10 Breathtaking Greek Islands to Spend Summer in

If you are looking at summer on an island, Greece is your answer. There is no mystery as to why the Greek islands are the destination of choice for summer vacations and mini breakaways. With ideal weather, the tourism season on the Greek islands for summer kicks off in May and settles in until October brings the first rains of fall.

Whatever the time of the year, ETIAS Greece is a treasure of information, suggested for visitors to know. Be sure to become acquainted with ETIAS and the ETIAS requirements. Make full use of the helpful guidelines provided on how to navigate the ETIAS application.

Crete

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, resplendent in its diversity and vivacity. But Greek islands such as Crete do not just offer its visitors beaches, sea, sand, and sun. The island has interesting ancient ruins and the fun of lively cities to balance the elements of paradise just perfectly.

For history enthusiasts, there are museums aplenty. You don’t get much more ancient than Greece and when on Crete, these archaeological sites will absolutely impress and excite.

• The Palace of Knossos holds the honor of being among the country’s most popular tourist spots. In the Minoan Civilization, it was the richest, the greatest place as well as King Minos’ seat. The mythical Minotaur and its Labyrinth, also Daedalus, and Icarus are associated with the palace which was built during the Neolithic period. The Palace boasts a drainage system and a water supply well ahead of its time, that served the 1500 rooms, the majority with terraces beautifully decorated with frescoes.
• The Palace of Phaistos is Crete’s next most key Minoan Palace, with its superb views over the valleys. Myth has the palace as the palace of Minos’ brother – king Rhadamanthys, famous for his sense for justice. Visitors can see where Phaistos’ disk, a clay disk of Minoan symbols, was found. Up to now, the disk is still a mystery.
• Malia Site shows the remains of what was a key Minoan city home of the large Minoan residence. Sarpedon, Minos’ mythical brother, reigned in this two-story palace arranged around a courtyard surrounded by a paved road.
• Chania’s Byzantine fortifications incorporates the Wall of Chania from the Byzantine era which is nearly one km. long with Kastelli hill encircling it. The wall limits the fortified acropolis from the old town.
• Gortys – the Roman city is close to Phaistos on the Crete’s south coast. This important ancient city was the capital of Cyrenaica and Crete during the Eastern Roman Empire when Gortyna was at the zenith of its power. Monuments are the order of the day here, boasting the Odeon, an ancient Roman theater, the Temple of Saint Titus’ large stone cruciform in which the “Great Inscription” with Gortys’ Code of Law is to be seen, and Egyptian deities’ Sanctuary, representing a near square area of worship.

Visitors can enjoy contemporary Crete just as much with outdoor opportunities such as hiking of the best Europe has to offer, and scenic mountains and gorges to explore. Cultural attractions abound, and hospitality is out the top drawer at countryside tavernas and seaside cafes alike. The Cretan experience insists on a slowed pace whether enjoying the nightlife and restaurants or taking full advantage of all the delights the shops have to offer.

Mykonos

Mykonos is quite the mecca of the wild party scene. It also has narrow street towns with authentically Greek-whitewashed lanes, quaint shops, cafes, boutiques, and art galleries. Little Venice is an encounter in itself, unique with its windmills above the town. Of course, the beaches of Mykonos are well celebrated as the perfect setting for cocktails at beachfront bars after a day of scintillating sea and watersports. There is also a fair share of history here and lashings of top-notch food and unique activities, no matter the preference.

Santorini

To relax and leave your troubles behind, Santorini is the place to be. Where better to unwind than at the hot springs at Palia Kameni? Of the choices available among the Greek islands for summer, the iconic Santorini chocolate box images of cobbled lanes, Cycladic architecture, blue roofs, and blooming bougainvillea in bright hues are right up there. This most famous Greek island also offers a feel for local culture and history with the Akrotiri Archaeological Site’s Minoan Bronze Age ruins, the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, and the Archaeological Museum of Thera.

Naxos

Naxos island is the largest and most central of the Cyclades group and spoils visitors with a vast array of beaches to revel and relax upon. It also offers the highest mountain peak in the Cyclades. Mount Zas rises to a lofty 3300 feet or 1004 meters. This island is a hiker’s dream come true. Trails meander through olive orchards, old-style hamlets, and settlements long abandoned.

Archaeological sites sprinkled all about the island include Byzantine churches and temples, and Venetian towers that speak of the island’s past prosperity.

The Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna are great for youngsters with their safe and shallow waters. Plaka has horseback riding; Kastraki boasts crystal clear water for swimming; and Mikri Vigla is great for windsurfers and kite surfers.

Zakynthos

Also known as Zante, it is this island Greece boasts as among its most beautiful. And the beaches are just heavenly. This Greek island is the largest of the Ionian Islands and incorporates the internationally renowned Navagio, or Shipwreck, beach. The Ionian Islands are a slice of heaven with the bluest water and the smoothest beaches.

Of the choices of Greek islands for summer, Zakynthos is both picturesque and fruitful, rich with crops such as olives and grapes. These islanders love their music, which forms an integral part of local culture. Concerts and festivals rock Zante virtually every night when the local performers pull out all the stops to entertain.

The island is very special because it is home to the endangered sea turtle, Caretta of Zakynthos. The Caretta Caretta turtle weighs in at an impressive 400 pounds (180kg), and the red-brown-shelled, big-headed turtle can grow to over 4 feet (1,25 m) in height.

Kefalonia

Also known as Cephalonia, this is the largest of the Ionian Islands extending to an impressive 158 miles (254 km) of endless numbers of oft times wild beaches.

Known as the island of the seafarers, Juan de Fuca was a notable seafarer of these parts. The scenery is dramatic, with the stark white of Myrtos beach against the lush vegetation of Horgota beach.

Kefalonia was under Italian and German domination during the Second World War. Louis de Bernieres’ book, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, was inspired by the massacre of 5,000 Italian soldiers after Italy capitulated. The book was later made into a movie starring Nicolas Cage.

Of the Greek islands, this one is particularly mountainous. Mount Ainos is distinguished as its highest mountain, rising to very nearly a mile high (1520 meters), and is home to wild horses and deer. Abies Kefallia is a fir forest species found on Mount Ainos. No other mountain in the entire Mediterranean can claim to be home to this tree. Because the trees are a protected species, this area has been declared a National Park.

Rhodes

When visiting the Greek islands for summer, this one caters one hundred percent to the history nuts. The Old City in Rhodes Town verily swells with historic treasures and don’t miss the Temple of Apollo and the acropolis ruins in Lindos. Stroll the battlements of the medieval citadel, appreciate the Byzantine churches, lose yourself in the Roman ruins, and find intrigue in the island’s synagogues.

Of course, you won’t have a Greek island without splendid beaches, and Rhodes is no exception. Her beaches are picturesque, to be sure.

Corfu

Of the Ionian islands, Corfu is the most popular, offering as it does both a cosmopolitan ambiance and verdant landscapes. Byzantine history knocks elbows with Greek mythology in a setting that smacks of tradition and charm.

Corfu Old Town invites one and all with its restaurants and shops.

Kassiopi is worth the visit, especially if you are enchanted by quaint hamlets.

Paleokastritsa has the local monastery.

The cute fishing village of Agni has the most delightful tavernas.

Outside of the limits of the town, activities include boating excursions or simply whiling away the hours on any one or more of the local unspoiled beaches.

Ios

When considering Greek islands for summer, Ios offers a lively and vivacious nightlife while the days on the island can be spent soaking up the sunshine. Mylopotas Beach is positively alluring and all-natural. Traditional villages bring a charm not found anywhere else in the world and let’s not forget the local restaurants. Get a cultural fix with a visit to Homer’s tomb, the Archaeological Museum, and what remains to be seen of an old, time-weary Byzantine castle.

Paros

With an unrivalled laid-back ambiance and remarkably doable beaches, Paros also has a booming party scene. Sunbathing and beach hopping the shorelines are great reasons to be here, with beach options ranging from secluded to energetic. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are favorites among the local watersport activities. But there is also much to be said about the historic aspect of this Greek island. Panagia Ekatontapiliani church in Parikia and the Archaeological Museum bring the past to mind marvelously.

When summer calls and the holidays warrant an island, Greece is the place. Well you came, kalos irθate.