Content for Greece: An Island Hopping Overview provided by Mom With A Map staff writer
Greece arguably has a greater culture than any other country on Earth.
It was here that Socrates first taught his followers about natural philosophy and Hippocrates taught the world about the art of medicine. We’re still living with the consequences of ancient Greek culture to this day.
Greece is a fascinating place for a vacation. The mainland contains the major cities, such as Athens and Corinth. But the real wonder is found among the hundreds of islands strewn across the Aegean – the sea between mainland Greece and Turkey.
Greek island hopping mainly takes place in the Aegean and Ionian Seas. In this post, we talk about some of the main island groups you can travel between and what you can see along the way.
Eptanisa
Eptanisa is part of the Greek island chain centering on the tourist island of Corfu. From here you make your way to Paxos, Lefkada, and Ithaca. You can also stop by on Kefalonia, made famous by a recent Ubisoft game, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey.
The route sounds simple, but it’s actually quite complicated so you’ll need to plan your ferry route meticulously. Start by going from Corfu to Paxos and spend some time gawping at the beautiful beaches. Then take the boat from New Port and make your way east.
If you want to complete your tour faster, you can always fly.
Sporades
The Sporades Greek island hopping tour includes Skiathos, Skopelos, and Alonissos.
Alonissos is home to a large marine part where you can explore natural wildlife and take part in water sports.
Skopelos is a relatively quiet and unknown island with rolling countryside.
Skiathos is perhaps the most vibrant of the three, featuring active nightlife, beautiful beaches You can also find authentic Greek pastitsio here – great for foodies.
Rhodes
The Rhodes chain, which includes the famous island of Rhodes itself, is one of the most famous parts of Greece.
Rhodes has a rich history – some of which actually predates the ancient Greeks. It also has beautiful accommodation and fabulous beaches.
If you’re in the Rhodes area, you might want to travel to the nearby island of Symi. Here, you’ll find remote beaches and great food. It’s the perfect place to spend a whole day relaxing, barely seeing anybody else.
Nisyros is another nearby island you’ll want to check out. It has an active volcano that regularly spews out gas, and a wild hinterland to explore.
Dodecanese
Dodecanese includes the islands of Kos, Leros, Patmos, and Kalymnos
These are some of the more hidden islands in the Aegean, so you’re less likely to come across massive groups of tourists here. Yes, Kos has tourist facilities. But once you leave for Kalymnos, the atmosphere begins to change dramatically.
Kalymnos is very remote and has a large number of hills. It’s a great place to go climbing. And once you reach the top of its peaks, it treats you to some of the best views of the Greek world.
Leros is small, but it retains its character and has a great personality, thanks to its Italian influence.
Hopefully this guide helps as you plan your next vacation!
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