Not that long ago, when I was planning my Big Fat Greek honeymoon I had a really hard time choosing which Greek islands to add to our honeymoon itinerary. We knew we were planning a short visit to Athens and like many other couples planned to spend the majority of our time basking in the sun of the Greek Islands.
With over 6,000 islands in Greece, it can be overwhelming to decide on the best islands to choose for your Greek honeymoon! Greece as a whole is an excellent honeymoon destination. There are islands for every type of couple, whether you hope to lie on the beach, hold hands at sunset, explore caves, uncover hidden gems by scooter and any other adventure you can plan on having!
A honeymoon in Greece can also be done all the way from a penny pinching budget to all out luxury. I’m all about balance, and feeling luxurious without breaking the bank. If you’re curious to you can see my honeymoon budget (with real numbers) to see how we did exactly that for 9-days!
Here I’ve enlisted the help of fellow travel bloggers to profile the best Greek islands for couples to visit on their honeymoons! They are organized by area, which will be helpful as you potentially plan and coordinate travel between multiple islands.
Best Islands for Greek Honeymoon: The Cyclades Islands
Ios – For hiking
Contributed by Cristina from LooknWalk Greece
A well-known party island, Ios, is also a great choice for couples wanting to spend a magical time on one of the Cyclades. Located close to Mykonos, Amorgos, and Santorini, Ios has the stunning traditional architecture, the amazing beaches, and views, but without the crowds (outside of the peak season in July and August).
There are quite a few romantic things to do. One of them is having a picnic on Klima beach. You can reach by via a very scenic hike from Mylopostas beach. Or you can take a longer road and travel by rental car (or moped). Make sure to pass by the store before you set off and enjoy the picnic on the beach.
In the evening, hike up to the windmills from stunning views of the sunset. Close by, and a shorter hike even higher is the amphitheater, which allows you to see all the way to Mylopotas beach. And also, the what should have been Gaitis Museum (and empty building offer greats spots to photograph the sunset over the island).
On another day, you can walk hand in hand in Chora, explore the shops and taverns, and just allow yourself to get “lost”. In doing so, look for Church with the Palm tree, which is another place overlooking the port.
There are a lot of beaches to check out, tavernas to try Greek food in, as well as an old Venetian castle you can hike up to.
Naxos – For lush greenery
Contributed by Carine & Derek from WeDidItOurWay
The largest and greenest island of the Cyclades, Naxos totally blew us away! A short ferry ride from Paros and not far from Santorini, the entry to Naxos will leave you speechless. You’ll be greeted by the astounding Portara of Apollo’s Temple and continue to be stunned by the island’s mountains, lush gorges and valleys.
Every couple will find something amazing on this island. From its many beautiful beaches for those looking to relax, the row of restaurants on the waterfront to satisfy any foodie’s cravings, the historic old town for romantics looking to go back in time, and the many sailing options for couples looking for adventure.
The vibe in the city is quite fun too. During the day, you can either spend it chilling on one of the many beaches, exploring the mountains, or sailing the seas. At night, the waterfront comes to life. The restaurants and bars fill up. People-watching becomes a popular pastime.
If you’re looking to miss the crowds, but still want amazing weather, we recommend heading to Naxos in mid-September. Be sure to stay in Chora, the Old part of the island, you’ll be by the port, and central to the beaches, restaurants and historic area.
Mykonos – For scooter adventures
Contributed by Michelle from Travel After Five
My husband and I visited Mykonos while on our honeymoon cruise, and we had an absolute blast. Mykonos has windmills and picturesque white buildings, similar to Santorini, making it perfect for your honeymoon photos. We were told that the maze of streets were designed to confuse pirates – which makes them perfect for spending a day strolling through.
There are so many hidden shops to check out that each turn will be a surprise. While on the island, my husband and I rented a scooter from a local shop for really cheap. With no plan in mind, we just drove! We ended up finding a restaurant on the beach that was far from the tourists, and it was incredibly romantic. I would definitely recommend getting a scooter and just driving around the island and enjoying the views. There are so many lookout points for you to stop at. On top of the views, the Greek food on the island is delicious!
Paros – For the local experience
Relative to some of it’s neighbors, Paros is a lesser known island that has a more relaxed vibe to it. Unlike some of it’s neighboring islands, it’s not a cruise port so it gets considerably less traffic and tourism which I think helps it keep it’s authentic charm. As Paros is less touristy, the locals here are more friendly and your money goes a lot further! It’s the perfect island if you’re looking to genuinely relax. The pace of life is a bit slower and the city center is a great place to grab a bite to eat while you people watch the locals going about their day.
Paros is also a relatively flat island, so it’s a wonderful if you’re looking to rent a scooter, buggy or atv (and not get stuck going up a steep hill!). Grab a map or none at all and get lost exploring all that the island has to over. A particular favorite of mine was finding a little town called Leftkes where we had delicious ice cream and made friends with some local kittens. Paros is the island to visit, if you are looking to experience the local Greek island life!
Santorini – For the sunsets
Contributed by Alex from Swedish Nomad
Santorini is one of the most romantic destinations in the world, and couples from all over the world travel here on honeymoons and romantic getaways. The atmosphere is built for love with scenic views and luxurious hotels as long as the eye can see.
The old stone streets and white houses combined with the picturesque churches with blue paint on their top are charming and available in plenty. The same goes for local wines, which have become famous.
One of the best views of Santorini is anywhere you can see the Caldera from a distance. My favorite place is Imerovigli. Hotel Heliotopos is a good place to have dinner with a view without breaking the bank, the food is very nice too.
As a couple, you should really rent a scooter and go to Pyrgos, which is one of the hidden gems of Santorini. Here, you should have dinner at a place called Pennelope’s, which has one of the most amazing dinner backgrounds I have ever experienced.
Other than that, just enjoy the company of your loved one and take in the scenic views together and make sure to get some delicious food in the meanwhile.
Did you know? Santorini is listed by many as one of the most romantic places in Europe – it’s no wonder so many couples choose to spend their honeymoons here!
Best Islands for Greek Honeymoon: The Cretan Islands
Crete – For road tripping
Contributed by Stephanie from Sofia Adventures
Crete is one of the most popular Greek honeymoon spots. The largest Greek island (and fifth largest in the Mediterranean), there are so many different things to do here that couples of all interests and ages can enjoy a week or two of bliss.
Adventure lovers can go scuba diving, jump off the cliffs at Seitan Limania beach, and go hiking in Samaria Gorge. Those looking for charming Greek cities can explore Chania and Rethymnon, with their beautiful Venetian harbors and antique lighthouses. These two cities are the perfect places to stroll hand-in-hand along the water, watching the boats bob up and down in the water.
A popular way to travel Crete is to rent a car and go on a one or two week Cretan road trip. This way you can see the best of Crete, but also get a little bit off-the-path and explore some of the beautiful mountain villages and tavernas for yourself.
Best Islands for Greek Honeymoon: The Dodecanese Islands
Rhodes – For eating local specialties
Contributed by Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan
While much of the coastline of Rhodes is filled with tacky beach resort hotels, stepping inside the medieval walls of the old city is like stepping back in time a few hundred years, back to the days when the island was ruled by the Knights Hospitaller.
One of the highlights of this incredibly romantic medieval town is the beautiful 15th century Knights’ hospital, which is now the Archaeological Museum. The views out over the Mediterranean Sea from the top of the Lindos Acropolis are also a spectacular sight.
And of course, the food in Rhodes is amazing too! The flower-filled terrace of Café Hamam is a great place to taste local specialties such as gemista (stuffed tomatoes and bell peppers), fava (a dip made of puréed split peas), and dolmadhes (stuffed vine leaves). Thanks to the fasting traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church, you’ll find plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes in Rhodes.
Kalymnos – For a remote paradise
Contributed by Maureen from Life on the Mediterranean
Kalymnos island is in the Dodecanese between Kos and Leros. It’s often overlooked for its more glamorous neighbors of Rhodes or Kos. It is more difficult and more expensive to reach, but that’s what makes it a perfect destination for couples – It’s remote. It’s a lovely Greek islandoffering an old-world, romantic feel.
Hotels and meals are economical. So if you’re spending a lot on the wedding, you can still have a luxurious Greek island honeymoon without spending a ton. You’ll spend far less on Kalymnos than on many other islands.
There are four main beaches areas where you can relax under straw parasols: Masouri, Kalamies, Kantouni, and Gefira. Book a hotel near Masouri beach or the village of Myrties where you can watch the amazing sunsets go down each evening over the nearby island of Telendos.
From Melitsachas harbor in Myrties you can take a romantic boat ride over to explore Telendos if you want. The island has one road and no cars. You can stroll the quiet road and choose one of the quaint fish restaurants for lunch or dinner. It’s a great romantic day out on the Aegean Sea. It’s just magical.
Also, if you and your love are into rock climbing it’s a climber’s paradise. One of the best in the Mediterranean.
Best Islands for Greek Honeymoon: The Ionian Islands
Corfu – For snorkeling
Contributed by Karolina from KarolinaPatryk
Corfu, the eye-catching Greek island with its lines of wild olive trees, azure waters, golden beaches, and captivating multi-colored sunset is the perfect place to sweep your special someone of their feet.
Within the winding alleys of Corfu town, take a walk through its fairytale backdrop, explore fortresses, and climb up the Church of Saint Spyridon, the highest tower in the Ionian Islands which provides sweeping views of the sea. Can you imagine a better place to say ‘I love you’ to your partner than on top of the world?
In the east of an island, you will find the idyllic fishing village of Kassiopi, where you can hold hands as you take a walk on its pebbled beaches or go snorkeling to see the fantastic underwater world beyond its emerald waters.
In the west, take in the natural landscape of Sidari by taking your loved one for a picnic to the Canal D’Amour and spending the evening in Sidari’s restaurants and bars. You can also spend an afternoon on Logas Beach, which has been coined as sunset beach. Here, find yourself a perch on one of the many cliffside restaurants to admire the view.
Zakynthos – For romance
Contributed by Corina from Another Milestone
Zakynthos is one of the most romantic places you will ever see. It has everything you need for a perfect holiday as a couple and it is a great place for honeymooners. The best way to explore the island is by car. Drive around the narrow road from the east side of the island and stop to discover the wild, lonely beaches. One of them is the small, pebbled beach after Zante beach house sunset view. You will also enjoy a private boat tour to Blue caves and Navagio beach, in a small boat with glass bottom. Another great experience for couples is snorkeling together. You will find a good place for that in the Nord of the island right next to the windmill. The water is very deep there so you will have the chance to see different type of fishes.
And in the evening, the most romantic thing you can do is go on the west side of the island and admire the breathtaking sunset. There are two spots that can offer you a view to remember a lifetime: Keri cape and Navagio beach from above! Buy a bottle of wine, take 2 glasses with you and taste the sweet licor while your eyes savor nature’s colors. This is Zakynthos at its best!
After reading all of these, I’m ready to pack my bag and my hubby and head out on another Greek adventure! Opa!
Which of these islands were you most inspired to visit or add to your Greek islands honeymoon itinerary?
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