The Greek islands are divided into seven main groups - Argosaronic, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Sporades, Aegean, Ionian, and Crete.
Cyclades Islands
The Cyclades are located south-east of the mainland of Greece south-east of the mainland of Greece. From Athens, you can take a flight via commercial jet to Santorini, either via Olympic Airlines or Aegean Airlines. Ferry trips from Piraeus or Rafina are also available and can take four to five hours to the closest islands in the cluster and as much as eight hours to Santorini, the farthest island in the Cyclades. During summer and peak seasons, most islands in the cluster can be included in an island-hopping itinerary via either boat or sea kayaks.
Northern Aegean Islands
It is located Northeast of Athens, and can be reached around 12 or so hours by boat. These islands are less popular than Cyclades and Dodekanese, thus retaining much more of their pristine beauty and unique local feel. Ferries to the North Aegean clusters generally leave late in the day and arrive very early in the morning.
Argosaronic Islands
These are the closest islands to Athens and typically take only an hour to reach via ferry. The Saronic Gulf, located just south of the mainland, is largely sheltered from the wind and is an ideal spot for overnight trips and short vacations, even during off-season and bad weather.
Sporades Islands
From Agios Constaninos a few hours north of Athens, the Sporades can be reached via ferry. It is situated immediately east of the Northern Aegean Islands. In good weather, connecting trips to Cyclades are also available.
Dodecanese
Located off the southwest coast of Turkey, the Dodecanese Islands comprise of over 160 islands in the Aegean Sea. These are located in the southernmost part of Greece and will take around fifteen hours to reach by ferry from Piraeus.
Ionian Islands
There are no easily available ferries that travel into this area so people fly by plane to the islands either from Athens or from other countries. Ferries are available only from ports in Western Greece.
Crete
Crete is the largest island in Greece, located in the southernmost part of the country in the Aegean Sea. It can be reached via boat to one of its numerous ports from Piraeus in roughly 12 hours.
Naxos is the largest and one of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades. It covers a total area of 430 square kilometers and its coastline is 148 kilometers long.
When entering the port of Naxos, the first thing that catches your eye is the Temple of Apollo.
As the sun sets behind the temple, you realize that you have chosen the right place to spend your summer!
Every year the island attracts a huge number of archaeologists, historians, artists as well as visitors from all over the world. Visit it, and you'll understand why they don't want to leave!
The Greek islands are divided into seven main groups - Argosaronic, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Sporades, Aegean, Ionian, and Crete.
Cyclades Islands
The Cyclades are located south-east of the mainland of Greece south-east of the mainland of Greece. From Athens, you can take a flight via commercial jet to Santorini, either via Olympic Airlines or Aegean Airlines. Ferry trips from Piraeus or Rafina are also available and can take four to five hours to the closest islands in the cluster and as much as eight hours to Santorini, the farthest island in the Cyclades. During summer and peak seasons, most islands in the cluster can be included in an island-hopping itinerary via either boat or sea kayaks.
Northern Aegean Islands
It is located Northeast of Athens, and can be reached around 12 or so hours by boat. These islands are less popular than Cyclades and Dodekanese, thus retaining much more of their pristine beauty and unique local feel. Ferries to the North Aegean clusters generally leave late in the day and arrive very early in the morning.
Argosaronic Islands
These are the closest islands to Athens and typically take only an hour to reach via ferry. The Saronic Gulf, located just south of the mainland, is largely sheltered from the wind and is an ideal spot for overnight trips and short vacations, even during off-season and bad weather.
Sporades Islands
From Agios Constaninos a few hours north of Athens, the Sporades can be reached via ferry. It is situated immediately east of the Northern Aegean Islands. In good weather, connecting trips to Cyclades are also available.
Dodecanese
Located off the southwest coast of Turkey, the Dodecanese Islands comprise of over 160 islands in the Aegean Sea. These are located in the southernmost part of Greece and will take around fifteen hours to reach by ferry from Piraeus.
Ionian Islands
There are no easily available ferries that travel into this area so people fly by plane to the islands either from Athens or from other countries. Ferries are available only from ports in Western Greece.
Crete
Crete is the largest island in Greece, located in the southernmost part of the country in the Aegean Sea. It can be reached via boat to one of its numerous ports from Piraeus in roughly 12 hours.
Naxos is the largest and one of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades. It covers a total area of 430 square kilometers and its coastline is 148 kilometers long.
When entering the port of Naxos, the first thing that catches your eye is the Temple of Apollo.
As the sun sets behind the temple, you realize that you have chosen the right place to spend your summer!
Every year the island attracts a huge number of archaeologists, historians, artists as well as visitors from all over the world. Visit it, and you'll understand why they don't want to leave!
