wide range of hotels, tavernas andis off the beaten tourist track.
shops cater for island visitors.Hydra
SyrosHead for the waterfront restaurants and cafes of
The administrative centre of the Cyclades, Syros hasHydra Town on this famed maritime destination for
a busy harbour and shipyard, lovely beaches,great Greek ambience. Wander around and view the
attractive architecture and many churches andold sea captain mansions, and check out some of the
museums. The interior of the island has many fruithundreds of old churches.
and vegetable farms.Poros
TinosHandy to Athens, the busy town of Poros is an island
The third largest of the Cycladic Island group, ajoined to the island of Poros by a causeway. The
30-minute ferry ride from Mykonos, Tinos is anisland is home to the scant remains of the Temple of
important destination for religious pilgrims. The inlandPoseidon but the beaches are not so good.
villages, nestled into the mountain slopes, areSpetses
connected by a network of walking paths.Famous for its great beaches and nightlife, Spetses
Cretealso has a harbour known for its wooden boat
The largest of the Greek islands, mountainous Cretebuilding industry. The main square in the town, the
has it all, including bustling towns, idyllic rural villages,Dapia, has lots of interesting restaurants, while on the
fields of olives, fruits and vegetable crops, sandybusy waterfront you can watch the boatbuilders at
beaches, stunning ancient ruins and a world-classwork.