SARONIC ISLANDS

The Saronic Islands are a popular destination for people backpacking Greece.
These islands are also popular among locals searching for a weekend getaway; since they are the closest islands to Athens.  

Because of this, some islands are touristy. Which is fine if you’re searching to sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and a beautiful place to relax then these islands are perfect.

Islands like Hydra don’t have cars and have a local atmosphere. 

UNINHABITED SARONIC ISLANDS

• Agios Georgios
• Agios Georgios Salaminos
• Agios Ioannis Diaporion
• Agios Thomas Diaporion
• Alexandros Hydras
• Christiana
• Dia
• Despotiko
• Falkonera
• Fleves
• Katramoniso
• Kyra Aiginis
• Laousses Islets
• Leros Salaminos
• Modi Porou

• Moni Aiginas
• Patroklou
• Platia
• Platia Aeginis
• Psili
• Psyttaleia
• Revythoussa
• Romvi
• Spetsopoula
• Stavronisi Hydras
• Trikeri Hydras
• Velopoula
• Ypsili Diaporion
• Ypsili Argolidos

Map of Saronic Islands

• Aegina
• Agistri
• Dokos

• Hydra
• Poros
• Salamina
• Spetses

CYCLADES ISLANDS

Next, we have the Cyclades. 

With 220 islands it’s one of the biggest island chains in the country.

And arguably the most well-known group of islands in the entire Mediterranean.

The Cyclades has many main islands.

But the heavy hitters are Santorini, Mykonos, Ios, Naxos, and Paros.

These islands are some of the most visited destinations in Greece. 

In fact, on this entire list of the Greek Islands, Santorini and Mykonos are the most popular.  (There are some fantastic hotels in Santorini)

I’ve spent a lot of time in the Cyclades, And they offer some of the best islands in Greece. 

MAP OF GREEK ISLANDS: THE CYCLADES

MAIN CYCLADES ISLANDS

• Amorgos
• Anafi
• Andros
• Antiparos
• Delos
• Donoussa
• Folegandros
• Gyaros
• Ios
• Iraklia
• Kea
• Keros
• Kimolos
• Koufonisia
• Kythnos

• Makronissos
• Milos
• Mykonos
• Naxos
• Paros
• Polyaigos
• Santorini/Thera
• Schoinoussa
• Serifos
• Sifnos
• Sikinos
• Syros
• Thirasia
• Tinos

LIST OF ISLANDS IN THE CYCLADES

• Agios Nikolaos Donoussas
• Ananes
• Aniros (Anydros)
• Ano Antikeros
• Antimilos
• Anydros Amorgou
• Askania
• Despotiko
• Eschati
• Glaronisi
• Gramvoussa
• Hristiana

• Htapodia Mykonou
• Kalogiros
• Kardiotissa
• Kato Antikeros
• Kato Koufonisi
• Kitriani
• Kramvoniss
• Liadi Island
• Makares
• Megalo
• Nea Kameni
• Nikouria

• Nisida Prasini
• Ofidousa
• Pahia Anaphis
• Palea Kameni
• Rhineia
• Saliagos
• Serifopoula
• Skilonisi
• Stroggyli Parou
• Vous
• Vrachoi Bouvais

NORTHERN SPORADES

The Northern Sporades are some of the most remote and off the beaten path islands in Greece. While many of the islands are uninhabited a handful of them – Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros, Pelagos and Kira Panayia – have a small population.

The most popular among tourist are Skyros, Alonissos, Skiathos, and Skopelos. And Skiathos and Skopelos have some of the best beaches in Greece.

MAP OF GREEK ISLANDS: NORTHERN SPORADES

MOST POPULAR NORTHERN SPORADES IN GREECE

• Alonissos
• Skiathos
• Skopelos
• Skyros

NORTHERN SPORADES ISLANDS

• Adelfoi Islets
• Agios Georgios Skopelou
• Arko Skiathou
• Aspronisi Skiathou
• Dasia
• Erinia (Rineia Skyrou)
• Gioura
• Grammeza
• Korakas Alonissou

• Kyra Panagia
• Lekhoussa
• Manolas Alonissou
• Maragos Skiathou
• Peristera
• Piperi
• Polemika Alonissou
• Praso Skantzouras
• Psathoura

• Repio
• Sarakino
• Skandili
• Skantzoura
• Skyropoula
• Tsougria
• Tsougriaki
• Valaxa

DODECANESE ISLANDS

The Dodecanese island chain comprises 164 islands and islets. 26  have people living on them. However, there are 12 main islands. 

One thing that sets the Dodecanese apart from the other island chains on this list of Greek islands, is the close location to Turkey.

Making it possible to visit Turkey on a day trip.

12 MAIN DODECANESE ISLAND

1. Astypalaia
2. Kalymnos
3. Karpathos
4. Kasos
5. Kastellorizo (Megisti)
6. Kos
7. Leros
8. Nisyros
9. Patmos
10. Rhodos
11. Symi
12. Tilos

DODECANESE ISLANDS Map

DODECANESE ISLANDS

• Adelfoi Islet
• Agathonissi
• Agioi Theodoroi Halkis
• Agreloussa
• Alimia
• Antitilos
• Anydros Patmou
• Arefoussa
• Arhangelos
• Arkoi
• Armathia
• Astakida
• Faradonesia
• Farmakonisi
• Fokionissia
• Fragos
• Gaidourosnissi Tilou
• Glaros Kinarou
• Gyali
• Halavra
• Halki
• Hiliomodi Patmou
• Hondro
• Htenies
• Imia/Kardak (disputed)
• Kalavros Kalymnou

• Kalolimnos
• Kalovolos
• Kamilonisi
• Kandeloussa
• Karavolas
• Rodhou
• Kinaros
• Koubelonisi
• Kouloundros
• Kouloura Leipson
• Kounoupoi
• Koutsomytis
• Leipsoi
• Levitha
• Makronisi Leipson
• Makronissi Kasou
• Makry Aspronisi Leipson
• Makry Halkis
• Marathos
• Marmaras
• Mavra Levithas
• Megalo Aspronisi Leipson
• Megalo Glaronisi
• Megalo Sofrano
• Mesonisi
• Seirinas
• Mikro Glaronisi

• Mikro Sofrano
• Nero
• Nimos
• Paheia Nisyrou
• Pergoussa
• Piganoussa
• Pitta
• Plati Kasou
• Plati Pserimou
• Plati Symis
• Pontikoussa
• Prasonissi Rodhou
• Prasouda
• Pserimos
• Rho
• Safonidi
• Saria
• Seirina
• Sesklio
• Stroggyli
• Strongyli Megistis
• Strongyli Kritinias
• Strongyli Kasou
• Syrna
• Telendos
• Tragonisi
• Zaforas

CRETAN ISLANDS

Crete’s the star of the Cretan islands. (I bet you didn’t see that coming). 

Crete’s stands out on this list of Greek Island as the biggest, and it’s rich in history and legend. Because of its size, Crete often overshadows the other nearby islands. 

But there are dozens of serene islands lie in the Aegean and Libyan Seas.  

Many of them are nature parks or contain remnants of ancient civilizations.

Gavdos’ the only island (other than Crete) that’s inhabited.  

LIST OF CRETAN ISLANDS ON AEGEAN SEA

• fendis Christos
• Agia Varvara
• Agioi Apostoloi
• Agioi Pandes
• Agioi Theodoroi
• Agios Nikolaos
• Anavatis
• Antimilos
• Arnaouti
• Aspros Volakas
• Avgo
• Crete
• Daskaleia
• Dia
• Diapori
• Dionysades
• Dragonada
• Elasa
• Ftena Trachylia
• Gianysada

• Glaronisi
• Gramvousa, Agria
• Gramvousa, Imeri
• Grandes
• Kalydon (Spinalonga)
• Karavi
• Karga
• Katergo
• Kavallos
• Kefali
• Kolokythas
• Koursaroi
• Kyriamadi
• Lazaretta
• Leon
• Mavros
• Mavros Volakas
• Megatzedes
• Mochlos
• Nikolos

• Palaiosouda
• Paximada
• Paximadaki
• Peristeri
• Peristerovrachoi
• Petalida
• Petalouda
• Pontikaki
• Pontikonisi
• Praso Kissamou
• Prosfora
• Pseira
• Sideros
• Souda
• Valenti
• Vryonisi

LIST OF CRETAN ISLANDS ON Libyan Sea

• Agia Eirini
• Agriomandra
• Ammoudi tous
• Volakous
• Artemis
• Chrysi
• Elafonisi
• Fotia
• Gaidouronisi
• Gavdopoula
• Gavdos

• Koufonisi (Lefki)
• Loutro
• Makroulo
• Marmaro
• Megalonisi
• Mikronisi
• Papadoplaka
• Paximadia
• Prasonisi, Gavdou
• Prasonisi, Rethymnou

• Psarocharako
• Psyllos
• Schistonisi
• Strongyli
• Thetis
• Trachilos
• Trafos
• Treis Volakous

IONIAN ISLANDS

The Ionian sea has one complex of islands. These islets differ greatly from the Cyclades and Dodecanese.
Lying on the far west of the country; the Ionian islands have firm roots in their Venetian Republic, which they were a part of for thousands of years. So if you’ve every wondered what it’s like backpacking Italy, these islands are a good stop for you.  

The group of islands extends from Corfu in the far north along the coast of the Peloponnese.

When we talk of the Ionian Islands, most people think of seven main islands – Corfu, Ithaka (Ithaca), Kefalonia, Kythira, Lefkada, Paxi, and Zakynthos. With Corfu being the most well known. And the island that gets the most tourists.

7 MOST POPULAR IONIAN ISLANDS

1. Corfu
2. Ithaki or Ithaca
3. Kefalonia
4. Kythira
5. Lefkada
6. Paxi
7. Zakynthos

LIST OF GREEK ISLANDS – IONIAN ISLANDS

• Antikythera
• Antipaxi
• Arkoudi
• Atokos
• Diaplo
• Drakonera
• Elafonissos
• Ereikoussa
• Kalamos
• Kalogiros
• Karlonisi
• Kastos
• Kravia
• Kythros

• Lamprinos
• Lazaretto
• Madouri
• Makri
• Makropoula
• Mathraki
• Meganisi
• Modia Islets
• Omfori
• Othonoi
• Oxeia
• Petalas
• Pistros
• Pontikos

• Provati
• Proti
• Sapientza
• Schiza
• Skorpios
• Skorpidi
• Sofía
• Sparti Lefkados
• Sphacteria
• Strofades
• Thilia
• Vidos
• Vromonas

NORTHERN AEGEAN ISLANDS

The Northern Aegean Islands aren’t the most well known in Greece. But those who wander there are surprised by the castles, towering mountains, mountain villages, stunning coastlines, and untouched beaches.

Lemnos is one of the best places, on this list of islands in Greece, for beach bums. The Island has sandy and uncrowded beaches.

The Northern Aegean play a part in the famous Greek mythology and legends.

WELL- KNOWN ISLANDS IN THE NORTHERN AEGEAN

• Lesvos (Mytilini)
• Chios,
• Samothrace
• Thassos
• Lemnos
• Ikaria
• Samos
• Agios Efstratios
• Fourni
• Psara
• Innouse

LIST ISLANDS IN GREECE – NORTHERN AEGEAN ISLANDS

• Agios Efstratios
• Agios Minas
• Alatonisi
• Ammouliani
• Anthropofas
• Antipsara
• Chios
• Cunda
• Fourni Korseon
• Icaria
• Kisiria
• Lemnos

• Imbros
• Kafkanas
• Kalogeros
• Lesbos
• Makronisi
• Nissiopi
• Oinousses
• Pasas
• Psara
• Rabbit Islands
• Samiopoula
• Samos

• Samothrace
• Sergitsi
• Tenedos
• Thasos
• Thasopoula
• Thymaina
• Thymainaki
• Tokmakia
• Uzunada
• Zourafa

LIST ISLANDS IN GREECE – NORTHERN AEGEAN ISLANDS

• Aegina
• Hydra
• Poros
• Spetses
• Agistri
• Salamina
• Psytalleia
• Leros Salaminos
• Revythoussa
• Moni Aiginas
• Dokos
• Alexandros
• Spetsopoula
• Petrokaravo
• Romvi
• Plateia
• Bisti
• Modi
• Skyli
• Psili
• Agios Georgios
• Patroklou
• Fleves
• Agios Georgios Salaminos
• Ypsili Diaporion
• Ypsili Argolidos
• Agios Thomas Diaporion
• Agios Ioannis Diaporion
• Plateia Aiginis
• Kyra Aiginis
• Trikeri Hydras
• Alexandros Hydras
• Stavronisi Hydras
• Velopoula
• Falkonera
• Skiathos
• Skopelos
• Alonnisos
• Skyros
• Peristera
• Psathoura
• Gioura
• Grammeza
• Lechoussa
• Skandili
• Agios Georgios Skopelou
• Dasia
• Tsougria
• Argos Skiathou
• Piperi
• Kyra-Panagia
• Skantzoura
• Skyropoula
• Rineia Skyrou
• Valaxa
• Sarakino
• Agios Nikolaos
• Antikythera
• Antipaxos
• Corfu
• Vidos
• Kravia
• Lazaretto
• Ithaca
• Sparti Lefkados
• Kythros
• Drakonera
• Mougonisi
• Ortholithos
• Panagia
• Provati
• Pistros
• Pontikos
• Modia Islets
• Petalas
• Vromonas
• Kefalonia
• Kythira
• Lefkada
• Paxoi
• Zakynthos
• Strofades
• Othonoi
• Mathraki
• Ereikoussa
• Arkoudi
• Meganisi
• Skorpios
• Kalamos
• Kastos
• Atokos
• Makri
• Makropoula
• Oxeia
• Elafonissos
• Agathonisi
• Kounelonisi
• Katsagani
• Stroggyli
• Farmakonisi
• Arkoi
• Kalovolos
• Agreloussa
• Anydros Patmou
• Patmos
• Chiliomodi
• Tragonisi
• Areloussa
• Leipsoi

• Leros
• Piganoussa
• Pitta
• Megalo Glaronisi
• Mikro Glaronisi
• Kalymnos
• Kalolimnos
• Kalavros Kalymnou
• Telendos
• Nero
• Safonidi
• Plati Pserimou
• Pserimos
• Levitha
• Mavra Levithas
• Glaros Kinarou
• Kinaros
• Kos
• Gyali
• Nisyros
• Pergoussa
• Pachia
• Kandeloussa
• Tilos
• Antitilos
• Gaidouronisi
• Seirina
• Mesonisi Seirinas
• Kounoupi
• Koutsomytis
• Hondri
• Astypalaia
• Fokonisia
• Pontikoussa
• Ofidoussa
• Symi
• Nimos
• Marmaras
• Kouloundros
• Plati Symis
• Seskli
• Halki
• Agios Theodoros Halkis
• Alimia
• Makry Halkis
• Prasouda
• Rhodes
• Strogylli Kritinias
• Htenies
• Karavolas
• Prasonisi
• Megalo Sofrano
• Mikro Sofrano
• Astakida
• Kamilonisi
• Saria
• Karpathos
• Kasos
• Armathia
• Makronisi Kassou
• Plati Kassou
• Pontikonisia Kassou
• Rhodes
• Kastellorizo
• Stroggyli
• Samos
• Samopoula
• Fournoi
• Thymaina
• Thymainaki
• Alatonisi
• Agios Minas
• Megas Anthropofagos
• Ikaria
• Chios
• Oinousses
• Pasalimani
• Psara
• Antipsara
• Lesbos
• Sygrion
• Tsakmakia
• Samothrace
• Zourafa
• Thasos
• Thassopoula
• Alyki
• Limnos
• Sergitsi
• Alatas
• Agios Efstratios
• Trikeri 
• Antitrikeri 
• Alatas Trikeriou
• Proti 
• Sapientza 
• Schiza 
• Ammouliani 
• Marmaras 
• Megalo Aspronisi Leipson
• Makry Aspronisi Leipson
• Kouloura Leipson
• Makronisi Leipson
• Halavra
• Frangos
• Archangelos
• Faradonesia

• Andros
• Kapititas
• Megalo
• Tinos
• Mykonos
• Dilos
• Rineia
• Nata
• Syros
• Gyaros
• Kea
• Makronissos
• Kythnos
• Piperi
• Serifopoula
• Serifos
• Vous
• Sifnos
• Kitriani
• Polyaigos
• Kimolos
• Agios Efstathios
• Milos
• Antimilos
• Folegandros
• Kardiotissa
• Kalogiros
• Sikinos
• Ios
• Antiparos
• Delos
• Folegandros
• Ios
• Stroggyli Parou
• Despotiko
• Antiparos
• Paros
• Gaidouronisi
• Epano Fyra
• Kato Fyra
• Viokastro
• Drionisi
• Saliagos
• Glarobi
• Tigani
• Panderonisi
• Revmatonisi
• Agia Irene
• Naxos
• Santorini
• Thirasia
• Kammeni
• Christiani
• Askania
• Eschati
• Shoinoussa
• Iraklia
• Fidoussa
• Kato Kouphonissi
• Kouphonissi
• Keros
• Ano Antikeros
• Kato Antikeros
• Amorgos
• Nikouria
• Kramvonissi
• Gramvoussa
• Anydros Amorgou
• Liadi
• Anaphe
• Pachia
• Makrya
• Ftena
• Donoussa
• Skoulonisi
• Moschonas
• Htapodia Mykonou
• Chrysi
• Crete
• Dia
• Gaidouronisi
• Gavdos
• Gavdopoula
• Paximadia Mesaras
• Agioi Theodoroi Chanion
• Theodoropoulou
• Agria Gramvousa
• Imeri Gramvousa
• Valenti Falasarnon
• Elafonisos Kritis
• Koufonisi (Lefki)
• Mikronisi Chrysis
• Elasa
• Yianisada
• Dragonada
• Paximada
• Kalydon
• Petalidi Dia
• Euboea
• Petalioi
• Megalos Petalios
• Mandilou
• Hersonisi
• Styra
• Lithari
• Manolia