Ready to ditch the humdrum of everyday life and lose yourself island-hopping in Greece? These are the best islands for island-hopping this holiday
What does our dream summer look like? There’s probably an expanse of white sand, some rippling turquoise water, a charming town, a glass of wine at sunset…sound about right? If this, plus a whole host of other wonderful locations and experiences, sounds like your holiday heaven, then island hopping in warm, sunny Greece might just be the perfect trip for you.
Why Island Hop Instead of Choosing One Destination?
Island hopping is incredibly popular in Greece, given the fact that many of the islands are very close together. Each island in Greece has its own unique personality—no two are quite alike, nor are their people, their delicacies, or the character of the location in general. When you’re visiting Greece, the way to truly get to know the islands and to get a balanced, enriching experience is to see as many islands and as many parts of the beautiful mainland as possible.
Cyclades Route: Mykonos – Santorini – Crete
This route is one of the most popular, especially in the high season. Athens airport welcomes private jet charter planes as well as commercial aircraft, and this is undoubtedly the best place to touch down to begin your trip with a ferry ride from Athens to Mykonos. The Cyclades Islands are world-renowned for their picturesque whitewashed villages, seemingly endless beaches, aggressive volcanic landscapes, and exciting nightlife, particularly on islands like Mykonos. They are also known for their rich history, archaeological sites, and classic Cycladic architecture that can be seen all over most of the islands.
Ferry From Athens to Mykonos
No doubt you’ll want to spend a little time in Athens, as you should, to experience the rich culture and history that’s spread out across the city. It’s one of the main Greek ports and thus a hub for island hoppers. Begin your trip with a ferry to the exquisite island of Mykonos. Athens connects to Mykonos via the ports of Rafina and Piraeus—Rafina is the port you should use to get off the mainland. Your first stop is known as a party island, so get ready to shake it till the break of dawn!
In the high season, there are eight daily ferries from Rafina to Mykonos and back again. The duration of the trip will vary from company to company, as each one may have a different type of vessel. The fastest you can expect to make the crossing is 2.5 hours, while the slowest is likely to be 4.5 hours.
Ferry From Mykonos to Santorini
Once your Mykonos experience is concluded, it’s time to move on to Santorini—the best-known of the islands for the distinctive cobalt blue and fresh white abodes that line the slopes of the island as they rise from the ocean. This trip is just as popular as your previous one, so seven or eight ferries will arrive and depart every day. Again, the crossing time will depend on the kind of vessel that your ferry company uses. The shortest crossing could be as quick as two hours, while the longest could be as long as 3.5 hours.
Ferry From Santorini to Heraklion (Crete)
The last leg of your journey offers three or so ferry trips per day. A standard crossing is usually about two hours, with no real need to factor in any more time than that unless there’s a storm or the swell is excessively large on the day of your trip. The last stop, Heraklion, is a hub for those wishing to explore ancient Minoan and Venetian landmarks, sun themselves on stunning beaches, and enjoy the nightlife. Its archaeological sites, including the Palace of Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, are the perfect places to absorb Greek history and culture.
Ferry From Heraklion to Athens
The simplest way to get from your last stop back to Athens to catch a flight off to your next destination or back home safely is to take a ferry directly from Heraklion back to Athens. While Rafina is the way to go when departing from Athens, the only option for a direct return from Heraklion is to take the 9.5-hour ride back to the port of Piraeus. There are five of these ferries every day.
Sporades Route: Skiathos – Skopelos – Alonissos
A slightly less travelled route, but a worthwhile one without question! The Sporades Islands have a lot to offer travellers: a combination of pristine natural beauty (forests and beaches alike) and the kind of nightlife that will keep you dancing till dawn.
Ferry From Volos to Skiathos
The most practical starting point for this island-hopping journey will be Volos. It’s recommended to touch down at Nea Anchialos National Airport to be as close as possible to the port for your ferry to your first destination: Skiathos. There are multiple ferries every day, so if you oversleep and miss the first one, don’t panic! The journey to Skiathos usually takes 1.5—2.5 hours. Wooded and sandy shores welcome you to this island that is all about enjoying nature and living the slow life.
Ferry From Skiathos to Skopelos
Next stop, Skopelos, where reclining on a soft sandy beach and splashing around in crystal clear water will be the order of the entire trip. Many people who travel to this little island do so because it’s the filming location for the well-known ABBA movie musical Mamma Mia! Your ferry ride will be a short one—at best 15 minutes and at worst 1.5 hours.
Ferry From Skopelos to Alonissos
Last, but certainly not least, is the island of Alonissos. This island is a beacon of animal preservation and is well known for its Marina Park, which serves as a home to a population of endangered Mediterranean monk seals. Your ferry ride is as reasonable as the previous one—between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours.
Ferry From Alonissos to Volos
The simplest way back to your port of origin is the direct ferry from Alonissos to Volos. This crossing typically takes around 4.5 hours, and the fastest sailings can be completed in around 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The Islands Are Calling
The only thing left to do now is charter a plane, pack a rainbow of swimsuits and get ready for the island experience of a lifetime. Sun, sea, wonderful people, and delicious food await. Island hopping in gorgeous Greece—who’s in?