Greek island recommendations

[Datgal]

Hi

I know this all depends on personal taste, but I need some ideas! Only ever been to Greece once, and that was mainland in the halkidiki area (afitos), if anyone has been there.

Looking at a Greek island next year. One you can fly to.
I like nice beaches, lots of green, bit of culture, nice places to eat, nice walks
So a bit of everything really! Don't want to be in the middle of a party town really.
It's just me and my partner.

So, Corfu and Crete are on my radar ..can anyone recommend these. Particular areas to look out for/avoid?

As I said, I know it's very personal, but just getting some ideas so I can look would be helpful. Thanks 🙏

If you want green and nice beaches, look at Cephalonia. My favourite parts are the fishing villages Fiscardo and Assos, and the capital Argostoli, which is true Greece. I recommend a trip to Melissani underground lake, Drogarati cave, Antisamos beach and Myrtos beach. Avoid Lassi and Skala if you don't want too touristy.

We’ve done for Corfu and I don’t remember it being green. Ira quite scrubby looking. Lovely restaurants and great beaches. Remember not all airports fly to all islands ie I can fly to Corfu but couldn’t fly to Rhodes from here.

We loved Sifnos

We went to Corfu last year. We went at the start of the summer so it was beautiful. We didn't do a huge amount - which I regret now - but we were exhausted and had a 4 year old with us.

I have done a few Greek islands and Crete is my favourite. I think because it the biggest and southern there's something for everyone . We have just come back from hersonnissos area and really like it . There was a lot of nice restaurant on the marina plus a bit of a lively part of the marina if that's your thing. Twenty minutes walk inland (& uphill so may prefer taxi) there is a three different traditional Greek villages , our fave was old cheronissos but piskapiano and koutalafari were nice also. There is also another village inland called mocha I think that apparently is lovely and has traditional Greek nights . It was easy to get to other resorts also like stalis and old Malia

I adored Kassiopi in Greece
3 lovely beaches but stony, lovely harbour restaurants and nice bars. About an hour or so from Corfu airport. I found Corfu beautiful and green

Agree that Crete is brilliant, there's so much to do.

I think Rhodes might also suit you, because, again, it's big enough to have plenty of variety.

I usually like to do a multi-stop holiday on somewhere like Crete because it's too big to travel across on day trips. The north coast has the towns that are the most popular with tourists (and biggest), but I've not explored them in depth for several years: Chania is beautiful; Rethymnon and Heraklion are both built up but do have museums etc to visit. The northeast has some interesting sites like the leper island. Knossos is in the north central part, can do it as a day trip from the northeast. There's also the intriguing Snail Farm and Fun which is advertised at short intervals along the road for miles and miles. We've never been.

The southwest has some stunning scenery, and some good archaeological sites. The Samaria Gorge is well worth a day trip. In general, you'll find far fewer British tourists, but it is still popular with Germans & Dutch. Elafonisi, Paleochora, Matala, Asia Galini, Tymbaki are all lovely (beach) resorts within driving distance of other attractions (Elafonisi at a push because it really is on the extreme end of the island). Some much smaller than others.

I don't know the southeast very well.

Crete in general is too far south to be described as 'green', and it gets very hot in the summer. But it is really beautiful.

Thanks all! For your insights.. and input. I will take all onboard. Tbh, I think any of the islands mentioned sound great!
Will keep everything in mind. I do like the sound of the gorges on Crete. We wouldn't be going in peak summer time, so hopefully won't be desperately hot! But sooo looking forward to a nice break, where you can swim in warm sea and eat nice food for two weeks. 😆
I like the sound of kefalonia too. Won't be ruling that out.

We've just spent two weeks in Kalymnos
It was beautiful and ticked all of the above
Beautifully quiet too.
Can send pictures and hotel details if you need anytime x

Skiathos
Corfu
Rhodes
Kefalonia
These are all fab islands. Rhodes is more desert like and very hot due to it being further south. The other three are quite lush and green. Skiathos - you can visit the other islands next to it.

Utterly shameless place marking

I loved Rhodes it had a really nice feel to it
Didnt like Corfu felt it was run down

I know what you mean about Corfu. It has been serving tourists for a long time and I don't think it was traditionally Greek. Many people that we met had been going out to Corfu to over twenty years. We are going to Kefalonia next year as it's a smaller island.