Greek islands: which is the best to visit?

The tranquil island of Lemnos sits in the azure waters of the Aegean Sea. With breath-taking scenery, long stretches of uncrowded sands and dramatic volcanic peaks, it’s easy to see why Lemnos makes our list. Oh, and the conditions are fantastic for watersports like sailing and windsurfing.

The island’s capital, Myrina, is quaint but bustling with a colourful marina lined with seafood tavernas, an impressive Byzantine castle and bags of traditional Greek charm.

To the south of Lemnos sits the mighty island of Lesvos. Despite being Greece’s third largest island, Lesvos remains unspoiled.

The island’s volcanic history lies at its core with rugged mountains, hot springs and rich vegetation gracing its surroundings: think pine forests, olive groves and wildflowers. The island is a haven for many types of wildlife and the scenic capital city, Mytilini, is awash with culture and history. Take in the ancient theatre, the Saint Athanasios cathedral, the fading Venetian mansion houses and the lively waterfront.

Corfu is one of the most popular Greek islands, and for very good reason. From its picturesque beaches to cosmopolitan towns and cities, it’s easy to see why Corfu has been a popular getaway destination for many years.

With elegant Venetian buildings and raucous Old Town crammed with bars and restaurants, Corfu Town is a great place to pack in plenty of fun and culture.

The tiny Ionian island of Paxos maybe Corfu’s neighbour, but you’ll find a completely different atmosphere here. Paxos is the place to come to unwind amongst secluded coves, incredible sunsets and peaceful whitewashed villages. That’s not to say you can’t enjoy some al fresco dining and drinks in a friendly seafront taverna.

Explore the beautiful village of Lakka, sitting on the shores of a sheltered horseshoe bay backed by ancient olive and cypress trees.

The pace of life on this little island is gloriously slow. Sink deep into holiday mode as you relax to the sounds of the waves lapping one of many off-the-beaten-track beaches. Vivid flowers at every turn and the island’s three small villages provide a fascinating insight into old-school Greek life.

Both our one-week and two-week South Ionian flotillas sail to Meganissi from our Vounaki Beachclub. Book a stay and sail holiday and you’ll get a week on shore to enjoy the inclusive activities and sweeping sandy beach – we can even teach you to sail ahead of your island-hopping adventures.

Lefkas is another Greek gem yet to be overdeveloped by the tourist industry. Here, you’ll find deserted stretches of coastline backed by a verdant interior of forests, mountains and waterfalls. Lefkas Town is a great spot for dinner, with its tree-lined squares packed with bars, restaurants and happy diners.

Our Cosmos Beachclub is situated in the south of the island, in Vassiliki, where you’ll find unbeatable conditions for windsurfing and other water sports. It’s all down to ‘Eric’, the famous thermal breeze that blows in every afternoon.

Made famous by Hollywood as the setting for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Cephalonia is now one of the most well-known Greek islands.

The busy capital, Argostoli, was – like much of the island – devastated by the 1953 earthquake but has since been rebuilt, retaining much of its authentic character. We love the tiny fishing village of Fiskardo, one of the few places where the island’s original Venetian buildings remain. And, of course, you can’t miss a visit to the iconic Myrtos Beach with its white sands, steep cliffs and startlingly blue waters.

Cephalonia is a real island-hopping must, and you’ll find it on the itinerary of several of our flotilla holidays. You can also hop on a ferry from our Cosmos Beachclub and explore for a day.

You’ll find this sleepy island just off the coast of popular Cephalonia. With such a famous neighbour, it often flies under the radar, but Ithaka is a truly special place. The home of mythical Greek King Odysseus, Ithaka is actually two small islands joined by a thin strip of land. It's scattered with idyllic villages, ancient ruins and secret coves.

When deciding which Greek island to visit, this has to be a serious contender. Join our south Ionian flotilla and come see why.