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In Greece, one has the sense that time exists in a vacuum; the wild landscapes unchanged by millennia, moving to the slow and steady rhythm of local life. This Mediterranean jewel—shaped by ancient mythology and the birthplace of democracy—is counted among the top destinations to visit in the world for countless reasons, from its complex history and distinct culture to its natural beauty and traditional fresh cuisine. There’s no mistaking Greece for anywhere else.
The country has the longest coastline in all of Europe and is usually broken into three geographical regions: the mainland, the islands, and Peloponnese (a peninsula below the mainland). The highest peak is Mount Olympus and is where the Greeks believed was home to the gods. (It also became the first national park in the country.) And while many of Greece’s most iconic destinations are on the mainland and peninsula, like Athens, millions of visitors flock to the country for its staggeringly beautiful islands.
The best places to visit in Greece appeal to every sort of traveler. For those in pursuit of historical sites, its ancient ruins and museums lined with artifacts should entice. If your idea of a getaway is one with little to no agenda, the country’s multitude of gorgeous beaches and seaside tavernas await. And for a hint of adventure, opportunities for scuba diving, paragliding, hiking, and sailing provide the ideal dose of adrenaline. Ahead, our guide to planning your next great getaway to Greece.
Cycle the Coastal Route on Spetses
The southernmost of the Saronic islands and just a brief boat ride from Kosta on the Peloponnesian coast, Spetses is a lesser-visited island marked by its rustic beauty and cultural charm. On top of the expected crystal-clear beaches, the island is also blanketed with fragrant pine trees (in antiquity it was referred to as Pityoussa, translating roughly to “pine-abundant”). Cars aren’t allowed here (save for a few taxis) and the adopted mode of transit by locals is motorbike. Visitors can take a slower pace by renting a bicycle and setting off on the well-paved 26 kilometer coastal road or an off-road trail; one of which takes you to the highest point on the island.
Stay Here: Poseidonion Grand Hotel opened in 1914 and with its proximity to the country s capital, attracted Athenian high society and royalty in its heyday. The architecture takes cues from famed French Riviera properties and wow-worthy details include a marvelous marble staircase as well as hand-painted tiles throughout the hotel.
Step Back in Time on Hydra
Catch the two-hour ferry from Athens to reach this quintessential port town beloved by everyone from The Rolling Stones and Brigitte Bardot to Leonard Cohen, who famously owned a home on the island and wrote Bird on the Wire while living here. Hydra, with its multitude of donkeys and absence of cars, offers a glimpse at what island life was like many years ago. Meander along scenic coastal paths, pop into a taverna by the sea, and rent your very own boat to wind along the atmospheric coastline.
Stay Here: The Thinking Traveller’s ‘Citrus’ villa is located in a waterfront hamlet on Plakes beach, about three kilometers west of the port town. Enjoy a day at the beach (accessed directly from the property) followed by an afternoon aperitif on the picture-perfect terrace presiding over the sea.
Tour the Syros Countryside in a Vintage Car
The colorful capital of the Cyclades, Syros is a destination known for its strong and equal presence of both Orthodox and Catholic communities (a result of the island’s history of Venetian and Ottoman rule). Days can be spent under an umbrella at Delfini beach, exploring Neoclassical buildings in the capital city of Ermoupolis, visiting archaeological sites and museums, and shopping ceramics from local artisans. Get your bearings of the island with a zip around the countryside in a Citroën Pony (a classic Greek car), stopping in remote villages along the way and ending with a picnic.
Stay Here: Hotel Aristide is a nine-room boutique hotel housed in a landmark building in the elegant Vaporia neighborhood. Guests can enjoy the private art collection on display as well as a rooftop restaurant and a robust sustainability program.
Snorkel at Secret Swimming Holes on Kefalonia
Kefalonia is where you go when you want to spend your holiday hiking in the forest, wading through clear waters, and watching the sunset from a relaxed taverna. The island is home to the only national park in the Greek islands as well as several acclaimed beaches, such as Myrtos. While here, hop on a boat to tour the region’s prized snorkeling spots where you can observe sea turtles and lionfish swimming around underwater caves and reefs.
Stay Here: Eliamos Villas Hotel Spa Kefalonia is a Relais Chateaux property on the southern shores of the island offering 12 villas. The interiors are note-perfect and the views unmatched— which, combined with the fragrant wildflowers around the property and fresh flavors at the restaurant, all make for a sensory-rich stay.
Immerse in the Marble Heritage of Tinos
Unspoiled and distinct for its abundance of marble, Tinos offers a quieter side of the Cyclades in contrast to its glamorous neighbor, Mykonos. The island’s prized material comes from the quarries of local villages (namely Panormos and Pyrgos) and was used in the construction of temples and monuments across the entire country for several centuries. Visitors can discover various galleries and workshops showcasing these artisans, like at the Museum of Marble Crafts, and discover other styles of craftsmanship like Sabrina Binda—a French ceramicist based in Tinos selling earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain objects.
Stay Here: Odera Tinos worked with the team at Studio Bonarchi to design the 77-room property using the island’s raw materials, from traditional Tinian stones to green marble furniture. (Tip: book one of the rooms with a private infinity pool overlooking the Aegean.)
Taste Wine on Windswept Santorini
Best known for its ancient caldera and cliffside architecture, Santorini is an island of intense beauty. Though millions of tourists flock to the ‘jewel of the Aegean Sea’ each year, eschewing the crowds is still possible if you plan your visit during the shoulder season, explore popular sites during less crowded hours, and opt for activities—like wine-tasting—that offer a more intimate experience. Santorini wines are distinct for their volcanic soil but also for the viticulture; vines are wound into a basket shape at ground level, which protects them from the island’s intense winds. Santo Wines is arguably the most popular and a fine destination to familiarize yourself with Assyrtiko (Santorini s flagship grape variety). Also worth adding to your itinerary: Venetsanos Winery, Gaia Wines, and Domaine Sigalas.
Stay Here: Katikies Kirini Santorini feels plucked from Greek mythology with its cliffside setting and show-stopping views. But even when you’re not taking in the sunset from a whitewashed veranda, inside, at the spa, a magical experience also awaits (don’t miss the cave pool).
Drive the Rustic Mani Peninsula
This peninsula forms the southernmost tip of mainland Greece and is best experienced by car. Drive along Mani’s hidden coastline, making pitstops at stone villages and rugged beaches along the way. One such stop is Kardamyli, a fishing village that was first mentioned in Homer’s epic poem, the Iliad that retains a true untouched feel. Be sure to pay a visit to the hamlet of Kalamitsi just outside the village to check out the house of the writer Sir Patrick Leigh Fermor and his wife Joan (it operates as a museum but can be rented three months out of the year).
Stay Here: Kyriamai Hotel sits within a restored 19th-century tower house overlooking a stony shoreline. The property is in the remote village of Gerolimenas at seemingly the furthest tip of Greece, and its 23 stylish rooms, impeccable restaurant, and picturesque bay make it all too effortless to unplug here for a few days.
Descend a Vertical Cave on Antiparos
Small, secluded, and a bit sleepy (in the best possible way)—Antiparos is the ultimate retreat in nature. You can swim in turquoise beaches, stroll the harborfront village, and even visit a small islet inhabited only by goats. If you’re looking for something especially unique, head for the cave of Antiparos where you’ll descend 85 meters into the earth, surrounded by dramatic stalactites and stalagmites (one of which is estimated to be a whopping 45 million years old).
Stay Here: The Rooster is a 17-key boutique hotel surrounded by gardens and sand dunes. Each of the individual houses has its own private sundeck (cue a perfect Mediterranean sunset) and nearby Livadia beach offers a convenient positioning between land and sea.
Savor Archaeological Sites in Athens
It goes without saying that there’s far more to Athens than its legendary ruins—from a lively natural wine bar scene to world-class antique shopping—but no visit is complete without time spent at historic sites like the Temple of Hephaestus, Theatre of Dionysus, and—of course—the Parthenon. Better yet, head to a rooftop bar that offers a unique view of the Acropolis for a laidback take on sightseeing, like the one at Apollo Palm, or pack a picnic of Greek provisions to watch the sunset from Philopappos Hill.
Where to Stay: Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens sits on the Athenian Riviera just 30 minutes from the city center, offering a luxurious spot to cool off after a day of temple hopping. The resort has 300 suites and bungalows plus an impressive waterfront spa and seaside dining outlets (with three designed by interior architect Martin Brudnizki).
Stroll Through Traditional Naxos Villages
With nearly three dozen tranquil villages and miles of sandy beach, it’s easy to understand why Naxos makes for a covetable Greek getaway. And though it’s the largest of the Cyclades, the island doesn’t allow cruise ships, which sets a much more relaxed tone for locals and visitors alike. Chora is the main town in Naxos (and well worth your time) but for a more traditional experience, head for the hills (or seaside) to meander through any one of Naxos’s 33 quaint villages.
Stay Here: Laguna Coast Resort sits on 480 acres of wetlands and a lagoon, set in front of mountains and a cedar forest. The design-driven property offers unique experiences, including outdoor cooking classes beneath ancient quarry rocks and horseback riding along the lagoon and ending at the islet of Manto.
Eat Your Way Through Sifnos
For those yearning for a slow, simple holiday, the island of Sifnos—with its rugged beauty and acclaimed food scene—is it. When native chef Nicholas Tselementes wrote his first cookbook in 1910, he was likely unaware he’d come to bear the reputation as the founder of modern Greek cooking. These days, his legacy permeates the vibes here, encouraging locals and visitors to savor Sifnos’s flavors, from revithia (chickpea stew cooked overnight in a traditional clay pot) to manoura, a local cheese aged in wine lees. Make sure to spend an evening at Loggia, a laidback wine bar carved into the cliff with live DJ sets.
Stay Here: Verina Astra’s small independent villas perch atop a steep hill hovering over Poulati beach, delivering on panoramic views of the Aegean. The property is surrounded by gardens and has an on-property restaurant serving up authentic Sifnos cuisine.
Swim and Sunbathe on Milos
There’s said to be some 70-plus beaches on Milos, which, for sun-worshippers offers ample options to indulge in spontaneous dips followed by a lounge on the sand. Rent a four-wheel drive to explore the island’s lesser-frequented swimming holes and don’t miss lunar-like Sarakiniko Beach, composed of bone-white volcanic rock that beautifully contrasts with the clear turquoise waters.
Stay Here: Skinopi Lodge is made up of seven stone villas that are tucked between olive trees, lavender, and thyme (yes, it smells incredible here). The property’s design leans heavily on indoor-outdoor principles, including al fresco showers and plenty of breezy spaces for afternoon naps and aperitifs.
Hike a World s Biosphere Reserve on Crete
As Greece’s largest and most populous island, it’s no surprise there’s a bit of everything to do here, from white sand beaches to ancient ruins. But for a touch of adventure, head for the Samariá Gorge, a World’s Biosphere Reserve and national park since 1962 (which, in part, was created as a refuge for the rare kri-kri Cretan goat). The point-to-point hike is around 10 miles, beginning at a 3937-foot altitude and ending at the black-sand beach of Agia Roumeli (an excellent post-hike reward).
Stay Here: Metohi Kendelis is a quiet Chania hideaway within a 16th-century farmhouse. The property’s farm produces organic fruits and avocados and the hotel has been hosting visitors in its three restored guesthouses for 30 years.
Adopt a Slower Pace on Serifos
One of the most underrated Cycladic islands, Serifos feels like a nod to a bygone era with its drowsy beaches (Psili Ammos being its most popular), seaside tavernas hawking freshly caught bites, and hiking paths that lead to ancient churches and monasteries. And don’t miss the windmills (a distinct characteristic of the island), which are at the entrance to the mountain village of Ano Chora.
Stay Here: Nōstos is a boutique hotel offering 17 rooms, some with a private balcony and outdoor jacuzzi overlooking the water. Expect Cycladic charm with whitewashed walls and warm natural textures, all surrounded by aromas of thyme and lavender.
