No trip to Greece is complete without exploring the islands where whitewashed buildings meet crystal-clear waters. Here's how to do it.
No one knows the exact number of islands Greece has, but out of possibly 6,000 dots in the ocean, over 200 are hotspots for holidaymakers. Each has its own unique character and you shouldn’t limit yourself to just one – so island hopping is a must.
While it's possible to DIY your trip via the network of ferries, booking an island-hopping cruise tour or holiday package is a stress-free way to cover it all, particular if you're pressed for time.
We're shortlisted some of the best companies offering island-hopping adventures by style, budget, islands and length to get you on the water (and to those beaches) faster.
Our top three picks of Greek Island-hopping tour companies:
Contiki
Spend two to three weeks baking under the Mediterranean sun with the #noregrets specialist Contiki, and its wide variety of Greek Island-hopping tours.
- Best for: Youth and backpackers
- Cost: Mid-range
- Number of Greek island hopping tours: Nine
- Our favourite itinerary: While Contiki hosts a good mix of island hopping only and multiple-country tours, if you're seeking that fun in the sun the stock Greek Island Hopping Tour ticks all the boxes. It's 13 days in the Cyclades islands of Mykonos, Santorini and Ios.
Busabout
Flexibility is at the heart of Busabout's tours, giving you the opportunity to stay for as long or as little as you like in each spot during your holiday.
- Best for: Independent travellers and solo travellers
- Number of Greek island hopping tours: Two
- Cost: Low/budget
- Our favourite itinerary: The Greek Island Flexi Hopper is the ultimate DIY tour where ferries and transfers are sorted but accommodation and tours are not, giving you freedom to stay and see what you want.
Topdeck
Loved by Aussies seeking to explore their way around Europe, Topdeck offers popular as well as off-the-beaten track itineraries for those seeking a more unique experience.
- Best for: Youths aged 18-30 something, large groups
- Number of Greek island hopping tours: 5
- Cost: Low-mid range
- Our favourite itinerary: Go where fewer go and join the Greek Island Chaser which pops by Aegina, Ermioni, Spetses, Hydra, Poros and Agistri from Athens.
Other tour companies that offer Greek island hopping tours:
Top tour companies by style:
Top Greek island-hopping tour companies for family vacations:
Top luxury Greek Island-hopping tour companies:
Top Greek Island-hopping party tour companies:
Top Greek Island-hopping tour companies for backpackers and tight budgets:
Top companies for Greek Island-hopping tours from Athens:
Popular Greek island itineraries
The Greek Islands are broken into groups by location. Popular island clusters that many tour companies set their sails towards include the Saronic islands, the Cyclades and Crete and the Cretan islands. If you’re considering organising your own itinerary, focusing on one of these clusters is the best way to see multiple islands without wasting sailing time.
Cyclades islands (multiple)
The Cyclades is the name for a large cluster of islands southeast of the mainland. This includes some of the most popular islands such as Mykonos, Santorini, Ios, Paros, Kythnos, Syros, Amorgos, Naxos, Deros, Poliegos, Folegandros, Antiparos, Sifnos and Tinos.
15-Day Sailing Greece (Santorini to Athens)
G Adventures
11-day Greek Island Hopper
TourRadar
10-day Athens to Athens tour
Topdeck
Cyclades – Santorini and Mykonos only
Arguably the most popular destinations in the Aegean Sea, if you want these Cyclades highlights you can cover Santorini and Mykonos with the following quick trips:
5-day Mykonos and Santorini tour
Travel Talk
10-day Greek Island Hopper
Trafalgar Tours
10-day Greek Island tour
TourRadar
Crete and the Cretan islands
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and is surrounded by a network of Cretan islands such as Spinalonga, Chrysi, Gavdos and Dionysos. Due to its size, it's highly recommended as an add-on to longer trips or that it be a trip in its own right.
15-Day Best of Greece (Athens to Santorini)
G Adventures
8-day walking in Crete tour
TourRadar
Saronic Islands
The Saronic Islands include Aegina, Poros and Hydra. They’re the closest islands to Athens which makes them ideal for visitors on strict time limits. We’ve included a longer trip below for anyone who has a little more time to spare.
7-Day Greek Islands Sailing Tour (Athens to Athens)
Viator
8-day Greek sailing
Contiki
8-day Greek Island sailing
Topdeck
How long do I need for island hopping in Greece?
With around 200 islands open to tourists you could spend your lifetime hopping from one to another and still never see them all. Tasters of two or three islands can be completed within seven days, but more thorough trips around island clusters should be given 7-14 days.
Top seven-day island-hopping tours:
Greek Sailing from Contiki
Max out your island time by hitting the closest cluster – the Saronic Islands.
- Tour company: Contiki
- Best for: Time-challenged travellers who want to see more
- Places visited: Perdika, Hydra, Plaka, Nafplio, Spetses, Poros, Aegina and Athens.
Top 10-day island-hopping tour:
Hidden Cyclades Sailing Adventures from TourRadar
Walk the road less travelled to see islands that are light on tourists but heavy on culture.
- Tour company: Intrepid
- Best for: Adventure seekers, families with teenage children
- Places visited: Kythnos, Serifos, Vathi, Kimolos, Polyaigos, Platys Gialos, Koutalas Bay, Agios Ioannis, Kea and Athens.
Top 14-day island-hopping tour:
Sailing Greece - Athens to Santorini from G Adventures
Instead of hopping on the ferry, make your way from Athens to the islands via small ship for an epic on-the-water adventure.
- Tour company: G Adventures
- Best for: Small ship adventures and water babies
- Places visited:Mykonos and Santorini
Where are the Greek party islands?
Most of the islands offer their own style of nightlife, but Mykonos, Corfu (Kavos), Ios, Rhodes, Kos and Paros are most renowned for their thriving party vibe. During summer, they’re a hotbed for European students on holiday looking to unwind and have fun. In the resorts, they’re met with foam and popcorn parties, beachside bars and clubs that play music all night long.
If this is not your scene, you’re better off visiting quieter islands during summer or waiting until shoulder season to see these isles.
Many youthful tour companies such as Contiki, Intrepid, G Adventures and Travel Talk offer sailings through these islands and are a good option if you’re looking to party with fellow travellers of a similar age.
13-Day Greek Island Hopping (Athens to Athens)
Contiki
15-Day Ultimate Greek Islands (Athens to Kos)
Travel Talk
When is the best time to visit Greece?
On the Greek Islands, the season starts as early as mid-April with the majority of resorts opening in full by mid-June. Things begin to slow down from mid-September and by the end of October the islands relax for the winter.
If you want to visit during the heart of the season, July and August are the best months to catch the summer sun. If you want to experience the islands without the crowds, September and October offer hot days, cooler nights and a much more relaxed vibe.
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