A Local's Guide To The Greek Islands

Welcome to our Greek Islands travel guide! Whether you're an expert or a first-time traveller Greece promises an unforgettable adventure and will not disappoint. From the ancient ruins of Athens to the sun-kissed beaches of the Greek islands, Greece offers something for everyone. Join us as we explore the best destinations, hidden gems, and local tips to make your Greek getaway truly spectacular. Get ready to immerse yourself in the charm and beauty of this Mediterranean paradise!

There are around 6,000 islands in Greece however, only 227 are inhabited and are all spread across two main seas, the Ionian and Aegean. What is interesting about these islands is that each has something different to offer; from landscapes and history to food and wine.

At Alternative Airlines, we have put together a travel guide that explores three of the islands in the Cyclades and Dodecanese regions.

Greek islands to visit

Crete

Capital: Heraklion
Size: 8,336 km2

Crete is a popular tourist destination with lots of people visiting between May and August for a lazy beach holiday! Crete is also the largest Greek island, 88th in the world. Crete is ideal for those seeking a relaxing beach break with an excellent Mediterranean climate and a fantastic mix of vibrant towns, traditional tavernas and true Greek hospitality.

Weather in Crete:

If you're a sunseeker the best time to visit Crete is between June and September. The hottest month of the year is July with an average daily maximum of 32 C and an average low of 22 C. The coolest month of the year is January with an average daily maximum of 14 C and an average low of 7 C.

Places to see in Crete:

Chania

Chania is located in the northwest of Crete. It is one of the two cities in Crete and is full of history, with a mixture of 14th–16th century Egyptian, Ottoman and Venetian-influenced architecture. There are many fish restaurants on the waterfront serving up freshly caught octopus ready to eat (which you’ll also see strung up outside!) However, if you want to eat like a local, head further south into the wooded areas to enjoy local lamb or locally grown cooked vegetables.

Heraklion

Heraklion (pronounced Iraklio by the Greeks) is the capital of Crete and is more of a bustling city compared to Chania. It’s noticeably more modern with a lively nightlife. If you’re looking for a bit more history whilst in Heraklion, you can visit Knossos which is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site in Crete.

Elafonisi Beach

Elafonisi Beach is on the west coast of Crete. What makes this beach so special is the pink sand that covers its shores. Why is the sand pink in Elafonisi? Great question. This is due to the coral naturally breaking down over thousands of years and pieces of shells falling to the bottom of the ocean and then being washed onto shore, giving off a pink hue.

Crete travel tips:

• If you’re travelling by ferry from Athens, the journey length is seven hours to Crete. Once arriving at the port, it’s recommended to hire a car to drive around the island if you want to see Crete fully.
• Plan Crete is larger than its fellow Greek islands, so you could waste a lot of time travelling from site to site.
• The water quality is regularly monitored through testing and as a result, tap water in Crete is generally considered safe for consumption

Which airlines fly to Crete?:

The main airports in Crete are Heraklion (Nikos Kazantzakis) also known as Heraklion International Airport (HER) and Chania International Airport (CHQ)("Ioannis Daskalogiannis")

Airlines that fly to Crete are the Greek flag carriers Aegean Airlines, Easyjet, Ryanair, Norwegian Air and Lufthansa. You may have to connect flights at Athens International Airport depending on your original destination. Sky Express is the airline that connects you from Crete to its neighbouring Greek islands, such as Rhodes. These can all be booked online through Alternative Airlines.

Santorini

Capital: Oia
Size: 76.19 km2

Santorini is known as one of the most beautiful Greek islands with its recognisable clean whitewashed houses with blue doors. It's well known for beautiful beaches, stunning views and sunsets. It’s recognised as the island with the famous “Blue Church dome”. Santorini is a calm and beautiful island, making it a great destination for weddings! (You can read more about this in our wedding blog).

However, there is more to Santorini than just the beautiful clean streets and buildings. An active volcano lies in the centre of the island which last erupted in the 16th century and is the reason for the island’s crescent shape.

Weather in Santorini:

The Spring & Fall (shoulder season) is from mid-April to June and from September to mid-October. With most establishments still being open and fully functioning but without the high-season crowds, spring and fall are hands down the best time to visit Santorini.

Places to see in Santorini:

Santorini towns are located very close to each other but all have something different to offer. Oia and Imerovigli are romantic, with lots of couples holding hands and honeymooning whereas Fira, which is just behind Oia, is great for shopping and nightlife. The Greeks love to party and eat dinner late, so don’t be surprised when you finish dinner at 11 pm and then out partying until 6 am.

Santorini travel tips:

• Hop on a ferry from Crete to Santorini which takes two and a half hours and is in service twice a day. There are more services available during the summer season. Ferry tickets can be bought at the port or online.
• In brief, we recommend staying 3 to 5 days to visit as many places as possible.
• The best places to stay in Santorini with your family and kids are those near the beach, including Kamari, Perivolos, and Perissa as the walk up and down can be tiring.

Which airlines fly to Santorini?:

You can fly to Santorini (Thira) International Airport (JTR) on Norwegian Air, Aegean, easyJet, Austrian Airlines, eurowings, Brussels Airlines and British Airways.

Or, you can take a five-hour ferry from Santorini to Athens or two hours to the neighbouring islands such as Naxos or Paros.

Rhodes

Capital: Rhodes
Size: 2,714 km2

Rhodes is the most visited of all the Greek islands due to its mixture of wooded landscape, history, beaches and natural resorts to visit. The island is also popular for its nightlife based in Faliraki town and it has a lot of historical connections with neighbouring Turkey. However, it's recommended to drive further south of the island to experience the different landscapes and villages.

Weather in Rhodes:

Rhodes has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. If you enjoy hot perfect sunny days the best time to visit Rhodes is between June and September. In June, the average daily temperature in Rhodes ranges from 22°C (72°F) to 29°C (84°F). During the daytime, it can get quite hot, with highs reaching 32°C (90°F) or even higher on some days. The evenings are cooler but still comfortable, with temperatures dropping to around 20°C (68°F).

Places to see in Rhodes:

Lindos Old Town

Lindos is a town on the Greek island of Rhodes famous for the location of the ancient ruins of the Acropolis. Although it's a tourist attraction for history lovers it also has amazing nightlife. As the clock strikes midnight, the party in Lindos is just getting started. If you're looking for a lively atmosphere, head to Lindos By Night Bar, the town's premier nightlife venue.

Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes

If you're into history and walking, this is a highly recommended site to visit. It’s a large medieval castle but feels like you are in a small historical town. As soon as you enter the grand gates, you are greeted by cobbled stone streets, statues and tall grandeur walls so you are sightseeing whilst dining or shopping.

Apóllona

The village of Apóllona is located up in the hills, in the centre of the island. The town is small but it’s a great stopping point for real Rhodean food and local Greek wine when driving between Rhodes and the seaside village of Limnos.

Rhodes travel tips:

• For the size of the island of Rhodes, the ideal way of transport is a car, however, with the scooter, you can visit closer resorts and beaches. There are many rental companies on the island.
• Many larger shops and restaurants will accept cards, but cash is always appreciated by small businesses. It's worth having a variety of coins too since change can be in short supply in more remote areas.
• Most of the island's population tends to be, multilingual. The majority of the locals speak fluently English, apart from Greek which is the official country's language.

Which airlines fly to Rhodes?:

The main airport on the island is Rhodes International Airport (Diagoras) (RHO) and many airlines fly there including Transavia, airBaltic, Austrian Airlines, easyJet, Sky Express and Vueling.

Conclusion

There are so many more amazing islands in Greece such as Corfu, Mykonos, Kos and Zakynthos to explore. We hope our travel guide has inspired you to start your Greek island adventure, filled with memorable moments and breathtaking scenery. Thank you for joining us, and may your travels be as magical as the islands themselves!