The Greek Islands
The first step in planning your Greek holiday is choosing the right destination from the wealth of all the available options. Here at Sunvil, we have decades of experience in matching islands and resorts to client requirements – so we’re able to advise you on the finest places to go, and the best times to head there. Take a look at some of the best Greek Island destinations below – or check out our favourite Mainland Greece destinations
The Ionian Islands
Amongst the most popular Greek Island destinations, the Ionian group comprises:
With an abundance of clean sandy beaches, traditional Greek villages and plenty of sunshine, these pretty olive and pine-clad islands are perfect for family holidays as well as a couples retreat.
The Cyclades Islands
Made up of a group of 24 islands clustered around Delos, these are some of the most romantic destinations in Greece. The Eastern Cyclades are the best known and most visited. Santorini is, with Mykonos, the busiest, and world famous for its stunning scenery – particularly the unique views (and sunsets) from the volcanic cliffs which plunge steeply into the dark waters of the caldera below. Naxos and Paros are popular, white-washed and picture-postcard pretty. Tinos and Syros are popular with the Greeks and offer an authentic island experience.
The Western Cyclades are equally as attractive but lesser known, although the secret is now getting out and they have seen a recent increase in popularity. Andros is a green and tranquil island popular with walkers; Milos's volcanic past has shaped its amazing geology and coastline; Folegandros (also volcanic) has similarities with Santorini, but without the crowds; Sifnos is an upmarket gem and known for its cuisine; Serifos remains a peaceful backwater; traditional Kythnos has few visitors and offers walking holidays.
Least known of all are the cluster to the south of Naxos, known as 'the small Cyclades' - we feature Koufonissi, known for its golden beaches, and sleepy Schinoussa next door. Lying just to the south, long and narrow Amorgos is mountainous and remote, and a magnet for walkers.
The Cyclades are perfect island hopping territory and we can arrange completely flexible holidays to nearly all of them.
Eastern Cyclades - Mykonos, Paros, Antiparos, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, Tinos, Syros
Western Cyclades - Andros, Kythnos (we offer walking holidays here), Serifos, Sifnos, Milos, Kimolos, Folegandros
Small Cyclades - Koufonissi, Schinoussa, Amorgos
The North & North East Aegean Islands
Settled towards the maritime borders with Turkey, the North & North East Aegean Islands offer a range of resorts, scenery and holiday ideas for those who like a little variety. Sunvil offers holidays to Chios, Fourni, Ikaria, Lemnos, Samos and Thassos – all of which enjoy stunning scenery, ranging from the mountains of Samos (wonderful for walkers) to the attractive harbour town of Myrina on Lemnos and the olive groves of Thassos, known as ‘the Emerald Isle’. Remote Ikaria is named after Ikarus, the Greek boy who plunged into the sea here after flying too close to the sun – and is a wild and wonderful island with a special appeal to those looking for unspoiled nature and beauty.
The Dodecanese Islands
Some of the most attractive and peaceful Greek islands are grounded together in the Dodecanese Island group, which includes Rhodes, one of the best known of all Greek islands. There’s a huge amount of choice when it comes to picking a Dodecanese island – from the tranquillity of sleepy Tilos through to the liveliness of historic Rhodes Old Town – making the Dodecanese group perfect for an island-hopping holiday. We feature nearly all the Dodecanese islands, including Kalymnos and Telendos, Pserimos, Astypalea, Halki, Karpathos, Kastellorizo, Leros, Lipsi, Nissyros, Patmos, Rhodes, Symi, Tilos, Kos and Kassos, so feel free to create your perfect Greek Island holiday – including as many destinations as you desire.
The Sporades Islands
The three green and golden islands of the Sporades are very close to one another yet remarkably varied, each having its own distinct culture and character. Choose from Alonissos, Skiathos or Skopelos. Alonissos is a sleepy backwater for much of the year, perfect for walkers and those who love the sea, which is a protected Marine Park here. Skopelos is larger and forested – the town here is especially attractive with over 100 chapels hidden amongst its narrow lanes. Skiathos is lively, fashionable and has almost 50 superb sandy beaches. These are some of the most relaxing holiday destinations in Greece.
The Saronic Islands and the Greek Mainland
The Saronic Islands are nestled close to the mainland coast by Athens, and many Athenians have holiday homes on these beautiful islands. Hydra has a wonderful and historic port climbing up the hillside, and has particular appeal to those looking for green holidays – all forms of private motorised transport are banned here! We also feature Aegina, Agistri, Poros and Spetses. If you’re looking to combine an island retreat with a trip to Athens, then a holiday to one of the Saronic islands is a good bet - the closest are less than an hour by frequent ferry service from Piraeus.
In addition, we feature the islets of Elafonissos and Ammouliani off the coast of the Peloponnese and Halkidiki respectively. Multi-centre holidays and fly-drive itineraries are on offer.
Crete
On the same latitude as Tunisia, one of the reasons Crete is so popular is due to its fair weather year-round, with long hot summers often tempered by a cooling breeze from the high mountains. The largest of all the Greek islands, it’s a destination within itself. We concentrate our programme on Crete's western side. The North West coast boasts a pair of historic Venetian harbour towns in Chania and Rethymnon, and enjoys super beaches and many traditional villages in the foothills of the White Mountains. Our small seaside villages of Kalives, Almirida and Panormos encapsulate the charm of this coast. If you’d like to sample the remote South West coast , with its dizzy mountain scenery, then look for holidays to Paleochora, tiny car-free Loutro, or Plakias and Agia Galini a little further east. North East Crete was the first area of the island to be developed for tourism and as such has some busy resorts between Heraklion and Aghios Nikolaos. However the history (including the famous Palace of Knossos along with lesser known Minoan sites and various monasteries), the mountain scenery (do visit the spectacular Lassithi Plateau) and the attractive villages of Elounda and Sitia in which to stay makes this a perfect fly-drive area in our opinion. Mountain lovers should include a stay at the Idi Hotel set in the valley below Crete's highest peak.