Choose the Ionian if you want calmer water, short hops between green islands and an easy first sailing holiday. Choose the Aegean if you want the famous island names, ancient history and a more open-sea feel, and you are happy to plan around the wind. Both are brilliant. The right one depends on your group, your tolerance for wind and what you want your days to feel like.

Here is how Ionian vs Aegean sailing compares in practice, including the one thing most guides skip: the Aegean is really three different sailing areas. (New to gulet holidays? Our guide to what to expect on a gulet cruise in Greece covers cabins, food and a normal day on board.)

Compare the Routes With Sail in Greece

Sail in Greece, the operator behind this guide, runs weekly gulet cruises in all three areas compared here: the Ionian from Corfu and Zante, the Cyclades from Mykonos, and the Dodecanese from Kos and Rhodes.

Good to know
Week-long cruises with a crew who sail and cook, so no sailing experience is needed
The Corfu week starts from £763 per person for June 2027, checked October 2026
Port fees and cruise tax are paid on top, so check the total for your route
Dedicated 18 to 39 departures run in the Ionian

Check dates and prices for all routes →

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“The Aegean” is really three different trips

When people say Aegean they usually mean one of three areas, and they feel quite different:

• The Cyclades (Mykonos, Syros, Kea, Kythnos and…

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