Top Ten
Biggest Greek Islands 

The Top Ten Biggest Greek Islands, the largest in size, are listed by Greece Travel Secrets and include Crete, Evia, Lesbos, and Rhodes.

The Lasithi Plateau on CreteThe Lasithi Plateau on Crete, the Biggest Greek Island

What are the ten biggest Greek islands? If you're planning a visit to Greece then it can help to know how big or small an island is, when figuring out how long to stay. We once spent six weeks on the largest island, Crete, while researching a guidebook and we could have spent six months. On the other hand, sometimes you want to visit a small island and just get away from it all.

How Many Greek Islands Are There?

According to Wikipedia, estimates of the number of Greek islands range from about 1,200 up to 6,000 or more – depending on how big a lump of rock in the sea has to be before you can call it an island.

Of these you can more safely say that about 200 are inhabited. This number also varies as some are only inhabited in the summer. There are also a number of privately-owned islands which may just be home to one family, who may be there for only a few months of the year.

Sunset on EviaEvia, Second Biggest Greek Island

How Big are the Largest Greek Islands?

To provide some sense of scale, Crete is the biggest island at 3,219 square miles (see the table below for size in square kilometres). This would make it only the 49th largest US state, bigger than Delaware but much smaller than Connecticut. The next biggest is Evia, which is slightly smaller than the smallest US state, Rhode Island.

For UK readers, all ten of the biggest islands in Greece would comfortably fit into Wales. The four biggest islands together are slightly larger than Northern Ireland.

The Ten Biggest Greek Islands

This, then, is the list of the ten largest islands in Greece.

ISLAND

SQ MILES

SQ KMS

GROUP

Crete

3219

8336

Evia

1417

3670

Lesbos

630

1633

NE Aegean

Rhodes

541

1401

Dodecanese

Chios

325

842

NE Aegean

Kefalonia

302

781

Ionian

Corfu

229

593

Ionian

Lemnos

184

478

NE Aegean

Samos

184

477

NE Aegean

Naxos

166

430

Cyclades

Our Pick of the Guides to Greece

Rough-Guide-Greece-2022.png

More general Greek pages

  • The Greece Travel Secrets guide to tipping in Greece from two Greece travel experts, including when to tip, what to tip and when not to tip.

    Tipping in Greece

    The Greece Travel Secrets guide to tipping in Greece from two Greece travel experts, including when to tip, what to tip and when not to tip.

  • Greece at a glance is a potted guide to the Greek currency, language, weather, health requirements and other information to help you plan a trip to Greece.

    Greece At A Glance: Currency, Weather and Other Useful Information

    Greece at a glance is a potted guide to the Greek currency, language, weather, health requirements and other information to help you plan a trip to Greece.

  • Greek music is the sound of the bouzouki and tunes like Zorba the Greek and Never on Sunday are heard everywhere, while rembetika is called the blues of Greece.

    Greek Music

    Greek music is the sound of the bouzouki and tunes like Zorba the Greek and Never on Sunday are heard everywhere, while rembetika is called the blues of Greece.

  • The ten biggest cities in Greece start with Athens and Thessaloniki, followed by Patras and several suburbs of Athens which are Greek cities in their own right.

    Ten Biggest Cities in Greece

    The ten biggest cities in Greece start with Athens and Thessaloniki, followed by Patras and several suburbs of Athens which are Greek cities in their own right.

  • Greece Travel Secrets chooses six of the best beaches in Greece including beaches on Corfu, Santorini, Crete, Lefkas, Kefalonia and on the Peloponnese.

    Six of the Best Beaches in Greece

    Greece Travel Secrets chooses six of the best beaches in Greece including beaches on Corfu, Santorini, Crete, Lefkas, Kefalonia and on the Peloponnese.

  • The nomads of Greece are the Vlachs, nomadic shepherds whose capital is Metsovo in the Pindus Mountains, and the Sarakatsani, shepherds in Macedonia and Thrace.

    The Nomads of Greece

    The nomads of Greece are the Vlachs, nomadic shepherds whose capital is Metsovo in the Pindus Mountains, and the Sarakatsani, shepherds in Macedonia and Thrace.

  • The home of the Greek Gods was the top of Mount Olympus, and among the better-known Gods and Goddesses in the Greek pantheon were Zeus, Poseidon and Aphrodite.

    The Greek Gods

    The home of the Greek Gods was the top of Mount Olympus, and among the better-known Gods and Goddesses in the Greek pantheon were Zeus, Poseidon and Aphrodite.

  • Greece Travel Secrets lists four of the best destinations if you want to go sailing in the Greek islands.

    Sailing in the Greek Islands

    Greece Travel Secrets lists four of the best destinations if you want to go sailing in the Greek islands.

  • Greece for beginners is an introduction to Greece and the Greek islands by way of a memoir by travel writer Mike Gerrard about discovering Greek kindness.

    Greece for Beginners

    Greece for beginners is an introduction to Greece and the Greek islands by way of a memoir by travel writer Mike Gerrard about discovering Greek kindness.

  • Greece may be better known for its beautiful islands but it is also a country of dramatic mountain landscapes, and here are the ten highest mountains in Greece.

    Ten Highest Mountains in Greece

    Greece may be better known for its beautiful islands but it is also a country of dramatic mountain landscapes, and here are the ten highest mountains in Greece.

  • How to choose which Greek island from six of the most popular, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.

    Which Greek Island?

    How to choose which Greek island from six of the most popular, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.

  • Practical information on travelling around Greece by plane, by ferry, by bus, by train and by driving, including car rental, parking and other driving advice.

    Travelling Around Greece

    Practical information on travelling around Greece by plane, by ferry, by bus, by train and by driving, including car rental, parking and other driving advice.

  • Luxury Weddings in Greece, including venues such as a boutique hotel with deluxe spa on Santorini, can be booked through Ionian Weddings.

    Luxury Weddings in Greece

    Luxury Weddings in Greece, including venues such as a boutique hotel with deluxe spa on Santorini, can be booked through Ionian Weddings.

  • Greece Travel Secrets Greek Ferry Guide page uses an extract from the Aferry Greece website with advice on island-hopping, buying tickets online and timetables.

    Greek Ferry Guide

    Greece Travel Secrets Greek Ferry Guide page uses an extract from the Aferry Greece website with advice on island-hopping, buying tickets online and timetables.

  • There are many Greek language films available to watch on streaming services or to buy on DVD from places like Amazon and providing insights into Greek culture.

    Greek-Language Films

    There are many Greek language films available to watch on streaming services or to buy on DVD from places like Amazon and providing insights into Greek culture.

  • The ten best places to visit in Greece include Athens, Thessaloniki, the Greek islands of Crete, Mykonos and Santorini, and sites like Epidavros and Delphi.

    Ten Best Places to Visit in Greece

    The ten best places to visit in Greece include Athens, Thessaloniki, the Greek islands of Crete, Mykonos and Santorini, and sites like Epidavros and Delphi.

  • Top Ten Things to Do in Greece include seeing the Acropolis and Parthenon, visiting the National Archaeological Museum and ancient sites like Knossos on Crete.

    Top Ten Things to Do in Greece

    Top Ten Things to Do in Greece include seeing the Acropolis and Parthenon, visiting the National Archaeological Museum and ancient sites like Knossos on Crete.

  • Weddings in Greece and the Greek islands can be luxury or cheap, are easy to arrange from the UK or USA in Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes.

    Weddings in Greece

    Weddings in Greece and the Greek islands can be luxury or cheap, are easy to arrange from the UK or USA in Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes.

  • This beginner's guide to Greek architecture explains how to tell your Ionic from your Doric columns, and what to look for in temples and Byzantine churches.

    Greek Architecture

    This beginner's guide to Greek architecture explains how to tell your Ionic from your Doric columns, and what to look for in temples and Byzantine churches.

  • This quick guide to Greece gives advice on choosing the best Greek destination for your holiday, whether in the Greek islands or the mainland.

    Quick Guide to Greece: How to Choose the Best Destination for You

    This quick guide to Greece gives advice on choosing the best Greek destination for your holiday, whether in the Greek islands or the mainland.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

  1. No Ferries in Greece on April 9 as Seamen Join Nationwide Strike

    The Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) has announced its participation in the 24-hour strike called by the General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE) on Wednesday, April 9. The strike, which will…

    Read More

  2. Andros: Greece’s Top Hiking Island for 2025

    Andros, named Greece’s top hiking island for 2025 by Conde Nast Traveler, boasts diverse landscapes, scenic trails, cultural charm and stunning beaches.

    Read More

  3. Karpathos: One of Europe’s Best-Kept Travel Secrets

    The Greek island of Karpathos, a true hidden gem, has earned a spot on GEO magazine’s list of Europe’s nine best-kept travel secrets.

    Read More

  4. Mavros Gatos: A Genuine Neighborhood Taverna Operating in Pangrati Since 1963

    Among the many city eateries offering modern and classic Greek cuisine, Mavros Gatos in Pangrati stands out as a prime example of what a true traditional taverna should be today.

    Read More

  5. Matt Damon and Christopher Nolan Arrive in Messinia to Start Filming “Odyssey” – First Images Released

    A total of about 180 people arrived on two direct flights from Morocco, including actors as well as the core production team.

    Read More

  6. Ten Best Dishes in Greece

    moussaka-pixabay.jpg
    Greece Travel Secrets lists the ten best dishes to try in Greece, especially if it’s your first visit, and also discover the best places to find them.

    Read More

  7. Athens’ Most Coveted Culinary Hotspots

    Athens sizzles with culinary creativity, blending timeless classics and innovative flavors at unforgettable dining spots.

    Read More

  8. Culture Ministry Announces Free Admission to Greek Museums and Sites

    Greece’s public museums and archaeological sites will offer free entry on Sunday, March 2, and Thursday, March 6, following a decision by the Greek Culture Ministry. According to the ministry, on the…

    Read More

  9. Syros’ Hidden Soul: The Timeless Charm of Apano Meria

    Apano Meria, rich in geology and Cycladic history, captures the timeless charm of the Greek islands.

    Read More

  10. Athens Taxis to Strike for 24 Hours on Wednesday, February 19

    Taxi drivers in Athens will hold a 24-hour strike beginning at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, in protest of changes to street mobility regulations and increasing competition from ride-hailing apps.

    Read More