This sleepy enclave is ideal for those looking to get back to
nature. Spend mornings trekking around the cascading waterfalls and
natural pools hidden throughout Samothraki’s hilly hinterlands, or
hike up Fengari mountain, the highest peak in the Aegean. In the
afternoons, soak up panoramic views and soothe aching muscles in
the hot springs of Therma, which have been melting away stress
since the Byzantine period.

Where to stay: Niki Beach Hotel is located in Kamariotissa,
right in the centre of the island, and has entertained the boho
crowd for almost 40 years. Delve into the narrow alleys of Chora, a
nearby traditional protected settlement, sunbathe on Pachia Ammos
beach or take a dip in the vathres (natural pools) for which the
island is famed – there are more than 100.

You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d taken a step back in time
as you arrive on this island.
Working donkeys meander down cobbled streets, fishermen haul their
latest catch onto the harbours and food markets selling fresh
Aegean food line the shore. Home to the School of Fine Arts, this
car-free island has become a haven for the art crowd, with rugged
cliffs and whitewashed buildings providing ample creative
inspiration.

Where to stay: What this island lacks in
large-scale hotels, it makes up for in trendy, bohemian stays. Our
favourite is Cotommatae Hydra 1810, a
traditional Grecian building complete with courtyards fragrant with
lemon trees and towering stone parapets.

With ancient Byzantine history, crumbling ruins, enchanting
hilltop villages and endless white sand beaches, this relatively
unknown Cyclades island offers rugged charm at its most alluring.
Head to the shore for meals of freshly caught fish accompanied by
golden sunsets.

Where to stay: Hugging Naxos’ sandy Plaka
Beach, Naxian on the Beach boutique
hotel is reserved for grown-ups only. Doze off on beachfront
sun loungers or park yourself firmly at the shoreline hotel
bar.

Famous for being Aristotle’s birthplace,
this island in northern Greece epitomises Grecian beauty. While
forested land gives way to tranquil sandy beaches, the island gives
off a party vibe on the Kassandra peninsula, where beach bars and
clubs draw in an exceedingly boho-crowd.

Where to stay: Stay at Danai Beach Resort & Villas
for a truly pampering retreat. Complete with a private beach and
serene spa, it makes leaving the island a near-impossible feat.

Brimming with unadulterated natural beauty, Greece’s largest
island has much to explore. Meander among olive groves and go
for barefoot walks along sandy beaches, or immerse yourself in
millennia of culture and history as you navigate historic
monasteries and crumbling ruins.

Where to stay: Rimondi Boutique Hotel serves as
an idyllic pitstop between adventures. Choose from one of two
buildings: Palazzo Rimondi is a decadent pink Venetian manor, while
the newer Rimondi Estate has a more exclusive hotel feel.

The historical capital of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes is
chock-full of things to see and do. With names that evoke fond
memories of
Game of Thrones, many of the places here are every bit as
mystical as they sound. Split your time between Mandraki Harbour,
the Acropolis of Lindos, the ancient cities of Kamiros and Ialysos,
and Petaloúdes – the Valley of the Butterflies.

Where to stay: Surrounded by fragrant gardens
and cascading vines, the sandstone Melenos Lindos Hotel is delicately perched atop
an acropolis overlooking the coast. Elaborate woodwork and dainty
ceramics decorate the inside, although with views across the
Aegean, we doubt you’ll be spending much time indoors.

Eschew the crowds of the more popular Greek islands for
dreamlike Serifos. For those looking for an off-grid retreat, this
is the place for you. Satisfy your need for adventure with hikes
along unpaved dirt tracks to discover hidden bays and empty
beaches, or rent a boat to set sail in search of uncharted
coves.

Where to stay: Oozing sophistication, Coco-Mat Eco Residences prides
itself on sustainable
elegance. The
eco-friendly hotel places focus on the surrounding nature,
making it the perfect base between days spent exploring the
island.

One of the more popular Greek
islands,
Santorini has plenty of entertainment to ensure you get your
money’s worth. Avoid costly attractions and glitzy tourist traps,
and head to some of the remarkable (and free) spoils the island has
to offer. Stop by Akrotiri for the ruins of a Bronze Age village,
the caldera – a volcanic crater – or Vlychada Beach for white sands
backed by rugged cliffs.

Where to stay: Standing apart from Santorini’s
overly Instagrammed pristine buildings, the converted 18th-century
mansion of Zannos Melathron stands out amid its
whitewashed counterparts. While it’s hard to find accommodation
that is a real steal in Santorini, you’ll feel like royalty without
completely emptying out your pockets at this historic hotel.

The pine-fringed beaches of Kefalonia make it hard to stray too
far away from the shore. Instead of splashing the cash on fancy
meals and expensive drinks, spend days sunbathing on rocky
coastlines, pootling around seaside villages and walking through
national parks.

Where to stay: Reflecting the surrounding
landscape, rooms at Emelisse Hotel are decorated with
nature-inspired neutrals. Money is well spent here. Embrace the
hotel’s perks and nab a sofa on the terrace to watch the sunset,
laze on loungers by the infinity pool or borrow bicycles to pedal
around nearby harbour towns.

Draped in a blanket of lush greenery, the verdant wonderland of
Andros invites visitors to while away the hours on ethereal treks.
Keep an eye out for natural springs cascading down hillsides, and
elegant villas looming within forests.

Where to stay: With a name from the ancient
Greek word for “dream”, Onar Andros does what it says on
the tin. Tucked in the Achla Valley, its secluded cottages blend
into the surrounds with Cycladic architecture, minimalist design
and a soothing palette.

Covered in rows of vineyards and olive groves, this island has a
well-earned reputation for producing some of the best food and wine
in Greece. Taste-test your way around fertile farms and don’t
forget to try the ouzo – the island makes half of the country’s
output of this popular liquor.

Where to stay: Lesvion Hotel sits in the heart
of Mytilini, a tiny town brimming with delicious seafood
restaurants and cute cafés. Choose between rooms overlooking the
Aegean port, or those with vistas over the majestic Church of Agios
Therapontas.

Every tiny restaurant on Páros boasts a menu of delicious mezze
and freshly caught fish. Take yourself on an epicurean’s tour of
the island, spending extra time in Parikiá and Náoussa, two
particularly foodie regions which specialise in seafood platters
and juicy moussaka.

Where to stay: After a day working your way
round the tavernas of Páros, collapse into a plush bed at Mr and Mrs White Paros. Classic
Cycladic design of whitewashed walls and minimalist decor make for
a quintessentially Greek retreat.

This
island of mythical reputation is much more than simply
Odysseus’s homeland. Work up an appetite exploring castle ruins,
emerald coves and 16th-century churches before heading straight
into the capital, Vathy, for family-run restaurants housed in
pastel-hued buildings.

Where to stay: A renovated 19th-century
neoclassical building, Perantzada Art Hotel is a
boutique retreat adorned with countless works of modern art.

A popular spot with those looking to blow off some steam,

Mykonos has earned a reputation as a party island. Watch the
sun go down at shoreside restaurants with a cool glass of Greek
wine before joining the rest of the Mykonos
crowd at the island’s top watering holes.

Where to stay: Reflecting Mykonos’ laid-back
atmosphere, San Giorgio’s Cycladic design
brings together minimalist interiors and epic Aegean views. Recover
from the night before by dozing off in hammocks dotted around the
hotel, replenishing your energy with vitamin-packed smoothies and
getting a well-deserved massage at the hotel’s spa.

While its reputation as a party island still stands firm, Zante
has much more to offer than just buzzing bars and crazy clubs.
Spend days exploring the paths less trodden to find acres of
forested land and charming rural villages. Then head back to the
bustling centre for sunset cocktails and late-night partying.

Where to stay: Stay at Olea All Suite Hotel to ensure
you get your fix of relaxation amid the chaos. If the lagoon-like
pool and views of the Ionian Sea aren’t enough to tempt you,
perhaps the majestic Royal Spa complete with hamam, yoga studio and
beauty salon will do the trick.

Less extreme than Mykonos or Zante,
Corfu defines revelling in a more sophisticated manner.
Afternoon drinks should be accompanied by large quantities of fresh
Greek food at traditional restaurants, naturally followed by more
drinks on terraces overlooking the island’s verdant olive groves
and pristine beaches.

Where to stay: Perched on a tree-clad hillside,
Marbella Nido Suite Hotel &
Villas offers hypnotic views and traditional Corfiot vibes.
Dine at any one of the three restaurants before dozing off next to
the sea-facing infinity pool.

Known for its picturesque harbour, Symi is the place to potter
about the bay admiring candy-coloured houses and cute cafés.
Alternatively, head into the wooded hinterlands to explore ancient
ruins and more than 100 crumbling monasteries. Ditch your
snap-happy pals, you’ll want to keep the view all to yourself.

Where to stay: Nestled in the heart of Symi’s
harbour, The Old Markets is a converted –
you guessed it – old market. Wake up to gorgeous views across the
bustling town before stepping into the action right on your
doorstep.

An island of colour, Milos is relatively unknown in spite of its
breathtaking beauty. One for the art lovers, Milos has been the
location for the discovery of countless ancient artefacts and
artworks, including the Venus de Milo and the Asclepius of Milos.
Once you’ve satisfied your inner art-nerd, choose between any of
the island’s 70-plus beaches, or explore countless castle ruins and
catacombs.

Where to stay: Kapetan Tasos Suites offers
panoramic views, boutique hotels and gorgeously sandy bays. Located
in the little fishing village of Pollonia, this is the place to
spend days exploring cobbled streets before retreating back to your
private slice of heaven.

Very different to neighbouring island Mykonos, Tinos is defined
by tranquility and beauty. Olive groves thread among the vineyards,
interrupted only by quaint hamlets and towering chapels. Across
more than 50 tiny villages, visitors will find elaborate marble
sculptures interspersed among pared-back architecture. A favourite
among surfers for its good waves and beach bars, this
picture-perfect island is the ultimate destination for
chilling.

Where to stay: On the southern coast of Tinos,
Diles & Rinies: Luxury Hotel
Villas provides a serene retreat. The resort offers luxury
villas complete with private pools and individual gardens. Head
back to the estate to wander through the art gallery and dine at
the hotel restaurant.

Known as Santorini’s little sister, Therasia is clad in
whitewashed houses with cobalt blue doors and shutters – but unlike
Santorini, it is often entirely tourist-free. Like stepping back in
time, Therasia has moved at its own pace over the years;
electricity didn’t arrive until 1980 and the first road wasn’t
paved until 2008. Come for true serenity and views that must be
seen to be believed.

Where to stay: If privacy is what you seek,
Perivolas Hideaway has exactly
what you need. Priding itself on peaceful seclusion, the hotel is
only reachable by boat. Spend days taking dips in the infinity pool
overlooking the storied volcanic caldera and toasting to yourself
for an excellent choice of Greek island.