The Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini might be the social media darlings, but with over 200 inhabited islands scattered across the Aegean, Mediterranean and Ionian seas, there are plenty more – big and small, well-connected and utterly remote – to choose from for your next Greek getaway.
In recent years, islands that have long been a closely guarded local secret – Milos, Folegandros, Tinos and Keá, for example – have begun to shine on an international stage, thanks to shiny new hotel openings (and, for one island – Paros – a Netflix cameo, too). Others prefer to stay just under the radar, content with a slower, more authentic way of life.
Whether you want to see and be seen at a fine-dining restaurant, or tuck into freshly caught seafood with your toes in the sand; party at buzzing beach clubs, or find a secluded spot on a sleepy beach; hike to ancient architecture, or browse trendy galleries – there’s a Greek island to suit. These are 34 of our tried and tested favourites for 2025 in no particular order.
How we choose the best Greek islands
Here, we’ve ranked the best Greek islands, from 1 to 31. While we love and highly recommend every island on this list – and advocate visiting all of them throughout your lifetime, if you can – we’ve also edited the list in order so if it’s your first time planning a visit to this magical corner of the world, or you just want to branch out from your usual summer isle trip, we can help you choose where to go next. The order below reflects our well-travelled team’s personal opinions, the landscapes, food, beaches, hotels and more.
For more recommendations, see our round up of the best Greek Islands hotels.
Which is the nicest Greek island to visit?
All have their advantages, but in terms of meeting the sweet spot of authentic island charm, smart hotels and relative ease of accessibility, we recommend venturing to the more underrated islands such as Milos (direct flights from Athens) and Paros (direct flights from London).
