At last, with the prospect of a COVID-19 vaccine, there is some long-awaited good news on the travel horizon. UK holidaymakers can start looking forward to, and planning with confidence for a well-deserved holiday in the Greek Islands in 20212.
While a range of restrictions is likely to stay in place for some time, one thing you won’t have to worry about is finding the right hotel for your perfect holiday.
Thanks to the Eddy Travels AI assistant, with one simple text message you can find your choice of hotel, in your chosen destination, at the right time, and at the right price. Just sign up to Eddy Travels and start planning your well-deserved getaway today.
Always one of the most popular European destinations, the Greek Islands are once again proving desirable with travellers from the UK, and further afield, planning their Greek Island getaway. As of now, 5 Greek Islands are already quarantine-free when travelling from the UK; Corfu, Crete, Kos, Rhodes, and Zakynthos. However, always remember to check for the most recent local guidelines.
To make your decision easier, we’ve compiled a list of Greece’s top 10 holiday islands. Whether you’re searching for complete quiet and relaxation, a sun-worshipping beach holiday, exploring history and culture, discovering nature and the great outdoors, or clubbing the night away, we’ve done the groundwork for you.
From Corfu to Kefalonia we’ll give you the low down on everything you need to know when planning your Greek holiday break.
1. Corfu
The island of Corfu (Kerkyra), situated on Greece’s north-western coast, is a holiday-makers favourite. With a long and multi-layered history as a centre of commerce, the island welcomed marine traders from all corners of the Mediterranean, and beyond. Today, Corfu still prides itself on the welcome it affords all comers to share its bountiful blessings.
From culture, cuisine, unspoiled nature, long beaches, and warm sunshine, to adventure sports and historical tours, Corfu ensures that every moment of every day spent in paradise can be as full, or as solitary as you need. With lively nightlife and lazy days, cooling swims in crystal clear waters, the island has all the rewards you’ll need for a well-deserved holiday for family, friends, or a romantic getaway for two. Renowned for the hospitality of the locals, Corfu shows a special and heart-warming welcome to families with children.
Getting there: Corfu offers easy and direct airline access from almost every country in Europe.
2. Crete
As the largest of the Greek Islands, Crete (Kriti) is a rich mixture of the very best the entire country has to offer those in search of the ultimate holiday experience. With a distinctly local culture, the magical old towns of Chania and Rethymno exude a uniquely appealing charm. Almost as a polar opposite of the other hedonistic Greek Islands, Crete has space for everyone, whatever their idea of the perfect escape might be.
With long deserted beaches, even during the main holiday season, sleepy mountain villages, stunning nature and scenery, the island changes dramatically around every bend in the road, and over the crest of every hill. Cretan cuisine is also regarded as being some of the finest on offer anywhere in the country. For lovers of the great outdoors, Crete is a hiker’s wonderland and includes the challenging but spectacular Samaria Gorge along with one of Greece’s highest mountain peaks, Idi. It’s almost impossible to experience everything this spectacular island has to offer in one visit, but if you choose well, you will be rewarded with a holiday experience that will last a lifetime in great memories.
Getting there: Heraklion International Airport is easily accessible from most major airports in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and India.
3. Kos
I once heard the advice that if you’re looking for the best beach on the beautiful little island of Kos, just hop in your car and drive. It won’t be long before you find your own hidden bay or cave where you can paddle, swim, or snorkel to your heart’s content in seclusion. Understandably, tourism is Kos’s main industry, and with so many amazing beaches, an abundance of historic sites dating back millennia, and stunning natural scenery, Kos is worth the journey.
Depending on how you enjoy your holidays, Kos can provide everything you need. Within walking distance of the lively town of Kos, you can find some great beaches as a respite from the summer heat. On the south coast, Kardamena is the central hub of all-inclusive package tourism, while Mastihari on the northern coast and Kamari in the southwest will ensure you can get away from it all. Like all of the Greek Islands, Kos offers culture, history, water sports, relaxing on quiet beaches, or hiking and cycling in unspoiled nature. And, whatever you do, don’t forget your camera for those spectacular Kos sunsets.
Getting there: Kos is serviced from most major European airports with a flight to Hippocrates International Airport on the island of Kos. If you are planning to drive to the airport by car, check out parkingaccess.com to find the best parking spot.
4. Rhodes
From all-inclusive resorts to hideaway villas and luxury 5-star hotels, the island of Rhodes (Rodos) has been one of Greece’s most popular holiday destinations for decades. Whether you arrive on the long ferry journey from Piraeus (16-18 hours), or directly by air to the island’s main airport, you will immediately get the feeling of being cast away in a very special place.
According to Greek mythology, the island of Rhodes was home to the God Apollo - the God of the Sun. With year-round sunshine, Rhodes seems like the perfect choice. Prepare to be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing your favourite secluded beach. If you’re a lover of history the island is steeped in the past. In the old town of Rhodes, among a maze of winding cobblestone streets, you will feel like a time traveller spirited back to the days of the Byzantine Empire. Rhodes is the complete holiday, whatever your heart’s desire.
Getting there: Rhodes is easily accessible by air in under 4 hours from most main European airports.
5. Zakynthos
When it comes to describing the island of Zakynthos, afloat in the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea, it is difficult not to revert to superlatives. Stunning, mesmerising, heart-stopping, delectable, enchanting, the list could go on forever. The truth is, every one of those words is almost necessary to describe what is a treasure trove of natural wonder.
With beaches like Spiantza, Vasilikos, Gerakas, and Laganas Zante to choose from, along with the famous and much-photographed Shipwreck beach, accessible only by boat, Zakynthos is perfection personified as an island hideaway. If you can somehow drag yourself away from the golden sands for long enough, the island has much more awaiting discovery. Zakynthos Town, with its noticeable Venetian influence, is perfect for lazy exploration among its many fine architectural jewels. If you’re still feeling energetic, hiking, scuba diving, water sports, and lots more will keep you entertained - until it’s time to return to your place on your favourite secluded beach.
Getting there: It’s possible to reach Zante airport by air direct from several UK and European airports. Ferries are also an option from the port of Kilini.
6. Mykonos
While the other Greek Islands can boast of culture, heritage, and nature, Mykonos - it’s fair to say - boasts some of the best beaches in the entire country, and the most vibrant nightlife for those who love to party. The island, situated in the centre of the Cyclades group of islands, has the feeling of being a giant shining sun around which all of its sister islands are in a constant, and envious orbit.
Often regarded as being the love child of St-Tropez and Ibiza, prepare to spend your days lolling on a beach bed beneath a glaring hot sun, or seeking refuge in the shade of a lounge terrace or coffee bar, waiting for the night to come. Hedonistic might be too strong a word for Mykonos, but it’s no secret that the island draws all-comers from all communities; gay, straight, movies, entertainment, fashion, and media, like moths to a burning light.
Getting there: With a flying time of between 3-4 hours, Mykonos is easily reachable from most of the main airports in the UK and Europe.
7. Kefalonia
There can be no doubt that the movie ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ was instrumental in raising the status of Kefalonia as a major Greek tourist destination. But before the movie, Kefalonia - the largest of the Ionian islands - was well-known to all those seeking peace, tranquillity, and solitude. The situation may have changed somewhat in recent years, but not by a lot.
Kefalonia has a delightful mix of variety and an atmosphere of breathable open spaces. With one of the most interesting coastlines in the islands, it’s easy to find a hidden tree-lined bay or a secret cove with gin-clear waters alive with shoals of colourful fish, to truly call your own. You will probably need a car to discover the true secrets of Kefalonia; lush meadow-covered mountains, lazy fishing villages, enchanting forests, and idyllic rural vineyards, where sampling is always an option. One final tip; try not to miss out on visiting the talc-fine beach of Myrtos Bay.
Getting there: A daily ferry runs from Killini taking approx. 9 minutes. Summer flights direct from the UK are also available.
8. Skiathos
If your idea of holiday heaven is made up of white sandy beaches stretching into the distance, rocky hillsides scattered with pines and olive groves releasing their unforgettable fragrance into the summer air, the delicious Greek Island of Skiathos is awaiting your arrival. As the leading light of the Sporades group of islands, the island is delicately awash with tiny rural villages, ancient mountaintop churches, quaint fishing hamlets, gin-clear seas, and the cobblestone streets of the whitewashed port of Skiathos.
If you like nightlife, the narrow streets of Skiathos double as the centre of island entertainment as the sun goes down in a blaze of glorious colour. Although Skiathos may be an island small in geographic stature, its reputation overshadows some of the larger islands due to its stunning natural beauty and vacation-appeal. Unfortunately, this means that accommodation is at a premium as the holiday season progresses. It’s probably best to book well in advance and look forward to the holiday of a lifetime in an unequalled natural paradise.
Getting there: Traveling from the UK, Skiathos can be reached directly from Manchester, Gatwick, and Bristol airports. The island is also served by ferries from Volos or Evia - which can be reached from Athens by KTEL bus.
9. Santorini
Santorini (Thira), is commonly regarded as being the superstar among the harem of Greek Islands. Stunning images of a rugged island adrift in a sapphire sea, and topped with cake-decoration white houses, have captured the imagination of travellers for decades.
The picture-postcard villages of Fira - the island’s lively capital - and Oia may have the appearance of backwaters forgotten by time, but Santorini has long been the secret playground of the rich and famous. Due to their patronage over the years, the island is home to a selection of fine-dining restaurants, wineries, and high-end shopping more usually found on the high streets of Europe’s capital cities. It’s enduring beauty, blue skies, colourful volcanic beaches, and crystal-clear waters ensure that the island remains a favourite among holidaymakers. Santorini delivers the sparkle expected from a crown jewel in the treasury of Greek Islands.
Getting there: There are direct flights that operate between Santorini and the UK during the summer months. Plus, there is a regular ferry service from Athens. Check out ShuttleFare to find the best transportation from the airport to your hotel.
10. Naxos
With Mount Zeus as the island’s central focus point, Naxos winds itself slowly down towards the inviting sapphire sea and the delightful waterfront town of Hora. The largest island in the Cyclades group, Naxos comes as a place of exceptional refined beauty, and surprising value for money. Like most idyllic Greek Islands, secluded beaches come as standard, as does a smattering of delightful fishing villages and sleepy mountain hamlets where time stands still.
Far back in history, Naxos was a multicultural centre of commerce for Greece and Byzantium, Venetian, and Frankish who have all left their cultural mark on the island. To cap the island's wide-ranging appeal, its mountain ranges ensure a year-round lushness which goes a long way towards explaining the island’s reputation as an increasingly popular food destination. Using all local ingredients, Naxian cuisine relies heavily on local potatoes, honey, cheeses, olive oils, fruits, seafood, wine, and a local liqueur called kitro.
Getting there: You can fly to Athens, then either take a flight to Naxos with Aegean or board a ferry from Piraeus.
How to easily find the best Greek Island hotel
Now that you’ve taken a virtual tour, you may have a better idea of what you want from your holiday in the Greek Islands.
Whatever your demands are, to ensure a fantastic Greek Island vacation, finding the right hotel is a big part of that equation. Whether you want all-inclusive, 5-star luxury, quaint and rustic, or a room with a guaranteed sea-view, Eddy Travels is a one-stop-shop.
With the ability to refine your search, the Eddy Travels AI assistant will help you find the cheapest, the best, or the safest hotel to match your needs. Once you’ve done that, sit back, relax, and wait for the holiday of a lifetime to begin.
And don’t forget to keep up to date with all the COVID-19 rules, restrictions, and regulations - Visit Greece.