Best Reasons to go Island Hopping in Greece

Introduction

Island Hopping is a fantastic decision for those who crave a little bit of everything. You can choose from two, three, or more islands and the team at Olympic Holidays will help you create the perfect bespoke holiday that suits your specific requirements.

It’s no wonder that everyone is enamoured with the imagery of Greek island scenery. Gorgeous whitewashed buildings and iconic blue domes come to mind. And of course, anyone who has seen the famous Mamma Mia films has gotten the chance to fall in love with stunning Greek exteriors and the sense of wonder found from exploring quiet and idyllic Greek islands. (Check out our Emerald Gems island hopping package for those seeking to live out their Mamma Mia dreams. This package includes journeys to the islands of Skiathos and Skopelos, which were both used as filming locations for the movies!)

Why Go Island Hopping in Greece?

While Greece certainly has its popular locations, the variety of beauty that can be found in the country is spread out across so many equally gorgeous islands, making it impossible to decide on just one without the fear of missing out on the ones you didn’t pick! Some islands are famous for its beaches, historical sites, partying, or shopping (and a few offer a little of everything!) The opportunity to visit two, three or more islands all in one unforgettable holiday might be too good to pass up, especially when it comes in a package deal.

Going for a package holiday for this type of adventure feels luxurious, as everything is taken care of for you.  The logistics of transfers from the airport, transfers to and from ports to accommodations and ferries between islands are all factored in, so you don’t have to think of anything.

What Can You Experience on an Island Hop?

There are so many fantastic routes to pick at Olympic Holidays, but for now let's take you through the Romantic Greece package to give you a taste of what you can experience on a tried-and-true island hop route. Three nights in Santorini, three in Naxos and three in Mykonos. Santorini and Mykonos are obvious dream bucket list locations, everyone is racing to get these famous islands crossed off. Naxos is the perfect island between the two to visit, being the largest and greenest Cycladic Island, with long clean sandy beaches stretching out across the coast.

Santorini

Visitors reaching the island will soon discover why Santorini receives roughly two million visitors a year! It is one thing to see photos and another thing entirely to experience the clean views of the buildings with panoramic views of the expansive sea in the background. The architecture of this island is TRULY unmatched, with endless beautiful shops and adorable houses scattered throughout. The views from the hotels feel like a dream, it may be impossible to take a bad picture of the scenery here! The best part is the variety found on different sides of the island, allowing you to experience a mix of sights. If you’re looking for upscale experiences, views and shopping, Oia is famously the place to be. Those seeking great nightlife will find that Fira is spectacular for its liveliness and music. To find a place to kick back and relax, stay in Perivolos, Kamari or Perissa which boast lovely beach clubs and tavernas.

Naxos

Heading to Naxos is a lovely contrast after the busy streets of Santorini. The ferry to this island is a long relaxing journey, with plenty of time to enjoy the sea breeze before you’ve arrived.

This is THE largest island in the Cyclades, and when you see the expanse of beaches it really shows! You won’t be fighting for a spot on these wide sandy shores as there are endless opportunities for peaceful sunbathing here. (Plaka beach is a MUST if visiting Naxos).

Much of the food served on this island is actually grown locally on Naxos, which really shows. The freshness of the ingredients comes across in every meal. As the agricultural capital of the Greek islands, Naxos is known among Greeks as the place for foodies to enjoy the best of traditional Greek cuisine. This is also the only place one can buy the famous local Kitron liqueur, which is the perfect gift for visitors to take home to family and friends.

There are also more opportunities for exploring ancient sites than the other islands, which will excite those who are fascinated by Greek history. When the ferry nears Naxos, travellers are immediately greeted by the Portara, the gigantic doorway to the Temple of Apollo.

Mykonos

After slowing down and relaxing a bit in Naxos, get ready to visit your third island on the itinerary. Many would think Mykonos very similar to Santorini, but it actually has a completely different energy. As these two are amongst the most well known Greek islands, they are often compared, but they hold entirely different strengths and highlights. While the sunset from Santorini is unmatched, the look of the Old Town in Mykonos is absolutely incredible. Travellers seeking the best beaches may also find themselves falling in love with Mykonos. Those embarking on the ‘Romantic Greece’ route will be glad they didn’t have to choose between the islands, however, as missing out on the sunset views and adorable shops to visit in Santorini would be tragic! There are slightly less crowds in Mykonos than Santorini as well, although MUCH busier (and livelier) in comparison to Naxos. Overall, a gorgeous island and incredible to end on after getting to experience two other completely different locations en route.

Summary

Those who struggle with picking just one choice for fear of missing out should absolutely take the leap and go for an island hopping package! You get to see a lot at your own pace without feeling rushed and get plenty of time on each island overall. You discover that each island is so different from the other and will be glad you got to spend three nights on each instead of nine nights on just one. A holiday is something many look forward to all year, and it can feel great to really maximise that precious time into seeing as much as possible.

It’s freeing to have all the transfers between the airport and accommodation, ferries between the islands, and hotels all taken care of. The logistical details are usually the most daunting aspect when looking at hitting a lot of different locations on holiday, which the Olympic island hopping packages have mastered. That leaves you more headspace to figure out the best parts of the islands to wander and find activities!

So, who is the ‘Romantic Greece’ island hopping package for? It depends on what type of traveller you are!

Photographers should run, not walk, to Santorini for unrivalled sunset photos with iconic windmills and blue domes. The cobblestone streets of the village of Oia feature some of the most beautiful shops and restaurants found in Greece. The hotels here are luxurious, it's no wonder this island is so popular with honeymooners every year.

If you’re a foodie looking for the best of what Greek islands have to offer, Naxos is the one you CANNOT miss. The freshest and most inspired food you could find is here. 

Families should definitely also have Naxos on their list, as it is one of the larger and less crowded Greek islands, with plenty of space on the beach. This stop is a lovely reprieve between the liveliness of Santorini and Mykonos, providing a chance to actually slow down and relax.

Mykonos is the one for fantastic nightlife and shopping. The town is so fairytale-esque, it cannot be compared to any of the other Greek villages on the other islands. It is also much more walkable/accessible than some other islands and the beaches are some of the most fantastic.

Otherwise, our other island hopping routes lend an entirely different experience, check them out here!