It's pretty easy to assume that all the Greek Islands are the same. From the famous ones to the more underrated destinations, it's as if they're all carbon copies of each other. Once you've seen one, you've seen them all, right? Well, not necessarily! Though it's true that the Greek Islands share many similarities, there's always something special in each and every one of them. And more often than not, it's a town! From Oia in Santorini to Little Venice in Mykonos, look for that one amazing town on each Greek Island to understand what's truly great about the place.
Oia, Santorini
If you know Santorini, you know Oia! One of the most beloved neighborhoods on the island, Oia is the quintessential whitewashed town. The stark white houses topped with bright blue domes are practically iconic, having appeared in famous movies, TV series, and
travel inspo Instagram accounts. But what exactly about Oia makes it stand out compared to the other
towns in Santorini? For one thing, there's the location. Perched on the northwestern tip of the island, this town offers the best vantage point to watch the sunset. The view from here is so spectacular, it will take your breath away!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Chania Town, Crete
Chania Town in Crete is out of this world! Serving as the “Old Town” of the island, there's a lot to look forward to here. Firstly, there's the Venetian harbor. With its colorful Renaissance-style houses, it already offers something new and slightly unexpected. At least, when it comes to traveling to the Greek Islands. Isn't it pretty refreshing not to be welcomed by a whitewashed town for a change? Secondly, there's Elafonisi, one of the
best beaches in Crete. It's known for its pale pink sand that almost looks and feels unreal. You simply have to see it to believe it!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Little Venice, Mykonos
Speaking of Venetian influences, you'll also see it in one of the more
prominent towns in Mykonos, Little Venice. The name itself already gives it away! Made up of a series of 18th-century houses that line the coast of the island, you can clearly see the Italian influence. Were they built by Venetians who settled down in Mykonos? Nope! These lovely homes belonged to the various sea merchants of the island. Inspired by Venice, a central trading city back in the day, they built these homes to have their own slice of the famous Italian metropolis.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Assos, Kefalonia
Out of the many towns in all of the Greek Islands, Assos in
Kefalonia is definitely a must-see! It's actually pretty small, practically just a hamlet of houses by the feet of a hill that extends to a small peninsula. And that's what makes it such an awe-inspiring place! Firstly, there are the pastel colors. Pretty in their pale hues, they're a great contrast to the whitewashed towns that Greece is more known for. Secondly, there's the location. As it's situated on a peninsula, Assos places you closer to the sea than the rest of the island. How cool is that?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Chora, Naxos
Even though it's the biggest among the Cyclades Islands, Naxos isn't exactly the most well-known. Seasoned travelers probably know of it, but the standard tourists will likely only know Santorini, Mykonos, and the like. With that said one visit to Chora will be enough to have anyone wanting to go back here again and again. This whitewashed town is epic, to say the least. Far from the typical provincial communes that you'll find on the other Greek Islands. There are archeological sites, including the Temple of Apollo and the Vential Castle of Naxos, as well as the stunning coast. What's not to love?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Lindos, Rhodes
If you're a history buff, the charming town of Lindos, Rhodes ought to be right up your alley. The entire island is practically one house archeological site, offering up all sorts of ruins and relics that will tickle your nostalgic fancy. The most famous of which is the Acropolis, perched pretty high up on one of the coastal mountains on the island. Though it's not as well-preserved as the more iconic Acropolis in Athens, it's still quite a sight to see! You can tell from its ruins that the place once had such unbelievable grandeur!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
On each and every Greek Island is a charming town that makes the place that much more pleasant. They're some of the best towns to visit in these paradisical destinations. Arguably even more so than their natural wonders!
