We're a family of 3 going to Greece this May (taking our adult son for a college graduation trip). We'll spend the bulk of our time on the Peloponnese but also want to spend a few days on a Greek island relaxing and spending time on a beach. We're debating between Corfu, Skiathos and Mykonos- I know, they're in 3 very different areas! We kind of stumbled on Skiathos while doing research and it looks lovely- a good mix of the white washed buildings you see in Mykonos/Santorini but with the greenery of Corfu. Has anyone been to one or all of these islands? We are looking for sandy beaches to relax, good restaurants, a nice old town to walk around and things to do (i.e. cooking class, wine tour or something like that). We sort of prefer the green landscapes of Corfu and Skiathos but Mykonos/Santorini seems like a "must-do." I'm not listing Santorini here as we kind of ruled it out as it seems very, very touristy and we're not that enthused about the rocky beaches. Any insight is much appreciated!
Posted by
Washington DC
27142 posts
I don't think any particular island is a must-do. If you had more like a week, I'd probably push hard for Crete because of the variety on that large island. With just a few days, many islands would be very enjoyable.
I've been to all three of those you've mentioned, but none of them recently. (Understatement alert: My last trip to Greece was in 1995 or 1996!) I wouldn't want you to put much faith in my comments since my experience is incredibly outdated. I think you'll find a lot less foreign tourism on Skiathos, though I believe it is popular with the Greeks themselves. Mykonos is incredibly touristy; frankly that would be a hard pass for me, but it's touristy because a lot of people really like to go there, so... Corfu is probably in the middle in terms of visitor levels, though I imagine it's a lot more popular now as a result of the Durrell TV show.
According to the climate-summary charts included in their Wikipedia entries, Corfu is likely to be a lot cooler at night than Mykonos. It is potentially rainier, but May isn't a very rainy month, so that wouldn't concern me. Wikipedia doesn't have climate data for Skiathos. Monthly averages only take you so far, so I recommend checking the actual, historical, day-by-day weather data available on the website timeanddate.com. I like to check the most recent five years' worth.
Use the pull-down box at the right, just above the graph, to display data for other time periods.
At a glance it appears temperatures on Skiathos cool down a lot at night, as happens on Corfu. I am doubtful about swimming in Corfu in May, especially, but I am not at all a beach person, so you should do some Googling on that point unless other posters can report on their experiences at that time of year.
Logistical practicality would be a factor for me. You don't want to spend too much time getting to and from an island when you have only a few days. Have you checked on how easy it would be to get from your final stop on the Peloponnese to each island, and how easily you can travel back home?
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1015 posts
Mykonos is ridiculously expensive and busy. I’d avoid it.
Corfu is bigger than Skiathos with more to do as a result so it just depends what type of trip you’re looking for. I haven’t been to Skiathos but I’d expect it is quieter than Corfu.
Posted by
TX, USA
4116 posts
I was in Corfu this year in May but mainly stayed near Paleokastritsa. There is a gorgeous beach there, but it’s a bit remote from much else without a car or taxi. So maybe Corfu Town itself or an area further south.
I arrived mid-May for 5 nights and weather was hit or miss, but generally a little too cool for swimming. I am sure that changes somewhat from year to year, but I suspect not a lot. And yes, it was green and beautiful. But with your timing, you might want to be further south.
Posted by
Washington DC
27142 posts
I should have mentioned the Venetian influence on Corfu. The architecture is very attractive (or was...), but it may not be exactly what you're expecting from a Greek island.