A vacation to the Greek Islands is something most can only dream about. When the opportunity presents itself to visit the Greek Islands, how can you know which island will give you the experience you're looking for? When you begin to plan your trip, you'll realize there are so many islands to choose from. While you'll see some tourists "island hopping", in my personal opinion, you'll have a better time picking one or two islands and spending more time soaking in the abundant gifts that each island has to offer.
When choosing which island you want to visit, think about the overall experience that you want out of your vacation. A backpacking holiday in your early twenties is going to look very different from a honeymoon in your thirties. Is it more important to you to see the famous sights you've seen on postcards and social media, or would you prefer to relax by the beach? Are you prepared to be shuffled around like cattle in peak season, or would you prefer a quieter more laid back experience? All of these are things you should ask yourself before planning your Greek Island adventure.
This summer, my new husband and I chose to go to the Greek Islands for our honeymoon. It was a bucket list destination for us and something we'd been dreaming about for years. I had visited Greece in 2009 with a friend whose family was from a smaller town on the mainland. I had the best time and really grew to appreciate the Greek lifestyle, their warm hospitality and passion for their culture. Because of this and the fact that I wanted to prioritize time at the beach, we chose to go to the islands of Naxos and Paros. Naxos was supposed to have some of the most beautiful beaches that were perfect for swimming (which I can now confirm is true!) and Paros was supposed to have the white and blue buildings that I dreamed of, while having plenty of beaches and a vibrant nightlife.
Both islands had the white and blue buildings that I had seen on postcards and while we were there in peak season (July), I didn't find things to be overly busy. The shopping is amazing on both islands and there is no shortage of restaurants to choose from. The resort we stayed at in Naxos was right on the beach, which is one of the reasons I chose it. The hotel stay came with complimentary use of their beach beds, which can go for €20-50 per day elsewhere. In Paros, we chose to stay a little closer to the town of Naousa. If you're looking for nightlife in Paros, Naousa is the place to stay. There are also many day trips you can take from Paros, whether it be a boat tour around the island, or a quick trip over to Antiparos, which is a small island opposite Paros.
Renting a car is also a great way to see the islands. Naxos is one of the biggest islands in the Cyclades, so I would recommend having a car for at least two days if you're looking to explore the whole thing. Rotonda Cafe Bar is an absolute must for the view alone - go at sunset if you can! We also rented a car in Paros, where we took time to explore all around the island. I'd say you could do with one day with a car in Paros, as it is a little bit smaller than Naxos. Overall though, Paros and Naxos are two of the biggest islands in the Cyclades. While they are quieter and less expensive than islands like Mykonos and Santorini, you'll still feel that 100% authentic Greek Island experience.
Visiting Paros and Naxos was a great combination, because they are so close together and you're really only taking one long ferry ride if you're departing from Athens. It should also be noted that if I were to do this trip again, I would likely fly from Athens to the islands. Both Paros and Naxos had airports and if you have the means to do so, I think
it would be worth flying. Taking the Greek ferries is definitely an experience in itself, which may be something you want to try on your Greek island adventure. However, if you're going in peak season, it's very hot and hard not to feel like cattle being herded onto the ferry. On our four hour ferry ride back to Athens from Paros, we opted to upgrade to a private state room, just so we could see what it was like. I will say, it was definitely worth the money. We had a private room with two beds, a window and our own bathroom. For ferries longer than a few hours, I would recommend this!
I don't believe you can go wrong with which island you choose, but I would recommend researching the island you want to go to and see what they are known for. Many of the locals told us we were smart for avoiding Mykonos and Santorini. Not to say that you wouldn't have an unreal time on those islands, but they may best be visited in the shoulder season. "Island hopping" can also be costly and time consuming. Pick a few islands you want to see, spend at least a few days there, enjoy and relax!
If you have any questions about traveling to the Greek Islands, comment below or send me a DM on Instagram!
