one month on two greek islands

Why not spend a month on Crete?

I'd definitely make Crete one of the two islands. It's very large and the mountainous interior makes a nice change from the coastline.

If you want something a bit unusual then I’d recommend Andros. The main town - Chora - is small enough that people will quickly recognise you. It has several good local tavernas and two big beaches. One is completely undeveloped and the other has a few coffee bars and sun beds. It’s a very low key and old fashioned island.

https://andros.gr/en/

It’s an easy trip via the port of Rafina: half an hour by bus from the airport to Rafina, two hours on the ferry to Andros, and an hour by bus across the island to Chora.

If you want to pair it with somewhere there are boats down to the other Cycladic islands.

Alan

When do you want to go?? If you want the best advice, please be specific --- don't make us guess, or waste time with suggestions that are not appropriate for your dates. ALso, if you're thinkinig of July or August in 2023, you are really too late to find a place that isn't already overbooked & overcrowded ... Greece has been "Discovered" -- and every year, from early JUly until at least August 24 or so, is Jampacked with hundreds of thousands of European famlies who get a Month's holiday, and must go when kids are out of school. Also Aug 15 is the MAJOR holiday of Greece next to Easter.... think a combo of July 4, Memorial Day, THanksgiving. Greeks usually take the whole surrounding week & head for the islands.

Also, be aware that temps can be brutally hot at those periods, actually worse in July, in recent years daily above 100* .

I've been to Greece 13 times since 1999, latest in 2019, stays of 18 - 30 days, and in my experience, the BEST times for beach, exploring, enjoying island life without a mob scene is usually Mid May - Mid June, or about Sept 5 - 30. If going at those times, I'd happily recommend some favoites like Sifnos, Naxos, Antiparos and Amorgos, all in the Cyclades.

If you are still dead-set on High Season, in 2023 or 2024 -- I'd advise you to look for islands that are the farthest away and hardest to reach -- How about Astypalea, LIpsos, Limnos, Maybe Kythnos (see map) - https://www.explorecrete.com/crete-maps/images/greece.gif

we would never travel to or in europe in july and august, we are both retired, so we are totally flexible, and want to avoid the tourist crowds, thanx, nick