Conde Nast Traveler’s Top 29 Greek Islands for 2024

Conde Nast Traveler has published a list of the top twenty nine Greek islands to visit in 2024, each with its own ‘best for’ category.

With more than 200 inhabited Greek islands to choose from, Conde Nast Traveler – through its expert travel journalists – has listed and ranked what it considers to be the top 29 Greek islands to visit this year.

Conde Nast Traveler’s Top 29 Greek Islands to Visit in 2024

1. MILOS

In first place the publication has chosen Milos, a volcanic island in the Aegean Sea, just north of Crete. It is the southwestern-most island in the Cyclades group. Conde Nast Traveler listed Milos as “best for a photogenic and dramatic coastline,” adding that “Instagram is saturated with no-filter shots of the undulating white cliffs at Sarakiniko, the bottle-green swimming hole at Papafragas, and colourful, rickety syrmata, tiny boat houses wedged between rock and sea.”

2. HYDRA

This Saronic Island, located in the Aegean Sea between the Myrtoan Sea and the Argolic Gulf has been ranked by Conde Nast Traveler as second best island to visit in Greece this year.
The publication states Hydra island is “best for a long weekend with the art crowd.” Being two hours away from Athens, Hydra fills up with arty Greeks at the weekend, and as the article comments, “They come to disconnect and slow down, but also to see and be seen. Wily cats and weary donkeys patrol the back alleys, but all the action happens along the waterfront.”

3. SIFNOS

In third place is Sifnos, an island in the Cyclades groups fringed by sandy beaches such as the Chrysopigi Beach in the southeast, home to the striking white Chrysopigi Monastery.
It is listed in the article as “best for big, fat Greek feasts,” with it further explaining that “Sifnos owes its foodie reputation to its most famous descendant, Nicholas Tselementes, who wrote the first Greek cookbook in 1910. Forget souvlaki and moussaka: here, chickpea croquettes and stewed capers are taverna staples.”

4. SANTORINI

Perhaps Greece’s most popular island with tourists, Santorini offers whitewashes, cub-like houses, clinging to cliffs above a neptune-blue sea. Conde Nast Traveler states that the island is best for “honeymooners and first-timers.” The article expands on the views of the island, saying, “The view may be a romantic cliche, but it still takes your breath away. A volcanic explosion blew out Santorini’s heart 3,500 years ago, leaving black-sand beaches, vertiginous cliffs in psychedelic hues, and swirling rumors about Atlantis in its wake.”

5. SYROS

Capital of the Cyclades, this island is praised for its mesmerizing architecture and relaxed atmosphere; ideal for visitors seeking a destination less busy than the celebrated island of Santorini. The publication believes this Greek island is “best for culture and off-season cachet.”
Conde Nast enlarges upon the beauty of one the island’s cities, Ermoupoli, saying “The colorful 19th-century city of Ermoupoli is built on twin peaks–one Orthodox, the other Catholic, the heritage of a long Venetian occupation. There’s still a strong Italian flavour in Ermoupoli’s marble piazzas, princely mansions, and miniature replica of La Scala, the showpiece of a year-round cultural scene.”

6. FOLEGANDROS

Noted by Conde Nast as being the best Greek island in 2024 for “authenticity with a bohemian buzz.” This island invites visitors to marvel at tall cliffs, a large cave, and its capital, Hora, which is built on the edge of a 200-meter high cliff. As the article states, “The village square should be your first port of call on any Greek island: settle into your favorite café, pick up local gossip, and adjust to the languid pace of life. On Folegandros, this presents a challenge: the cliff-hanger capital, Hora, has not one but three squares, each brimming with a jumble of cafés, tavernas and dinky raki bars.

7. CRETE

Greece’s largest island, Crete offers tourists the opportunity to view ancient ruins, snow-capped peaks and tonnes of beaches. Conde Nast Traveler regards the island as being the “best for antiquities, active adventures and sunshine all year round.”
It adds, “Sunshine is pretty much guaranteed year round, but spring is especially lovely for rambling and sightseeing. The Minoan palace of Knossos is glorious, despite the steady stream of coach parties (go early: it opens at 8 ); but there are stunning ancient sites, such as Aptera and Malia, peppered all over the island.”

8. CORFU

A Greek island off Greece’s northwest coast in the ionian Sea, Corfu is characterised by rugged mountains and a resort-studded shoreline. “best for character and lush landscapes” according to Conde Nast Traveler, the island boasts pastel-hued villages, lines of olive groves and grand manor houses. The article describes the island as being a bit like Tuscany, “but with some of the best beaches in Europe.”

9. NAXOS

The largest of the Cyclades island group, Naxos has a fertile landscape dotted with mountain villages, ancient ruins and long stretches of beach. Indeed the Conde Nast Traveler article lists it as “best for sandy beaches,” though not forgetting that beaches can grow tiresome, it also states “Should you tire of frolicking on the shore, three supersized kouros statues are hidden in the hills and there are dozens of drowsy villages to explore. Try kitron, the local citron liqueur, at the Vallindras distillery in Halki or sample homemade wine and arseniko cheese under the plane trees in Ano Potamia village.”

10. KEFALONIA

Famous for its starring role in the film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Kefalonia is more than its beaches, according to the Conde Nast Traveler article. Its capital, Argostoli, is built on a hillside overlooking a narrow harbor, and th island’s indented coastline is composed of limestone cliffs, bays and short strips of white sand.
The article has it down as the best island for “laidback family holidays,” and describes how “everyone from John Galliano to Jon Bon Jovi has jumped ashore to taste the seafood pasta at Tassia Restaurant in Fiskardo.” The island is also known for its snorkelling hotspots.

11. ANDROS

In 11th place is Andros, the northernmost island of the Greek Cyclades archipelago. It is mostly mountainous, but has many fruitful and well-watered valleys too. Conde Nast Traveler describes it as being “best for walking trails and wild beaches.”
The article expands, “Divided by four mountain ranges, Andros is like several islands in one. Lush valleys, rushing streams, handsome villages, and wild, windswept beaches are connected by a well-maintained network of hiking trails, making this an excellent off-season destination.”

12. SERIFOS

A quieter island than any listed thus far, Serifos is defined by “coves where [people] skinny dip in blissful solitude, with beaches that are only accessible via bone-rattling dirt roads or donkey tracks.” Conde Nast Traveler holds that the island is best for “naturists and purists,”

13. MYKONOS

Another of Greece’s most popular islands, Mykonos makes it to 13th place on Conde Nast Traveler’s list of the top 29 Greek islands to visit in 2024. Celebrated for its summer party atmosphere, with beaches like Paradise and Super Paradise hosting bars that pump out thumping music. Massive dance clubs bring in world-renowned DJs and generally stay open well past dawn.
In the article it is listed as “best for decadent parties and five-star hotels.”

14. ZAKYNTHOS

Noted as “best for seaside holidays with toddlers or teens” by Conde Nast Traveler, the publication goes on to say that the island has “shrugged off its reputation for partying by rebranding itself as one of Greece’s greenest islands.”
Large areas of the south coast are encompassed within a nature reserve that plays home to endangered loggerhead turtles that hatch in the sand.

15. AMORGOS

Coming in at 15th place is Amorgos, characterised by dramatic monastic destinations, imposing sea views and remarkable architecture, the article posits that it is best for “deep-blue seas and wide, open spaces.”

Conde Nast Traveler admits it’s not easy to get to this island, stating that “in high winds, the fast ferries stay grounded and the slow boat takes upwards of eight hours from Athens.”
However when people arrive, they are met with a sign that says “Welcome to Amorgos. Nobody will find you here.”

16. PAXOS

Described by Conde Nast Traveler as the best Greek island to achieve the “perfect balance of seclusion and sophistication,” Paxos is one of the smallest Ionian islands. The place has very few five-star hotels and virtually no sandy beaches, but offers tourists three tiny harbor towns overlooking the sea.

As the article says, “In laid-back Loggos, on the northeast coast, star-spangled evenings are spent on the waterfront terrace of Taxidi bar, where the owner, Spiros, often jams with local musicians.”

17. LEFKADA

“Something of an anomaly,” according to the article, as, unlike other Ionian islands, it is accesible from the mainland via a causeway on the northern tip. The report continues, “Lefkada’s main town, flattened by an earthquake in the 1950s, certainly won’t take your breath away, but those famous cliff-backed beaches, Egremni and Porto Katsiki, sure will.”

18. ITHACA

A Greek island located in the Ionian Sea, off the northeast coast of kefalonia and to the west of continental Greece, Ithaca holds legendary status as the homeland of Homer’s hero, Odysseus. And yet, according to Conde Nast Traveler, the island still remains under the radar. The publication lists it as the best island for “a mythical retreat for lovers and loners.”

19. TINOS

Suggested to be the best Greek island for traditional villages and knockout tavernas by Conde Nast Traveler, Tinos has more than 50 villages. dubbed by philosopher Corenlius Castoriadis as the ‘handmade island’, Greece’s tourist board describes the island as “one of the rising destinations in the Cyclades.”
There’s even a village called ‘love’, Agapi, Conde Nast says.

20. PATMOS

Patmos is an important Christian pilgrimage site, home to the Cave of the Apocalypse, said to be where John of Patmos (St. John the Theologian) wrote the Book of Revelations. The island is also home to the medieval monastery of St. John.
It is described in the Conde Nast Traveler article as being the best Greek island in 2024 for “stark mystique and show-stopping villas.

is a significant Christian pilgrimage site. Its Cave of the Apocalypse is where John of Patmos (St. John the Theologian) is said to have written the Book of Revelations.

21. RHODES

Conde Nast Traveler insists Rhodes is the best Greek island for “traveling back in time,” suggesting that the big draw is the medieval citadel in Rhodes Old Town, where visitors can walk along the battlements and see Byzantine churches, Roman ruins, synagogues and minarets.
It is the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, known for its beach resorts in addition to its historical offerings.

22. SYMI

“Little Symi has the prettiest port in Greece, according to the travel publication. Which continues, “As you round the headland, neoclassical mansions in every shade of apricot and peach rise like a mirage from the sea. Built by 19th-century sponge and spice merchants, the whole town is now a national monument.”
No wonder it made the top 29 Greek islands for 2024, being listed as “best for castaway coves and a picture-perfect port.”

23. ASTYPALEA

Ranked as “best of the Greek islands for escaping the crowds,” Astypalea is reminiscient of easier times, when life moved more slowly and gently, according to Conde Nast Traveler.
The island is easy to reach, with daily one-hour flights from Athens.

24. SKIATHOS

Best known for its beaches and nightlife, Skiathos forms part of the Sporades archipelago. Most of its action centers around Skiathos Town, where bars and restaurants spill onto sidewalks along the old harbor.
It is noted by Conde Nast Traveler to be the best Greek island for “flopping onto a sandy beach with a good book.”
It is the smallest of the Sporades islands, being dwarfed by Alonissos and Skopelos.

25. AEGINA

Ranked as the best Greek island for “low-key authenticity all year round,” Aegina is one of the Saronic islands in the Saronic Gulf. Tradition derives the name from Aegina, the mother of the mythological hero Aeacus, who was born on the island and became its king.
Conde Nast Traveler claims the island is “for all seasons,” and sees visitors from Athens at the weekend.

26. KASTELLORIZO

This Greek island covers less than five square miles, with fewer than 500 inhabitants, and lies just over one mile from Turkey’s Anatolian coast. According to Conde Nast Traveler, it is known to be a hangout for artists. The publication says it is the best island for “castaway dreams and swimming through caves.”

27. ANTIPAROS

“Relaxed and cool,” according to the travel publication, which has seen fit to include this tiny island in its top 29 Greek islands for 2024 list. The cave on the island is the biggest vertical cave in Europe, with a depth of roughly 100 meters.
Conde Nast Traveler describes the island as “surprisingly hip”, and applauds its “low-slung hills and shallow coves.”

28. LEROS

“Distinctive architecture and good vibes” define the island, according to Conde Nast Traveler. The island was an Italian naval base from 1912 to 1943, and later became the site of a notorious insame asylum.

29. SPETSES

Known to be picturesque and vehicle-free, Spetses presents stone houses, cobbled streets and a long maritime history. Conde Nast Traveler list it as being the best Greek island for “family holidays with the smart society set.”