If you are planning on hopping between Greek Islands or exploring more than one island you will want to become familiar with the different seas surrounding Greece. This helps with the logistics of planning your Greek holiday and lets you decide which part of Greece will suit you best. So let’s begin.

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The Mediterranean 

You’ve heard of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s crystal clear waters and deep piercing blue is unmistakable. You may have even swum in its beautiful waters on a Greek summer holiday. The Mediterranean, while connected to the Atlantic Ocean, is almost entirely surrounded by land. It is enclosed by Southern Europe and Northern Africa.

This body of water was one of the most important seas in Ancient times. It allowed for trade between one region to another, as well as cultural exchange. It was so central to Western Civilisation that the name derives from the Latin word ‘mediterraneus’, meaning middle of the Earth.

Greece, of course, is a Mediterranean country and it has a longer Mediterranean coastline than any other thanks to its plethora of islands. The Mediterranean Sea is considered to be a combination of different basins or seas. So, while Greece lies in the Mediterranean, there are two other important seas you need to know about.

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The Aegean Sea

If you look to the East coast of Greece on a map you will see the Aegean Sea. This is where the majority of the Greek islands can be found. The Greek islands are broken down into clusters and six of these seven clusters can be found in the Aegean. The Aegean is home to the famous islands of Santorini and Mykonos in the Cyclades. Because this sea surrounding Greece is so rich in beautiful island destinations it might be the perfect place to begin your exploration.

Like many place names in Greece, their origin can be traced back to ancient times. Many of which you can still visit today. The Aegean Sea is said to be named after King Aegeus in Greek mythology, the father of the famous Greek hero Theseus. He threw himself into the sea and drowned upon thinking that his son had died.

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The Ionian Sea

The Ionian Sea is the sea surrounding Greece on the Western side of the country. This is where you will find a cluster of islands, aptly named the Ionian Islands. This sea in Greece is also home to the deepest part of the Mediterranean, called Calyspo Deep. Here the sea reaches a depth of 5,267 m.

The Ionian Islands (also known as Eptanisa) include seven main islands. These beautiful islands dot the Ionian Sea that surrounds western Greece. Here there is plenty of lush greenery, Italian influences, and fertile lands. There are a numerous sheltered swimming spots that are best explored from a yacht. The beaches are characterized by limestone rock formations, sand, and smooth pebbles. Nature and scenery are the main attractions, as well as the picturesque ports and relaxed atmosphere. These islands include:

• Corfu
• Zakynthos
• Cephalonia
• Ithaca
• Lefkada
• Paxi: Paxos and Antipaxos
• Kythira

☞ Related: Kythira Discovered – Impressions of A Greek Tour Guide

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