Plan the perfect adventure, in the Greek islands!

Scattered like pearls across the azure waters of the Ionian and Aegean Seas, the Greek islands entice millions of tourists every year.

The myth and charm surrounding our islands ensure they are promoted in every corner of the world as a top visit place every year!

But how can you successfully organise a hopping trip to explore as many islands as possible during your holiday?

Travelo has put together the ultimate island hopping guide for the Greek islands!

 

When to visit them

The Greek islands, both in the Aegean and Ionian, are amazing all year round, as each season has its own beauty.

However, the best time to enjoy their rich – and wild – beauty is from late April to late May, and then from September to mid-October, when the season slowly comes to an end.

During these periods, temperatures are pleasant, crowds are smaller than in the hot summer months, and the quality of services is at its highest.

Conversely, if you travel to the Greek islands from June to August, you will encounter large crowds, lower quality services (due to the volume of tourists), and you might even experience days with the famous 'meltemia' – strong winds that will make almost any activity on the Greek islands impossible!

 

The big question: Should you plan your hopping trip or leave it to chance?

Many travellers start from one island and end up on 2-3 others without any planning and without having booked accommodation or ferry tickets.

Especially if you are travelling during the low season, you will have no trouble finding available accommodation for your stay.

However, if you are planning your hopping trip (i.e. exploring 2-3 islands and travelling directly from one island to another) for the high season, there is a good chance you might end up sleeping on the beach!

Ferry schedules in the summer are quite vulnerable to changes, delays, and even cancellations due to weather or strikes.

So, the best thing to do, and what we recommend, is to plan the islands you want to visit and at least book your accommodation!

 

Suggested routes and places to visit

To organise your own hopping plan, you will need to check the ferry schedules. Most of the time there are no direct connections from island to island, so you will have to return to the main port (usually Piraeus for the Aegean islands) and from there travel to your next island.

However, for a successful hopping trip, proper research is all it takes!

Firstly, if you are visiting the Aegean islands, you should book flights to Athens and then proceed to the port of Piraeus.

From there, you can visit most of the islands in the Cyclades, the Saronic Gulf, and even the Dodecanese.

For routes to the eastern Cyclades or the islands of the Northeast Aegean, the port of Rafina also has several routes.

Finally, if you are not a fan of ferries, then several islands have airports and are served by direct flights from Athens operated by small regional airlines such as Cretan SkyExpress, Northern Greek Astra Airlines, and others.

Hopping in the Cyclades

The magic of the Cyclades is undeniable, and here you will certainly find the most popular islands! Be prepared for crowds, especially during peak season!

From Piraeus, you can depart directly for Mykonos – the most popular island whose name is heard across the globe!

You will admire the traditional windmills, see hundreds of celebrities passing by in Mykonos' alleys, and gaze from afar at the expensive boutiques!

From here, you can organise a day trip to the tiny island of Delos, with its ancient whitewashed ruins.

Once you have finished exploring, move on to Naxos – the largest island in the Cyclades with amazing beaches and a castle at its hilltop!

You can stay 1-2 days in Naxos to truly admire it and then head further south, to the renowned Santorini!

If you are visiting Santorini for the first time, then you should definitely visit Oia during sunset, among the thousands of people who flock there every evening.

Beyond that, Santorini has many 'exotic' beauties to offer: Black beaches, dozens of vineyards and traditional wines, ancient culture.

We suggest you stay in Santorini for 3-4 days and then move on to the peaceful Milos.

Milos is an up-and-coming Greek island that has attracted thousands of people for their summer holidays in recent years.

Amazing beaches and charming villages await you to explore them.

Here you will have completed a 7-day island hopping trip and you can either return to Piraeus or continue your journey to another island, or even go to Crete, where you will certainly need 15 days to enjoy and explore it properly!

 

Hopping in the Dodecanese

In the Dodecanese, you will see and be impressed by the influences that most islands have from the Romans and Crusaders to the Ottoman rulers.

We recommend you start by booking flights to Rhodes, as it is an island with a rich history, amazing seas, and also a hub with several flights to other islands and central cities of Greece, as well as dozens of ferry routes and connections to other islands.

Next to Rhodes, with daily ferry connections during the summer months, lies Kalymnos, well-known to climbers.

An island that attracts several climbing festivals and dozens of divers who explore the island's seabed and its – many – shipwrecks.

If you followed our advice and are thinking of visiting the above islands during Easter, then Patmos should definitely be on your checklist.

Enjoy it for 2 days and from there head to the popular Kos for endless nightlife and dips in turquoise and crystal-clear waters.

Kos is connected by direct and regular flights to Athens, so from there you can take your way back home.

 

The azure Ionian

The Ionian islands have a slightly cooler climate and abundant mountainous areas with trees, greenery, olive groves, and cypress trees.

From Athens, you can reach Corfu to start your Ionian hopping trip, or alternatively, from Thessaloniki, you can drive to Lefkada to begin your summer holiday.

Corfu has considerable influences from neighbouring Italy, and this is evident in many elements within its old town.

The island of Corfu is quite large, and you will certainly need 2-3 days to explore it fully.

Don't forget that you will need a car to fully enjoy it. If you travel by air, then you can rent a car without a card or deposit and thus enjoy it without the hassle of a bus or the cost of a taxi.

The next recommended island after Corfu is Paxos – a peaceful island with turquoise beaches and charming alleys.

You can stay 2 days in Paxos and then visit Lefkada – if you haven't started your island hopping from there!

Lefkada is recommended for water sports and swimming in its famous beaches.

The last stop is Kythira, where you can stay for 2 days and enjoy some moments of tranquillity before returning to the bustling capital.

 

Ferry network & routes 

With a wide network of ferry routes covering every inhabited island, exploring the Greek islands is a very easy matter, as long as you plan it correctly.

From Piraeus, you can find all types of ships: From ferry boats to transport your car, to fast catamarans to reach your destination in the shortest possible time.

You can book your ferry tickets online through Travelo, thus saving yourself the hassle of ticket offices and even the possibility of not finding availability on your desired route.

 

Tips and tricks for a successful island hopping trip

Ferry ticket type: The most common ticket type is deck. This means you have access to the interior areas (the lounge, not the numbered airline-style seats) and the deck – here you sit wherever you find space.

If you have a long journey, over 8 hours, you might consider booking a cabin for a comfortable and restful trip.

Don't forget that children under five years old travel for free, while those between 5 and 10 years old are entitled to a 50% discount.

Finally, it is advisable to bring your own supplies such as food and water, as everything at the ship's refreshment stands is unjustifiably expensive.

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