With almost 200 miles of coastline, the island of Lesbos is Greece’s third-largest island. Its capital, Mytilene, was founded in the 11th-century BC. Since then, the island has seen its fair share of occupation, being under Byzantine, Genoese, and Ottoman rule until it was liberation in 1912.
Rhodes
(1,401 km2 – 541 sq. miles)
Rhodes is one of the most visited Greek islands, attracting over 2 million visitors in 2019, and is part of the Dodecanese Greek Island groups. The island is home to some of Greece’s best history, and it has scenery that will blow you away. It is one of the biggest Greek Islands, with an area of 541 square miles.
If you love beaches, you’ll love Rhodes. One of the island’s most famous beaches is Tsambika Beach, which has some of the most stunning blue sea and sand in Greece. Anthony Quinn Bay is another excellent option, a secluded gem on the island. But if you come to Rhodes, you’ll have to explore the heritage, which means visiting the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. This castle is a medieval structure on the island that dates back to 1309.
Chios
(Capital city: Chios Town (Chora) | Size: 842.3 km2 / 325.2 sq mi| Population: 54,030)
It seems strange that the fifth largest Greek island is one that very few people have heard of, but don’t overlook Chios on your travel planning!
Known as the ‘fragrant’ island due to the mastic production, it has that blend of history and natural beauty that travelers planning trips to the Greek islands come to love.
Chios is a beautiful Greek island that offers cool beaches, high mountains for trekking and deep valleys for exploring. Located in the Aegean Sea, close to the coast of Turkey, it has been inhabited since prehistoric time.
Some of the best things to do in Chios include:
- Explore the beaches in Chios town and beyond, including Mavra Volia, Vroulidia, Agia Fotia Beach, Komi Beach, and Karfas Beach.
- Enjoy a magnificent sunset
- Take a boat tour to see the island’s many bays and beaches
- Eat traditional Greek food in one of the local restaurants or taverns
- Explore the historic town center on foot or by bike
- Hire an ATV and drive to Pyrgi for the decorated buildings
Cephalonia
Cephalonia is the sixth-largest, of all the biggest Greek islands. It’s in the Ionian Islands region, and its capital is Argostoli. It’s worth noting that the total area size of Cephalonia also includes other islands that are officially part of the Cephalonia regional unit.