BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN GREECE – ARZO TRAVELS
21 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN GREECE
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Wondering about the best places to visit in Greece? About the most beautiful islands and places? Then grab your seats and prepare yourself for some eye-candy!
This post is probably one of the most beautiful posts ever – talking about the very photogenic islands/towns/ and cities in Greece is equal to pure beauty! This post is about the best places to visit in Greece and has many amazing pictures, and some of my fellow travel bloggers have also shared some valuable information on things to do and see when visiting the most beautiful places in Greece.
Ready to spoil your eyes with bright colorful pictures of Greece? Then find out about the 22 best places to visit in Greece.
Find my detailed packing list for your Europe trip here.
TRAVEL INSPIRATION: INTERLAKEN, SWITZERLAND
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MYKONOS
Recommended by Nadeen from The Sophisticated Life
Little Venice in Mykonos @shutterstock
While planning a girls’ trip to Greece, my friend and I knew that we had to put Mykonos on our itinerary.
The pictures do not do this Greek Isle justice! Mykonos is the perfect place to take in classic Greek “Cycladic” architecture. White cubic buildings with flat roofs and colorful doors, windows and balconies are all around you.
While in Mykonos we stayed at the Petinos Beach Hotel. It is in a great location right on the beach and only a few minutes by car or bus to the main shopping and eating areas. We visited Mykonos during the off season in October. If you want to experience the beach party atmosphere I suggest going by mid-September.
There are several things you must do while in Mykonos. First of all, eat! Be sure to dine at one of the many outdoor cafes located in “Little Venice”. Take in the beautiful waterfront views including cruise ships and yachts.
While in Little Venice, stroll through the cobblestone streets and go shopping. You will find very unique treasures by local artisans. Mykonos is known for their numerous windmills located around the island – climb hilltop so see them up close.
SIFNOS
Recommended by Susan from Best Bits Worldwide
Sifnos @shutterstock
Holidays to Greece can take many different forms – partying, sailing, sunning, but there is only one island where everyone goes specifically to eat: Sifnos, in the Cyclades.
The father of Greek cooking, Nikos Tselementes, was born here and every Greek has a copy of his book Odigos Mageirikis somewhere in the house.
We had really heard very little about Sifnos before booking our holiday. There really is not that much written about this tiny island, which is exactly what attracted us in the first place. We made our home base the Verina Suites in Platys Gialos, one of the nicest beach areas on the island.
When enquiring about our lunch options for the day, out poured the whole history of Sifnos as a foodie destination spot from Isidora, the GM. Beaming with pride, she informed us that all the restaurants are good, just with various degrees of goodness. She followed this by explaining that, unlike other Greek islands, every Sifnos chef has a reputation to uphold so it’s tough to get a bad meal anywhere.
We were starving by then, so it was time to hit all the foodie spots and we made it our mission to not miss any of these: Omega 3, O Drakakis, Nero & Alati, To Tsikali, Chrysopigi Tavern, and so many others!
We also made sure to try all the island specialties: mizithra, mastelo, revithada, revithokeftedes, and manoura!
METEORA
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Roussanou Monastery Meteora in Greece. Pic @Wandering Wheatleys
Middle of the sky” is the literal translation to the word Meteora which is pretty much exactly what it feels like when you visit. Located in central Greece, Meteora is an area containing six monasteries, each perched at the top of a giant monolithic pillar rising above the small town of Kalambaka.
Dating back to the 14th-16th century, the act of building these holy buildings on the top of 1200-foot-tall rocks would have been no small feat for the monks residing in nearby caves at that time.
Tourists flock to Kalambaka not to visit the town (although it is lovely and certainly worth staying for a few days to explore) but to tour these six archaeological wonders towering above. There is a lovely (albeit challenging) hike that begins at the base of the mountains in a residential neighborhood of Kalambaka and zigzags steeply up to the top where you’ll get your first of many amazing views – this one of the Holy Trinity Monastery. Follow the road as it winds along the mountain top and offers spectacular views of the valley below. If you’d rather tour the monasteries by car they are all easily accessible from the road.
All of the monasteries have varying opening hours and require a small entrance fee but are certainly worth a tour. Imagine the level of difficulty to complete even small tasks during their construction as water and food had to be hauled to the top and they lacked modern luxuries such as cars or even roads. Sunset from the rock outcroppings along the road offers some of the most amazing views in all of Greece!
Check out Rates for Accommodation in Meteora
SPETSES
Recommended by Hannah from That Adventurer
Spetses @shutterstock
Spetses is your traditional Greek island without the crowds. You can reach it only by boat (about 3 hours from Athens) and when you anchor at the tiny port of Dapia you’ll see whitewashed houses, local cafes and shops and narrow alley ways that are just calling out to be explored.
Whilst you could easily while away the hours going from cafe to cafe, sampling frappes and watching the water-taxis come and go, one of the best activities on the island is to hire a quad bike to get around. You can hire quad bikes from several different places near the port – just make sure they give you a helmet!
As you leave the port you’ll be rolling up and down hills and zipping past beautiful ocean vistas.
To the west of Spetses is Bekiri Cave which is well worth stopping at. It’s a short walk down and over some rocks from the road before you see the opening of the cave. You can either swim in, or climb in following the narrow path and then swim out into the sea. Just watch out for the rocks as, depending on the tide, they can be dangerous.
After a swim and exploring the caves head north to Vrelos Beach and take in the sunset. The beach is small but has a beach bar with surprisingly good cocktails and loungers. It’s such a good spot to while away a few hours. When I visited in June the beach was completely empty too!
IOS
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Ios – another great island of Greece. Pic @Follow the View
Ios is a true paradise for those seeking both fun and relaxation. This so-called “party island” has an amazing nightlife but also many secluded beaches to hide from the crowd.
Mylopotas Beach is a favorite pick for all party animals, with great beach clubs located nearby. Here you will also find Far Out Beach Club. It’s a really crazy place and if you are into partying all day & night, you can even stay in the resort nearby. It offers both budget bungalows and luxury villas, as well as high-end SPA hotel. 🙂
Beaches located on the eastern side of Ios are much calmer, quiet and perfect for kids. Our favorite beach is Manganari Beach, located actually in the southern part of the island. The sand looks like pure gold, water is shallow and crystal clear, and there is almost no one! A perfect place to relax and unwind in total tranquility…
If you are looking for typical Cycladic white&blue houses, but you have enough of crowds in Mykonos or Santorini, you’ve come to the right place. Chora is the main, extremely picturesque town in Ios with a maze of narrow streets. At sunset, go up the hill in Chora to admire a splendid view of the Aegean Sea soaking up in the sun.
While in Chora, don’t miss Katogi. This is the BEST restaurant in Greece for me, serving traditional Greek dishes with a modern twist. In these cozy interiors, you’ll feel like you’ve just visited a good friend at home. This place is very popular, so you would need to wait for the table, but it’s definitely worth it!
PAROS
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Paros @shutterstock
Make sure your ferry stops in Paros for a few days before you head onto Santorini. It’s about three hours from the famous island, but offers a much more laid-back atmosphere and an authentic Greek way of life.
The ferry port is perfect for a bit of shopping and some nightlife after the sun goes down at the Bebop rooftop bar. Close by for sunbathing during the day is Krios Beach – In sunny October, I was the only soul on the sand.
The best way to experience Paros is to rent a house in one of the little villages, like Lefkes. It’s 15 minutes from the beaches but in a beautiful white-washed town with delicious restaurants and bakeries. This one accommodates six people, has a massive outdoor space and even a sitting room that looks like a cave (save money when booking your first stay with Airbnb with my link). The hosts stock your fridge with fresh produce and dairy from local business too. When it’s time for dinner though, head a few minutes uphill to Taverna Flora to catch the sunset, have a glass of wine and conquer the biggest Greek salad you’ve ever seen.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try the old lighthouse next to Kolympithres beach, near the town of Naousa. It is a 30-minute walk, and the location rewards you with unrivaled views of the Aegean sea. In order to get there, you head from Lefkes to Naousa, drive past the town, past Kolympithres, until the end of the road.
NAXOS
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Paros @shutterstock
Naxos is the biggest island of the Cyclades complex in Greece.
Conveniently located 5 hours away by ferry from Athens and with an international airport it has become a popular holiday destination. Nevertheless, it has maintained its authenticity and quality. There are many places you can visit in Naxos so renting a car is totally recommended although there is a bus covering the most popular destinations.
There are plenty of things to do in Chora, the capital of the island. Very close to the port you can visit Portara (great door) which is actually a huge marble gate that was part of a temple dedicated to Apollo 2.500 years ago. This is the perfect spot to watch the sunset. You can also lose yourself at the winding alleys of Chora with the cute restaurants and shops until you reach the Castle.
Naxos also has many picturesque mountainous villages that have maintained its traditional architecture. Some worth visiting are Halki and Koronos. Naxos is also famous for its sandy long beaches like Agios Georgios in Chora, Agios Prokopios, and Agia Anna. There is also a wealth of sports activities on the island, many hiking paths, windsurfing, kite surfing and boat excursions to nearby islands.
If you are planning a trip to Greece Naxos should be on your itinerary.
PELOPONNESE
Recommended by Rashmi & Chalukya from Go Beyond Bounds
Peloponnese @shutterstock
Peloponnese the peninsular region in southern Greece is home to a gorgeous coastline with pristine beaches, pretty medieval towns and some of the interesting archaeological sites.
No wonder it has been voted as one the best places to visit in Europe by Lonely Planet in 2016. Peloponnese is a large region with a lot to offer you can plan a tour exploring the best of Peloponnese – the Corinth region, Mycenae, Nafplio, and Epidaurus which is also a popular day trip from Athens. Your first stop on the tour would be the man-made wonder Corinth Canal, the 6.4 km canal which separates mainland Greece from the Peloponnese region.
Corinth region is also home to the ancient Corinth which is an ancient archeological site which was a major commercial center during the ancient times. You can find some of the interesting archaeological findings in the museum located on the same site. While Mycenae also has an archaeological site, Nafplio is more of a charming coastal city with neoclassical traditional buildings. The most important site in Epidavros is the Epidavros theater which is one of the best preserved ancient theaters in Greece and is still used for musical concerts and plays.
There are many places to visit in Peloponnese which is apt for a history buff of which ancient Olympia, Mystras, the medieval village of Kastro and ancient Nemea are few to name.
MILOS
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@shutterstock
Milos may not be one of the most popular Greek islands, but with over 70+ beaches to choose from you will have plenty to be amazed by. If you’re looking for some secluded beaches, crystal blue/green waters, picturesque blue and white towns, all without the mass crowds, Milos is the perfect Greek island.
My favorite thing to do in Milos is rent an ATV to explore the island. Not only is driving an ATV an adventure in and of itself, it allows you to get to all of the off beat places.
Sarakiniko is the most unusual beach on Milos with a lunar-like landscape formed by volcanic rock formations. The bright white rock contrasting with the rich blue sea is quite something to see.
On the south of the island, don’t miss Firiplaka Beach, the prettiest beach on the island in my opinion. The backdrop of the clear turquoise waters framed by the massive plunging red rock cliffs is stunning. Sip on a cocktail at the little beach bar and enjoy mother nature at its finest.
While on Milos, make sure to stop by one of the many traditional fishing villages, colourfully painted with a boat garage on the bottom. The fishing villages are something unique to the island you won’t see on many other Greek islands. Make sure not to miss Mandrakia and Klima.
A visit to the abandoned sulphur mines is also great for photography lovers, as it is located right on the water. It’s a bit hard to get to with the rough roads, but the journey out there makes up half the fun.
Milos is small, super safe for the solo traveleler, easy to navigate, and has loads to do and see. It is the ideal Greek island if you ask me!
LESBOS /LESVOS
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Lesbos @shutterstock
If you are looking for an off the beaten path island in Greece then you should definitely consider the North Aegean island of Lesbos.
The island, just a few kilometers away from the Turkish mainland, got in the news a lot because it suffered heavily at the times of the refugee crisis in Europe. Those times are long gone and this beautiful island is now a pretty quiet place away from the tourist trail in Greece, and even so utterly stunning as the others. Lesvos is a great place to explore on a road trip around the island and stay overnight in a couple of different places.
In the North definitely, don’t miss the picture-perfect town of Molyvos with its steep cobbled stoned streets and great ocean views.
In the South, you will find Plomari, the birthplace of the famous Greek drink Ouzo. In this lovely little fishing village are two Ouzo museums, a bunch of idyllic bays and some completely deserted beaches. Also, don’t miss the Petrified Forest with fossils dating back millions of years ago. This is also one of the reasons the complete Lesbos Island is a UNESCO heritage site. Last but not least spend a couple of nights in the capital of Lesbos, Mytilini.
Visit the history museum and hike up to the castle on top of the hill. Mingle at night with locals in the artsy district around the port and find hip cafes and bars to go out in this university town. Hotel Pyrgos has an amazing rooftop looking over the city of Mytilini.
Last but not least spend a couple of nights in the capital of Lesbos, Mytilini. Visit the history museum and hike up to the castle on top of the hill. Mingle at night with locals in the artsy district around the port and find hip cafes and bars to go out in this university town. Hotel Pyrgos has an amazing rooftop looking over the city of Mytilini.
ATHENS
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Athens Acropolis @shutterstock
Greece has always been the ‘one that got away’ during my travels and I never had a chance to visit until a last-minute flight from Sofia to Copenhagen put me with a 24-hour layover in Athens earlier this year.
I knew very little about Greek history as someone who studied years of Latin, but I did know that the history is ancient and one of the most influential in our modern society. After arriving in the city from the airport, I perused around and couldn’t help but feel like I had missed out all this time by avoiding coming to Athens!
The city left me in awe by its beauty and overjoyed by its food and smells. I spent much of my day walking through Anafiotika and other parts of the old town while marveling at the architecture, friendliness of the people, and views of the city. During the latter part of the day, I decided to wander to Exarchia, a neighborhood known for its street art, urban resistance, and cool and quirky cafes and businesses.
The neighborhood made me feel like I was on another planet, but I loved it and chatted with locals when I could and took a few photos here and there. The city of Athens is like an onion; every neighborhood and block is a layer and once you peel it back, you are exposed to a new side of the capital and it fuels your curiosity of the complexity of the place.
I know the beaches of Greece are utterly magnificent. But, as a city person, I can’t help but think that the rest of Greece has some big shoes to fill because I am absolutely enamored by Athens.
Find out more about the best activities in Athens.
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