The Best Greek Islands for a Springtime Holiday

Naxos is a well-known destination for summer holidays in Greece. With pristine beaches, pretty little villages and a plethora of fun activities for the whole family, it is no wonder why the island is so popular among tourists. But the island is also perfect for a springtime holiday, as it is that time that the island shows its pretty face. The inland is blooming with flowers, the days are warm and sunny, and you get to enjoy the hospitality of locals before the masses arrive.

Spring in Skiathos is a magical time. The air is fresh and full of scents, the meadows are in full bloom and the sun graces locals and visitors with warm temperatures. During spring, the island comes to life after the colder months of winter and wild flowers border the roads and houses. Skiathos town, with its little cafés slowly reopening for the summer season, bursts with activity and the tavernas and restaurants start getting ready for the arrival of the tourists with their terraces filled with freshly painted chairs.

Spring is best appreciated in nature, when everything starts to live again. A perfect time to visit lush and mountainous Andros, as the little island turns into a meadow in the jet-blue Aegean Sea. Take a break from your busy life and embrace the wild. Take a walking tour through the lush landscape, dotted with quiet villages, refreshing streams and blooming flowers. Relax at the terrace of a small kafenio in a village, a book in hand. If you’re lucky, you may even get to enjoy some beach days at one of the many picturesque beaches of the island.

Spetses, a short ferry ride from Athens, is beautiful in all seasons, but we must confess we have a weakness for Spetses in the spring. The island is covered with wild flowers, and various celebrations, such as Independence Day on March 25 – the first day of Lent and Easter – gets the island and locals alive. Enjoy long walks in the pine-tree forests or relax with afternoon drinks by the beach. Why not take a day to explore the neighboring islands or spend a day in Ermioni and roam around Peloponnese.

Also known as Mytilini, the beautiful island of Lesbos is a nature lovers’ paradise. Boasting a wealth of olive trees (the island enjoys a long-lasting tradition of olive oil making), the island is covered in meadows, filled with aromatic herbs and wild flowers. So it comes as no surprise to know the Ottomans used to call it the ‘Garden of the Aegean’. A trip to Lesbos is also a great excuse to visit the island’s many spa facilities.

An unspoiled paradise far from the maddening crowds of tourists, Lipsi, also spelled Leipsoi, a tiny island in the Dodecanese, is a place of relaxation and tranquility. Located between Patmos and Leros, Lipsi boasts lush vegetation, rugged hills and secluded beaches. Don’t go there if you are looking for a party island, but if all you want is relax and enjoy the beauty of nature, then you are in luck. Take the time to slow down, and wander around the narrow street of the main town, trek around the island, test the local cuisine and most of all, take it all in. You will come back refreshed and relaxed.

With a rich history and a unique character, Syros, though not much known to foreigners, is a favorite destination for locals. Its main town, Ermoupoli, also the capital of the Cyclades, features stunning neoclassical mansions, a dynamic harbor and an impressive replica of the Scala opera house, called the Apollon Theater. The inland, for its part, is covered with lush vegetation and the island features 16 hiking routes that take you through small villages, elegant churches and refreshing mountain springs.

Kythnos, also called Thermia due to the presence of many hot springs, is located near Kea/Tzia and Serifos. With a plethora of little villages and pristine beaches, Kythnos is a quiet island where you can spend a truly relaxing holiday. The inland includes a network of sinuous trails perfect for hikes through the scenic interior. Who knows, you might love it so much, you’ll come back in the summer.

Home to National Marine Park of Northern Sporades, a sanctuary for rare birds, dolphins and even the elusive Mediterrannean monk seals, Alonissos is a paradise for those who cannot get enough of nature. Rocky hills, rugged landscape and valleys covered in pine forests and olive trees is what you get. Add to this perfect combo picture-perfect beaches and quaint little villages and you understand why Alonissos is among Greece’s top secrets.