220 inhabited Greek islands. Most UK travellers visit five of them. Here's how to pick the right Greek island for your trip — by what you actually want from it (chilled vs party, couples vs family, value vs splurge).
The honest summary
| Island | Best for | UK flight time |
|---|---|---|
| Santorini | Couples + photos | 3h 50m |
| Mykonos | Party + beach clubs | 3h 50m |
| Crete | All-rounder + families | 4h |
| Rhodes | Families + history | 3h 45m |
| Corfu | Green + chilled | 3h 30m |
| Kos | Easy families + value | 3h 50m |
| Zante (Zakynthos) | Young couples + beach | 3h 30m |
| Naxos | In-the-know couples | 3h 50m (+ ferry) |
1. Santorini — yes it's worth the hype
Caldera views, blue domes, sunset in Oia. Yes it's expensive (£250+/night for a half-decent hotel with view), yes it's busy. But the volcanic landscape genuinely delivers. Best for: honeymoons, milestone birthdays.
2. Mykonos — beach clubs & party
Beach clubs at Paradise, Super Paradise and Psarou. Chora town for nightlife. Expensive — beach club day beds £100+. Not for families.
3. Crete — best all-rounder
Big enough that you get variety: Chania for old town, Heraklion for history (Knossos), south coast for proper unspoiled beaches. Family-friendly resorts in Hersonissos, Malia, Stalida. Good food everywhere.
🎁 FREE — WIN £50 EVERY MONTH
Win £50 Inspire Travel Card every month
Subscribe — every newsletter sub is auto-entered to win a £50 travel card. Spend at TUI, Jet2, Booking.com, Travelodge, Premier Inn + more.
4. Rhodes — best for families with history-curious kids
Medieval Old Town in Rhodes Town (UNESCO), Lindos for the postcard view, vast all-inclusive resort scene around Faliraki and Kiotari. Best Greek island for families IMO.
5. Corfu — greenest island, chilled vibe
Forested, more like Italy than Greece in feel (because it was Venetian). Corfu Town is beautiful. Paleokastritsa beaches are stunning. Good for: families, older couples, people who want Greece without the bleached-rock vibe.
6. Kos — easiest value option
Flat (good for cycling and families), affordable, plenty of all-inclusive options. Tigaki, Marmari, Kefalos for beaches. Not the most beautiful but the easiest holiday.
7. Zante (Zakynthos) — young couples + Shipwreck beach
Famous for Navagio Shipwreck Beach. Laganas for nightlife if you're in your 20s. South coast for chilled. Mid-priced.
8. Naxos — the "smart" choice
Bigger than Mykonos, prettier than Kos, cheaper than Santorini. Chora has charm without crowds. Best beaches in the Cyclades. UK travellers haven't discovered it properly yet.
How to get there cheap
- TUI + Jet2 charter flights dominate UK-Greek-island routes. Often the cheapest path is a TUI package, not separate flight + hotel.
- May, June, late September are sweet-spot months. Warm enough to swim, half the cost of August.
- Avoid Easter and August Bank Holiday — prices peak.
- Book all-inclusive in Rhodes/Crete/Kos — best value for families. Skip AI in Santorini/Mykonos (food on these islands is too good to waste).
FAQ
Cheapest Greek island for couples?
Kos or Zante in shoulder season (May, late September). All-inclusive weeks from ~£450 each.
Best Greek island for first-timers?
Crete or Rhodes — both big enough that you can pick a quiet resort but still find activity, history, varied beaches.
Which Greek island has the best beaches?
Naxos for Cycladic white sand. Crete for variety (Elafonisi pink sand). Zante for the wow-factor Shipwreck Beach. Avoid Santorini if beaches are your priority — they're black volcanic sand and crowded.
Related guides
- UK event-travel calendar 2026 (free PDF)
- Best UK cashback site for travel
- Hotels.com discount codes
- Free airport lounges with Capital on Tap
🎁 FREE — WIN £50 EVERY MONTH
Win £50 Inspire Travel Card every month
Subscribe — every newsletter sub is auto-entered to win a £50 travel card. Spend at TUI, Jet2, Booking.com, Travelodge, Premier Inn + more.
