The 11 Best Greek Islands to Visit in Your Lifetime, According to Travel Experts

White-washed towns spilling down into luminous blue waters: It’s no doubt the Greek islands are a picture-perfect dream. While you might come for the beaches and beauty, you’ll likely stay for its incredible food and friendly welcome. “Greece is really known for its simplicity and hospitality and deliciousness of food and gatherings,” says Sofia Crokos, an event planner who spent summers in Greece with her Greek family growing up. “I felt that as a youngster, but maybe feel it more now. It’s always a beautiful experience every time I go.”

With 227 inhabited islands in the region, there are plenty of Greek islands to visit—so, where should you go first? First, think about the experience you want and whether you are going by yourself, as a couple, with friends, or as a family. Do you want a quiet island with casual, authentic restaurants, or do you want a more lively, developed destination? Here, Sofia—along with Anne Liles and Ragan Stone, travel agents and owners of The Travel Studio—recommend the best Greek islands to visit, all of which are beautiful in their own way. While the ever-popular Santorini made our list, most are off the beaten path and allow you to bask in untouched Greek island beauty. So peruse the list and pick an island or two that are relatively close together, and make plans to unplug and boat (or plane) your way to Greece’s “ridiculously beyond gorgeous waters,” in Sofia’s words, this summer.