Greece for beach and history

[YodaBabe]

I'm looking for a holiday that will appeal to the beach lovers and history buffs of our group.

Any recommendations for Greece island/area that would appeal so the sun lovers get the beach but the history lovers can go off and get their 'fix'?

Crete is the obvious one. Or Athens followed by driving to the Peloponnese possibly for Sparta?
I have found that most Greek islands have a little bit of history you can seek out.

Nafplio in the Peloponnese is a very pretty town with beaches nearby and would be a good base for sites like the theatre at Epidaurus and Mycenae. Driving across from Athens you go across the Corinth canal and you could visit ancient Corinth too. Here’s a little guide. www.athensinsider.com/5-reasons-why-you-should-visit-nafplio/

Shamelessly piggybacking on this.
I would also fancy a bit of island hopping but don't know the first thing about how practical this is when only there for a week.

Yes to Crete. Lots of historical sights scattered across the North coast and nice beaches too. I’d pick somewhere fairly central on the north coast with good beaches and restaurants, hire a car and then the history buffs can drive off to different sites each day.

What time of year? In high summer it’s too hot for much sightseeing. May is lovely but the sea is a little chilly still, June or September would be perfect. Even early October.

Rhodes is also worth a look.

Another vote for Crete in the early autumn. Also Nafplio.

CountTessa with a week I’d say only 2 or max 3 islands and check the ferry timetables carefully, you want short journeys, frequent ferries and all on the same line. So eg Mykonos, Naxos, Paros would work.