Secluded coves, whitewashed villas, rambling bougainvillaea and breath taking sea views: nowhere does island hopping better than Greece. Each Greek island has its own scents, sights and character, and it can be a challenge to know which ones to choose for your next Greek Island cruise holiday. Here are three Greek islands that mustn’t be missed.

Santorini

Lush green landscapes, exquisite villages and out-of-this-world sunsets have long made Santorini a favourite with couples and honeymooners. Part of the Cyclades archipelago in the Aegean, Santorini is famous for its extraordinary geology. This mostly submerged caldera was formed after a volcanic eruption buried the ancient city of Akrotiri in ash around 3,600 years ago.

There’s no better way to see Santorini’s steep cliffs and dramatic coastline than by sea, which makes it an essential stop on any Greek cruise. Once you’ve docked at Fira’s old port, you can walk or take the cable car to the bustling town, which sits 1,100 feet above sea level.

The Three Bells of Fira is the island’s most iconic monument, with a distinctive blue dome and a bell tower overlooking the glittering sweep of the Aegean. Make sure you capture it on camera before heading on to explore Fira’s many bars and restaurants.

Santorini’s volcano may lie dormant, but its active past is apparent in the black and red volcanic sand on the island’s beaches. Visit Perissa, 11km south-east of Fira, to sink your toes into the soot-coloured shore – then wash it away with a swim in the calm, clear water.

On the northernmost point of the island sits the pristine town of Oia, which has an array of boutiques and fine restaurants. Try slow-cooked veal on the terrace overlooking the sea at Elikinon, or visit Lolita’s Gelato for freshly churned ice cream in flavours including pistachio and lemon sorbet.

Thanks to its fertile soil, Santorini is also known for its vineyards, and no visit to the island would be complete without a wine tour and tasting. Try Domaine Sigalas near Oia – one of Greece’s biggest exporters of wines, this winery offers tastings paired with a menu of simple, local dishes.

Petite but perfectly formed, Santorini has many sites within walking distance of each other. You can even walk a clifftop route between Oia and Fira – you’ll need to allow three hours, but it’s worth the hike for the spectacular views. For a speedier and more convenient alternative, take the KTEL bus from Fira to the island’s other main attractions.

Mykonos

Mykonos is known for its glamour, attracting millions of tourists each year to lounge on its golden sands and mingle in its fashionable beach bars and restaurants.

But your very first impression of Mykonos might well be its ancient windmills, once used to grind wheat. Seven of these lovely structures stand on a hill overlooking the harbour at Alefkandra.

Paradise Beach is the island’s most famous stretch of shoreline, and its soft sands and crystalline turquoise waters fill up quickly during the busy summer season. For even more hustle, bustle and people-watching opportunities, there’s Super Paradise Beach just along the coast.

If you’re looking for quieter alternatives to the busy tourist resorts, head to the north coast where more secluded spots include Panormos and Agios Sostis.

Pretty Mykonos Town, also known as Chora, has classic Cycladic charm with its pure white cuboid buildings and paved streets. Here you’ll also find enticing shops, restaurants and cafés as well as the island’s Archaeological Museum, home to a collection of ancient Greek artefacts.

It’s near-impossible to visit Mykonos without being seduced by its nightlife. In Chora, try the botanical-inspired cocktails at The Garden, once owned by violinist Yehudi Menuhin, before heading to Lola to dance the night away. Both Paradise and Super Paradise beaches have their own clubs that attract international DJs.

Mykonos is also a convenient jumping-off point for Delos, where you’ll find one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the mythological birthplace of Apollo and can be reached by ferry with a day return ticket (there’s no accommodation on the island).

At Delos, you’ll find the astonishingly well-preserved remains of a sanctuary to the gods Apollo and Artemis, and the surrounding city. Its museum plays host to a fascinating collection of ancient Greek sculptures too. 

Milos

Until recently, Milos was relatively unknown on the Greek tourist circuit, but it’s quickly gaining popularity for its unforgettable scenery and easy-going way of life. This small, horseshoe-shaped island squeezes over 70 beaches into a coastline that has no shortage of beauty and drama.

You’ll arrive at the Port of Adamas, a lively spot that’s ideal for refuelling with a plate of calamari or a cheese pastry as you look out over one of the Med’s largest natural bays.

To the north of the port is Plaka, the capital of the island, a town of cobbled streets and traditional whitewashed buildings. Plaka’s Old Town is housed within the walls of a Venetian castle, which is well worth visiting for its views over the Gulf of Milos – visit at sunset for a skyscape like no other.

Modern Plaka is home to many tempting restaurants. Try the traditional salads and fresher-than-fresh seafood at Avli-Milos, nestled down a narrow street. You’ll also find a handful of fascinating museums here, including the Archaeological Museum, which contains a replica of the Venus de Milo, which was originally found on the island.

Not far from Plaka is the fishing village of Klima, which is known for its tiny traditional houses, called syrmata, carved into the rocks. With brightly painted doors, these petite (and much-photographed) buildings have come to epitomise traditional Milos – and can even be rented for the night.

Another island with volcanic origins, Milos is characterised by stunning rock formations and sea stacks that resulted from undersea eruptions from millions of years ago.

Sarakiniko is its most distinctive beach, with a mix of sedimentary rock formed from volcanic ash that has created a white, undulating landscape that will make you feel like you’re walking on the moon.

At Papafragas you’ll find one of the island’s most picture-perfect coves. Reached only by a perilous footpath, a slither of sandy beach leads into a secluded pool surrounded by huge volcanic rocks.

Milos has its share of man-made wonders as well as naturally occurring ones. In Tripiti you’ll find an ancient Roman theatre, which is still used as a venue for outdoor concerts and performances. Just 200m to the east are the Catacombs of Milos, underground tombs for early Christians, which make an eerie and atmospheric site for exploring subterranean Milos.

Which island do you choose first?