The ultimate guide to Sailing the Greek Islands

Written by Marin @Danielis on April 29, 2019 in Sailing Destinations

Your vacation should be a calm, relaxing time which helps you unwind and let go of everything that stresses you out. It's important to create a nice traveling route and to develop a good plan. If you can, it would be best to gather all of the information you need beforehand because that gives you an opportunity to enjoy your time off calmly.

Sailing in Greece

Greece has been one of the more popular destinations lately. It is a pretty interesting part of southeastern Europe and therefore many are getting interested. It had a really big historical impact on Europe and other parts of the world, which means that it's full of various cultures and has many monuments you can check out.

Sailing Greek Islands has been one of the growing vacation ideas lately. It doesn't matter what your choice may be: bareboat, skippered, or fully crewed yacht charter in Greece, you will still have a lot of fun.

Greece is one of those countries where you can have a lot of fun without spending much money. You can easily choose a sailing Greek islands route and try the food, party a bit, and maybe spend a bit of time checking out the museums and archaeological findings.

Yacht Charter Greece

What are some popular sailing routes?

There are five groups of islands (five areas) that can be visited and people usually research a bit about the islands mentioned in each and then decide which one is right for them. Also, there you can easily find reliable yacht charter on Greek islands.

1. Ionian islands

Ionian islands

The Ionian Islands are a part of western Greece and the most popular destinations would be Corfu, Lefkas, Ithaka, Kefalonia, and the wonderful Zakynthos. You should visit them while sailing Greek islands.

Paxos island

Corfu should be your next destination if you're a nature lover. The dramatic Cape Drastis, the Agni Bay, and the Canal d'Amour are a few of Greece's many places that have been carefully carved by Mother Nature. The Vlacherna Monastery, the St. George's Church and the Royal Achilleion Palace (which was built as a home to Austrian Royalty) should be your next destinations if you love history.

Lefkas has the most beautiful green sea in the world and the Porto Katskiki beach is one of the most beautiful white sand beaches you'll ever see.

Ithaca is not famous only for Odysseus, but also for scuba diving and visiting beautiful parts of Greece's nature like the Cave of the Nymph. It is must visit for everyone who is sailing Greek islands. Try savoro fish or tserepato and let us know if you like the cuisine as well!

Zakynthos Greece

In Kephalonia you can check out the most beautiful caves in the world (like the Drogarati Cave), but also see the Monastery of Agios Gersimos, where the relics of Gerasimos lay (he lived from 1506-1579).

Zakynthos is full of magical places like the Shipwreck Cove, the Xigia Beach... You can even dive with turtles!

The Sporades

Skiathos

These Sporades islands are on the eastern side of the peninsula and they include Skiathos, Alonissos, Skopelos.

If you're visiting Skiathos while sailing Greek islands, make sure to check out the Tsougrias beach, the Monastero di Panagia Evangelistria, and Agios Nikolaos Church and Clock Tower. You can take wonderful pictures there and see the town in full glory.

Alossinos will present you with the Konikokastro beach and Alonissos Blue Dream Dive Center which will help you fully enjoy the beautiful seas Greece is surrounded by.

Skopelos

When visiting Skopelos, we would suggest you check out the Panagitsa of Pyrgos, the wonderful Agios Ioannis Beach, and the Velanio beach as well.

The Saronic Islands

Hydra

Saronic islands are pretty popular for people who often sail Greek islands, counting in Hydra, Spetses, Poros, Alimos, and Marina.

When visiting Hydra, visit the National Historical Museum called Lazaros Koundouritis Mansion, and make sure to check out Mount Eros Hydra as well. Spetses, on the other side, will welcome you to the Ayia Paraskevi Beach and in Bouboulina's Museum. Poros, Alimos, and Marina are better known for nature.

The Cyclades

Mykonos

Cycledes are the group with the most island count: Syros, Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Sifnos, Amorgos, Ios, Milos, and Santorini.

The most famous in the group are Mykonos, Naxos, and Santorini. On Mykonos, you should check out the Agia Anna Beach, the Little Venice sight, and the Lia Beach. Naxos will welcome you in the Fish & Olive art gallery, as well as in the very popular Old Town. Santorini is a really popular destination and you surely need to see the Hiking Trail Fira, the Museum of Prehistoric Thira and the Amoudi Bay.

Dodecanese Islands

Pserimos

The Dodecanese islands include Astipalaia, Rhodes, Kos, Patmos, and Karpathos. Rhodes will welcome you on the Tsambika beach and in the Monolithos castle, while Karpathos hides some serious beauties like Apella Beach, Damatria Beach, Lefkos Beach, Agios Nikolaos Beach... Just a bunch of things to help you relax.

Kos will show you the exotic beach of Xerokambos, the famous Papa's Beach Bar and the Aquatica Water Park Kos, but Eleftherias Square will be your favorite if you're searching for interesting landmarks. If you're a nature lover, the Plaka Forest with animals and peacocks will surprise you.

Kos Greece

These are our favorite tips for sailing Greek islands

1. Give yourself some time to adjust to the feeling. Some people aren't made for yachts and sailing Greek islands, while others get used to it pretty easily. Don't force it and don't drink any alcohol for the first few days.

2. Don't take a bunch of luggage with you. Three suitcases are really not the right thing to carry with you when you're on a sailing yacht.

3. Think about the things that you have to carry. Many people say that it's better to take fewer clothes and more money. You can always buy something if you lack something.

Greece Yacht Charter

4. Make sure that you are aware of the amount of sun happening around you. Don't underestimate the power of good sunscreen and make sure that you have enough water with you.

5. Meltemi should be a concern. If you're not really a pro, you should probably choose areas with light wind: maybe The Islands of Argosaronic Gulf?

Have fun sailing Greek islands!