- Searching for the perfect island
- The best Greek archipelagos for a getaway
- Santorini is the most picturesque island in Greece
- Mykonos - noisy and fun
- Crete - an island for everyone
Mainland Greece differs significantly from the island one. The Greek islands are a special world that was abandoned and forgotten by everyone over the past century, up to the 1970s. Here, as in the old days, fishermen and their families lived in white houses adhered to the rocks.
When ugly concrete high-rise buildings were erected across mainland Greece, the islands retained their authenticity. In the second half of the 20th century, romantics came here en masse in search of silence and untouched nature. At the same time, local residents realized that tourists who dream of a turquoise sea and beautiful beaches can make good money. It is impossible to answer unequivocally the question of where in Greece it is better to rest on the islands. Each Greek island is beautiful in its own way.
Searching for the perfect island
Lesbos
Greece owns about two thousand islands. Only a few hundred of them are inhabited. On some islands, such as, for example, on the southernmost island of Europe, Gavdos, a couple of dozen people live, others in terms of the number of local residents can be equal to some countries. There are also miniature rocky islands in Greece, which periodically disappear under the waves.
The best Greek archipelagos for a getaway
Rhodes
Cyclades in the Aegean Sea. These are 220 islands, among which Mykonos and Santorini are especially popular. The Cyclades Islands are distinguished by excellent infrastructure and are aimed at wealthy tourists;
- Eastern Aegean Islands off the west coast of Turkey. The largest are Lesvos, Chios and Samos;
- Dodecanese - 12 islands, which were successively ruled by the Crusaders, Ottomans and Italians. The islands of Rhodes and Patmos seem to be created for fans of sightseeing holidays. The island of Kos is famous for its medicinal springs;
- islands of the Argosaronic Gulf (Aegina, Hydra, etc.). They are located near Athens and are therefore suitable for a day trip;
- The Ionian are the only Greek islands that were not conquered by the Turks. This means that the spirit of European Hellas has been preserved here. The main island of the Ionian archipelago is Kerkyra (Corfu);
- Crete is a separate island, the cradle of the Minoan civilization. In Crete, a beach holiday can be combined with a visit to various historical monuments.
Santorini is the most picturesque island in Greece
Santorini
Even if you have never been to Santorini, you have probably seen images of him on numerous souvenirs from Greece. Santorini is a chain of small islands surrounding a caldera formed by a volcanic eruption in 1450 BC. NS. The most expensive and fashionable hotels in Santorini are built so that their guests can watch the best sunset over the caldera right from the windows of their room. Many people want to visit Santorini, but this pleasure is quite expensive. Therefore, most tourists come to the island by ferry only for one day.
There are no noisy nightclubs in Santorini; newlyweds, people of creative professions and just lovers of beautiful pictures come here in search of romance. This island is not suitable for families either. The steep streets of the capital of the island, Thira, are located on the slope of a former volcano, so you will have to overcome a huge number of steps in a day, which will not be very convenient with children at the ready.
Mykonos - noisy and fun
Mykonos
Young people who dream of noisy parties and dancing until the morning usually go to Mykonos. Nightclubs, artist workshops where bohemians from all over Europe gather, trendy restaurants - all this is on the famous Cycladic island.
Beach lovers will not be disappointed either. Here are the most famous Greek beaches - Platis Gialos and Paradis. Super Paradise beach is located far from the benefits of civilization, it can only be reached by sea, so it has long been chosen by nudists. Tired of partying and doing nothing on the beach, you can go on an excursion to the neighboring island of Delos, which in antiquity was considered the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. The ruins of ancient Greek temples have been preserved here.
About 750 thousand tourists come to Mykonos every year, including the stars of the first magnitude. Families with children rarely visit Mykonos: it is too noisy and crowded.
Crete - an island for everyone
Crete
For a family vacation, you need to choose Crete - an island where you can find both hotels for every taste and a wide variety of entertainment. There are amusement parks for children, such as the “Minoan Fairy World” near Heraklion. Adults will be delighted to see the legendary Minotaur Palace at Knossos, perhaps the most famous local landmark. The motor ship, departing from the port of Kissamos, will take tourists to the islet of Gramvousa, on the rocks of which the ancient Byzantine citadel, the pirate headquarters of Barbarossa, was built. From its walls you can see the confluence of the three seas - Ionian, Aegean and Mediterranean.
After the excursions, it is worth having a rest on the seashore. Local Greeks prefer the pink sand beach on the Elafonisi peninsula. The sand acquired this shade due to small fragments of coral. In August, the beach is covered with a carpet of white lilies.
