The Greek Island are one of my favorite places in the world to travel.
They are beautiful, simple, not too expensive, full of fun travelers from all over the world, friendly locals (unless you’re an Italian visiting in August) and have rockin’ nightlife in the main Cyclades islands of Mykonos, Ios and Santorini. Or, as the Greeks call it, Thira.
This articles answers all of the main questions people have about traveling to the Greek Islands.
What Is The Month To Go To Mykonos, Ios And Santorini?
The summer months are the prime months. For single people and PubClubbers, the answer is clear: July. The “shoulder season” months of June and September are good too; September is best because there are still a lot of travelers in the islands. June can be a little slow. Forget August; that is when the Italians overwhelm the islands. The Greeks double the prices in August to try and encourage them to go elsewhere or but still they come like locusts.
How Many Days Are Enough To Visit Mykonos, Ios And Santorini?
I get asked this a lot and I’ll give an overall answer. Allow at least two weeks to visit Mykonos, Ios and Santorini. And you’ll want to go to all three (unless you are married then you can skip Ios). I always start out with three or four days in Myknos, hop the “slow boat” (see the ferries section below) to Ios where I spend two or three days, then take the one-hour slow boat to Santorni, where I spend five or even six days.
Then I take the slow boat (six hours) back to Mykonos for another two, three, four or more days depending on how much time I have left in my trip, and then take the six-hour slow boat back to Athens.
Are Mykonos and Santorini Expensive To Visit?
Mykonos can be expensive by Greek Islands standards, which is to say it’s a lot less expensive than many summertime tourist destinations. For those on a budget, you can stay for 100 Euros or so a night, which is a bargain if you have one or more people traveling with you. The same holds for Santorini. As is the case with each, you can also spend $300 or more a night, depending on where you stay.
Ios is cheap; $10-15 a night. These are not 5-star accommodations, mind you but since about all you do on Ios is party, they are fine. And are a great place to meet like-minded PubClubbers. I recommend Francescos Hotel & Hostel for backpackers in Ios Greece. They even pick up you up and take you back to the ferry.
I rarely also get reservations in advance, except for my first night (or nights if I like the place) in Mykonos. There are several locals waiting for you at the ferry terminal and they offer all kinds of accommodations at backpacker prices. The places are basic but always clean. Just be and sure to make it clear you want to stay in Mykonos town or on Santorini, the town of Fira or perhaps Oia of you’re a couple looking for a romantic place to stay.
What Do I Need To Know Before Going To Mykonos, Ios And Santorini?
Just read this article and the other PubClub articles (links below) and that will provide you with all the information you need to know before going to Mykonos, Ios and Santorini. In short, tho, the climate is like that of Southern California, which is to say warm but not too hot in the afternoons and nice and cool (but not cold) evenings and nights. It’s always a good idea to pack a light jacket or long-sleeve shirt.
The pace is casual. Don’t be in a hurry and you will fall in love with Greece. The people are great and love hosting tourists. You don’t need to speak any language other than English and while some signs are in that confusing Greek language, everything you need to read is in English.
If you decide you want to drink Ouzo, be sure the bartender dilutes it with water.
Which Island Is Best To Visit?
That’s really up to what one is looking for in Greece, but the biggest recommendation if to visit at least Mykonos and Santorini. Thira (remember, that’s what the Greeks call it) has the most spectacular views of any of the Greek Islands, especially from the town of Fira and up to Oai. Mykonos has the better beaches and nightlife of the two and better shopping in Mykonos Town off the ferry. It also has a lot of weekend visitors from Athens. Ios is a big-time party island.
Which Island Has The Best Nightlife?
With that last statement, you might be expecting the answer to be Ios. But really, it’s Mykonos. It starts in the daytime at Paradise Beach and continues in Mykonos town with Caprice Bar and THE Mykonos hot party place, Skandaniavian Bar.
Santorini is pretty lively, too, with many fun bars in Fira, defying its reputation as a couples island. Start out with sunset at Tropical Bar and then make your way around the corner to Two Brothers.
Which Island Has The Best Views?
Santorini hands down The views looking down the steep cliffs to the volcano and up and down Fira are the something you’ll never forget. Mykonos, tho, does have the windmills.
Which Island Has The Best Beaches?
Mykonos as the best beaches. Paradise Beach is the party beach but there are several other ones, all accessible by moped or a bus system leaving from Mykonos town. Santorini’s Kamari Beach is okay but PubClub prefers Mykonos. It’s pretty tame, especially when compared to Paradise Beach. Ios has a beach in front of the Far Out Cafe and it’s the best “meet by day, meet out at night” beach of all the Greek Islands.
Are There Ferries Between The Islands And How Much Do The Ferries Cost In The Greek Islands?
The best way to get to different islands is by using the Greek Island ferry system. There are four types of ferries in the Greek Islands: the “slow boats” as the Greeks call them, the high-speed ferries, catamaran ferries and hydrofoils. The prices vary by where you are going and a general rule is that the faster the ferry, the more expensive it is; some ferries are as little as 10 Euros.
PubClub.com recommends taking the “slow boats.” These are ferries the size of cruise ships and instead of being stuck inside a bouncy fast boat or hydrofoil like you’re in an airplane seat, you can stretch out on the deck and, if you choose, talk with other Greek Island visitors (this is the preferred method of the younger and single travelers so your choice really depends on your demographics).
Note that if you are wanting to go to Santorini, you won’t see it at any island travel agent. They call it by it’s Greek name of Thira.
While it’s highly recommended to get your ferry ticket from Athens in advance, once you get to the islands several small tourist shops sell them and you can buy them the same day as your departure. Advance ferry tickets can be bought from Ferry tickets to Greek Islands, Spain, Italy & Turkey | Ferryhopper.
For more on the Greek Greek Islands, go to these PubClub articles:
• Mykonos PubClub
• Santorini – PubClub
• Ios – PubClub
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