Which Greek Island to visit?

[savon]

DH and I are going to Greece this summer. We are meeting up for a family trip in Santorini for 5 nights, but before that we have up to a week to go somewhere else.

We can fly into Athens or another Greek island. We are keen to go to an island without an airport, and catch the ferry in. We have been to the 'package holiday' Greek islands, and love them, but looking for something a bit more 'authentic' or untouristy.

We like to swim, drink wine, hike, look at old buildings etc. We are not afraid to slum it in some nice basic 'pension'.

So far we have a list of a few islands that were recommended to us

Milos (too touristy?), Anafi, Serifos, Sifnos, Astypalaea, Kimolos?

Any experiences welcome to be heard

LightsoftheNorth yes! Our host gave us a massive jar of honey on our last day, somehow managed to get it home!

I loved Naxos, and that's accessible by ferry from Santorini.

@TCMcK

Is Santorini good for families? Looking into going this summer 😊

Hmm. It was the 90s when I went. It’s mostly on the top of cliffs so lots of (steep) up and down walking. And the sand on the beach is black (very hot!). At the time it was a backpacker place. Probably changed now but I imagine there are better places for families

@Sooverthemill

Symi-ferry from Rhodes Paxis-ferry from corfu Lemnos ( has airport) Aeghina ( ferry from Athens)

@Sooverthemill - my mums been to Lemnos and loved it, it was one of the places the Greeks went on holiday but she had a great time.

@jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey - I was put off Kefalonia by the travel agent (despite us saying we wanted to be by a beach) shoving us up a mountain so we had to drive or get taxis to the nearest beaches!

We sadly didn’t see as much of the island as I’d have liked, Myrtos Beach was pretty but not as nice as we were told!

And to cap it off I broke up with my boyfriend after a week and flew home early!

Amorgos,Anti-Paros.Loved them both.Not been to Folegrandos,but it looked fab from the ferry.I did 3 weeks backpacking around the Islands.Love the Cyclades.

Some of these Islands being suggested,such as Zakinthos,Rhodes and Cephalonia are just run of the mill tourist places.I have been to them all.

@Gonnagetgoing myrtos beach is nice but a bit of a touristy thing. The beauty of the island is just walking the costal path and finding a secluded cove to yourself for the day . Bliss!

Fly to Skiathos and ferry over to Skopelos or Alonissos. There's good walking and beaches on both, both wooded, a bit rugged, very pretty. No particular classical sites though.

Ithaca is pretty hard to beat for peace and quiet.

We’ve had some fantastic holidays on Syros and Tinos. Can share more information if of interest.

Packs. You will never want to leave

Ithaca, Tilos, Symi, Ikaria, Astepelea (sp) are some of the smaller islands we have visited in the past- all non touristy then but I'm going back 20 years.

Halki? It's got a population of about 250, without summer tourists. One hotel, no accommodation with swimming pool. But most places have access to the sea. It's rural greece, so you've got good basic food, two food shops, about 5 bars and eight or so tavernernas.

Fly to Rhodes and ferry to Ha!ki

Nothing useful to add but your thread has me daydreaming of my summer of love island hopping in the early 90's (Ios, Paros, Naxos). Absolute joy. Very joyful memories.

[quote jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey]@Gonnagetgoing myrtos beach is nice but a bit of a touristy thing. The beauty of the island is just walking the costal path and finding a secluded cove to yourself for the day . Bliss![/quote]
@jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey - yes I got that feeling re Myrtos beach!

We did do a lot of walks - lovely. One thing that upset me (probably shouldn’t) was near our apartment complex we found feral kittens dumped at the top of the mountain but I think that was common.

It’s a pity I didn’t stay but I knew another week on the island with my ex would be absolute hell! And I knew if I got moved to a separate chalet he’d follow me…

A lot of the quieter beaches and coves were stunning though.

Chania side of Crete. Rethymnon and Chania old town, steeped in history, Venetian harbour, windy little back streets, fabulous cafes and restaurants, beautiful beaches.

@bellamountain

Chania side of Crete. Rethymnon and Chania old town, steeped in history, Venetian harbour, windy little back streets, fabulous cafes and restaurants, beautiful beaches.

@bellamountain - agree with this - stunning and been twice now. Hope it’s not spoiled now. Chania harbour is stunning with the Venetian boats and streets. Avoid Heraklion obviously. I recall Souda Bay too and last time got boat to Santorini and did a long weekend there before returning to crete to come home.

Anafi is spectacular and just a short ferry ride from Santorini. It has a hippie/Boho vibe with lots of people freecamping on the beach.

There's no point really going somewhere that's not in the Cyclades as you'll already be there for Santorini and there are so many lovely islands nearby. I went island-hopping round the Cyclades about 15 years ago and my favourite was Naxos – gorgeous beaches, lovely main town and some archaeological sites to visit. And it's an easy ferry ride from Santorini. I still dream of sundowners at the Flisvos Beach Club (club for watersports, not nightclub) – so chilled and lovely!

But also agree that Crete is lovely if you stay in the nicer places like Rethymnon.