Deciding which island to visit in Greece can be a daunting task – especially since there are over 600 islands to choose from, each with its own unique  beauty. 

So I’m here to give you some information on each, as well as share my personal experiences of the 5 islands I visited during my 3 months travelling Greece. I can say that I don’t think you can go wrong with any Greek island as they are all incredibly inviting in their own unique way. But it’s all about the type of holiday experience you are looking for.

It’s important to note that there are two sides of Greece for you to choose from – the Ionian side and the Aegean side – each have their own unique charm and offer a completely different holiday experience as they have very different climates, cultures and cuisines. 

Ionian or Aegean Islands?:

The Ionian Sea is situated on the west of mainland Greece, bordered by the western coast of Greece, southern Italy, and Albania, while the Aegean Sea is situated to the east of mainland Greece, between Greece and Turkey. 

The Ionian Sea is much smaller and shallower compared to the Aegean Sea, and therefore boasts the most incredible crystal-clear turquoise waters (the best I have ever seen), while the Aegean Sea is much larger and deeper than the Ionian Sea, which is why it appears a much darker blue in colour. 

Due to the Aegean Sea being deeper and more open, it can experience stronger winds and rougher seas at times, and because of this the Aegean islands have a slightly cooler and drier Mediterranean climate with average temperatures between 21-28 degrees Celsius (69-82 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer.   

The climate of the Ionian Islands is a hot Mediterranean climate with temperatures quickly reaching mid 30 degrees Celsius (93-102 degrees Fahrenheit). Luckily, there is always a gentle sea breeze present. 

While there are no palm trees present, the Ionian Islands are characterised as the ‘tropical islands’ of Greece due to the rich greenery and vegetation along their coastline while the Aegean islands are characteristically more arid.

This was just a brief summary but I go into a lot more detail here in this blog.

The 5 Islands I visited during my time in Greece:

• Mykonos
• Naxos
• Corfu
• Paxos
• Antipaxos

I loved each island for different reasons which I will explain briefly, and if you want more information check out all my honest reviews of each where I go into a lot more detail about the main areas, attractions, and how to travel around.

My recommendation – don’t just visit one island during your holiday, split your time and visit islands close by for a more holistic experience of a Greek island holiday – some of the islands are so close together and short ferry rides apart, so use this to your advantage.

For example, we visited Mykonos and Naxos during our 6 days in the Aegean side of Greece, which was the perfect split between party and traditional white-washed houses, and then the adventurous activities of Naxos.

For the Ionian side, we split our time between Corfu, Paxos and Antipaxos – and again, this gave us the perfect combination for our holiday.

Mykonos – The cosmopolitan nightlife of Greece

Rated one of the Top 5 Party Islands of the World – Mykonos is famous for its exclusive parties and wild nightlife. It’s also famous for its traditional Cycladic architecture of white chalk houses and colourful doors. 

I asked for a wild party island with white houses and beaches, and that’s exactly what I got. Great parties that carried on until the early morning, and the picturesque cycladic architecture and bougainvillaeas in Mykonos Town – and because of these I was very happy I visited!

However, I can’t help but feel that somewhere along the way Mykonos has lost a bit of its cultural essence and authenticity – which is why I recommend splitting your time in Mykonos with another island nearby to experience a bit more culture and tradition. We combined our stay with 4 days in Naxos, and it was the perfect synergy of a holiday for me. Parties and nightlife on Mykonos, and then daytime hikes, cliff diving, and traditional dancing on Naxos. 

Mykonos is very expensive, and everything comes with a price tag. To experience Mykonos properly, you have to spend money. Beach bars, restaurants, shopping, sunset cocktails, clubbing… It all comes at a price. So if you’re like me and Mykonos is high on your bucket list for the wild island nightlife and the beautiful white chalk views, by all means come here and spend your money living out your travel fantasy – because it really was an incredible experience. 

But if your feelings towards Mykonos are luke-warm and you have many other places that sit higher on your bucket list – I would recommend skipping this island and spending your money elsewhere.

If you only have a limited amount of time in Greece, I don’t think you’ll be satisfied with just visiting Mykonos, and I don’t think you will experience the true beauty of Greece in Mykonos. So take the ferries to other islands nearby and stay a few nights on the other islands to absorb more of the culture.

Naxos – adventurous exploring

Beautiful, charming, tranquil Naxos. This island was an absolute haven to visit after our 2 nights on Mykonos. With so much of the island to see in such little time, we were constantly out exploring and taking in the diverse beauty that was on offer. From vibrant blue coastlines to lush vineyards, olive farms, and marble mountains inland, this island always had some new incredible views to see.

I love how much adventure and exploration the island offered, from cliff jumping into crystal-clear water, hiking to the top of the mountains, driving through the lush farmlands and vineyards and wandering the small vibrant towns, I was blessed with the full Greek island experience here on Naxos. I cannot recommend it enough. 

The locals were wonderfully friendly and welcomed tourism, and this wasn’t necessarily the case on other islands such as Mykonos. 

The traditional music and dancing was something I hadn’t experienced as much of anywhere else during my time in Greece, so looking back I am so happy I had the traditional Greek experience that Naxos offered. The architecture and landscape is also so unique to the island and unlike any other I saw. I believe that every Greek island has its own character, and I think Naxos should definitely be on your list to explore and experience its unique vibrant charm. 

Corfu – colourful charm

If there’s one word I would use to describe Corfu – its colour! This island is a popular destination known for its colourful houses, beautiful beaches, lush landscapes, and vibrant cultural atmosphere.

Coming over from the Cycladic islands in the Aegean Sea, I was immediately overwhelmed with Corfu’s lush landscape and was delighted to see more greenery, fruit trees, and blossoming flowers. Corfu also has incredibly colourful houses, which I just couldn’t get enough of.

Apart from its diverse natural beauty, including coastal areas, mountainous terrain, and fertile valleys, Corfu has been influenced by various cultures throughout history, including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, French, and British, and this diverse heritage is reflected in the island’s architecture, cuisine, and traditions, making it a fascinating destination for history and culture. 

Locals on the island bragged about Corfu’s hospitality and I laughed until I experienced just how above and beyond locals will go for their guests. 

All in all, if you are looking for lush green landscapes, crystal-clear blue waters, friendly locals, traditional Greek cuisines and culture, and an abundance of colours – I don’t think you can go wrong with Corfu, and visiting the nearby islands Paxos and Antipaxos. 

Paxos & Antipaxos – the best turquoise waters of Greece

Of the many waters I have been lucky enough to experience through my travels, I still have not found waters and views that have blown me away like the waters of Paxos and Antipaxos. White sandy beaches that meet crystal clear turquoise waters at the perfect temperature, swimming through underwater caves, sipping cocktails at beach bars and exploring the cliffs and natural terrain of the island. 

On these small and relatively secluded islands you will find pristine beaches, translucent waters, adorable fishing villages and luscious vineyards inland. They offer breathtaking beauty and tranquillity, and are must-visit destinations for travellers seeking a calming and relaxing escape in Greece. 

We spent our summer days soaking up the European sun on these gorgeous beaches, jumping off jetties and boats into the inviting warm waters, swimming through underwater caves, sipping cocktails at beach bars and exploring the cliffs and natural terrain of the island. 

Paxos and Antipaxos were some of my all time favourite destinations, and in my opinion, the perfect postcard for a serene Greek summer holiday. 

How to choose an island?

While both Ionian and Aegean Greek cultures share common elements such as a love of food, music, and history, each region has its own unique identity shaped by its geography and historical influences.

If you are looking for a tranquil holiday with idyllic beaches, calmer wind conditions, colourful fishing villages and an abundance of nature, then the Ionian islands (Corfu, Paxos, Antipaxos and Zakynthos) are a perfect match for you.

If however you are looking for those charming white chalk buildings, mesmerising sunset views, glamorous cosmopolitan settings, and a more energetic holiday (partying and navigating the wind) – the Cycladic islands (Mykonos, Paros, Naxos and Santorini) are calling to you.