Best Greek Island for first timers

[TheFastandTheCurious]

Posted for traffic

Fiance and I would like to visit Greece in June, having never been before we are unsure of where to concentrate our search. Here is a list of what we like/want and we could have some suggestions/recommendations, that would be great. Not looking for hotel recommendations, just area

Not a party place, nice restaurants and bars, but relatively quiet
Coastal, not inland
Plenty of places to walk, flat preferably
Nice coastal walks
Nice beaches
Places of interest to visit

We're quite easy to please really 😊

I loved Rhodes, would love to go back. We stayed in Pefkos which was nice, touristy but small and the food was delicious. We travelled to Lindos and it was stunning, so scenic.
Have also been to Zante many moons ago and stayed in Laganas with my friend but it was definitely a party holiday, we were young, free and single and had a blast.

Reading this with interest - would anyone be able to share where they stayed in either Corfu or Kefalonia which both seem to have many recommendations for visiting.

In Corfu we stayed in Kassiopi, nice little resort with amazing food.

Kefalonia, stayed in Lourdas. Not much there but the island itself was fabulous. I'd choose Agia Efimia or Fiscardo if I ever went again.

And OP, wherever you choose, don't go AI as you will really miss out. The food in Greece is amazing.

And OP, wherever you choose, don't go AI as you will really miss out. The food in Greece is amazing

I agree with this ^^

AI is really affecting the local economy in the Greek islands. We were talking to the locals in Kos last year and the non AI accommodation and restaurants really hate the big AI complexes springing up all over the place.

Unless you have children that want constant drinks, ice creams etc or are on a very tight budget please don't even consider AI.

Definitely Kefalonia
Easy to get around ( we hire a car)
Lots to see ( the caves are stunning)
Quiet beaches
Great food
Friendly people
Stunning sunset

We stayed in Fiskardo right at the end of the season,great range of places to eat, pricier than elsewhere.

REally prettty and friendly. I'd stay there again.

Ginfordinner (a woman after my own heart!)

When we stayed in Kos we could really see outside Kos Town how AI had affected small businesses and taverns. It was a real shame.

sKephalonia or Crete for ease.

I lived in Naxos in the 90s and it is totally beautiful and unspoilt, but difficult to get to. Ditto Paros.

Hey- sorry to come late to the thread. Love the Islands so hope I can offer some help too.

Deffo a fan of Kefalonoa too and there are plenty of flights (although they do seem more prone to delays on the way home- however there are a couple of great tavernas to pass the time!) Katelios in the South is quiet with a couple of nice hotels. But the most charming place is Fiskardo which is stunning to visit. Also worth visiting neighbouring Ithaca for a day.

Last spring we did a two centre to Mykonos and Paros. Maybe leave Mykonos for a subsequent trip as its busy and expensive. Paros- especially the town of Parikia was a perfect island- but involves a ferry as there's no airport. Same with Naxos which is also lovely.

I prefer the Aegean and Ionians as they are so lush and green so if you avoid the AI resorts Corfu is stunning- and easy to get to although it can be milder and wetter. Corfu town is like an Italian resort. I'd look at Aghios Georgiou in the north for a low key resport.

Crete is like a country itself with amazing food and walking. Elounda is my favourite place- plus a visit to Spinalonga.

One more- I know the islands are fist choice but think about a cheap flight to Thessalonika on the mainland and then Halkidiki. Afritos is a perfect village with glorious beaches

Paxos and anti Paxos are my favourites. I've done a lot of greek islands and those were my favourite for walks up to see a ruined village among shady olive trees, beautiful clear waters, sweet town squares and nice restaurants. We rented a little motor boat and took ourselves between the islands or to the other town for dinner etc.

Zante is nice but a bit over commercial. Rhodes had nice walks and plenty of history and food. We rented a jeep there and drove to an awesome deserted spit of beach that was just us, white sands and sea to both sides.

Kefalonia is nice, santorini is a bit dull. You could do a 2 part stay too. We did one week mainland on the coast, one week island. The day trips are excellent on the main land. Particularly enjoyed the underworld caverns and walk through the river Styx tour