With Greek islands and mainland destinations that range from the legendary to the lesser known, landmark archaeological sites that blend myth and history, and natural escapes that have to be seen to be believed, choosing where to go on your holidays in Greece isn’t always easy. That’s where we come in!
From the awe-inspiring Acropolis of Athens to the tranquil beaches of Halkidiki, Greece is a land of contrasts and discovery. The aura of island legends like Santorini and Mykonos couldn’t be more different to the intense greens and blues of Skiathos and the feeling of unearthing lesser-known island gems like Thassos. Likewise, the olive groves of Crete and the Peloponnese couldn’t be more different to the dramatic scenery of the monastery-topped Meteora in northern Greece.
Islands for every holiday mood
There are so many Greek islands, it can be hard to know where to start when choosing where to visit on your holidays in Greece? Searching for something iconic? Islands like Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Corfu and Zante (Zakynthos) speak for themselves. But there are dozens more that are growing in popularity every year. Naxos, Tinos, Syros, Paros, Milos, Astypalea, Karpathos, Kefalonia and Lefkada are just the start. And what about the up-and-comers? Ithaca, Paxos, Sifnos, Serifos, Amorgos, Leros, Skopelos, Spetses, Samos…
No one said it would be easy.
City breaks with a difference
When it comes to Greek cities, Athens and Thessaloniki are two of the best city break destinations in Europe, with a great food & drink scene and seemingly endless entertainment options. At the beaches of the Athens Riviera, you can even enjoy the best of Greek summer without ever leaving the capital. But this is where we introduced you to emerging mainland gems like Kalamata and Nafplio in the Peloponnese, Ioannina in Epirus and Kavala in northern Greece. Who knew that there were other Greek cities to uncover?
For the culture vultures
There are no fewer than 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece : Ancient Delphi, Ancient Olympia, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Mystras, Mount Athos, the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion … it’s a long list. The entire Old Town of Corfu and the Medieval City of Rhodes are UNESCO sites, and once you've been introduced to them, you'll understand why.
Or perhaps you want to find your inner Theseus at the Palace of Knossos in Crete. The most famous settlement of the 4,000-year-old Minoan civilisation in Crete was also the site of King Minos’ labyrinth where Theseus killed the legendary Minotaur and made off with the king’s daughter, Ariadne.
Natural escapes
And then there are the natural escapes that offer so many outdoor activities. Put it this way, around 80 percent of Greece is mountainous and there are lakes, gorges and wetlands in every corner. Mount Olympus and Pelion are wonderlands that blend nature and myth like nowhere else and locations like Zagori, in Epirus, and the Samaria Gorge, in Crete, are out of this world. Likewise, Lake Kerkini and the Prespes Lakes are birdwatching favourites in the north, just as Messolongi is in the west. And Arachova and Kalavryta are fantastic mountain getaways just a few hours’ drive from Athens that also have ski centres.
And this really is just the start.
So what’s it like to have the whole of Greece at your fingertips?
The best of Greece
Scroll through our selected highlights for every kind of traveller
Greece in focus
Inspiring views of Greece through your lens