How to Spend a Honeymoon in the Greek Islands

With a strategic location on the southernmost tip of the Balkan peninsula and its millennia of history, Greece was one of the civilizations that had the greatest influence on western culture. Apart from its countless archaeological sites, rich architectural heritage, and world-class museums, this country has a unique morphology that no other European country has: it’s home to more than 6,000 islands scattered in the Mediterranean, Aegean and Ionian seas making it perfect for a honeymoon.

With more than 10,000 miles of coastline, blue waters and diverse landscape, it’s not hard to see why Greece is a top destination honeymoon destination that receives more than 30 million visitors every year, most of which visit the idyllic island beaches. 

How to get around 

Most tourists that go to the Greek Islands for their honeymoon fly to Athens and from there take an internal flight or boat to the islands. However, it’s also possible to fly directly to Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, or Rhodes among others.

The best way to get around during your honeymoon is by boat. From the port of Piraeus or Rafina in Athens, there are ferries to most of the islands. There are plenty of companies and local agencies that sell tickets such as Blue Star Ferries, Golden Star or Greek Travel Pages, just to name a few. 

It’s important to note that there are several companies that operate the different routes between the islands and offer different services and prices. Not all of them go to all destinations so check the connections and timetables of the islands you’re interested in visiting and plan smartly.

To give you an idea of costs and times, here is a small list of popular trips in the Islands:

• From Piraeus to Santorini it takes 5.5 hours and costs nearly $55
• A ticket from Piraeus to Mykonos starts at $35 and takes between 4.5 and 5.5 hours
• From Santorini to Mykonos, it takes between 2.5 and 4 hours and costs roughly $60
• A ferry from Santorini to Rhodes takes between 8 and 14 hours and costs $50
• A trip from Santorini to Crete takes 2,5 hours and sets you back $50
• A ticket from Mykonos to Naxos costs $35 and takes 45 minutes
• From Santorini to Paros, it takes between 2 and 3 hours and costs $35

There are public transportation and taxis on the islands but if you want to really enjoy them and have the freedom to move around, the best option is to rent a scooter, car or quad bike during your honeymoon trip. 

When to go the the Greek Isles For a Honeymoon

Located in the Mediterranean sea, the Greek Islands enjoy warm weather year-round with temperatures that range from 40ºF in January to 95ºF in July and August.

The summer is the busiest period with large crowds -especially in the most popular islands such as Santorini and Mykonos- and high prices. However, if you want to avoid the hordes of tourists, the best time to honeymoon in the Islands is the second half of April, May, June, September, and October.

During these months the days are sunny and the average temperature is around 75ºF making it a top choice for honeymooners looking for a romantic holiday.

Which Islands to Visit During Your Honeymoon

With more than 6,000 islands to choose from -even though only around 200 that are inhabited- it can be overwhelming to decide where to go. To give you an overall idea and help you make your choice, here a list of some of the top islands for your honeymoon:

Santorini Honeymoons

Located 190 miles southeast of Athens in the Aegean Sea, Santorini is the most visited Greek Island. With dramatic scenery, beautiful towns, and unique hotels this volcanic island is one of the most romantic in the world. 

The most popular towns in Santorini are Fira and Oia on the west coast, with its stunning landscapes, scenic white houses with blue roofs, and coastal cliffs. These cities are famous for their beautiful sunsets and their fantastic hotels making them a popular destination for honeymooners.

Some of the best honeymoon accommodation options are the exclusive Ambition Suites which offers rooms with amazing views from $350, or Museo Grand Hotel that has suites for $180 in Oia, or Asteras Villas in Fira where you can enjoy a luxury experience for $230 per night.

Apart from enjoying the beautiful views and the unparalleled sunsets in Fira and Oia, don’t miss the red and black beach in the south, the ancient city of Thera on the southeast, hike part of the route between Oia and Fira along the coast, and take a boat tour around the island to enjoy beautiful views from the sea.

Mykonos Honeymoons

Like Santorini, Mykonos is one of the Cyclades Islands and it’s located in the Aegean Sea. Even though it’s famous for its pristine beaches and bustling nightlife, Mykonos also offers some of the best hotels in Greece as well as romantic honeymoon activities.

Some of the must-sees in the island include the windmills in Chora, Little Venice neighborhood, the beautiful Mykonos town, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delos which is said to be the birthplace of gods Apollo and Artemis, as well as some beaches such as Psarou, Elias, and Platys Gialos Beach.

Some of the best honeymoon hotels to stay in Mykonos are Bluetopia Suites which offers rooms with sea views for $250, and Mykonos Bay, a 4-star resort where a night starts at $150.

Crete Honeymoons

Nearly 160 miles long, 37 miles wide and a population of approximately 650,000 inhabitants, Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands. Crete has a very diverse landscape with beautiful seas and beaches, rugged mountains, busy cities, peaceful towns, and ancient ruins.

Some of the top destinations in Crete are Samaria National Park with its stunning gorge, Elafonisi Nature Reserve -famous for its beautiful beach and pink sand-, Balos Lagoon, Spinalonga Island and its fascinating history, and the city of Chania with its Venetian Harbour, and Agora Marketplace.

If you’re into history, some of the best places to see ruins are the Palace of Knossos, the ruins of Phaistos, Gournia, Gortyn, the Palace of Malia, and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.

Some of the best honeymoon accommodation options in Crete are Aisha Petit Suites, a 4-star hotel which offers rooms for $125 in Chania, and Sun and Sea Plus Resort, a 4-star resort in the town of Plaka where a night starts at $120.

Rhodes Honeymoons

Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands and it’s located nearly 375 miles southeast of Athens and 180 miles northeast of Crete. It’s one of the most famous destinations among the Greek Islands because it combines medieval towns and archaeological sites for the ultimate historical experience alongside stunning beaches.

Some of the top places to visit are Anthony Quinn Bay, Agios Pavlos Beach and Saint Paul’s Bay for beach lovers, Rhodes old town and its Acropolis, the famous Acropolis in Lindos, and the Monastery of Tsambika.

Some of the best honeymoon hotels in Rhodes are the Sheraton Rhodes which has rooms for $180 per night, and the Allegory Boutique Hotel, a 4-star hotel that starts at $190 per night.

Apart from these four, there are many other islands that are beautiful and are also well worth visiting. Some of the ones you should try to visit are Milos, Paros, Naxos, Corfu or Syros, but the list is endless.

To sum up, beautiful beaches, medieval towns, ancient ruins full of history, and stunning landscapes make the Greek Islands a once in a lifetime destination for honeymooners. Just choose a couple you like and prepare to enjoy some of the best holidays of your life!