Planning a Greek island-hopping trip
In Greece, getting there is part of the adventure and, thankfully, island hopping is a breeze.
When to go to the Greek islands
Aim to go between Orthodox Easter and the end of May, or September to mid-October. Services and amenities will be up and running, temperatures warmer and crowds thinner.
From June to the end of August, the weather is hot, but you’ll be sharing it with crowds and paying more. In low season, many ferry routes don't run and hotels and restaurants shut.
To plan or not to plan
It’s best to do a little of both. Deciding where you want to go and getting your head around ferry schedules before you go will take the work out of your holiday.
But Greece is known for its laid-back attitude, and it’s worth emulating this while island hopping. Ferry schedules are always vulnerable to change, even pre-booked and paid journeys.
Anything from windy weather to worker strikes can mean delay or cancellation. Building flexibility into your schedule is wise.
Plan well, and the hardest part might be simply narrowing down which Greek islands to visit.
Where to go in the Greek Islands
You can handpick a few islands from various groups and create your own route; but many ferry lines service specific groups so planning is easier if you stick to one area.
Arriving in Athens allows you to take in its amazing sights and brings you close to the port of Piraeus for boats to the Cyclades, Saronic Gulf islands, and more remote ones like the Dodecanese.
Athens also neighbours the port of Rafina for routes to the eastern Cyclades and further afield. To visit the Northeastern Aegean islands, land in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city.
If you’re planning to spend most of your time in a specific island group, it’s worth catching a flight from Athens – it will save you both time and money.
The Cyclades
The appeal of the Cyclades is undeniable, and it’s here that you’ll find some of the most popular islands, but be prepared to share.
From Piraeus, hop a ferry to Mykonos, the most glamorous of the islands. Overlooked by its iconic windmills, explore the flower-filled lanes, boutique shops and cafes.
From here, day-trip to the tiny island of Delos with its ancient ruins. Carry on to Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades, with a walled seaside capital surrounding a hilltop castle.
Further south, you’ll reach Santorini with its iconic sunsets, black-sand beaches, vineyards and more. Complete the loop with a stop in laid-back Milos, then hop a ferry back to Piraeus.
The Dodecanese
In the Dodecanese, see the influence of Romans and crusading medieval knights, and Byzantine and Ottoman rulers. Think pasta, baklava, minarets, walled cities and crumbling mountaintop castles.
The catamaran service that regularly connects the islands makes island hopping simple. Begin by catching a flight to Rhodes, which abounds in sandy beaches, ancient history and a buzzing city life.
Visit volcanic Nisyros to hike through its forests and into its steaming caldera, and Karpathos for its timeless hilltop village of Olymbos.
Kalymnos will call climbers and divers with its undersea wrecks and limestone cliffs, while Patmos has an ethereal quality, where life is in tune with the monastery bells.
Loop back to popular Kos for an endless strip of brown-sugar sand, nightlife, easily cycleable roads, and an airport with regular flights to Athens.
The Ionians
These islands have a slightly cooler climate, forested mountains and plenty of olive and cypress trees. From Athens you can fly to Corfu, which is large enough to escape the crowds.
The next island is tiny Paxi, with beautiful harbour villages, rolling hills and ancient olive groves. Visit Lefkada for sandy beaches and Kefallonia to kayak along its cobalt-blue bays.
Take in time-forgotten Kythira for sugar-cube architecture and unspoiled wilderness. Far flung to the south, you can ferry back to Piraeus from here.
Ferries to the Greek islands
With a network covering every inhabited island, the Greek ferry system is vast and varied. High-speed ferries are increasingly common and cover most popular routes.
Local ferries, excursion boats and tiny, private fishing boats often connect neighbouring islands. Plush catamarans can drastically reduce travel time and cope better with poor weather.
Many ferry companies have online booking services. Not surprisingly, high-speed boats sell out faster than slow chuggers. For overnight ferries, it’s always best to book ahead.
Tips and tricks for traveling the Greek islands
When you book a ticket, deck-class is just that; access to the deck and interior but no bunks, berths, or cabins. Unless you state otherwise, you will automatically be given deck class.
If you want to explore the islands by car, bringing one on board the ferries is pricey and often requires advance booking. Care hire on the islands is relatively cheap and possible on most islands.
To read more about what to do, where to eat, what to see, and even more about the Greek Islands, hit the button below.