Help! recommendations for Greek holiday please

Oops, the last post was in response to Macadia's comment

Symi is one of the most beautiful and underdeveloped Greek islands. Yes parts of it are rocky and wild, but that means there are tiny bays you can take a water taxi to and spend the day peacefully. There are a few sandy long beaches with just one hotel or taverna. Symi town is totally unlike any other Greek town with tall turn of the century houses. The monastery is so peaceful. And the people are so friendly. It is however very hilly.

Good point about hilly islands Glorianny. Kos is easier and has good cycling lanes away from main roads

Poros is a short ferry ide from Athens and is my favourite island. My favourite village is Stoupa on the Pelepponese. Flights are to Kalamata then a scenic ride over to Stoupa. Many famous heritage sites are within a day's journey. Good tavernas, beaches and still unspoilt.

Have a wonderful time! So many beautiful places to see.

Greece and the islands are having frighteningly high temperatures. Don't go until it has cooled down. Locals don't go outside from 11am - 5 pm. which is no good for a holiday.

Mazgg

Poros is a short ferry ide from Athens and is my favourite island. My favourite village is Stoupa on the Pelepponese. Flights are to Kalamata then a scenic ride over to Stoupa. Many famous heritage sites are within a day's journey. Good tavernas, beaches and still unspoilt.

Kardemini is the next village on from stoops. Beautiful unspoiled working village with a good mixed group of tourist from Northern Europe who treasure Greece

For mainland Greece, the Messinian Mani is a good choice and lots of places not too far from the city of Kalamata. Many wonderful memories of Kardamyli, Iam64 , which is a very special village. We had a home above there in Prosilio where the views of the Taygetos mountain range and down to a distant Crete were stupendous. A lovely pebbly beach in Kardamyli - think it's maybe sand in Stoupa - and lots of places to stay ( now with air conditioning). Swimming, relaxing on a beach and near the sea, early morning strolls and moonlit meals - fabulous. Nobody hikes in summer temperatures, especially the recent ones. Best to copy the locals, i.e. keep out of the sun, under vines and umbrellas between 11 - 5. No longer do 'mad dogs and Englishmen' avoid just the midday sun because it gets much hotter in the afternoons.

Yes Stoupa has two sandy beaches and is fairly flat . We went in the 90s and it was lovely and quiet . We went for the day 5 years ago and it had changed so much . So busy and touristy . Being flat it attracts older people, mainly brits .
We were staying on the Messini peninsula near a fishing village called Koroni, it was lovely and very popular with Northern Europeans .

I second Alonissos and Hydra. Both small islands reached by ferry. Kefalonia was beautiful too.

Just out of interest, on these Greek islands is there a good side and a less good side to them? I mean like winds or less sunshine?

It's very very hot just now so I would go around September time.

Last week the Acropolis was closed as it was 45° at midday.

Last week the Acropolis was closed as it was 45° at midday.

We were there in June a few years ago and it was 42c.
We were on a guided walk and every time our guide stopped to tell us another story about the history, some people would slope off at the back.
We stuck with it as long as we could but eventually the lure of an ice cream under the shade of a tree was too tempting and we baled out as well 🍦🌳

I liked Skiathos a few years ago but it was hot.

Any hiking in Greece needs to be April, early May or October really

Skiathos. I am here right now for eighth time but very very hot!! And quite busy as the season goes on x

Corfu? Especially the North of the island away from the mode popular tourist areas.

Paros is beautiful. At least it was thirty years ago when it was unspoilt with few tourists.

Jet 2 / Lesvos / Molyvos

Thanks again everyone. We are planning to go in September x

Glorianny

Symi is one of the most beautiful and underdeveloped Greek islands. Yes parts of it are rocky and wild, but that means there are tiny bays you can take a water taxi to and spend the day peacefully. There are a few sandy long beaches with just one hotel or taverna. Symi town is totally unlike any other Greek town with tall turn of the century houses. The monastery is so peaceful. And the people are so friendly. It is however very hilly.

Symi it is absolutely stunning if you want a quiet and peaceful holiday.

Kastellorizo is a pretty, little island but not sure if it's suitable for more than a few days.

Why all the passion for islands when mainland Greece is so lovely and a heck of a lot less expensive? We had a wonderful holiday touring the Peloponnesus and also visiting the spectacular Meteora national park.

There have been suggestions of mainland villages as well as islands minus airports

Have you considered the mainland.The Peloponnese is a not at all touristyA few low key resorts.Very Greeky,love Stoupa.