How Many Days Should You Spend on Each Greek Island?

Greece is a country world-renowned for its dazzling collection of breathtaking islets. With so many picturesque landmasses to choose from, planning a vacation to the islands of Greece is no easy task.

With so many stunning areas to decide between, you must first consider how much time you can dedicate to touring the islands of Greece. This can prove rather difficult when you haven’t yet been to the destination and are struggling to get a grasp of what there is to see and do there.

So, in this article, we outline how much time to spend on each of the top Greek islands to visit and give a flavor of what to expect during your stay. In doing so, we hope to assist you in planning the most sensational vacation possible in this picturesque part of the world.

Santorini

At the very least, set three days aside to explore Santorini.

Santorini is often considered one of the best Greek islands to visit. Despite its small size, it offers so much. With jaw-dropping views around every corner, including incredible black-sand beaches and gorgeous whitewashed houses, it truly is a destination like no other.

Spending at least three days in Santorini will allow you time to visit the village of Oia and the island’s volcano. If you can spend more time, we’d recommend 5+ days to explore more of what this island has to offer. Tour idyllic whitewashed villages, delve into the vibrant marine life within its piercing blue waters and sample all of the regional delights such as tomato fritters and local wine.

Wine tours are a must for anyone visiting Santorini. Sipping your way through the island’s highlights is easily one of the top experiences in Greece when you’re on a landmass so highly renowned for its grape juice.

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Mykonos

If you’re island hopping the Cyclades, leave three days aside to get a real taste of all the islet has to offer. For those planning a single-destination getaway, we’d recommend staying on the island for five days plus. Mykonos is another popular Greek islands, and for good reason. Renowned for its Cycladic architecture, sublime coastline and sensational party scene, it is no surprise that the island goes down so well with tourists.

Despite having made a name for itself as the best party island in Greece, the delights of Mykonos are certainly not limited to its exceptional array of beach bars and clubs.

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Crete

As the largest and most populous of the country, you will need to dedicate four days to staying in Crete.

Crete is absolutely brimming with things to do and see including exploring historic forts, stunning beaches and hiking trails. With so many activities at your disposal, it is one of the best islands to visit in Greece.

If you have more time, we’d recommend spending several days going between hidden coves along Crete’s rugged coastline where you will find bright turquoise waters and flawless white sand. And, of course, spending a good chunk of time exploring the must-see Chania Town.

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Milos Island

For those island-hopping around Greece, you can set aside a day to explore the spectacular coastline of Milos Island. However, you could equally spend several extra days exploring its divine tapestry of landscape.

Milos Island is home to a particularly impressive collection of beaches. Shimmering crystal-blue waters adorn its rocky coastline, with sweeping hills and blue-roofed churches lying in the distance. As one of the best Greek islands for beaches, it would be a crime to visit Milos without investigating its dazzling coastline.

Sarakiniko Beach, in particular, stands out as one of the best beaches on Milos Island. The extraordinary little cove is incredibly famous thanks to its eye-catching appearance: a striking contrast of bright turquoise waters and chalk-white boulders.

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Naxos

You should spend at least three full days in Naxos. Despite its calm ambience, it is multifaceted with much to see and do. In fact, it is one of the best places in Greece to learn how to scuba dive.

The largest of the Cycladic Islands, Naxos is a fantastic place to head on a Greek vacation. A little more under the radar than some of the other places on the list, it makes an excellent destination for those seeking a tranquil getaway.

The island’s captivating shoreline boasts golden sands that stretch as far as the eye can see. Plus, electric blue waters are clear and mellow, offering the perfect for newbies looking to get their PADI license.

Drenched in cultural heritage, Naxos is perfect for history buffs.

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Paros

Three days is a great length of time to spend in Paros for those looking to delve further into all that the island has to offer. And it certainly does have a lot to see and do. Coined a ‘small Mykonos’, Paros is another of the best islands to go to in Greece. If you’re cruising between islands, dedicate at least one full day to this vibrant landmass.

Paros is the second-largest island in the Cyclades and has a sweeping coastline of golden-sand beaches. It is along this vast shoreline that you will find some of the best beaches in Greece for couples and families alike, thanks to its diverse range of coves.

There are bustling shorelines with a vibrant selection of water sports including windsurfing, kayaking and kitesurfing that perfectly lend themselves to those traveling with children.

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Get in Touch

Greece is home to some of the most stunning islands and coastlines in the world. From Crete to Milos, each magical landmass has a unique charm and beauty.

Considering the spectrum of things to do and see across the archipelago, the optimum duration of stay depends on where you go. It’s important to get a feel for what to expect on each landmass when planning Greek island vacations.

In fact, one of the best ways of seeing the Greek islands is to take a small ship cruise or private tour. Doing so allows you to sit back and relax in the comfort of knowing that an expert guide is leading you to all of the top sights in the area.

If you’re wondering where to start, let an expert guide you from one break-taking island to the next. Pass the reins to a seasoned expert and take the stress off Greek holiday and vacation planning

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How Many Days Should You Spend on Each Greek Island?