Find places in Greece

Must-Haves

• 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.
• Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion (Sounion)
  A clifftop temple above the sea, the classic sunset trip from Athens.

Fun for Everyone

• Changing of the Guard at Syntagma (Syntagma)
  The Evzones guards in traditional uniform change outside Parliament every hour.

Off the Beaten Path

• Cine Thisio (Thiseio)
  An open air summer cinema with the Acropolis as the backdrop.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Off the Beaten Path

• 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.

Great for Date Night

• Philopappos Hill (Koukaki)
  A pine covered hill with sunset views straight across to the Parthenon.

Fun for Everyone

• 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.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Varvakios Central Market (Athinas Street)
  A loud, wonderful covered market of meat, fish, spices and olives.

Fun for Everyone

• Monastiraki Flea Market (Monastiraki)
  Lanes of antiques, sandals, vintage finds and souvenirs below the Acropolis.

Low Cost and Authentic

• 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.

Great for Date Night

• 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.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Little Kook (Psyrri)
  A wildly decorated themed café that changes its fairytale look with the seasons.

Must-Haves

• Athens Epidaurus Festival (Odeon of Herodes Atticus)
  Summer performances in ancient theatres, including the Odeon below the Acropolis.

Must-Haves

• Hotel Grande Bretagne (Syntagma)
  The city's historic grand hotel, with a rooftop restaurant facing the Acropolis.

Must-Haves

• Fira to Oia caldera hike (Fira)
  A cliff edge walk along the rim of the caldera, best started early.

Fun for Everyone

• Caldera boat trip to Nea Kameni (Old Port of Fira)
  Walk on the volcano and swim in the warm springs off Palea Kameni.

Off the Beaten Path

• Pyrgos village (Pyrgos)
  An inland hill village with a castle and a quieter sunset than Oia.
• Estate Argyros (Episkopi Gonia)
  A family winery known for its old basket shaped vines and vinsanto.

Great for Date Night

• Santo Wines (Pyrgos)
  A winery on the caldera edge for tasting assyrtiko and vinsanto at sunset.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Off the Beaten Path

• Ancient Thira (Mesa Vouno)
  Hilltop ruins of an ancient city with views over both coasts.

Fun for Everyone

• 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.

Must-Haves

• Red Beach (Akrotiri)
  Red volcanic cliffs above the sea; follow signs as access can close for rockfall.

Off the Beaten Path

• Vlychada Beach (Vlychada)
  Sculpted pale cliffs and dark sand at a quieter south coast beach.

Great for Date Night

• Ammoudi Fish Tavern (Ammoudi Bay)
  Fresh fish at the water's edge beneath the cliffs of Oia.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Metaxy Mas (Exo Gonia)
  A much loved taverna with Cretan and Santorini dishes and big views.

Must-Haves

• Atlantis Books (Oia)
  A charming cave bookshop built by friends, beloved by readers worldwide.

Great for Date Night

• Imerovigli caldera hotels (Imerovigli)
  The quieter caldera village is the best place for a cave suite with a view.

Must-Haves

• 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.
• Fortezza of Rethymno (Rethymno)
  A huge Venetian fortress above Rethymno's old town.

Fun for Everyone

• Spinalonga (Elounda)
  An island fortress and former leper colony reached by short boat trip.

Off the Beaten Path

• Loutro (Sfakia)
  A car free village on the south coast reached only by boat or on foot.

Must-Haves

• Heraklion Archaeological Museum (Heraklion)
  The world's finest Minoan collection, from frescoes to the Phaistos Disc.

Off the Beaten Path

• Arkadi Monastery (Rethymno)
  A fortified monastery that is a symbol of Cretan resistance.

Must-Haves

• Chania Municipal Market (Chania)
  A cross shaped covered market of cheese, honey, herbs and knives.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Off the Beaten Path

• 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.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Peskesi (Heraklion)
  Traditional Cretan dishes made with produce from the restaurant's own farm.
• Bougatsa Iordanis (Chania)
  A long running shop serving one thing: warm bougatsa with local cheese.

Great for Date Night

• Tamam (Chania)
  Cretan and eastern dishes in a former Turkish bath in the old town.
• To Maridaki (Chania)
  A busy seafood meze spot in the old town.

Great for Date Night

• Chania old town boutique stays (Chania)
  Restored Venetian houses steps from the harbour.

Must-Haves

• White Tower (Seafront)
  The city's symbol, with a history museum and a rooftop view.
• Rotunda (Kentro)
  A Roman rotunda later used as a church and a mosque.
• Church of Agios Dimitrios (Kentro)
  The great basilica of the city's patron saint, with a crypt.

Great for Date Night

• Umbrellas sculpture (Seafront)
  George Zongolopoulos's tall umbrellas, a favourite sunset spot.

Fun for Everyone

• Arch of Galerius (Kentro)
  A Roman triumphal arch carved with battle scenes.

Must-Haves

• Nea Paralia promenade (Seafront)
  A long seafront walk with gardens, cyclists and sunset views.

Off the Beaten Path

• Heptapyrgion (Ano Poli)
  A Byzantine fortress with views over the city and bay.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Kapani Market (Kentro)
  The old market of olives, spices, fish and street food.

Fun for Everyone

• Modiano Market (Kentro)
  A restored covered market with food stalls and cafés.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Bougatsa Bantis (Kentro)
  A classic spot for warm bougatsa and coffee.

Great for Date Night

• Ladadika tavernas (Ladadika)
  Restored warehouses full of meze tavernas and bars.

Must-Haves

• Trigona Elenidis (Kentro)
  The famous shop for cream filled trigona Panoramatos pastries.

Fun for Everyone

• Valaoritou bars (Valaoritou)
  The city's late night bar street, busy until the early hours.

Must-Haves

• Thessaloniki International Film Festival (Seafront)
  A major autumn film festival that fills the city's cinemas.

Fun for Everyone

• Thessaloniki International Fair (Helexpo)
  A big September fair with stalls, concerts and events.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Fun for Everyone

• St Stephen's Monastery (Meteora)
  An easy to reach convent with views over Kalambaka.

Great for Date Night

• Sunset Rock (Meteora)
  A popular rock viewpoint for sunset over the pillars.

Fun for Everyone

• Theopetra Cave (Theopetra)
  A prehistoric cave with some of the oldest human traces in Greece.

Off the Beaten Path

• Monk trails from Kastraki (Kastraki)
  Old footpaths that climb from the village to the monasteries.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Kastraki village (Kastraki)
  A quiet village tucked right under the giant rock pillars.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Meteora Restaurant (Kalambaka)
  A long running family restaurant on the main square.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Kalambaka icon workshops (Kalambaka)
  Small workshops selling hand painted Byzantine style icons.

Great for Date Night

• Kastraki guesthouses (Kastraki)
  Small family guesthouses with balconies facing the rocks.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Off the Beaten Path

• 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.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Vallindras Kitron Distillery (Halki)
  A historic distillery for tasting Naxos's citrus liqueur.

Fun for Everyone

• Agios Georgios Beach (Naxos Town)
  A sheltered, shallow sandy bay a short walk from town, ideal for children.
• Agios Prokopios Beach (Agios Prokopios)
  A sandy beach with calm turquoise water and tavernas behind it.

Must-Haves

• Plaka Beach (Plaka)
  A long sweep of golden sand with clear water and dunes.

Off the Beaten Path

• 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.

Great for Date Night

• Axiotissa (Kastraki)
  A farm to table taverna near the southern beaches, popular for local meat and vegetables.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Waterfront cafés of Naxos harbour (Naxos Town)
  Morning coffee by the harbour watching the ferries come and go.

Fun for Everyone

• Agios Georgios beach stays (Naxos Town)
  Family friendly studios a short walk from both town and sand.