Greece has become the top destination for Israelis over the past five years, with more than one million Israelis visiting every year. That has kept Greece at the top of Ben Gurion Airport’s destination rankings and among the leading source markets for Greek tourism, but most Israeli travelers still return to the same few familiar spots. The article argues that Greece is far broader than Crete, Rhodes or Mykonos, with about 6,000 islands and islets, only around 220 of them inhabited, so there is no such thing as one generic “Greek island” vacation.
For families, the article recommends islands that combine easy beaches, manageable distances, good food and a relaxed pace. Naxos is described as green, practical and less overused than Crete or Rhodes. Paros is presented as a versatile option with style and good food. Skiathos offers pine forests, clear water and many beaches, while Kefalonia suits families that want driving, scenery and space. Sifnos is suggested for slower, food-focused family trips. The article also points to Halkidiki, a peninsula near Thessaloniki, as a convenient substitute for an island trip because it offers beaches and resorts without ferries, with Kassandra better for families and Sithonia better for couples.
For couples, the piece says a romantic Greek holiday does not have to mean Santorini, which it calls beautiful but expensive, crowded and predictable. It recommends Milos as a volcanic, scenic alternative with striking beaches and quiet discovery, Folegandros for intimate and dramatic escapes, Hydra for elegance and car-free strolling, Tinos for a more local and understated atmosphere, Symi for its colorful harbor, and the quieter, more advanced choices of Kimolos and Patmos.
For younger travelers, the article says Mykonos is not the only option. Ios is the clearest party alternative, while Paros offers a more stylish nightlife scene without all-night chaos. Zakynthos is framed as a classic friends’ trip with beaches, bars and parties, Corfu combines Kavos nightlife with a larger, greener island, and Antiparos is recommended for a laid-back, bohemian vibe. The article closes by stressing that Crete, Rhodes, Santorini and Mykonos remain strong choices, just no longer the only ones.
