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13 things to know before you go to Greece and the Greek Islands

Mar 6, 2024 • 8 min read

These top planning tips can help you prep for a trip to Greece, from health and safety to local etiquette © EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS / Getty Images

Get out your bucket list; it’s time to cross off a major line item: Greece . 

The fabled land remains tops for culture , food, outdoor travel, art and, of course, beaches and islands . As part of the border-free Schengen Area, it’s also incredibly easy to visit for many travelers worldwide. From advance booking to local etiquette – and health and safety issues when you're there – here's everything you need to know to plan a memorable trip to Greece.

1. Choose your season wisely

Your experience in Greece will be wildly different depending on when you visit . Summer is tops for action, family fun, and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, but prices are at their highest and pre-booking is necessary for everything since it’s all so popular.

The shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) are a delight – prices are lower, and rooms and resources are more readily available. Winter offers a moody and budget-friendly retreat, great for walking, hiking and sedate travels where you will often be the only visitor around. Bear in mind that some businesses will shut down completely during the low season.

2. Prioritize your wishlist and make a plan

Do you want a grand tour, taking in the not-to-be-missed highlights all over Greece, or would you prefer to focus your time on exploring your favorite islands  or regions, like the Peloponnese ?

The best way to choose from the dizzying array of options on offer is to focus on what is important to you – relaxing on beautiful beaches, learning more about Greece's fascinating history and culture , museums and archaeology, off-the-beaten-track wildlife, or partying until dawn – and plan accordingly.

3. Find the perfect island or region for you

Greece merits multiple trips as every island offers something different , and each of its regions is equally dazzling – you're never going to see everything on your first visit, and you'll ruin your trip if you pressure yourself to do just that. Also, don’t be fooled that the biggies are the only islands worthy of your attention. Though Mykonos , Santorini and the major names have plenty to offer, lesser-known islands (there are hundreds!) like Amorgos or Kythira are also a delight. They've also got the added bonus of smaller crowds and lower prices if that's a key consideration for you.

4. Athens isn't the only gateway to Greece

In many cases, you will find it useful to transit in or out of Greece via Athens , as its airport has connections with numerous international destinations, and the city itself is a gem . However, there are other international airports around the Greek mainland (such as in Thessaloniki ) and on some major islands (such as Mykonos , Santorini  and  Corfu ).

If you need any internal flights to get to your destination of choice, it's worth checking the price of these individually. Due to government subsidies, it can work out significantly cheaper to book each part of your Greek itinerary separately from your international flights.

5. Book everything in advance during peak season

In peak season , prices are high, and demand for car hire, accommodations and ferry tickets is even higher – this is not the time for ad hoc bookings on the fly. Greece is an incredibly popular summer destination, and the best options get snapped up well in advance.

6. Roads in Greece are for confident drivers

No one who has traveled on Greece’s roads will be surprised to hear that the country’s road fatality rate is one of the highest in Europe. Overtaking is listed as the greatest cause of accidents. Heart-stopping moments aside, your own car is a great way to explore off the beaten track if you are confident in your driving and keep a few key points in mind.

• The road network has improved enormously in recent years; many roads marked as dirt tracks on older maps have now been sealed, and a lot of the islands have very little traffic.
• There are regular (if costly) car-ferry services to almost all islands.
• Greece is not the best place to initiate yourself into motorcycling. If you're not confident on a motorbike, it may be best to park this option until you have more experience.
• All the big multinational car-rental companies are represented in Athens, and most have branches in major towns and popular tourist destinations. The majority of islands have at least one outlet.

7. Greece is not very wheelchair-friendly beyond Athens

Access for travelers with disabilities has improved somewhat in recent years, but the majority of accessible sights, hotels and restaurants tend to be located in Athens. While improvements are on the horizon for beach access,  much of the rest of Greece remains inaccessible to wheelchairs, and the abundance of stones, marble, slippery cobbles and stepped alleys create frustrating barriers for those with mobility issues. People who have visual or hearing impairments are also rarely catered for.

Careful planning before you go can make a world of difference. There are specific resources online that provide links to local articles, resorts and tour groups catering to tourists with physical disabilities.

8. Pack the right kinds of clothing

Athenians are well-dressed, and the younger crowd is trendy, so keep your smart clothes for the urban catwalk of clubs and bars. Nevertheless, in Athens and other metropolises such as Rhodes , Thessaloniki and Iraklio , everyday attire such as shorts or jeans and casual tops are just fine.

Bars or fashionable restaurants require more effort – the scene is stylish rather than dressy. Think tops and trousers rather than T-shirts and cut-offs. In out-of-the-way places, you can wear casual clothing, and in summer, the heat will make you want to wear the least amount of fabric you can get away with – bring quick-drying tank tops and cool dresses.

Sturdy walking shoes are a must for the cobbled roads, and proper hiking boots are key if you're exploring the countryside on foot . It's respectful to cover up before entering churches.

9. Learn some basic Greek phrases

Greek is a tough language to learn thoroughly, but mastering a few basic greetings and niceties will make a world of difference in how Greek speakers receive you. In touristed areas, many people speak English, so rest assured that you can get by as long as you know some key phrases.

10. Carry cash and don't rely on cards or ATMs

As part of the EU, Greece uses the euro. In restaurants, a service charge is normally included in the bill, and while a tip is not expected (as it is in North America), it is always appreciated. Taxi drivers normally expect you to round up the fare, while bellhops who help you carry your luggage to your hotel room or stewards on ferries who take you to your cabin normally expect a small gratuity of between €1 and €3.

ATMs are found in every town large enough to support a bank and in almost all the tourist areas. Be aware that ATMs on the islands can lose their connection for a day or two at a time, making it impossible for anyone (locals included) to withdraw money. It’s useful to keep some backup cash just in case this happens during your visit.

Credit cards are now an accepted part of the commercial scene in Greece, although they’re often not accepted on many of the smaller islands or in small villages. Don't rely on your cards alone, and check in advance when dining or drinking if it's your only option.

11. Make sure you have good travel insurance

Although medical training is of a high standard in Greece, the public health service is underfunded. Hospitals can be overcrowded, and relatives are expected to bring in food for the patient – often a problem for solo travelers. Conditions and treatment are much better in private hospitals, which are expensive. All this means that a comprehensive travel insurance policy is essential.

There is at least one doctor on every island, and larger islands have hospitals. Pharmacies can dispense medicines that are available only on prescription in most European countries. If the situation isn't critical, it's often best to consult a pharmacist first for minor ailments.

12. Stay hydrated and remember how powerful the sun can be

Tap water isn't safe to drink on many islands – if in doubt, ask. Keeping a supply of bottled water to hand is essential for hydration as well as safety; many tourists underestimate how hot it can get in Greece, and heatstroke and serious sunburn are common on beaches with little shade.

Break up your sun-drenched siestas with time in the shade getting hydrated, and pack plenty of high-factor sunscreen. Mosquitos are an irritant rather than a danger – packing insect repellant is recommended.

13. Pickpocketing and other petty crime is common in busy places

The major risks of theft in Greece are pickpockets in the large cities and theft of belongings when lounging on busy, popular beaches (leave passports behind in hotel safes). Never leave your belongings unattended, and don't leave your bags hanging from the back of your seat where you can't keep an eye on them. 

The tourist police work in cooperation with the regular Greek police. Each tourist police office has at least one member of staff who speaks English. If you need to report a theft or loss of passport, go to the tourist police first, and they will act as interpreters between you and the regular police.

Some unscrupulous taxi drivers will try to charge you extortionate rates from the airports to the city centers. Always make sure the meter is running or pre-negotiate and agree on the price before you get in.

This article was first published Mar 1, 2022 and updated Mar 6, 2024.

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Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

Greece - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Greece.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Greece.

If you decide to travel to Greece: 

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Greece.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

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91 Vasilisis Sophias Avenue 10160 Athens, Greece Telephone: +(30)(210) 721-2951 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +30 210 729-4444 or +30 210 729-4301 Fax: +(30)(210) 724-5313 Email:   [email protected] Facebook

U.S. Consulate General Thessaloniki Plateia Commercial Center 43 Tsimiski Street, 7th floor 546 23 Thessaloniki Greece Telephone: +30-231-024-2905 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +30 210 729-4444 or +30 210 729-4301 Fax: +30 231-024-2927 Email:  [email protected] U.S. Embassy Athens provides all regular consular services including U.S. passports, notarials, and reports of birth and death abroad.

U.S. Consulate General Thessaloniki provides notarial service. Embassy Athens consular staff periodically provide regular consular services in Thessaloniki. Please check the U.S. Embassy Athens website for information on the next scheduled visit. Visa services are provided at Embassy Athens only.

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Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Visit the Embassy of Greece website for the most current visa information.

Greece is a party to the Schengen Agreement; therefore, U.S. citizens may enter Greece without a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. For additional details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet .

• For entry into Greece, your passport should have at least six months of remaining validity . While Greek law requires three months of passport validity beyond the intended date of your departure, if you are transiting a country that requires six months of validity, you may not be permitted to continue your trip. We recommend that you have at least six months of validity to avoid any travel disruptions.
• U.S. citizens traveling on a passport reported lost or stolen will not be permitted entry into Greece and may be returned to their original departure point. This decision is the purview of the Greek immigration authorities; the U.S. Embassy cannot intervene. Emergency passports are issued only at the Embassy in Athens. Staff members do not travel to the air, land, or sea ports of entry.
• You must arrive in country with proof of sufficient funds and a return airline ticket or other evidence that you will depart Greece if asked. The sufficient funds requirement is often met with credit cards.
• U.S. official and diplomatic passport holders must obtain a Schengen visa prior to arrival. If you are traveling on a U.S. official or diplomatic passport, you will not be allowed to enter Greece without a visa.
• If traveling on official military orders , review the guidance in the Department of Defense Foreign Clearance Guide .

If you are a U.S. citizen with a passport listing your place of birth as the Northern Republic of Macedonia, the Greek authorities will stamp your passport.

If you are a U.S. citizen with a passport listing your place of birth as Skopje or the Republic of Macedonia, your U.S. passport should be recognized as a valid travel document. However, be aware:

• Greek Immigration officers at ports of entry (land, air, and sea) will not place entry stamps in a passport listing the traveler’s place of birth as Macedonia or the Republic of Macedonia.
• You will be asked to complete a short form on which the entry stamp will be placed.
• Keep the form with your passport while you are in Greece and present it upon departure. If you lose the form, you must visit a police station and file a report before the Greek authorities will permit you to depart the country.

HIV/AIDS RESTRICTIONS: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Greece.

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction , and customs information on our website .

Safety and Security

Terrorism: Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting possible near-term attacks in Europe. All European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations. In the past year, there have been multiple terrorist attacks in Europe. Extremists continue to focus on tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities as viable targets. In addition, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, high-profile events, educational institutions, airports, and other soft targets remain priority locations for possible attacks. U.S. citizens should exercise additional vigilance in these and similar locations.

For more information, see our Terrorism page.

Strikes and Demonstrations:

• Domestic strikes, demonstrations, and work stoppages are common throughout Greece and can become violent. Stay informed through local news, hotel security, the U.S. Embassy website , and the Consular Section’s Facebook page . Enroll in STEP to receive alerts sent by the Embassy.
• Transportation sector strikes interrupt traffic, public transportation, taxis, seaports, and airports. Confirm domestic and international flights before heading to the airport.
• Avoid all areas affected by the annual November 17 demonstrations, including the U.S. Embassy.
• Anarchists and criminals have used university campuses as refuges. Demonstrators frequently congregate in the Polytechnic University area, Exarchia, Omonia, and Syntagma Squares in Athens; and at Aristotle Square, Aristotle University, and the Kamara area in Thessaloniki.
• Violent anarchist groups have joined public demonstrations to clash with police and vandalize public and private property.

Crime: Crimes against tourists, such as pick-pocketing and purse-snatching , occur at popular tourist sites and on public transportation, especially the metro. A common tactic is one person causes a commotion on the metro or pushes travelers to distract them while another person snatches the belongings. Thieves also seek out and break into rental cars to steal passports, valuables, and luggage. The Embassy has received reports of alcohol-induced attacks targeting individual tourists at some holiday resorts and bars.

Take the following precautions:

• Be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
• Do not leave bags unattended, especially on the metro and the Athens Airport train or in your vehicle.
• Avoid standing near bus or train doors. Thieves often strike as the doors open then disappear into the crowd.
• Use alcohol in moderation and remain in control.
• Never leave drinks unattended in bars or clubs.
• Be discreet when discussing plans and organizing belongings upon arrival.
• Protect yourself and your money by using well-lit, public ATMs.
• Be aware of internet scams with online thieves posing as loved ones or romantic interests.

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime: Report crime to the local police and contact the U.S. Embassy at (+30) 210-720-2414 or the Emergency after-hours telephone (+30) 210-729-4444 if you require assistance. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends, with your written consent
• Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in certain cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home in certain cases of destitution
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tremors and earthquakes occur regularly.  Forest fires are common, especially during the dry summer months, and occasionally cause road closures. In the event of a natural disaster, follow the instructions of local authorities. Contact the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, which responds to emergencies, at 210-335-9900 for more information. Operators speak English. Monitor the U.S. Embassy Athens’ website and Consular Facebook page .

Tourism : The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities, such as Athens or Thessaloniki. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Possession of a U.S. passport will not prevent you from being arrested, prosecuted, or jailed.

• Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Marijuana is illegal in Greece.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs could land you immediately in jail.
• Photographing military installations is prohibited and may lead to arrest.
• Mace or pepper-spray canisters are illegal in Greece. Such items will be confiscated, and police may arrest or detain you.
• Carry your passport or some form of photo identification at all times. Police may detain you for questioning if you do not have proper identification with you.

Some crimes are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Faith-Based Travelers: See our webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

Greek Antiquities: Customs authorities strictly regulate the export of Greek antiquities, including rocks from archaeology sites. Do not remove anything, no matter how small, from archaeological or historical sites. Do not purchase protected antiquities and carry receipts for any purchases that may appear to be antiquities.

Military Service for Dual Nationals:

• Greek males between 19 and 45 are required to perform military service.
• If the Greek government considers you to be a Greek citizen, you may be required to fulfill this obligation whether or not you consider yourself Greek or possess a U.S. or third country’s passport.
• Authorities can prevent you from leaving Greece until you complete your military obligations . Contact the Greek embassy or nearest Greek consulate with questions.
• Generally, required military service will not affect your U.S. citizenship, but contact U.S. Embassy Athens if you have questions.

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Greece. LGBTI individuals in Greece are protected by anti-discrimination laws, and gender identity is among the grounds covered by laws against hate speech; however, non-governmental organizations report that social discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is widespread in Greece and violence against LGBTI individuals remains a problem.

See our LGBTI travel information page and section six of our Human Rights Report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: While Greek law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical or intellectual disabilities and local law requires access to buildings, sidewalks, and public transportation, application and enforcement of these laws is lacking.

• Handicapped parking spaces and sidewalk ramps are often occupied or blocked by parked vehicles.
• Sidewalks often are narrow with broken paving stones and large holes and obstructed by trees and street signs.
• Buildings with ramps might lack accessible elevators or bathrooms.
• A small percentage of public buildings (primarily in Athens) have full accessibility. Some buildings and intersections include accommodations for visually-impaired travelers.
• The Athens metro and Athens International Airport are fully accessible with ramps and elevators.
• Ask your hotel about accessibility before booking.

The Deputy Ombudsman for Social Welfare handles complaints related to persons with disabilities, especially those related to employment, social security, and transportation.

Students: See our students abroad page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for women travelers .

Most public medical facilities in Greece offer adequate care, although service quality and hospital appearance may differ from the United States. Some private hospitals have affiliations with U.S. facilities and provide high-quality care. Many doctors trained in the United States or elsewhere in Europe.

• Private hospitals usually require proof of adequate insurance or cash before admitting a patient. Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.
• Public hospitals often employ minimal nursing staff overnight and on weekends in non-emergency wards. Consider hiring a private nurse or having family spend the night with the patient, especially a minor child.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare is not accepted overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. You may be required to pay upfront and seek reimbursement from your insurance company. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .

We strongly recommend that travelers purchase travel insurance before their trips to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Greek Embassy or consulate in the United States , the Customs office at Athens International Airport (+30 210-3542126) or the National Organization of Medicines ( [email protected] , www.eof.gr , +30 213-204-0000) to ensure the medication is legal in Greece. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Short-term Car Rentals: Greek law requires that visitors carry a valid U.S. driver’s license and an international driver’s permit (IDP), even if the rental company does not request to see your IDP. The Embassy does not issue IDPs. You must obtain your IDP in the United States from the American Automobile Association ( AAA ) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance ( AATA ). Contact AAA directly to inquire about their mail in option that will allow you to apply from overseas, but note that it will likely take days or weeks. If you drive without these documents, you may face high fines (1,000 Euros or more) or be responsible for all expenses in the event of an accident.

Road Conditions and Safety: Greece has one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the European Union. Exercise extreme caution as both a driver and a pedestrian, and follow these tips:

• Drive defensively.
• Expect heavy traffic, obscured traffic signs, and vehicles traveling at high speeds.
• Driving at night in inclement weather and on mountain roads can be hazardous.
• Local law requires all motorcyclists to wear a helmet.
• Check for motorbikes between lanes and on either side of you.
• Do not rely on lane markings. On many two-lane highways, slower traffic will drive on the shoulder, and cars will pass straddling the center double-yellow line.
• Review your insurance coverage before renting. Most insurance companies require that you have both your valid U.S. license and an international driver’s permit (IDP) for coverage in Greece. Small motorbike and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rental firms frequently carry no insurance and require customers to cover the cost of all damages to their vehicles. Your insurance company may not cover two-wheel or ATV rentals.

Traffic Laws:

• Talking or texting on a mobile phone while driving is illegal. The police check phone records when investigating accidents.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal, and police conduct random alcohol testing.
• A Greek license is required if you stay more than 185 days in Greece. Contact the Regional Office of Transportation and Communications for more information.

See our road safety page for more information, including information on IDPs. Visit the Greek National Tourist Office website for more helpful tips.                                        

Public Transportation: Purchase and validate your ticket by touching it to the pad on the turnstile prior to boarding a bus or train. Inspectors randomly check for tickets. If you do not have a ticket, have the wrong ticket, or fail to validate your ticket, you could be fined up to 60 times the basic fare.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Greece’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Greece should monitor U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at www.marad.dot.gov/msci , the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, https://homeport.uscg.mil , and the NGA broadcast warnings website https://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal . Greece implemented a Recreational and Daily Tour Cruise Ships Fee on all private and professional leisure ships with a total length of over seven meters, regardless of flag, in Greek territorial waters. Mariners should consult https://www.aade.gr/polites/etepai for details.

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Greece . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA )  report.”

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The most famous Athenian neighbourhood of Plaka is definitely a top attraction for visitors. Its picturesque streets, historic landmarks and lively shops make it a must-see. Just be prepared for the crowds.

What a difference a decade makes. The arrival of the landmark Acropolis Museum and the pedestrian walkway linking the city’s ancient monuments has seen this historic neighbourhood emerge as one of Athens’ most fashionable postcodes.

Layers of history intersect at the city’s hub of commerce and craftsmanship.

The heart of modern Greece beats in the historic centre of Athens — but contrary to what you’d think, it has little to do with ancient ruins.

The Athenian intelligentsia have long settled in this central neighbourhood of leafy squares and lively cafes. Now the hipsters are moving in too.

Rebels with, and quite often without, a cause have earned Exarchia a reputation as the turf of anarchists and radicals.

Gritty, dense and lined with auto repair shops, Neos Kosmos was a silent blue collar neighbourhood you’d never go to unless you lived there. But when art came to town, a transformation began, and today this up-and-coming neighbourhood is coming alive.

Head off the beaten track to Kolonos and Sepolia, two low-key residential areas that have yet to catch up with the fast-paced tempo of downtown Athens.

10 February 2024 - 18 May 2024

¡Viva España! at Olympia Music Theatre

18 May 2024

TiACF24: Flare the Square

12 May 2024 - 19 May 2024

Coppélia at the Greek National Opera

16 May 2024 - 19 May 2024

Romeo and Juliet at Megaron

17 May 2024 - 19 May 2024

18th Comicdom Con Athens 2024

16th athens tattoo convention 2024.

18 May 2024 - 19 May 2024

Generations 2024: Music & Family Fun at SNFCC

19 May 2024

TiACF24: Dora Stratou Traditional Dance Costumes Runway

15 May 2024 - 20 May 2024

TiACF24: Food & Wine Museum Sessions

21 May 2024

The Athletic Coup Film Festival

22 May 2024 - 25 May 2024

Athens Music Week 2024

14 March 2024 - 26 May 2024

Nikos Alexiou: The Collection

10 May 2024 - 26 May 2024

TiACF24: Athens Street Food Festival

16 May 2024 - 26 May 2024

TiACF24: 20th Athens Digital Arts Festival "TECHNO(S)CENE"

26 May 2024

TiACF24: Full Circle Presents &ΜΕ

06 May 2024 - 28 May 2024

TiACF24: Greek Folklore Festivities

28 May 2024

Corey Taylor live at Lycabettus Theatre

16 May 2024 - 30 May 2024

TiACF24: Film Screenings

30 May 2024

13 May 2024 - 31 May 2024

TiACF24: Radio Parties

09 May 2024 - 02 June 2024

TiACF24: Street Parties

27 May 2024 - 03 June 2024

TiACF24: Athens Jazz

01 June 2024 - 03 June 2024

Nick Cave Solo at Onassis Stegi

08 June 2024 - 09 June 2024

09 June 2024

Release Festival 2024: The Offspring, The Subways, Danko Jones

01 June 2024 - 11 June 2024

AEF2024: Tosca

13 June 2024 - 16 June 2024

01 January 2024 - 20 June 2024

Fun and Learning at the Athens Planetarium

20 June 2024

Release Festival 2024: Pulp, The Smile, Ride

16 December 2023 - 30 June 2024

From Greater... to Contemporary Greece Part II

05 July 2024 - 06 July 2024

AEF2024: Sting

09 July 2024

Release Festival 2024: Thievery Corporation, Black Pumas, The Budos Band

09 July 2024 - 11 July 2024

AEF2024: Medea

16 July 2024

Ejekt Festival 2024: Maneskin, Palaye Royale, Alice Merton

17 July 2024

Release Festival 2024: Massive Attack & TBA

22 July 2024

Ejekt Festival 2024: Korn, Spiritbox, Loathe, Planet of Zeus

24 July 2024

Ejekt Festival 2024: Bring Me The Horizon

27 July 2024 - 31 July 2024

AEF2024: La Traviata

27 May 2024 - 31 August 2024

Bolivar Beach Bar Summer Parties 2024

14 December 2023 - 27 October 2024

WOMEN, Together

18 April 2024 - 09 December 2024

English-Speaking Theatre Performances at Theatre of the NO

19 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Reverb Festival at Kypseli Municipal Market

02 February 2024 - 31 December 2024

Love Issues

05 July 2023 - 01 June 2025

Grand Tour at the Benaki Museum

Explore athens with a local.

Meet an Athenian and discover the city beyond the guide books.

• ΦΘΙΝΟΠΩΡΟ
• ΧΕΙΜΩΝΑΣ
• ΑΝΟΙΞΗ
• ΚΑΛΟΚΑΙΡΙ

Μοναδικοί Προορισμοί

Χίος

Βόρειο Αιγαίο.

Ύδρα

Αργοσαρωνικός.

Μονεμβασιά

Πελοπόννησος.

Στεμνίτσα

Βέροια

Μακεδονία.

Ιωάννινα

Ήπειρος.

Λιτόχωρο

Καλαμάτα

Κέρκυρα

Επτάνησα.

Καλαμπάκα

Θεσσαλία, Ελλάδα.

Αειφόρες πρακτικές στην ελληνική φιλοξενία

Δοκιμάστε νέες εμπειρίες

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Νεράντζι γλυκό

Cosmote chronos: Η πρωτοποριακή εφαρμογή που «ζωντανεύει» την Ακρόπολη στην ακμή της.

Χρύσα Τζωρτζάκη: Πως ξεκίνησε η ενασχόλησή μου με το Ελληνικό κρασί

Στο όνομα της περηφάνειας

Γνωρίζατε ότι..;.

Η Ελλάδα είναι 4η μεγαλύτερη παραγωγός χώρα τυροκομικών στο κόσμο. Οι Έλληνες είναι πρώτοι σε κατα κεφαλήν κατανάλωση τυριού στον κόσμο, με 28 κιλά το χρόνο ανα κάτοικο!

Η Ελλάδα έχει περισσότερα αρχαιολογικά μουσεία από οποιαδήποτε άλλη χώρα στον κόσμο!

Η ελληνική γλώσσα ομιλείται για περισσότερα από 3.000 χρόνια, καθιστώντας την μία από τις παλαιότερες γλώσσες στην Ευρώπη.

Η Ελλάδα έχει μία από τις πιο πλούσιες ποικιλίες άγριων ζώων στην Ευρώπη, συμπεριλαμβάνοντας 116 είδη θηλαστικών, 18 είδη αμφίβιων, 59 είδη ερπετών, 240 είδη πουλιών και 107 είδη ψαριών!

Η Ελλάδα είναι η 3η μεγαλύτερη παραγωγός χώρα ελιών στον κόσμο. Οι Έλληνες καλλιεργούν ελαιόδεντρα από την αρχαιότητα και ορισμένα από αυτά που φυτεύτηκαν τον 13ο αιώνα, εξακολουθούν μέχρι και σήμερα να παράγουν ελιές!

Η Ελλάδα είναι κορυφαίος παραγωγός θαλάσσιων σφουγγαριών.

Κανένα μέρος στην Ελλάδα δεν απέχει περισσότερο από 85 μίλια από τη θάλασσα.

Η Δημοκρατία γεννήθηκε στην Ελλάδα. Η έννοια της δημοκρατίας προέρχεται από την Αθήνα, όπου η ελληνική λέξη δημοκρατία σήμαινε "η δύναμη του λαού".

O πρώτος καταγεγραμμένος ολυμπιονίκης αγώνα δρόμου ενός σταδίου των πρώτων Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων το 776 π.Χ., υπήρξε ο Κόροιβος ο Ηλείος, «μάγειρος» στο επάγγελμα!

Η Κρήτη είναι ένα ορεινό νησί, η ιστορία του οποίου καθώς και η προσωπικότητα των κατοίκων του, επηρεάστηκε σε μεγάλο βαθμό από τα βουνά του.

Η Ελλάδα διαθέτει μία από τις μακρότερες ιστορίες τόσο όσον αφορά την οινοπαραγωγή όσο και την τέχνη της κατανάλωσης, καθώς το κρασί ανέκαθεν αποτελούσε αναπόσπαστο μέρος του Ελληνικού πολιτισμού.

700 φυτικά είδη της Ελλάδας είναι ενδημικά, δηλαδή δεν τα βρίσκουμε πουθενά αλλού στον κόσμο, ενώ περίπου 20% αυτών είναι αρωματικά ή και φαρμακευτικά φυτά!

Οι περισσότερες ημέρες του έτους είναι ηλιόλουστες στην Ελλάδα. 250 για να είμαστε ακριβείς!

Η Αθήνα είναι από τις ελάχιστες παραθαλάσσιες πόλεις του κόσμου που την οριοθετούν ορεινοί όγκοι. Υμηττός, Πεντέλη, Πάρνηθα και Αιγάλεω είναι τα 4 βουνά που «αγκαλιάζουν» την ελληνική πρωτεύουσα!

Η Ελλάδα έχει πάνω από 6.000 νησιά, νησίδες και βραχονησίδες. Από αυτά περίπου 2000 είναι νησιά από τα οποία κατοικούνται μόνο τα107!

Ο Όλυμπος (2.917μ), το βουνό των Θεών και των Μουσών είναι το ψηλότερο βουνό της Ελλάδας και 2ο στα Βαλκάνια!

Η φέτα, που παρασκευάζεται από αιγοπρόβειο γάλα, είναι το εθνικό τυρί της Ελλάδας. Χρονολογείται από την εποχή του Ομήρου και η μέση κατά κεφαλήν κατανάλωση φέτας στην Ελλάδα είναι η υψηλότερη στον κόσμο!

Στην Ελλάδα, 47 βουνά είναι πάνω από 2000μ., 105 βουνά μεταξύ 2000μ. & 1500μ. 155 βουνά μεταξύ 1500μ. και 1000μ. Τα βουνά κάτω από 1000μ. δεν έχουν καταμετρηθεί.

Περίπου το 7% του μάρμαρου που παράγεται παγκοσμίως προέρχεται από την Ελλάδα.

Το ρακόμελο είναι ένα ζεστό μείγμα του αλκοολούχου ποτού τσικουδιά, γνωστή και ως ρακί με μέλι. Μπορεί να είναι αρκετά δυνατό ποτό από μόνο του οπότε, όπως πάντα, να το καταναλώνετε υπεύθυνα!

Εκδηλώσεις

• Αθλητισμός
• Εκθέσεις
• Μουσική
• Φεστιβάλ
• Χορός

Αττική

Αθήνα, Θεσσαλονίκη, Λέσβος, Ναύπλιο, Σπάρτη.

• Σπέτσες

Χαλκιδική

• Μάιος
• Ιούνιος
• Ιούλιος
• Αύγουστος
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Μύθοι και Σύμβολα στη Νεοελληνική Τέχνη

Athens – City Festival 2024

Spetsathlon

EuroPride 2024 Θεσσαλονίκη

Σάββατο στο Μουσείο Ακρόπολης με 20+1 αριστουργήματα

60 χρόνια | 60 στιγμές

Παραστάσεις παραδοσιακών ελληνικών χορών

Ο Παρθενώνας και ο Βύρωνας

Κοππέλια

Porto Carras Pro-Am Aegean Mini Tour

Ποδηλατικός Γύρος Ελλάδας 2024

Εξερευνήστε την Ελλάδα.

Μέρη για να επισκεφτείτε

Πειραιάς, Ελευσίνα.

Μια πόλη γεμάτη μυστήριο

Μέτσοβο

Άρτα, Πρέβεζα, Πάργα, Σύβοτα, Ζαγόρι.

Η πόλη των θρύλων

Η Άρτα με το διάσημο γεφύρι

Η ριβιέρα της Ηπείρου

Τα φιόρδ του Ιονίου!

Βόλος

Λάρισα, Τρίκαλα, Καρδίτσα.

Ένας μυθικός προορισμός

Θράκη

Αλεξανδρούπολη

Ξάνθη.

Η αρχόντισσα της Θράκης

Φλώρινα

Καβάλα, Καστοριά, Γρεβενά, Νυμφαίο, Δράμα.

Η Αρχόντισσα του Βορρά

Ένας μεθυστικός συνδυασμός γαλάζιου και πράσινου

Η Γη των Λιμνών

Η Γαλάζια Πόλη

Τόπος παρθένων δασών & ονειρικών διαδρομών

Το παραμυθένιο χωρίο της Μακεδονίας

Η γραφική κωμόπολη στους πρόποδες του Ολύμπου

Σέρρες

Παλαιός Άγιος Αθανάσιος

Ο κοσμικός οικισμός της Μακεδονίας

Καλάβρυτα

Κόρινθος, Ελαφόνησος, Λεωνίδιο, Μέθανα, Ολυμπία, Πάτρα.

Μια χαρισματική πολιτεία

Στη γενέτειρα των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων

H πρωτεύουσα του Καρναβαλιού

Τρίπολη

Νεμέα

Στη γη του Αγιωργίτικου

Βυτίνα

Το ελατοσκέπαστο στολίδι του Μαινάλου

Δημητσάνα

Η αρχόντισσα της Αρκαδίας

Ένα παραδοσιακό «στολίδι» στις πλαγιές του Μαινάλου

Στερεά Ελλάδα

Λιβαδειά

Αράχοβα, Γαλαξίδι, Καρπενήσι, Λαμία, Μεσολόγγι, Ναύπακτος, Δελφοί.

Η κοσμοπολίτισσα του Παρνασσού

Ιστορικό σύμβολο της ναυτοσύνης

Ταξίδι στον ομφαλό της γης

Σαμοθράκη

Θάσος, Άγιος Ευστράτιος, Λήμνος, Σάμος, Ικαρία, Ψαρά, Φούρνοι.

Tο «νησί των Μεγάλων Θεών»

Το Σμαράγδι του Αιγαίου

Ένας κόσμος πλούτου και πολυμορφίας

Το νησί της απέριττης ομορφιάς

Το νησί της Ήρας & του Πυθαγόρα

Η ηρωική νήσος για ήρεμες διακοπές

Ένα Αρχιπέλαγο για ήρεμες διακοπές

Οινούσσες

Το νησί των Καραβοκύρηδων

Δωδεκάνησα

Αστυπάλαια

Κάλυμνος, Κάρπαθος, Κάσος, Καστελλόριζο, Κως, Λειψοί, Λέρος, Νίσυρος, Πάτμος.

Μια πεταλούδα στη μέση του Αιγαίου

Το νησί των σφουγγαράδων & των αναρριχητών

Η άγρια ομορφιά των Δωδεκανήσων

Το ανεξερεύνητο διαμάντι των Δωδεκανήσων

Το ακριτικό διαμαντάκι του Αιγαίου

Το νησί του Ιπποκράτη

Το νησί της Καλυψούς

Η άγνωστη γωνιά των Δωδεκανήσων

Το νησί της άγριας ομορφιάς

Το “Ιερό” και συνάμα κοσμοπολίτικο Νησί

Ρόδος

Το νησί των έντονων αντιθέσεων

Σύμη

Tο νησί των τριών Χαρίτων

Τήλος

Χάλκη

Ο απόλυτος προορισμός για χαλαρωτικές διακοπές

Ζάκυνθος

Ιθάκη, Κεφαλονιά, Λευκάδα, Παξοί, Κύθηρα, aντίπαξοι.

Στη γη του Οδυσσέα

Η κοσμοπολίτισσα των Επτανήσων

Εύβοια

Χαλκίδα

Ερέτρια, Κάρυστος, Λίμνη, Αιδηψός.

Κρήτη

Ηράκλειο

Χανιά, Ρέθυμνο, Άγιος Νικόλαος.

Στη γενέτειρα του Μινωικού πολιτισμού

Κυκλάδες

Νάξος

Πάρος, Ηρακλειά, Αμοργός, Άνδρος, Τήνος, Μήλος, Κέα - Τζια, Ίος, Κύθνος.

Ταξίδι στην καρδιά των Κυκλάδων

Κοσμοπολίτισσα & παραδοσιακή

Το ανερχόμενο αστέρι των Κυκλάδων

Ταξίδι στο απέραντο γαλάζιο

Το νησί με μεγάλη ναυτική παράδοση

Η "χειροποίητος" νήσος

Το νησί των ονειρικών παραλιών

Η πύλη των Κυκλάδων

Το λουλούδι των Κυκλάδων

Γοητευτικά απλή

Μύκονος

Φτιαγμένη από θεούς για τους ανθρώπους

Σύρος

Η Αρχόντισσα των Κυκλάδων

Σαντορίνη

Σέριφος

Η “άγρια” ομορφιά των Κυκλάδων

Σίφνος

Το κυκλαδονήσι της αρμονίας & του μέτρου

Σίκινος

Το γοητευτικά ήσυχο και γραφικό Κυκλαδονήσι

Ανάφη

Κίμωλος

Το νησί της κιμωλίας

Αντίπαρος

Φολέγανδρος

Λουσμένη στο φως του Αιγαίου

Δονούσα

Τιρκουάζ & κρυστάλλινη

Κουφονήσια

Ο εξωτικός παράδεισος των Μικρών Κυκλάδων

Δήλος

Η πρωθιέρεια των Κυλάδων

Σποράδες

Σκόπελος

Αλόννησος, Σκύρος, Σκιάθος.

Με «Χολιγουντιανό» αέρα!

Απολαύστε τη φύση σε όλο της το μεγαλείο!

Η κοσμοπολίτισσα των Σποράδων

#VisitGreece

Μοιραστείτε τις καλύτερες στιγμές σας στην Ελλάδα

GUIDE TO GREECE

Organize your trip with the specialists!

Explore the most postcard-worthy Greek islands

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TRENDING TOPICS

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Our guide to Greece allows you to discover practical tips and facts about all your favorite destinations: Photos, must-see landmarks, beaches, villages, hotels & restaurants, tours & activities , and a lot more things to do in Greece.

DISCOVER GREECE

Find the best islands & mainland destinations for an unforgettable holiday in Greece. If you are looking for islands in the Aegean or the Ionian Sea, a mainland destination, a city, or an ancient site, we got you covered!

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TOP PLACES TO VISIT

Cosmopolitan islands, exotic beaches, lush green landscapes, breathtaking sea views, ancient sites... we could go on forever! No matter how you imagine your dream trip in Greece, we are experts in helping you plan your trip .

GREECE AS SEEN BY OUR COMMUNITY

Connect with an amazing group of photo enthusiasts and upload your best photos of Greece. You can also view thousands of photos in our many photo galleries . Alternatively, share your experience with us on social media using the tag #greekacom .

OUR LATEST ARTICLES

We've been everywhere and we share everything with you! So, we reveal all the hidden beauties, hot holiday tips and must-visit places, to experience your trip like a local!

GENERAL INFORMATION

Greece & its islands are famous for 3 things: ancient civilization, amazing landscapes, and well-established tourism.

Really beloved by people, the country is so rich in culture and beauty that it never seems to be completely explored, no matter how many times you visit it. After all, this is one of the reasons that brought it to the list of the top 20 tourist holiday destinations worldwide.

The country has become a must destination, according to the modern lifestyle. Over the last decades, it has been visited by jet-setters, including politicians, musicians, actors, artists, and other celebrities with a significant contribution to the popularity of the country. Our guide has gathered information about important aspects of the country.

ORGANIZE YOUR TRAVEL

It’s time to cross off your bucket list the travel to Greece and its best islands! It is one of the safest countries in Europe where you can lay under the hot sun, visit exotic beaches, dip in emerald waters, stroll around picturesque villages, watch magical sunsets, stay at luxurious hotels, visit worldwide famous archaeological sites… The list of things to do is never-ending!

A trip to Greece and the islands is something you should not worry about. Whatever type of traveler you are, you will not be disappointed in your trip. Whether you like beaches or mountains, winter or summer, relaxing or partying, it will be the best choice for your holidays, if you are alone, in a couple or in family. With an easy connection to Athens by ferry , the islands are the perfect places to gather precious holiday memories. Learn everything about Greece and organize your holidays: How to get there and move around, documents needed, the best time to visit, reasons to visit, and more.

ORGANIZE YOUR HOLIDAY

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DISCOVER OUR HOLIDAY PACKAGES

Booking the perfect holiday package is the best way to enjoy your trip to its fullest and make sure you'll see all the famous islands of your bucket list! Choose one of our complete island-hopping and packages, to explore the most beautiful Greek islands carefree. What's better than enjoying your trip without minding the details?

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23°C / 73°F Heraklion

#incredible_crete, sense the authentic, welcome to our island.

The mountains and sea, the nature all around you, adventures awaiting you, the overabundant gastronomy, a culture which is expressed in many different ways, the music and art forms.

Crete is the largest Greek island and a landmark in the maritime crossroads between the West and the East, Europe and Africa, a unique and fascinating place full of transitions and surprises.

With its infinite coastline and mountain tops, a history that spans back to the end of times and a distinctive identity that bears its mark on every corner of the Cretan land, it is a one of a kind destination for every type of traveller.

Whether coming to the island for the first time or as a regular visitor, the endless beauty of Crete, either visible or out of sight, is unparalleled and yearns to be discovered.

From one side of the island to the next and from dawn to dusk, let yourself be swept away by its alluring nature and you will uncover YOUR OWN and Authentic Crete!

Necropolis of Armeni

Explore seasons.

Crete is an ideal place to visit all year round. Its mild climate and its unique mountainous features attract visitors before and after the established touristy summer season. Crete’s stunning natural beauty awakens in visitors an imperative need to discover its mountains, its gorges, its paths.

Nothing is repeated in Crete. Enormous geological contradictions and special weather conditions have formed unique landscapes, surprising the visitors and keeping senses constantly alert. Each route in Crete is unique. Variant sensations, pictures, colors, flavors, sounds accompany visitors at every step.

From the dunes of Lafonissi and Xerokambos to the tropical shores of Kedrodasos and Chrissi, from the hidden beaches in the wild gorges of Sfakia and Asteroussia to the emerald bays of Triopetra and Plakias, from Balos and Elounda lagoons to the palm groves of Preveli and Vai, from piney beaches of Ierapetra to the long organized strands of the northern coasts, Crete offers the ultimate combination of carefree holidays and natural beauty.

Crete is a heaven for nature lovers and those combining adventure and fun on their vacation. The island offers a variety of activities and opportunities for exploring nature and promises a unique and unforgettable experience for those who decide to explore it.

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Let’s make one thing clear: No matter where you go in Greece , you’ll have a good time. The Mediterranean nation is filled with spectacular places to explore, from its historically rich cities to its charming inland towns, and, of course, across its famed islands . But if you need a little help narrowing down where to go next, here are 15 best places to visit in Greece. 

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As both Greece’s capital and the nation’s largest city, Athens deserves at least a day or two of exploration. Visitors can head to popular attractions like the  Acropolis and Parthenon, but more modern neighborhoods like Exarchia, known for its bohemian flair, are worth checking out, too.

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There are hundreds of Greek islands to choose from, but one gaining more attention by the minute is the positively quaint Milos . Accessible via direct flights from Athens, this island is the place to go for total rest and relaxation. Come to explore desolate beaches tucked in between craggy cliffs, dine on octopus in cafes that are sprinkled across the island, and enjoy quiet evenings sipping local wine while watching the sun dip into the azure waters.

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Looking for a more lively atmosphere? Head to Mykonos, an island known for always being a good time. Also accessible via direct flights from Athens, Mykonos is the place to be during the summer for beachside parties that stretch long into the night (and often into the next day, too). Of course, there’s more to the island than just parties. It's home to its fair share of gorgeous beaches and historical sites, including Kato Mili, a row of four massive windmills built by the Venetians in the 16th century.

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History buffs will love the town of Delphi, located about a 2.5-hour drive northwest of Athens. The community was home to the Oracle of Delphi , which people from all over the Mediterranean traveled to see. Here, visitors can still explore the Temple of Apollo's remains, along with several ancient theaters and stadiums preserved through the millennia.

Admire waters a shade of blue you never knew existed in the Halkidiki region, located in northern Greece. This area is best known for its gorgeous beaches, which come with equally alluring soft sand, so you can lounge about all day.

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Find even more historical delights, visit Epidaurus, at the northeastern end of the Peloponnese. It’s beloved by archeology buffs for its Ancient Theatre , built in the fourth century B.C. to honor the god of medicine, Asclepius. And its still a place where visitors can watch live performances in the summer.

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The seaside community of Gythio is admittedly quiet, but it's by far one of the best places to visit when you need to get away from it all. Filled with colorful homes and golden-sand beaches, Gythio is also favored for its sea turtles that come and lay their eggs.

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For unbelievable views, pay a visit to Meteora, located in Thessaly. The area is made up of massive rock formations reaching toward the sky. Inside the gorgeous formations sit several monasteries , which made their way onto the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

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Sifnos, a small island reachable by ferry from Athens, is another spot known for its relaxing atmosphere. Plus, it's filled with so many beaches, you can find a large patch of sandy shoreline all for yourself, even in the height of summer.

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Mix in island time with a quick geology lesson on Kefalonia. The island, located west of the mainland, is home to the Drogarati Cave , which comes with awe-inspiring stalactites and stalagmites hanging off the ceiling and jutting out from the sea floor, respectively.

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Want to get a taste of Italy and Greece all in one go? Make your way to the stunning, romantic island of Corfu. Thanks to its proximity to its neighboring European nation, the island comes with plenty of Italian influence, reflected in its architecture, food, and way of life.

Thessaloniki

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Find an urban escape in northern Greece with a visit to Thessaloniki. This port city is filled with historic sites like the White Tower of Thessaloniki and Arch of Galerius, along with world-class restaurants and contemporary art museums that will leave you inspired.

Messolonghi

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Get a different sea view in Messolonghi, located on the western coast of Greece. This town sits on a serene sea lake, with many who live here still making a living off fishing in the area. And though the town has great historical significance (especially around the Greek Revolution), it’s still an under-the-radar gem for international tourists.

Make one more historic stop at Olympia , this time for a lesson in sports history. Located on the western side of the Peloponnese, Olympia was the site of the very first Olympic Games. Visitors can visit the ancient stadium and the temples of Zeus and Hera all in one trip.

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Head to the eastern Peloponnese to the beautiful city of Nafplio. As Visit Greece explains, the myth behind the town is that it was founded by Nafplios, the son of Poseidon. Today, it's filled with ancient sites, including monuments and castles galore, all worthy of exploring on your next Greek vacation. Get packing !

Related Articles

Introduction: My Greece Websites

Athens survival guide, greek island guides.

Index of My Greece Websites

Using Travel Agents in Greece

Greece hotel search and automated booking.

You can also use my old hotel directory at www.hotelsofgreece.com which I completely redid in 2021 while I was waiting for travel to begin again. More on that below. And in 2022 I completed my Book Hotels in Greece Directly page for those who want to avoid a middleman and book directly with hotel and villa owners.

Important Note : There is a lot of information on my website and it is all free to anyone whether you booked through the travel agents, the hotels or Air BnB. But it is the commissions I get from hotel bookings on my affiliate website with Booking.com that supports this website and enable me to continue doing the work I enjoy. So my request to you is that if you are using other sites to book hotels and apartments and using my websites for everything else and are thankful for the information you have received from it please think about donating whatever you can afford so I can continue to be creative. If you are appreciative of all the free information you get on my websites you can send a donation through Paypal

Ferryphobia

This year I got so many e-mails from people nervous about taking a ferry to the islands that I made a page of islands with bridges, islands with very short ferry rides, and places on the mainland that are just like being on the islands. See Greek Islands for Ferry-phobics

My Guide to the Peloponnesos has been rewritten and new photos added with several new towns and a lot more wineries.  Matt's Greek Archaeology Page  is where I have gathered every page that has anything to do with archaeological sites, museums, history, licensed guides and historical and archaeological tours. Also close to the same topic I have a new index of Licensed Tour Guides and why you should use them.  I have also revisited and updated my Santorini Guide , re-wrote and added new photos to my Pelion Guide. If you are a gay or lesbian wondering what the scene is in Athens and the islands the news is all good and you can read about it on Alexia Amvrazi's Gay-Athens/Gay-Greece . Alexia also recently contributed  Healing Arts in Athens: Yoga, Pilates, Accupuncture, Shiatsu and more . And with the help of Diana Farr Louis who wrote about Southern Evia and the Joys of Karystos , I finally have a somewhat completed Guide to Evia . Am I forgetting anything? Oh yeah, I added some stuff to Marc Dubin's Guide to Ipiros and I wrote a page about Metsovo which was probably my favorite place of 2018. See Matt's Metsovo Page . And finally... I got together with some of the ladies in my Greece Travel Facebook Group and did a page called  Is Greece Safe for Women which focuses on women traveling alone in Greece. And when I discovered that I had somehow become a senior citizen while I was not paying attention I took lemons and made lemonade with Greece Travel for Seniors . For those who are interested in adventure, eco-tourism, hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking, food tours and more, see  Trekking, Hiking, Adventure, Cultural and Alternative Travel in Greece which is a work in progress. Finally, for those who are going to Paris on the way to or from Greece I have rewritten and added new photos and a new look to Matt's Paris Guide . Like my Greece pages it is also free of obnoxious pop-up ads and has no spy-ware or cookies.

Matt's Best Hotels in Greece

My biggest project of 2020-21 was the facelift and reorganizing I did to Matt's Greek Hotel Guide which I am quite proud of. I basically went through every hotel on every island, village, town and city in Greece, and picked out the best ones, in all categories, with a representative photo (thousands of them) which link to more photos, descriptions, guest reviews, maps and booking information. Some of these can be booked through the travel agents or directly with the hotels, but the vast majority go through my Booking.com affiliate pages. Not only were their prices the best, but in 2020 when Covid caused thousands of cancellations, the people who had booked through these pages had no problems getting refunds because their cards were never charged. (Credit cards are used to save reservations. You actually pay at the hotel.) So please have a look at HotelsofGreece.com and if you are planning on not using a travel agency consider using this site to find and book hotels. Not only will you be getting the best deals at the best hotels but you will also be supporting this website. Remember to save it to your favorite places.

At the end of 2021 I completed my Book Hotels in Greece Directly page made up of hotels, villas, apartments and holiday homes that can be booked directly with the hotels themselves. If you don't want to use a Greek travel agent or you have discovered that many hotels on Booking.com don't have availability, then you can use this page to go directly to the hotel's booking system.

I have also made a page of Budget Hotels in Athens , another for Youth Hostels in Greece and also a page for Campsites in Greece .

New Economical Greece Packages

Aegean Blue: Athens-Naxos-Santorini

Cabin Charter Cruises of the Greek Islands

Far from the Maddening Crowd-Stay at the Beach in Athens!

Matt's Greece Travel Blog and Facebook Group

New or updated greece travel information.

Support the People of Lesvos: Visit Lesvos

Winter in Greece

Easter and other Important Holidays in Greece

Apokreas is a two week Carnival Season just like New Orleans and Rio that comes to an end with Clean Monday and Lent 40 days before Easter Sunday. This is a great time to be in Greece too with parties and parades and lots of eating and drinking in Athens, Patras, Skyros and just about every island with a decent winter population. 40 days after Orthodox Easter is the Agios Pnevmatos Holiday , similar to our Memorial Day weekend but this is celebrating the Holy Spirit. The hotels and ferries to the islands are usually full that weekend, going there on Friday and returning on Monday or Tuesday. In August everyone leaves Athens for the villages and the islands and on August 15th it is the Celebration of the Panagia (Virgin Mary) and finding hotels or space on the ferries during this period is almost impossible if you wait too long. Many people stay in Athens during this period because even though it is hot, it is practically empty, by Athens standards at least. See also Holidays in Greece

Traveling with Children in Greece

Getting Married or Honeymooning in Greece

Greek Ferry Boats

George the Famous Taxi Driver

Driving in Greece

Sailing in Greece

Greece Sail Cruises and Charters

The authentic way to sail the Greek islands with Captain Alex and his comfortable traditional wooden sailing yachts on the Aegean and the Ionian Seas. Rent a cabin or the entire boat for you and your family and friends. These beautiful boats are large enough to accommodate 16 passengers comfortably and offer several itineraries that will allow you to visit the different island chains when they each have the best weather. Or you can charter the entire boat and go wherever you want. See their website.

GM Sailboat and Yacht Charters

Group discounts, suggestions for interesting tours in greece...., fantasy travel's greek island packages, budget tours.

Many people write that they want to go to Greece on a very meager budget, but they are nervous about doing all their hotels, and ferry bookings on their own. They would like to stay in economical hotels but the thought of trying to figure out the metro, buses and taxis scares them a little. So I asked Fantasy Travel to put together a 10-day package for people who think they can't afford to go to Greece. They came up with something pretty special that includes 3 days each in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini, all transfers, breakfast, ferry tickets and a one day tour of Delphi or the one day Saronic cruise for as low as 62 euros a day per person. And everything except lunch and dinner is taken care of. Even entry fees at the archaeological sites are included. See my Budget Travel site and Fantasy Travel's Special Offers Page .

Weekend in Athens

Greece Cartoons: While playing with my camera one day, (a Sony Cybershot DSC-HX20V), I discovered that if I combined two settings I came up with a way to make my photos look like comics and my friends look like comic book characters. At first I began posting them as they were, but then I decided that if I could add word balloons my photos really would be like comics. All I needed was to think of something funny to say in each one, which is not as easy as it sounds. Well you can decide whether or not they are funny by going to my Greece Cartoons Page

Also take a one minute spin with my video All My Friends from Greece . It's a commercial I would make if I were the head of the Greek National Tourist Organization. I wrote the song and sing and play it with some of my rock and roll pals.

Please Help Support this Guide: When I had to find a way to support my web sites I had 2 choices. I could use modern advertising technology like most sites use with pay-per-click ads all over my pages and spy-ware that collects information and posts the ads each individual reader is most likely to click on. Or I could choose to promote a handful of travel agents, and a reliable hotel booking system and keep my sites relatively ad free. No obnoxious pop-ups, fake news articles, or gathering of information through cookies. I chose the second. If you book through the links on my site I will receive a commission which supports my work. But if you book elsewhere, (like Air BnB for example) but still find my website useful I ask you to  send a donation through Paypal or you can use Venmo at venmo.com/Matt-Barrett-Greece If you prefer to send a check you can email me . Any amount helps. Thank you for your support!

You can also my find my travel tips for your Greek holidays on Tiplr

Important Note : There is a lot of information on my website and it is all free to anyone whether you booked through the travel agents, the hotels or Air BnB. But it is the commissions I get from hotel bookings on my affiliate website with  Booking.com that supports this website and enable me to continue doing the work I enjoy.  So my request to you is that if you are using other sites to book hotels and apartments and using my websites for everything else and are thankful for the information you have received from it please think about donating whatever you can afford so I can continue to be creative. If you are appreciative of all the free information you get on my websites you can send a donation through Paypal Or you can use Venmo at venmo.com/Matt-Barrett-Greece .

You can read what others have said about my Greece Guides and the travel agencies and services on my Testimonials Pages

Remember if you have any questions about services, itineraries, problems or anything having to do with Greece or if you are looking for something on the site and can't find it you can e-mail me and I will respond quickly. There is no fee. All info is Free.  I hope to see you in Greece! Matt Barrett

Help Support Matt's Greece Guides Do you enjoy using my site? Have you found it entertaining as well as useful? If so please show your appreciation by booking hotels through the travel agencies and the links found on my Hotels of Greece site. The small commission I make on the bookings enable me to keep working and in most cases you won't find them any cheaper by searching elsewhere. You can find hotels in Greece by location, price, whether or not it has a swimming pool, and see photos and reviews by using this link to booking.com which also contributes to my website when you book.

Join Matt Barrett's Greece Travel Guides Group on Facebook for comments, photos and other fun stuff. If you enjoy this website please share it with your friends on Facebook. If you are appreciative of all the free information you get on my websites you can send a donation through Paypal or Venmo

15 of the Best Towns and Cities to Visit in Greece

From historic hillside cities to island destinations, these are 15 of the best towns and cities to visit in Greece.

More than 27 million travelers made their way to Greece in 2022 , visiting the country's gorgeous islands and coastlines, rural towns, and historic capital city of Athens. One look at its landscapes and it's easy to see why travelers dream of visiting Greece — but there's so much more to this Mediterranean nation. 

"Everyone knows that Greece boasts stunning crystalline waters that make you want to dive right in and historical sites that whisper tales of the past. Its culinary delights are a perfect way to wrap up a day of exploring its unique cultural riches and vibrant art scene, but what truly sets Greece apart is its people," Christos Stergiou , a travel advisor with True Trips, shared with Travel + Leisure . "Greeks have this incredible gift called philoxenia: hospitality taken to a whole new level. Our True Trips guests always describe the feeling of having new local friends who'll go above and beyond to make their journey unforgettable." 

Ready to plan your getaway? Here are 15 of the best cities to visit in Greece.

Yes, a visit to Athens feels obvious, because not only is it the capital city, but it’s also home to the international airport you’ll likely fly into on your visit. That said, Athens is well worth a trip in its own right, as it’s home to some of the most important historical sites on Earth, including the must-see Acropolis. Need more? Here’s how to spend one perfect day in Athens .

Related: The Best Times to Visit Greece

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki, located in the northern part of the country, offers a blend of history and youthful energy that few cities can match. “I would recommend Thessaloniki for its long and epic history,” Peter Sommer, founder of Peter Sommer Travels , shared. “The historic center of Thessaloniki is filled with an extraordinary series of ancient monuments, many of them part of an imperial palace complex built by the Roman Emperor Galerius and vast in scope."

Sommer added that there are several museums to visit here, including the Museum of Byzantine Culture and the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. “But history and archaeology aren’t the only reasons to come to Thessaloniki. It’s justly famed for its gastronomy,” Sommer added. “You can savor a huge selection of glorious local dishes and sample a cornucopia of excellent local wines.”

Drive two hours east of Thessaloniki to find another northern city worth exploring — Kastoria. The scenic city sits perched on Lake Orestiada between the Grammos and Vitsi mountains. Visitors can enjoy peaceful boat rides on the lake with any number of outfitters lining the shores, or just watch the local fisherman go to work each day to reel in the catch. Or, book a tour with Adventures With Wine to bike the lake’s shoreline and see all the hidden nooks worth exploring. 

“Ioannina truly shines as a city that's a hidden treasure, especially for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers,” Stergiou shared of the city that sits on Lake Pamvotida. It’s a spot that has inspired many creative talents thanks to its epic vistas, but more than that, Stergiou explained, it’s a fantastic home base for exploring more of the northwest region of Greece. 

“In addition to the beautiful lake that stands proud as the city’s landmark, the Byzantine castle, the scenic historical center, and the lively neighborhoods, Ioannina is a gateway to countless incredible experiences within a drive of an hour or two. From there, you can take daily trips to some of the most beautiful villages in all of Greece, such as Metsovo or captivating Zagorohoria, filled with breathtaking landscapes and charming stone houses.” 

Kalamata, a city well-known for its olive production, is a place where travelers can get lost — in the best way possible. Come stroll its winding cobblestone streets, explore the castle, and visit museums like the Modern Greek Art Gallery for a well-rounded city escape in the Peloponnese region.

Kalambaka, a city located in central Greece, is famous for its unparalleled view of the stunning Meteora. The city sits at the base of the towering rock formations topped with historic monasteries that date back as early as the 11th century. The complex of monasteries is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , and you can visit many for a small fee.

There are more than 6,000 Greek islands , and while many come with small populations, the island of Rhodes is positively metropolitan thanks to the city of Rhodes. Home to some 50,000 people, the city is famed for its ancient history and the duality of its New Town and Old Town. While there’s nothing wrong with New Town, Old Town is a walled-off time capsule to the past, and it's one of the largest remaining medieval settlements in Europe.

Nafplio, located in the eastern Peloponnese, is a seaside dream packed with Venetian architecture to explore. As Alys Colayera, lead travel expert for Greece at Black Tomato , shared, it’s a “great place to wander through the old alleyways, grab a strong cup of Greek coffee at a local coffee shop in the square, and take a boat to Bourtzi Castle if you are interested in architecture and history.” As for the name of the town, Visit Greece explained that it comes from its mythological founder, Nafplios, one of Poseidon's sons.

One more island city to explore is Chania on the island of Crete. It too is famed for its Venetian harbor and quaint old town. Explore its cobblestone streets, duck into museums like the Maritime Museum of Crete , and shop for souvenirs in its endless boutiques. Pro tip: Leather goods are famously great here, so go ahead and splurge on a bag or a pair of shoes. 

While Larissa has a population of more than 130,000 people, it remains a place well in touch with Mother Nature. This city in central Greece is an agricultural hub, growing vegetables, grains, fruits, and more, so it's a great place to dig into some Thessalian cuisine. While in town, explore the Ancient Theatre of Larissa , dedicated to the god Dionysus, to learn more about the area's ancient history.

History abounds in the southern city of Corinth, thanks to well-preserved ruins including the iconic Temple of Apollo and the Acrocorinth fortress. Just an hour from Athens, Corinth and the surrounding coastal towns make a perfect day trip from the capital city, says Colayera.

If you’re making your way to the islands, odds are you’ll pass through the port city of Piraeus. Dozens of ferries come in and out of the harbor each day, but before you board one, spend a little time exploring the city by visiting places like The Hellenic Maritime Museum , which showcases Greece's rich seafaring heritage.

Head north along the Aegean coast to Kavala, a hillside city with gorgeous beaches, sweeping vistas, and an exciting mix of ancient history and modern city life. You can’t miss its imposing aqueduct, which runs for almost 1,000 feet and dates to the 16th century. Once you’re done viewing that, head straight to The Acropolis of Kavala to learn more about this city’s fascinating history.

Find the party in Patras, a university port city in western Greece. Yes, of course, you’ll find history here, including inside the Archaeological Museum of Patras , which showcases goods from the surrounding region dating back to prehistory. But in Patras, you’ll also find a bustling (and modern) nightlife scene across several neighborhoods, including down Riga Feraiou Pedestrian Street, where you can snag a delicious bite of Greek food, too. 

Explore one of the most beautiful places in Greece when you plot a trip to Corfu Town on the eastern coast of the island of Corfu. Here, travelers can explore the historic architecture that earned Old Town of Corfu a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Tour the fortresses, stroll through the town’s central market, and visit Spianada Square, the largest square in Greece.

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Tips for planning a trip to Greece: Islands and archaeological sites of interest

Greece attracts visitors from all over the world ready to recognize landscapes, read and recreated before in their imagination, with heavenly beaches and dreamy islands.

But a trip to Greece has a lot to offer. Cradle of history and mythology, the Hellenic country offers endless options of beautiful islands with their respective archaeological sites, mostly UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here we detail some of them.

The Acropolis of Athens

Those who have never traveled to the Hellenic country cannot escape the magic of Athens , the land where western civilization was born. The Acropolis was inhabited since the end of the Neolithic era (2800 B.C. - 2500 B.C.), as evidenced by the ceramic remains found in the area, and for a long time it was used as a refuge for the inhabitants of its surroundings. The oldest buildings date back to the 14th century B.C. The Acropolis is a genuine testament to the golden age of Greece, between 461 and 429 B.C., the magical period displaying the height of Pericles' influence, in which the intellectual and artistic life of Athens flourished. It is believed to have been inhabited without interruption throughout the Bronze Age and the following times.

There is the temple of Athena Nike, built between 488 and 427 B.C. The Parthenon is a masterpiece of architecture conceived by Pericles and executed between 447 and 438 B.C. by the brilliant sculptor Phidias, who was also responsible for building the Erechtheum, located on top of the Acropolis (famous for the six maiden-shaped columns that support one of the doors: the caryatids), another masterpiece that you will find there.

The Acropolis is open every day from 08:00 to 17:00, and in spring and summer, it remains open until 19:00. The closing days of the archaeological site are January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday and December 25 and 26. Tickets can be purchased directly at the ticket offices located at the entrance of the venue, and you can also buy your tickets online without lines. Both are valid to visit the entire archaeological site.

Minoan ruins on the island of Crete

Crete 's appearance in history is linked to the development of the Minoan civilization. When the first Achaean invaders (Indo-European Bronze Age people) arrived on the Cretan coast, during the 15th-13th century BC, the island had long enjoyed an advanced civilization: Homer called it "the island of one hundred cities”. Excavations begun in the 19th century have brought to light the impressive remains of one of the brightest civilizations of all time: in 1878, Minos Kalokairinos carried out the excavations of Knossos and its palace, belonging to King Minos. The hill of Knossos had been inhabited since the Neolithic, and the population spread over the surrounding terrain. Around 1900 BC, the top was leveled and the first palace was built; two centuries later, after an earthquake, the new palace was erected.

Knossos is 5 km from Heraklion, the capital of Crete, a hectic city with a lot of movement, typical of coastal cities. We recommend a walk through the Venetian port area and the streets of the center that will make you discover several interesting monuments, as well as being ideal for those who want to shop.

Delphi Ruins

On a trip to the city Delphi , you can visit The Temple of Apollo. The temple visible today (there were six others successively built on the site) dates back to the 4th century BC Above the temple is the theater, very well preserved, where 5,000 spectators could sit; the works, which started in the 3rd century BC, were not completed until 160 BC, and it was later restored by the Romans. The view from the theater is worth the climb, as is the view from the stadium, which is up the mountain, and represents the highest point of the old city. Embraced by a pine forest, this is a quiet refuge with the resounding majesty of the mountain as the background.

The Archaeological site of Olympia

Olympia is the ancient sanctuary of Zeus, one of the most popular archaeological sites in Greece. Located on the Peloponnese peninsula in mainland Greece, this is the place where the original Olympic Games were held in ancient times. Its extensive ruins encompass sports training areas, a stadium and temples dedicated to the gods Hera and Zeus. Although the first Olympiad is believed to have taken place in 776 B.C., the bronze figures from the geometric period (10th-8th centuries) reveal that the sanctuary was already in use before then.

Although the visit could last a day, since there are many places to see in Olympia, a tourist visit will take approximately two and a half or three hours to see everything with ease and taking photographs. As in the rest of the archaeological sites of Greece, as in most places to visit in Olympia there is not much shade, so it is advisable to come with sunscreen, hat and water. ( See packages to Olympia in Travel to Greece ).

Delos Archaeological Site

Although Delos is a small islet, with hardly any natural resources, it was able to become the religious and political center of the Aegean. In 1000 BC, the Ionians, who inhabited the Cyclades, had made Delos their religious capital and introduced the cult of Apollo. Delos was excavated in 1873 by the French school of archeology in Athens and its main buildings are: The agora of the Competaliasts, a market next to the sacred port, built in the 2nd century BC. The temple of Delos or great temple, one of the three dedicated to Apollo, built from 478 BC, but whose works stopped in the middle of the century and were not restarted until the 3rd century BC.; the fountain of Minos, the terrace of the lions, the theater of the 3rd century BC, initially of marble and later of wood.

But this island is not only focused on its history and we must focus on the typical food of this island, which is one of the so-called Cyclades. The special geomorphology of these islands, together with the sea, the wind and the sun, determine the special characteristics and quality of the products produced on their land. Grapes, olives, legumes and vegetables that do not need too much water, tomato varieties, wild vegetables, wild artichokes, wild asparagus, capers, kritamo, among others, are the main raw materials of the islands in terms of food . Fishing, of course, is also an important element, while meat is scarcer and mainly used for celebrations. The Cycladic cheese is an incredible synthesis of flavors and aromas. ( See Delos packages in Trips to Greece ).

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In April of 2024, I attended an amazing FAM trip to Greece, sponsored by Wanderluxe Destinations and Seez Travel Greece. I experienced five properties and conducted 11 hotel site inspections. We also toured the islands, shopped in Athens and had delicious culinary treats. I highly recommend using the Seez Travel DMC in Greece for a memorable client trip as they specialize in personalized and detailed planning for the guests.

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Where to stay

Hotel grande bretagne, a luxury collection hotel, athens.

A historic hotel known for its spectacular views of the Acropolis, as well as its best-in-class service and elegant suites.

$100 food / beverage credit.

Breakfast daily.

Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens

The grande dame of Athens within walking distance of the Acropolis, Agora and more.

$100 hotel / resort credit.

Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas

Escape to coastal opulence and embrace unrivaled luxury at Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas, where indulgence knows no bounds.

Santorini Secret Suites & Spa

Experience luxury and breathtaking views at Santorini Secret Suites & Spa, where elegant suites, a serene cliffside location, and exceptional spa services offer an idyllic and unforgettable stay on the stunning island of Santorini, Greece.

$50-$100 hotel / resort credit.

Andronis Minois

Experience unparalleled luxury and tranquility at Andronis Minois, where every moment is a celebration of Greek hospitality amidst the stunning vistas of Santorini.

$100 food / beverage or spa credit.

VIP welcome & amenity.

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Seez Travel: The ultimate resource for creating authentic experiences in Greece. They use their expertise to select partners with world-class travel experiences in adventure, transportation, villas, resorts, yachts, high-end luxury and authentic local excursions. Seez also arranged an upscale shopping trip in Athens where we saw luxury jewelers, leather goods and beauty products. These tours can be arranged for individuals. A new service was offered that took our luggage from our hotel in Santorini to Crete via a small luggage van that went on the ferry with us. This can now be arranged through Seez for all travelers.

Athens: Hotels Visited Included Hotel Grande Bretagne and King George Athens

Hotel Grande Bretagne Athens: A classic property with luxury service and traditional furnishings. The property features breathtaking views of the Acropolis from the rooftop restaurant, a world class bar/afternoon tea, destination spa with thermal suite and is a landmark hotel

King George Athens: Upscale luxury property with modern finishes; appeals to couples, honeymooners, solo travelers and features 102 rooms. The penthouse has a private pool with Acropolis views. The Michelin star restaurant, Tudor Hall, offers authentic international cuisine with incomparable views. The hotel has outstanding personalized service.

Crete: Hotels Visited Included Daios Covea and Minos Art Hotel

We went on an excursion to an authentic olive oil farm with a press from the late 1880s. Lunch was enjoyed in the Plaka looking out to the beautiful blue waters and towards Spinalonga island (a former leper colony with interesting history).

Daios Cove, Crete: This property offers guests a premium all-inclusive experience full of rich mediterranean flavors. I especially enjoyed the spacious rooms with sea views, fully equipped spa, water sports, tennis, helicopter pad and infinity pool. It was easy to navigate via the staff-driven club cars or funiculars to ease your way up/down the scenic hills.

Minos Art Hotel, Crete: A special art-focused property located by the sea in picturesque Agios Nikolaos town. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner/tasting menu overlooking the ocean. Rooms are very private with views and many with pools.

Santorini: Hotels Visited Included Santorini Secrets Suites & Spa, Secret View Hotel, Santorini Premium and Secret Villa

Santorini Secret: 17 luxury "cave" rooms with private plunge pools. Guests should note the number of steep stairs to reach the rooms and restaurant. Excellent service with spa. Villas and Premium rooms (no stairs/good for families), are located in adjacent area.

Secret View Santorini: Located between the Caldera and the Aegean Sea, this new property appeals to families and couples that want to be away from the caldera/crowds of Santorini. Restaurant, bar and spa services are excellent with friendly staff. It has parking.

Seez Travel arranged a trip to the village of Megalochori to enjoy a pottery workshop with a local artisan. After enjoying some shopping on the Oia walkway, we had our final dinner at Black Rock Restaurant (at Santorini Secret). The food and service were impeccable.

Paros: Hotels Visited Included Andronis Minois and Avant Mar

Andronis Minois: We were honored to be among the first guests of this new property. With 44 rooms, it is located 15 minutes from either the port or the airport. Rooms are spacious and some are sea view or pool side (with large patios). The restaurant boasted delicious healthy smoothies and pool side service was excellent.

Avant Mar: this 38-room hotel is walking distance to Naoussa and offers private pools, views, spa and a new Nobu restaurant (opening July 2024). Many rooms have private patios/grottos where you can sit and enjoy a coffee or a quiet moment.

We had a chance to visit the following villages: Naoussa (quaint with fishing vessels, shops, restaurants), Lefkes (mountain town with views, bakeries, shops, restaurants), and an authentic visit to a local women's house for Greek spoon sweets, and we saw her home (dating back to the 1700s and a loom where she made artisan bags). At the end of the day, we saw the port town of Paroika and we strolled the alleys to see an ancient castle and a church, followed by a delicious dinner at Andronis Minois.

Need to Know

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Greece. In need of further inspiration? Check out Kathleen O'Neill’s guide, Magical Greece.

Travel Advisor

Let's talk about customizing this itinerary for you. Or, about other destinations.

Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.

Auroras illuminate night skies around the world, expected to possibly continue through Monday

Night skies were lit up by the northern lights Friday in locations the auroras don't normally shine as a severe solar storm supercharged the phenomenon.

Photos taken from all over the world showed bright-colored skies lit up in hot pink, green and purple across Europe, in the United States and as far as New Zealand.

Friday’s storm was the first severe geomagnetic storm watch the agency had issued since 2005. Early on Saturday, the storm delivered, reaching intensity G5 on a 1-5 scale, making it the strongest storm to reach Earth’s atmosphere since October 2003’s “Halloween Storms,” said Bryan Brasher, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center spokesperson.

The center said activity with G4 to G5 intensity was likely to reach Earth again on Sunday.

Due to continued solar flares and eruptions from the sun , the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center said in a series of statements that the flares could trigger severe geomagnetic storms and "spectacular displays of aurora," possibly through Monday and beyond.

The geomagnetic field is expected to reach “severe storm levels” on Sunday, “active to severe storm levels” on Monday, and “unsettled to minor storm levels” on Tuesday, according to a center forecast released Saturday.

Brasher said geomagnetic storm activity was expected to continue. With the planet absorbing its impacts on a delayed timeframe, the visual effects could possibly stick around through Tuesday, he said.

“The region of the sun that’s the source of this weather has continued to be active,” Brasher said. “There is a chance for new events to occur based on that.”

The northern lights appear in the sky when charged particles spew from the sun during solar storms, making colorful light displays when clouds of those particles collide with Earth's magnetic field and interact with the atoms and molecules in Earth's upper atmosphere.

Typically, the northern lights are only seen in high latitudes, but during intense solar storms, like on Friday, they can be seen farther south than expected, with reports of sightings in Louisiana, Alabama , and Mississippi.

The cosmic show will likely follow this geomagnetic activity, according to the NOAA, which said that the ongoing storm has caused some reports of power grid issues.

NASA said Saturday that it had detected another sizable solar flare.

On social media, people posted pictures from a wide variety of locations around the world.

Rebecca Cohen is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

Jean Lee is an associate reporter with NBC News’ Social Newsgathering team in Los Angeles. She previously reported for the NBC News consumer investigative unit.

Reporter with NBC News’ Social Newsgathering team

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