Posted by 🌊 Islands, Regions & Differences
Greece is surrounded by sea on three sides.
Around 6,000 islands and islets are scattered throughout the Aegean, Ionian, and Libyan Seas.
Approximately 200 of these are inhabited – each with its own unique landscape, cuisine, and atmosphere.
The three seas differ significantly in color, climate, wind, and character – and thus also shape the islands within them.
🌊 1. The Aegean Sea – The Sea of Islands
The Aegean Sea is the most famous sea in Greece and the heart of the Greek islands.
Almost all the famous holiday islands are located here: Santorini, Naxos, Rhodes, Kos, Mykonos – and many smaller, still relatively unknown islands.
📍 Location & Character
The Aegean Sea lies between mainland Greece and Turkey, stretching from the north (Thracian Sea) to the southern tip of Crete.
It’s the “classic Greece” you know from pictures: whitewashed houses, windmills, blue domes, and the deep blue sea.
🏝️ Aegean Island Groups
🔹 Cyclades
In the heart of the Aegean Sea.
Popular islands: Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Milos, Amorgos
Landscape: rugged, sunny, many beaches with light sand
Typical features: white and blue villages, dry stone walls, windmills
Ideal for: island hopping, sailing, summer vacation
👉 Learn more about the Cyclades islands
🔹 Dodecanese
Southeast of the Aegean Sea, towards Turkey.
Islands: Rhodes, Kos, Karpathos, Symi, Kastellorizo
Landscape: warm, rocky, with an oriental influence
Ideal for: sunshine until November, cultural excursions, historic towns
Special feature: numerous Byzantine castles and harbors
👉 Dodecanese – Islands in Southeast Greece
Off the coast of Asia Minor.
Islands: Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Lemnos
Landscape: green, fertile, many olive groves
Typical: quieter destinations with little mass tourism
🔹 Sporades
North of the Aegean Sea, off Thessaly.
Islands: Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnisos, Skyros
Landscape: Forested, numerous bays, clear water
Ideal for: Families, nature lovers, quiet seaside resorts
Crete separates the Aegean Sea from the Libyan Sea.
The north coast belongs to the Aegean Sea, while the south coast faces Africa.
Cities: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos
Landscape: Mountains, valleys, gorges, and endless beaches
🌬️ Wind & Climate
The Meltemi wind often blows in the Aegean Sea during the summer, bringing clear weather but also strong breezes.
Ideal for sailors, less so for beach holidays with young children.
Water temperature in summer: 24–26 °C (75–79 °F).
🌊 2. The Ionian Sea – Green, Calm, and Italian-Influenced
The Ionian Sea lies west of mainland Greece, between Greece and Italy.
Here, the islands are greener, calmer, and more humid than in the Aegean Sea.
🏝️ The Ionian Islands
Corfu – Venetian style, lush greenery, beautiful old town
Paxos & Antipaxos – small islands with turquoise bays
Lefkada – accessible by bridge, perfect beaches
Kefalonia – largest Ionian island, known for Myrtos Beach
Ithaca – home of Odysseus, tranquil and mountainous
Zakynthos – famous for Navagio Beach and sea turtles
👉 Ionian Islands – Green Pearls in Western Greece
🌿 Landscape & Climate
The Ionian Sea is more humid, with lush vegetation.
Cypress trees, olive groves, and vineyards characterize the landscape.
Water temperature in summer: 25–27 °C, usually calmer than the Aegean Sea.
Western Greece is ideal for beach holidays and boat trips without wind stress.
🐢 Wildlife
Many loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and dolphins live in the Ionian Sea.
Turtles can be observed swimming, especially on Zakynthos (Laganas Bay).
🌊 3. The Libyan Sea – Southern Crete and the African Sun
The Libyan Sea lies south of Crete, between Greece and North Africa.
It is the warmest and clearest sea in Greece – reaching up to 28°C in summer.
🏝️ Islands in the Libyan Sea
Crete (South Coast) – Places like Plakias, Matala, Lentas, Ierapetra
Gavdos – the southernmost island in Europe, secluded and unspoiled
Chrysi & Koufonisi (Crete) – small, uninhabited dream islands with Caribbean-like waters
☀️ Landscape & Climate
Southern Crete is dry, rocky, and sheltered from the wind.
The sea is calm, warm, and very clear.
The air smells of thyme and seawater, and Africa is often visible on the horizon.
Ideal for swimming well into November – often 5°C warmer than on the north coast.
🌍 Comparison of Seas & Island Worlds
| Feature | Aegean Sea | Ionian Sea | Libyan Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | deep blue | turquoise green | clear blue |
| island groups | Cyclades, Dodecanese, Sporades | Ionian Islands | South Crete, Gavdos |
| Landscape | barren, sunny, rocky | green, wooded | hot, dry |
| Wind | Meltemi (north wind) | mild | weak |
| Water temperature (summer) | 24–26 °C | 25–27 °C | 27–29 °C |
| Travel type | Island hopping, sailing | Peace, nature, swimming | warmth, seclusion |
⚓ Greece’s islands – shaped by the sea
The sea shapes life on the islands:
Connections: Ferries and boats are the backbone of transportation.
Food: Fish, seafood, and salt products come directly from the surrounding area.
Culture: Many festivals, churches, and customs are dedicated to the sea.
Tourism: Each region attracts a different clientele – from luxury tourists (Mykonos) to independent travelers (Amorgos, Gavdos).
🧭 Conclusion: Three Seas – Three Worlds
Greece is a land of three seas – and each sea tells its own story:
The Aegean Sea with its white islands and endless horizons,
the Ionian Sea with its verdant landscapes,
the Libyan Sea with its sun, warmth, and tranquility.
Those who want to experience the diversity of Greece should visit islands in all three seas.
Then you truly feel how different Greece sounds, smells, and looks – depending on the sea.
🔗 Further reading (internal links)