The ultimate guide to island hopping in Greece. Swan around the idyllic greek islands and live out your Mamma Mia dream on a humble student budget. In this article, I’ll share my most valuable tips with you; including my favourite places to eat, sleep and explore, all whilst saving your pennies!
Useful links:
For ferry bookings
Where to stay:
I used both 'Hostelworld' and 'Booking.com' when deciding where to stay. Hostelword contains the best hostels, (there is usually at least one on each island). The hostels are buzzing with students from all over the world - so you can meet a plethora of new people easily if travelling by yourself.
Location | Accommodation | Prices |
Crete | Sun Ray Apartments | €148.80 pp Room for 2 people 7 nights |
Ios | Francesco's | €130 pp Room for 2 people 5 nights |
Mykonos | Markos Beach | €129pp Room for 2 people 4 nights |
Paros | Dilion Hotel | €82pp Room for 3 people 4 nights |
Paros | Paros Backpackers | €22pp Mixed-dorm 1 night |
Naxos | Barbouni Hotel and Studios | €128.25 pp Room for 2 adults 5 nights |
Crete
My first stop, and the largest of the Greek islands was Crete. There are two airports in Crete: Heraklion and Chania. Due to Covid19, flights flew more regularly into Heraklion. However, I chose to stay in a Hotel in Chania, meaning a four-hour bus journey from one city to another.
I therefore would advise you to choose your airport carefully as it can take a long time to get from one side to another.
Accommodation:
I stayed at ‘Sun Ray Apartments’ in Agia Marina. The rooms were basic but provided the basic necessities such as a fridge and hob. The staff were lovely, and every guest has free reign to use the sun loungers and pool.
The location was great. The hotel being a 2-minute walk from the nearest supermarket and a 5-minute walk to the closest beach. Chania is a 15-minute drive away. There are regular buses which go to and from Chania from outside the hotel, and the Taxi services are great, running all through the night (just make sure to book!).
Cristos:
Recommended taxi company: 6944 611 042
Facebook: cristos.psaromiligko
Food:
My favourite restaurant lies on the beachfront and is called ‘Mitsos’. The setting is almost Hawaiian– with rustic wood and hanging lights. The food was well-priced and delicious. (They also offer free sunbeds throughout the day if you purchase a drink).
I must also mention the iconic greek 'Freddo Cappuccino' For those who love coffee, this is life-changing; Whipped milk with an expresso shot. Unbelievably frothy, and traditionally served with sugar (although not compulsory).
Beaches:
Towards the west of the island are what I found to be the two most beautiful beaches ‘Elafonisi’ and ‘Balos’.
· Elafonisi is famous for its pink sand and crystal-clear water and is easily accessible by bus or car.
· Balos is further north and can either be reached by a bus and ferry (from Kissamos port) or by car. However, when arriving by car there is a steep downwards walk to the beach.
Ios
As Ios is a small island, there is only one port. This makes travel to and from the island incredibly seamless.
Accommodation:
Arguably the most welcoming place I have ever stayed is 'Francesco's'. A small, family run hostel in the centre of Ios 'Chora' ('main town) overlooking the port. The setting is idyllic and traditionally 'Greek' overflowing with whitewashed walls and rustic blue shutters. Maria and her husband Francesco take so much pride in looking after every guest and maintaining such a lively and safe environment.
The most obvious place to stay when one researches Ios is 'Far out Beach'. A campsite come full-time beach party located on its own 'Mylopotas beach'. However, I would fully recommend staying in the main town for the following reasons.
· Firstly, buses stop at 12, which is when the party only starts kicking off. As all the clubs and bars are located in the main town, staying at Far Out means you either have to walk home, or book a taxi (walking takes around 40-minutes from the town). Therefore staying at Francesco's makes the evening seamless, being a mere stone's throw from the furthest club.
The Chora buzzes at night. It's chockfull of bars and clubs, each completely different to its neighbour. The small square above Francesco's houses a plethora of small bars facing each other, each competing for the loudest music and the cheapest drinks!
Food:
I am a massive 'foodie' so obviously the cuisine was a huge part of my greek experience. One of the most enchanting aspects about Francesco's was 'Moonlight Café' - the picturesque snack-bar next-door, overlooking an immense view and personally providing the best breakfast on the island! From traditional Greek granola and Homemade honey to bacon French toast and maple-syrup! (Not to mention their vast selection of Smoothies, detoxifying juices and coffees).
My favourite restaurant, situated in the Chora was called 'Katogi'. It is slightly more expensive but serves unbelievable tapas-style greek food in a beautiful plant-filled and colourful setting.
By the bus stop (on the road to the port) lies two unmissable stops for a late-night snack.
· 'Nutelleria' - Has an unbelievably wide selection of mouth-watering sweet and savoury creps.
· 'Souvlucky' – Situated just a few doors down from the crêpe shop is a fantastic (and cheap!) souvlaki shop. Costing around €2.80 for a pitta gyros with either; chicken, pork or (my personal favourite) falafel and humous. Loaded with Tzatziki, peppers and chips – an absolute delicacy and possibly the cheapest meal your euros can buy!
Beaches:
I visited three beaches during my time in Ios: Mylopotas, Kalamos and Magganari. All completely different but equally beautiful, all be reached by bus, car, motorbike or quad-bike.
· Mylopotas is the closest beach. It hosts a range of water sports and plenty of restaurants. Buses leave regularly from the Chora (every 15 minutes).
· Kalamos is arguably the most secluded beach on the island and is located on the far south. It is incredibly quiet and only hosts a handful of tourists at a time. There are no shops or restaurants nearby, so bring a picnic! I went by quadbike, and the journey required some hard-core off-roading towards the tail-end of the trip.
· Magganari is Ios’s most famous beach. The beach is beautiful and made up of two separate areas, separated by a small split. There is a restaurant, however as it’s the only one within radius it is marginally overpriced. You can book a return bus ticket at the information shop (next to the bus stop), and the journey takes about an hour each way.
Beach clubs:
'Pathos' and 'Far Out Beach Club' are objectively the best places to go for unmissable beach parties on the island.
· Far Out Beach Club - parties take place in the main area, equipped with a pool, stage, bar, shop and even a tattoo parlour. No matter the time, you are guaranteed to find people either dancing on tables or vibing by the pool.
· Pathos – Alternatively, Pathos is a definite bucket-list club to visit if in Ios. It sits in the most unbelievable location with stretching views over the sea. There is an entrance fee of €10, however, it is quickly refunded in the form of entertainment, with fireworks and flame throwers parading by the pool. It is tangibly more elaborate than Far Out (serving sushi and champagne sparklers) yet, there are still affordable drinks and there is a brilliant atmosphere.
Clubs:
· There are plenty of clubs on the island, the biggest being the infamous ‘Scorpion’. Swarming with youths and open till the early hours of the morning, you can be assured a brilliant night whilst being an easy 15-minute walk from the main town.
· ‘Sweet Irish Dream’ (my personal favourite) is equally great. It presents endless opportunities to dance on the bar and obtain free drinks, plus its a mere 5-minute walk from Francesco’s.
· Disco 69 is also a great venue and is situated right in the centre of the Chora (2- minutes from Francesco’s).
Bars:
· Astra
· Flame
· Slammer Bar
Mykonos
Known as the Ibiza of Greece, Mykonos has a reputation as being extortionately overpriced. Regularly visited by celebrities, is it even possible to visit Mykonos on a modest budget? Yes. It may require some tips and planning, but it is in fact possible, and I'll tell you how!
Accommodation:
Firstly, where to stay. I managed to find a hidden gem, located just a 15 minute walk from the main town, and situated right on the beach. ‘Markos Beach’ is ideal. I rented a private room with a shared kitchen and bathroom. All cooking supplies were provided along with deckchairs and a quaint table and chair set up on a beautiful balcony overlooking the sea.
Food:
Mykonos rinses you via its overpriced food. My tip: Shop at supermarkets and pre-drink as much as you can. Obviously treating yourself to a few meals out is important, however, this way you save on food that (personally) I found no more delicious than any of the other Greek islands (only it costs twice as much!)
'Joanna's Nikos Place Taverna' is a lovely restaurant located at the end of Markos Beach. It is not overly expensive, so I would definitely recommend it as it sits right on the sand, and has a beautiful sunset view!
Additionally, the drinks in Mykonos are unbelievably expensive. I maintain that it is almost impossible to find a cocktail for less than €15, or a shot less that €5. Luckily, there are great liquor stores on the island where you can buy alcohol relatively cheap.
Beach clubs:
As everyone knows, Mykonos is sprawling with incredible beach clubs. Although they are expensive (€16 per cocktail and €30+ per sun-bed), they are well known for a reason, and contribute to Mykonos’s luxurious reputation. If you fancy treating yourself, my recommendation would be a trip to either 'Tropicana' or 'Scorpios' (Tropicana being marginally more affordable, as it has a cheaper side towards the far end of the beach, plus a larger selection of more modestly priced food and drinks)
Nightlife
As far as nightlife goes, as I went to Mykonos during Covid times, I didn’t have the ability to visit any of Mykonos’s exclusive nightclubs (or the funds - as they charge an exceptionally high entry fee). If you want a more affordable night out in Mykonos, I advise heading over to ‘Scandinavian bar’ – a designated street with a bar on either end, which turns into a fully-fledged ‘outside club’ at night.
Paros
Just a short ferry hop from Ios, Paros Island exceeded my expectations massively. Whilst not as popular as some of the other islands, it is undoubtably worth the visit, as it is full of students, whilst being next door to two other beautiful islands, Antiparos and Naxos.
Accommodation:
I stayed in two different places whilst on Paros, both in the town of Parikia.
· Paros Backpackers – A sociable hostel just a short walk from the Capital – Parikia. There is an age limit, meaning no-one exceeding the age of 25 is permitted to stay. Therefore, the hostel is buzzing with young students and travellers. It is very inclusive, and everyone is offered to join the WhatsApp group chat upon arrival. This gives you the opportunity to meet new people and easily organize excursions (such as a trip to Antiparos or a boat day around the island). There is the option to stay in both single-sex or mixed dorms, depending on your preference. There is also a communal area with a pool where everyone hangs out, especially in the evenings.
· Dillion Hotel – Personally, I don’t tend to enjoy staying in dorms, so I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Dillion. The Hotel and staff were so lovely and the room was stylish (and even equipped with a balcony). The hotel worked out to be cheaper than the hostel, so I recommend it if you’re after a more private stay.
Food:
Parikia is full of lovely seafront restaurants (if you are looking to treat yourself one night!) Alternatively, there are some cheaper restaurants in the old town, one of my favourites being the souvlaki shop in the square (offering any pitta gyros for between €2-3!). Naoussa is the other big town on the island. It Is incredibly picturesque and includes some lovely boutique shops and a wide range of restaurants (Although it is known as the more expensive area on the island!)
Beaches:
· Paralia Parikia – the closest beach to both the hostel and hotel (5-minute walk). It gets pretty packed, but is great if you want a quick swim or can’t be bothered to travel too far.
· Golden beach – easily accessible by buses from the main port of Parikia. It’s the most well-known beach in Paros and has a lively beach bar.
· Krios beach – can be reached via either a small boat (from near the port) or via walking (approximately 30 minutes from both Dillion and Paros Backpackers)
Bars
I was spoilt for choice with all the bars on the island. Outstandingly ‘Pirate’ Bar, which fashioned the best cocktail I have ever had! (drinks start at around €10) The bar is situated in a lovely part of Parikia old town, and has a jazz-type aura to it (plus a fantastic playlist!)
Nightlife
Unexpectedly, the island which hosted the best nightlife (in my opinion) was one specific place in Paros. ‘The Dubliner’ is located about a 10-minute walk from Parikia, and about 25 minutes from both Paros Backpackers and Dillion.
· The Dubliner – There is an entry fee of €5, however, it presents as a token for a free drink (so it doesn’t really count!). The Dubliner has 2 different bars, playing alternative types of music, with a huge sociable seating area separating the two. Everyone seems to be unbelievably off their face inside, but the atmosphere is amazing. It doesn’t kick off properly until around 2am, so I would recommend going for drinks first to avoid standing around awkwardly in a vacant bar.
Naxos
Close neighbour to Paros, and renowned for its blissful beaches, Naxos was a wonderful way to end my experience. Full of boutique clothes and jewellery shops, it was tempting to splash cash in the sea full of shops.
Accommodation:
We rented a cheap room in a place called ‘Barbouni Hotel and studios'. The owner was lovely but didn’t speak a word of English (which was interesting!). It is right in the centre, and provides the necessities; a microwave, fridge, (and a sweet balcony). Although the room was relatively basic, it was great value for money.
Food:
Naxos was the source of the best Baklava I had whilst travelling. If you are as clueless about it as I formerly was; it’s a pastry filled with chopped nuts, pistachio and drizzled in honey – a delicious Greek delicacy.
Bars:
None of the clubs were open whilst we were in Naxos, however we visited some amazing bars, recommended to us by a Greek Local. Although Naxos doesn’t have a huge clubbing scene, one of its amazing allures is the multitude of unique rooftop bars.
Here are my recommendations:
· Toro
· Swing
· Like home
· Prime
· Ocean – turns into a club later
Beaches:
In my experience, Naxos possessed the most beautiful beaches out of all the islands I visited. In particularly ‘Alyko’, nicknamed 'Hawaii Beach'. Situated on a nature reserve, it is such an unspoilt and beautiful setting. There are two beaches next-door to each other, with a lonesome food cart separating the two. Other than that, there are no restaurants or bars in sight!
I hope you enjoy these few top tips on how to get the best for you buck in the Greek Islands!
Pernilla X
Comments