Carmen
Travel editor at Reisedrop · 2026-09-30
Greece remains an easy favorite for travelers living in the Netherlands: sunny, well connected and very different from island to island. That is exactly why choosing well matters. Crete feels almost like a destination on its own, Rhodes mixes beaches with a compact historic center, and the Cyclades are more about island hopping, village life and ferry rhythm. From AMS, EIN, RTM and sometimes GRQ, the best route varies by island. Smart planning means looking beyond the flight to transfers, hotel pace and how crowded the experience may feel.
Crete: the most versatile choice for reach and variety
Crete suits travelers from the Netherlands who want one island with enough range that they do not need to move on. It is large enough for beach days, mountain villages, archaeological sites and very different resort areas, so you get more choice in both location and style. That often shows in the hotel market too: broader supply, more variation and less dependence on a few tiny hotspots. For couples, families and anyone who prefers a rental car over ferry connections, Crete is usually the most flexible option.
Rhodes: a more compact island with a strong city-beach balance
Rhodes works well if you want a classic sun holiday but still like the idea of walking into a historic old town. The island is more compact than Crete, so you usually lose less time between airport, hotel and sights. That makes it especially appealing for shorter breaks from the Netherlands. Hotel rates here can react more noticeably to demand in the most popular coastal areas, while the practical side stays simple: you can see a lot without complicated logistics or many different overnight stops.
Cyclades: better for island hopping, not the easiest fit for everyone
The Cyclades are ideal if the island atmosphere itself is the main reason to go: whitewashed villages, harbors, wind, terraces and ferry crossings. But from the Netherlands this option needs more planning. You often do not just fly to one final point and settle in, because onward travel by boat or an extra connection is part of the trip. That makes the Cyclades less efficient for a short break, but more rewarding if you want to combine several islands. Always check sailing schedules, port locations and the gap between flight arrival and ferry departure.
The June and September trick: better timing for feel and availability
If you are not tied to school holidays, June and September are often the smartest months for Greek islands. The weather is usually reliably summery, while beaches, roads and restaurants are often under less pressure than at the height of the season. Hotel pricing is also often more favorable in quality terms than during the busiest weeks, although this varies by island and room type. For Dutch holiday periods, always check official school holiday calendars so you can judge likely demand from the home market more accurately.
How to book smarter from the Netherlands
Start with the route, not the hotel. First decide whether you want a straightforward single-island trip or a real hopping itinerary, and only then choose your airport: AMS often has the widest choice, while EIN, RTM and sometimes GRQ can be useful if timings line up better. Then compare separate flights, ferries and hotels, because with Reisedrop you book each element individually. You can also use the price alert and Drop principle to track fares and book at the right moment, especially if you are flexible on departure day or island order.
View hotels
Fancy exactly this? Zazou, our travel assistant, puts flights, hotels and a route together in seconds - and tells you honestly when it gets cheaper.
Plan this trip with Zazou