#OLifeAtHome: Greek Isles Trivia

Traveling to the Greek Isles opens the door to journeys that unfold in lands of epic history and play out on sultry islands lined with whitewashed villages. From the iconic ancient ruins on Crete and Rhodes to the surreal beauty of Santorini and Patmos, there’s no shortage of spectacular landscapes and windows into the past in this alluring corner of the Mediterranean.

We can’t wait to return to the Greek Isles with you. In the meantime, test your knowledge on these fabled lands with some of our top Greek Isles trivia questions and scroll below the image to see the answers.

1. How many inhabited islands are found in the Greek Isles?

1. 166
2. 6,000
3. 227
4. 1,200

2. On which island was Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician often considered the father of medicine, born?

1. Delos
2. Kos
3. Skiathos
4. Paros

3. With a winemaking culture that spans at least 5,000 years, Santorini is home to how many grape varieties?

1. About 40
2. 1
3. More than 100
4. 5

4. Why are the doors blue on so many of the white houses that grace Greece’s villages?

1. To ward off evil
2. Due to the inexpensive nature of blue paint
3. The blue and white color scheme became mandatory during the military dictatorship from 1967-1974
4. All of the above

5. Which island was made famous by the movie Mamma Mia!?

1. Zakynthos
2. Crete
3. Syros
4. Skopelos

6. Which of the following was the last to become part of the modern Greek state?

1. Crete
2. The Sporades
3. The islands of the northeastern Aegean
4. The Dodecanese

7. Which of the following are specialties Crete is known for?

1. Dakos, a classic Greek meze consisting of barley rusks topped with tomatoes, goat’s milk cheese and olive oil
2. Sfakianes pites, delicious pies filled with cheese or wild greens
3. Raki, a strong spirit
4. All of the above

8. Why is the group of islands to the southeast of mainland Greece named the Cyclades?

1. Because they are located in the center of Greece
2. Because the islands are mostly round
3. Because they form a circle around the ancient sanctuary of Delos
4. Because they are named after the Cyclopes, mythical monsters said to live in caves on the islands

Keep scrolling below the image to check your answers. We’d love to hear your favorite discoveries in the Greek Isles on our Facebook page and be sure to explore our Greek Isles cruises and Mediterranean voyages to plan an unforgettable adventure in 2022 or 2023.

ANSWERS:

1. C. 227. If we include uninhabited islands, the number soars to about 6,000.
2. B. Kos. There is a famous plane tree in Kos that is said to be where Hippocrates sometimes taught his students. No one knows if the story is true, but it’s a nice place to take a few moments of reflection while you’re walking through town.
3. A. 40. However, not all are cultivated. Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani are the white grape varieties Santorini has become the most famous for.
4. D. All of the above. All of these have been associated at one time or another with the iconic blue accents on homes across the Greek Isles.
5. D. Skopelos
6. D. The Dodecanese. It was not until 1947 when this island group became officially part of Greece.
7. D. All of the above. As Greece’s largest island, Crete has become known for its uncomplicated and delicious dishes.
8. C. Because they form a circle around the ancient sanctuary of Delos.