- HOME
- Top Ten Biggest Greek Islands
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.
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.
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.
Our Pick of the Guides to Greece
More general Greek pages
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sailing in the Greek Islands
Greece Travel Secrets lists four of the best destinations if you want to go sailing in the Greek islands.
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 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.
Which Greek Island?
How to choose which Greek island from six of the most popular, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Latest Posts
-
Adverse Weather in Greece: Heavy Rain, Snowfall, and Winds Cause Disruptions
Greece continued to face severe weather conditions on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, as heavy rainfall, storms, and snowfall affected many areas. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) reporte… -
Patras – Pyrgos Motorway in Western Peloponnese to Open by December 2025
The 75-kilometer-long Patras–Pyrgos Motorway in the western Peloponnese is expected to be completed and open to traffic by December 2025, significantly upgrading the region’s road transport system and… -
Tap2Ride: Athens Public Transport Rolls Out Digital Ticketing System
Athens public transport is ushering in a new digital era this week with the introduction of its innovative “tap2ride” ticketing system. -
The Greek Holiday Calendar 2025
Will there be a holiday or national celebration taking place during your trip to Greece? Find out here. -
Thessaloniki Metro: Station-by-Station Through History and Modernity
Now that Thessaloniki has, at last, a subway system, we propose a unique history tour that follows the route of that new metro line. -
10 Authentic Souvlaki Shops in Piraeus
Souvlaki originated in Piraeus and its heart continues to beat there even today. But which are the authentic souvlaki shops waiting to be discovered? -
Magic in the Mist: 48 Hours in Florina
Misty landscapes, snow-covered slopes, art, traditional cafés, and mouthwatering food beckon us to explore this charming border town. -
How Wine Bars Are Redefining Nightlife in Athens
Wine bars are now a cornerstone of Athenian nightlife, as an international trend goes local with a modern aesthetic and a distinctly Greek personality. -
10 Historic Tavernas in Athens and Piraeus
These places win us over with their authenticity, unpretentious atmosphere, and dishes that, though simple, are crafted with precision and care. -
Next Stop: Ancient Thessaloniki
The “open museums” unveiled by the operation of the metro – Guided tours begin in January.
Why not sign up for our Greece Travel Secrets newsletter? Each week you'll get emailed our regular Greece Travel Secrets Magazine for news, information, and inspiration for planning your travels in Greece.
As a welcome gift you'll also get a free e-book, Heaven on Earth. This contains 19 of Mike's favourite stories that he's written about travelling in Greece for newspapers and magazines over the years.
You'll find it over at Substack. Check out one of the Archive issues to find the Subscribe button.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, but at no cost to you.
BUY A JOURNAL TO RECORD YOUR OWN GREECE TRAVEL SECRETS!
LEARN A LITTLE GREEK BEFORE YOU GO!
FOLLOW OUR GREECE VIDEOS
ON YOUTUBE
No words or images to be used without prior permission.
We do not sell personal information: see our Privacy Policy.
California Consumer Privacy Act - CCPA: Sale Of Personal Information
Greece Travel Secrets does not sell any information it gathers for any reason. It has not collected or sold any personal information in the last twelve months or ever in the past.
This website was built using Site Build It!
