🪪 The list at a glance
🔥 How we ranked them
The order is based on Google Trends: how much each island was searched for worldwide over the last 12 months. Crete is first by a wide margin, followed by Rhodes, Santorini and Corfu. Lower on the list does not mean less beautiful: it often means fewer people, lower prices and a more authentic life.
The price is the cheapest one-way economy fare for summer 2026, rounded. High-speed boats and cabins cost more, and prices vary by company and date. For excursion boats, the price includes the return trip. Last updated: October 2026.
🗺️ All the islands on the map
🗺️ The map with all the islands
Each number is the island’s position on the list, and each colour a region. Tap a number for a photo and a link. The filters below also change the map.
🏝️ The list
Choose a region, keep only the islands with an airport or those close to Athens, and change the order: by popularity, by distance or by ticket price. The photo and the name take you to the full guide.
81 islands
Crete
The largest Greek island, a whole world: Knossos, Venetian Chania, gorges, Balos and villages that live all year round.
- ⛴️Piraeus 8–10 hours, overnight
- 💶Ticket from 45 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Rhodes
The medieval Old Town of the Knights, the acropolis of Lindos and beaches for every taste, with flights all year round.
- ⛴️Piraeus 13–18 hours
- 💶Ticket from 47 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Santorini
The caldera, the sunsets of Oia, prehistoric Akrotiri and the wines of the volcano. Go outside August if you can.
- ⛴️Piraeus 5–8 hours
- 💶Ticket from 46 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Corfu
A green island with a Venetian Old Town, Pontikonisi, Paleokastritsa and cooking with Italian influences.
- ⛴️Igoumenitsa 1.5 hours
- 💶Ticket from 11 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Mykonos
Little Venice, the windmills, the beaches with bars and the starting point for Delos. The most expensive version of the Cyclades.
- ⛴️Piraeus 2.5–5.5 hours
- 💶Ticket from 40 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Kos
The Asklepieion of Hippocrates, sandy beaches all along the coast and flat roads for cycling. Very easy with children.
- ⛴️Piraeus 10+ hours
- 💶Ticket from 60 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Zakynthos
The Shipwreck from above, the Blue Caves and the loggerhead turtles in the bay of Laganas.
- ⛴️Kyllini 1 hour
- 💶Ticket from 11 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Paros and Antiparos
The elegant pair of the Cyclades: Naoussa, Kolymbithres, Panagia Ekatontapyliani and laid-back Antiparos across the water.
- ⛴️Piraeus 3–5 hours
- 💶Ticket from 40 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Kefalonia
Myrtos, Lake Melissani, Fiskardo and Mount Ainos. A big island, you need a car.
- ⛴️Kyllini 1.5 hours
- 💶Ticket from 11 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Naxos
The most balanced first choice: the Portara, long sandy beaches, mountain villages and very good food.
- ⛴️Piraeus 3.5–6 hours
- 💶Ticket from 42 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Lefkada
Joined to the mainland by a bridge. Porto Katsiki, Egremni and the islets opposite Nydri.
- ⛴️Athens, by road 4.5 hours
- 🚗No ferry
- ✈️No airport
Samos
Pythagoreio, the Heraion, Kokkari and green mountains with vineyards for the sweet muscat.
- ⛴️Piraeus 9–12 hours
- 💶Ticket from 55 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Thassos
The green island of the north: the natural pool of Giola, Marble Beach and stone mountain villages.
- ⛴️Keramoti 40 minutes
- 💶Ticket from 4 €
- ✈️No airport
Milos
The volcanic island: Sarakiniko, Kleftiko, the boathouses of Klima and more than 70 beaches.
- ⛴️Piraeus 2.5–7 hours
- 💶Ticket from 45 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Skiathos
Pines down to the sea, Koukounaries, Lalaria and a lively harbour with lots of tavernas.
- ⛴️Volos 2–3 hours
- 💶Ticket from 28 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Lesvos
Molyvos, the Petrified Forest, the ouzo places of Plomari and a large, authentic interior.
- ⛴️Piraeus 11–13 hours
- 💶Ticket from 48 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Syros
Neoclassical Ermoupoli, medieval Ano Syros and life all year round. The Cyclades as a town.
- ⛴️Piraeus 2–4 hours
- 💶Ticket from 36 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Chios
The mastic villages with their scratched-pattern houses, Nea Moni and a historic town of shipowners.
- ⛴️Piraeus 7–9 hours
- 💶Ticket from 42 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Tinos
Panagia of Tinos, the dovecotes, the marble village of Pyrgos and more than 40 villages.
- ⛴️Rafina 2–4 hours
- 💶Ticket from 32 €
- ✈️No airport
Aegina
The closest island for a day: the temple of Aphaia, pistachios and Perdika for fish.
- ⛴️Piraeus 40–75 minutes
- 💶Ticket from 11 €
- ✈️No airport
Ithaca
The island of Odysseus: Vathy, Kioni, Frikes and quiet coves far from the crowds.
- ⛴️Sami, Kefalonia 30 minutes
- 💶Ticket from 4 €
- ✈️No airport
Lemnos
The castle of Myrina, the sand dunes, the lakes with flamingos and very good local wine.
- ⛴️Lavrio 8–10 hours
- 💶Ticket from 36 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Karpathos
Olympos with its traditional costumes, Apella and wild mountains. Go by plane.
- ⛴️Piraeus 18–20 hours
- 💶Ticket from 65 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Sifnos
The island of cooking: revithada, pottery, Kastro and Chrysopigi on its rock.
- ⛴️Piraeus 2.5–5 hours
- 💶Ticket from 42 €
- ✈️No airport
Skopelos
The Mamma Mia! chapel, pine forests down to the pebbles and a Chora rising like an amphitheatre above the harbour.
- ⛴️Volos 3.5 hours
- 💶Ticket from 32 €
- ✈️No airport
Hydra
No cars, with donkeys, captains’ mansions and the most elegant harbour of the Saronic.
- ⛴️Piraeus 1.5–2 hours
- 💶Ticket from 33 €
- ✈️No airport
Symi
Neoclassical houses in ochre colours around Gialos and the Monastery of Panormitis.
- ⛴️Rhodes 1 hour
- 💶Ticket from 12 €
- ✈️No airport
Paxos
Olive groves, Gaios and Lakka, and the blue coves of Antipaxos for swimming.
- ⛴️Corfu 1 hour, high-speed boat
- 💶Ticket from 22 €
- ✈️No airport
Kalymnos
The island of sponge divers and climbing, with Telendos opposite Myrties.
- ⛴️Mastichari, Kos 20–40 minutes
- 💶Ticket from 7 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Ikaria
The island of long life: festivals until morning, Nas with its river and the Seychelles on the south coast.
- ⛴️Piraeus 7–10 hours
- 💶Ticket from 45 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Patmos
The Monastery of Saint John, the Cave of the Apocalypse and a white Chora with a quiet rhythm.
- ⛴️Piraeus 7–9 hours
- 💶Ticket from 50 €
- ✈️No airport
Andros
Green, with running water, waymarked paths, an aristocratic Chora and art museums.
- ⛴️Rafina 2 hours
- 💶Ticket from 22 €
- ✈️No airport
Kythira
Chora with its castle, Avlemonas, the waterfalls of Mylopotamos and Kaladi beach.
- ⛴️Neapoli 1 hour 15 minutes
- 💶Ticket from 12 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Salamis
The island of the naval battle, the Faneromeni Monastery and the Cave of Euripides, right next to Piraeus.
- ⛴️Perama 15 minutes
- 💶Ticket from 1 €
- ✈️No airport
Ios
Young nightlife in Chora, Mylopotas, Manganari and the tomb of Homer.
- ⛴️Piraeus 4–7 hours
- 💶Ticket from 45 €
- ✈️No airport
Spetses
Dapia, the house of Bouboulina, the Old Harbour and rides by carriage or bike.
- ⛴️Piraeus 2 hours, high-speed boat
- 💶Ticket from 45 €
- ✈️No airport
Serifos
A Chora hanging on the rock, Psili Ammos and the old mines at Megalo Livadi.
- ⛴️Piraeus 2.5–4.5 hours
- 💶Ticket from 32 €
- ✈️No airport
Poros
The Clock Tower, the temple of Poseidon and the Lemon Forest, opposite Galatas in the Peloponnese.
- ⛴️Piraeus 1–2.5 hours
- 💶Ticket from 16 €
- ✈️No airport
Leros
Italian Lakki, the castle above Platanos and Panteli with its fishing boats.
- ⛴️Piraeus 9–11 hours
- 💶Ticket from 50 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Amorgos
Chozoviotissa on the cliff, the Big Blue, footpaths and Aigiali.
- ⛴️Piraeus 6–9 hours
- 💶Ticket from 45 €
- ✈️No airport
Kythnos
The double sandy beach of Kolona, the thermal springs of Loutra and quiet Dryopida.
- ⛴️Piraeus 2–3 hours
- 💶Ticket from 25 €
- ✈️No airport
Evia
The second largest island, next to Athens: Eretria, Aidipsos, Karystos in the south and forests in the north.
- ⛴️Athens, by road 1 hour to Chalkida
- 🚗No ferry
- ✈️No airport
Elafonisi
The pink sand and the shallow lagoon in southwest Crete, with the Cedar Forest next to it.
- ⛴️Chania, by road 1.5 hours
- 🚗No ferry
- ✈️No airport
Alonissos
The Marine Park with the Mediterranean monk seals and the stone Old Village.
- ⛴️Volos 3–4.5 hours
- 💶Ticket from 33 €
- ✈️No airport
Skyros
Chora below the castle, the Skyrian ponies and the tomb of the poet Brooke.
- ⛴️Kymi 1 hour 45 minutes
- 💶Ticket from 13 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Gramvousa and Balos
The lagoon of Balos, the Venetian castle of Gramvousa and the shipwreck on the shore.
- ⛴️Kissamos 1 hour, excursion boat
- 💶Return excursion from 30 €
- ✈️No airport
Samothraki
The Sanctuary of the Great Gods, the waterfalls and the rock pools of Mount Saos. An island for nature and camping.
- ⛴️Alexandroupoli 2 hours
- 💶Ticket from 14 €
- ✈️No airport
Monemvasia
A Byzantine castle town on a rock in the sea, without cars, linked to the mainland by a bridge.
- ⛴️Athens, by road 4 hours
- 🚗No ferry
- ✈️No airport
Kimolos
The quiet neighbour of Milos: white sandy beaches, the boathouses of Goupa and Chorio with its Kastro.
- ⛴️Piraeus 5–7 hours
- 💶Ticket from 45 €
- ✈️No airport
Delos
The whole island is an archaeological site: the lions, the houses with mosaics and Mount Kynthos.
- ⛴️Mykonos 30 minutes, excursion boat
- 💶Return excursion from 25 €
- ✈️No airport
Folegandros
A Chora on the cliff edge, the Panagia on the hill and beaches reached by path or caïque.
- ⛴️Piraeus 4–7 hours
- 💶Ticket from 45 €
- ✈️No airport
Agistri
Pines down to the water, Aponisos and Dragonera. A quiet islet for one or two days.
- ⛴️Piraeus 1–2 hours
- 💶Ticket from 13 €
- ✈️No airport
Elafonisos
Simos with its sand and turquoise water, and the sunken city of Pavlopetri opposite.
- ⛴️Pounta 10 minutes
- 💶Ticket from 2 €
- ✈️No airport
Kastellorizo
The easternmost island, with a colourful harbour, the Blue Cave and Kaş in Turkey across the water.
- ⛴️Rhodes 4–5 hours
- 💶Ticket from 25 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Spinalonga
The Venetian fortress that became a leper colony, opposite Elounda in eastern Crete.
- ⛴️Plaka 10 minutes, caïque
- 💶Return excursion from 15 €
- ✈️No airport
Halki
Emborio with its mansions, the abandoned Chorio with its castle and Pontamos beach.
- ⛴️Rhodes 1 hour
- 💶Ticket from 12 €
- ✈️No airport
Nisyros
Walk inside the crater of Stefanos and see Mandraki and Nikia on its rim.
- ⛴️Kos 1 hour
- 💶Ticket from 12 €
- ✈️No airport
Astypalaia
Chora with its castle and windmills, shaped like a butterfly, between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese.
- ⛴️Piraeus 9–10 hours
- 💶Ticket from 42 €
- ✈️Has an airport
Meganisi
Spartochori, Vathy and the Papanikolis Cave, opposite Lefkada.
- ⛴️Nydri, Lefkada 25 minutes
- 💶Ticket from 3 €
- ✈️No airport
Anafi
The rock of Kalamos, Chora and the sandy beaches of Roukounas, far from the crowds.
- ⛴️Santorini 1 hour
- 💶Ticket from 10 €
- ✈️No airport
Kea
The closest island of the Cyclades: Ioulida, the Lion and ancient Karthaia on a footpath.
- ⛴️Lavrio 1 hour
- 💶Ticket from 13 €
- ✈️No airport
Lipsi
A small harbour with tavernas, Platys Gialos and Katsadia. Peace next to Patmos.
- ⛴️Patmos 30 minutes
- 💶Ticket from 10 €
- ✈️No airport
Gavdos
The southernmost point of Europe: sand dunes, cedars and the Tripiti arch in the sea.
- ⛴️Chora Sfakion 2 hours
- 💶Ticket from 22 €
- ✈️No airport
Donousa
The Small Cyclades: Stavros, Kedros and Kalotaritissa, with few people and plenty of footpaths.
- ⛴️Naxos 1–3 hours
- 💶Ticket from 10 €
- ✈️No airport
Sikinos
Chora with its Kastro, Episkopi and Alopronia. Authentic and very quiet.
- ⛴️Ios 30 minutes
- 💶Ticket from 7 €
- ✈️No airport
Tilos
The green island of footpaths, with Livadia, Megalo Chorio and the deserted Mikro Chorio.
- ⛴️Rhodes 1.5–2 hours
- 💶Ticket from 20 €
- ✈️No airport
Chrysi
An uninhabited islet in the Libyan Sea, with a cedar forest and the beach of Golden Sand.
- ⛴️Ierapetra 50 minutes, excursion boat
- 💶Return excursion from 30 €
- ✈️No airport
Schinoussa
Chora on the hill and a network of small sandy beaches, such as Tsigouri and Livadi.
- ⛴️Naxos 1–2 hours
- 💶Ticket from 8 €
- ✈️No airport
Koufonisia
Piscina, Pori and Kato Koufonisi, with the most turquoise water of the Small Cyclades.
- ⛴️Piraeus 5–8 hours
- 💶Ticket from 45 €
- ✈️No airport
Ammouliani
The only inhabited island of Halkidiki, with sandy beaches and a view of Mount Athos.
- ⛴️Tripiti 15 minutes
- 💶Ticket from 2 €
- ✈️No airport
Iraklia
Agios Georgios, Livadi and the Cave of Saint John. Peace, with few rooms.
- ⛴️Naxos 1 hour
- 💶Ticket from 8 €
- ✈️No airport
Antikythira
The Antikythera Mechanism was found here. A small, wild island for birds and quiet.
- ⛴️Kissamos, Crete 2 hours
- 💶Ticket from 12 €
- ✈️No airport
Agios Efstratios
One village, Alonitsi and the Museum of Democracy of the exiles. One of the most remote islands.
- ⛴️Lemnos 1.5 hours
- 💶Ticket from 8 €
- ✈️No airport
Thirasia
The quiet side of the caldera: Manolas on the cliff and Korfos with its fish tavernas.
- ⛴️Ammoudi, Oia 15 minutes
- 💶Ticket from 3 €
- ✈️No airport
Psara
The island of Kanaris and the Black Ridge, with stone mansions and clear water.
- ⛴️Chios 2–3 hours
- 💶Ticket from 15 €
- ✈️No airport
Pserimos
A small islet with the big sandy beach of Avlakia, for a day trip from Kos.
- ⛴️Mastichari, Kos 20 minutes, caïque
- 💶Return excursion from 15 €
- ✈️No airport
Arkoi and Marathi
Turquoise islets with Tiganakia, few inhabitants and fish tavernas on Marathi.
- ⛴️Patmos 1 hour
- 💶Ticket from 10 €
- ✈️No airport
Oinousses
The island of shipowners, with the Maritime Museum and quiet beaches opposite Chios.
- ⛴️Chios 1 hour
- 💶Ticket from 7 €
- ✈️No airport
Fourni
An archipelago of islets, famous lobster and the old quarry of Petrokopio.
- ⛴️Ikaria 40 minutes
- 💶Ticket from 7 €
- ✈️No airport
Agathonisi
The northernmost Dodecanese island: Agios Georgios, Megalo Chorio and the ancient tholoi.
- ⛴️Patmos 1–2 hours, catamaran
- 💶Ticket from 15 €
- ✈️No airport
Kasos
Fry, Bouka, the Six Chapels and Armathia opposite, with flights from Rhodes and Karpathos.
- ⛴️Karpathos 1.5 hours
- 💶Ticket from 10 €
- ✈️Has an airport
⚓ Where the ferries leave from
Most Aegean islands start from Piraeus. Rafina is closer to the airport and faster for the northern Cyclades, and Lavrio for Kea and Kythnos. For the Ionian and the Sporades, you first travel by road to a mainland port, or fly.
| Harbour | For which islands | From Ioulianou 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Piraeus | Cyclades, Crete, Dodecanese, Saronic, North Aegean | Metro, Line 1 from Victoria, about 30 minutes |
| Rafina | Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros | KTEL bus from Pedion tou Areos, about 1 hour |
| Lavrio | Kea, Kythnos, Lemnos, Agios Efstratios | KTEL bus from Pedion tou Areos, about 1.5 hours |
| Athens airport | Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, Corfu, Mykonos and many more | Line 1 to Monastiraki and Line 3, about 1 hour |
| Kyllini, Igoumenitsa, Volos, Kymi, Kavala | Ionian, Sporades, Thassos | KTEL bus from the Kifissos station |
For more, see our guide to ferries from Piraeus and the comparison ferry or plane.
🧭 How to choose
- First time: Crete, Naxos or Paros, easy to reach and with a bit of everything.
- For a weekend: the Saronic islands, Kea and Kythnos, up to 2.5 hours from Athens.
- For peace and quiet: the Small Cyclades, the small Dodecanese islands and the islets of the North Aegean.
- For winter: Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Syros, which live all year round.
- For August: book ferry and room early, especially for small islands with few sailings.
If you have not decided yet, see the guide which Greek island to choose, and for combinations our tips for island hopping.
Frequently asked questions
How many islands does Greece have?
About 6,000 islands and islets, of which about 200 are inhabited. This list has the ones we have visited with a full guide, and we keep adding to it.
Which is the most popular Greek island?
In searches, Crete, by a wide margin. It is followed by Rhodes, Santorini, Corfu and Mykonos.
Which island is closest to Athens?
Salamina, 15 minutes from Perama, and Aegina, about 40 minutes by high-speed boat from Piraeus.
How much does the ferry to the islands cost?
For the Saronic, from about €11. For the Cyclades, about €35 to €45 in economy. For Rhodes and the distant Dodecanese, from about €47 to €65. High-speed boats usually cost quite a bit more.
When should I book tickets?
For July and August, as early as possible, especially if you have a car or want a cabin. In June and September a few days ahead is usually enough.
— Kathy
