I have 3 favourite islands which I constantly go back too. Kefalonia is one and I stay in the resort of Poros. No tour operators go there now and it has a great feel as it a working port.
Skiathos is another favourite and Koukanaries is the resort I stay at. Gorgeous beaches within easy reach and a laid back atmosphere in the evening. Also you are guaranteed a seat on the bus into town! The town is fantastic at night time too if you want something a bit livelier.
Skopelos is my third favourite. Very uncommercialised, they didn't even try and cash in on Mama Mia after it was filmed there! It feels like Greece was 40 years ago. I love it and this is my destination for 2019 😎

I have fancied trying Skiathos in the past. It looks gorgeous. Was a bit worried it would be too quiet.

It's many years since I travelled to any of the Greek islands & before I met my husband.

He doesn't like anywhere too hot so have been avoiding researching them. However, I think he'd love the atmosphere & beauty of the islands. I need to find one with a cool breeze. I can't cope with lots of flies or wasps 😱.

We now tend to go to Fuerteventura for the cool wind & minimum flying insects.

This is so difficult, over the past 20 odd years we have travelled to Greece and the islands, there are so many we really enjoyed, we have visited many of the smaller islands and would have to say quite a few are on our list of favourites, Sikinos, Syros, Halki,
Donoussa, Kassos, to name a few. Not easy to pick out of a list that numbers 36. Also have to name Crete, as we have been there 16 times to 9 different resorts, with the size of the island there are so many variations of resort, and scenery ,there are some we would never go to, but, so many more, something for everyone.

Tony

We would definitely prefer the smaller Islands Tony or, a small resort on a larger Island.

I've noticed however, that some of the smaller Islands can only be reached by ferry from a larger one. I think this would put us off.

Kos is my fave island. The resort of Psalidi is very nice. Not much there, about 4 tavernas and couple of bars. But Kos town is a 30 min walk away which has more life. If you stay clear of Kardamina, Kefelos and Tigaki, you tend to get a more international clientele which I prefer.

Lesbos (Lesvos) is also great. Probably the least commersialised island and the cost of living is cheaper than most other Greek islands.

Used to love Alykes on Zante, but it is a very British resort with quite a few karaoke, tribute act bars and because of that I no longer go there

Looking to return to Kos next summer

This is such a helpful post! We cruised through Greece 2 years ago with our toddler and I loved Athens and Mykonos. Santorini was having a heat wave and we got scolded for not putting a hat on our son and basically felt like the worst parents on Earth.
By the way, I want to recommend you this service https://hellenictaxi.com Taxi transfer will take you from the airport and drop you off at your accommodation.

I have been to most Greek islands, at least the Cyclades Islands, but this year I discovered a few more: Kufonisi, Donousa and Skinusa, all small, lovely and beautiful. I was told that they get to be crowded in July and August but we went there in early June so it was fine. Not many beaches, but I would say a different experience if you have already been to the likes of Mykonos, Santorini, Paros and the rest. Sort of reminiscent of a different time when tourism wasn't a big thing for the locals - those who have been to Greece in the 70s or before will probably understand what I mean :). Not many options re accommodation, so we hired a boat from Paros through a boat hire platform we have used before, click & boat, and spent a couple of days on each island. Maybe not for everyone - I have a boating licence - but I believe you can also hire one with a skipper.

We visited Kos many years ago pre-children and loved it.Holidays since have either been camping in France or trips to family in the north east of the USA. Hubby and I are escaping to Corfu shortly. Our destination was determined by where we could fly on a particular day and back in time for me to be back in work, and even then we need to fly from Edinburgh rather than Glasgow with our return flight landing 8 hours before I need to leave to be back in work.

Elaine I live in Aberdeen and I got a great price with BA flying from Aberdeen to Heathrow and on to Zante. You do have to book early though to get it. Might be worth checking the next time?

On 2nd September 2019 at 10:04am, Fiona said:
Elaine I live in Aberdeen and I got a great price with BA flying from Aberdeen to Heathrow and on to Zante. You do have to book early though to get it. Might be worth checking the next time?

Our issue was that I only have 2 days holiday left this year so we were very restricted. I normally work Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday but by working Monday the week we go away and Friday the week we come back I managed to get a week. The downside is that coming back we land in Edinburgh just after midnight on the Thursday night so we will get home around 1.30am on the Friday and I am working at 9am.

It will be worth it though!

Has anyone been to Agios Efstratios? It's a tiny island, remote, tranquil and, blimey, amazingly beautiful! It's so remote that we had to rent a boat from a yacht charter platform from the island of Chios to go there. There is a local ferry, but it's not that frequent... It's closer to go from Limnos but we wanted to enjoy the trip in the Aegean Sea. The island itself is not a primary tourist destination, which kinda travels you to a different era - those who have been to Greece in the 70s will understand. Highly recommended!

Just Santorini.

Went this year for a 3rd time in my life. Did Kayak, had some great escape tours, visited the volcano and booked my experiences through https://chooseyafy.com/activities-more/

Definitely going again. It was a pleasure to live in ia!