The 23 best Greek islands - Condé Nast Traveller

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Lord Byron was on to something when he waxed lyrical about the Greek islands. But with more than 200 to choose from, which ones are the very best Greek islands? Here regular isle-hopper Rachel Howard reveals the ones to get in a speedboat for in 2020.
1. SYROS
2. SIFNOS
3. HYDRA
Best Greek island for: a long weekend with the art crowd
You know when Dakis Joannou, Greece's foremost art collector, is on Hydra. His yacht, Guilty, is painted in gaudy 'camouflage' by Jeff Koons. Every summer, Joannou invites big hitters such as Matthew Barney and David Shrigley to create site-specific installations in the Greek island's old slaughterhouse. Even the school is commandeered for exhibitions in the summer holidays. Car-free and protected by a preservation order, Hydra has always been the artists' muse of the Greek Islands. Leonard Cohen set the scene in the 60s; now Brice Marden, Sadie Coles and Juergen Teller have homes here. Athenian artists take up residence at the School of Fine Arts, one of the vast, grey, stone mansions overlooking the horseshoe harbour. Musicians of all stripes rehearse and record at the (Old Carpet Factory), an 18th-century residence whose double-height ceilings and underground cistern have incredible acoustics.

Less than two hours from Athens, Hydra fills up with chic Greeks at weekends. . They come to disconnect and slow down, but also to see and be seen. Wily cats and weary donkeys patrol the back alleys, but all the action happens along the waterfront. Oh look! There's Olivia Palermo at The Pirate Bar and Chloë Sevigny shaking her tail feather at Hydronetta beach bar. Who cares if there are barely any beaches? You can always find a slab of sun-baked rock from which to leap rock from which to dive into the clearest water in the world.
Where to stay in Hydra: Built in 1796, nine-room Orloff Boutique Hotel oozes old-world charm. If a pool is a priority, check into atmospheric Bratsera. To get in with the art crowd, stay at a leading local Artist's Villa (like the one pictured), available through Hipaway. Or bring a big gang and take over one of the fabulous old captain’s houses such as Hydra House, available through Scott Williams.
4. MILOS
5. SERIFOS
6. AMORGOS
7. PAXOS
8. SANTORINI
9. CEPHALONIA / KEFALONIA
10. CORFU
11. ITHACA
12. FOLEGANDROS
13. MYKONOS
14. TINOS
15. CRETE
16. PATMOS
17. SYMI
18. NAXOS
19. ASTYPALEA
20. ZAKYNTHOS / ZANTE
21. RHODES
22. SKIATHOS
23. LEFKADA