The Ultimate List of the Greek Islands

SARONIC ISLANDS

The Saronic Gulf is 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 of the different Greek island groups are touristy. This is fine if you’re searching for a sandy beach, 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

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 on a handful of the Cyclades island, And they offer some of the best islands in Greece.

MAP OF GREEK ISLANDS: THE CYCLADES

MAIN CYCLADES ISLAND

• 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 Cycladic Island (THE CYCLADES)

• Agios Nikolaos Donoussas
• Ananes
• Aniros (Anydros)
• Ano Antikeros
• Antimilos
• Anydros Amorgou
• Askania
• 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

Which islands belong to the Sporades Island group?

The Northern Sporades, and Sporades Island, 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 tourists are Skyros, Alonissos, Skiathos, and Skopelos. And Skiathos and Skopelos have some of the best and beautiful beaches in Greece.

MAP OF GREEK ISLANDS: NORTHERN SPORADES

MOST POPULAR NORTHERN SPORADES Island 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 (a beautiful Greek island)
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 stands out on this list of beautiful Greek Island as the largest Greek island, and it’s rich in history and legend. Because of its size, Crete often overshadows the other nearby islands, and while Crete is the largest island, and has a lot to do, see, and experience – like relaxing on a gorgeous beach, the archaeological museum, or checking out the olive groves -, make sure to check out the other islands as well.

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

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

Gavdos’ is 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
• Arnaouti
• Aspros Volakas
• Avgo
• Crete
• Daskaleia
• Diapori
• Dionysades
• Dragonada
• Elasa
• Ftena Trachylia
• Gianysada
• 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 ISLAND

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 island has firm roots in their Venetian Republic, which they were a part of for thousands of years. So if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like backpacking Italy, these islands are a good stop for you.

The group of Cycladic 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 Evia, 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
• 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

NORTH AEGEAN ISLANDS

 

What can visitors expect from the 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 sandy beach.

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

The North 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
• Imbros
• Kafkanas
• Kalogeros
• Lesbos
• Makronisi
• Nissiopi
• Oinousses
• Pasas
• Rabbit Islands
• Samiopoula
• Sergitsi
• Tenedos
• Thasos
• Thasopoula
• Thymaina
• Thymainaki
• Tokmakia
• Uzunada
• Zourafa

Spetses

Psytalleia

Alexandros

Petrokaravo

Plateia

Bisti

Modi

Skyli

Agios Georgios

Ypsili Argolidos

Plateia Aiginis

Alonnisos

Skyros

Lechoussa

Argos Skiathou

Kyra-Panagia

Rineia Skyrou

Valaxa

Antikythera

Antipaxos

Corfu

Ithaca

Mougonisi

Ortholithos

Panagia

Vromonas

Paxoi

Zakynthos

Agathonisi

Kounelonisi

Katsagani

Chiliomodi

Areloussa

Pachia

Tilos

Mesonisi Seirinas

Kounoupi

Hondri

Astypalaia

Fokonisia

Ofidoussa

Seskli

Agios Theodoros Halkis

Rhodes

Strogylli Kritinias

Prasonisi

Makronisi Kassou

Plati Kassou

Pontikonisia Kassou

Kastellorizo

Samopoula

Fournoi

Megas Anthropofagos

Pasalimani

Sygrion

Tsakmakia

Zourafa

Thassopoula

Alyki

Limnos

Alatas

Trikeri

Antitrikeri

Alatas Trikeriou

Frangos

Archangelos

Kapititas

Tinos

Dilos

Rineia

Nata

Agios Efstathios

Epano Fyra

Kato Fyra

Viokastro

Drionisi

Glarobi

Tigani

Panderonisi

Revmatonisi

Agia Irene

Santorini

Kammeni

Christiani

Shoinoussa

Fidoussa

Kato Kouphonissi

Kouphonissi

Amorgos

Kramvonissi

Liadi

Anaphe

Makrya

Ftena

Skoulonisi

Moschonas

Paximadia Mesaras

Agioi Theodoroi Chanion

Theodoropoulou

Agria Gramvousa

Imeri Gramvousa

Valenti Falasarnon

Elafonisos Kritis

Mikronisi Chrysis

Yianisada

Kalydon

Petalidi Dia

Euboea (Evia)

Petalioi

Megalos Petalios

Mandilou

Hersonisi

Styra

Lithari

Manolia

 

Your Questions about Greek Islands Answered

 

What are the most famous islands in Greece? 

There are plenty of islands in Greece, and every one of them is difficult to decide which one is the best one. 

Some of the most famous are Santorini, Paros, Myknonos, and Kefalonia. 

 

What is the most beautiful Greek island?

 

In my opinion, the most beautiful Greek island is Santorini. It is located in the South Aegean Sea and is also known as “The Black Pearl of the Aegean.” The islands’ name comes from the volcano that erupted and created it. Santorini has a rich history and culture.

 

Which is the largest island of Greece?

Crete is the largest island in Greece.

 

What is the most visited island in Greece?

If you are planning a trip to Greece, you’ve probably heard of Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete, but there are so many more islands to explore. Santorini is the most popular island in Greece, but the most visited island in Greece is actually not an island at all. Delos is an island with an island on it.

 

Which less touristy Greek island do you recommend to visit for first-timers?

I would recommend Kythira island. It is truly the greek “off the beaten path” island. The whole island is off-limits for cars. You can rent a scooter or bike to see the sights. There is also a small airport on the island that has direct flights mostly from Athens.

 

What is the best time of year to travel to the Greek islands?

The timing may depend on what you plan to do while you’re there. If you’re going to take a cruise, it’s worth researching the seasons to see if they correspond with your trip.

If you plan on staying on the islands for a few days, April through May and September through October are generally considered shoulder seasons.