Sailing in the Greek Islands 

One of the first and greatest stories ever published, The Odyssey, tells among other things of an epic sea journey as Odysseus made his way home from the Siege of Troy. He sailed through the Greek Islands of the Aegean to his home on Ithaca, in the Ionian Islands, a journey which took him ten years. But even if you don’t have ten years to spare, you can still enjoy what is one of the greatest Greek experiences - sailing around the islands. 

From the humble village fisherman to the great shipping dynasties like the Onassis family, the Greeks have always had a special affinity with the sea, and there’s no better way to understand the feeling than to get out on the water yourself, whether you rent a boat for a few hours, a few days, or spend your entire holiday afloat on a boat.

Kos

Kos

On Kos in the Dodecanese islands you can rent boats at the harbour in Kos Town or in any of the main resorts like Kardamaina. From Kos Town, it’s only 10 nautical miles to Bodrum in Turkey – just remember to take your passport. The same distance due south of Kardamaina is the volcanic island of Nisyros, and there’s nothing more exhilarating than sailing from one island and seeing the next appear on the horizon, a world different from the one you just left. 

In the Old Town of RhodesIn the Old Town of Rhodes

Rhodes

The Colossus of Rhodes is thought to have straddled the harbour entrance here in Rhodes Town on the island of Rhodes, also in the Dodecanese, but for us the harbour on the smaller island of Symi is the most beautiful in Greece. It’s almost 25 nautical miles away, and you’ll pass the Turkish coast on the way, but you sail into a gorgeous horseshoe harbour with pretty pastel-coloured houses filling the hilly slopes all around. It’s a sight you’ll never forget, especially if you arrive at night, sailing your own boat.

Corfu Evening SkyCorfu Evening Sky

Corfu

Corfu in the Ionian islands is the best choice of all. Several UK holiday companies such as Sunvil offer sailing holidays in the Ionian, where you can learn to sail even if you’ve never sailed before. You could also join a flotilla holiday and be as active or as inactive as you like. It’s got some of the best windsurfing spots in Greece too, and the winds here can really test your skills as they change throughout the day.

The Mountains of Crete

Crete

Crete is the largest Greek island and you’d have to sail a long way out to sea to lose sight of Crete’s magnificent mountains, but why sail away when it has over 600 miles of coastline just waiting to be explored? There’s a definite feeling of adventure if you sail south to the little island of Gavdos, the most southerly point in Europe. Don’t miss it – your next stop is 140 nautical miles away in Libya!

Our other more general pages about Greece...

  • Ten Biggest Cities in Greece

    The ten biggest cities in Greece start with Athens and Thessaloniki, followed by Patras and several suburbs of Athens which are Greek cities in their own right.

  • Top Ten Things to Do in Greece

    Top Ten Things to Do in Greece include seeing the Acropolis and Parthenon, visiting the National Archaeological Museum and ancient sites like Knossos on Crete.

  • Which Greek Island?

    How to choose which Greek island from six of the most popular, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.

  • Weddings in Greece

    Weddings in Greece and the Greek islands can be luxury or cheap, are easy to arrange from the UK or USA in Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes.

  • Travelling Around Greece

    Practical information on travelling around Greece by plane, by ferry, by bus, by train and by driving, including car rental, parking and other driving advice.

  • Top Ten Biggest Greek Islands

    The Top Ten Biggest Greek Islands, the largest in size, are listed by Greece Travel Secrets and include Crete, Evia, Lesbos and Rhodes.

  • Tipping in Greece

    The Greece Travel Secrets guide to tipping in Greece from two Greece travel experts, including when to tip, what to tip and when not to tip.

  • The Nomads of Greece

    The nomads of Greece are the Vlachs, nomadic shepherds whose capital is Metsovo in the Pindus Mountains, and the Sarakatsani, shepherds in Macedonia and Thrace.

  • The Greek Gods

    The home of the Greek Gods was the top of Mount Olympus, and among the better-known Gods and Goddesses in the Greek pantheon were Zeus, Poseidon and Aphrodite.

  • Six of the Best Beaches in Greece

    Greece Travel Secrets chooses six of the best beaches in Greece including beaches on Corfu, Santorini, Crete, Lefkas, Kefalonia and on the Peloponnese.

  • Quick Guide to Greece: How to Choose the Best Destination for You

    This quick guide to Greece gives advice on choosing the best Greek destination for your holiday, whether in the Greek islands or the mainland.

  • Luxury Weddings in Greece

    Luxury Weddings in Greece, including venues such as a boutique hotel with deluxe spa on Santorini, can be booked through Ionian Weddings.

  • Life as a Waiter on Zakynthos

    Life as a waiter on Zakynthos tells what it was like for travel writer Mike Gerrard to work in a Greek restaurant, the Mantalena in Alykanas.

  • Greek Music

    Greek music is the sound of the bouzouki and tunes like Zorba the Greek and Never on Sunday are heard everywhere, while rembetika is called the blues of Greece.

  • Greek Ferry Guide

    Greece Travel Secrets Greek Ferry Guide page uses an extract from the Aferry Greece website with advice on island-hopping, buying tickets online and timetables.

  • Greek Architecture

    This beginner's guide to Greek architecture explains how to tell your Ionic from your Doric columns, and what to look for in temples and Byzantine churches.

  • Greece for Beginners

    Greece for beginners is an introduction to Greece and the Greek islands by way of a memoir by travel writer Mike Gerrard about discovering Greek kindness.

  • Greece At A Glance: Currency, Weather and Other Useful Information

    Greece at a glance is a potted guide to the Greek currency, language, weather, health requirements and other information to help you plan a trip to Greece.

Latest Posts

RSS

  1. Greece Looking to Open to Travelers from the United States

    The United States is one of the markets that Greece is eyeing to form a travel arrangement that will open up tourism between the two countries this year.

    Read More

  2. Restaurants in Greece Expected to Re-open for Outdoor Service After Easter

    Restaurants and other food and beverage (F&B) establishments in Greece will most likely be allowed to re-open and serve customers initially outdoors after the Easter holiday, Greek Deputy Development…

    Read More

  3. Norwegian Cruise Line to Sail the Greek Islands in July

    Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. is planning to restart operations this summer with sailings to the Caribbean and the Greek islands.

    Read More

  4. Greeks and Tourists will Abide by Same Covid-19 Rules, Says Tourism Minister

    Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis on Monday clarified that any safety and health rules that apply to Greek citizens – such as mandatory mask wearing and social distancing – will also apply to tourists…

    Read More

  5. Celestyal Getting Ready to Offer Safe Cruise Experiences from May

    Celestyal Cruises is speeding up procedures for the restart of sailings on May 29, aiming to provide its guests with carefree holidays to the Greek islands and the Eastern Mediterranean.

    Read More

  6. Greece will Open for Tourism with ‘Five Lines of Defence’ Against Covid-19

    Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis said Greece has set up five lines of defence against the coronavirus (Covid-19) in order to open for tourism safely this year.

    Read More

  7. Greece Unsure About Easing Lockdown Measures for Easter

    Greek Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Akis Skertsos on Monday told SKAI radio that it is “too soon” to discuss if lockdown restrictions would be eased in Greece in time for the Easter holiday. T…

    Read More

  8. Piraeus Port Authority to Create New Park, Bike Lane

    The Piraeus Port Authority (PPA) has announced plans to undertake the construction of a new playground and a bicycle lane at the port of Piraeus.

    Read More

  9. Culture Ministry: Summer Operating Hours for Archaeological Sites, Museums

    The Ministry of Culture has announced the summer operating hours of archaeological sites and museums across Greece. According to a ministry announcement, the opening hours of archaeological sites, mon…

    Read More

  10. The Guardian Selects 10 Crowd-free Greek Islands and Coastlines

    The Guardian recently announced its selection of 10 crowd-free Greek islands and coastlines that can offer travelers “a taste of true Greek culture”. According to the British newspaper, with the end o…

    Read More