By on 03-07-2015
Finding the most suitable holiday destination for you among more than 150 inhabited Greek islands can surely be a tricky thing. There are many factors to have in mind when you want to choose a Greek island for holiday. These factors vary: from the distance from Athens by ferry to tourist characteristics and natural beauty of the island. Here are some things to take into consideration when you choose a Greek island for holiday.
Natural beauty and beaches
Most people choose a Greek island for holiday depending on its beaches. Islands with large beaches and exotic water, such as Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Rhodes and Crete, are getting more popular with tourists and especially with families. In fact, families with kids are mostly looking for sandy, organized beaches with kids can play safely all day long and enjoy sun and water.
Tourist facilities
Organized tourist facilities are largely attracting tourists to choose a Greek island for holiday. Most islands actually have a fully organized network of tourist facilities, including accommodation, taverns, shops, travel agencies and public transport. This is valid for all popular Greek islands and tourist places. The smallest and less tourist islands, such as Donoussa, Iraklia or Tilos, do not have a huge number of amenities but they are still enough to cater to the smallest amount of visitors.
How easy it is to go
Many travelers actually choose a Greek island for holiday depending on how easy it is to go there from their country. Some European and Mediterranean countries actually have direct flights to the most popular Greek islands. If there is no direct flight to the island, then tourists usually come to the International Airport of Athens and then continue to the islands by plane or ferry. Ferries to the Greek islands depart from the three main ports of Athens: Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrion.
Some islands are actually easy to reach within a couple of hours from Athens. For example, the islands of Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses and Kythnos can be accessed in 2 hours by ferry from Piraeus, while Andros island can be reached in 2 hours from Rafina port. For islands that are found in longer distance or for overnight ferries, passengers can book cabins for their trip.
Personal preferences
The Greek islands are so many and so different with each other that actually cover all personal tastes and preferences. For example, there are islands for cosmopolitan holidays, such as Santorini and Corfu; islands for secluded vacations, including Schinoussa and Nysiros; islands perfect for beaches and hiking, such as Naxos and Kefalonia; and even islands for parties, such as Mykonos, Ios and Paros.
Whatever type of holidays you are looking for, the answer is the name of a Greek island!
