Bitesized guide: The Greek islands

Why go?

To the untrained eye, the Greek islands' pristine golden bays, endless olive groves and steep cliffs dotted with precariously perched whitewashed villages may seem interchangeable, but island hoppers who have had the chance to explore these sparkling isles know better.

For a holiday that conveniently packages up picture-perfect beaches, balmy weather, ancient history, energetic nightlife and breathtaking scenery, look no further.

Which islands are for me?

Dodecanese
Striking out on their own, the Dodecanese islands are furthest from the Greek mainland. Nearer Turkey than Greece, the islands are rich in history, boasting Byzantine and medieval architecture.

The most popular, and largest, of the islands is Rhodes, whose historic charms include the tombstones of St John's crusading knights. If sun-worshipping, happy hours and clubbing till sunrise are more your thing, follow Rhodes' young party crowd to Faliraki or jump on a ferry to Kos.

Nearby Kalymnos attracts hardcore rock climbers, while low-key Patmos has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. Simi has relaxation top of the agenda with charming, traditional villages and beaches ranging from smooth pebbles to black sand.

Cyclades
The Cyclades are chiefly responsible for both sides of the Greek islands' reputation, from sugar-cube villages and bright-blue-domed churches hovering over a turquoise sea to vomity pavements heaving with sunburnt Brits.

Mykonos, Santorini and Ios are largely host to the latter, although don't rule them out entirely. The Bourne Identity and Shirley Valentine showcased buzzing, cosmopolitan Mykonos' more laid-back, chilled vibe over the heavy-drinking attitude of many of its visitors.

The western Cyclades live up to every paradisiacal image of the Greek archipelagos you've ever laid eyes on. Milos' lunar landscape is an unexpected treat, and Kea has one of the best systems of walking trails in the Greek isles. Only 90 minutes from Athens, Andros is popular with weekending Athenians, and perhaps a little one-dimensional as a result, but nevertheless a good base for exploring both the mainland and the Cyclades.

Ionians
What the Ionians may lack in quaint villages (many were wiped out by an earthquake in 1953), they make up for in sheer magnificence. Nestled close to Greece's western coast, the islands are all sheer cliffs, olive groves and silky sweeps of beach.

Somehow, Kefalonia, with its beautiful, bleached seas and white sands, has escaped the ravages of mass tourism, although visitor numbers have steadily risen since Captain Corelli's Mandolin, starring Nicholas Cage, was filmed here. Kefalonia just nudges Corfu out of the top spot when it comes to size, but the slightly smaller and greener island attracts more crowds. The varied landscapes of Zante, tiny Ithaca and Paxos, bustling Lefkada and Kythira, birthplace of Olympus, are all worth a visit, and the relative proximity of the islands make an island-hopping holiday irresistible.

Northeastern Aegean
Like the Dodecanese, the Northeastern Aegean islands are geographically closer to Turkey than to mainland Greece but are no less ‘authentically' Greek as a result. Characterised by mountains, clouds of pine-tree forests and the gorgeous sandy beaches we've come to expect of the Greek islands, this archipelago is relatively untouched by the tourist hordes that crowd the Dodecanese and Cyclades archipelagos.

Lusher than the other, rockier archipelagos, the islands range from the popular Samos, Lesvos and Thassos to tranquil Limnos, mountainous Samothraki and stubborn Ikaria, which rather endearingly refuses to pander to the demands of unthinking tourists.

Evia and Crete
While Crete and Evia are both beach-laden and beautiful, the largest pair of Greek islands are anything but identical twins.

Lesser-known Evia, dotted with pretty villages and lined with attractive coastal resorts, is in such close proximity to mainland Greece (it even has a connecting iron bridge) that it's often not thought of as an island at all. As well as attractive stretches of coastline and a soft fertile backdrop, Evia's shining glory is its collection of natural spas, a top activity with those who like their pampering the natural way. Big brother Crete, a popular holiday spot with tourists from around the globe, is far livelier in comparison, with the capital city of Iraklio sporting a fun and bustling nature. Interesting archaeological structures, a dramatic mountainous surface and sparkling waters make Crete a holiday hit with young and old

Argo-Saronic
Close to Athens and the port of Pireaus, the Argo-Saronic islands are popular with families and Athenian day-trippers. Don't snub them just because the multitudes drop in though. Usually, the crowds are there for a reason and the superb beaches and eateries of Aegina, neoclassical buildings and pine-tree forests of Spetses, and car-free status of Hydra lend far more credibility to these sheep-like tendencies than mere convenience could ever do. There's even a lemon-tree forest on Poros.

Sporades
While much of the Sporades archipelago is uninhabited, this scattering of 24 islands off Greece's east coast does offer a clutch of charming destinations for the island-hopper.

There are many quiet moments to be savoured in Alonnisos, a pebble-beached isle carpeted with vineyards, fruit trees and popular with fishermen. For those craving a dose of nightlife, then Skiathos is the island of choice, which also has a lively beach scene. It's more of a traditional feel to be found at Skopelos; while a rocky nature makes much of the coast difficult to access, this pretty island offers plenty of photo-friendly scenery, as the people behind last summer's smash hit film, Mamma Mia, found.

Getting there and around

If you can, fly direct to your island of choice. This will save you both time and money on the transfer from the mainland. Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Kefalonia, Kos, Levbos, Santorini, Samos, Mykonos and Skiathos all have international airports.

Once there, hopping between the islands - should you choose to do so - is relatively inexpensive. The ferries are reliable and offer fantastic views, making drifting between the islands a very enjoyable part of the holiday. Check out www.gtp.gr to see regularly updated schedules for all of Greece's official ferry companies.

Read our bitesized guides to Mediterranean islands:
Bitesized guide: The Balearic Islands
Bitesized guide: Sicily

Check back next week for our Bitesized guide: Sardinia...