Top Destinations in Greece

Greece is far more than just its famous islands. From the living, breathing ancient capital of Athens to the otherworldly monasteries of Meteora and the Venetian-influenced streets of Thessaloniki, the Greek mainland alone could fill two weeks of extraordinary travel. Here are the destinations every traveler to Greece should know about.

Athens — Where Ancient History Meets Modern Life

Almost every Greece trip starts in Athens, and rightfully so. The city is home to the Acropolis — the most iconic ancient monument in the Western world — and surrounding it is a layered, chaotic, endlessly fascinating metropolis that has been continuously inhabited for over 3,000 years. Do not make the mistake of treating Athens as just a stopover. Give it at least two full days.

The Acropolis Museum is essential — it houses the original sculptures and friezes from the Parthenon and contextualises the hill you will have just climbed in extraordinary detail. The Plaka neighborhood at the foot of the Acropolis is the oldest continuously inhabited area of Athens and the best place for a slow morning coffee and a wander through narrow marble-paved streets. For the best free view of the Acropolis, walk up Areopagus Hill just to the west — no ticket required and arguably a better angle than the Acropolis itself.

Santorini — The One That Needs No Introduction

No destination on earth is more photographed than Santorini’s caldera edge — and visiting in person confirms that no photograph actually does it justice. The island sits in the southern Cyclades on the rim of an ancient volcanic crater, with the towns of Oia, Fira, and Imerovigli clinging to the clifftops above a 300-metre drop to the sea below. The sunsets here are genuinely among the most spectacular natural phenomena you will witness in your lifetime.

Santorini is expensive — one of the priciest destinations in Greece — but worth budgeting for at least two or three nights. Stay in Oia or Imerovigli for the classic caldera view. The black sand beach at Perissa offers far better value for accommodation than the clifftop towns without sacrificing the island experience. Take the Fira to Oia hiking trail (about 10km) for the most spectacular free activity on the island.

Crete — Greece’s Largest and Most Diverse Island

Crete is an island that could comfortably fill an entire two-week holiday on its own. It is Greece’s largest island and combines beach life, ancient Minoan civilizations (the oldest in Europe), dramatic mountain gorges, and some of the country’s finest food and wine in one extraordinary package. The Palace of Knossos near Heraklion is a 3,500-year-old Minoan palace and one of the most significant archaeological sites in Europe. The Samaria Gorge in the west is a 16km hike through one of Europe’s longest gorges — an unmissable adventure for active travelers. The beaches of Elafonisi and Balos in western Crete regularly rank among the most beautiful in the world.

Meteora — The Most Dramatic Sight in Mainland Greece

About four hours by train north of Athens, the monasteries of Meteora are one of Greece’s most breathtaking and underrated experiences. Sixth-century Byzantine monasteries perch impossibly on the tops of enormous rock pillars that rise hundreds of metres above the valley floor. Six monasteries are still active and open to visitors. The site was originally accessed only by rope ladders and winches — today there are steps carved into the rock. Come at sunrise or sunset for photography that will make your Instagram feed permanently jealous.

Thessaloniki — Greece’s Second City and Culinary Capital

Often overlooked by international travelers rushing to the islands, Thessaloniki in northern Greece is one of the most underrated cities in Europe. It has an extraordinary food scene — widely considered the gastronomic capital of Greece — a buzzing café culture, Byzantine churches, Roman ruins, and a waterfront promenade that rivals anywhere in the Mediterranean. It is also significantly cheaper than Athens and the islands. If you have the time, a two-day detour to Thessaloniki rewards generously.

The Best Greek Islands — Which One Is Right for You?

Greece has over 6,000 islands, around 230 of which are inhabited. Choosing between them is one of the greatest pleasures — and greatest challenges — of planning a Greek trip. The right island depends entirely on what kind of traveler you are. Here is an honest breakdown of the top islands and who they suit best.

Island	Best For	Vibe	Budget Level
Santorini	Honeymooners, couples, photographers	Romantic, dramatic, iconic	$$$$
Mykonos	Party lovers, LGBTQ+ travelers	Glamorous, lively, fashionable	$$$$
Crete	Families, beach lovers, history fans	Diverse, authentic, adventurous	$$
Rhodes	History buffs, families, beach lovers	Medieval, lively, sunny	$$
Corfu	Nature lovers, couples, families	Lush, Venetian-influenced, relaxed	$$
Paros	All types, first-time island visitors	Balanced, beautiful, friendly	$$$
Naxos	Budget travelers, foodies, hikers	Authentic, laid-back, off the beaten path	$$
Milos	Couples, nature lovers, divers	Dramatic, volcanic, uncrowded	$$$

Island-Hopping: How to Do It Right

One of the greatest joys of Greece is island-hopping — taking ferries between islands and experiencing two or three different environments in one trip. The most popular island-hopping routes for first-timers start in Athens (Piraeus port) and move through the Cyclades: Athens → Mykonos → Paros or Naxos → Santorini is a classic 10-day route that covers the best of the Cyclades while not spending your entire budget in one place.

Ferry tip: Book ferries in advance during July and August — they sell out. Use Ferryhopper or Greek Ferries to compare routes and prices. High-speed ferries cost more but cut travel time significantly. The overnight ferry from Athens to Santorini, for example, takes around 8 hours — book a cabin and save a night of accommodation costs.

How to Get Around Greece

Getting around Greece is part of the adventure — and understanding your options before you go will save you significant time, money, and frustration once you arrive.

Getting to Greece

The main international gateway for US travelers is Athens International Airport (ATH), also known as Eleftherios Venizelos. Most major US carriers offer connecting flights to Athens, with common layovers in London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Istanbul. Flight times from the US East Coast are typically 10 to 12 hours with one connection, and from the West Coast around 13 to 16 hours. Direct flights from New York to Athens are available seasonally. Thessaloniki (SKG) and Heraklion in Crete (HER) also receive European connections if you want to start your trip outside Athens.

Getting Around the Mainland

Within mainland Greece, intercity buses (KTEL) are the most affordable way to travel between cities and are reliable and comfortable. The Athens to Thessaloniki route takes about 5 to 6 hours and costs around €30 to €45. Trains connect Athens to Thessaloniki and other mainland cities — the high-speed service takes about 4 hours and is a comfortable, scenic option. Renting a car is highly recommended for exploring mainland Greece beyond the major cities, particularly for Meteora, the Peloponnese, and rural Crete. Roads are generally good, driving is on the right, and most international US driving licences are accepted.

Getting Between Islands: Ferries

Ferries are the heartbeat of Greek island life and one of the most enjoyable parts of any Greek trip when you embrace them properly. Piraeus port in Athens is the main hub for Aegean island ferries. Most Cyclades islands (Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Milos) are reached from Piraeus. Ionian islands (Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos) are reached by ferry from mainland ports like Patras and Igoumenitsa.

• High-speed (catamaran) ferries — fast, more expensive, can be rocky in rough weather
• Conventional ferries — slower but significantly cheaper, great for overnight journeys
• Seaways and local ferries — for short hops between neighbouring islands

Getting Around the Islands

On most islands, you have three realistic options: renting a scooter or ATV (the most popular and fun option — usually €15 to €25 per day), renting a car (better for larger islands like Crete and Rhodes, typically €30 to €60 per day), or relying on local buses (KTEL) which connect major towns and beaches on most larger islands. Taxis are available on larger islands but can be expensive and scarce during peak summer. Rideshares like Uber are available in Athens but not on the islands.

Greek Food and Drink — What to Eat and Where

Greek food is one of the world’s great culinary traditions, and yet it is consistently underestimated by travelers who arrive expecting just moussaka and gyros. Greek cuisine is fresh, seasonal, locally sourced, and profoundly regional — what you eat in Crete is different from what you eat in Athens, which is different from what you eat on a Cyclades island. Exploring this variety is one of the true pleasures of Greek travel.

Essential Greek Dishes to Try

• Spanakopita — flaky phyllo pastry stuffed with spinach and feta cheese. Found at every bakery (fournos) in the country and the best 90-cent breakfast you will ever have.
• Fresh grilled octopus — the ultimate Greek waterfront meal. Hung to dry in the sun outside tavernas, then grilled over charcoal and drizzled with olive oil and lemon.
• Saganaki — fried cheese (usually kefalograviera or graviera), served piping hot and crispy. Often flambéed tableside with an enthusiastic cry of “Opa!”
• Souvlaki and gyros — Greece’s beloved street food. Souvlaki is grilled meat on a skewer; a gyros pita wraps the meat in flatbread with tomatoes, onion, and tzatziki. Budget €2 to €4 per piece.
• Horiatiki (Greek salad) — the real version uses ripe tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and a thick slab of feta — no lettuce, ever. Always dressed with olive oil, never with dressing from a bottle.
• Fresh fish and seafood — always order the daily catch at waterfront tavernas. Ask what arrived that morning rather than pointing at the menu. Priced by the kilogram — always ask the weight before ordering.
• Loukoumades — warm honey-drizzled doughnut balls dusted with cinnamon. Greece’s most addictive street snack.
• Local wine and ouzo — Greek wine has improved enormously in recent decades and is exceptional value. Assyrtiko from Santorini is one of the world’s great white wines. Ouzo — the anise-flavored spirit — is drunk slowly, diluted with cold water which turns it milky white, always with meze (small plates) alongside.

Where to Eat — Taverna vs. Tourist Trap

The golden rule: if a restaurant has a man standing outside waving a laminated menu at you, keep walking. If a restaurant has its menu only in Greek and fills up with locals at 9pm, sit down immediately. Family-run tavernas (tavernes) are always the best bet — portions are enormous, prices are honest, and the food tastes of real Greek cooking rather than the sanitised version designed for tourist palates.

Meal times in Greece follow Mediterranean rhythms: lunch is eaten late (1pm to 4pm) and dinner is eaten very late by American standards (9pm to 11pm). If you show up at a restaurant at 6pm, you will be the only customer and the kitchen may not even be fully running. Embrace the Greek schedule and your evenings will unfold beautifully.

Greece Travel Budget: What to Expect

Greece is one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe, though costs vary enormously depending on where you stay, when you travel, and how you choose to experience the country. Here is an honest breakdown by budget type.

Typical Costs in Greece (2025)

• Coffee (frappe or espresso): €2 to €4
• Gyros pita: €2.50 to €4
• Lunch at a local taverna (per person): €10 to €20
• Dinner at a mid-range restaurant (per person with wine): €25 to €50
• Beer at a bar: €3 to €6
• Acropolis entrance ticket: €20 (or €30 for multi-site pass)
• Ferry Athens to Santorini (conventional): €35 to €50
• Ferry Athens to Santorini (high-speed): €60 to €90
• Budget hotel on smaller islands (per night): €50 to €90
• Caldera-view hotel in Santorini (per night): €200 to €800+
• Scooter rental (per day): €15 to €30

Practical Travel Tips for Greece

These are the things that experienced Greece travelers wish someone had told them before their first trip — the small practical details that make the difference between a smooth adventure and unnecessary frustration.

Pack Smart for Greece

• Comfortable walking shoes are essential — Greece involves a lot of cobblestone streets, ancient stone paths, and steep hillside steps. Good footwear is not optional.
• Bring a power adapter — Greece uses Type C and Type F plugs (the two-round-pin European standard) at 230V. US devices need an adapter.
• Light layers for evenings — evenings on the islands can be surprisingly cool, especially from late September onwards and during the shoulder seasons.
• Reef-safe sunscreen — the Greek government has introduced regulations around reef protection in some marine areas. Bring biodegradable sunscreen.
• A modest cover-up for churches and monasteries — women should cover shoulders and knees, men should avoid shorts at most religious sites. Many sites lend scarves at the entrance but bringing your own is easier.

Health and Safety in Greece

Greece is one of the safest countries in Europe and generally very safe for solo travelers, women, families, and LGBTQ+ visitors. The main things to be aware of are minor pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas of Athens (around the Monastiraki flea market and on the Metro) and the usual beach bag awareness. Tap water is safe to drink in Athens and most cities, but on some islands the tap water is desalinated or of variable quality — locals will tell you if bottled water is recommended.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Greece has both public and private hospitals — private clinics in tourist areas are of high quality but expensive without insurance. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not available to US citizens, so comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation is the sensible choice for Americans visiting Greece.

Connectivity — Staying Online in Greece

WiFi is excellent in hotels, cafés, and restaurants across Greece, including on the islands. For mobile data, the easiest option for US travelers is to purchase a local SIM card on arrival at Athens airport — major operators include Cosmote, Vodafone Greece, and Wind. A data SIM with 10GB to 20GB typically costs €10 to €20 for a 30-day period. Alternatively, check whether your US carrier includes Greece in its international data plan — T-Mobile and Google Fi both offer reasonable international data coverage.

Language Tips

English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants throughout Greece — you will rarely struggle to communicate in any of the major destinations. That said, a few words of Greek go an enormous way in creating warmth and goodwill with locals. Efharisto (thank you), Parakaló (please/you’re welcome), and Yiasas (hello/cheers) will earn you genuine smiles everywhere you go. In smaller villages and markets away from tourist centres, Greek is often the only language spoken.

Cultural Etiquette

• Greeks eat late — do not arrive at a restaurant before 8:30pm and expect to be the earliest customer even then.
• The head wobble that looks like “no” in Greece actually means “yes.” A sharp upward nod of the head means “no.” This will confuse you at least once.
• Haggling is not part of Greek culture in shops or restaurants — prices are set and negotiating is considered rude.
• Sunbathing topless is common and accepted on most Greek beaches but nudity is only permitted on designated nudist beaches.
• Greeks are extraordinarily hospitable — if a local insists on buying you a coffee or a glass of ouzo, accepting graciously is the right response.