The Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini might be the social media darlings, but with over 200 inhabited islands scattered across the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Ionian seas, there are plenty more—big and small, well-connected and utterly remote—to choose from for your next Greek getaway.
In recent years, islands that have long been a closely guarded local secret—Milos, Folegandros, Tinos, and Keá, for example—have begun to shine on an international stage, thanks to shiny new hotel openings (and, for one island—Paros—a Netflix cameo, too). Others prefer to stay just under the radar, content with a slower, more authentic way of life.
Whether you want to see and be seen at a fine-dining restaurant or tuck into freshly caught seafood with your toes in the sand; party at buzzing beach clubs or find a secluded spot on a sleepy beach; hike to ancient architecture or browse trendy galleries—there’s a Greek island to suit. In no particular order, these are 34 of our tried and tested favorites for 2025.
How we choose the best Greek islands
Here, we’ve ranked the best Greek islands. While we love and highly recommend every island on this list—and advocate visiting all of them throughout your lifetime, if you can—we’ve also edited the list to help you pick if it’s your first time planning a visit to this magical corner of the world, or you just want to branch out from your usual summer isle trip. The order below reflects our well-traveled team’s personal opinions, the landscapes, food, beaches, hotels, and more.
