Greek Islands Cruising: Recommended Routes and Ports of Call

What do you think about a fascinating cruise to the Greek islands? Perhaps for a honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply for a vacation full of relaxation, good food, and fun? A cruise among the Greek islands means visiting places rich in history, beautiful beaches, and picturesque towns. Generally, you travel at night so you’re ready for a dip and a visit to a different island every day. This type of vacation has been very popular for a few years, and many shipping companies offer it. The most common cruises are on large ships, but for those who don't like sharing space with many other people, cruises on gulets, sailing ships, or smaller boats are also possible, perhaps on shorter routes but with the opportunity to see more islands. In these cases, the departure and arrival ports are directly in Greece. Cruise departures are available from various Mediterranean ports, including those in Italy (Venice, Trieste, Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, Civitavecchia, Naples), as well as ports in other countries. Usually, other stops on the mainland are made before reaching the islands; to visit only islands, you need to depart from a Greek port. Economically, a cruise vacation can also be affordable, especially if booked well in advance. Typically, the trip lasts 8-15 days. The best times to visit the Greek islands by sea are spring and autumn, both to avoid the intense heat (mitigated by the almost always present wind) and the crowds during the stops.

The main shipping companies offering these types of cruises are: MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Celestyal Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Variety Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

The most interesting and popular stops are:

Crete

The stop at the port of Heraklion allows a visit to the marvelous archaeological site of Knossos, the Venetian fortress of Koules, and the very interesting archaeological museum.

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Corfu (Ionian)

Must-see attractions include the Venetian fortress, the churches, the many panoramic views, the alleys of the historic center with souvenir shopping, the museums, and of course, the beautiful sea with its beaches.

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Kos (Dodecanese)

A stop in Kos, besides a beautiful swim, offers the chance to see both medieval constructions (a huge fortress) and typical Greek or Turkish ones. The city is very lively and full of flowers. In addition to the monuments, a stroll for souvenir shopping and a drink in the shade of a tree is also a must. By the way... don't miss the famous plane tree of Hippocrates where, according to tradition, the master of medicine held his lessons.

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Mykonos (Cyclades)

During the stop, you can reach its beautiful beaches, admire the famous windmills, visit the beautiful and lively Chora, its churches, monasteries, and museums. There will certainly be opportunities to buy souvenirs!

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Rhodes (Dodecanese)

During the stop, visit the beautiful medieval city, the Turkish quarter, the Castle of the Knights, the Palace of the Grand Masters, the museums, and the ancient city of Lindos.

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Santorini (Cyclades)

Arriving in Santorini by sea is very exciting, but once you disembark, the charm of the volcanic island becomes even more evident. You absolutely must see the ancient city of Akrotiri and the stunning Oia. There are also two interesting museums. An island where you would never stop taking photos: very scenic.

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