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10 Greek Islands to Explore after Lockdown

We hope that from early July travel restrictions will have been lifted and you'll no longer have to quarantine on your return to the UK, with that in mind we thought we'd release some more popular cursing Greek Island destinations to explore after lockdown. Find out more about some amazing places to visit for your next holiday across the Med and perhaps snap up a late-season deal. 

Keep reading for more amazing and inspiring places in the Greek Islands, let us know which are your favorites!

Kythnos in Greek Island1. Kythnos

Kythnos is the gateway to the western Cycladic Islands, it serves as many charterers first or last stop on their adventures around some of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful destinations. Kythnos has around 70 beaches, many are still not accessible by road so exploring your own charter yacht really is the best way to discover these amazing isles. Thanks to its proximity to Athens, Kythnos is a popular destination for quick getaways from the Greek capital, as a result, it has some amazing restaurants and nightlife to cater to sailors and weekend visitors.                                        

Kolona beach is one of the most popular on the Island and possibly one of the most unique of all the Greek beaches!

 

Sunset in Kythnos Greek Island

On route to Kythnos you can stop off underneath the Temple of Poseidon for a memorable swim and photo opportunity, built during 440 – 400 BC, it’s one of the major remaining monuments of the Golden age in Athens.                                           

 

 

2. Syros

Syros in Greek IslandSyros might not be as popular as its neighbouring Paros, Mykonos, or Santorini, but that’s where it’s charm lies. Boasting the beautiful Cycladic landscape minus the crowds, Syros is perfect for those looking to relax and unwind in the Greek islands.  

You’ll moor just off the coast of Ermoupoli or “Town of Hermes” where it’s highly recommended you explore the Venetian and neoclassical buildings that make up the capital of the Cyclades islands. 

Ideal for families and couples looking for a romantic yet laid back holiday destination, Syros exhumes an elegant and nostalgic atmosphere that’s sure to appeal to all who visit her.

 

Delos in Greek Island3. Delos

Delos is a must-visit on any Greek island cruising route, It’s a significant UNESCO world heritage site that is well worth a day out of your schedule. It’s an arc of history, floating lazily on the waters of the Aegean Sea, just a few miles away from cosmopolitan Mykonos.

Drop anchor across from the entrance to the old port and use a landline to avoid swinging then taking your tender to the ferry docs is reportedly the best and cheapest option when visiting. It’s a chance to walk around the highest concentration of ancient Greek ruins and what was once the most sacred place of worship in Ancient Greece.  Excavations on the island are the most extensive in the Mediterranean are still ongoing.

 

 

4. MykonosMykonos in Greek Island

Welcome to Greece’s most famous cosmopolitan island, a whitewashed paradise in the heart of the Cyclades. On Mykonos celebrities, students and families come together to make the most of the famous Greek weather and hospitality. It has an unrivalled array of restaurants, bars, and clubs to keep every type of visitor happy.

Platis Gialos is regarded as the best anchorage on the south coast and together with Psarou is the closest to the Capital of the Island. The sandy bottom allows for better holding than some of the alternatives and it provides proper shelter from the Meltemi winds.  

Little Venice, a term coined due to its resemblance to the original Venetian city in Italy, or Alefkantra, to give it is real name is one of the most scenic areas of the island.

It’s an 18th Century district peppered with ‘grand captains’ mansions with colourful balconies and stylishly designed windows. An evening spent in one of its waterfront cafés or restaurants is often a highlight of a trip for many sailors.

 

Paros in Greek Island5. Paros

Paros is best known for its beaches and traditional villages. It’s the most famous beach is on the north coast and is called Kolimbthres. Here the natural rock formations create shallow coves that break onto golden sand allowing for relaxed swimming and snorkelling in idyllic conditions.

Naousa anchorgaes and port/marina offer shelter from all wind directions, the village is smaller than Parikia but is just as lovely and picturesque. The bay is one of the largest in the Cyclades and has many inlets and anchorages to anchor in so you’ll always be able to find a private spot. 

 

Paros Greek Island StreetOn the western side of Paros is its capital Parikia, due to its central location in the Cyclades it houses some of the best seafood tavernas in the region and of course, it’s nightlife is somewhat legendary, a night out here is not something you’ll forget in a hurry.

In the summer the whole waterfront is a promenade of people hopping between the cafes, tavernas, and bars. Those looking to revel on into the later / earlier hours migrate over to the east side of the doc which contains most of the nightlife in Parikia.

 

 

 

Ios in Greek Island

6. Ios

Ios has a reputation as a young traveller’s hotspot for revelry but it has much more to offer than just nightlife. It’s hilly relief features cliffs that fall into the sea on most sides creating some spectacular vantage points across the Aegean. 

Ios Chora, (Ios Town) the only main town on the island is a fifteen-minute walk from the port on the westward-facing hilltop. Best explored during the day when most visitors are on the beach, this little town charms visitors with its collection of restaurants, fine jewellery parades, souvenir shops, and mini markets. 

The breathtaking view from Panaghia Gremiotissa, the highest part of the village is certainly worth seeing and if you're partial to sunset this could be a highlight of the trip. 

 

 

 

7. Santorini

Santorini is possibly one of the most popular & recognisable holiday locations in the world at the Santorini in Greek Islandmoment. Scores of celebrities & influencers have transformed this town into a must-visit for world travellers, but the potential crowds will not be a worry knowing you have your own private boat moored just offshore.  

Santorini’s famous blue chimneys set atop the whitewashed cubiform houses and narrow winding streets are beautifully built, they’re carved into what seems like impassable hillsides that drop down into an underwater crater formed by a volcano that erupted and devastated the island in the 16th century BC.

 

 

Santorini Greek Island

 

A stop in Santorini is not complete without a visit to its illustrious ‘Red Beach’. Where at all possible it’s best approached by sea to really enjoy its unique topography and colouration, crowds lining the narrow paths leading down to it also make the tender the best way to explore this iconic waterline.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Folegandros

Folegandros, reFolegandros in Greek Islandportedly named after the son of King Minos, was once thought of as so remote that political prisoners were exiled here up until the last century. Nevertheless, its beauty and charm meant that many of those that were sent here chose to settle permanently.

Vathy beach is a delightful place to moor on the SW coast of Folegandros, it has some lovely tavernas ashore but can be exposed to strong NE gust so do monitor the conditions. Should the Meltemi whip up a bit the main and only port of Karavostasi provides good holding and plenty of shelters, drop anchor near the green beacon near the ferry quay and reverse towards the yacht quay.

 

 

Folegandros Greek Island

The best beach for swimming on Folegandros is called Agali, the cove hosts a number of very small inlets on the southern side, perfect for snorkelling and exploring on the warm Greek summer days.

 

 

 

Milos in Greek Island

 

9. Milos

Milos is the southwesternmost island in the Cyclades chain, it’s natural beauty is trumped only by the significance of the discovery made there in 1820 by a local farmer.

The Venus de Milo now sits in the Louvre museum, the story of its creation, somewhere between 130 - 100 BC, remains a strong part of the culture on Milos.

A visit to the discovery site is an absolute must for any lover of sculpture and Ancient Greece, there is a lot of information for visitors but it’s worth doing a bit of reading on the site prior to arrival so you know how to make the most of your time there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst in Milos charter guests are encoMilos-Greek Islanduraged to explore the caves and arches at Kleftiko beach. The brightly coloured rock faces give an amazing insight into the geometry of the area and provide some amazing places to swim in the turquoise waters.

The coves reportedly provided a safe haven for pirates to moor their boats in the lea of strong prevailing winds, hence its other name ‘Pirates Cove’. Do not miss an opportunity to visit on this amazing place on a Classic Gulet. 

 

 

 

 

Hydra in Greek Island

 

 

10. Hydra 

Hydra, the easternmost Saronic island and widely regarded as one of the most cosmopolitan of all the Greek islands. There is only one main town, simply known as “Hydra Port”.

Once you find yourself inside the harbour, you have two main options for mooring, stern to straight ahead of you on the South quay, and stern to on the North quay.  Berthing in Hydra port outside of peak season is usually very accessible, August can be a challenge with spots going very early in the day and lots of ferries/supply vessels entering and leaving the port.

Hydra is unique in that Rubbish trucks are the only vehicles allowed on the island, cars and motorcycles have been banned by the Government, leading the local “Hydriots” to adopt walking as their main form of transport on land, with horse and donkey led carts used for moving heavy goods around. Hydra has a strong maritime history and is home to the Kamini yacht club, an international yacht club based in the port of Kamini.

 

GetHydra Greek Islandting in the water on Hydra simply must be done at Bisti Beach, it’s charming sun shades lining the slim beach that is bordered by trees create a lovely relaxed atmosphere and the water is extremely clean here.

Rightboat has over 3800+ boats for charter in Greece, whether you’re looking for a 32ft monohull for you and your partner or a catamaran for 12, we'd love to help facilitate your every need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Written By: Samantha Wilson

Samantha Wilson has spent her entire life on and around boats, from tiny sailing dinghies all the way up to superyachts. She writes for many boating and yachting publications, top charter agencies, and some of the largest travel businesses in the industry, combining her knowledge and passion of boating, travel and writing to create topical, useful and engaging content.

Get in touch:Linkedin

More from: Samantha Wilson


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