The capital of this island chain is Rhodes. In the southeast Aegean Sea, the Dodecanese Islands are known for their medieval castles, Byzantine churches, beaches, and ancient sites. The gate to the Old Town of RhodesPhoto credit: Rebecca Hall 2. One thing’s for sure, Crete does not disappoint as an island to visit. See the stone houses still standing, some even with their lace curtains still intact. A boat trip from the exclusive Elonda or the fishing village of Plaka takes you to the unusual island of Spinalonga - now long abandoned but originally a leper colony until 1957. It’s the capital of Crete where you can discover the ancient Minoan civilization, thought to be even older than Ancient Greece. Let’s not forget Greek mythology and a visit to the Palace of Knossos - 3 miles from Heraklion. The lesser-visited town of Rethymon has an equally impressive, if not bigger, harbor where the colorful fishing boats and Venetian architecture will have you snapping away with your camera. Lovers of history and tradition will love the Venetian harbor, explore the old cobbled streets of Chania, and marvel at one of the oldest lighthouses in the world. If hiking’s more your thing, the famous Samaria Gorge - nestled within White Mountains National Park and the most famous and longest trekking gorge in Europe at 10 miles - is best hiked in the cooler spring and fall months. You’ll often see its white sands and blue waters adorning Crete travel brochures. Balos Beach, framed with the rugged scrubland and hills, is another favorite.

The remote beach of Elafonisi in the southwest corner of the island, with its shades of pastel-pink sand and azure waters will make you feel like you’re in the Caribbean. Want to flop on the beach all day? No problem. Despite its touristy crowds - particularly in the summer months that are attracted to Crete’s many beaches and mountain villages - Crete remains a favorite of mine because it offers such a variety of things to see and do. This makes it a popular destination year-round.

Greece’s southernmost island, and largest, Crete has two main airports - Heraklion and Chania - for domestic and European routes as well as ports in those cities too. Loutro, CretePhoto credit: Vladimir1984 / 1. Come and be tempted enough to whip out that credit card and book your trip to visit Greece as soon as possible. I’ve deliberately chosen a cross-section of touristy ones, yet not lacking in authenticity to lesser-known ones - at least to the majority of international tourists. Here I share with you why these six beautiful Greek islands are my favorite in Greece. Others are tinier, offering a more traditional experience, whilst taking a little more time and patience to reach - always worth it.

Some are large with excellent infrastructure, good flight links, and often more than one port. My article, 7 Gorgeous Greek Islands You Must Visit, can help narrow that process down, yet my tenure in this beautiful country has unearthed even more stunning locations. This can also be a con because which one should you settle for? There are pros because there are so many islands to choose from, all with their own unique style. With over 220 inhabited Greek islands out of over 6,000, there are pros and cons of choosing one to visit at any time of the year.

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