Greek Islands

The Mediterranean is renowned for its ancient history, archeological sites, its light, and its beauty. The Greek archipelago is its crowning jewel. These islands crowd the northwest part of the Mediterranean, sparkling in the sun.

There are over 3000 of them and if rocky outcroppings are included the number reaches 9500, 1400 of which are inhabited.

Most of them are in the Aegean, the sea that lies between Greece and Asia Minor. Delos is at the center of this sea, the home of Apollo, the god of light according to mythology. What islands could have more light than those of the Aegean?

These islands are not only unique for their beaches and sunshine. There is also their natural beauty, their coastline with its dazzling white beaches and the blue sea ruffled in summer by cooling Meltemi wind.

There are the villages gazing at the sea from high above, the castles, churches, and monasteries. History and civilization stretch back four to five thousand years here. One must not forget the simple good-hearted residents who welcome you everywhere you go.

All the islands are beautiful but each one has its own charm and history.

The islands are divided into seven geographical units. In most cases, the islands of each group share many common characteristics.

The Northeastern Aegean islands: Thasos, Ikaria, Lesbos, Limnos, Inouses, Samos, Samothrace, Chios, Psara

The Sporades:

Alonissos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Skyros

Evia:

This is the second-largest island in Greece, after Crete. It is also known as Euboia.

Argosaronic islands:

Angistri, Aegena, Methana, Poros, Salamina,Spetses, Hydra

The Cyclades:

This is a group of 56 islands. The most important ones are: Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Delos, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Serifos, Sikinos, Sifnos, Syros, Tinos, Folegandros. The minor Cyclades include Donousa, Irakleia, Koufonisia, and Schinousa.

The Dodecanese:

Astypalia, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kastelorizo, Kos, Lipsi, Leros, Nisyros, Patmos, Rhodes, Symi, Tilos, Chalki

Crete:

Greece’s biggest island. It’s divided into four prefectures: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi.

The Ionian islands:

These islands are also known as Heptanesos or the Seven Islands. They include Zakynthos, Ithaca, Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Paxi, Kythira.

The smaller Ionian islands are Antipaxi, Ereikoussa, Kalamos, Kastos, Mathraki, Meganissi, Othoni, Scorpios, Strofades.