Greek island hopping holidays

With direct flights to Crete from Gatwick and Heathrow to both Heraklion and Chania airports, Crete is a great place to start island hopping in Greece. It’s also a reasonable ferry or short flight from Athens. If you're planning your visit, knowing where to stay in Crete can help you choose the best base, whether you prefer the lively towns, scenic coastal retreats, or charming mountain villages.

Crete is a stunning island with an incredible history and certainly merits a trip in its own right. If you’re just there for a few days, you should definitely explore the antiquities and museums in Heraklion, a town where Ancient Greece feels very much alive around practically every corner. The nearby Palace of Knossos and the Minoan Palace of Phaistos are both top tips for atmospheric ruins.

Adventurous travellers won’t want to miss Samaria Gorge for an epic hike, or the majesty of the Psychro Cave. Of course, if you prefer to start your holiday by recharging your batteries, you’re spoilt when it comes to beaches, from the crystal-clear waters of Elafonissi in the west to the beautiful seaside town of Elounda.

The ferry from Heraklion port to Santorini runs several times a day in high season and can take as little as two hours. Santorini also has an international airport, so if you’re tight on time, you can start your island-hopping holiday in Greece here. To make the most of your stay, check out our guide to the best areas to stay in Santorini and find the perfect spot for breathtaking views, vibrant nightlife, or a peaceful escape.

When you think of this romantic island, you probably drift off into a daydream of whitewashed houses, blue roofs and pastel-coloured sunsets – luckily, the reality lives up to it. Head to Oia for the most postcard-perfect version of the island. You’ll find a gorgeous harbour speckled with restaurants and cobbled streets leading to a castle, a windmill, and the perfect perspective for those dreamy sun-downs.

If you spend a day or two here, wine-tasting opportunities and vineyard tours abound. Families might prefer exploring the coast path to discover the abandoned-feeling Caldera Beach or driving out to Akrotiri lighthouse. Oh, and nearly every town on the coastline also has a stunning beach.

From Santorini, Naxos is a two-hour ferry ride with five crossings per day, so it seems almost rude not to visit the mountainous isle on your Greek island-hopping trip.

Most people stay in Naxos Town, with its white houses, pretty restaurants and shops, and a hilltop castle overlooking the bay. While here, wander across the causeway to the Portara, a portal to an unfinished temple in honour of Apollo that perches atop a little island in the harbour.

Keen walkers will be raring to journey up Mount Zas, the highest point in the Cyclades, said to be the spot where Zeus himself was raised. For another fabulous panorama and to take in the mountain itself, head to Apano Kastro, a beautiful hike through ruins and mountainous scenery, with the peak looming in the background.

There are lovely beaches in the town, but if you have time, head further afield to Alyko or Kalantos for a wild and unspoilt day by the sea. While you’re staying on the windy isles, don’t forget to check out kite-surfing and windsurfing opportunities.

Naxos and Paros are nearby neighbours, with a ferry from the former running up to six times a day and taking between 30 and 45 minutes. Getting between the islands couldn’t be simpler and costs between €10 and €40.

You land in Parikia, a low-key capital home to whitewashed cube houses, unfussy seafood restaurants and museums, flanked by paradisical beaches. It’s worth leaving the town, though, to explore the quiet, sandy beaches – and the even quieter rocky ones – in the north.

While in this part of the island, stop off at the former fishing village Naoussa, now a trendy seaside spot offering a picture-perfect backdrop of white dwellings, colourful eateries and fishing boats bobbing on a crystal-clear sea.

The best watersports, especially kite-surfing, are found in the southeast of the island, but if you’ve had your fill of beaches, you could also drive between the pretty villages or walk the Byzantine Trail. This route leads between the villages of Lefkes, Prodromos and Marpissa, all overflowing with bougainvillaea and charm.

If you still have time to spare, spend a day (or more) on the short trip to Antiparos, Paros’ pint-sized neighbour. The journey takes less than thirty minutes and costs around €5, so it’s a very doable day excursion.

This tiny island is rather off the radar, making it popular with celebrities seeking peace in boutique hotels, but most of the island remains sleepy and down to earth. The main town is quintessentially Cycladic, with pristine, sleepy streets patrolled by cats, cute shopfronts, and the classic blue and white colour code. It boasts a castle, windmill and beautiful old town as well as a nice port, but the island is particularly known for its beaches.

The nearest to the port are Sifneiko and Psaraliki, but if you can head further afield, Apantima is a refined gem. On the far side of the island from the port, Agios Georgios captures hearts with its authentic seafood tavernas and glorious coves.

Aren’t you staying? It’s a shame to leave, but when you eventually do, this island hopping holiday in Greece has several ‘hop-off’ points.

From Paros and Naxos, you can take a ferry to Mykonos, which has an international airport. Paros also has a ferry to Athens for all major flight connections, as well as a tiny airport that only flies to Athens.

Naxos airport also runs flights to Athens, where you can connect. Santorini has an international airport, so you could take the ferry back to there, or there’s a ferry to Athens if you prefer.