Explore Aegean Islands

Numerous islands, both large and small, emerge from the clear blue waters of the Aegean Sea. These islands are the peaks of Aegeis, a now-submerged landmass. The main North Aegean islands include Lesvos, famous for its ouzo; Chios, for its mastiha; Samos, for its sweet muscat wines; Lemnos, for its 12^th century Myrina castle; Ikaria, from the myth of Daedalus and Icarus; Thasos, for its white marble; and Samothrace, where the Winged Victory of Samothrace was found, now on display at the Louvre museum. This area also includes eight smaller islands.

In the southeastern Aegean, the largest group are the Dodecanese islands: Rhodes, known for its 14th-century Palace of the Grand Master. Other well-known islands are Kos, the homeland of Hippocrates; Karpathos, with its hiking paths, Kalymnos, famous for sponge divers and rock climbing; Symi, for its architecture; Patmos, with its Monastery of Saint John the Theologian; and Kasos, famous for its “Panigiria” religious festivals. This group includes 22 smaller islands.

The Cyclades, in the heart of the Aegean, is Greece’s most famous island group. Santorini and Mykonos are popular tourist destinations, followed by Naxos, Andros, Paros, Tinos, Milos, Kea, Amorgos, Ios, Sikinos, Kythnos, Syros, Serifos, Sifnos, Delos (an exclusively archaeological site), Folegandros, and many other smaller islands. The islands feature an arid landscape, beautiful beaches, and white Cycladic houses and churches.

Situated close to Athens the Argo-Saronic Gulf’s most well-known islands: are Salamis, Aegina, Poros, Hydra, and Spetses, only a short distance from the port of Piraeus. They are a favourite destination for Athenians all year round.

The Northern Sporades include Skyros, Skopelos, Alonnisos, Skiathos, and several small islands. The waters here are the breeding ground for the largest population of Mediterranean seals.