Seas and Oceans Bordering Greece

Greece's Maritime Geography

Greece is a peninsular and archipelagic nation at the crossroads of several seas, all part of the Mediterranean Sea.

Seas

• Aegean Sea – east of mainland, between Greece and Turkey; contains most Greek islands.
• Ionian Sea – west of mainland, between Greece and Italy; includes Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos.
• Sea of Crete (or Cretan Sea) – south of the Aegean, north of Crete.

Ocean

• Mediterranean Sea – the overarching basin; Greece's southern waters (Libyan Sea) are part of it.

These waters define Greece's climate, economy (shipping, tourism, fisheries), and strategic importance.