Greek Islands Holidays

Alongside the glorious Mediterranean weather, one of the main draws of a Greek islands holiday is the wide range of world class attractions. Whether you’re travelling solo, on holiday with friends or are planning a family summer holiday in 2018, you’re sure to find Greek island attractions to keep everybody happy. Each island is different, comprised of a wide variety of towns and villages each with their own unique atmosphere and things to do. No holiday to the Greek islands would be complete without a visit to the historic Acropolis in Athens, where you can enjoy striking views over the Greek capital. Here you can explore the Plaka district, with the Panathenaic Stadium, putting you within easy reach of many important ancient artefacts from the Ancient Greek Empire at the Acropolis Museum. While you’re here, you won’t want to miss the Meteora, one of Greece’s most captivating UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This scenic monastery overlooks majestic sandstone pillars and has inspired photographers and artists throughout history.

Every region in Greece has its own take on the traditional dishes of Greek culture, making the Greek islands a great choice of holiday destination for foodies and newbies to the world of gastronomy, alike. By opting for a Greek islands holiday, you’ll be within easy reach of fresh, tasty Greek dishes prepared in the traditional Greek methods by locals. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy authentic Greek recipes passed down from generation to generation for a vibrant and cultural culinary experience. As Greek cuisine is all about fresh, locally produced produce, start your meal with a tasty salad comprised of feta dusted greens and juicy olives. Then, move onto a hearty moussaka, Bourdeto, or a seafood dish, a tradition on the island of Corfu. Of course, Greek dishes are best enjoyed with a glass of well-bodied Greek red or white wine. Ouzo is another popular drink of the Greek islands, usually enjoyed as you enjoy your appetizers or mezze. Whatever your tastes, Greek tavernas are the ideal place for getting a bite to eat at lunch.

Of course, the Greek islands have far more to offer than just idyllic beaches and a buzzing nightlife scene. The Greek islands have a number of excellent family oriented attractions including theme parks, water parks and family friendly attractions. Some of the best Greek islands to visit for families include Thassos, Corfu, Evia, Aegina, Crete and Naxos. As one of the most green and lush Greek islands, Corfu’s hill topped landscape is lined with cypress and olive trees. In Corfu, children will love seeing the Venetian architecture and exploring the coast to find hidden coves. In Rhodes, your children can explore the walled Old Town and Palace of the Grand Masters, a medieval fortification built by the Knights of St John in the 1300s. For nature-loving families, Rhodes is also a great choice as the island boasts the wooded valley of Petaloudes, where thousands of Jersey tiger months congregate between June and September.

The Greek islands are traditionally associated with idyllic beaches and relaxing sunshine holidays, but there’s also an abundance of exhilarating activities and things to do for adventure loving holidaymakers. The volcanic island of Milos in the Cyclades is known as having one of the most captivating coastlines of any Greek island, with a number of coves, unspoilt bays, arches and sea stacks formed in multi-coloured rock. Kayaking is one of the best ways to explore the Milos coastline at your own pace, letting you paddle to places that can’t be reached by roads. There’s a wide range of water sports on the picturesque Ionian island of Zakynthos, including water skiing, paddleboarding, sea kayaking, windsurfing and sailing. The beach at Peligoni is jagged and rocky at Zakynthos, contrasting with a number of long stretches of sand and a handful of coves and sandy bays. If you’d like to enjoy exciting sea views without too much effort, join a boat tour to explore a number of Greek islands at once, a perfect choice for an active day out if you’ve got young children. If you’d prefer to head further inland for your active days out, you’ll find plenty of land based exhilarating activities in Rhodes including tennis and mountain biking. Crete is a great pick for those who like to stretch their legs with hikes and treks, with the western half of the island celebrated as a haven for walkers. Here you’ll find a wide range of winding trails to explore, while at Santorini’s active volcano, Nea Kameni, you’ll get up close and personal with the power of nature.

Let’s face it – you’re likely to be travelling to the Greek islands, at least in part, for the wonderful sun-drenched weather. Thanks to their geographic location, the Greek islands offer warm sunshine, gentle breezes and beautiful green surroundings. There are beaches for all tastes here, whether you prefer pebbled beaches with strong currents for water sports, or upmarket, manicured beaches with calm, clear waters. If you’re a fan of upmarket beaches, head to the beautiful island of Santorini. Here you’ll find shaded sandy shores, palm-thatched parasols and sun loungers to keep you comfortable around the clock. Kamari Beach and Perissa Beach are two of the best loved beaches in the area, with a good selection of restaurants and beach bars close at hand to keep you topped up during your marathon sunbathing sessions. If you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten track, Paros is just the beach for you. Corfu is the ideal Greek island location for family friendly coastal spots, with top areas like the beaches of Agios Ioannis and Agios Georgios. If you’d like a choice of action and adventure from your beach, head to Zakynthos, which offers scuba diving, boat trips and other water sports, while rocky bay areas like the Keri Caves and Porto Koukla are great for exploring the rugged terrain.

The nightlife on the Greek islands is about fun, fun and more fun. Whichever of the Greek islands you opt for, from Athens to the Cyclades or Rhodes to Santorini, you’ll find a range of luxurious nightclubs, traditional restaurants and intimate bars to choose from depending on your tastes. You’ll find fairs and festivals at village squares, hand-in-hand circle dances with the local Greek people, top international DJs playing at the foremost nightclubs and authentic Latin and Greek music playing at a number of stylish bars. While the atmosphere of the Greek islands during the day is calm and tranquil, at night many of the islands come alive with the hum of music and chatter. If you prefer a vibrant, bustling nightlife scene, opt for Mykonos, Ios, Zakynthos and Corfu, while those who prefer a more quiet nightlife experience may prefer Rhodes, Crete or Santorini.

One of the best Greek islands for romantic holidays is Santorini, the most popular choice for weddings and honeymooning couples for good reason. Sun-drenched and picturesque with quaint whitewashed buildings and a dramatic landscape, Santorini looks like a perfect picture-postcard. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful of all the islands in the Mediterranean, with almost endless options for days out exploring the scenic villages, relaxing and watching captivating sunsets. When it comes to other options for couples’ Greek island holidays, Crete is a great choice for foodie couples looking for an authentic Greek dining experience. Koufonissia is the top pick for a totally chilled, relaxed location where you can spend plenty of quality time with your loved one. Active couples will love the mountains of Andros, a wonderful place for hiking and walking as you enjoy the picturesque views. Whichever island you pick, the beauty and diversity of the Greek islands is unrivalled, so you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience with your significant other.

Greece is a wonderful place to visit for a culturally enriching holiday that you’ll never forget. As a country of diverse cultures and a long and rich heritage, exploring the Greek islands lets you experience a variety of different lifestyles and environments. With more than 2,000 islands to choose from, ranging from little atolls to the huge island of Crete, Greece is an unrivalled holiday destination when it comes to variety. Opting for a holiday in the Greek islands puts you within easy reach of a huge range of attractions and places of great natural beauty including beaches, forests, historic ruins, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and idyllic coves. The best islands for history include Patmos, Corfu, Delos and Rhodes. In Rhodes you can gaze in awe at the Old Town, where the Knights of St John led from 1309 to 1523, and explore their historic quarters and Palace of the Grand Masters. At Delos, close to Mykonos, you’ll find ruins of shrines dedicated to the ancient gods and come face to face with historic residences decorated with stunning mosaics. To learn more about the rich spirituality and heritage of the Greek islands, visit Patmos’ Monastery of St John the Theologian to see the grotto where he wrote the Book of Revelations.