Luxury Island Hopping in Greece

Island hopping holidays in Greece are a fantastic way to explore this beautiful country. There are 6,000 islands to explore, which are spread across the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Our Greek island hopping packages have been created by our expert Personal Travel Planners who have put together the perfect itineraries, so you get the most out of your time. 

We have a collection of hotels spread across popular islands such as Crete, Kos, Corfu and Santorini. Choosing a Greek island hopping holiday is easy, as our itineraries take the hard work out of researching your hotel and route, meaning you can enjoy the best of both worlds with convenient ferry crossings.

If you want to experience real authentic Greek island hopping, why not try getting around on the Ferry. Our Personal Travel Planners will be happy to book any arrangements for you.

We've put together some information on how easy it really can be to make the most of the easy Ferry transfer around the Greek islands.

Route	Duration	Frequency
Crete to Santorini	1 hr 45 mins.	2 to 3 sailings daily
Crete to Mykonos	4 hrs 30 mins	1 to 2 sailings daily
Santorini to Mykonos	2 hrs 20 mins	7 sailings daily
Santorini to Crete	1 hr 45 mins.	2 to 3 sailings daily
Mykonos to Crete	4 hrs 30 mins	1 to 2 sailings daily
Mykonos to Athens	2 hrs 55 mins	1 sailing daily
Rhodes to Kos	2 hrs 30 mins	2 sailings daily
Kos to Bodrum (Turkey)	45 mins	1 sailing daily
Athens to Mykonos	2 hrs 55 mins	1 sailing daily

MYKONOS, SANTORINI & CRETE

Let’s start with the Cyclades Islands. These are a cluster of about 220 islands located southeast of mainland Greece in the glittering Aegean Sea. The character of these islands is minimalist, with blue and white stucco towns, and idyllic beaches - not to mention their flourishing vineyards!  

Enjoy a Cyclades to Crete holiday, beginning in the whitewashed paradise of Mykonos, an island that took its name from the grandson of Apollo, the Greek god of the sun.  

Spend time at the beachside oasis of Mykonos Blu, Grecotel Boutique Resort, and while you’re there you can take a half day private boat tour to the uninhabited island of Delos. If you’re lucky, wild dolphins may swim alongside your boat on the way! Delos is central to the Cyclades archipelago as it was at the heart of ancient Delphi, having been believed to be the birthplace of Apollo. Explore the island’s rich and mystical archaeological wonders, including antiquated mansions, an ancient theatre, and Apollo’s hillside sanctuary with its famous lions and unique mosaics.  

Also while in Mykonos, explore the labyrinthine old port town, visiting the famous Windmills, Little Venice, and the captivatingly beautiful Paraportiani Orthodox Church.  

You’ll then take the hydroplane to stay in Santorini, at the sleek clifftop hotel San Antonio Santorini. Super stylish crescent shaped Santorini is actually a group of islands formed by an active volcano whose crater is under the sea! Spend your days wandering the Instagram-worthy Oia Village, and sipping the island’s unique sweet dessert wine, Vinsanto. 

Your final stop will be in Crete, the largest of the Greek islands. Take the hydroplane and a private transfer to enjoy the laid-back and quirky Minos Beach Art Hotel in Aghios Nikolaos. There’s the option to extend your stay here, should you wish. This coastal town is known for its beaches and nightlife so you can fully wind down. What better end to your holiday?

RHODES, SYMI & KOS 

A whole world of ancient treasures can be found when you drift into the Dodecanese archipelago. These 12 islands are located in the southeastern Aegean Sea, not far from Turkey, and are teeming with medieval castles and Byzantine churches. Many of the islands have found their own niche: Kalymnos is a rock-climbing retreat, Leros is a diver’s dream, and Patmos is for peaceful pilgrims.  

Our special Dodecanese Discovery holiday is a Greek feast not just for the eyes, but also for the tastebuds.

Begin your luxurious adventure at Sheraton Rhodes. Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese and is heavily influenced by the Byzantine and Ottoman era.  

Enjoy the Old Town’s fascinating history by exploring the medieval and cobbled inn-lined Street of the Knights, the ancient, fortified Palace of the Grand Masters, and the bustling bazaar at Socrates Street.  

From Rhodes, take a day trip with a local guide to the island of Symi. Your boat will anchor up so that you can explore key locations around the island. Explore the sacred Panormitis Monastery, which is located right by the sea and boasts fabulous Byzantine frescoes. Visit a sponge processing workshop and learn about the island’s historic sponge fishing industry. Then head to the main port town, where rows of pastel-coloured houses fill the hillside and beautifully reflect on the water. Quaint Greek tavernas with their delicious Symi shrimp tempt you from their picturesque water’s edge. 

After Rhodes, take a scenic hydroplane journey to Grecotel Kos Imperial on the island of Kos. With its palm lined waterways, glorious lagoon pools, and breathtaking sea views, you may wish to stay within the resort. If you do venture out, we highly recommend you pay a visit to the Tree of Hippocrates, where the philosophising father of modern medicine would teach his students.

CORFU, PAXOS, ANTIPAXOS & PARGA

It’s time to set sail off the west coast of mainland Greece, where you’ll find a cluster of seven islands known as the Ionian Islands, located in the Ionian Sea. These islands are best known for their beautiful beaches and lush verdant landscapes, and our Mar-Bella Collection Ionian Experience allows you to dip into them in style!  

Begin your luxe island hopping at MarBella, Mar-Bella Collection. The Ionian’s northernmost island of Corfu is a firm favourite of ours, with its decadent beaches, romantic Renaissance architecture, and remote mountain villages. The inspiration for writers and poets for more than a thousand years, Corfu is the perfect island to embrace your creative spirit. Take a tour of Corfu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can amble the cantounia (pedestrianised streets) and take in the Venetian fortresses, British mansions, and French esplanades.  

Spend a half day enjoying the Durrell’s Experience, inspired by the comedy-drama television series. Stop off at the village of Kontokali, where the show was filmed, and witness the picturesque waterfront setting of the White House at Kalami where, if you like, you can stop for lunch.  

To reach your next island escape, enjoy a full day leisurely cruise on a luxury catamaran, stopping for lunch in the tiny unspoilt islands of Paxos and Antipaxos. If you believe the legend, Paxos, also known as Paxi, and Antipaxos should have been at the tip of Crete if it were not for Poseidon, the god of the sea, who broke the island off so he could live a peaceful and amorous life with his wife, Amphitrite! Drop the anchor for a leisurely swim in the azure waters and investigate sea caves, or simply kickback and bathe on the sun-kissed deck.  

Complete your blissful Ionian Islands holiday at the unique Elix, Mar-Bella Collection. And should you wish to extend your stay here, you may!