Greece Island Hopping Guide for 20s-30s Travellers

Dreaming of sun-soaked days, turquoise waters, and endless adventure? Greece island hopping is the ultimate way to experience the best of the Mediterranean. Whether you’re looking to party, explore history, or sail into hidden coves, this guide covers everything you need to know for an epic Greek island-hopping adventure.

Let’s dive in!

What’s the Best Way to See the Greek Islands in Summer?

The best way to explore the Greek Islands in summer is by yacht. Don’t worry, it can end up being cheaper than ferries and hostels in peak summer months! A 7-day island-hopping trip aboard a yacht lets you wake up to a new island every morning, discover hidden coves and secret Instagrammable spots, and enjoy the company of other like-minded travellers.

On MedSailors, it’s not just another yacht party week like the others. It’s a locally crafted Greek sailing tour for the 20s-30s travellers, blending adventure, local culture, and unique nightlife. All of this is done with breakfast and accommodation, including an awesome tour leader to take you to the best spots. 

What Are the Best Greek Islands Near Athens?

While most might be thinking of the overcrowded Santorini or boozy Mykonos and Ios, there are closer and better islands to visit near Athens.

Aegina: The closest island to Athens, and one of the most beautiful, Aegina is packed with history, picturesque Greek towns, and beautiful landscapes. It’s also famous for pistachios, and some of the oldest olive trees in Europe. 

Agistri: If beaches are your thing, this island is unmatched. Almost every beach has a “blue lagoon” aesthetic, along with a vibrant pine-lined coast to explore.

Poros: Poros is the love of Athenians for summer escapes for good reason. This ancient volcanic island packs in everything you want from awesome on-land activities, watersports, a phenomenal food scene, and great local nightlife. 

Hydra: It’s one of the most beloved islands for poets, artists, writers, and the famous. Hydra town is a wonder to behold with white villas crawling up steep slopes, silversmiths and craft shops, winding alleyways to explore, and one of the best sunset spots around the Saronic islands.

Check out our Greece Athens Voyager trip to see these islands!

What are the Best Greek Islands Near Corfu?

Corfu is an incredible island packed with activities, gorgeous beaches, and a stunning old town. But there are islands just nearby Corfu that you cannot miss on a trip to Corfu.

Paxos: Lined with steep white cliffs and neon-blue bays, Paxos is an unbelievable island for its natural beauty. Explore small Venetian-era towns and find endless paradise beaches to swim at. 

Anti-Paxos: Just off the tip of Paxos is its little sibling, with just as much beauty. Maybe even more! it’s a mostly uninhabited island with some of the most breathtaking secluded bays in Greece you’ve never heard of.

Parga: Although Parga isn’t an island, it's included in this list because it feels like one. Parga is a must-see in the Ionian for the pastel-coloured villas rising to the massive ancient fortress and nearby golden beaches to relax on. 

See our Greece Corfu Discovery route to explore these destinations!

How many Greek islands can you see in a week?

If you’re ferry hopping from island to island, most likely 3-4 islands are possible. If you aim to experience as many Greek islands as possible while getting the most out of each stop, a week on MedSailors Greece allows you to maximise this without feeling rushed.

What Greek islands are best for partying?

Looking for the best parties and nightlife in the Greek islands? While there are staples like Ios and Mykonos, which are typically overcrowded and overly touristy, there are plenty of other options.

Gaios: It might be small, but Gaios is one of the best Ionian islands for an all-nighter on the dance floor. Hit one of the small music bars along the marina for an epic night of dancing.

Poros: From craft cocktail bars to late-night disco clubs, Poros has something for everyone. Hit the amazing cuisine scene before grabbing an amazing seaside cocktail and capping off the night dancing at a local club.

Lakka: Even smaller than Gaios, Lakka has just as much to enjoy for a memorable night out. Relax on the beach nearby with a sunset cocktail before learning some Greek island dancing and vibing with your crew to the best summer bangers.

Agistri: Athenians flock to Agistri for the unforgettable nightlife here. And it’s one you won’t forget on a MedSailors island hopping trip. Spend the evening learning Greek dancing with your crew before heading to the local cliffside club Kastro to dance the night away.

What Greek islands are best for history?

Throw a stone on a Greek island and you’ll hit something ancient. But what are the most incredible ancient sights for the history-obsessed out there? These islands will fulfil your Ancient Greece bucket list.

Aegina: The island of Aegina is covered in major historic sights like the massive Temple of Apollo complex, or the captivating Temple of Aphaia near Agia port where MedSailors docks.

Epidavros: Though it’s on mainland Greece, it’s an absolute must-see when visiting Athens or sailing the Saronic islands. Home to the world’s oldest, largest, and most intact Ancient Greek theatre, this is one sight we think surpasses the Acropolis. Nearby the port, you can also snorkel submerged ruins of the “sunken city”. 

Parga: The towering fortress of Parga is a mind-boggling sight to behold, and exploring the maze of ruins from Venetian and Ottoman eras is awesome. Grab a gyros and a beer and make sure to head to the top for breathtaking sunset views.

Corfu: One of the only islands not to fall to the Ottoman Empire, Corfu has an impenetrable behemoth of a fortress that you need to see to believe. Corfu Old Town, with its picturesque winding laneways and stunning architecture, is bound to leave you in awe.

What Greek islands are best for the outdoors?

Whether it’s the rocky and rugged landscapes of the Saronic islands or the lush and dramatic islands of the Ionian, there are endless places to discover for outdoors lovers.

Paxos: You could spend weeks on Paxos and still have more to see. By e-bike, quad bike, or hike, you won’t run out of outdoor experiences on this small island. A short hike from the port of Gaios, Tripitos Arch is our personal favourite with an enormous rock arch to walk across and take in the views.

Agistri: Hop on an e-bike and cruise along the stunning coastline to hidden coves or the blue lagoon of Aponisos. Spend a day cycling from one turquoise bay to the next swimming, snorkelling, and paddle boarding.

Poros: The landscapes are sprawling due to the dormant volcano that shaped it, Poros is filled with valleys, coves, and forests to experience. Grab a quad bike and head out on the winding mountain roads to find hidden beaches, ancient ruins, and breathtaking lookouts.

What are the best beaches to visit in Greece?

With over 2,000 islands and islets, and endless coves in between, it’s no wonder why Greece is famous for its beaches. But while you might read about the most popular ones, these are the best Greek island beaches you should visit.

Erimitis Beach, Paxos: At the bottom of a steep hill lies one of the most unbelievable beaches you’ll ever see. Ermimitis is a tough walk after a journey by e-bike, but the towering white cliffs and glowing blue bay make it worth the effort.

Aponisos Beach, Agistri: Chill out in water hammocks With your mates in arguably one of the most beautiful bays in the Saronics. A small island near the port, you can e-bike here and relax in loungers in paradise for the afternoon.

Valtos Beach, Parga: This sandy crescent-shaped beach is a favourite, and the perfect place to relax and swim for an afternoon. And if you’re feeling like upping the adrenaline, hop on the watersports right from the beach.

Hydronetta Beach, Hydra: Though its a rocky outcrop descending into the water, this beach is deserving of a mention either way. There’s a small cave and cliff jumping to be had, and it makes for an unreal sunset spot with the backdrop of Hydra town.

What is the best time to visit the Greek Islands?

The best times to visit the Greek islands solely depend on preference, but if you’re looking for prime sunshine hours and the warmest waters, July to August are the months for you. Though, keep in mind, these are the busiest times for the Greece tourism season. 

If you want to explore the Greek Islands without the crowds while it still feels like summer, June and September can both be good months to travel. For the start or end of summer months, early May and late September have much lower crowds but can have unpredictable weather.

Which Greek Island is the least touristy?

Definitely not Santorini and other similar islands. To escape the throngs of people when island-hopping Greece, your best bet is to stick to the Saronic or Ionian islands. The Saronic islands, just off of the coast of Athens, are the most authentic Greek islands where most Greeks go to escape during the summer. For the Ionian, while Corfu is quite a popular island, you can get out to the lesser-known Ionian destinations nearby that are much less crowded. 

Can you travel to Greece on a budget?

Wondering if you can explore the Greek islands on a budget? Absolutely! Greece is one of the most budget-friendly destinations in Europe. You can grab a gyros for 3-5 euros only, and most dinners range from 12-20 euros for main dishes. Our favourite budget-friendly meal in Greece is the Greek mezze — a family-style shared meal with seemingly endless waves of food for 15-20 euros.

What’s the cheapest way to island hop in Greece?

A week-long yacht trip around the islands is, in our mind, the most budget-friendly way to visit the Greek islands. While it may seem pretty cost-effective to use ferries to get between islands, peak summer prices along with hotels or hostels can add up quickly. On a yacht week with MedSailors, you can have easy transport between the Greek islands for a little over 100 euros with accommodation and breakfast included, all the while exploring with a small group of awesome people.

Are all Greece sail weeks just partying?

It might seem like every Greek island hopping trip for 20s and 30s is all about partying, but not all are. Our trips are all about balance, with ample time to relax, swim, explore, hop on activities, and party a bit if you’d like to. As we sail around the Greek islands, there’ll be some nights in smaller towns or secluded bays to truly soak in the beauty, and other larger ports where you can find some of the most unique nightlife you’ll ever experience. 

Are the Greek Islands safe for travellers?

The Greek islands are some of the safest destinations in Europe to visit in our minds. Now, of course, it’s best to always be aware of your surroundings and belongings, but we always feel at home around these islands. One of the safest ways to explore though, especially as a solo traveller, is on an island hopping tour. You get to spend a week making friends with awesome adventurers and live on a yacht for a week with a skipper and tour guide to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible.

How to Visit the Greek Islands as a solo traveller?

As a solo traveller, it can be tough sometimes to plan everything and to feel like you are getting the most out of each destination. There is a collection of hostels around the islands, but often those are on party islands, otherwise, you’ll be forking out for hotels.

If you aim to make friends, explore the Greek islands as much as possible, and save money — a Greek island hopping tour with MedSailors is all of that and more. With smaller flotillas, there’s a perfect laid-back vibe that brings everyone together easily. And when you feel like you need a bit of you time, it’s never an issue to break away from the group for an afternoon or relax alone on the yacht!

Explore the Greek Islands in Style

Book your Greece Athens Voyager or Greece Gorfu Discovery trip today and let the countdown to an unforgettable Greece island hopping adventure begin!