Being old is a relative thing, and it doesn’t mean you have to stop living. Quite the opposite! 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.
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 isElounda Mare Relais & Chateaux Hotel.
BEST HOTELS ON GREEK ISLANDS FOR OLDER COUPLES:
- In Santorini:Nissia
- In Mykonos:Amazon Suites
- In Crete:Creta Maris
- In Corfu:Akrotiri Beach Resort
- In Naxos:Nissaki
- In Paros:PAROCKS
- In Skiathos:Skiathos Palace
There are certain things you should be looking for on 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 tourist 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
You might have heard of the world-famous Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini, but I honestly think these are not good options for over-60s 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 looks lovely, but it can be an accessibility nightmare with its hundreds of steps to access your hotel
But there are 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!
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RECOMMENDED WEBSITES FOR GREECE:
🛏️ Booking.comis the website with the most available rooms and Private Villas in Athens, Santorini , Mykonos & Crete (more than Airbnb!)
⛴️ Ferryhopperis 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)
🚗 Rentalcarsis 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 60s) in more detail:
1. Crete island
- Best Hotels for Older Couples in Crete: Domes Noruz • Thalassa Beach Resort • Elounda Mare Relais & Chateaux Hotel
- Check Direct Flights to Crete on Booking.com Flights
Crete is the best Greek island for older couples, with hundreds of direct flights from all over Europe between May and 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 is the best area in Crete, but there are some stunning hotels, such as Elounda Mare Relais Hotel, that are simply too good not to choose.
2. Rhodes Island
- Best Hotels for Older Couples in Rhodes: Mitsis Alila Resort & Spa • 10 GR Hotel • Atlantica Dreams Resort
- Check Direct Flights to Rhodes on Booking.com Flights
Rhodes is also one of the best Greek islands for older couples, with hundreds of direct flights from all over Europe between May and 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 and access to hospitals (healthcare is free in Greece). Rhodes is also one of the most culturally rich islands, with many museums and attractions to visit.
In my opinion, it is ideal for older couples as it has lots of quiet towns 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, are in Rhodes.
3. Corfu island
- Best Hotels for Older Couples in Corfu: Corfu Imperial Resort • Bella Venezia Hotel • Lena Mare Boutique Hotel
- Check Direct Flights to Corfu on Booking.com Flights
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 and October every year.
Many people from all over Europe 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’s 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, which sits in an ideal location.
4. Kefalonia island
- Best Hotels for Older Couples in Kefalonia: F Zeen • Kefalonia Grand • Emelisse Natural Resort
- Check Direct Flights to Kefalonia on Booking.com Flights
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 and October every year, and it is very easily 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 islands in Greece, and some of the most impressive beaches, such as Myrtos beach that have 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 esplanades by the sea and lots of excellent restaurants.
5. Skiathos island
- Best Hotels for Older Couples in Skiathos: Thalassa Cape Hotel • Skiathos Palace Hotel • Elivi Skiathos Hotel
- Check Direct Flights to Skiathos on Booking.com Flights
Skiathos is one of the lesser-known Greek islands, but it is equally beautiful as 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 and October every year, and you can even reach the island easily 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 touch the sea on its beautiful golden sand beaches.
Skiathos’ capital town is full of cute restaurants and cafes, and they are all very easily 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 hasn’t been spoiled 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 are also very close to the capital town of the island. You won’t be disappointed if you decide to spend your holidays in Skiathos.
FAQs
Is Santorini a good island for older couples?
No. While Santorini is famous for its views, the caldera villages of Oia and Imerovigli are built into steep cliffs. Navigating the island requires walking up and down hundreds of uneven, cobblestone stairs daily, which can be an accessibility nightmare for travelers with mobility issues or bad knees.
Which Greek island has the best medical facilities?
Crete and Rhodes have the best medical infrastructure in the Greek islands. Because they are large, year-round islands with significant local populations, they have large public hospitals, numerous private clinics, and widely available pharmacies, making them the safest choices for senior travelers.
Which Greek islands are the flattest?
Towns like Argostoli in Kefalonia, Chania in Crete, and the resort areas of Rhodes are incredibly flat with wide, paved esplanades. These areas are ideal for older couples who want to take long, leisurely walks by the sea without dealing with the steep inclines found in the Cyclades.
Do you need to take a ferry to visit the Greek islands?
No. If you want to avoid the hassle of carrying luggage onto crowded ferries, you should choose islands with international airports. Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, and Kefalonia all have direct flights from major European hubs from May through October.
