Limnos

The island of Hephaestus (god of fire and protector of blacksmiths) is the ideal laid back holiday destination. Visit Myrina, which is the island capital and port, learn more about its interesting history and enjoy fresh fish dishes. Explore the volcanic areas and visit the island’s museums. Visit Alyki and Chortarolimni Lakes, the areas are part of the European NATURA 2000 network.

Lesvos

Sappho, one of the most famous lyric poets of ancient Greece, was born on the island of Lesvos. You will find grand beautiful houses in Mytilene, the island capital, and traditional villages across the island (Agiassos, Assomatos, Vatousa, Eresos, Mantamados, Mithymna, Petra, Plomari, Polichnitos, Sigri, Sykamia). Plomari Village is known for its top quality ouzo, which is famous across the country and around the world. Accompany your ouzo drink with sardines from Kaloni. Enjoy the hot springs at Thermi, Eftalou and Gera or walk along unspoilt, golden beaches. 

Chios

Chios is known as the mastic island because of this unique natural resin collected from mastic trees cultivated at the south part of the island. Explore the Mastichochoria, a group of fortified villages of great beauty built in the 14th century when the island was under Genovese rule. Mesta is a medieval heritage town with preserved towers, ancient churches and magnificent stone houses joined together with arches. Taste delicious dishes cooked with mastic, or have a sip of soumada, a traditional drink made of almonds.

Quite a few museums and traditional open air festivals reveal the island’s long history and interesting culture. Long sandy beaches, secluded or not, as well as quiet coves are also there for the visitor to explore. 

Samos

Samos is the birthplace of the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, the philosopher Epicurus, and the astronomer Aristarchus of Samos, the first to suggest that the Earth revolves around the sun.

Visit the UNESCO monuments of Pythagoreion, an ancient fortified port with Greek and Roman monuments, as well as the Heraion, the temple of the goddess Hera. Attend cultural events and music festivals. Stroll around Vathy, a traditional village, and learn more about the island’s history.

Samos is a green island with many white-sand beaches and picturesque villages. The island is also well-known for its top quality natural sweet wine. 

Salamina

According to the myth, the name Salamina (Salamis) was given to the island by Kychreas in honour of his mother Salamis, one of the five daughters of the river god Asopos.

Poros

Lush pine trees vegetation, crystal clear beaches, a lively waterfront adorned with shops, cosy cafes and restaurants, a picturesque capital (it has been declared protected settlement) with grand traditional mansions and picturesque cobbled streets, as well as a wide selection of entertainment venues are the ingredients of this quiet, yet cosmopolitan, destination that attracts visitors from all age groups.

Methana

The peninsula of Méthana with its two steep volcanic slopes is actually a volcano that emerged from the sea! Welcome the opportunity to explore a stunning volcanic landscape with dense vegetation, coastal villages and diverse flora and fauna. The establishment of the spa complex in 1870 made it a popular spa town attracting mainly senior citizens from many European countries.

Hydra

Hydra, built in the shape of an amphitheatre on a slope overlooking the Argosaronic gulf, is one of the most romantic destinations in Greece. Traditional stone mansions, narrow cobblestoned streets, secluded squares and above all the banning of cars and the use of around 500 donkeys as means of public transportation, explain the reason why Hydra preserved its distinctive atmosphere through the passage of time.

 The Ionian islands have a mild and temperate climate which makes them the ideal location for vacation or residence. In winter, the mountains of Central Greece stop the cold northern winds from reaching the islands while, in summer, the heat is tempered by the meltemia, the soft, northwestern winds, and the sea breezes. Due to the air currents prevalent on the Ionian islands, many of the island beaches have developed into internationally acclaimed windsurfing centers.

The Ionian Islands have been inhabited since Paleolithic times, have been through many invasions, and have received the influence of a variety of cultures.

The Ionian Islands were part of the Byzantine Empire until1204 when the Franks took over Constantinople and the Ionian Islands were eventually ceded to the Venetians. Under Venetian rule, the Ionian Islands formed their own local nobility whose register survived as late as the 19th century.

From the time of Frankish rule until 1864 when they were joined with Greece, the Ionian Islands were also ruled by a number of foreign conquerors. The presence of the Europeans on the Ionian Islands at a time when Greece was still under Ottoman rule gave rise to significant intellectual activity something that is still visible today both in the islands’ architectural tradition as well as their charming cultural traits.

 Kos. Sandy beaches, turquoise waters, lush vegetation, ancient and medieval monuments, tree-lined wide roads, large squares, parks, a superb city plan and an extensive bicycle-only routes network are the distinctive characteristics of the third largest island of the Dodecanese, Kos! The island’s trademark is its medieval castle (Nerantziá Castle) situated at the entrance of the port. Wander along the impressive avenue with the Palm Trees, or stroll around famous squares like Platánou Square and Elefthería Square and admire legendary buildings, remains of the Italian rule. Interested in history? Pay a visit to the ancient city of Kos and observe important archaeological finds dating back to the 4th century. Did you actually know that you can sit under the plane tree where Hippocrates himself, the Father of Medicine, used to teach his students and examine his patients? The plane tree must be over 2,500 years old, and it is in fact the oldest in Europe! Don’t miss the 4th century Asclipiion, the Antimáhia 15th century castle with its imposing battle tower, as well as one of the most scenic villages of Kos with a distinctive traditional character, Ziá nestled amongst a dense cedar forest.

 Kalymnos. Welcome the opportunity to visit the “island of the sea sponge harvesters”, an internationally known alternative tourism destination. Did you know that after WWII Kálymnos remained the only Greek sponge-harvesting industry supplying both domestic and international markets with sea sponges? The first picture to see upon arriving on the island is Póthia, both the capital and the port of Kálymnos, spreading amphitheatrically on two hills. Visit among others the castle of Chrissoheria and the Archaeological Museum. Set out on a day trip to the traditional settlement of Horió, the former capital of the island, and admire interesting Byzantine monuments (like the Great Castle). The early-Christian settlement at Eliniká is a must-see, since it is perhaps the best preserved settlement in Greece. A perfect occasion to visit the island would be the International Climbing Festival in May, a unique festival that will thrill the action fans! The culinary enthusiasts should taste mouth watering delights, such as sweet smelling thyme honey, juicy tangerines, homemade mizithra cheese, delicious sea-dried lobster tail, and sea ray preserved in sea water!

 Pserimos means “looking for the ideal destination for serene, relaxing holidays”. Enjoy sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, swim in paradise bays (like the small bay of Vathí), rent a boat and sail around the island’s beaches, follow several hiking routes, participate in local fairs (the most famous ones take place on 15th August) or go scuba diving and climbing. Whether you are looking for an action packed holiday or a relaxing visit, you will be quite astonished by the choices on offer on such a small island!

 Telendos. Did you know that this tiny beautiful island formed part of Kálymnos in antiquity, but was separated in 554 AD due to a devastating earthquake? Today there is only one small village on the island. Follow walking paths through the dense pine forest on the south of the island, where also ruins of Byzantine residencies still stand. Swim in sun-drenched beaches (like Plaka, Potha, and Paradise), go scuba diving and explore the ancient city sunk between Kálymnos and Télendos or go hiking, climbing, wind surfing, canoe-kayaking and spear fishing! You can reach Télendos by boat departing from the cove of Mirtiés at Kálymnos.

The Greek island of Kea is known for many things. It has exceptional beaches and one of the best system of walking paths and trails of any Greek island. Kea is a hiker’s paradise with numbered routes that take you through a variety of landcapes to remote coves and the ruins of ancient cities. The restaurants on Kea are among the best in Greece and the summer features a number of cultural events, and an outdoor movie theater with new first-run movies (usually in English) that change every 2 days. Because of its proximity to Athens (just 2 hours by bus and ferry) Kea has always been popular with Athenians who have holiday homes here that they only use on occasional weekends in the summer and for much of August. But come any other time and you won’t even see them. If you are looking for an island that is close to Athens but has the feeling of an island much further away, then Kea may be the place for you. I should know. I live here.

Cousteau looked for the lost city of Atlantis on Santorini. Crescent-shaped Santorini (or Thíra), the precious gem of the Aegean, is actually a group of islands consisting of Thíra, Thirassiá, Asproníssi, Palea and Nea Kaméni in the southernmost part of Cyclades.

Also called “Thermiá” on account of its thermal springs, Kythnos is very close to Attica; still, it is one of the less visited islands of the Cyclades.

Greek Mythology has it that Anafi, a paradise of pristine beauty and “exotic” beaches washed by crystal clear waters, had emerged from the bottom of the Aegean sea to give shelter to the Argonauts.

Ios. The locals call their island “Nios” but its formal name comes from “Ion”, the Greek name for the flower violet. It is said to have been the birthplace of Homer’s mother and the place of his own tomb.

Remaining untouched by the growth of the tourist industry, Folegandros (or Polykandros) offers complete relaxation in a typical Cycladic landscape. The Greek mythology refers to Folégandros as son to Minos and head of the first colonists on the island.

Ideal for a relaxed holiday, Serifos is a typical Cycladic island with white villages, quiet harbours, golden beaches, bare hills and beautiful landscapes. The mild tourism growth has not affected the island’s nature and traditional features.

Kimolos. This tiny and extremely beautiful island lies in the western part of the Cyclades, close to Milos island. Possessing a volcanic soil and a unique variety of minerals, it is famous for its fantastic beaches, ranging from thin sand to pebbles.

Sifnos will definitely turn a holiday into an unforgettable experience, having a rich tradition in pottery and gastronomy. Due to its gold mines, it used to be one of the richest islands in the ancient times.

Escape from everyday stress and anxiety on this small island, located between Íos and Folégandros. Sikinos is a typical Cycladic island, with terraces, low stone fences and numerous country chapels dotting a scenery bathed in the wonderful green and blue waters of the Aegean.