South Aegean Islands holidays

Holidays to the South Aegean Islands will take you into the whitewashed gleam of traditional Greek settlements. With their blue-domed churches, deep blue sea and even bluer sky, these islands have been attracting visitors for millennia.

History and geography

The South Aegean refers to the seas lying south-east of mainland Greece, home to some of the world's best known Greek islands. At Rhodes, you'll find the bustling port which was once dominated by the Colossus, and later hosted the Crusaders. You can walk on the still-steaming lava of the volcanic caldera at Santorini, and watch the sunset from its western tip at Oia. At Kos and Mykonos you might join in the lively nightlife. stretch out on the beach or take a boat trip.

Bathing and beaches

The South Aegean Islands are known for their quality bathing and beaches. In Kos, the whole island is ringed with 290 kilometres of white sand and clear waters. Water sports and boating activities abound, with opportunities for diving and snorkelling. The sandy Elia beach in Mykonos stretches eight kilometres, while at Santorini you can bask on sands made black with volcanic outflow.

Food and culture

As always in Greece, there's plenty of ancient history to discover in the South Aegean, from the marble lions on the sacred Isle of Delos to the healing sanctuary of Asklepios on Kos. Since 2008 it's also been the base of Aegean Cuisine, a network of wine and food-producing businesses who showcase the local produce. One of the great modern attractions of these islands is its excellent food and wine, which you can sample at participating local restaurants.