Paros is lovely and you have the added benefit of being very close to Antiparos, which is good for a daytrip. You can get there in about 40 minutes by shuttle ferry from the main port of Parikia, or if you go to Pounta on the west side of the island there's another very inexpensive ferry that only takes 15 minutes, and it takes cars and motorbikes as well.

You should also consider Folegandros and Milos if you're looking for quieter islands.
Folegandros is quite rural, while Milos has its popular areas but also has quieter places for hiking and cultural/historical sights.

I love Paros, but it may not be what you're looking for. It's become something of a smaller Mykonos. It is, however, the gateway to Antiparos, a small island with some nice beaches.

Hi!!!
Last summer I was sailing around those Islands and this summer I'll repeat! Is the best place ever! You can swim without danger and there are the best beaches in the mediterranean sea!
Santorini and Mykonos are really nice, but full of tourist and really really expensive! I recommend you this other small islands around the same area: Antiparos, Despotiko, Koufonissi, Sifnos. Paros and Naxos are not as tourist as Santorini, but they are big islands, so is difficult to find the traditional…

Some good advice above. If you have to go in July/August, either book ahead (you could even do that the day before with a smartphone or tablet) or try to arrive as early as possible. I would add that, for rooms on arrival, your best bet is the busier islands like Santorini, Paros or Naxos, simply because these islands have a lot of rooms. Smaller islands like Koufonissia or Amorgos or Antiparos probably will be totally booked. Rooms on arrival indeed tend to be in less attractive spots, but that…

Thank you very much, travelerjan. I think you make a good point about leaving Athens for later. I generally like to stay put after travel rather than going farther, but I think in this case it will make more sense to do it the other way around. For whatever reason, something has shifted in me, and I am now leaning toward staying on Naxos for the full six nights. It just seems easier. I have heard good things about Antiparos, so I was interested in there, too, but when I looked into places to…

Is there much difference between mykonos,los and Santorini?
In short:
- both Santorini and Mykonos are heavily visited (think cruise ships) and expensive (think gold jewelry shops, cocktail bars, ...)
- Santorini is your picture perfect Cycladic island with fantastic sunsets on the caldera side; so just for that worth a (short) visit imo. No real beaches (only black volcanic sand). Cheap lodging options on the east side of the island.
- Mykonos has good nightlife and party beach options (google…

Hi fellow travelers -

I am planning a 15 day holiday in Greece. I have 16 days/15 nights of in country travel, apart from travel to and from California. I was thinking of the following and wanted to get advice on whether this is a good itinerary. We are going to be traveling at end July/early August.

3 nights Santorini

3 nights Naxos - day trip to Koufonisia included

3 nights Paros - day trip to Antiparos included

2 nights Mykonos - day trip to Delos included

4 nights Athens

I would love…

Mykonos, Paros/Naxos - Santorini and Crete are all along the same ferrry line (1 slow ferry and about 3 catamarans daily).
2 daily catamarans between Naxos and Milos, one via Sifnos, the other via Santorini.
Most Islands along the possible itineraries have some good beaches: Andros, Tinos, Sifnos, Serifos, Paros, Antiparos, Naxos, Milos.....
Mykonos and Santorini are the most touristic Islands, more expensive and often crowded.
The food is more or less the same everywhere: seafood, lamb, chicken…

To avoid crowds and touristy areas avoid any island where the charter flight package tours and cruise ships go, such as Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini and Mykonos. Islands with airports are also more popular, hence more crowded, but difficult to avoid. If you fly or ferry to Paros you can take the local shuttle ferry across to Antiparos to find what you seek. Skopelos, Sikinos, Anafi, Folegandros and Kastellorizo are also in this 'laid back' category. Get yourselves a good guide…

Don't worry. I suppose you know that there is absolutely no need to prebook accommodation for June as long as you go to Islands like Naxos, Amorgos or Schinoussa (I love them all 3). Same remark for Bluestar ferries.
Last year, I booked my end of June flight from Switzerland to Antalya and all accommodation from there up to Rafina (via Cirali - Petara - Rhodos - Aigiali - Donoussa - Naxos) only 2 weeks ahead.
I did the same in 2014 for Basel - Mykonos - Schinoussa - Antiparos - Serifos - Kea -…