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The ultimate Greece holiday destinations to visit this summer
Greece is one of our most trusty places to visit, somewhere we rely on for our sun and sea fix every summer – and so it’s just as well that there are many Greece holiday destinations to choose from.
Whether you want to visit one of the thousands of islands, from the Cyclades to the Sporades, tour the classical destinations on the mainland or admire the Acropolis in Athens, there’s a holiday destination in Greece for you.
Just like Italy's holiday destinations and the most beautiful Portuguese holiday destinations, the beauty spots in Greece are perfect for a spring, summer or autumn escape when you can make the most of the Mediterranean sunshine.
Mykonos and Santorini in the Cyclades get more tourist footfall than most of the rest of the country, but there are other islands worth a visit in this region of the Aegean, too.
Sifnos, for example – home to several hundred whitewashed churches, an exciting food scene and charming boutique hotels. Or magical Milos, with its rich mining history, incredible geology and hilltop towns, where the sunsets give even Santorini’s a run for their money.
Ancient Athens never gets old: the almighty Acropolis is one of the most majestic sites in the country.
Crete may be an island, but it’s a vast one – don’t miss the gorgeous capital Chania, with its Venetian harbour and restaurants along the water’s edge.
Here are our favourite Greece holiday destinations to visit in 2024.
Corfu
To the north of the Ionian Sea, the mountainous, cypress-studded isle of Corfu has been ruled by the Venetians, French and British over the years, which makes it a fascinating place to visit (and not just for fans of The Durrells). As well as the golden beaches and sparkling coastline, which is dotted with well-heeled resorts, there are lots of mountain villages. Corfu Town – with its palaces, Venetian fortresses, cobblestoned alleyways and UNESCO-listed old town – is not to be missed.
Where to stay: For some romantic seclusion, Domes Miramare, on an olive grove above the coast, is the hotel for you – it was built by the Onassis family in the 1960s and has been popular with royals and rock stars ever since.
Mani Peninsula
In the central of the three finger-shaped peninsulas of the Peloponnese and one of the most wild, remote parts of Greece, the Mani is home to the Maniots, believed to be descended from the Spartans. The dramatic scenery spans the Taygetos Mountains, quiet coves and walking trails linking up hilltop hamlets. The region is divided into the Outer Mani, which includes coastal villages such as Stoupa, and the Deep Mani, visited by few tourists.
Where to stay: For a stay as historic as its surroundings, look no further than Citta dei Nicliani, an officially designated ‘ancient monument’, formed from an old tower and a series of atmospheric stone buildings.
Epirus
The rugged, mountainous Epirus region of north-western Greece may not be all that well-known, but if you like your classics, you’ll enjoy a visit to the door to Hades, AKA the Necromanteion of Acheron. In Preveza, there’s a charming old town and lots of seafood restaurants; or tour the shores of the Ionian Sea, go canyoning, hike to cliff-top monasteries and stop by pretty mountain villages.
Where to stay: At Meraviglia Slow Living on the edge of Preveza, the clue is in the name: hotel guests can enjoy a peaceful, unhurried pace of life, while admiring the stunning architecture (the hotel is the dream creation of a local construction mogul).
Halkidiki
Home to Mount Athos, this part of northern Greece is formed from peninsulas of forests and sandy bays, and has lots of seaside resorts to choose from. Archaeological sites of note include Stageira, which is where Aristotle was born, and Olynthus, founded by the son of Heracles and famous for its mosaic floors.
Where to stay: The westernmost peninsula has the most bustle and it’s where you’ll find Sani Resort, a collection of five hotels – including Sani Beach and Sani Dunes – within a well-equipped estate that has everything from football academies, survival courses with Bear Grylls and tennis courts to fine-dining restaurants and its own marina.
Skopelos and Skiathos
If you thought the backdrop of the first Mamma Mia! film looked like your idea of Greek-holiday heaven, you need to visit the Sporades isles of Skopelos and Skiathos, which are where much of the filming took place. Skopelos has no airport, which makes it a little harder to get to, but all the more rewarding when you reach it. The unspoilt island is much more authentic than many of its crowd-frequented counterparts.
Where to stay: It’s just a short ferry ride to Skopelos from neighbouring Skiathos, which does have an air hub. Over on this island, Elivi was once popular with Jacki O – today, it has villas along the beach, a Japanese restaurant and an Elemis spa.
Crete
Crete is the fifth largest island in the Med and there’s so much more to it than popular package-holiday resorts. The capital Chania, on the north-west coast, has a Venetian harbour that was built in the 14th century and a lighthouse from a couple of centuries later with Venetian, Ottoman and Egyptian influences. Classical sites include the Palace of Knossos, a Minoan settlement with its own labyrinth, and the remains of the city of Eleutherna.
Where to stay: In the east, Acro Suites has been created by a Cretan family with several other hotels on the island – each of the stylish, cliff-edge rooms has its own pool and there’s a superb spa, too.
Milos
A butterfly-shaped island in the Cyclades, Milos has an incredible landscape that spans red, pink and orange beaches, caves and the lunar landscape of Sarakiniko. In Klima, colourful fishermen’s houses are lined up along the water, and there are beaches marked out as being only for the adventurous, since they can only be reached by ladder (or boat, of course). More amazing rock formations await at Kleftiko, Fyrligos and Glaronisia. All days should end in the ancient capital Plaka – high on a hilltop and with a 13th-century Venetian fort – for sunsets that rival even those seen on Santorini.
Where to stay: A perfect base in Pollonia is Captain Zeppos Boutique hotel, which has just a handful of suites and a very helpful owner, who’ll assist with everything from hire cars to kayaks to borrow.
Hydra
The tiny island of Hydra in the Argo Saronic Gulf, close to the Peloponnese coast, is just 10 miles long. It was once home to Leonard Cohen – the singer lived here in the Sixties and it’s where he met his muse Marianne. The main harbour is the only town, there are no cars (just horses, donkeys and water taxis), bells ring out from its hundreds of churches and the coves are scented by pine. You won’t find any big resorts or high-rise hotels, and there are certainly no arrivals by air.
Where to stay: Not to be confused with a certain behemoth hotel brand, the Four Seasons Hydra Luxury Suites is one of the most charming places to stay on the island.
Mykonos
Mykonos may have a reputation as Greece’s premier party-loving island, but there’s another, far quieter side to the island. And regardless of how popular it is today, there’s a reason it became so adored and sought-after in the first place. Mykonos Town is where you’ll find some of the island’s iconic windmills. There are also lots of lovely beaches on the island, including Agios Ioannis, which is lined by restaurants where you can dine on fresh seafood at the water’s edge.
How to visit: Travel on board Star Clipper with the writer Victoria Hislop, who has written many novels set in Greece, and see a less-trodden part of Mykonos. Your voyage will begin in Athens, stopping at Patmos and other places before you dock at Mykonos for a relaxing day on a beautiful beach.
Athens
The ancient landmarks of the capital make it one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece, with people eager to explore the classical sites – the most famous of which, of course, is the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel with buildings that include the Parthenon temple. More archeological treasures await at the many museums, which showcase ceramics, sculptures and jewellery from Ancient Greece. The modern city is a lively one, with neighbourhoods such as gallery-packed Kolonaki and edgy Exarcheia.
Where to stay: Keep watch over the Acropolis from the comfort of the Hotel Grande Bretagne on Syntagma Square, which has been offering refuge to classics fans since 1874.
Sifnos
Santorini and Mykonos may steal a lot of the Cyclades’ thunder, but Sifnos is just as captivating as its more tourist-frequented neighbours. Fittingly for the birthplace of beloved Greek chef Nikolaos Tselementes, the island has some excellent foodie credentials – visitors can dine at upscale seafood bars where the jet-set yachts drop anchor and traditional tavernas, and try island-made goat’s cheese, chickpea fritters and aniseed buns in the ancient villages. Sifnos also has 235 whitewashed churches, monasteries and temples to Artemis and Apollo.
Where to stay: Verina Astra is a boutique hotel with pastel-coloured shutters, shaded terraces and stone walls that gives its guests a taste of the traditional Greek-island life.
Paros and Antiparos
Somewhat of a Cyclades secret (until now), the word is out about Paros and its diminutive neighbour Antiparos. The islands have A-list approval – Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson had a home on Antiparos and Salma Hayek was spotted on Paros in recent summers. Paros has all of the appeal of its starrier neighbours, such as Santorini and Mykonos, but it’s a much more discreet kind of style. Spend your days hiking inland near Lefkes and your evenings strolling the beautiful towns Naoussa and Parikia.
Where to stay: The recently opened Cosme is next-door to the harbour town of Naoussa, which means you’ll be within walking distance of the many bars and restaurants lining the water’s edge, not to mention the several boutiques that were made for souvenir shopping.
Santorini
If you are in search of glitz and glamour though, Santorini is one of the flashiest of the Greek islands – mostly thanks to its spectacular sunsets, but also because of its luxury hotels, fine-dining scene and captivating (and croissant-shaped) coastline. The northern town of Oia, with its famously cliff-hugging architecture, may be packed with people in search of a church with a blue dome, but there’s a reason it’s so popular – the views of the sparkling Aegean and the caldera are mesmerising. Hike the shoreline south to Imerovigli for a workout and more incredible views.
Where to stay: A little away from the action in Oia (and all the more peaceful for it), Santo Pure has been modelled on a traditional Cycladic village, with whitewashed villas forming the standalone suites, several pools and a cocktail bar with a prime view for sunset. As an added bonus, there’s a footpath taking you up into Oia in minutes.
Zakynthos
One of the Ionian Islands, Zakynthos has everything you could hope for in a Greek holiday destination, from beautiful beaches to a capital with a harbour for sunset strolls. Some of the beaches, such as Navagio, can only be reached by boat – you’ll also be able to see the shipwreck from 1980 that’s been left behind in the cove.
Where to stay: For the ultimate seclusion, check in to Porto Zante, a series of private villas on a peaceful beach that is formed from just nine buildings, each of which has a private pool and up to four bedrooms. Other highlights include the spa by the water and the two restaurants.
Monemvasia, Peloponnese
On the mainland, Monemvasia is one of the most magical towns in the Peloponnese. It’s in the region of Laconia, which linguists will be delighted to learn is where the word ‘laconic’ derives from, but that’s not to say that they’re not a friendly bunch. The town is on an island off the east coast of the Peloponnese that’s connected to the mainland by a 200-metre causeway. The main attraction is the medieval castle at the edge of a cliff, but don’t miss the narrow shop-lined streets, too.
Where to stay: Kinsterna Hotel is set on a vineyard and olive grove – don’t go home without stockpiling their wares at the shop. The serene retreat has 25 acres of grounds and a view of the castle.
Kefalonia
Made famous by Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, the film of which was shot here at the turn of the century, Kefalonia is in the Ionian Islands. The Hollywood scouts chose Sami Beach as their backdrop, but the rest of the island is just as beautiful, thanks to its limestone cliffs and sandy coves. The hillside capital Argostoli overlooks a harbour; and Myrtos Beach in the north of the island is just one of the picturesque places for a swim.
Where to stay: At F Zeen, guests can enjoy yoga on a deck overlooking the Ionian Sea, film nights at the outdoor cinema and drinks down on the beach, along with guided hikes and meditations.
Amorgós
One of Greece’s lesser-visited islands, Amorgós is just as beautiful as its counterparts that see far higher footfall come the summer months. The sleepy isle is the easternmost of the Cyclades, and the closest to the Dodecanese archipelago. As with most Greek islands, it’s home to several beautiful, quiet beaches, lots of whitewashed architecture, and some iconic blue-dome-topped churches, too.
How to visit: Set sail aboard a nine-day cruise with the celebrated writer Victoria Hislop, who has based many of her novels in Greece and its islands. She will host a drinks reception during the trip and discuss her accomplished career, and will sign copies of her latest book, The Figurine. The journey begins in Athens and will also dock in Patmos and Mykonos.
Samos
In the eastern reaches of Greece and close to the Turkish border, Samos is a Greek island for the more adventurous traveller – and any mathematicians hoping to go on a Pythoras pilgrimage (the philosopher was born here). The island has another famous son: it was the birthplace of Epicurus, whose disciples can indulge today at the tavernas that line the harbours or at one of the vineyards where sweet muscat wine is produced. This is also where you’ll find the remains of the Temple of Hera.
Where to stay: Casa Cook Samos near the town of Pythagoreio has no fewer than six swimming pools, a beachside restaurant with a Josper grill and siesta-ready cabanas suspended above the water.
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