Recommendations for a beautiful, interesting Greek island for a post-GCSE treat

[DieDreiHexen]

I'm treating DD to five days in Greece post-GCSEs. She'd love to stay on an island and we'll do a bit of relaxing, but she has no interest in partying etc. She's mostly all about beautiful scenery, delicious local food, culture and ancient ruins (she's a classicist.)

We don't want AI or a resort and would like to be able to get about by foot or bus.

Any suggestions for places that might suit a (boring) pair like us?

How about Tinos. Easily accessible by Ferry from Athens (Rafina). Small, relaxed atmosphere, not on the tourist trail, local buses for getting about, lovely little villages up in the hills. No ancient ruins though. We stayed at the Tinion Hotel in Tinos town (3*), but there's a range of accommodation types and prices available on Booking.com

Kos, sit under Hippocrates plane tree, visit the first hospital, take a day trip to Bodrum and view the remains of an ancient wonder of the world and a crusaders castle.
Swim in the sea with natural bubbles rising and visit Zia and the national park.

Crete?

Agisti!

Santorini, best place I've ever been. We stayed in Oia which was just breathtaking. Food was stunning and the views were unbelievable. But I hear other areas are also nice and you can travel into Oia

Thanks so much. These all sound amazing. I've never been to a Greek island, only mainland so can't wait to research.

I think Crete would be a great fit

Sifnos. We stayed in Kamares last summer and my teenage daughter quickly campaigned for return trip July 25. It was beautiful, great food, buses to get around the island - totally recommend.

I agree with Crete.

I’d go to Crete with a 16 year old. Loads to see and do, easy to get about by bus. I think some of the smaller places would get a bit boring if she is the type to want to see a lot, like we are. Crete is quite diverse, with the Samaria Gorge, the White Mountains which you can go up on a little train and it’s amazing, Knossos, Elafonissi and lots more.

Crete and go to Spinalonga - read 'The Island' by Victoria Hislop during the trip

Rhodes - visit Lindos and the old town

Or you could fly to Athens for a couple of night, do the Acropolis and other historical sights there, then take a ferry to one of the islands for the rest of your stay and fly back from there

Samos.

Or, stick to the mainland around Thessanoliki which is where the Greeks go to holiday. Its also close to Mt Olympus, Olympia, and there's plenty of ruins around, Byzantine included. Stunning beaches.

Simi. The ferry journey there is fabulous.

Not Santorini... overcrowded tourist trap.
Crete would fit

Hydra. You could do a twin centre with Athens.

Another vote for Crete, it's a very manageable size and has pretty much everything you might want on holiday. More buzzy in the east, more beautiful architecture in the west, esp CHarnia.

Knossos if interested in the classics.

Visit the British museum before and/or afterwards to see the best intact samples and ponder how that came to be. An education in itself.

Amazing ideas here. I've now got my Greek Islands Lonely Planet and will check all these spots out.

Crete and Kos sound like good options.

@StiffyByngsDogBartholomew having not been to Greece in 30 years, I have a double bill this year and are spending 3 nights in Athens and 2 in Hydra as a whole family at Easter. Athens for this history but Hydra just because It looks so beautiful!

Crete people- can you suggest a good spot to stay.

For us, Crete is the one that got away! Our Covid cancelled holiday was at The Domes of Elounda as I had just read The Island and DD fancied Knossos. Not sure if I can afford that with DD but anywhere good tostay with good public transport links (sadly driving not possible)?

Oooh fabulous 🤩. I'd say Crete is much nicer than Kos, albeit I went on a cheap holiday to Kos so it probably has much nicer places.

My favorite town in Crete is Chania (NW). There are buses for both short distance and long distance. Knossos is a couple of hours away by long distance bus.

My (adult) daughter and I have been island hopping via ferries from Athens a couple of times. My favourite islands are Hydra (car free and quite trendy) and Naxos (sandier and bigger).

These were our itineraries via ferry:
Athens-Hydra-Poros-Aegina-Athens
Athens-Naxos-Amorgos-Santonini-Athens

plus two other island trips flying direct:
Corfu
Mykonos

I'd return to Corfu as it's a lovely island but different (greener) from typical Greek islands. (Corfu and Mykonos were each chosen as convenient for direct flights from UK).

If you ride I can highly recommend Harriet's Hydra Horses. Brilliant trekking run by an expat

For those who have been to Hydra - there re no wheeled vehicles allowed, is that correct? Not even bikes? Do people just walk everywhere? Or get water taxis?

Another vote for Crete. I love Rethymnon with its old town leading down to the pretty Venetian harbour, cluster of seaside restaurants etc.

We only spent one night there but we stayed in Hydra town and it was walking or horses. Locals get around by boat as well. Could easily have spent several nights there, it was heavenly