Do you know Greece has over 2000 islands? Choosing one can be a daunting experience, unless you have already visited and fell in love with your special place.
The most popular wedding destinations in Greece are Paros, Mykonos, Santorini, new entrants like Milos and hidden gems like Koufonisia, Anafi, Donousa in the Cyclades.
Crete is the biggest island in Southern Greece and a destination on its own right.
In the Ionian sea, closer to Italy you can find favorite wedding destinations Paxoi, Zante, Corfu and Ithaca.
Finally in the Sporades island complex you have Skiathos of MAMA MIA fame.
A map of the Cyclades, the famous greeks islands of the Aegean sea, with their white villages and their clear blue waters and sandy beaches
eloping in the greek isles in 2023
The Cyclades are a group of 220 islands in the Aegean Sea. These islands are the peaks of submerged mountain ranges. As the name suggests, Cyclades form a rough circle around the sacred island of Delos.
What's more? These islands are famously known for their archaeological interest: white marble idols, remarkable figurines, windmills, and white-washed houses perfectly complementing the beautiful beaches.
Paros island elopement:
Among the Cyclades, Paros is one of the perfect options for elopement. You'll get an affordable, charming, and charismatic experience at not-so-crowded Cyclades Island.
Being close to the famous Mykonos and Santorini Islands, Paros often gets ignored by visitors. But, this can be a great thing for you. You'll have the whole place just for you and for your closest friends.
The picturesque sights at the back make it an attractive option for your perfect wedding photos. Paros is easily accessible through Sea Jets and daily ferries. It has a small international airport as well, making it a perfect option for island hopping.
Moreover, Paros is warm, calm, and beautifully romantic. It gives you a number of wedding-style options, either you want to get married in a Greek church or at a rented villa; Paros has it all.
Our photographers will capture you perfectly during the windy seaside days or at the beautiful firework nights.
Milos island elopement:
Milos is a splendid, friendly island. With a number of options in hotels, churches, wedding venues, and activities, it might get overwhelming for you to plan your wedding day at Milos.
Pro Tip: We recommend hiring a local wedding planner to enjoy each and every moment of your big day at Milos.
It's a summer destination and is usually overcrowded in summer. So, if you want just the two of you and a calming, intimate experience, prefer an out-of-season wedding.
The numerous caves, mysterious catacombs, and gorgeous landscapes are enough to cast a spell over you. Milos is also famous for its volcanic rocks that paint the beaches red, orange, and pink.
Among the color scattered beaches is Kleftiko, with its turquoise waters and Sarakiniko of sharp white rocks. This island is a heaven of underwater caves and thermal springs. The guesthouses are mostly run by families, giving you an at-home vibe. Don't forget to try those cheese-filled pies while taking a romantic walk along the ancient-old paths.
Ios island elopement:
It's an island that is sandwiched between the famous Mykonos and Santorini islands. With no airport, a short ferry ride is the only way you can get there, which explains why this place is less crowded as compared to its sister islands. That is why we suggest Ios for a perfect elopement.
This place has a certain bohemian vibe with its lazy days and bustling nightlife. Its minimal, cubist bars and nightclubs are perfect for you to celebrate your love and harmony.
The long stretched brown-sugar sandy beaches with charismatic sunset palettes make perfect scenery for your wedding photography. It's an elevated spot with a stunning sunset, and we understand best what an eloping couple wants.
Ios's clutter of churches, shrines, and sky-blue painted doorways adorns the island with a more magical view.
Santorini island elopement :
Santorini is the most famous Cyclades Island. It was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption that happened around 1620 BC and was one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in the world. Black beach and Red beach are their famous volcanic beaches.
Getting a wedding venue or an Instagramable shoot is easy at Santorini. You have the sea, the sunset, and a professional photographer- a perfect recipe for a wedding in Greece.
Moreover, there are a number of reasons that make Santorini a world-famous wedding destination and the best place for you to elope if you want a taste of local hospitality.
Santorini is also famous for its local delicacies, Asyrtiko wine, and breathtaking sunsets with steep Caldera rock. Also, it has a huge number of activity options for relaxed days and for those looking for an adrenaline rush.
Here's what we suggest: You should have a pre-wedding tour on the island and must try its famous dry, crisp Assyrtiko wine and local grapes wine produced from the deserted soil of Santorini.
Sifnos Island elopement:
Sifnos is a not-so-famous Cyclades Island that is hidden from the eye of crowds, making it a perfect option for you to elope. It is for those who prefer a more personal, spiritual, and religious wedding experience.
You can't say no to Sifnos. You'd love to capture a cascade of colors when the sun sets over the famous The Seven Martyrs church.
This church is located on the top of the hill, and you can reach it through the long staircase. It overlooks the blue waters of the Aegean Sea on one side and white-washed village houses on the other.
When it comes to your wedding menu, the mouth-watering local food will catch your attention. You must try the famous chickpea soup and the slow-cooked pork.
When we talk about Sifnos, two things come into our mind, view, and food. So, if you're a foodie romantic, Sifnos is calling you home!
Islands that are close to Athens:
Athens is the capital of Greece, and it is majorly famous for its recorded history. It still has ruins from the 5th century BC, making it one of the oldest cities of the world with the oldest civilization.
The historical landmark Acropolis the temple of Goddess Athena and "The Acropolis Museum"symbolizes the whole country of Greece is also located in Athens along with other ancient temples. In Sounio close to Athens, you can have an once in a lifetime photograph with the Temple of Poseidon as a backdrop.
Athens overlooks an arm of the Mediterranean Sea with a number of famous Greek islands.
Tzia/Kea:
Kea Island (aka Tzia) is a part of Cyclades islands and is a 40-minute ride away from Athens. It's a go-to place for Greek locals and is mostly not so crowded with travelers trying to get a perfect Instagram shoot.
Kea is one of those islands that don't like fame. With its low-key charm and rocky mountains, it is a perfect option for your elopement.
It's a simple, authentic Greek place with its serenity and calmness. You'll find just a handful of wedding venues and churches there, with hotels that are a little pricey for average travelers.
The colorful alleys in Ioulida offer a perfect backdrop for your intimate elopement.
The things that caught our eyeballs:
● Romantic rocky roads
● Yellow & pink lights against the idyllic sunset and white-washed buildings
● Hospitality
● Wild, raw landscape
● Pet-friendly beaches
We personally recommend trying the spaghetti with lobsters at a local tavern in Ioulida.
Elope in artistic Hydra island:
If you don't want to take days off and fly to a far-off island, Hydra is your convenient option. It is just a short ferry ride away from Athens, giving you a secluded vibe.
A great thing about Hydra is, no cars are allowed here. So, it's tranquil, fresh, and comfortably romantic. Hydra is an eclectic place for artists, poets, and painters. Its light is close to none, and
Among Mykonos and Santorini Islands, Hydra is another favorite pick for couples. The place is built a little differently from the traditional island code of blue and white. It has grey-and-white mansions with a cosmopolitan vibe.
However, Hydra is an expensive option among all other islands. You should opt for it if you think you have a flexible budget for this rocky mountain island.
elope in Spetses the island of royalty:
Get a taste of the aristocratic wedding at Spetses Island facing the beautiful Saronic Gulf. It is one of the most famous wedding destinations in the world.
It is filled with romance that's why Greece's Prince Nicolas and his bride Tatiana Blatnik chose to exchange their vows at this beautiful island.
With its jasmine-scented alley and mansions with 8000 years of history, you'll fall in love with the place. It is so filled with flowers that Franks called it an aromatic island.
An elopement at Stepses will be perfect during June or September when it is not so really crowded. The island is easily accessible from Athens, and you can roam around the place on taxi boats and carriages.
It is famous for its beaches, old churches, monasteries, museums, and old taverns. When the sun goes down, the flickering candles will cast a spell on you, romantic enough for a perfect dinner with your partner.
Southern Greece:
Tradition with amazing hospitality elope in Crete :
Inarguably, Crete is the biggest island in Greece. Crete is an island in the South of Greece, closer to Egypt and Libya, the waters are warm and the weather is sunny all year round. Crete is almost like a country on its own, with its ancient customs, dialect, food and drink. The people that choose Crete will almost certainly return year after year to enjoy the sunshine and the famous cretan hospitality. Getting married there provides you with a number of options for wedding venues and churches.Crete is now a top wedding destination as it has some of the best hotels in Greece, that can accomodate luxury weddings or boutique small establishments that are perfect for an intimate romantic elopement. For the couples that are eco-conscious crete has many organic farms and villages that provide the perfect environment for a sustainable wedding.
Crete's pink beach is our favorite place to capture your love. It is at its best between dusk and when the sun sets, giving off magical vibes.C
There's so much to see in Crete that we recommend taking a pre-elopement tour on this island. So you can find out where you'd like to exchange your vows and capture the biggest day of your life.
Here are the places in four main regions of Crete that you should consider:
● Lasithi Windmills
● Agios Nikolas
● Balos Beach
● Elafonisi Beach (the Pink Beach)
● Lake Kournas
● Hike at Samaria Georgia
● Prevali Beach
Above all, the mouth-watering Cretan Raki, fried snails, and Dakos are worth trying. Crete is also known for its wine refineries and olive oil; you must give it a try.
Oh, hey!
Are you thinking to elope in an island we havent covered in our adventures?
We wil be happy to help and set it up!
Every new destination is a challenge.