Greece Travel Guide

Top Experiences in Greece

Athens. Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities and it is filled with archaeological treasures. The Acropolis and Parthenon are the big draw for first-time visitors, but the city is littered with ancient Greek and Roman ruins. 

The Acropolis. Rising up from the center of Athens is the Acropolis, a fortified limestone plateau that is topped with the Parthenon and several other historical monuments. This is ancient, iconic Greece, the place where philosophers questioned the universe, democracy and freedom of speech were born, and temples were built to honor the gods.

The Acropolis Museum. The Acropolis Museum is an archeological museum that houses the artifacts found on the Acropolis and the surrounding slopes. 

Santorini. Santorini is a windswept, volcanic island in the Cyclades. Magical sunsets in Oia, photogenic blue dome churches, and a myriad of colorful beaches attract thousands of visitors every year, making this one of Greece’s most popular destinations.

Watch the sunset in Oia. Oia is one of the best places in Santorini to watch the sunset. The blue dome churches set amongst cascading whitewashed buildings is the perfect setting to watch the sun go down. This is Santorini’s most crowded spot at sunset, so expect big crowds of people here.

Naxos. Naxos is the largest and greenest island in the Cyclades. Lounge on the white, sandy beaches, visit ancient temples, hike to the summit of Mount Zas, go windsurfing, and explore the charming villages…these all make the list of the best things to do in Naxos.

Mount Zas. Hike to the top of Mount Zas for panoramic views over Naxos and for bragging rights that you stood on the highest point in the Cyclades.

Mykonos. Mykonos is one of the most popular islands to visit in Greece. This island is famous for shopping, beach parties, and the very photogenic Mykonos town. 

Take a day trip to Delos. Delos is a small island in Cyclades and it is one of the most important archeological and mythical sites in Greece. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explore the Monasteries at Meteora: See Metéora’s unusual landscape where rocks rise up to 300 meters out of the ground. Sitting at the top of these formations are the Monasteries of Metéora, which you can hike tp and explore their gorgeous interiors.

Visit the island of Paros: Paros has the same to offer as Santorini, just without as many crowds. So, if you are looking to explore whitewashed towns, relax on beautiful beaches, and see historical sites, this may be the place for you.

Mount Olympus: Home to the Greek Gods and the highest peak in Greece, this mountain is a top destination for hiking and outdoor recreation.

Visit Delphi: Built on the slopes of Mount Parnassus in the 8th century B.C. sits the sacred site of Delphi. In the time of ancient Greece, people once came here to worship Apollo and to ask advice from his fabled Oracle. Today, the site’s beautiful mountain landscape and its importance to Greek mythology makes Delphi one of Greece’s most famous attractions.

Explore Zykanthos: Zykanthos is a stunning island to visit with beautiful beaches, blue sea caves, and fascinating rock formations. This island makes for a great snorkel and scuba-diving spot.

Visit Crete: Crete is one of Greece’s largest and most popular islands to visit, and for good reason. Crete has some of the Greece’s most gorgeous beaches, there are many historical sites, and you won’t want to leave its picturesque cities. The island is also home to one of the world’s most challenging hikes: the Samaria Gorge.

Corfu: As a lush and beautiful island surrounded by aquamarine waters, Corfu makes a great getaway spot. Here you will find Italian architecture, historic monuments, and breathtaking cliff-sides.

Greece Itinerary

On this 10-day Greece itinerary, visit three beautiful Greek islands and the city of Athens.

Start in Santorini, a volcanic island that is dotted with picture-perfect villages and is famous for its legendary sunsets.

Next, travel to Naxos, a quieter, greener island that is easier on the wallet and an unexpected surprise for many travelers.

Spend a day in Mykonos, exploring wonderful little Mykonos town and relaxing on the beach.

Finally, tour the city of Athens and get one of the best history lessons in Europe.

10 Day Greece Itinerary: Santorini, Naxos, Mykonos & Athens

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Santorini

Magical sunsets in Oia, photogenic blue dome churches, and a myriad of colorful beaches makes Santorini one of Greece’s most popular destinations. If you are planning a trip to this wonderful island, here is information to help you plan your trip.

20 Amazing Things to Do in Santorini, Greece

Santorini is a windswept, volcanic island in the Cyclades. Magical sunsets in Oia, photogenic blue dome churches, and a myriad of colorful beaches attract thousands of visitors every year, making this one of Greece’s most popular destinations. If you are planning a trip to this wonderful island, here are the best things to do in […]

How to Hike from Fira to Oia, the Most Beautiful Walk on Santorini

Walking from Fira to Oia is one of Santorini’s top experiences. Hike along the rim of a caldera, explore the towns of Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, and Fira, and enjoy some of the most beautiful views of the islands. If you go the entire distance, you will walk just over 10 km (about 6 miles). The […]

Santorini Itinerary: How to Spend 1, 2, or 3 Days in Santorini

Santorini is a popular destination on many traveler’s wish lists, for good reason. The beaches, the photogenic villages, and the breathtaking sunsets in Oia attract a lot of visitors to this tiny island. If you are planning your Santorini itinerary, we have some suggestions for you. Whether you have 1, 2, or 3 days in […]

Sunset in Oia, Santorini: 2 Amazing Photography Locations

Oia is world famous for its spectacular sunsets. The cascade of whitewashed buildings, dotted with windmills and blue dome churches, form a stunning backdrop for photographers. As the sun goes down, these buildings glow in pinks and oranges and yellows. The moment the sun disappears below the horizon, the crowds literally applaud and cheer. It […]

Where to Stay in Santorini – A Complete Guide for First Timers

If you are making a decision about where to stay in Santorini, you have a lot of options. Do you want a villa with a private pool or hot tub? What about a room where you can have spectacular sunset views of the caldera? If you are traveling as a family or a small group, […]

Naxos

Naxos is the largest and greenest island in the Cyclades. Lounge on the white, sandy beaches, visit ancient temples, hike to the summit of Mount Zas, go windsurfing, and explore the charming villages…these all make the list of the best things to do in Naxos.

15 Epic Things to Do in Naxos, Greece

Naxos is the largest and greenest island in the Cyclades. Lounge on the white, sandy beaches, visit ancient temples, hike to the summit of Mount Zas, go windsurfing, and explore the charming villages…these all make the list of the best things to do in Naxos. On our recent trip to Greece, we hopped from Mykonos […]

Hiking Mount Zas on the Island of Naxos

There are two reasons to hike Mount Zas…to stand on the highest point in the Cyclades and to summit the mountain where Zeus was born and raised. According to Greek mythology, Mount Zas, also called Mount Zeus, is the place where Zeus spent his childhood. Tucked away on the slopes of the mountain is a […]

How to Hike to Apano Kastro in Naxos, Greece

Hiking to Apano Kastro was our favorite “unexpected” surprise in Naxos. This is a wonderful short hike to the ruins of ancient Venetian citadel. Explore the ancient ruins and get one of the best views over the island of Naxos. When researching things to do on Naxos, photos of Apano Kastro caught my eye. However, […]

Walking the Naxos Village Trail: Melanes, Myli & the Kouroi

The center of Naxos is mountainous and dotted with small, picturesque villages. It is a beautiful area and it looks remotely different from the landscapes we saw on Mykonos and Santorini. Naxos is green, forested, idyllic, and much quieter than the other islands. If you are looking for a very nice, easy walk that takes […]

Europe Travel Inspiration & Practical Info

30 Popular Tourist Attractions in Europe & How to Visit Them

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From world class museums and ancient archaeological sites to stunning natural wonders, Europe boasts a diverse array of attractions that attract millions of visitors every year. Here are 30 of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe and how to visit them.

One Week in Europe: 25 Epic Itineraries

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Do you dream of visiting world-class cities like Paris, Barcelona, or Venice? Or would you rather hike the Alps, go on a scenic train ride, explore the beautiful beaches and coastal towns in southern Europe, visit fairytale towns and castles, island hop in Greece, or go on an unforgettable road trip in northern Europe?

In this article we list 25 ways to spend one week in Europe. 

10 Days in Europe: 10 Amazing Itineraries for Your Next Trip

Europe is a joy to explore. With world-class cities, medieval towns, historical sites, the snowcapped Alps, gorgeous beaches, and some of the world’s most delicious food, you have the perfect ingredients for your next vacation. If you want to spend 10 days in Europe, we have ten amazing itineraries to share with you.  In this […]

15 Things You Should Know about Renting a Car in Europe

Having a car provides a lot of freedom and convenience when traveling through Europe. You can travel at your own pace, stop frequently to take in the view, and get to some places that are difficult to reach with public transportation. However, there are some things to know about renting a car in Europe. Knowing […]

30 Beautiful Places to Visit in Europe (+ Map and Photos)

It is no secret that Europe is filled with beautiful places to visit. With its grand cities, fairytale-like towns, soaring mountain ranges, and gorgeous beaches, there is a seemingly endless list of gorgeous places to explore. Whether you are planning your next trip to Europe, or just trying to figure out where to travel to […]

7 Things to Know When Planning Your First Trip to Europe

If you are planning your first trip to Europe, it can be an overwhelming experience. Where should you go? How much will it cost? How many places can you visit? Does this sound familiar? We get emails every day from people who want advice planning their first trip to Europe. And we see the same […]

Best Hikes in Europe: Our 20 Favorite Day Hikes

Europe is one of our favorite places to go hiking. There’s no better way to explore the dramatic and varied landscapes here, from the snow-capped Alps to coastal trails to the remote, volcanic interior of Iceland. In this guide we list 20 of the best hikes in Europe, 20 amazing ways to explore this beautiful […]

Travel Photography Gear Guide: What’s In Our Camera Bag

Do you want to know how we capture the images that you see on our website? Here is our photography gear guide, with links and explanations of our photography gear and accessories. At the end of this post, we offer tips and tricks on how to take better photographs while traveling. Photography Gear Guide The […]

Best Time to Visit Greece

June through August is peak season to visit Greece. Expect hot temperatures and large crowds.

May and September are your best bets for decent weather and a less crowded experience.

Despite the crazy weather conditions we experienced during our visit, mid to late April is a great time to visit Greece to see it relatively crowd free. It will still be a little bit too chilly to swim at the beaches, but it’s worth it if you like to avoid the crowds.

From November through March, expect chilly, sometimes wet weather and there will be fewer restaurants and hotels open for business.