How to visit the Greek Islands on a budget

Scattered throughout the Aegean Sea and the Ionian Sea off mainland Greece, thousands of islands large and small make up the Greek Islands. Of these thousands, around a couple hundred are inhabited. It's these sun-soaked islands, with their sandy beaches, turquoise bays, rocky cliffs, and white and blue houses, that call to adventurous travellers.

 

From their natural beauty to their distinct culture and architecture, the Greek Islands are some of the most visited destinations in Greece. The most popular islands, like Santorini and Mykonos, annually welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors. So you may be wondering, is it too expensive to visit the Greek Islands? Not at all! Here's how you can island hop around the Greek Islands on a budget.

If you're looking to travel around the Greek Islands on a budget, one of the best ways to save money is by visiting some of the lesser-known islands. True, everyone visiting the Greek Islands wants to go to Santorini or Mykonos. And while they are well worth visiting, you can also find beautiful beaches, sparkling blue waters, white-washed houses and delicious Greek food on other Greek Islands. Nevertheless, each island is still unique, with its own food, architecture, culture and history.

The most affordable Greek Islands to visit include Crete, Andros, Tinos, Corfu and Naxos. These cheap Greek Islands don't get nearly as many visitors as others, making everything from transportation to food and accommodations more affordable. And often, they're not even very far from the more popular islands. Andros is part of the Cyclades Islands, which includes Santorini, yet is often overlooked by the majority of tourists.

If you really want to check out the most popular islands like Santorini, you can still do so affordably by visiting outside of peak season, choosing cheaper accommodations and avoiding tourist traps.

You can indeed live out your Mamma Mia fantasy of sailing around the Greek Islands and discovering their unique way of life without breaking the bank. By leaving the planning to the pros, like tour operators who can set up everything for you for the best price, your money will go even further.