Joy2

First Greek island two week visit in September. I’m spending 4 nights in Santorini and need help with island hopping looking for beautiful beaches? Thank you

HappyTrvlr

For good beaches, head to Crete.
Santorini is not known for good beaches.Which other islands are you visiting?

Joy2

Not sure maybe Crete and Mykonos. Definitely Santorini. I’m leaning towards visiting 3 islands. It’s hard to pick they all look beautiful.

HappyTrvlr

My advice is to include Paros and Naxos, skip Santorini, and add Crete.
We were so happy to escape Santorini after four days there. It is so over touristed, crowded. It lacked the lovely feeling of Greek hospitality found elsewhere in Greece.

Joy2

Thank you I’ll look into both Naxos and Paros

KayF

Santorini is touristy and busy but there's a reason why. It's stunning. Looking at the island from the sea, looking across from Fira to Oia, and of course the caldera views. Go and enjoy the views, watch the sunset if it's a clear night. Enjoy other islands for the quiet and peaceful pace.

Heimdall

If you start at Santorini, Mykonos and Crete are in opposite directions from there, so you would backtrack with a Santorini-Mykonos-Crete itinerary. I would skip Mykonos, but if you really want to go there then go to Mykonos first, then Santorini, and end up with Crete.

If you go from Santorini to Crete, there are few other island connections without going back through Athens. That actually brings up an opportunity to see some wonderful sights on the mainland after Crete, though. Think about flying back to Athens from Heraklion or Chania, renting a car at the airport and driving to the coastal city of Nafplio in the Peloponnese. That’s about a two hour drive from the airport, and around Nafplio are several UNESCO ancient sights, and Nafplio itself is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Greece.

http://www.visitnafplio.com/

KarenWoo

I agree with KayF about Santorini. It is beautiful and the views of the caldera are stunning. I highly recommend renting a car for a day to explore the island. Visit the Akrotiri Archaeological site, the red sand beach, and black sand beach. The other island we visited is Naxos, an easy 2-hour ferry ride from Santorini. Rent a car for a day to explore the mountain villages and seaside villages.

I agree with Hemidall about including Nafplio if you have the time. Beautiful city overflowing with bougainvillea and located on the water. We saw our best sunset here.

TravellerSince1970

Everyone will send you to the Santorini's of this world, and Mykonos, et al, but I think you may want to consider Kefalonia (Cephalonia). It has great beaches (the 2nd most photographed in the world - Myrtos), it is not touristy, has Horseback riding (near Sami), has great food, has caves & grottos to discover, has resorts with Olympic-size swimming pools (i.e. - Terra Mare in Lixouri), you could volunteer time at a sea turtle sanctuary, they have an airport & car/bike rental, etc. Good luck!