Trending in 2025: The top Greek island-hopping
routes for international travelers
As the summer high season enters full swing, one trend is clear: American travelers are
embracing the Greek island-hopping lifestyle. In 2025, more and more travelers are skipping the one-stop getaway and opting to expand their holidays in Greece with multi-island journeys that blend popular destinations with lesser-known islands.
According to Ferryhopper booking data, the following island-hopping itineraries are topping the charts among long-haul travelers from the USA, UK, Australia and Canada, each one covering iconic and up-and-coming spots across the Aegean.
1. Mykonos – Paros – Santorini
2. Milos – Paros – Santorini
3. Naxos – Paros – Santorini
4. Mykonos – Naxos – Santorini
5. Ios – Milos – Santorini
6. Heraklion – Milos – Santorini
7. Ios – Milos – Paros
8. Mykonos – Naxos – Paros
9. Milos – Mykonos – Santorini
10. Milos – Naxos – Santorini
Interestingly, while Santorini still dominates many itineraries, booking data shows a slight
downward trend for routes centered around the island. At the same time, there also appears to be a noticeable rise in demand for more offbeat island combinations, such as Ios – Milos – Mykonos, along with a surge in interest for destinations closer to Athens. The Aegina – Hydra
– Poros route, in particular, is picking up serious steam this season.
When it comes to the Cyclades, most travelers opt to start with 2-3 days in Mykonos to kick off their adventure with glitz, nightlife, and epic beach parties. Paros brings balance with traditional villages, quiet coves, and laid-back charm, ideal for a relaxing 2-night stay. Santorini is the true Cycladic showstopper: the dramatic cliffs, boutique stays, and caldera sunsets are best enjoyed over 3 unhurried days.
Milos also stands out for its surreal beaches and rugged, lunar-like coastline, with at least days needed to explore by land and sea. Naxos is the biggest island in the Cyclades and full of local flavor, from mountain villages to farm-to-table tavernas, which deserves a solid 3-day stretch.
For a more low-key experience, Ios is an ideal 2-day escape with cliff walks, peaceful beaches, and just enough nightlife. Heraklion, Crete’s capital, is great for a 2-to-3-day dive into ancient history, markets, and hearty cuisine before heading north for further island-hopping exploration.
Whether you’re in it for the views, the food, the sea, or just the joy of hopping from island to island, these itineraries are proving to be the go-to picks for international travelers in 2025.
Some lean toward the iconic, others take the scenic route through lesser-known spots, but they all offer that unmistakable Greek island summer feeling you only get in the Aegean.
