Picking a Greek island getaway is a daunting task – after all, there are dozens and dozens of options from the country’s 227-strong list of inhabited islands.
Luckily for you, a German couple is working their way through them – and they’ve shared their favourite spots with us.
Marina (30) and Alexander (31) Kaulartz have so far visited 15 islands – and post videos and pictures of them on Instagram at @kykladengriechenland. Here they reveal their favourite four.
There’s the one with a stunning lunar landscape, the one with ‘the most beautiful sunset we’ve seen in the Cyclades’, the one that’s an ‘all-rounder’, and a secret entry with a population of just 810 that’s home to ‘the most beautiful beach in the Aegean’. They also reveal the island to avoid.
Read on to have your wanderlust for Greece ignited…
Naxos
Marina, 30, and Alexander, 31, (above) from Germany, have so far visited 15 islands in Greece – and shared their favourite ones
The couple describe Naxos as an ‘all-rounder’, picking out its temple gate (left) as its most famous sight. The island (right) also has ‘beautiful villages’ and beaches that are ‘a major bonus’
Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades and Alexander’s number one choice.
They told MailOnline Travel: ‘Naxos is the all-rounder among the islands: long sandy beaches, tavernas right on the beach, cute little villages and good food. Naxos is also a great starting point for visiting the ‘Small Cyclades’, such as the island of Koufonisia.
‘Probably the most famous sight on Naxos island is the Portara (temple gate), Naxos city’s landmark. It is located directly at the harbour, in the Chora (main town), and is particularly popular at sunset.
‘We think it’s also worth taking a look after sunset, as the Portara itself and the town behind it are then beautifully lit up.’
The couple also suggests exploring some of the island’s ‘beautiful villages’.
They explain: ‘Our favourite is the mountain village of Chalkio. The small village is not only idyllic but also hides many good tavernas. For example, you should go to Caffé Grecco if you want to try the typical, really tasty orange pie.
Marina and Alexander pick out Alyko beach (above) as a top strip of sand on Naxos
!['If you are looking for a special beach [on Naxos], a day trip to Panormos Beach (also known as Palm Beach - above) is well worthwhile,' the couple say](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/17/16/86224567-13538277-_If_you_are_looking_for_a_special_beach_a_day_trip_to_Panormos_B-a-59_1718639487094.jpg)
‘If you are looking for a special beach [on Naxos], a day trip to Panormos Beach (also known as Palm Beach – left) is well worthwhile,’ the couple say. Pictured right – Plaka beach
‘From there, you can continue on to the Kitron Distillery. Kitron is a Greek liqueur that is produced on Naxos. At the distillery, you can sample the various liqueurs and, if you wish, take a short free tour of the production process.’
They add that the beaches are a major bonus on Naxos.
Marina and Alexander say: ‘When we talk about Naxos, the beaches should of course not be forgotten, as the island has a number of beautiful beaches such as Plaka and Alyko.
‘If you are looking for a special beach, a day trip to Panormos Beach (also known as Palm Beach) is well worthwhile.
‘To round off the day perfectly, a dinner on the beach is definitely a must on Naxos. And we don’t just mean a meal with a sea view, because there are tavernas in Naxos where you can actually sit in the sand right by the sea.’
Milos
‘The island of Milos is famous for Sarakiniko beach (pictured), which is reminiscent of a lunar landscape,’ the couple say
The German duo says: ‘Plaka Castle (pictured left) is located high above the village, from where you have a magnificent view over the island and the Aegean Sea.’ The couple are also particularly fond of the colourful boathouses in the small village of Klima (right)
Milos, a volcanic island in the Aegean just north of Crete, is Marina’s top Greek-island choice – and it’s where the duo got engaged.
The couple say: ‘On Milos, you feel like you’re in another world.
‘The island is simply an absolute eye-catcher and a paradise for explorers.
‘The island of Milos is famous for Sarakiniko beach, which is reminiscent of a lunar landscape.
‘We particularly like to come here with a coffee to go in the morning and enjoy the quiet hours. For the more adventurous travellers, you can also go cliff jumping.
The couple says: ‘On Milos, (pictured) you feel like you’re in another world. The island is simply an absolute eye-catcher and a paradise for explorers’
‘Another thing we absolutely love about Milos: the colourful boathouses. There are particularly beautiful ones in the small village of Klima.
‘If you want to have the place to yourself, it’s best to come to Klima at midday or early afternoon.
‘We are always drawn to Plaka at sunset. Plaka Castle is located high above the village, from where you have a magnificent view over the island and the Aegean Sea. Plaka Castle is our top sunset spot on the island of Milos.’
Kimolos
Prasa Beach (above) on the island of Kimolos is ‘the most beautiful beach on the Aegean’
The two images above are drone shots taken by the couple of Prasa Beach. They add: ‘We have never seen such crystal-clear sea in combination with a fine, white sandy beach anywhere else in the world’
The couple continue: ‘And last but not least, a little insider tip from us: from Milos, you can take a day trip to the small island of Kimolos [population 810], which is home to the most beautiful beach on the Aegean – Prasa Beach.
‘We have never seen such crystal-clear sea in combination with a fine, white sandy beach anywhere else in the world.’
Folegandros
Folegandros and ‘the island’s breathtaking landmark, Panagia Church, with its zig-zag path leading out of the town’ (pictured)
‘If you like travelling by boat, you should take a boat trip to Livadaki Bay (pictured),’ says the couple
The travellers note: ‘Folegandros impressed us at first sight with its colourful and cosy Chora [main town].
‘The island’s breathtaking landmark, Panagia Church, with its zig-zag path leading out of the town, is right next to the chora.
‘The sunset from the church is one of the most beautiful we have seen in the Cyclades. Our tip: a walk in the morning is also worthwhile, as it is much emptier.
‘Folegandros offers a wonderful combination of short hikes for explorers and the pure enjoyment of sunbathing and swimming. We particularly love the hike to Katergo Beach.
‘Folegandros offers a wonderful combination of short hikes for explorers and the pure enjoyment of sunbathing and swimming.’ Above – Agali Beach
Marina at Katergo Beach, Folegandros (left). ‘In addition to its beauty, Folegandros is also a culinary delight,’ say the couple. Pictured right, Marina in Folegandros
‘Even the first view of the bay from the top is magnificent and on arrival, you have truly earned a dip in the crystal-clear sea.
‘If you also like travelling by boat, you should take a boat trip to Livadaki Bay.
‘In addition to its beauty, Folegandros is also a culinary delight. Matsata is a typical island pasta dish, which you can enjoy at the Sinadisi Taverna in Anomeria.’
One to avoid
![The travellers say: 'Unfortunately, we personally don’t like Mykonos [above] because it is very crowded and expensive and for us the former charm of the islands has been lost'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/19/13/86315893-13538277-image-a-23_1718801979927.jpg)
The travellers say: ‘Unfortunately, we personally don’t like Mykonos [above] because it is very crowded and expensive and for us the former charm of the islands has been lost’
Sadly, for those who are considering Mykonos for their next holiday – Marina and Alexander say to avoid it.
The travellers say: ‘Unfortunately, we personally don’t like Mykonos because it is very crowded and expensive and for us the former charm of the islands has been lost.’
They do not have the same opinion of Santorini though – as one town surprised them. They recall: ‘Many people only think of Oìa and probably crowds when they think of Santorini.
‘We were very pleasantly surprised by the small town of Pyrgos. Beautiful, relaxed and not so well known for a long time. The place is a highlight, especially at Easter.’
Alexander and Marina, who are currently in Iraklia, travel to the Greek Islands every June and September and hope one day to live and work in Naxos.
They plan to visit every island in the Cyclades as well as a number of other Greek havens after seeing so many beautiful spots throughout the Aegean.
The couple explain: ‘We are relaxed from the second we arrive and we just love the lifestyle on the Greek islands.
‘We were immediately captivated by the friendliness of the islanders, the Greek serenity and, of course, the sheer beauty of the islands.
‘There are so many islands to discover that we certainly never get bored exploring them!’
You can follow Alexander and Marina, who post about their Greek island holidays on social media, on Instagram under the username @kykladengriechenland (that’s German for Cyclades Greek Islands).
