The 9 most colorful Greek islands
All my favorite colors ♫♫
The Greek islands are known for their white-and-blue houses, but there’s more to them when it comes to color! Can’t wait to lose or find yourself (you can do both) in the colorful alleys of the Greek island villages?
If you’re wondering where you can find the most colorful buildings in Greece, explore our list with the best islands for a colorful escape and book cheap ferry tickets on Ferryhopper.
Here are the 9 most colorful islands in the Greek archipelago:
A splash of pink and the blue sea of the Cyclades
The white-and-blue marvel of Santorini
Santorini is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world! The picturesque houses of Oia, Fira, Imerovigli and so many more beautiful villages are captivating!
Stroll around the paved alleys of the hilltop-built villages of Santorini and take your photo on top of the caldera. The contrast between the blue Aegean Sea and the white cube-shaped buildings works wonders on camera!
Tip: Oia is the most colorful place in Santorini. Blue domes, butter yellow facades, pale pink walls and white chapels make up a marvelous setting!
Cat enjoying the view of the hillside-built Oia village
The vibrant elegance of Syros
In Syros, tradition and cosmopolitanism come together for the ultimate vacation experience. Beautiful and lively year-round, the colorful capital of Syros, Ermoupoli, is a regal town with colored houses and flower-adorned alleys.
Either you’re enjoying the view from the port to Ano Syros or you’re feeling on top of the world at the castle of Ano Syros, your Instagram followers will go crazy! It won’t hurt mentioning us too!
Vibrant architecture in the capital of Syros
The hidden colors of Milos
Milos is a typical Cycladic island with white-and-blue houses and cute alleys full of shops and tavernes. But the true secret of Milos lies in the fishing village of Klima.
We recommend you visit the village and see the colorful syrmata, the traditional boat storage spaces of the village. Their large doors are painted blue, red, yellow, orange, green, and more colors; a vibrant rainbow in the Aegean Sea!
Tip: Some of the boat storage spaces have been refurbished as holiday homes. Now, we’re not necessarily saying we are or we're not Justin Bieber fans, but that’s where he stayed when in Milos!
One-of-a-kind color palette in the village of Klima in Milos
The vivid side of Crete
Crete is the largest island in Greece, a diverse destination with much to see and do throughout the year. Apart from beautiful secluded beaches, breathtaking mountain vistas, exceptional food, friendly people, supercalifragilisticexpia (ok, we got carried away, we love Crete!).
Back to colorful Crete! Rethymno and Chania in Crete are two wonderful cities full of color. The blend of Neoclassical, Venetian and Ottoman architecture creates a wonderful urban landscape. We particularly love the harbor views!
Golden hour at the harbor of Chania in Crete
The picture-perfect villages of Kefalonia
Are you looking for Hollywood-worthy landscapes for your next vacation? Kefalonia is one of the best places to visit! Colorful villages such as Assos and Fiskardo attract film crews and travelers alike.
The intact Venetian influences coupled with the lush vegetation of the Ionian archipelago create a dreamy scenery. You will enjoy walking under bougainvillea trees, passing by colorful house facades, and taking your photo with fishing boats in all colors of the rainbow.
Colorful alley with bougainvilleas in Fiskardo, Kefalonia
The end of the rainbow in Symi
Symi is one of the most colorful islands in Greece. As your ferry approaches the port of Symi, you are taken aback by the vibrant colors of the promenade houses and shops.
Symi is perfect for couples holidays, so take your partner’s hand (or don’t) and head to Symi to enjoy romantic walks, candlelight dinners by the harbor and a starry sky like no other!
Tip: We recommend going on a boat trip around Symi to explore more of the island and take breathtaking, vivid photos of the island’s port villages.
Color with a regal touch at the harbor of Symi
The colorful houses of Kea
Kea is really popular with locals, as it is close to Athens and easily accessible by ferry. The Cycladic island gets really lively during the weekends, as well as on public holidays all year round. Although it’s part of the Cyclades, Kea is not your typical white-and-blue destination!
The most striking feature of Kea is its beautiful capital, Ioulida. The main village is filled with many many different colors! Walking through the paved alleys and small terrace squares, you will enjoy both the marvelous traditional houses, as well as the view to the Aegean Sea.
Expressionist vibes at the village of Ioulida in Kea
The flashy neighborhood of Mykonos
Mykonos needs no introduction when it comes to its party life, cosmopolitan venues and luxury experiences. But did you know that there’s a small neighborhood in Mykonos that shines above the rest? Little Venice in Mykonos is one of the most picturesque places on the island.
Full of narrow alleys leading to the beachfront, quaint cafes and restaurants, as well as nice bars, Little Venice is rather easy on the eye. The wood-sculptured balconies facing the harbor are painted red, green and blue.
Tip: Be camera-ready, you’ll want to take a picture!
The colorful houses of Little Venice in Mykonos
The brush strokes of Amorgos
Amorgos is a beloved island in the Cyclades, known for its amazing blue waters and beautiful villages. Amorgos has been voted as one of the most colorful destinations in Europe!
Although white and blue dominate throughout the island, the masterfully painted house terraces and cute houses are really colorful! The island’s capital, Chora, is where color really pops! You will find azure doors, emerald balconies, flowers in bloom and hippie shops that add to the palette!
Colorful alley with traditional houses in Amorgos
Ready to be color-blasted by the Greek islands? On Ferryhopper, you can find all ferry routes and schedules to the Greek islands to book tickets with confidence. Choose your favorite destination, compare ferry companies and timetables on our Map of ferries, and off you go!
