The best Greek islands, whether you're looking for sandy beaches, unspoilt island life or history and culture.



1. Best for beaches: Zakynthos

The Ionian Islands can't be beaten for sandy beaches backed by dramatic coastlines. Myrtos Beach on Kefalonia and Porto Katsiki on Lefkada are among the most photogenic, but Shipwreck Bay on Zakynthos, only accessible by boat, trumps them both - even if it does get a bit crowded. "Visitors to Zakynthos should avoid the boozy corners of the south coast and stick to the beautiful, unspoilt north and mountainous west of the island," says Telegraph Travel's Joanna Symons. "Or base yourself on the pine-forested Vasilikos peninsula in the south-east, most of which has been protected from large-scale development because of the loggerhead turtles that breed on Gerakas beach." Gerakas itself is "a perfect curve of golden sand", she adds. "Those turtles know how to pick a good spot."