The most formidable obstacle to holidaying on Greek islands is the choice. There are 1,400 to consider, carelessly scattered throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas, and they are all different. Some offer throbbing night-clubs, others just a few tavernas and isolated beaches. Here we have chosen representatives from each of the major groups (the enchantingly named Cyclades, Sporades, Ionian, Aegean, Saronic Gulf and Dodecanese). The prices are offered as a guideline, but sometimes specific availabilities are highlighted.

1 Corfu pop: 40,000

History and literature permeate the second largest Ionian island like its many springs and rivers. Corfu was Homer's 'beautiful and rich' land, and Odysseus's final stop on his way home to Ithaca. Shakespeare is also believed to have set The Tempest on the island and, more recently, Lawrence Durrell made Corfu his home. Two weeks in the high season at the Paloumbi Mansion in the secluded village of Sinarades will cost from £870 per person, including flights, with Simply Ionian (020 8995 1121).

2 Paxos pop: 2,200

This small Ionian island has a captivating landscape of ancient olive groves, farmhouses and olive presses. Thankfully Paxos has escaped mass tourism and is highly recommended by discriminating tour companies. The capital, Gaios, is a crumbling and attractive port. Planos Holidays (01373 836000) operate solely in Paxos and have a varied range of properties. The Villa Violetta sleeps six to eight and enjoys superb views over Lakka Bay. Two weeks during the summer months will cost from £757 per person, including return flights and car hire.

3 Lefkas pop: 21,100

The fourth largest island in the Ionian group has 10 satellite islets. The islanders are proud of their mountainous, but fertile, home and many of the older women wear traditional costume. The last two weeks of August are dominated by the International Festival of Literature and Art. Sunvil Activity Holidays (020 8232 9779) use Nidri on Lefkas as a base for their Greek sailing holidays. The flotillas explore the central Ionian islands, including Ithaca and Cephallonia. Prices start at £1,120 for two weeks aboard a Discovery 3,000 yacht during the high season, and include return flights (from Heathrow).

4 Kephalonia pop: 32,500

Louis de Bernière's Captain Corelli's Mandolin was set here, among the rugged mountains and abundant wild flowers and herbs of the largest Ionian island. There are package tourists but not as many as on Corfu. Nature lovers should note that the island is also a nesting ground for loggerhead turtles. Tapestry (020 8235 7788) have availability during the mid and high season at the Panorama Apartments in the northern fishing village of Assos. Prices for one week of self-catering accommodation start from £480 per person and include flights, transfers and a welcome hamper.

5 Zakynthos pop: 32,500

Unfortunately the Venetians' name for Zakynthos, 'flower of the orient', is a little misleading these days. Much of the island was insensitively rebuilt after an earthquake in 1953, but Zakynthos has been more seriously blighted by mass tourism along the coastline. However, the beaches are beautiful, and unspoilt areas can be found inland. One place to escape the worst of the crowds is Vassilikos. Two weeks at the Lena Villas in the village starts at £687 per person (based on four sharing). This is a mid-season price, and includes return flights from Gatwick to Zakynthos and car hire. Call Greek Islands Club on 020 8232 9780.

6 Spetses pop: 3,700

The most remote of the Saronic Gulf islands is a favourite with British holiday-makers. Pine-covered Spetses became wealthy through ship-building but is probably best known as the setting for the novel The Magus (author John Fowles taught English on the island in 1950). CV Travel (0870 606 0013) have availability at the Villa Ioanna from 24 June to 8 July. The villa, which sleeps eight, costs £1,535 per week (excluding flights).

7 Skiathos pop: 4,100

The island's golden beaches attract hordes of package tourists, especially during August, but people also come for the nightlife. There are quieter areas and walks inland. Summer prices for 14 nights at the family-sized Villa Petraki start at £719 with Skiathos Travel (020 8940 5157) and include return flights to the island. The villa overlooks Kanapitsa beach, with views across to Skopelos and there is availability for two weeks from 30 June.

8 Skopelos pop: 5000

Skopelos is less commercial than Skiathos, but probably not for long. There are two main settlements, the port and the lovely hill village, Glossa, while the south-east coast has many sheltered, pebbled beaches. Travel A La Carte (01635 863030) are offering seven nights self-catering at Liakada Cottage from £409, departing 30 June. This includes return flights and, since Skopelos does not have an airport, ferry transfers.

9 Alonissos pop: 3,000

Alonissos has been discovered by tour companies, but the lack of an airport helps to restrict mass tourism. In 1965 an earthquake destroyed the hilltop capital and inhabitants abandoned their homes. In recent years many of the derelict houses have been bought and restored by British and German expats: Old Alonissos is now a vibrant artist community. The seawater around the island is the cleanest in the Aegean. Two weeks at Villa Eirene with Skiathos Travel (0208 940 5157) during July and September will cost from £588, including flights.

10 Skyros pop: 2,800

The island is some distance from the rest of the the Sporades, and actually feels more like the Cyclades, particularly in the stark, cubist Skyros Town. The south side of the island is almost uninhabited and there are few package tourists. Some people specifically come to recuperate at the Skyros Centre, a holistic health centre, but another key reason to visit is the Skyros Lenten Carnival, Greece's quirkiest festival which involves much dressing-up in goat costume (for the men). Manos Holidays (01273 427 333) are offering a lead-in price of £464 for two weeks' B & B (plus flights and transfers) at the Skyros Palace Hotel, based on two sharing.

11 Samos pop: 32,000

The most southerly of the North-Eastern Aegean islands and the closest to Turkey, Samos also has the most tourists. Expeditions inland reveal unspoilt villages and mountain vistas and an exotic and tropical atmosphere is everywhere, thanks to the floral scents (especially jasmine): orchids are even grown for export. Samos is consequently a popular place for rambling and more demanding mountain treks in the spring and autumn. Prices start at £577 (including flights but not transfers) for 14 nights' B & B during the high season at the Hotel Aeolis with Filoxenia (01422 375 999). The waterfront hotel boasts a roof-top bar and a swimming pool.

12 Patmos pop: 2,660

Orthodox and Western Christians have long made pilgrimages to Patmos because it was here that St John, then living in a cave, wrote the Book of Revelations . Sun worshippers now congregate with the devout on the island. Patmos is quite small and accommodation tends to get booked up very quickly. However, CV Travel (0870 606 0013) have availability for one or two weeks at a large house, Langada, which sleeps eight. The villa costs £2,130 per week (excluding flights), and is set on a hillside, around a courtyard and restored chapel.

13 Lipsi pop: 606

The idyllic, laid-back island of Lipsi is just eight miles east of Patmos. There are relatively small numbers of tourists so neither the pretty beaches, such as Platys Gialos, nor the locals are overwhelmed. The port town is the only settlement, and there are actually more goats than people. Laskarina Holidays (01629 822 203), specialising in the less well-known islands, have availability for 14 nights at the one-bedroom Kalypso apartments from 20 July, at £505 per person.

14 Kalymnos pop: 18,200

Although this arid island was previously renowned for its sponge fishing, the demise of that industry has meant that Kalymnos's economy relies upon tourism. However, on New Year's Eve 1995, a local fisherman brought in the catch of the day when he netted a two-metre bronze statue of a woman, believed to be the work of the sculptor Praxiteles in 4BC. Prices for two weeks at Ilias Studios, in the heart of the Panormos resort (which may or may not be an advantage), begin at £489 in July with Airtours (0800 028 4934).

15 Kos pop: 26,400

Kos is a large and fertile island, although sunbeds and parasols have sprouted up all over the sandy beaches. One of the most popular and lively islands, it is definitely one for the youngsters (or the young at heart). Kos Town has two streets, Diakon and Nafklirou, that are wall-to-wall bars, plus three nightclubs. Seven nights at the All Inclusive Kourous Club complex, close to the Mastihari resort, leads in at £371 per person with Manos Holidays (01273 427 333). The package, as the name suggests, includes everything from flights to those all-important drinks.

16 Symi pop: 2,332

Symi has a long tradition of sponge-diving and ship-building, but is now more reliant on daytrippers from nearby Rhodes. It has a scenic, wooded interior and a multitude of small bays and beaches, but suffers from severe water shortages. The Symi International Festival runs through July, August and September with music from all over the world, theatre and Greek dancing. Laskarina (01629 822 203) sponsor two weeks of classical music concerts from 20 August and have availability at the harbourside Kyklameno Studio, for that fortnight, for £620 per person (inclusive).

17 Rhodes pop: 98,000

The number one package tour destination in the Dodecanese, with 300 days of sunshine and an east coast of uninterrupted sandy beaches, is also a beautiful island, with unspoilt villages in the interior foothills. The World Heritage-listed old town of Rhodes City is the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe, with imposing fortifications. The self-contained Miramare resort boasts swimming pools, sports facilities, shops and modern suites. The Best of Greece (01784 492 492) offer two weeks B&B at the resort from £1,194 per person. This includes a direct flight from Gatwick and Rhodes

18 Karpathos pop: 5,323

This thin island is bisected by an east-west mountain range. For hundreds of years the north and south parts of the island developed independently - the northern village of Olymbos is of endless fascination to ethnologists for the age-old customs of the villagers. Despite having an airport, Karpathos has not suffered too much from mass tourism. Two weeks at the Blue Sea Hotel in Amopi Bay with Greek Sun Holidays (01732 740 317) costs from £448 per person in October to £559 in August (based on two people sharing). The price includes scheduled flights and breakfast.

19 Crete pop: 160,000

The largest and most southerly Greek island is arguably the most beautiful too. Three mountain ranges are punctuated by agricultural plateaus and numerous sandy beaches fringe the coast. Scenery aside, the island was also the birthplace of Europe's original advanced civilisation, the Minoan. More recently, however, the island has the dubious honour of playing host to a quarter of Greece's tourists, so much of the north coast is over-built with hotels. Catherine Secker (020 8460 8022) has specialised in Cretan holidays for 22 years and offers several properties on the quiet, rural Akrotiri Peninsula. Two weeks at the secluded Villas Hibiscus costs from £500 per person (based on four people sharing). Flights (included) depart Gatwick every Tuesday to Chania.

20 Santorini pop: 9,500

Santorini is often described as unique and spectacular, and justifiably so. An enormous volcanic eruption around 1650 BC created an astonishing caldera (a submerged crater) at the centre of the island. The volcanic volatility persists today, but tourists flock to the photogenic island. Other side-effects include black sand beaches and rather good wines. A traditional cottage in Finikia is available through CV Travel (0870 606 0013) from 18 July for£1,405 per week.