Where to stay in the Greek Islands - an island guide

Finding accommodation on the Greek Islands is easy but sometimes intimidating, with hostel and villa owners waiting at ports for oncoming travelers. Knowing the best and most affordable areas is the trick. Generally more coastal areas away from town centers are cheaper and often more charming than those found in the hub of island life. Traveling between the two is simple and brief thanks to island transport and absent traffic.

Mykonos

 

Mykonos mixes glamour with the laidback life of an island. There are plenty of stylish bars and restaurants in Mykonos and rubbing shoulders with the community is really what it’s all about. Iconic for its white windmills and its cubist buildings, there are also maritime, folklore and archeological museums and striking Byzantine churches.

 

Accommodation on Mykonos

 

Mykonos Town is usually bustling with tourists, but crowds are easily avoided with beach resort areas such as Platis Gialos or Ornos located just 15 minutes south of Mykonos Town. For those wishing to stay in the center of action in Mykonos Town be sure to pre-book your hotel as Mykonos is one of the most popular destinations in The Cyclades.

 

Crete

 

The fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Crete is a mosaic of lush valleys, deep gorges, White Mountains and sandy beaches. Venetian style runs through the island and remains unaltered. There’s plenty to see and do with the island’s aquarium, museums, a palace, fortresses and national park.

 

Accommodation on Crete

 

The district of Rethymno is one of the most impressive spots to stay on Crete with its sprawling strip of big beach hotels stretching from the east end of Rethymno across coastal villages such as Perivolia, Kambos and Skaleta. If you’re after more secluded accommodation, there is a range of hotels and apartments in the warren of narrow streets that is Old Town.

 

Rhodes

 

The island capital of the Dodecanese hosts an architectural fan of medieval and Venetian scenery. As well as its long line of golden beaches, you’ll find an aquarium and numerous cultural and architectural sites and museums. Further inland there’s the Valley of Butterflies which is most impressive throughout June.

 

Accommodation on Rhodes

 

There’s plenty of accommodation to choose from in Rhodes, but the town of Lindos is the most breathtaking. Sitting above the crystal clear St. Paul’s Bay the town itself is a UNESCO heritage site.

 

Corfu

 

Corfu’s multicultural heritage of British, French and Venetian rule has left it with a unique display of architecture, culture and cuisine. As a mountainous island there are many hiking trails and flourishing gorges to visit between traditional and coastal villages. Some of the museums here are unique not only to the islands but to the entirety of Greece.

 

Accommodation on Corfu

 

For those wishing to stay more centrally in Corfu, accommodation can be expensive and require booking in advance. But cheaper accommodation can be found in more coastal areas like Sidari, Ipsos and Kavos.

 

Skiathos

 

Located in the Sporades Islands, Skiathos provides a unique alternative destination with dense vegetation, rocky landscapes and a thriving sea life of rare birds, dolphins and monk seals. Walk the hiking trails through thick pine forests and olive groves or lay back on Koukounariés Beach, declared as the most beautiful beach in the Mediterranean.

 

Accommodation on Skiathos

 

Skiathos Town may look busy but all the resorts here are actually peaceful and far more convenient than smaller villages. For the best experience there is a wide range of hotels and resorts to choose from, but you can also find apartments and villas with the same feel.