Greece is a mesmerising blend of ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and stunning coastlines. Whether you are captivated by the allure of the Cyclades, the rich cultural heritage of mainland Greece, or the laid-back charm of the Ionian Islands, Greece offers an unforgettable travel experience. This guide takes you through the best places to visit in Greece, from the sun-kissed beaches to the legendary ruins that echo tales of the past. Let’s dive in with Designer Journeys!
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The Cyclades Islands: Postcard-Perfect Greece
Santorini: The Jewel of the Aegean
Few destinations capture the imagination quite like Santorini. This crescent-shaped island, formed by an ancient volcanic eruption, is renowned for its dramatic caldera views, striking blue-domed churches, and mesmerising sunsets that paint the white-washed buildings in hues of gold and pink.
Fira, the island’s capital, combines the same architectural charm with a more vibrant atmosphere. The town clings to the cliff edge, offering spectacular views of the volcano and neighbouring islands. A cable car connects the port to the town, though the more adventurous might opt for the 587-step climb (or donkey ride).
Santorini is a volcanic island in the Aegean Sea, part of the Cyclades islands in Greece.
Beyond the iconic villages, Santorini boasts several unique beaches. Red Beach, named for its dramatic red volcanic cliffs, contrasts sharply against the deep blue Aegean seas. Kamari and Perissa, with their distinctive black volcanic sand, offer more developed beach scenes with loungers, water sports, and beachfront tavernas.
History enthusiasts shouldn’t miss Akrotiri, often called the “Greek Pompeii”—a Bronze Age settlement preserved under volcanic ash since the 17th century BC. The site offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient Cycladic civilisation, with remarkably preserved multi-storey buildings, drainage systems, and elaborate frescoes.
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Mykonos: Cosmopolitan Island Life
Mykonos has earned its reputation as Greece’s premier destination for those seeking a perfect blend of traditional charm and sophisticated nightlife. The island’s capital, Mykonos Town (Chora), captivates visitors with its iconic windmills, labyrinthine streets lined with whitewashed cubic houses, and vibrant bougainvillaea cascading over courtyard walls.
Little Venice, where elegant old houses hang precariously over the sea, offers charming waterfront cafés and beach bars—perfect for watching the sunset while sipping a cocktail. Nearby, the island’s famous windmills stand as a reminder of Mykonos’s historical importance in grain production.
Mykonos is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, Greece.
The island boasts some of Greece’s most famous sandy beaches. Paradise and Super Paradise have earned international reputations for their beach parties and vivacious atmosphere. For a more relaxed experience, Ornos and Platis Gialos offer family-friendly environments with crystal-clear shallow waters. Elia, the island’s longest beach, provides more space to spread out and enjoy the Mediterranean sun in relative tranquillity.
Despite its cosmopolitan character, Mykonos retains authentic cultural experiences. The Panagia Paraportiani, a complex of five churches constructed over different periods, is one of Greece’s most photographed ecclesiastical sites. The Archaeological Museum houses treasures from nearby Delos, while the Folklore Museum offers insight into traditional island life.
Naxos: The Authentic Greek Experience
Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades, offers a more authentic Greek island experience. Less developed than its famous neighbours, Naxos combines agricultural wealth with stunning landscapes, ancient ruins, and magnificent beaches.
The island’s main town, Naxos Chora, welcomes visitors with its imposing marble gate, the Portara—a massive 6th-century BC temple doorway that frames perfect sunset views. The town’s medieval castle, built by Venetian rulers, crowns a hill above the harbour and houses a fascinating archaeological museum within its walls.
Naxos is a popular destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing, thanks to its windy conditions
Naxos’s mountainous interior reveals charming villages that seem frozen in time. Apiranthos, with its marble-paved streets and distinct culture, and Halki, once the island’s commercial centre, offer glimpses into traditional Cycladic life. Each village possesses its own unique charm, from distinctive architectural details to local culinary specialities. The island’s fertile valleys produce excellent local cheese, potatoes, and kitron—a citrus liqueur unique to Naxos.
Beach lovers will find paradise along Naxos’s western coast. Plaka Beach extends for several kilometres of uninterrupted golden sand and shallow turquoise waters. Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna combine natural beauty with convenient amenities, while more remote beaches like Mikri Vigla attract windsurfers and kitesurfers with their perfect conditions.
Paros: Laid-Back Cycladic Charm
Neighbouring Paros offers a perfect balance between Mykonos’s vibrancy and Naxos’s authenticity. With its traditional villages, excellent beaches, and buzzing yet unpretentious nightlife, Paros captures the essence of Cycladic island living.
Parikia, the island’s capital, welcomes visitors with its picturesque old town and the impressive Church of Ekatontapiliani (Church of a Hundred Doors), one of Greece’s most important Byzantine monuments dating back to the 4th century AD. The charming fishing village of Naoussa in the north has transformed into a cosmopolitan harbour without losing its traditional character.
Paros is famous for its fine-quality marble, which was used in ancient sculptures and temples.
Inland villages like Lefkes offer a glimpse into island life away from the coast. Set amidst rolling hills and olive groves, this former capital enchants visitors with its whitewashed houses, marble-paved pathways, and neoclassical buildings.
Golden Beach and New Golden Beach rank among the best beaches in the Cyclades, particularly for windsurfing and kitesurfing, hosting international competitions each summer. For those seeking tranquillity, smaller coves like Kolymbithres, with its uniquely sculpted granite formations, offer more secluded swimming spots.
Crete: Greece’s Largest Island
Crete, Greece’s largest island, merits at least a week to explore properly. This diverse island combines spectacular mountain landscapes, some of Europe’s best beaches, significant archaeological sites, and distinctive cultural traditions.
Heraklion and Knossos: Minoan Marvels
The island’s capital, Heraklion, serves as the gateway to Crete’s most famous archaeological site—the Palace of Knossos. This Bronze Age complex, the centre of the sophisticated Minoan civilisation, dates back to approximately 2000 BC. The site’s partial reconstruction by archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans helps visitors visualise the advanced architectural techniques and vibrant aesthetic of Europe’s earliest advanced civilisation.
Crete is known for its beautiful coastline and clear blue waters.
Heraklion itself rewards exploration with its impressive Archaeological Museum, housing the world’s finest collection of Minoan artefacts. The Venetian fortress guarding the harbour and the bustling market streets leading to Morosini Fountain provide a pleasant urban experience that blends historical features with modern city life.
Chania: Venetian Splendour
Western Crete’s jewel, Chania, captivates visitors with perhaps Greece’s most beautiful city. The Venetian harbour, lined with colourful buildings housing seafood restaurants and boutiques, creates an unforgettable setting, especially when lit up at night. The Egyptian lighthouse standing sentinel at the harbour entrance adds to the romantic atmosphere.
Chania is surrounded by beautiful beaches, such as Elafonisi, Balos Lagoon, and Falassarna.
Behind the harbour, the old town reveals its multicultural heritage through Venetian mansions, Ottoman fountains, and the restored Etz Hayyim Synagogue. The covered market offers a sensory feast of local products, from mountain herbs and olive oil to Cretan cheeses and honey.
Nearby beaches like Falassarna and Elafonissi consistently rank among Europe’s best. Elafonissi, in particular, draws visitors with its pink-tinged sand and shallow, warm lagoon-like waters. The dramatic Samaria Gorge, Europe’s longest at 16 kilometres, offers one of Greece’s most rewarding hiking experiences.
Rethymno: Where History Meets the Sea
Between Heraklion and Chania lies Rethymno, blending Ottoman and Venetian architecture in its well-preserved old town. The massive Fortezza castle provides panoramic views across the city and sea, while the old harbour maintains its fishing village charm despite tourism development.
Rethymno is a city on the northern coast of Crete, Greece.
Rethymno’s position makes it ideal for exploring both eastern and western Crete. The southern coast’s more remote beaches, like Preveli, where a palm tree forest meets a freshwater river at a stunning beach, are within easy reach. The Amari Valley and Mount Psiloritis offer opportunities to experience rural Cretan life and traditional villages seemingly untouched by tourism.
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The Dodecanese Islands: Where East Meets West
Rhodes: The Island of Knights
Rhodes combines medieval European architecture with beautiful beaches and a vibrant contemporary scene. The UNESCO-listed Medieval City of Rhodes, built by the Knights of St. John, stands as one of Europe’s best-preserved fortified towns. Walking through the Street of the Knights transports visitors back to the 14th century, while the imposing Palace of the Grand Master showcases magnificent architecture and important archaeological collections.
The Acropolis has a long history, with evidence of habitation dating back to the Neolithic period.
Beyond the capital, Lindos offers another historical highlight. The ancient acropolis, perched dramatically above the whitewashed village and twin bays, provides spectacular views. The settlement itself, with its captain’s houses and Byzantine churches, creates a labyrinth of enchanting alleyways.
Rhodes boasts excellent beaches along its eastern coast. Faliraki caters to party-seekers, while Tsambika offers a more relaxed environment beneath its impressive mountain backdrop. The Valley of the Butterflies, where thousands of Jersey tiger moths gather during summer, provides a unique natural spectacle amid lush vegetation.
Kos: Hippocrates’ Island
The birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, Kos blends significant archaeological sites with excellent beaches and a relaxed atmosphere. The Ancient Agora and the Asklepieion—a healing temple complex where Hippocrates once taught—showcase the island’s important role in early medical history.
Kos is a Greek island in the Dodecanese archipelago, known for its beaches, historical sites, and natural beauty.
Kos Town seamlessly integrates ancient ruins with mediaeval architecture and modern amenities. The imposing Castle of the Knights towers over the harbour, while Roman ruins, including a well-preserved odeon and gymnasium, appear unexpectedly throughout the town.
With its flat terrain, Kos is particularly cyclist-friendly, making it easy to explore. The island’s coastline features beaches ranging from developed resorts like Kardamena to more secluded spots like Kefalos Bay. The mountain villages of the interior offer authentic tavernas serving local specialities and spectacular views across to Turkey.
Ionian Islands: Greece’s Emerald Treasures
Corfu: Venetian Elegance
Unlike the stark, sun-baked landscapes of the Aegean islands, Corfu greets visitors with lush green hillsides, elegant Venetian architecture, and a distinctive cultural character shaped by centuries of Italian influence.
Corfu Town (Kerkyra) stands as one of Greece’s most elegant island capitals. The UNESCO-protected old town showcases impressive Venetian fortresses, French-style arcades, and grand palaces like the Palace of St. Michael and St. George. The Spianada Square—the largest in the Balkans—provides a perfect spot for people-watching over a coffee.
The beach is famous for the shipwreck of the MV Panagiotis, which ran aground in 1980.
The island’s interior reveals charming villages like Pelekas and Lakones, offering spectacular viewpoints and authentic tavernas. Literary enthusiasts might visit Kalami, where writer Lawrence Durrell once lived in the White House, now a taverna with a literary legacy.
Beach aficionados can choose between dramatic west coast beaches like Paleokastritsa, where green cliffs plunge into turquoise waters, or the more developed eastern shores with family-friendly resorts. The northern cape of Sidari features the unique Canal d’Amour, where legend claims swimmers who navigate its narrow channel will find true love.
Kefalonia: Natural Splendour
Kefalonia, the largest Ionian island, achieved international fame as the setting for Louis de Bernières’ novel “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.” The island’s dramatic landscapes include Mount Ainos, the highest peak in the Ionian islands, covered with a unique black pine forest.
Myrtos Beach, consistently rated among Greece’s best, creates an unforgettable vista with its mile-long arc of white pebbles between towering limestone cliffs. The azure waters appear almost artificially vibrant against the pale shore.
Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands in western Greece.
Underground wonders abound on Kefalonia. The Melissani Cave, with its collapsed roof allowing sunlight to illuminate the underground lake, creates magical light effects around midday. The Drogarati Cave impresses with its massive chamber filled with stalactites and stalagmites, boasting such excellent acoustics that it occasionally hosts concerts.
Fiscardo, the island’s most cosmopolitan harbour, draws yachting enthusiasts with its Venetian architecture that survived the devastating 1953 earthquake. The colourful buildings lining the waterfront create a particularly enchanting scene when lit up at night.
Mainland Greece: Beyond the Islands
Athens: Where Ancient Meets Modern
Any comprehensive Greek itinerary should include Athens, where 5,000 years of history seamlessly intertwine with contemporary urban life. The Acropolis, crowned by the perfectly proportioned Parthenon, dominates the cityscape as the ultimate symbol of Classical Greek civilisation. The state-of-the-art Acropolis Museum, built to house treasures from the sacred hill, provides context through excellent exhibitions.
Athens is a major cultural hub, with numerous museums, theaters, and historical sites.
Beyond the Acropolis, Athens reveals layers of history at every turn. The Ancient Agora, once the commercial and political heart of Athens, offers a glimpse into daily life in Classical times. The well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus stands as the ancient marketplace’s crown jewel. Nearby, the Roman Agora and Hadrian’s Library demonstrate how Athens evolved under Roman rule.
Contemporary Athens thrives in neighbourhoods like Plaka, Monastiraki, and Psiri. These districts pulse with energy, housing everything from traditional tavernas and ouzeris to cutting-edge restaurants and vibrant nightlife venues. The revitalised waterfront area around Faliro and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center showcase Athens’ modern ambitions.
Ancient Greeks considered Delphi the centre of the world, where heaven and earth met. Set dramatically against Mount Parnassus, this UNESCO World Heritage site features the sanctuary of Apollo, where the famous oracle delivered her prophecies that shaped ancient history.
The Sacred Way leads visitors past treasury buildings to the Temple of Apollo, while the well-preserved theatre and stadium showcase the site’s role in hosting the Pythian Games. The Archaeological Museum contains masterpieces like the Charioteer of Delphi, a bronze statue of exceptional craftsmanship.
The Oracle of Delphi was the most prestigious and authoritative oracle in the ancient Greek world.
The modern village of Delphi provides comfortable accommodation for visitors wishing to explore the site at leisure. Nearby, the mountain towns of Arachova and Galaxidi offer traditional architecture, local cuisine, and—in Arachova’s case—winter skiing opportunities.
Meteora: Monasteries in the Sky
Perhaps Greece’s most spectacular mainland sight, Meteora features enormous natural rock pillars topped with 14th-century monasteries. The name means “suspended in air,” an apt description for these spiritual retreats perched seemingly impossibly atop sheer rock faces.
Six monasteries remain active today from an original twenty-four, each accessible by steps carved into the rock. Inside, visitors discover religious treasures, Byzantine frescoes, and spectacular views across the Thessalian plain. The largest monastery, Great Meteoron, houses an excellent museum explaining monastic life.
Meteora is an important center of Eastern Orthodox monasticism and a place of pilgrimage.
The town of Kalambaka, at the base of the rocks, provides a convenient base for exploration. Sunset and sunrise offer particularly magical light conditions for photographers seeking to capture Meteora’s otherworldly essence.
Olympia: Birthplace of the Olympic Games
In the western Peloponnese, Ancient Olympia allows visitors to walk in the footsteps of the original Olympic athletes. The archaeological site includes the stadium where foot races took place, the gymnasium where athletes trained, and the workshop of Phidias, who created the massive gold and ivory statue of Zeus that once stood as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
It hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
The Temple of Zeus, though now reduced to scattered columns, once dominated the sanctuary. The Archaeological Museum houses treasures from the site, including the remarkable Hermes of Praxiteles statue and the Nike of Paionios, both masterpieces of ancient sculpture.
Practical Tips for Visiting Greece
When to Visit
Greece enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The peak tourist season runs from June through September, with July and August seeing the highest temperatures, biggest crowds, and steepest prices.
For a more balanced experience, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons (April-May or September-October), when the weather remains pleasant, the sea warm enough for swimming, yet crowds thin and prices drop significantly. Winter visits limit beach activities but provide a different perspective on destinations like Athens and the archaeological sites, which can be explored comfortably without the summer heat.
Getting Around
Greece offers various transportation options. Domestic flights connect Athens to major islands and cities. The ferry network provides comprehensive coverage of the islands, though schedules are reduced significantly in the off-season. On the mainland, an improving road network makes self-driving viable, while KTEL buses connect major towns and cities.
Within the islands, local buses often provide sufficient coverage for tourists, though rental cars offer more flexibility for exploring remote beaches and mountain villages. Scooters and ATVs represent popular options on smaller islands, though safety concerns should be considered.
Accommodation
Greece offers accommodation ranging from simple rooms-to-let to luxurious boutique hotels and international resorts. On popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos, booking well in advance is essential during high season. Traditional guesthouses in converted mansions often provide more authentic experiences than large hotels, particularly in places like Nafplio and the Zagorohoria villages.
Culinary Experiences
Greek cuisine extends far beyond the international staples of moussaka and souvlaki. Each region boasts local specialities worth seeking out—Cretan dakos (barley rusks topped with tomato and cheese), Corfu’s pastitsada (spiced meat stew), or Santorini’s unique white aubergines and fava beans.
For authentic dining experiences, look for tavernas filled with local patrons rather than those catering exclusively to tourists. In coastal areas, psarotavernas (fish tavernas) typically offer the freshest seafood, though prices are usually calculated by weight rather than by dish.
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Greece rewards travellers with an unparalleled combination of historical significance, natural beauty, and cultural vibrancy. Whether exploring the archaeological treasures of Athens, sailing between the Cycladic islands, hiking through Crete’s dramatic gorges, or simply relaxing on a perfect beach, visitors find experiences that resonate long after their tan fades.
The beautiful islands of Greece, from the world-famous Santorini and Mykonos to lesser-known gems like Milos and Amorgos, each possess their own unique charm. The crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea wash against some of Europe’s most spectacular coastlines, offering everything from secluded coves to organized beaches with lively beach bars.
