Greek island recommendations?

[crofty1984]

Hi all,
I was thinking of going to Greece for a week away with the Mrs, May-June time.

I was wondering what people's recommendations are for somewhere that's not "Resort Central" with heinz beans and the premier League on tap, but not SO far out in the middle of nowhere that you're buggered if you don't speak Greek.

Thanks, Dan

[vixen1700]

Been to Palaiokastritsa in the North West of Corfu a few times.

Lots of nice places to eat that are traditional, lovely turquoise clear sea, about half an hour in s cab from the airport, regular bus into Corfu Town if you fancy it.
Plenty of decent little places to stay.

It can get a bit busy with day trippers going to the monestary, but they can easily be avoided by finding a little cove somewhere.

Boats are cheap to take out and always nice to drop anchor at a desrted cove.

[Dan_1981]

Kefalonia - Agia Efimia specifically.

We stayed here ten years ago and it was lovely.

https://hotelodyssey.gr/

[Simond-izska]

We go to St Stephano on Corfu. Great families that have been in the village for decades. A sensible drive to Corfu town or other beaches.

Boat hire within the village, and plenty of villas to choose from.

[toon10]

Skiathos is nice for a quiet week. You can get a boat trip over to Skopelos which is also good. They used both islands in Mama Mia for locations if you want to get a feel of what the place looks like.

[alfabeat]

Lefkada is beautiful (heart of the Ionian). Get in touch if you want to rent a villa or recommendations :-)

Beaches, mountains, very green, lots of lovely villages to explore. June is a great time to go too.

If you like the water, then you can rent day boats to explore nearby Meganissi Island.

[and31]

Kefalonia-beautiful place,lovely people.

[omniflow]

Paleochora on Crete.

We went there around 30 years ago and really enjoyed it. We went back about 3 years ago and the place was still recognizable and had a similar vibe to when we first went.

[rdjohn]

toon10 said:

Skiathos is nice for a quiet week. You can get a boat trip over to Skopelos which is also good. They used both islands in Mama Mia for locations if you want to get a feel of what the place looks like.

We had a dual centre holiday here before Mama Mia. Skopolos was stunning and probably our most favourite ever. We had a nice hotel and rented a small bike to reach the stunning beaches in the north.

I do know that Mama Mia has put it on the big tourism map now.

[LordGrover]

Lindos, Rhodes c. late 70's.

Still very nice, but there's a lot more of it and many more people.

[Silvanus]

I've been to quite a few Greek Islands over the years at different times of the year.

For May/June I can recommend the northern part of Corfu, lovely and green and not too busy. I had a fantastic trip last April, stayed at Vradi Estate - Luna Inn.

The North West of mainland Greece around Parga/Syvota is really nice and a good base to explore.

Also a shout out to Lefkas and Paxos.

[Puggit]

We went to Paxos last summer - it's a ferry ride from Corfu. Off the beaten track, but English spoken everywhere. Very laid back.

Sunvil were the holiday company, through an agent.

[AF07]

Kefalonia - absolutely stunning. Very laid back, not touristy at all, easy to get around, no traffic etc.

[vixen1700]

The more I think about it, the more I want to get a place in the Greek islands somewhere, when I retire.
The weather, the food, the clear turquoise sea, friendly people, laid back culture.
Getting a little boat and an MG Midget for getting around. A dog and a cat.
Totally away from the modern world. Bliss!

Sorry, this thread has me drifting off into deep thought!

[Silvanus]

AF07 said:

Kefalonia - absolutely stunning. Very laid back, not touristy at all, easy to get around, no traffic etc.

With Kefalonia its depending which town village or resort you stay in, some places are rammed with tourists. I guess same can be said for most of the larger islands.

[Catz]

Stayed in Nissaki in NE Corfu a couple of times, both in villas. Maybe too quiet for some but there’s a few tavernas by the sea, a small beach, boat hire, couple of shops and you used to be able to get water taxis to take you to other tavernas on the coast. Avoid the large all-inclusive hotel further North from the village! Close enough for a drive to Corfu Town or Kassiopi if you want more bustle but we preferred just being in Nissaki.

[vixen1700]

Went to Nissaki a few years back and stayed at the most bizarre hotel, the Corfu Residence.

It was like something from the Twilight Zone.

[bucksmanuk]

Simond-izska said:

We go to St Stephano on Corfu. Great families that have been in the village for decades. A sensible drive to Corfu town or other beaches.

Boat hire within the village, and plenty of villas to choose from.

I think this is the one we went to - it is lovely
https://corfuallyear.com/location/agios-stefanos-n...

[Silvanus]

bucksmanuk said:

Simond-izska said:

We go to St Stephano on Corfu. Great families that have been in the village for decades. A sensible drive to Corfu town or other beaches.

Boat hire within the village, and plenty of villas to choose from.

I think this is the one we went to - it is lovely
https://corfuallyear.com/location/agios-stefanos-n...

I can definitely recommend this place, fantastic unique cabins and cottages, and the rooms in the Inn are lovely, superb breakfast in the mornings too if you fancy starting the day on the terrace.

https://vradiestate.com/

[TheStig44]

Kefalonia. Skala is my favourite town to stay in of the few I've been to.

Whatever you do, make sure to hire a car and explore the island, its a lovely place.