Best Greek Islands for Older Couples

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Written By: Pavlos Inglesis

Being old is a relative thing and it doesn’t mean you have to stop living. Quite the opposite actually! You must start travelling and exploring the world even more. Greece is one of the most popular destinations in the world for pensioners and older people. The best greek islands for older couples are the ones that offer direct flights and are very accessible in general.

greek islands older couple
Greek islands are some of the best destinations in the world but there are certain things you need to be aware of

I am greek and my mother is an avid traveller of over 70 years old, so, this is my honest advice to you:

The best greek island for older couples is Crete, with direct flights, lots of things to do, excellent hotels with no steps, amazing beaches with lots of amenities and some of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. The best hotel for older couples in Crete is Elounda Mare Relais & Chateaux Hotel .

BEST HOTELS ON GREEK ISLANDS FOR OLDER COUPLES:

There are certain things you should be looking for a greek island if you are an older couple:

  • flat surfaces without lots of steps to make your hotel and other areas as easily accessible as possible
  • direct flights so that you avoid the long trips with ferries
  • relatively quiet towns without millions of tourists crowds
  • lots of accessible tours and things to do without too much effort
  • easily accessible restaurants with lots of different options for food
  • lots of taxis and easily accessible drivers that could take you anywhere
  • easily accessible shops, pharmacies, hospitals or doctors in case of emergencies
greece older couple
Santorini is a lovely greek island but it can be very challenging for people who want to avoid steps and have mobility issues

You might have heard the world famous greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini but I honestly think these are not good options for over 60’s or older couples.

Both of these islands (Mykonos and Santorini) are more targeted to younger couples. Mykonos is considered a “party island” by many and Santorini can be an accessibility nightmare with its hundreds of steps in some of its most popular towns.

santorini older couple seniors

Santorini looks lovely but it can be an accessibility nightmare with its hundreds of steps to access your hotel

santorini elderly
You will have a very difficult time if you decide to visit Santorini and you have any mobility issue.

But there is definitely more options than just the island of Crete and there are a few other greek islands you should consider if you are an older couple.

Keep reading…there is more info!

greek islands old couple
i highly recommend you visit one of the biggest greek islands such as Crete, Corfu or Rhodes, so that you have easy access to amenities as many greek islands can be quite remote and can be very difficult to reach or get out from in case of emergencies (healthcare is free in Greece but sadly on some smaller greek islands there is not even a doctor…).

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READ ALSO: 
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🛏️ Booking.com is the website with the most available rooms and Private Villas in Athens, Santorini , Mykonos & Crete (more than Airbnb!)

⛴️ Ferryhopper is the best website to book your ferry tickets or check the timetables for Santorini, Mykonos , Crete & all greek islands

🏺 Get Your Guide has the best and largest variety of Tours in Athens and the greek islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete etc)

🚙 Rentalcars is the easiest way to rent a car or a quad for Greece with thousands of available options

✈️ Booking.com Flights has all the available flights to and from the greek islands

🚕 Book Your Driver (Taxi) directly with booking.com’s large and safe platform of available certified drivers

The best greek islands for older couples (over 60) are:

Best Greek Islands for Older Couples

So, let’s see the best greek islands for older couples (over 60’s) in more detail:

1. Crete island

crete old couple greece
Chania Town on Crete island with its cute alleys and old buildings with easy access to restaurants and shops

Crete is the best greek island for older couples with hundreds of direct flights from all over Europe between May-October every year. In Crete you will find amazing all-inclusive hotels close to a beach, very well organized beaches with lots of amenities, endless options for things to do, museums, archaeological and historical sites, picturesque towns like Chania Old Town and lots of easily accessible restaurants. The great thing about Crete is that because it’s a pretty big island (the same size as Hawaii’s big island) there are lots of options for everything and if you want a driver to take you somewhere it’s very easy to find it through your hotel (that’s not always easy on other greek islands where there might only be 5-6 drivers on the whole island). My suggestion is to stay as close to Chania town which the best area in Crete but there are some stunning hotels such as Elounda Mare Relais Hotel that are simply too good to not choose them.

2. Rhodes island

rhodes old couple
Rhodes old town with its hundreds of restaurants and flat & easy to walk alleys is ideal for relaxing walks

Rhodes is also one of the best greek island for older couples with hundreds of direct flights from all over Europe between May-October every year. In Rhodes, you will find great all-inclusive resorts by the beach, with hundreds of cute restaurants in some of the main towns of the island. Rhodes is also one of the biggest greek islands with lots of shops, access to hospitals (healthcare is free in Greece). Rhodes is also one of the most cultural rich islands with many museums and attaracitons to visit. In my opinion, it is ideal for older couples as it has lots of quiet town by the sea that are ideal for the over 60s but there are towns that are livelier too, if that’s your thing, no matter your age. Rhodes is a great island that can cater to everyone with lots of options for older couples and senior people. Some of the best hotels in Greece like Atlantica Dreams Resort is in Rhodes.

3. Corfu island

corfu old couples
Corfu old town is one of the most picturesque in Europe with hundreds of cute restaurants with amenities on flat surfaces without steps

Corfu has always been one of the best greek islands for older couples and pensioners with lots of direct flights from all over Europe between May-October every year. In fact, there are many people from all over Europe who decide to buy a property in Corfu and spend pretty much their pension time on the island because it is great for that retirement age. Corfu old town with its venetian architecture and alleys, is one of the cutest in Greece with lots of excellent restaurants. There is no shortage of excellent sandy beaches with very easy access for older people with lots of amenities and even hotels if you prefer to stay by the beach. There is also no shortage of excellent resorts and hotels in Corfu, such as Corfu Imperial Resort that sits in an ideal location.

4. Kefalonia island

kefalonia greece old couple
Argostoli town in Kefalonia is one of the best places to stay on the island and it’s a pretty big town with lots of restaurants, hotels and amenities

Kefalonia is the 6th largest greek island and it is ideal for older couples and pensioners. There are lots of direct flights from all over Europe between May-October every year and it is very easilly accessible even from mainland Greece. Kefalonia is the island where the famous movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was shot. Kefalonia is one of the greenest island in Greece and some of the most impressive beaches such as Myrtos beach that has been voted one of the best in the world. There is also no shortage of excellent resorts and hotels in Kefalonia, such as Kefalonia Grand located in the beautiful town of Argostoli which is also the capital of the island. Argostoli town is perfect for older couples since it is completely flat and it has lots of beautiful esplanadas by the sea and lots of excellent restaurants.

5. Skiathos island

skiathos island greece old couples over 60
Skiathos island is a very underrated greek island with easilly accessible sandy beaches and beautiful resorts

Skiathos is one of the less known greek islands but it is equally beautiful than any other greek island. In my opinion, Skiathos island is a little gem that could be perfect for older couples or even your retirement home in Greece. There are lots of direct flights from all over Europe between May-October every year and you can even reach the island easilly through mainland Greece as well by driving and a quick ferry boat from Agios Konstantinos port. Skiathos’s landscape is full of pine trees that literally touch the sea on eits beautiful golden sand beaches. Skiathos capital town is full of cute restaurants and cafes and are all very easilly accessible. There is no shortage of great hotels on the island but you shouldn’t expect to find massive resorts as the island is still in development and it ihasn’t been spoilt too much by tourism, which is making it even more perfect for relaxing and tranquil holidays. However, hotels such as Thalassa Cape Hotel offer amazing views and easy access to a beautiful sandy beach with lots of amenities around and also very close to the capital town of the island. you won’t be dissapointed if you decide to spend your holidays in Skiathos.

CONCLUSION

So, these are the best greek islands for older couples. I honestly do not recommend Santorini and Mykonos if you are over 60 years old, but you may have fun even in these islands if you decide to visit them. The best greek island for older couples is Crete island, as it offers the easiest access to pretty much everything and it has the best hotels and resorts to cated for older people. Rhodes, Corfu, Kefalonia and Skiathos are also ideal if you are looking for great hotels with lots of amenities that are easily accessible and are quiet without being that remote.

Photo of author
AUTHOR
Pavlos Inglesis
Greek, born and raised in Athens. I have been to almost every greek island and pretty much in every region of mainland Greece. I have also been eating souvlaki and gyros since the 80s. I love being a dad to my 2 beautiful daughters and also taking great photos of the places I visit. This is my blog to help you out explore the places I have visited with my inside tips as a Greek, knowing the ins and outs of my country and culture. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section under the post you are interested in and I wIll try my best to respond asap.

🛏️ Booking.com is the website with the most available rooms and Private Villas in Athens, Santorini , Mykonos & Crete (more than Airbnb!)

⛴️ Ferryhopper is the best website to book your ferry tickets or check the timetables for Santorini, Mykonos , Crete & all greek islands

🏺 Get Your Guide has the best and largest variety of Tours in Athens and the greek islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete etc)

🚙 Rentalcars is the easiest way to rent a car or a quad for Greece with thousands of available options

✈️ Booking.com Flights has all the available flights to and from the greek islands

🚕 Book Your Driver (Taxi) directly with booking.com's large and safe platform of available certified drivers

SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube Channel for Updated Guides and Videos for the Greek Islands!

Get my secrets for Greece & the greek islands in your email !

1 thought on “Best Greek Islands for Older Couples”

  1. Need to know the best island for 6 ladies of 50 year old. Love outdoor . Walking … running., beaches.. shopping and to do boat cruises.

    Help we need to kill time for 6 weeks
    Kind regards and thank you

    Maybe tips where to rent a house as well as somebody that can takw us on a boat between islands for 3 day cruise.
    Pls give us tips!!

    Reply

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