Crete ranks as most-photographed Greek island in Popsa app data for 2025
Crete has topped a ranking of the most-photographed Greek islands based on data from photo-album app Popsa, retaining the position it also held in the equivalent 2024 ranking.
The findings come from Popsa’s own analysis of photos uploaded by its users during 2025. The company published the research on July 6, 2026, and it was later featured by international travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller.
Popsa said the ranking is not based on Instagram or other social media posts. Instead, its data team examined millions of photos uploaded to the platform by customers in 2025, using available location metadata to identify images taken within the geographic boundaries of Greece’s most popular islands, then ranked the islands by total photo volume.
Crete scores more than double its nearest rivals
To present the results, Popsa built a comparative photo index on a scale of 0 to 100, using the island with the highest photo count — Crete — as the benchmark, which received a score of 100.
The gap to other destinations was substantial. Santorini and Rhodes, which shared second and third place, each scored 54, meaning the recorded photo volume for Crete in Popsa’s dataset was nearly double that of either of the next two islands.
The top five was completed by Corfu, with an index of 32, and Mykonos, with 25. They were followed by Kos (22), Zakynthos (17), Kefalonia (12), Paros (11) and Naxos (9).
The full top-10 list is as follows: Crete – 100; Santorini – 54; Rhodes – 54; Corfu – 32; Mykonos – 25; Kos – 22; Zakynthos – 17; Kefalonia – 12; Paros – 11; Naxos – 9.
From Vai and Elafonisi to Balos and Samaria
In its presentation, Popsa highlighted the size and diversity of Crete, referencing the coastline of Greece’s largest and southernmost island, from the palm forest at Vai to the pale sands of Elafonisi and the turquoise waters of Balos.
Chania was singled out as a suggested base for exploring the island, with Popsa noting the city’s architecture, cobblestone lanes and dining scene, and encouraging visitors to set aside time to hike the Samaria Gorge, which runs from the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) down to the Libyan Sea.
Rethymno was presented as an alternative base, with particular mention of its old town, its restaurants and its creative scene.
Condé Nast Traveller, presenting the results, noted that Crete’s size gives travelers more opportunities to find lesser-known spots and secluded coves, and pointed to the island’s varied landscape, from steep coastlines to the sea and the green interior.
What the ranking does — and does not — measure
The results reflect the behavior of Popsa’s own users and not the totality of travelers who visited Greece. The ranking therefore cannot be treated as a comprehensive count of all photos taken on Greek islands, nor as a measure of the islands’ popularity on social media.
The photo index also does not represent a percentage of a total photo count. It is a comparative score showing the relative volume of images for each island within the sample analyzed by the company, with Crete set as the baseline at 100.
Based on this data, Popsa’s figures indicate that, among users of this particular app, Crete not only drew significant photographic interest in 2025 but retained the top position for a second consecutive ranking.