THE BEST ISLANDS FOR . . .
There are 6000 Greek islands, some known more than others, writes Jane Jurgens.
Art: Hydra
As well as being one of the loveliest of the Greek islands, Hydra has become a hot destination for the art world — Brice Marden and Juergen Teller have houses here, as did the late Leonard Cohen. Keep an eye out for Greek art collector Dakis Joannou’s yacht, which features a custom camouflage paint job by Jeff Koons. Every summer, Joannou invites artists to create site-specific installations in an old slaughterhouse. The school is also used for exhibitions in the summer — this is a great island for a dose of culture, while enjoying everything else the islands are known for.
Hedonists: Mykonos
It has attracted glamorous types since the 1960s and Mykonos is still known for parties and glittery excess. You could find yourself brushing shoulders with supermodels — that is, if you know the right spots. Head to Scorpios, a hip beach club on the sunny southern tip of the island, where you can enjoy great cocktails and dance under the stars. After hours, Astra is one of the most famous places to party — attracting notable names
like Keith Richards and Dolce and Gabbana, it is the place to be seen.
Families: Corfu
“If I could give a child a gift, I’d give him my childhood,” said British naturalist and author Gerald Durrell shortly before his death in 1995. Durrell spent four years living on
Corfu as a child and although the island has changed a lot since the 1930s, it’s still a wonderful location for a family holiday. There’s plenty of family-friendly accommodation and if you head away from busy Kavos, there are still some quiet spots that might make you feel like you’ve gone back in time.
Couples: Santorini
For honeymooners, it doesn’t get much better than Santorini. With breathtaking views over its caldera — a flooded volcanic crater — combined with dramatic cliffs, black-sand beaches and traditional white-washed architecture, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to romantic selfie locations. In fact, there’s not much else to do here besides take in the views — and each other, of course.
Escaping the crowds: Milos
One of Greece’s best kept secrets, Milos is known by locals as the “island of colours”. In an isolated spot in the Aegean Sea, it boasts more than 70 beaches — and they’re bound to be less crowded than the ones on the more well-known islands. Small fishing villages are dotted around the perimeter of the island and the largest town, Plaka, sits on a mountainside offering brilliant sunset views. For a truly unique holiday, visitors can rent one of the many windmills on the island, which have been converted into apartments.