Blue Water Holidays - Our Favourite Greek Islands
Everyone who has been to Greece has a favourite Greek island. The team at Blue Water Holidays has selected three of our favourites.
Santorini
Blue Water Customer Pictures
Whenever you see a picture of a Greek island, it's probably Santorini and the blue roofed churches in the town of Ia on the east of the island. Ia is famous not just for its churches but for its fabulous sunsets.
Arriving by ship at Sanorini is a magical experience, sailing in past high cliffs with white houses perched on the cliff tops and even down the cliffside. The massive ancient volcano which blew the island apart has created a giant bowl with steep sides, tribute to the massive power of the eruption. Cruise ships anchor near a little harbour at the foot of the cliffs below the main town of Thira. You can take a cable car to town, or a donkey, or even walk the winding donkey track.
Thira can be extremely busy during the mornings as large cruise ships disgorge their passengers for a day-visit. Smaller ships tend to arrive later in the day as the town gets quieter, and leave later in the evening to allow guests enjoy the sunset.
Skopelos
Blue Water Customer Pictures
Off the beaten track, Skopelos is one of the verdant Saronic islands in the north of Greece. Quieter than its nearby neighbour Skiathos, it has a superb natural harbour with a promenade full of bustling tavernas and fishing boats moored alongside.
Skopelos recent claim to fame is as the setting for many of the scenes in the blockbuster film 'Mamma Mia'. Touring the island many sights will be familiar, notably the small church on an island hilltop used for the wedding scene at the end of the film. This church can also be seen from the sea (see Blue Water customer picture above).
Symi
Visited by small ships and day trips from the island of Rhodes, Symi is a small island with a rocky almost barren hinterland. Its notable feature is its natural harbour, surrounded by cafes and restaurants - we recommend Aris Taverna on the harbourside near the clock.
Symi has an outstanding selection of Viennese style houses overlooking the harbour. Many left to ruin by depopulation, these are now being restored by locals and a thriving ex-pat community which has made Symi home.