The Stuff Of Legend

With their rich history, unrivalled beauty and sparkling seas, Greece’s islands are rightly mythologised.

- Hannah Brandler Rose Dykins Jenny Southan

Greece has attracted visitors since antiquity – even the citizens of the Roman Empire were not immune to the charms of this cradle of Western civilisation. Great weather, diverse landscapes, a rich history, delicious food and a coastline lapped by the Aegean, Mediterranean and Ionian seas all add to the draw. The big mainland destinations of Halkidiki, Thessaloniki and the capital, Athens, take some beating, but the 200-plus inhabited islands in the archipelago are unique and each has its own distinctive character.

In spite of financial difficulties Greece has faced in recent years, travellers continue to visit its sandy beaches, cosy coves and verdant olive groves and there is no need to fix on one destination. Island hopping presents the opportunity to enjoy several islands in one trip. Here are five of our favourites, accessible by air and inter-island ferries.

SANTORINI

Santorini’s show-stopping sunsets are something to behold. Each day at dusk, people flock to the island’s west coast and perch along cliff sides to watch the sky explode into vibrant sherbet hues, with its volcanic crater, Nea Kameni, casting a dramatic silhouette.

A magnet for honeymooners and Instagram bloggers, Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands. Thanks to its distinctive volcanic environment, the island is full of intriguing places to explore: black sandy beaches, the sulphur hot springs that fizz at the foot of the Nea Kameni, and the craggy, molten surface of the crater itself.

A word of warning: the compact capital, Fira, is a popular cruise stop, and its cobbled streets can become crowded with tourists. As for those sunsets, Oia, the blue-domed town to the north of the island, gets packed full of people eager to witness the spectacle.