Avoid the scorching heat: Eight perfect Greek islands to visit year-round

Greek islands are usually the domain of visitors after a diet of Hellenistic S’s (sun, sand and sea) and a strong cocktail or three. But with rising temperatures, the summer months increasingly mean swarms and sweat.

The solution? Head to those islands that have a permanent population and don’t slam shut their shutters when sun-seekers have departed. This gives you some space to dine in cosy tavernas, hike empty trails and enjoy serene, crowd-free sites. The following islands are my top picks for year-round immersion.

Crete

The clear waters of Crete.Credit: iStock

The largest of the Greek islands, with a decent permanent population of about 630,000, Crete has a lot to offer year-round. The capital, Heraklion, boasts one of the best archaeological museums in Greece as well as a fascinating maritime museum.

Further west, Chania, an attractive historic town situated on a crescent-shaped bay, is a gorgeous place to watch port life unfold with a tsikoudia (raki). While Samaria Gorge is closed to off-season hiking, roam instead around the ancient ruins Knossos and Phaistos.

Cretan produce and cuisine is sublime; ask around for the hours of local wineries and cheeseries (don’t miss the local mizithra cheese). An Aegean Island; see incrediblecrete.gr/en/

Lesvos

Molyvos Castle and Lesvos Island.Credit: iStock

The island may be known for Sappho, the ancient poet, who was born here (and gave rise to the term “lesbian”), but there’s a lot more to wax lyrical about. The local university’s students inject life into the cafes and bars, especially in Mytilene, the capital.

Elsewhere, warm up in hot springs and hamams and explore the Lesvos Archaeological Museum, 13th-century Molyvos Castle and an extraordinary petrified forest. The pretty village of Plomari is home to The World of Ouzo, a family-run distillery. An Aegean Island; see visitgreece.gr/islands

Kos

Kos has lush valleys, Greek ruins and attractive harbours.Credit: iStock

One of the larger islands, which is said to have sent ships to the Trojan War, Kos has lush valleys, Greek ruins and attractive harbours. Though resorts close for winter, many cafes and tavernas in Kos Town, the region’s administrative hub that’s fronted by a medieval castle, buzz with locals.

Winter bird-watching is superb – observe the pink flamingos at Psalidi wetlands and Tigaki salt lake and hike up Mount Dikaios or to Palio Pyli, a Byzantine fortress. In the Dodecanese Group; see kos.gr

Rhodes

The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, once a hospital of the Knights of Saint John.Credit: iStock

Sadly, Rhodes suffered recent bushfires, but that’s a good reason to support this lovely island. Old Town, a medieval time capsule of Byzantine, Turkish and Italian architecture, is protected by walls and a moat.

Spend a day being blown away by the Archaeological Museum and Palace of the Grand Master built by the Knights of Rhodes. The contrasting New Town has plentiful local shops and bars and cafes and is the administrative centre.

Beyond this, the acropolis of Lindos is open for business, as is a nearby tavern. Beach strolls anywhere on Rhodes are pleasant here in the cooler climes, too. In the Dodecanese Group; see rhodeswelcome.gr

Leros

The mythological island of Artemis, Goddess of Hunting, Leros has several appealing villages. But the most fascinating is Lakki, whose “Rational” architecture is the legacy of fascist leader Mussolini during the Italian Occupation in WWII.

The ordered wide streets, former officers’ villas and apartment blocks with their curved balconies remain intact. Granted, all the popular beach areas close here after the summer season, but the main settlement, Panteli, still operates. In winter, you’ll be joining the locals over a meze at the traditional kafeneio (small traditional cafes). In the Dodecanese Group; see leros.gr/en/

Poros

The waterfront at Poros.Credit: iStock

Poros hosts about 4000 permanent residents, some of whom work on the Peloponnese, an easy five-minute ferry ride. Narrow alleys and neoclassical buildings fill the main settlement of Poros Town and casual tavernas line the waterfront.

Follow the walking trails to the Monastery of Zoodochou Pigi and through verdant pine forests. Dig into a prawn and pasta linguini at Apagio, a favourite island family-run taverna in Punda, or a fresh-from-the-family-butcher grilled steak at Dimitris Family Taverna in Poros town. In the Saronic Gulf; see visitporos.com

Aegina

The Temple of Aphaea Athena on Aegina Island.Credit: iStock

Favoured by Athenians for its proximity to the capital, Aegina is open year-round. Explore ancient sites – the Temple of Aphaia Athena, the archeological sites of Kolona and ​​Paleochora, plus the Monastery of Agia Aikaterini.

Amble through Eleonas, a valley covered in ancient olive grove, or hike a more strenuous route up Mount Oros, for a 360-degree view of the island. Revel in the nightlife with the locals over live music in tavernas and bars. In the Saronic Gulf; see visitgreece.gr/islands

Corfu

The markets and streets of Corfu Old Town.Credit: iStock

Corfu Town, the island’s elegant capital, oozes ambience. Lines of Venetian-style mansions create the quaint pedestrian alleys, and café-bars fill the arches of the beautiful Liston Arcade.

Resorts aside, you can visit the Achilleion Palace, 12 kilometres south of Corfu Town, a summer palace that was built in the 1890s for Austria’s empress Elisabeth (note: temporarily closed for renovation at the time of writing).

In town, enjoy the Corfu Museum of Asian Art and the old and new fortresses. And driving around the island, largely devoid of traffic, is a joy. In the Ionian Sea, see visit.corfu.gr

The writer travelled at her own expense.