Greece is home to over 6,000 islands and tiny islets, each with its own special charm, making every trip feel like a new adventure.
Out of those, 227 are inhabited — from the lively island of Crete with more than 600,000 people, to the peaceful little Marathi in the Dodecanese, where just a handful of residents live year-round (only three in the winter!).
The Greek Islands are split into handy groups based on location, which makes hopping between them super easy — Argo-Saronic, Crete, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Evia, Ionian, North Aegean, and Sporades. Each group has its own vibe and charm, just waiting to be explored.
Fun fact: Elafonisos, a gorgeous little island off the southeastern coast of the Peloponnese, doesn’t actually belong to any of these groups. Instead, it’s part of the Lakonia region — a bit of an outlier!
The Argo-Saronic Islands are ideal for quick trips from Athens, offering charming towns, clear waters, and a laid-back island feel just a short ferry ride from the mainland.
The Cyclades are Greece’s most famous island group, known for postcard-perfect villages, beautiful beaches, and a vibrant island atmosphere.
