Greece · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Greece
Our pick of tavernas, beaches, museums, hikes, markets and stays across Greece, from the classics to quiet corners. Check opening times before you go, as many island places close or shorten hours outside summer.
Places to Visit in Athens
Things to Do
- Acropolis of Athens (Acropolis)
The Parthenon and its temples, best at opening time before the heat. - Ancient Agora of Athens (Monastiraki)
The heart of ancient Athens, with the beautifully preserved Temple of Hephaestus. - Changing of the Guard at Syntagma (Syntagma)
The Evzones guards in traditional uniform change outside Parliament every hour. - Cine Thisio (Thiseio)
An open air summer cinema with the Acropolis as the backdrop. - Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion (Sounion)
A clifftop temple above the sea, the classic sunset trip from Athens.
Arts and Culture
- Acropolis Museum (Makrygianni)
Glass floors over excavations and the Parthenon sculptures in view of the temple. - National Archaeological Museum (Exarchia)
One of the world's great collections of ancient Greek art, including the Mask of Agamemnon. - Anafiotika (Plaka)
A hidden hamlet of white island houses tucked under the Acropolis rock. - Benaki Museum (Kolonaki)
Greek art and crafts from antiquity to modern times in a grand mansion, with a fine rooftop café.
Nature and Outdoors
- Philopappos Hill (Koukaki)
A pine covered hill with sunset views straight across to the Parthenon. - Lycabettus Hill (Kolonaki)
The highest point in central Athens, reached by funicular or a steady climb. - National Garden (Syntagma)
Shady paths, ponds and a small zoo, a cool escape on hot days.
Shopping and Markets
- Varvakios Central Market (Athinas Street)
A loud, wonderful covered market of meat, fish, spices and olives. - Monastiraki Flea Market (Monastiraki)
Lanes of antiques, sandals, vintage finds and souvenirs below the Acropolis.
Restaurants
- Kostas Souvlaki (Agia Irini Square)
A tiny, long running souvlaki stand loved by Athenians for its simple pitas. - Lukumades (Aiolou Street)
Fresh loukoumades, Greek honey doughnuts, with classic and modern toppings.
Bars and Nightlife
- A for Athens (Monastiraki Square)
A rooftop bar with a direct view of the Acropolis lit up at night. - The Clumsies (Praxitelous Street)
One of the city's best known cocktail bars, inventive and relaxed.
Cafés
- Little Kook (Psyrri)
A wildly decorated themed café that changes its fairytale look with the seasons.
Events
- Athens Epidaurus Festival (Odeon of Herodes Atticus)
Summer performances in ancient theatres, including the Odeon below the Acropolis.
Stays
- Hotel Grande Bretagne (Syntagma)
The city's historic grand hotel, with a rooftop restaurant facing the Acropolis.
Places to Visit in Santorini
Things to Do
- Fira to Oia caldera hike (Fira)
A cliff edge walk along the rim of the caldera, best started early. - Caldera boat trip to Nea Kameni (Old Port of Fira)
Walk on the volcano and swim in the warm springs off Palea Kameni. - Pyrgos village (Pyrgos)
An inland hill village with a castle and a quieter sunset than Oia. - Santo Wines (Pyrgos)
A winery on the caldera edge for tasting assyrtiko and vinsanto at sunset. - Estate Argyros (Episkopi Gonia)
A family winery known for its old basket shaped vines and vinsanto. - Domaine Sigalas (Oia)
A respected winery among the vineyards below Oia. - Skaros Rock (Imerovigli)
A short hike onto a rock headland that once held a Venetian castle.
Arts and Culture
- Akrotiri Archaeological Site (Akrotiri)
A Bronze Age town preserved under volcanic ash and a modern roof. - Museum of Prehistoric Thira (Fira)
Frescoes and finds from Akrotiri that bring the lost town to life. - Ancient Thira (Mesa Vouno)
Hilltop ruins of an ancient city with views over both coasts.
Nature and Outdoors
- Perissa Beach (Perissa)
A long black sand beach with clear water and sunbeds. - Kamari Beach (Kamari)
A lively black pebble beach with a promenade of cafés below Ancient Thira. - Red Beach (Akrotiri)
Red volcanic cliffs above the sea; follow signs as access can close for rockfall. - Vlychada Beach (Vlychada)
Sculpted pale cliffs and dark sand at a quieter south coast beach.
Restaurants
- Ammoudi Fish Tavern (Ammoudi Bay)
Fresh fish at the water's edge beneath the cliffs of Oia. - Metaxy Mas (Exo Gonia)
A much loved taverna with Cretan and Santorini dishes and big views.
Shopping and Markets
- Atlantis Books (Oia)
A charming cave bookshop built by friends, beloved by readers worldwide.
Stays
- Imerovigli caldera hotels (Imerovigli)
The quieter caldera village is the best place for a cave suite with a view.
Places to Visit in Naxos
Arts and Culture
- Portara (Palatia)
The giant marble doorway of an unfinished temple, glowing at sunset. - Temple of Demeter (Sangri)
A restored marble temple on a hill among farmland.
Things to Do
- Kastro of Naxos (Naxos Town)
The Venetian castle quarter of lanes, mansions and a cathedral. - Mount Zas hike (Filoti)
A climb to the highest peak in the Cyclades, with views over the islands. - Kouros of Melanes (Melanes)
An ancient unfinished marble statue still lying in its quarry garden. - Kouros of Apollonas (Apollonas)
A huge unfinished statue in an ancient quarry above a fishing village. - Vallindras Kitron Distillery (Halki)
A historic distillery for tasting Naxos's citrus liqueur. - Apeiranthos (Apeiranthos)
A marble paved mountain village with small museums and its own dialect. - Halki village (Halki)
The old capital, with neo classical houses, Byzantine churches and cafés. - Koufonisia day trip (Small Cyclades)
A boat trip to tiny islands with some of the clearest water in Greece.
Nature and Outdoors
- Agios Georgios Beach (Naxos Town)
A sheltered, shallow sandy bay a short walk from town, ideal for children. - Plaka Beach (Plaka)
A long sweep of golden sand with clear water and dunes. - Agios Prokopios Beach (Agios Prokopios)
A sandy beach with calm turquoise water and tavernas behind it. - Mikri Vigla (Mikri Vigla)
A kitesurfing hub with two bays either side of a rocky headland. - Aliko Beach (Aliko)
Cedar dunes and coves around an abandoned hotel covered in street art.
Restaurants
- Axiotissa (Kastraki)
A farm to table taverna near the southern beaches, popular for local meat and vegetables.
Cafés
- Waterfront cafés of Naxos harbour (Naxos Town)
Morning coffee by the harbour watching the ferries come and go.
Stays
- Agios Georgios beach stays (Naxos Town)
Family friendly studios a short walk from both town and sand.
Places to Visit in Crete
Things to Do
- Palace of Knossos (Heraklion)
The legendary Minoan palace of King Minos, best visited early. - Venetian Harbour of Chania (Chania)
A lighthouse, old houses and waterfront tavernas in Crete's prettiest town. - Spinalonga (Elounda)
An island fortress and former leper colony reached by short boat trip. - Fortezza of Rethymno (Rethymno)
A huge Venetian fortress above Rethymno's old town. - Loutro (Sfakia)
A car free village on the south coast reached only by boat or on foot. - Lasithi Plateau and Dikteon Cave (Lasithi)
A plateau of old windmills and the cave said to be the birthplace of Zeus. - Phaistos (Messara)
A Minoan palace with sweeping views over the plain.
Arts and Culture
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum (Heraklion)
The world's finest Minoan collection, from frescoes to the Phaistos Disc. - Arkadi Monastery (Rethymno)
A fortified monastery that is a symbol of Cretan resistance.
Shopping and Markets
- Chania Municipal Market (Chania)
A cross shaped covered market of cheese, honey, herbs and knives.
Nature and Outdoors
- Samaria Gorge (Omalos)
A famous day hike through the White Mountains down to the Libyan Sea. - Balos Lagoon (Gramvousa)
A shallow turquoise lagoon reached by boat or a steep path. - Elafonisi (Kissamos)
A protected beach with pink tinged sand and shallow water. - Preveli Beach (Rethymno)
A palm forest and river meeting the sea below a monastery. - Imbros Gorge (Sfakia)
A shorter, quieter gorge walk than Samaria, open most of the year.
Restaurants
- Peskesi (Heraklion)
Traditional Cretan dishes made with produce from the restaurant's own farm. - Tamam (Chania)
Cretan and eastern dishes in a former Turkish bath in the old town. - Bougatsa Iordanis (Chania)
A long running shop serving one thing: warm bougatsa with local cheese. - To Maridaki (Chania)
A busy seafood meze spot in the old town.
Stays
- Chania old town boutique stays (Chania)
Restored Venetian houses steps from the harbour.
Places to Visit in Meteora
Arts and Culture
- Monastery of Great Meteoron (Meteora)
The largest and oldest monastery, with a museum and old kitchens. - Varlaam Monastery (Meteora)
Beautiful frescoes and the old rope winch tower used to haul up supplies. - Roussanou Monastery (Meteora)
A convent built right to the edge of its rock, reached by a bridge. - Holy Trinity Monastery (Meteora)
The most dramatic monastery, reached by around one hundred and forty steps. - St Stephen's Monastery (Meteora)
An easy to reach convent with views over Kalambaka. - St Nicholas Anapafsas Monastery (Meteora)
A small monastery with fine Cretan school frescoes. - Church of the Dormition of the Virgin (Kalambaka)
An old Byzantine church with frescoes in the town below the rocks.
Nature and Outdoors
- Sunset Rock (Meteora)
A popular rock viewpoint for sunset over the pillars. - Theopetra Cave (Theopetra)
A prehistoric cave with some of the oldest human traces in Greece.
Things to Do
- Monk trails from Kastraki (Kastraki)
Old footpaths that climb from the village to the monasteries. - Kastraki village (Kastraki)
A quiet village tucked right under the giant rock pillars.
Restaurants
- Meteora Restaurant (Kalambaka)
A long running family restaurant on the main square.
Shopping and Markets
- Kalambaka icon workshops (Kalambaka)
Small workshops selling hand painted Byzantine style icons.
Stays
- Kastraki guesthouses (Kastraki)
Small family guesthouses with balconies facing the rocks.
Places to Visit in Thessaloniki
Arts and Culture
- White Tower (Seafront)
The city's symbol, with a history museum and a rooftop view. - Umbrellas sculpture (Seafront)
George Zongolopoulos's tall umbrellas, a favourite sunset spot. - Rotunda (Kentro)
A Roman rotunda later used as a church and a mosque. - Arch of Galerius (Kentro)
A Roman triumphal arch carved with battle scenes. - Church of Agios Dimitrios (Kentro)
The great basilica of the city's patron saint, with a crypt. - Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki (Kentro)
Gold treasures and finds from ancient Macedon. - Museum of Byzantine Culture (Kentro)
A superb museum of Byzantine life, art and faith. - Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki (Kentro)
The story of one of Europe's great Sephardic communities. - Hosios David (Ano Poli)
A tiny church with a rare early Christian mosaic.
Things to Do
- Nea Paralia promenade (Seafront)
A long seafront walk with gardens, cyclists and sunset views. - Heptapyrgion (Ano Poli)
A Byzantine fortress with views over the city and bay.
Shopping and Markets
- Kapani Market (Kentro)
The old market of olives, spices, fish and street food. - Modiano Market (Kentro)
A restored covered market with food stalls and cafés.
Restaurants
- Bougatsa Bantis (Kentro)
A classic spot for warm bougatsa and coffee. - Ladadika tavernas (Ladadika)
Restored warehouses full of meze tavernas and bars.
Cafés
- Trigona Elenidis (Kentro)
The famous shop for cream filled trigona Panoramatos pastries.
Bars and Nightlife
- Valaoritou bars (Valaoritou)
The city's late night bar street, busy until the early hours.
Events
- Thessaloniki International Film Festival (Seafront)
A major autumn film festival that fills the city's cinemas. - Thessaloniki International Fair (Helexpo)
A big September fair with stalls, concerts and events.
Places to Visit in Hydra
Things to Do
- Hydra Town (Hydra Town)
A car free island town of stone mansions and donkeys, an easy trip from Athens.
Nature and Outdoors
- Spilia swimming rocks (Hydra Town)
Rocks and ladders for a swim right below the town.
Places to Visit in Delphi
Arts and Culture
- Archaeological Site of Delphi (Delphi)
The ancient oracle on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. - Delphi Archaeological Museum (Delphi)
Home of the bronze Charioteer of Delphi.
Places to Visit in Nafplio
Things to Do
- Palamidi Fortress (Nafplio)
A Venetian fortress with nearly a thousand steps and views over the bay.
Arts and Culture
- Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus (Epidaurus)
An ancient theatre famous for its acoustics.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Diporto (Athinas Street, Athens)
A basement taverna with no menu, serving a few daily dishes to market workers. - Lucky's Souvlakis (Fira, Santorini)
A small, cheap and cheerful souvlaki shop in the centre of Fira. - PK Cocktail Bar (Fira, Santorini)
Cocktails on a caldera terrace with sunset views. - Taverna To Elliniko (Halki, Naxos)
A small village taverna serving home cooking from local produce. - Naxos Cheese Cooperative shop (Naxos Town, Naxos)
Graviera and arseniko cheeses from the island's dairy cooperative. - Hermit caves of Badovas (Kastraki, Meteora)
Cliff caves once used by hermit monks, visible on guided hikes. - Taverna Gardenia (Kastraki, Meteora)
A family taverna with views up to the rocks. - Taverna Paramithi (Kalambaka, Meteora)
Grills and Greek classics in a cosy setting. - Meteora Thrones Museum (Kalambaka, Meteora)
A modern museum on the history and making of the monasteries. - Ouzeri Lola (Kentro, Thessaloniki)
A local meze and ouzo spot near the markets.