Greek islands ideal for island hopping

08/04/2022
One of the most common options for island hopping in the Cyclades complex are the islands of Andros - Tinos - Syros. If you only have a little time on your hands, go on a bit of island hopping near Athens, around the Saronic Gulf islands.
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With the plethora of islands that Greece counts, visiting only one is simply a crazy idea! Imagine being at Piso Livadi beach in Paros, looking across the water to the Little Vigla of Naxos, just imagining you can get there in a brief swim. Fortunately, you can! Let’s Ferry gives you the opportunity to choose multiple routes on its website, so that you can custom design the island hopping holiday of your dreams. With just one reservation you can choose up to 6 different destinations at the same time.

What is island hopping

Imagine that you are on a tourist bus in Athens and you want to see all the sights in one day. You get off at Syntagma Square, take some selfies, get on the next bus and get on with your tour. You get off at the Acropolis and on and off the bus again, spending as much time as you want in the most important monuments of the city. With island hopping you can do the same with your favorite islands. You travel by boat to an island, you see it, you stay as many days or hours as you please, and off you go to the next one! The close proximity between the islands and their small size, gives you the opportunity to visit many destinations in just one trip. At the same time, the ships’ itineraries are configured in such a way that their timeframes are flexible. So you can even leave early from one island in the morning, hop to another nearby and return in the evening. This trend is not new, as it has long been loved by back-packing foreign tourists that come to see as many Greek islands as possible in one visit.

Where to go island hopping in 2022

See how easy it is to plan your own trip to multiple destinations. Pick and mix islands and off you go. If you need some ideas, here are the most popular options!

Andros - Tinos - Syros

One of the most common options for island hopping in the Cyclades complex. In Andros you can start your day with a swim in one the secluded beaches of Achla, Fellos, Piso Limionas, or the cosmopolitan Golden Sand. In Tinos, you can visit Panagia Evangelistria or head to the traditional mountain villages. There you will discover the lunar landscape in Volax, the most delicious raki in Falatados and the fascinating medieval architecture of Arnados. Arriving to Syros at night, take the stairs to Ano Syra on foot, avoiding the heat of daytime. Here you will enjoy rebetika music on a terrace of one of the taverns overlooking the sea. You can find tickets for island hopping at Let’s Ferry.

Achla beach in Andros
Achla beach in Andros
Mykonos – Santorini

Island hopping in the most cosmopolitan islands of Greece with just one reservation! Begin your journey with a stroll around Little Venice and a nice swim in Elia, Paraga or Super Paradise. In the summer when the day is longer, you have 3 hours to arrive in Santorini through Naxos, Ios, Paros and maybe Amorgos (depending on the route you choose) to catch Europe’s most beautiful sunset.

Little Venice in Mykonos
Little Venice in Mykonos
Symi – Rhodes

Island hopping in the Dodecanese complex is not as hard a task as it sounds. If you are in Symi, you can take a walk from the port to the Chorio (Village), the capital of the island. If you start early in the morning, you can walk up the 500 steps of Kali Strata to reach the Village and enjoy your breakfast in a traditional cafe. Catch the afternoon boat and within an hour you will reach Rhodes, the island of the Knights. Take in the Medieval Old Town feel or head to the beach bars for an afternoon swim and cocktails. In the evening you can relax in the quiet area of Lindos or visit one of the many elegant restaurants with fresh seafood.

The port of Symi
The port of Symi
Paros - Iraklia - Donoussa - Koufonissi - Amorgos

How about a trip to the most beautiful beaches of the Cyclades? The day can start with breakfast in the whitewashed cafés of Naoussa or in the picturesque Lefkes, the mountain village of Paros. In two hours you wave goodbye the youthful island and you can find yourself in a completely different setting. Iraklia is a pristine island without many luxuries. This is where you need to come to relax and enjoy a real vacation, alone or with friends.

Το λιμανάκι της Ηρακλειάς
The small port of Iraklia


The same feeling you will get from bohemian Donoussa, the island that greets you with the golden beach of the Cross. All the island’s beaches are within walking distance. Yes, you don’t need a car for this Small Cyclades island hopping tour. Next stop is Koufonissi. With a backdrop almost identical to the set of the movie "Blue Lagoon", here you will enjoy sandy beaches and emerald waters at their best. Italida (Italian), Pisina (Pool), and Pori are among of the most exotic beaches in Greece.

The Casteli beach in Koufonissia
The Casteli beach in Koufonissia


If you have a flair for hiking, you can tour the whole island and see traditional neighborhoods, small churches and, of course, meet its hospitable locals. Next stop is the endless blue of Amorgos. Enjoy the view as you ascend to the Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa and transfer yourself to the setting of the movie "Big Blue", that made the island famous worldwide.

The Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa in Amorgos
The Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa in Amorgos
Milos - Kimolos – Sikinos

The ideal island hopping plan for couples. Get ready for a relaxing trip to islands with classic beauty, secluded beaches and a quiet nightlife. In Milos we advise you to rent a boat from the port to take you to the lunar setting of Kleftiko, the place that has become part of NATURA 2000 as a protected area.

The lunar setting of Kleftiko in Milos
The lunar setting of Kleftiko in Milos


Go back to the port and in just one hour you can find yourself in Kimolos! Sophisticated, quiet, with impressive sandy beaches. You will love the lending libraries that you will discover in various parts of the island as well as its largest settlement, called Chorio (Village). The beautiful imagery will follow you all the way to Sikinos, an island that looks like it has popped out of a postcard. Untouched by mass tourism, it has two main settlements, Chorio (Village) and Kastro (Castle). Just a few rooms to let and shops, it is ideal for quiet explorations in July or September.

Kythnos - Serifos – Sifnos

This is Cycladic island hopping for tough cookies. Start at the calm but powerful Kythnos with the famous beach of Kolona. In Messaria, also known as Chora, you will find everything you need regarding accommodation and entertainment. Just 5 km from here, you will find the settlement of Loutra, where you can relax in the thermal baths of the area. In 80 minutes you will reach Serifos, the island with dozens of mapped paths. In one of them, which connects Megalo Livadi with Koutalas, you will see one of the most imposing sights, the White Tower, with an impressive view of the Aegean.

The bay of Sifnos with its sandy beach
The bay of Sifnos with its sandy beach


Next stop is Sifnos, an island that is, in its most part, protected by the NATURA 2000 program. This area has a stretch of ​​20,000 acres where 19 rare species of plants and animals live.

Argosaronic Gulf

If you only have a little time on your hands, go on a bit of island hopping near Athens, around the Saronic Gulf islands. Aegina and Agistri are very close to Piraeus. Here, you can actually swim in clear green waters, just 50 minutes away from the Attica region. Another suggestion is Hydra and Spetses, where history connects the two regal islands, offering an unforgettable day trip or a relaxing weekend.

Chalikiada beach in Agistri
Chalikiada beach in Agistri

Find your own way on Let’s Ferry's multiple routes. Simply add the routes you wish and your destination. Choose the time that suits you and book ferry tickets for island hopping in Greece now!