The islands are divided into several main groups. Corfu is one of the seven Ionian Islands and it lies off the western coast of the mainland. It's known for historical sites and dramatic cliffs. The largest island is Crete, which lies to the far south of the region. Mykonos and Santorini are both popular spots in the Cyclades islands. Santorini is incredibly picturesque, and most people recognize its stretch of whitewashed buildings on the coast as a quintessential image of Greece.
Cruising to the various islands isn't just convenient, it's a luxury in itself. Travelers have access to some of the most popular cities in the Mediterranean, combined with the ease and comfort of cruising. Many cruises of Greece's islands include stops in other countries. In fact, Venice and Istanbul are the starting point for many cruises. After setting sail from the port of origin, ships cruise to Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Corfu, Piraeus (the port for Athens) and many more. Your itinerary may also include stops in Italy and Turkey.