GREEK ISLANDS PART 2

Salamina is the largest of the Saronic islands. Situated just off the coast of Athens and a stones throw from Piraeus. It’s ship building and industrial economy the reason for it being the most population dense of all the Greek islands.

The Saronic islands have the highest population density in general. So although the islands are small many people live there. Even more during the summer as they are a favourite for  Greek families and tourists from nearby Athens and Peloponesse.

Aegina and Hydra may be the highlights of the Saronic gulf. Small, quaint and packing bags of character.

Spetses is another small island off the Peloponesse peninsula, a favourite for a convenient getaway. The island is car-free, has an elegant main town and vibrant atmosphere.

Here is a list of all the main Greek Saronic islands, ordered by size and population.

• Salamina – 39,283 population – 37.1 square miles
• Aegina – 8,924 – 33.8
• Spetses – 4,027 – 10.5
• Poros – 3,993 – 19.1
• Hydra – 1,966 – 25
• Agistri – 1,142 – 5.2

Inhabited islands

• Dokos – 18 – 5.2

List of all Sporades islands – 4 main islands, 1 minor island

The Sporades have the fewest inhabited islands – only 4 having people living on them year round.

Skiathos is the smallest of the main islands, yet has the highest population. This little beauty is one of the best islands Greece has to offer. Beaches of superb beauty, quality nature and a buzzing cosmopolitan vibe.

The other islands are a calm alternative to Skiathos. Skopelos, the Mamma Mia island, is of course well known from the movie. Yet still calm and easygoing and a must visit if ever in the Sporades.

Main islands

• Skiathos – 6,610 population – 19.3 square miles
• Skopelos – 4,960 – 37.2
• Skyros – 2,994 – 86.1
• Alonnisos – 2,750 – 50

Minor islands

• Peristera – 30 – 2

Crete – 634,930 population – 3,260 square miles

The biggest island in Greece by far and easily the most populous. Crete is the 12th largest island in Europe, so huge it takes about 5 hours to drive from end to end. World class beaches, delicious cuisine, ancient sites and citadels and old towns await!

There are plenty of islets surrounding Crete. Pretty much all are uninhabited and some are regularly visited during day trips from certain ports. Crete is usually referred to on its own and never really as a “group”.

The biggest Greek islands by land area

Crete is the biggest island in Greece by far. So big you could visit a different part every year and not get bored one bit. However, the Northern Aegean islands dominate by land area – but not by holiday packages.

Lemnos is a prime example of a large and well developed island that many people will have simply skipped over when considering holiday options.

1. Crete – 3,260 square miles – Crete
2. Evia – 1,422 square miles – Evia
3. Lesbos – 630 square miles – Northern Aegean
4. Rhodes – 541 square miles – Dodecanese
5. Chios – 325 square miles – Northern Aegean
6. Kefalonia – 298 square miles – Ionian
7. Corfu – 236 square miles – Ionian
8. Lemnos – 184.4 square miles – Northern Aegean
9. Samos – 184.3 square miles – Northern Aegean
10. Naxos – 166 square miles – Cyclades

The most unspoilt Greek islands

Greece’s natural beauty, gorgeous beaches, and vibrant towns and villages extend to these lesser known gems. Some are simply overlooked by foreigners yet popular amongst Greeks.

Venture beyond the beaten path and you won’t be disappointed. This list, many of which are islands gaining in popularity, are not to be missed.

1. Ikaria – 8,423 population – 98.6 square miles – Northern Aegean
2. Amorgos – 1,973 population – 48.8 square miles – Cyclades
3. Meganisi – 1,041 population – 8.6 square miles – Ionian
4. Serifos – 1,420 population – 29 square miles – Cyclades
5. Antiparos – 1,211 population – 17.4 square miles – Cyclades
6. Sifnos – 2,625 population – 28.6 square miles – Cyclades
7. Astypalaia – 1,334 population – 44 square miles – Dodecanese
8. Kythira – 4,041 population – 116 square miles – Ionian
9. Folegandros – 765 population – 12.4 square miles – Cyclades
10. Koufonisia – 399 population – 10 square miles – Cyclades
11. Lipsi – 790 population – 6.7 square miles – Dodecanese
12. Skopelos – 4,960 population – 37.2 square miles – Sporades

The least populated Greek islands

With over 200 inhabited Greek islands, there are many with small populations (some even in single digits!). These are the smallest of the “main” Greek islands with at least a population of 100.

Offering a true slice of seclusion. Not just a consideration for day trips, but also for longer stays to really recharge those batteries.

1. Thymaina – 143 population – 3.9 square miles – Northern Aegean
2. Agios Efstratios – 270 population – 16.7 square miles  – Northern Aegean
3. Psara – 458 population – 17.2 square miles – Northern Aegean
4. Kastellorizo (Megisti) – 492 population – 4.6 square miles – Dodecanese
5. Tilos – 789 population – 25 square miles – Dodecanese
6. Oinousses – 826 population – 6.7 square miles – Northern Aegean
7. Nisyros – 1,008 population – 19.3 square miles – Dodecanese
8. Kasos – 1,084population – 17 square miles – Dodecanese
9. Agistri – 1,142 population – 5.2 square miles – Saronic
10. Antiparos  – 1,211population – 17.4 square miles – Cyclades

The smallest Greek islands by land area

Out of the 6,000 Greek islands, there are countless ones with a tiny land mass. Some are simply large rocks jutting out of the sea. These are the smallest of the “main” Greek islands with at least a population of 100.

1. Thymaina – 3.9 square miles – 143 population – Northern Aegean
2. Kastellorizo (Megisti) – 4.6 square miles – 492 population – Dodecanese
3. Agistri – 5.2 square miles – 1,142 population – Saronic
4. Oinousses – 6.7 square miles – 826 population – Northern Aegean
5. Spetses – 10.5 square miles – 4,027 population – Saronic
6. Paxi – 11.6 square miles – 2,300 population – Ionian
7. Agios Efstratios – 16.7 square miles – 270 population – Northern Aegean
8. Kasos – 17 square miles  – 1,084 population – Dodecanese
9. Psara- 17.2 square miles  – 458 population – Northern Aegean
10. Antiparos – 17.4 square miles  – 1,211 population – Cyclades

The most densely populated Greek islands

Apart from Salamina, owing to its industrial port, the most densely populated islands in Greece come as no surprise.

These ones are typically the most touristy. Not to worry, travelling a little earlier or later in the season is a great way to visit Greece without the crowds and take in the beauty.

1. Salamina – 1,059 population per square mile – Saronic
2. Santorini – 622 population per square mile – Cyclades
3. Syros – 547 population per square mile – Cyclades
4. Corfu – 433 population per square mile – Ionian
5. Spetses – 384 population per square mile – Saronic
6. Skiathos – 342 population per square mile – Sporades
7. Kalymnos – 311 population per square mile – Dodecanese
8. Mykonos – 307 population per square mile – Cyclades
9. Kos – 298 population per square mile – Dodecanese
10. Leros – 277 population per square mile – Dodecanese