This week's escape · June

Corfu, where Greece turns green.

Cypress hills, Venetian lanes and a sea the colour of glass — the Ionian in early summer, before the crowds find it.

Best monthsMay – June · September

This month in Greece

June: the islands wake up

Warm, green and gloriously uncrowded. Four escapes we're sending to travellers this month.

Week 1

Corfu & the Ionian

Lush, mild, romantic

Week 2

Naxos & Paros

Cyclades before the rush

Week 3

Western Crete

Beaches, gorges & food

Week 4

Lefkada

Beaches of your dreams

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12 islands

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4 regions

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7 islands

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9 islands

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4 islands

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6 areas

Northern Greece

5 areas

Athens & Attica

The classics

Explore by experience

Travel by how you want to feel

However you like to travel, Greece has a version of itself to match. Pick a mood and we’ll point you to the islands — and the season — that do it best.

Beaches

From wild Ionian coves to volcanic Cycladic shores.

Food & Wine

Harvest tables, island tavernas, native grapes.

Culture & History

Ancient sites, old towns and living traditions.

Romantic

Sunsets, slow mornings, two-of-you places.

Family

Calm beaches, easy logistics, room to roam.

Island Hopping

Plan the perfect multi-island route by sea.

Off-season

Warm seas, low prices, the real Greece.

Luxury

Design hotels, private coves, quiet glamour.

Not sure which one is you? Take the 60-second quiz →

Itineraries & guides

Ready-made routes, free to download

Day-by-day plans with maps — free to read. Grab the offline PDF when you travel.

Online + PDF

5 Days in the Cyclades

Naxos, Paros & a hidden third island — ferries, beaches and where to eat.

Read free · 5 days →

Online + PDF

The Best of Crete

West to east in a week: Chania, the gorges, Elounda and Lasithi.

Read free · 7 days →

Online + PDF

A Week in the Peloponnese

Nafplio, Monemvasia and the wine roads of Nemea.

Read free · 7 days →

When to go

September is Greece's best-kept secret

Get the September edit →

Warm seas hold their heat long after the crowds leave. Prices soften, tavernas exhale, and the light turns golden. We send a fresh seasonal guide every week — so you always know exactly where Greece is at its best, right now.

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Destinations / Ionian / Corfu

Corfu

The greenest of the Greek islands — Venetian elegance, olive-grove hills and water the colour of glass.

Best for Couples · Nature · First-timers

Best time May–June · September

Region Ionian

Right now in Corfu · June

Early summer is the island at its most generous.

Sea ~23-24°C, warming Days long & bright till 9pm Crowds still gentle Tip book ahead for August

Why Corfu

Lapped by the Ionian and shaded by a reported four million olive trees, Corfu feels softer and lusher than its Aegean cousins — it catches more rain, and the reward is a landscape that stays green deep into summer. Its Old Town is a UNESCO-listed maze of tall Venetian facades, French arcades and a vast cricket-playing esplanade, a legacy of Venetian, French and British rule that you taste in the food and hear in the local dialect.

The coastline does everything: dramatic west-coast cliffs and sunsets, calm north-east bays where the Durrells once lived, and quiet southern dunes beside a sea-fed lagoon. Come in late spring or September and you get the island at its most generous — warm, green and wonderfully unhurried.

Best for

CouplesNature loversSlow travelFirst-time GreeceFood & wineFamilies (NE coast)

If you want classic island beauty without the relentless heat and bustle of the high-summer Cyclades, Corfu is your island — especially either side of peak season.

When to go

May–June: green, mild, in bloom — the sweet spot. July–August: hot and busy, best for guaranteed beach weather. September–October: warm sea, thinning crowds, golden light — ideal for couples and walkers. Winters are mild but quiet, with many coastal businesses closed.

Top experiences

Corfu Old Town

Wander the Liston arcades, the Campiello lanes and two Venetian fortresses at golden hour.

Paleokastritsa

A monastery headland above a string of jewel-toned coves — take a boat to the sea caves.

Achilleion Palace

Empress Sisi's neoclassical villa, with gardens and statues above the coast at Gastouri.

Mount Pantokrator

Drive the hairpins to the island's 906m roof for views across to Albania.

Old Perithia

A near-abandoned Venetian village on the mountain's slopes, now home to a few tavernas.

The Corfu Trail

A 220km long-distance path through olive groves, villages and both coasts.

Beaches worth the trip

Porto TimoniTwin-bay beauty reached by a short hike down from Afionas village.
PaleokastritsaClear coves backed by green cliffs; boat trips to caves and hidden beaches.
MyrtiotissaA dramatic, hard-to-reach west-coast strand below cliffs — wild and scenic.
Agios GordiosLong sandy bay with the striking Ortholithi rock rising from the sea.
Canal d'Amour (Sidari)Sculpted sandstone channels and coves in the north — fun for families.
Kassiopi & the NE baysCalm, shallow water at Kalami, Nissaki and Barbati — easy swimming, Durrells country.

A day in a Corfu summer

Forget the checklist for a moment. This is how a perfect summer day actually unfolds on the island.

Just after dawn

The first swim. The water is glass-calm and yours alone. Locals know the secret of the early sea — go before the sun has any bite.

Mid-morning

Coffee, slowly. A long frappé in a shaded square, the Old Town stirring around you. No rush — that's the point.

Midday

Lunch, then nothing. A taverna under the vines, a carafe of cold wine, then the island honours its siesta. Shutters close; so should you.

Late afternoon

Back to the water. A boat to a hidden cove, or the drive to a west-coast beach as the light turns soft and gold.

Golden hour

The sunset ritual. Up to Pelekas or the Kaiser's Throne, where the whole island leans west to watch the sea catch fire.

After dark

Dinner, late. The lanes fill, tables spill onto the cobbles, and a plate of pastitsada arrives just as the heat finally lifts.

Local secrets

What the guidebooks miss

Go west for sunsets, north-east for the calmest swims.
Hike to Porto Timoni early — beat the heat and the crowds.
Lunch in Old Perithia, the mountain ghost-village, on a hot day.
Order the kumquat anything — it grows almost nowhere else.

Corfu for…

The same island rewards very different trips. Here's how it shapes up depending on who you're travelling with.

Couples

A romantic escape

West-coast sunsets, candle-lit Old Town dinners and quiet coves on the north-east shore. Corfu does romance effortlessly.

Families

Easy with kids

The calm, shallow bays of the north-east and the sandstone coves at Sidari make swimming safe and simple, with short drives between them.

Friends & solo

Beaches & freedom

Boat trips, beach bars, walkable towns and the long Corfu Trail — sociable when you want it, peaceful when you don't.

Eat like a Corfiot

Centuries of Venetian rule gave Corfu a cuisine unlike anywhere else in Greece — spiced, slow-cooked and a little sweet. These are the dishes to seek out.

PastitsadaRooster or beef in a spiced tomato-and-cinnamon sauce, served over thick pasta. The island's signature.

SofritoThin veal slow-braised in white wine, garlic and parsley — comfort food, Corfu-style.

BourdetoFish simmered in a fiery red sauce of paprika and hot pepper. Order it where the boats come in.

BiancoThe gentle opposite — white fish poached with garlic, lemon and olive oil.

Kumquat liqueurMade from the tiny citrus grown almost only here. Sweet, bright, and the local digestif.

TsitsibiraCorfu's homemade ginger beer — a refreshing leftover from British rule.

Where to eat: the Old Town's back lanes for traditional kantounia tavernas, the harbours of Kassiopi and Agios Stefanos for seafood, and the mountain villages around Pantokrator for slow Sunday lunches.

What's on this summer

A reason to come now — Corfu's summer calendar mixes saints' days, sea festivals and open-air culture. Dates shift year to year, so check locally.

All summer
Old Fortress open-air eventsMusic and culture under the stars in Corfu Town's Venetian fortresses.
11 August
Saint Spyridon processionOne of the great processions for the island's beloved patron saint.
Mid-August
Varkarola, PaleokastritsaA night of lit boats, song and fireworks over the bay — a Corfu summer highlight.
15 August
Dekapentavgoustos (Assumption)Greece's big summer holiday — festive, busy and very local. Book everything ahead.

Where to stay

Corfu is large and varied — the right base depends on the trip you want. A quick guide to the island's distinct corners.

Culture · walkable

Corfu Town

Stay in the UNESCO Old Town for history, restaurants and evening life on foot.

Calm · upscale

NE coast — Kassiopi to Nissaki

Sheltered pebble bays, villas and quiet glamour. The Durrells' Corfu.

Scenic · romantic

Paleokastritsa & the west

Cliffs, coves and the island's best sunsets. Great for couples.

Quiet · nature

The south — Issos & the lagoon

Dunes, the Korission lagoon and wide empty sands. Off the beaten track.

Hand-picked places to stay — book direct, no commission:

Featured · Direct booking

A boutique hotel in the Old Town

Venetian-era rooms steps from the Liston.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A seafront retreat near Kassiopi

Calm NE-coast bay, steps from the water.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A villa above Paleokastritsa

Sunset views over the west-coast coves.

Check availability

What it costs

Corfu sits in the mid-range — pricier than the mainland, gentler than Mykonos or Santorini. Peak August is dearest; June and September are noticeably better value. Indicative summer prices, which vary by area:

Frappé / coffee€3-4

Taverna dinner, per person€15-25

Mid-range hotel, summer night€90-160

Hire car, per day€35-60

Sunbed & umbrella€10-20

Boat day trip€35-70

Indicative only — always confirm current rates when you book.

Day trips & what's nearby

Corfu is a launchpad. A few of the best escapes within easy reach:

By boat

Paxos & Antipaxos

Tiny green islands with impossibly clear water — the classic Corfu day cruise.

Mainland

Parga & Sivota

A pretty amphitheatre town and turquoise coves on the Epirus coast opposite.

Across the strait

Saranda & Butrint

Summer boats cross to Albania and the remarkable ancient site of Butrint.

5 perfect days in Corfu

A relaxed loop that mixes town, coast and mountain — easy with a hire car.

Corfu Old Town

Spianada square, the two fortresses and the Liston arcades. Dinner in the Campiello lanes — try the pastitsada.

Achilleion & the west sunset

Sisi's palace in the morning, a swim at Glyfada, then sunset from Pelekas and the Kaiser's Throne lookout.

Paleokastritsa

The monastery and a boat trip to the sea caves, then the village of Lakones for the classic coastline view.

The north-east & Pantokrator

Swim at Nissaki or Kalami, lunch by the water in Kassiopi, then drive up Mount Pantokrator and visit Old Perithia.

South & slow

The hike to Porto Timoni from Afionas, or the wild dunes and lagoon at Issos. One last frappé before you go.

Good to know

Getting there

Direct seasonal flights from across Europe to Corfu (CFU), 15 min from town. Ferries from Igoumenitsa (~1.5h) and from Italy (Venice, Ancona, Bari).

Getting around

A hire car opens up the island — it's big and the best spots are spread out. Buses link main towns; the Old Town is walk-only.

How long to stay

5–7 nights to see town, both coasts and the mountain without rushing. 3–4 if you base yourself in one area.

Swimming season

Late May through October. June and September are the sweet spot — warm water, gentle crowds.

Beat the heat

Midday August sun is fierce — swim early, rest at lunch, save sightseeing for late afternoon. Plan the siesta in.

Sea & crowds

The Ionian is calmer than the windy Aegean. August is busiest and Greeks holiday then too — book early.

Summer packing

Reef-safe sunscreen & a sun hat Water shoes (many beaches are pebbly) A light layer for breezy evenings & boats Comfortable shoes for Old Town cobbles A refillable water bottle Swimwear you can live in

Is Corfu good for families?+

Yes — the calm, shallow NE-coast bays (Kassiopi, Nissaki, Barbati) and the sandstone coves at Sidari are easy and safe for kids.

Do I need a car?+

For the beaches, mountain villages and west coast, yes. If you only want the Old Town and one nearby beach, you can manage with buses and taxis.

Is it very busy in summer?+

July and August get busy, especially the north and the resorts. The south, the west-coast hikes and shoulder months stay much quieter.

Corfu in pictures

A taste of the island — swap these for your own photography on the live site.

Photography for illustration — swap in your own shots on the live site.

📍 Interactive map of Corfu — Old Town, Paleokastritsa, Kassiopi & the south

Destinations / Cyclades / Naxos

Naxos

The Cyclades’ quiet all-rounder — long sandy beaches, marble mountain villages and the best food in the islands, all at honest prices.

Best for Families · Food · All-rounders

Best time May–June · September

Region Cyclades

Right now in Naxos · June

Warm sand, long evenings, and the island still to itself.

Sea ~22-23°C, warming Days bright & breezy Crowds still gentle Tip book ferries for August

Why Naxos

The largest island in the Cyclades is also its most self-sufficient: a real, working place of farms, vineyards and high villages, fringed by some of the longest sandy beaches in Greece. Ferries glide in past the Portara — a vast marble doorway, all that was finished of a 6th-century-BC temple of Apollo — into a harbour town crowned by a Venetian Kastro. Behind it, the land climbs through the olive-silver Tragea valley to Mount Zas, the highest peak in the Cyclades, where myth says the infant Zeus was raised in a cave.

What sets Naxos apart is balance. It has the whitewashed-and-blue Cycladic look without the crush of Santorini or the price of Mykonos, beaches gentle enough for toddlers and windy enough for kite-surfers, and a food culture — cheese, potatoes, citron, raki — grown and made on the island itself. Come in late spring or September and you get it at its most generous.

Best for

FamiliesFood loversAll-roundersSlow travelHikersCouples (off-peak)

If you want one island that does a bit of everything — beach days, real villages, good walking and great eating, without breaking the bank — Naxos is the smart Cycladic choice.

When to go

May–June: green hills, warm-enough sea, blissfully uncrowded — the sweet spot. July–August: hot, lively and busiest; the meltemi wind keeps it fresh (and feeds the kite beaches). September–October: warm water, thinning crowds, golden light — ideal for couples and walkers. Winters are quiet and green, with many beach businesses closed.

Top experiences

The Portara at sunset

Walk the causeway to the great marble gate on Palatia islet and watch the sun drop through it — the island’s signature moment.

Chora & the Kastro

Lose yourself in the labyrinth of the old town and climb to the Venetian castle, with its Catholic cathedral and quiet museums.

Apeiranthos

A village built almost entirely of marble, high on the mountain — cool lanes, little museums and long views.

Mount Zas

Hike the Cyclades’ highest peak (1,004m) from Filoti, past the cave where Zeus was said to be raised.

The Tragea valley

An inland sea of ancient olive groves dotted with Byzantine churches — the green heart of Naxos, made for slow drives and walks.

Kouros of Flerio

A giant, unfinished marble statue left lying in a garden quarry since antiquity — strange, moving and free to visit.

Beaches worth the trip

Agios ProkopiosRepeatedly rated among Greece’s best — long, soft, shallow and organised. Family heaven.
Agia AnnaIts mellow neighbour, with tavernas at the water’s edge and the same fine sand.
PlakaKilometres of dune-backed sand — pick a beach bar or walk on to find your own empty stretch.
Mikri ViglaTwin bays split by a headland: calm to the south, wind and kite-surfers to the north.
AlykoTurquoise coves wrapped in a rare cedar forest, with sea-cave swims and open-air art on the ruins.
Pyrgaki & KastrakiThe wild south — wide, quiet sands where the road runs out and the crowds never reach.

A day in a Naxos summer

Naxos rewards the unhurried. Here’s how a perfect summer day tends to unfold.

Early morning

Beach before the wind. The sand at Plaka is cool and the sea is glass — an hour to yourself before the day warms up.

Mid-morning

Frappé in the Chora. Coffee in the shade of the old town, then a wander up into the Kastro lanes before the heat.

Midday

Up the mountain. Drive into the Tragea for a long village lunch — graviera, local meat, a carafe of cold wine — then linger.

Late afternoon

Back to the water. A second swim at Alyko among the cedars, or a windy walk along the Mikri Vigla headland.

Golden hour

The Portara. Out along the causeway with half the island to watch the sun set through the great marble door.

After dark

Dinner, slowly. Tables spill onto the harbour front; a plate of grilled fish and a glass of kitron to finish.

Local secrets

What the guidebooks miss

For calm swims pick the south bays; for wind and kites head north of Mikri Vigla.
Buy Naxian graviera and potatoes straight from the village shops — both are island-famous.
Taste kitron at the Vallindras distillery in Halki — the liqueur grows almost nowhere else.
Drive the Tragea at dusk, when the olive groves and old churches turn gold.

Naxos for…

One island, very different trips. Here’s how it shapes up depending on who you’re travelling with.

Families

Easy & affordable

Long shallow beaches at Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna, short drives, gentle prices and food kids actually eat. The Cyclades made simple.

Food lovers

A working larder

PDO cheeses, citron liqueur, island potatoes and proper village tavernas — Naxos eats better than islands twice its price.

Walkers & couples

Mountains & quiet

Mount Zas, the Tragea’s churches and the wild south make for great hiking and slow, romantic days off the beaten track.

Eat like a Naxian

Naxos grows and makes much of what it serves — an agricultural island in a sea of rocky ones. Seek these out.

Graviera NaxouThe island’s PDO hard cheese — nutty, golden and on every table. Buy a wedge to take home.

Naxos potatoesFamous across Greece for their flavour — simply roasted with oregano and lemon, they’re a meal in themselves.

Kitron / citron liqueurDistilled from the leaves and fruit of the citron tree at Halki — the bright, sweet local digestif.

Rosto / patoudoSlow-cooked island meat dishes — pork in wine, or stuffed lamb for feast days.

Arseniko & xinotyroTwo more local cheeses — one sharp and aged, one soft and tangy.

ThalassinaGrilled fish and seafood straight off the harbour boats at Chora, Apollonas and Moutsouna.

Where to eat: the Chora harbour front and Kastro lanes for seafood and meze, the mountain villages of Halki, Filoti and Apeiranthos for slow lunches, and Apollonas in the north for fish by the water.

What’s on this summer

A reason to come now — Naxos’ summer mixes saints’ days, village feasts and open-air culture. Dates shift year to year, so check locally.

All summer
Panigiria (village feasts)Open-air festivals with food, wine and live music in the mountain villages — the real Naxos.
July–Aug
Naxos Festival, Bazeos TowerConcerts, theatre and exhibitions in a restored 17th-century tower near Sangri.
15 August
Dekapentavgoustos (Assumption)Greece’s great summer holiday — festive and very local. Book everything ahead.
Late summer
Dionysia, ChoraA wine-and-culture celebration nodding to the island’s ancient patron, Dionysus.

Where to stay

The right base depends on the trip you want. A quick guide to the island’s distinct corners.

Lively · walkable

Chora (Naxos Town)

Harbour life, restaurants and the Kastro on foot — ferries and beaches both close by.

Beachy · family

Agios Prokopios & Agia Anna

Steps from the island’s best sandy beaches, with tavernas and easy logistics.

Wind · space

Plaka & Mikri Vigla

Long open sands and a laid-back, surfy crowd. Great for sunsets and elbow room.

Quiet · authentic

The mountain villages

Halki, Filoti and Apeiranthos for cool nights, real Naxos and proper walking.

Hand-picked places to stay — book direct, no commission:

Featured · Direct booking

A beach hotel at Agios Prokopios

Steps from the sand, made for families.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A Chora boutique stay

Old-town character, harbour at your door.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A villa in the Tragea

Olive-grove quiet, a short drive from the sea.

Check availability

What it costs

Naxos is one of the Cyclades’ better-value islands — noticeably gentler than Mykonos or Santorini, with June and September the best value of all. Indicative summer prices, which vary by area:

Frappé / coffee€3-4

Taverna dinner, per person€15-25

Mid-range hotel, summer night€80-150

Hire car, per day€35-55

Sunbed & umbrella€10-18

Boat day trip€40-80

Indicative only — always confirm current rates when you book.

Day trips & what’s nearby

Naxos sits at the centre of the Cyclades — a natural launchpad.

By boat

The Small Cyclades

Koufonisia, Iraklia and Schinoussa — tiny, slow islands with impossibly clear water, an easy hop from Naxos.

Next door

Paros & Antiparos

Chic Naoussa, the marble lanes of Parikia and sleepy Antiparos — all within a short ferry.

Iconic

Delos & Mykonos

Summer excursions reach the sacred ancient island of Delos and glamorous Mykonos for a day.

5 perfect days in Naxos

A relaxed loop mixing town, beach and mountain — easy with a hire car.

Chora & the Portara

Settle in, wander the Kastro and old town, then sunset at the Portara and dinner on the harbour.

The west-coast beaches

Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka — pick your sand, swim, and lunch with your feet almost in the sea.

Into the mountains

The Tragea valley, marble Apeiranthos and green Halki — with a kitron tasting at the Vallindras distillery.

Mount Zas & the south

Hike Zas from Filoti in the morning, then the wild dunes of Alyko, Pyrgaki and Kastraki in the afternoon.

North & slow

The drive to Apollonas for the giant Kouros and fish by the water — or a boat to the Small Cyclades.

Good to know

Getting there

Ferries from Piraeus and Rafina (3.5–5.5h depending on the boat). Small domestic airport (JNX) links to Athens. Well connected to Paros and the Small Cyclades.

Getting around

A hire car or scooter is worth it — the best beaches and villages are spread out. Buses link Chora with the main beaches and big villages.

How long to stay

5–7 nights to enjoy beaches, mountains and a day trip without rushing. 3–4 if you’re island-hopping through.

Swimming season

Late May through October. June and September are the sweet spot — warm water, gentle crowds.

The meltemi wind

The summer north wind can blow hard, especially July–August. Pick south-facing bays on windy days — or join the kite-surfers up north.

Beat the heat

Swim early, head to the cool mountain villages at midday, save the Portara for sunset. Plan the siesta in.

Summer packing

Reef-safe sunscreen & a sun hat A light layer for breezy, windy evenings Walking shoes for Zas & the villages Water shoes for rockier coves A refillable water bottle Swimwear you can live in

Is Naxos good for families?+

Very — the long, shallow, sandy beaches at Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka are ideal for kids, and the island is great value for a family.

Naxos or Paros?+

Naxos is bigger, greener and better value, with stronger food and mountains; Paros is chicer and more polished. They’re a 45-minute ferry apart, so many travellers do both.

Do I need a car?+

For the mountain villages and quieter southern beaches, yes. If you only want Chora and the nearest beaches, buses and taxis are fine.

Naxos in pictures

A taste of the island — swap these for your own photography on the live site.

Photography for illustration — swap in your own shots on the live site.

📍 Interactive map of Naxos — Chora, the beaches, the Tragea & Mount Zas

Home / Destinations

Every corner of Greece

Our growing library of Greek destinations — each with what to see, when to go, and where to stay direct.

The library

Destinations

New islands landing every week.

Corfu

Ionian · green & romantic

Naxos

Cyclades · all-rounder

Santorini

Cyclades · romance

Mykonos

Cyclades · glamour

Paros

Cyclades · easy chic

Crete

A country of its own

Rhodes

Dodecanese · knights & beaches

Zakynthos

Ionian · the Shipwreck isle

Lefkada

Ionian · drive-to beaches

Athens

Attica · the gateway

Milos

Cyclades · volcanic beaches

Sifnos

Cyclades · the foodie isle

Folegandros

Cyclades · cliff-top calm

Thirteen Greek destinations and growing — more corners of Greece on the way.

Destinations / Cyclades / Santorini

Santorini

The island everyone pictures when they think of Greece — a flooded volcano ringed by whitewashed towns, blue domes and the most famous sunset in the world.

Best for Couples · Luxury · Once-in-a-lifetime

Best time May–June · Sept–Oct

Region Cyclades

Right now in Santorini · June

Long golden evenings, warm sea, and the caldera at its most luminous.

Sea ~22-23°C, warming Days bright, dry, breezy Crowds building Tip book Oia sunset early

Why Santorini

Santorini is the southern rim of a drowned volcanic caldera — a crescent of cliffs that plunge 300 metres to a sea-filled crater. Along the top edge, the whitewashed towns of Fira and Oia spill down the rock in a cascade of cubic houses, blue-domed churches and cave hotels, all facing west toward a sunset that has become Greece’s single most photographed view.

It is also a place of substance beneath the postcard: black and red volcanic beaches, the Bronze-Age Minoan town of Akrotiri (often called the Greek Pompeii), and a fierce volcanic-soil wine culture built on the crisp Assyrtiko grape. It is busy and pricey at its peak — but in late spring or autumn, with the light low and the crowds thinner, it earns every bit of its fame.

Best for

CouplesHoneymoonsLuxuryPhotographyWine loversSlow romance

If you want drama, design hotels and a once-in-a-lifetime view — and you’re happy to share it — Santorini delivers like nowhere else.

When to go

May–June: warm, blooming, not yet at full crush — the sweet spot. July–August: hot, dazzling and very busy, with cruise crowds midday. September–October: warm sea, golden light, calmer towns — ideal for couples. Winters are quiet and many caldera businesses close.

Top experiences

The Oia sunset

Greece’s most famous sundown, from the ruined castle at the tip of Oia. Arrive early — it fills an hour ahead.

The caldera walk

The 10km cliff-edge path from Fira through Imerovigli to Oia — the island’s single best walk.

Akrotiri

A whole Minoan town frozen in volcanic ash 3,600 years ago — streets, frescoes and three-storey houses.

Wine tasting

Assyrtiko and sweet Vinsanto at Santo, Venetsanos or Domaine Sigalas, with the caldera as the view.

The volcano & hot springs

A boat to the still-steaming crater islet of Nea Kameni, then a swim in the warm sulphur springs.

Inland villages

Pyrgos and Megalochori — quiet, authentic, and almost crowd-free at golden hour.

Beaches worth the trip

Perissa & PerivolosKilometres of organised black volcanic sand on the south coast — the island’s main beach scene.
KamariBlack pebble, well-organised, below the cliff of Ancient Thira.
Red BeachDramatic rust-red cliffs near Akrotiri — striking, though access can be unstable, so check locally.
VlychadaWind-sculpted white cliffs like a moonscape, backing a long quiet beach.
White BeachA pale-cliffed cove near the Red Beach, reached by boat or a short scramble.
Caldera noteThe caldera itself has no real beaches — it’s for the view and the swim off the rocks.

A day in a Santorini summer

Santorini rewards those who dodge the midday cruise rush. Here’s how a good day flows.

Early morning

The caldera, alone. Walk the cliff path from Imerovigli before the heat and the crowds — the light is soft and the towns are quiet.

Late morning

Down to the water. A boat to the volcano and the hot springs, or down to a black-sand beach on the south coast.

Midday

Out of the sun. Lunch and shade inland at Pyrgos or Megalochori while the cruise crowds fill Oia.

Afternoon

Wine on the rim. A tasting at a caldera-edge winery — Assyrtiko, then a glass of sweet Vinsanto.

Golden hour

The sunset ritual. Find your spot in Oia (or, wiser, Imerovigli or a rooftop) well before the sun drops.

After dark

Dinner, late. The towns exhale; tables open along the caldera for a long, slow evening.

Local secrets

What the guidebooks miss

Watch the sunset from Imerovigli or a Fira rooftop — same sky, a fraction of the Oia scramble.
Cruise ships flood the towns 11am–4pm; plan your caldera time around that.
Skip the donkeys down to the old port — walk or take the cable car.
Pyrgos at dusk gives you a 360° island view with almost no one there.

Santorini for…

One island, very different trips. Here’s how it shapes up.

Couples

A honeymoon island

Caldera suites, private plunge pools and sunset dinners — Santorini is built for two.

Wine lovers

Volcanic vineyards

Ancient basket-trained vines and the mineral bite of Assyrtiko make this a serious wine trip.

Culture

Ash & ancient towns

Akrotiri, Ancient Thira and the museums give the postcard real depth.

Eat & drink Santorini

Volcanic soil and almost no rain give Santorini produce an intense, concentrated flavour — and one of Greece’s great wines.

TomatokeftedesFritters of the island’s tiny, sweet-sharp cherry tomatoes — the local signature.

FavaSantorini’s PDO yellow split-pea purée, served warm with onion and oil.

White auberginePale, sweet and almost seedless — grilled or in salads.

AssyrtikoBone-dry, mineral, citrus-edged white from volcanic vines — world-class.

VinsantoThe island’s sun-dried sweet wine, amber and honeyed.

Fresh seafoodGrilled octopus and the day’s catch at the fishing harbour of Ammoudi, below Oia.

Where to eat: Ammoudi Bay below Oia for seafood by the water, Pyrgos and Megalochori for authentic tavernas, and the caldera-edge restaurants of Fira and Imerovigli for the view.

What’s on this summer

A reason to come now. Dates shift year to year, so check locally.

All summer
Caldera-edge cultureOpen-air concerts and exhibitions across Fira and Oia through the season.
July–Aug
Santorini Jazz FestivalDecades-old festival with sunset sets at Kamari and beyond.
15 August
DekapentavgoustosGreece’s great summer feast — festive, busy, very local.
Autumn
Harvest & wineGrape harvest and tastings as the season cools.

Where to stay

Where you sleep defines the trip — caldera view, beach, or authentic and inland.

View · luxe

Oia

The postcard town: best views, best sunsets, highest prices and biggest crowds.

Central · lively

Fira & Firostefani

The capital — caldera views, restaurants and nightlife, well connected.

Quiet · romantic

Imerovigli

The highest, calmest stretch of the caldera — the honeymooners’ choice.

Beach · value

Kamari & Perissa

Black-sand resort bases away from the cliff — better value, easier with kids.

Hand-picked places to stay — book direct, no commission:

Featured · Direct booking

A caldera-view suite in Imerovigli

Plunge pool, sunset, no commission.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A boutique stay in Fira

Central, walkable, caldera at the door.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A beach hotel at Perivolos

Black sand and value on the south coast.

Check availability

What it costs

Santorini is Greece’s most expensive island in peak season; June and September ease both prices and crowds.

Frappé / coffee€4-6

Dinner with a view, pp€30-55

Caldera hotel, summer night€180-450+

Beach hotel night€90-160

Wine tasting€20-40

Catamaran day cruise€90-150

Indicative only — always confirm current rates when you book.

Day trips & what’s nearby

The caldera is a launchpad across the southern Cyclades.

By boat

Thirasia

The caldera’s quiet sister islet — a slow lunch and a glimpse of old Santorini.

By boat

The volcano & springs

Nea Kameni’s crater and the warm sulphur springs — the classic half-day.

Ferry

Ios & the south Cyclades

Easy hops to Ios, Folegandros and Naxos.

4 perfect days in Santorini

A relaxed loop balancing the caldera, the beaches and the wine.

Fira & the caldera walk

Settle in, then walk the cliff path toward Imerovigli for your first sunset.

Oia & the north

Oia’s lanes, Ammoudi seafood, and the famous sunset (claim your spot early).

Volcano, springs & wine

A morning boat to Nea Kameni, an afternoon of Assyrtiko at a caldera winery.

Akrotiri & the south beaches

The Minoan town, the Red Beach, and a long lunch at Vlychada.

Good to know

Getting there

Fly to Santorini (JTR) from Athens and Europe, or ferry from Piraeus (5–8h; fast boats in summer).

Getting around

Buses link the main towns via Fira; a car or ATV helps for beaches and wineries. Caldera towns are walk-only.

How long to stay

3–4 nights is plenty for the caldera, a beach and the wine.

The crowds

Midday belongs to the cruise ships; mornings and evenings are yours.

Caldera access

Walk or take the cable car down to the old port — skip the donkeys.

Budget honestly

This is the priciest island; shoulder season is far kinder to the wallet.

Summer packing

Reef-safe sunscreen & a hatComfortable shoes for the caldera pathA light layer for breezy eveningsSwimwear for black-sand beachesA refillable water bottleSomething nice for sunset dinners

Is Santorini worth the hype?+

For the caldera, the sunsets and the wine — yes. Just visit in shoulder season and dodge the midday cruise rush.

Does it have good beaches?+

Black and red volcanic beaches on the south and east coasts (Perissa, Kamari, Vlychada) — striking, if not classic white sand.

Santorini or Mykonos?+

Santorini for romance, views and wine; Mykonos for beaches, nightlife and glamour. Many do both.

Santorini in pictures

A taste of the island — swap these for your own photography on the live site.

Photography for illustration — swap in your own shots on the live site.

📍 Interactive map of Santorini — Fira, Oia, Akrotiri & the caldera

Destinations / Cyclades / Mykonos

Mykonos

Greece’s glamour island — a whitewashed maze above a turquoise sea, with the country’s best beach clubs, liveliest nights and the windmills above it all.

Best for Nightlife · Beaches · Couples & friends

Best time June · September (July–Aug peak)

Region Cyclades

Right now in Mykonos · June

The island warming up before the high-summer rush.

Sea ~22°C, warming Days bright & windy Crowds building fast Tip book beach clubs ahead

Why Mykonos

Mykonos wears two faces. By day it is a serene Cycladic postcard — the cubic white lanes of Chora, the line of 16th-century windmills on the hill, the sea-lapped houses of Little Venice, a resident pelican wandering the harbour. By night it becomes the Aegean’s party capital, with beach clubs and bars that draw a glossy international crowd from May to October.

It is unapologetically cosmopolitan, openly LGBTQ-friendly, and not cheap — but the beauty is real, the beaches are excellent, and the sacred ancient island of Delos sits a short boat ride away. Come in June or September for the same glamour with a little more breathing room.

Best for

NightlifeBeach clubsCouplesFriend groupsGlamourLGBTQ+ travel

If you want beaches by day and a real night out — with style and a budget to match — Mykonos is the island.

When to go

June: warm, lively, not yet at full intensity — a great balance. July–August: peak everything — hottest, busiest, most expensive, biggest nights. September: still buzzing, sea at its warmest, slightly calmer. Winters are very quiet.

Top experiences

Little Venice & the windmills

Sunset drinks where the sea laps the houses, under the famous line of Kato Mili windmills.

Chora by night

Get lost in the whitewashed lanes of Matogianni — boutiques, bars and people-watching.

Delos

A short boat to the sacred, uninhabited island — one of Greece’s greatest archaeological sites.

The beach clubs

Psarou, Paraga and Super Paradise — sun-loungers, music and the Mykonos scene in full.

Ano Mera

The quiet inland village and the frescoed Panagia Tourliani monastery.

A boat day

Hop the south-coast beaches by caique, or sail to neighbouring Rhenia.

Beaches worth the trip

PsarouThe chic one — organised, glamorous and pricey, with a famous beach club.
Platis Gialos & OrnosSandy, sheltered and family-friendly, with tavernas and water taxis.
Paradise & Super ParadiseThe party beaches — music, clubs and a young crowd.
EliaOne of the longest, with sand, sunbeds and calmer water.
Agios Sostis & FokosWild, unorganised and beautiful — bring your own everything.
Lia & KalafatisQuieter east-coast bays with clear water and watersports.

A day in a Mykonos summer

Mykonos runs late. A day here tends to start slow and finish very late.

Late morning

Beach-club o’clock. Claim a lounger at Psarou or Paraga as the music starts and the day warms up.

Midday

Long lunch by the sea. Seafood and rosé at a beachfront taverna — no rush, that’s the point.

Afternoon

Town or boat. Wander Chora’s lanes, or hop a caique to a quieter cove.

Golden hour

Little Venice. A cocktail where the waves hit the wall, the windmills turning above.

Evening

Dinner, dressed up. A late, stylish dinner in the Matogianni lanes.

Late

Out. The bars fill after midnight; the clubs after that.

Local secrets

What the guidebooks miss

June and September give you the same Mykonos with smaller crowds and gentler prices.
The north beaches (Fokos, Agios Sostis) are wild and quiet — the antidote to the party south.
Book a Delos morning boat — the heat and the lack of shade make afternoons brutal.
Taxis are scarce; sort transfers, buses or an ATV in advance.

Mykonos for…

One island, very different trips. Here’s how it shapes up.

Friends

The big night out

Beach clubs by day, Chora bars by night — the classic Mykonos group trip.

Couples

Glamour for two

Design hotels, sunset cocktails and long stylish dinners.

Culture

Delos next door

One of antiquity’s holiest sites is a short boat away — Mykonos has substance too.

Eat & drink Mykonos

Beyond the glossy restaurants, Mykonos has a real Cycladic table — sharp cheeses, cured meats and the day’s catch.

KopanistiThe island’s fiery, tangy aged cheese — spread on rusks (paximadia).

LouzaCured, spiced pork loin — thin-sliced and excellent with kopanisti.

MostraA Mykonian rusk topped with tomato, kopanisti and oil.

Fresh seafoodGrilled octopus, sea urchin and the catch at the old harbour.

Mykonian sausageHerb-and-savory pork sausage from the inland village kitchens.

AmygdalotaSoft almond sweets to finish.

Where to eat: the old harbour and Little Venice for seafood with a view, the Matogianni lanes for stylish dinners, and Ano Mera’s square for honest, local cooking.

What’s on this summer

A reason to come now. Dates shift year to year, so check locally.

All summer
Beach-club & club seasonInternational DJs and parties across the south-coast clubs.
Summer
Open-air cultureConcerts and exhibitions in and around Chora.
15 August
DekapentavgoustosThe big summer feast — busy and festive.
Summer nights
Little Venice sundownsThe nightly sunset gathering along the waterline.

Where to stay

Pick your speed: central and lively, beach and family, or quiet and inland.

Central · lively

Chora (Mykonos Town)

In the heart of the lanes, bars and dining — walkable, buzzy, not for early sleepers.

Beach · family

Ornos & Platis Gialos

Sandy, sheltered bays with tavernas and water taxis — easy with kids.

Chic · beachy

Psarou & Paraga

The glamorous beach-club bases, steps from the scene.

Quiet · value

Ano Mera

Inland village calm and gentler prices, a short drive from the coast.

Hand-picked places to stay — book direct, no commission:

Featured · Direct booking

A design hotel above Chora

Town and sea at your door, no commission.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A boutique stay in Ornos

Sandy bay, family-friendly, book direct.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A quiet retreat near Ano Mera

Inland calm with island views.

Check availability

What it costs

Mykonos is one of Greece’s priciest islands in peak season — June and September are kinder.

Frappé / coffee€4-6

Dinner out, pp€30-60

Beach-club lounger (2)€80-300+

Hotel, summer night€150-500+

Taxi / ATV per day€40-60

Delos tour€45-65

Indicative only — always confirm current rates when you book.

Day trips & what’s nearby

A natural Cycladic hub for boats and short hops.

By boat

Delos

The sacred uninhabited island — temples, mosaics and the Terrace of the Lions.

By boat

Rhenia

Mykonos’ uninhabited neighbour — beaches and swimming stops on a day cruise.

Ferry

Tinos & Naxos

Easy hops to authentic Tinos and big, green Naxos.

4 perfect days in Mykonos

Beaches, town and one cultural morning — the balanced Mykonos trip.

Chora & Little Venice

Settle in, wander the lanes, sunset and dinner in town.

South-coast beaches

A beach-club day at Psarou or Paraga, dinner back in town.

Delos & a quiet beach

A morning at the ancient site, an afternoon on a calmer northern bay.

Your Mykonos

A boat day, or a slow morning and one last sunset in Little Venice.

Good to know

Getting there

Fly to Mykonos (JMK) from Athens and Europe, or fast ferry from Piraeus/Rafina (2.5–5h).

Getting around

Buses link Chora with the main beaches; ATVs and pre-booked transfers fill the gaps. Taxis are famously scarce.

How long to stay

3–4 nights covers town, the beaches and Delos.

The wind

The summer meltemi can blow hard — south-coast beaches are the sheltered choice.

Budget

Loungers and dinners add up fast; set expectations before you go.

Two islands in one

The party south and the wild north feel like different places — see both.

Summer packing

Reef-safe sunscreen & a hatA light layer for the windSmart-casual for evenings outSwimwear you can live inComfortable shoes for the lanesA refillable water bottle

Is Mykonos only for partying?+

No — it has beautiful beaches, a gorgeous town, quiet northern coves and Delos next door. The party is there if you want it.

When is it less crazy?+

June and September: same beauty and beaches, smaller crowds and lower prices than July–August.

Do I need a car?+

An ATV or buses cover most of it; taxis are scarce, so plan transfers ahead.

Mykonos in pictures

A taste of the island — swap these for your own photography on the live site.

Photography for illustration — swap in your own shots on the live site.

📍 Interactive map of Mykonos — Chora, the beaches & Delos

Destinations / Cyclades / Paros

Paros

The Cyclades’ effortless all-rounder — a chic fishing-village harbour, marble lanes, granite-sculpted coves and some of the best windsurfing in Greece.

Best for All-rounders · Couples · Windsurfers

Best time May–June · September

Region Cyclades

Right now in Paros · June

Warm, breezy and lively before the August peak.

Sea ~22°C, warming Days bright & breezy Crowds gentle, building Tip book Naoussa dinners ahead

Why Paros

Paros has quietly become the Cyclades favourite that does everything well. Its capital, Parikia, wraps a busy ferry port around one of Greece’s most important early churches, the 4th-century Panagia Ekatontapyliani (the “Church of a Hundred Doors”). On the north coast, the old fishing village of Naoussa has reinvented itself as the island’s chic heart, its tiny harbour now ringed with bars and acclaimed restaurants.

Famed in antiquity for its luminous white marble — the stone of the Venus de Milo — Paros today is prized for its balance: gentle granite-sculpted coves at Kolymbithres, world-class windsurfing at Golden Beach, the mountain village of Lefkes, and sleepy Antiparos a five-minute boat away. Pricier than it was, it still feels friendlier and more liveable than its glossier neighbours.

Best for

All-roundersCouplesFamiliesWindsurfersFoodiesIsland hoppers

If you can’t decide between beaches, good food, nightlife and authentic villages — Paros quietly gives you all of it.

When to go

May–June: warm, in bloom, uncrowded — the sweet spot. July–August: hot, lively and busy, with strong wind for the surfers. September: warm sea, golden light, calmer. Winters are quiet and green.

Top experiences

Naoussa harbour

The prettiest sundowner in the Cyclades — a tiny Venetian-era fishing port turned chic waterfront.

Parikia & Ekatontapyliani

The marble old town and one of Greece’s oldest, most beautiful churches.

Lefkes & the Byzantine Road

The handsome mountain capital of old, linked to the coast by a marble-paved path.

Kolymbithres

Wind- and sea-sculpted granite forming a maze of little coves and pools.

Windsurfing

Golden Beach and New Golden Beach host the meltemi-fed wind and kite scene.

The marble quarries

The ancient tunnels at Marathi, source of the translucent Parian marble.

Beaches worth the trip

KolymbithresSculpted granite coves and clear shallow water — the island’s signature.
Santa MariaLong, organised, sandy and shallow — watersports and beach bars.
Golden Beach & New Golden BeachBroad sands and reliable wind — the windsurf and kite centre.
MonastiriA sheltered, pretty bay inside Naoussa’s gulf, by the marine park.
FaragasQuiet, white-sand and turquoise on the south coast.
LageriA long, dune-backed, low-key stretch near Naoussa.

A day in a Paros summer

Paros lets you mix everything into one easy day.

Morning

Coves & calm. Swim the granite pools at Kolymbithres before the boats arrive.

Late morning

Marble & shade. Wander Parikia’s old town and the Ekatontapyliani church.

Midday

Wind or wine. Lunch at Golden Beach watching the surfers, or up to Lefkes for mountain quiet.

Afternoon

A second swim. Santa Maria’s sand, or a boat across to Antiparos.

Golden hour

Naoussa. Cocktails on the little harbour as the fishing boats bob.

Evening

Dinner by the water. One of Naoussa’s acclaimed waterfront tables, then a wander through the lanes.

Local secrets

What the guidebooks miss

Naoussa for dinner and style, Parikia for value and the port — base where it suits your trip.
Lefkes and the old Byzantine Road give you a cool, crowd-free morning inland.
The wind is a feature, not a bug — Golden Beach turns it into world-class surfing.
Five minutes to Antiparos by boat unlocks a whole quieter island.

Paros for…

One island, very different trips. Here’s how it shapes up.

Couples

Chic without the price

Naoussa’s harbour dining and boutique stays, minus Mykonos money.

Families

Easy and sandy

Shallow, organised beaches and short distances make it simple with kids.

Windsurfers

Reliable meltemi

Golden Beach is a genuine world-tour windsurf and kite spot.

Eat & drink Paros

Paros eats well — a proper fishing-and-farming island with its own wine and a serious Naoussa dining scene.

GounaSun-dried, charcoal-grilled mackerel — the Parian classic.

RevithadaSlow-baked chickpeas, Cycladic comfort food.

Local cheesesSoft, fresh xinomyzithra and graviera from the island’s farms.

Parian wineLight reds and whites from the island’s own vineyards.

Fresh fishStraight off the boats at Naoussa and Parikia.

KarpouzopitaA sweet watermelon-and-honey pie, a Cycladic treat.

Where to eat: Naoussa’s harbour for acclaimed, lively dinners, Parikia’s waterfront for value, and the mountain village of Lefkes for honest, traditional cooking.

What’s on this summer

A reason to come now. Dates shift year to year, so check locally.

All summer
Naoussa nightsThe little harbour buzzes with bars and music through the season.
23 August
Fishermen’s festival, NaoussaA re-enacted pirate raid, lit boats, wine and dancing on the water.
15 August
DekapentavgoustosThe big summer feast at Ekatontapyliani in Parikia.
Summer
Wind & waterWindsurf and kite events at Golden Beach.

Where to stay

Naoussa for style, Parikia for value, Golden Beach for the wind — or the hills for quiet.

Chic · dining

Naoussa

The island’s pretty, lively heart — best restaurants and nightlife, by a fishing harbour.

Central · value

Parikia

The port town — convenient, walkable, well-priced and full of life.

Wind · beachy

Golden Beach

Broad sands and the windsurf scene on the southeast coast.

Quiet · authentic

Lefkes & Marpissa

Inland villages for cool nights, marble lanes and real island calm.

Hand-picked places to stay — book direct, no commission:

Featured · Direct booking

A boutique stay in Naoussa

Steps from the harbour, no commission.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A waterfront hotel in Parikia

Central and great value, book direct.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A windsurf base at Golden Beach

Right on the sand and the breeze.

Check availability

What it costs

Paros is mid-to-upper range — pricier than it was, but gentler than Mykonos or Santorini, with June and September best value.

Frappé / coffee€3.5-5

Taverna dinner, pp€18-30

Mid-range hotel night€100-200

Hire car, per day€35-55

Windsurf rental€25-45

Boat to Antiparos€5-9

Indicative only — always confirm current rates when you book.

Day trips & what’s nearby

One of the best-connected islands in the Cyclades.

5-min boat

Antiparos

A sleepy main street, a dramatic cave and quiet turquoise beaches.

Ferry

Naxos

Big, green and full of food and mountains — 45 minutes away.

By boat

Despotiko

An uninhabited islet with an active ancient sanctuary dig and clear water.

4 perfect days in Paros

Town, coves, wind and one trip across the water — the easy Paros mix.

Parikia & Kolymbithres

Settle in, the old town and church, then the granite coves; sunset in Naoussa.

Naoussa & the north

The harbour, Santa Maria’s beach and a long waterfront dinner.

Lefkes & Golden Beach

The mountain village by morning, the windsurf coast by afternoon.

Antiparos

The five-minute boat across — the cave, the main street and a quiet beach.

Good to know

Getting there

Ferry from Piraeus (3–4.5h); a tiny domestic airport (PAS) links to Athens. A major Cycladic hub for hopping.

Getting around

A car or scooter helps; buses link Parikia, Naoussa and the main beaches.

How long to stay

4–6 nights to enjoy both coasts, the hills and Antiparos.

The wind

The meltemi is strong in midsummer — great for surfers, a factor for everyone else.

Naoussa books up

Its best tables and rooms fill fast in peak season — reserve ahead.

Hub island

Easy ferries make Paros a perfect base for a wider Cyclades hop.

Summer packing

Reef-safe sunscreen & a hatA light layer for the windSmart-casual for Naoussa dinnersWater shoes for granite covesA refillable water bottleSwimwear you can live in

Paros or Naxos?+

Paros is chicer and more polished with stronger nightlife; Naxos is bigger, greener and better value. They’re 45 minutes apart — do both.

Is Paros good for families?+

Yes — shallow organised beaches, short distances and an easy pace make it family-friendly.

Is it very windy?+

In July–August, often — which is exactly why the windsurfers love Golden Beach.

Paros in pictures

A taste of the island — swap these for your own photography on the live site.

Photography for illustration — swap in your own shots on the live site.

📍 Interactive map of Paros — Parikia, Naoussa, Kolymbithres & Lefkes

Destinations / Crete / Crete

Crete

Not so much an island as a country of its own — Minoan palaces, Venetian harbours, a wild south coast, legendary food, and beaches that look invented.

Best for Everyone · Long stays · Road trips

Best time May–June · Sept–Oct

Region Crete

Right now in Crete · June

Warm seas, long days, and the gorges and beaches at their best.

Sea ~22-23°C, warming Days long & hot Crowds gentle, building Tip hire a car — it’s big

Why Crete

Greece’s largest island is big enough to feel like a nation: snow-capped mountains, palm-fringed beaches, fertile plains and a 1,000km coastline, all stamped with a fierce local pride and identity. It was the cradle of Europe’s first great civilisation — the Bronze-Age Minoans, whose palace at Knossos still astonishes — and later passed through Roman, Venetian and Ottoman hands, leaving the elegant harbours of Chania and Rethymno behind.

Crete is also a byword for good living: the famous Cretan diet of wild greens, olive oil, cheese and raki; the warmth of mountain-village hospitality; and a landscape that runs from the Samaria Gorge to the pink sand of Elafonisi and the lagoon of Balos. It rewards a slow, two-week road trip as easily as a week — there is simply more here than anywhere else in Greece.

Best for

FamiliesFoodiesHistory loversHikersBeach seekersLong stays

If you want one place that does beaches, mountains, ancient history and unforgettable food — and never runs out — Crete is it.

When to go

May–June: green hills, wildflowers, warm-enough sea — superb. July–August: hot and busy on the north coast; the mountains stay cooler. September–October: warm water, harvest food, golden light — arguably the best of all. Winters are mild on the coast, snowy on the peaks.

Top experiences

Knossos

The vast, partly reconstructed palace of the Minoans — the heart of Europe’s first civilisation.

Chania Old Town

Venetian harbour, a lighthouse, Ottoman lanes and the best evening stroll in Crete.

The Samaria Gorge

A 16km descent through Europe’s longest gorge to the Libyan Sea — a bucket-list hike.

Balos & Gramvousa

A turquoise lagoon and a pirate-castle islet on the wild northwest tip.

Elafonisi

Pink-tinged sand and shallow, luminous water on the far southwest coast.

Lasithi & Spinalonga

The eastern plateau, lake-town Agios Nikolaos and the haunting former leper-colony island.

Beaches worth the trip

BalosAn almost unreal turquoise lagoon below Gramvousa — Crete’s iconic beach.
ElafonisiPink sand and warm shallows — protected, busy in peak, unforgettable.
FalassarnaA broad west-coast sweep famous for its sunsets.
PreveliA palm-lined river meeting the sea below a gorge on the south coast.
VaiA genuine palm forest behind the sand on the far eastern tip.
Seitan LimaniaA dramatic, narrow fjord-like cove near Chania — steep to reach, stunning below.

A day in a Crete summer

On Crete you trade island-hopping for road-tripping. A day fills up fast.

Early

Beach or gorge. Start early to beat the heat — a dawn swim, or the trailhead before the buses.

Late morning

Ancient stones. Knossos, a Venetian fortress, or a frescoed mountain church.

Midday

Long village lunch. Up into the hills for dakos, grilled meat and a carafe of local wine.

Afternoon

The water again. A dramatic cove near Chania, or the lagoon light at Balos.

Golden hour

Harbour stroll. The Venetian waterfront at Chania or Rethymno as the lamps come on.

After dark

Raki & meze. A long table of small plates — and the raki the host won’t let you refuse.

Local secrets

What the guidebooks miss

Crete is huge — base in two or three spots rather than driving back daily.
Reach Balos and Elafonisi early (before 10am) or late to dodge the heat and crowds.
The south coast (Sfakia, Loutro, Plakias) is wilder, quieter and reached on switchback roads.
Say yes to the raki — refusing a host’s hospitality is the one real faux pas.

Crete for…

One island, very different trips. Here’s how it shapes up.

Families

Endless variety

Calm beaches, easy towns, ancient sites and short-enough drives — weeks of it.

Foodies

Greece’s best table

The Cretan diet, mountain cheeses, raki culture and farm-to-taverna cooking.

Hikers

Gorges & peaks

Samaria, Imbros and the White Mountains for serious walking.

Eat & drink Crete

Cretan cooking is one of the reasons people come back — fiercely local, seasonal and generous, washed down with raki.

DakosA barley rusk soaked in oil and topped with grated tomato and myzithra — the Cretan classic.

GamopilafoRich “wedding rice” cooked in meat broth — feast-day food.

ApakiSmoked, vinegar-cured pork from the mountains.

KalitsouniaLittle sweet or cheese pies, often with wild greens or myzithra.

Graviera KritisThe island’s PDO hard cheese — nutty and golden.

Raki / tsikoudiaThe clear grape spirit poured at the end of every Cretan meal.

Where to eat: the old-town tavernas and harbour of Chania and Rethymno, the mountain villages of the Amari and Sfakia for the real thing, and any taverna where the raki is homemade.

What’s on this summer

A reason to come now. Dates shift year to year, so check locally.

All summer
Village panigiriaOpen-air saints’-day feasts with lyra music, food and dancing across the island.
Summer
Renaissance Festival, RethymnoTheatre, music and art in the Venetian fortezza.
Late summer
Chania & Heraklion cultureOpen-air concerts and festivals along the harbours.
Autumn
Raki & harvestGrape harvest and the lively home-distilling season.

Where to stay

Crete is too big for one base — pick a region (or two) for the trip you want.

West · atmospheric

Chania

The most beautiful base: Venetian harbour, lanes and the wild west within reach.

Central · balanced

Rethymno

Old-town charm plus a long town beach, halfway along the north coast.

Central · classic

Heraklion

The big city, Knossos and the museum — practical and central.

East · upscale

Elounda & Agios Nikolaos

Lake-town life and Crete’s smartest resorts in the gentle east.

Hand-picked places to stay — book direct, no commission:

Featured · Direct booking

A harbour stay in Chania Old Town

Steps from the lighthouse, no commission.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A beach hotel near Rethymno

Old town one way, sand the other.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A retreat near Elounda

Upscale calm on the eastern gulf.

Check availability

What it costs

Crete is generally good value for its quality — gentler than the famous Cyclades, with June and September the sweet spot.

Frappé / coffee€3-4

Taverna dinner, pp€15-25

Mid-range hotel night€80-160

Hire car, per day€30-55

Balos/Gramvousa boat€27-35

Knossos entry€15-20

Indicative only — always confirm current rates when you book.

Day trips & what’s nearby

Even a “country” has neighbours — and plenty within its own coastline.

By boat

Spinalonga

The fortified former leper-colony island off Elounda — moving and unforgettable.

Day hike

Samaria Gorge

The full 16km descent to Agia Roumeli and the Libyan Sea.

Ferry

Santorini

A high-speed boat north to the caldera makes a long but doable day.

A week across Crete, west to east

The classic route — Chania to Lasithi — sampling the whole island without rushing.

Chania

The Venetian harbour, the old town and a first Cretan dinner.

The wild west

Balos lagoon or Elafonisi’s pink sand, with a mountain-village lunch.

Rethymno & the Amari

The old town and fortezza, then the green Amari valley and its churches.

Heraklion & Knossos

The Minoan palace and the superb Archaeological Museum.

Lasithi & the east

Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and the boat to Spinalonga.

Good to know

Getting there

Fly into Chania (CHQ) or Heraklion (HER), or take an overnight ferry from Piraeus. Internal distances are large.

Getting around

A hire car is essential — the best of Crete is spread across mountains and both coasts.

How long to stay

A week for one half, two weeks to do the island justice. Don’t try to see it all from one base.

Two-plus bases

Split your stay (e.g. Chania + Rethymno + the east) to cut driving.

Beat the heat & crowds

Reach the famous beaches early; head to the cooler mountains at midday.

The south coast

Wilder and quieter — but the roads are slow and winding, so plan time.

Summer packing

Reef-safe sunscreen & a hatProper shoes for gorges & ruinsA light layer for mountain eveningsWater shoes for pebbly covesPlenty of water for hikesSwimwear you can live in

How long do I need in Crete?+

A week covers one half well; two weeks lets you cross the whole island. It is far bigger than people expect.

Do I need a car?+

Yes — the gorges, beaches and villages are spread out and public transport won’t reach most of them.

Which airport — Chania or Heraklion?+

Chania for the atmospheric west; Heraklion for Knossos and the centre. Many fly into one and out of the other.

Crete in pictures

A taste of the island — swap these for your own photography on the live site.

Photography for illustration — swap in your own shots on the live site.

📍 Interactive map of Crete — Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion & Lasithi

Destinations / Dodecanese / Rhodes

Rhodes

The big island of the knights — a complete medieval city you can still live in, the storybook village of Lindos, long beaches and the longest, sunniest season in Greece.

Best for History · Beaches · Families & nightlife

Best time May–June · Sept–Oct

Region Dodecanese

Right now in Rhodes · June

Warm seas, very long days, and the Old Town glowing in the evening light.

Sea ~23°C, warm Days hot & sunny Crowds building Tip Lindos before 9am

Why Rhodes

Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese and one of the most complete islands in Greece: at its heart sits the Medieval Old Town, the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe and a UNESCO site, where the Palace of the Grand Master and the cobbled Street of the Knights survive almost intact behind enormous walls. It is a living museum you can wander, eat and sleep inside.

Beyond the walls, Rhodes opens into long beaches, the storybook clifftop village of Lindos with its ancient acropolis, the fluttering Valley of the Butterflies and the ruins of Ancient Kamiros. It is also the warmest, sunniest corner of the country, with a season that stretches well into autumn — which is exactly when it is at its best.

Best for

History loversFamiliesBeach seekersCouplesNightlifeLong-season trips

If you want a medieval city, a famous village, real beaches and reliable sun deep into autumn — Rhodes has all of it on one island.

When to go

May–June: warm, in bloom, before the peak crush. July–August: hot and busy, with the meltemi cooling the west coast. September–October: warm sea, softer light, thinner crowds — the island’s sweet spot. Mild enough to visit even in winter for the Old Town.

Top experiences

Rhodes Old Town

Walk the Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Master inside Europe’s great medieval walled city.

Lindos

The whitewashed village under an ancient acropolis, with St Paul’s Bay below — arrive early to beat the tour buses.

Valley of the Butterflies

Petaloudes — a shaded gorge where thousands of Jersey tiger moths gather in summer.

Ancient Kamiros

The “Pompeii of Rhodes” — a whole Doric town laid out on a hillside above the sea.

Anthony Quinn Bay & Kallithea

A jewel-like swimming cove and the restored Italian-era thermal springs nearby.

A day on Symi

The most photogenic harbour in the Dodecanese, a short boat from Rhodes Town.

Beaches worth the trip

TsambikaA long sweep of golden sand below a hilltop monastery — the island’s best.
Anthony Quinn BayA small, rocky, turquoise cove made famous by the 1960s film shoot.
St Paul’s Bay, LindosA near-enclosed lagoon beneath the acropolis — calm and clear.
FalirakiThe big organised resort beach — watersports, sunbeds and a lively scene.
PrasonisiThe windswept southern tip where two seas meet — a windsurf and kite mecca.
Agathi & StegnaQuieter east-coast sands near the castle of Feraklos.

A day in a Rhodes summer

Rhodes rewards an early start in summer — the Old Town and Lindos are magical before the heat.

Early

Lindos, empty. Climb to the acropolis before 9am, while the white lanes are still cool and quiet.

Late morning

Into the sea. Down to Tsambika or Anthony Quinn Bay before the midday sun peaks.

Midday

Shade & meze. A long lunch in a village taverna or a vaulted Old Town courtyard.

Afternoon

Ancient stones. Kamiros or the Valley of the Butterflies as the light softens.

Golden hour

The walls. Walk the moat and ramparts of the medieval city as the stone turns gold.

Evening

Old Town tables. Dinner under bougainvillea in the knights’ quarter, then a wander through the lanes.

Local secrets

What the guidebooks miss

Reach Lindos before 9am or after 6pm — midday belongs to the cruise and bus tours.
The east coast is sandier and calmer; the west is windier — good for surfers, cooler in a heatwave.
Walk up to the Lindos acropolis on foot — skip the donkeys.
Symi as a day trip is worth a whole day in itself.

Rhodes for…

One island, very different trips. Here’s how it shapes up.

Families

Beaches + history

Long sandy beaches, a real castle to explore and short-enough drives.

Couples

Medieval romance

Vaulted Old Town stays, Lindos sunsets and quiet southern coves.

History

Knights & antiquity

Old Town, Kamiros and Lindos give layer upon layer of the past.

Eat & drink Rhodes

Rhodian cooking blends Greek, Italian and Ottoman influences, with its own island specialities and a long wine tradition.

PitaroudiaChickpea-and-herb fritters — the Rhodian classic meze.

MelekouniA sesame-and-honey wedding sweet, spiced with orange and cinnamon.

GiaprakiaDolma-style stuffed vine or cabbage leaves.

Fresh seafoodGrilled fish and octopus along the harbours of Lindos and Rhodes Town.

Local wineRhodes has a serious wine pedigree — crisp whites and reds from island vineyards.

SoumadaA traditional almond cordial served cold.

Where to eat: the courtyard tavernas of the Old Town, the harbour at Lindos for seafood, and the inland villages of the interior for the most authentic cooking.

What’s on this summer

A reason to come now. Dates shift year to year, so check locally.

All summer
Sound & light, Old TownEvening shows and concerts within the medieval walls.
Summer
Medieval Rose FestivalRe-enactments, music and crafts in the Old Town (when held).
15 August
DekapentavgoustosThe big summer feast, celebrated island-wide.
Autumn
Wine & harvestTastings as the long season winds down.

Where to stay

Atmosphere inside the walls, beach-and-buzz in the New Town, or the village magic of Lindos.

Historic · atmospheric

Rhodes Old Town

Sleep inside the medieval walls — lanes, courtyards and history at the door.

Beach · lively

Rhodes New Town

Beaches, bars and the casino, walkable to the Old Town.

Iconic · village

Lindos

Whitewashed lanes under the acropolis — beautiful, but book ahead.

Resort · family

Faliraki & the east coast

Organised sandy beaches and family resorts down the calmer east side.

Hand-picked places to stay — book direct, no commission:

Featured · Direct booking

A vaulted suite in the Old Town

Medieval walls, modern comfort, no commission.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A village house in Lindos

Steps from the acropolis and St Paul’s Bay.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A beach hotel near Faliraki

Sand and watersports on the east coast.

Check availability

What it costs

Rhodes offers strong value for a big island — more affordable than the famous Cyclades, with shoulder season best.

Frappé / coffee€3-5

Taverna dinner, pp€16-28

Mid-range hotel night€80-170

Hire car, per day€30-55

Old Town / Palace entry€10-20

Symi day boat€25-45

Indicative only — always confirm current rates when you book.

Day trips & what’s nearby

A natural hub for the southern Dodecanese.

By boat

Symi

A pastel-perfect harbour and the Panormitis monastery — the classic day trip.

By boat

Halki

A tiny, quiet island off the west coast for a slow day.

Ferry / boat

Kos & beyond

Hops up the Dodecanese chain, and even to Marmaris in Turkey.

A perfect 4 days in Rhodes

The Old Town, the village, the ruins and a neighbouring island.

Rhodes Old Town

The walls, the Palace, the Street of the Knights, dinner in a courtyard.

Lindos & the east beaches

Early at the acropolis, then Tsambika or St Paul’s Bay.

Kamiros & the west

Ancient Kamiros, the Valley of the Butterflies, a windswept west-coast swim.

Symi

A full day on the prettiest harbour in the Dodecanese.

Good to know

Getting there

Fly to Rhodes (RHO) from Athens and across Europe, or ferry from Piraeus and around the Dodecanese.

Getting around

A hire car opens up the beaches, Kamiros and the south; buses serve the main resorts and Lindos.

How long to stay

4–5 nights for the Old Town, Lindos, a few beaches and a day trip.

Beat the heat

Midsummer is genuinely hot — do the Old Town and Lindos early or late.

East vs west

East coast for calm, sandy swimming; west coast for wind, waves and surfers.

Walk, don’t ride

Reach the Lindos acropolis on your own feet rather than by donkey.

Summer packing

Reef-safe sunscreen & a hatComfortable shoes for cobbles & the acropolisA light layer for the breezy westWater shoes for pebbly covesPlenty of water in summerSwimwear you can live in

Is Rhodes good for a first trip to Greece?+

Very — it combines a unique medieval city, a famous village, good beaches and a long, reliable season.

How many days do I need?+

4–5 nights to balance the Old Town, Lindos, the beaches and a day trip to Symi.

Is it just a party island?+

No — Faliraki has the nightlife, but the Old Town, Lindos and the quiet south are a different, slower Rhodes.

Rhodes in pictures

A taste of the island — swap these for your own photography on the live site.

Photography for illustration — swap in your own shots on the live site.

📍 Interactive map of Rhodes — Old Town, Lindos, Kamiros & the beaches

Destinations / Ionian / Zakynthos

Zakynthos

Home of the famous Shipwreck cove and the blue caves — a green Ionian island of dramatic west-coast cliffs, gentle south-coast sands and nesting sea turtles.

Best for Families · Beaches · Nature & couples

Best time May–June · September

Region Ionian

Right now in Zakynthos · June

Warm Ionian water, long evenings, and the turtles nesting on the south beaches.

Sea ~22°C, warming Days warm & bright Crowds building Tip Navagio viewpoint at golden hour

Why Zakynthos

Zakynthos (Zante) is the postcard island of the Ionian: its northwest coast plunges in white limestone cliffs to coves of electric-blue water, the most famous being Navagio — the “Shipwreck” cove, where a rusted freighter sits on white pebbles between 200-metre walls. Nearby, the Blue Caves glow turquoise at the island’s northern cape.

The greener, gentler south is just as special: the bay of Laganas is a protected National Marine Park and one of the Mediterranean’s key nesting grounds for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). With Venetian heritage in its rebuilt capital and quiet hill villages inland, Zakynthos balances natural drama with easy, family-friendly beaches.

Best for

FamiliesBeach loversCouplesNature & wildlifePhotographersFirst-timers

If you want the iconic Shipwreck view, warm calm seas for the kids and the chance to see wild sea turtles — this is your island.

When to go

May–June: green, warm and calm, with turtles arriving — lovely. July–August: hot and busy, peak beach season. September: warm sea, softer crowds, baby turtles hatching. Shoulder seas can be choppier on the exposed west.

Top experiences

Navagio viewpoint

The clifftop balcony over the Shipwreck cove — go at golden hour for the famous shot.

The Blue Caves

Boat through the glowing sea caves at Cape Skinari on the northern tip.

See the turtles

Spot loggerhead turtles around Marathonisi and Laganas Bay with a licensed, responsible operator.

Porto Limnionas

A dramatic rocky inlet of crystal water on the west coast — swimming and cliff-jumping.

Zakynthos Town

Solomos Square, the church of Agios Dionysios, and the Bochali hill view over the harbour.

Keri caves & cliffs

Boat trips and a lighthouse view over the south-west sea arches.

Beaches worth the trip

Navagio (Shipwreck)The icon — but landing is currently closed for safety; admire it from the viewpoint or by boat.
GerakasA long protected sand beach in the marine park — a key turtle nesting site, with daytime rules.
Porto LimnionasA cliff-framed inlet of clear water — more a swimming spot than a sandy beach.
Banana & KalamakiLong sandy south-coast beaches, organised and family-friendly.
XigiaA small cove with natural sulphur springs said to be good for the skin.
DafniA quiet, protected turtle beach reached by boat or a rough track.

A day in a Zakynthos summer

A day on Zante mixes one wow-moment with easy, gentle beaches.

Early

Beat the boats. An early boat to the Blue Caves or the Navagio bay before the fleet arrives.

Late morning

Cliff swim. The deep clear water of Porto Limnionas, or a long south-coast sand beach.

Midday

Village lunch. Up into the green hills for a quiet taverna and a rest from the sun.

Afternoon

Marine park. A responsible turtle-spotting trip around Marathonisi and Laganas Bay.

Golden hour

The viewpoint. Drive up to the Navagio balcony for the light everyone comes for.

Evening

Town tables. Dinner in Zakynthos Town or a seaside taverna, with mandolato to finish.

Local secrets

What the guidebooks miss

Navagio landing is closed (rockfall risk) — the clifftop viewpoint and offshore boats are how you see it now.
Choose licensed, low-impact turtle trips — no chasing, no touching; it protects the nesting beaches.
On nesting beaches (Gerakas, Dafni) respect the night closures and no-umbrella zones.
The west is dramatic but exposed — check the wind before a boat day.

Zakynthos for…

One island, very different trips. Here’s how it shapes up.

Families

Calm sand + wildlife

Gentle south-coast beaches and the thrill of spotting wild turtles.

Couples

Cliffs & coves

Sunset at the Navagio viewpoint and a swim at Porto Limnionas.

Nature

A living marine park

One of the Mediterranean’s great loggerhead nesting grounds, protected by law.

Eat & drink Zakynthos

Ionian cooking is rich and a little Italian, with Zante’s own cheeses, sweets and Verdea wine.

LadotyriA firm, oil-cured island cheese.

SartsaA slow-cooked beef in tomato-and-spice sauce, a Zante speciality.

FrigadeliLiver wrapped in caul fat, grilled — a traditional meze.

MandolatoSoft white nougat with almonds — the island sweet.

PasteliSesame-and-honey bars, energy in a bite.

VerdeaThe local crisp white wine, perfect with seafood.

Where to eat: the tavernas of Zakynthos Town and Bochali for the view, the south-coast villages for fresh fish, and the green hill villages inland for the most traditional cooking.

What’s on this summer

A reason to come now. Dates shift year to year, so check locally.

17 December & 24 August
Agios DionysiosThe island’s patron saint, with processions in Zakynthos Town.
Summer
Town festivalsMusic and cultural nights around Solomos Square.
May–Oct
Turtle nesting seasonLoggerheads nest and hatch along Laganas Bay — a natural spectacle.
Carnival
Zante CarnivalAn Ionian-Venetian tradition of masks and parades.

Where to stay

Authentic in town, family-friendly on the south sands, or quiet and green near the marine park.

Authentic · central

Zakynthos Town

The Venetian-style capital — real island life, ferries and dining.

Family · beachy

Tsilivi & Alykes

Long organised sandy beaches on the gentler east coast.

Quiet · nature

Vasilikos & Gerakas

Green peninsula near the marine park — calm, scenic, turtle country.

Lively · value

Laganas

The party-and-family strip — central, but be turtle-aware at night.

Hand-picked places to stay — book direct, no commission:

Featured · Direct booking

A boutique stay in Zakynthos Town

Harbour and history, no commission.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A quiet retreat in Vasilikos

Green calm near the turtle beaches.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A family beach hotel at Tsilivi

Sand and shallows on the east coast.

Check availability

What it costs

Zakynthos is good value, especially the family south coast; June and September are best for price and calm.

Frappé / coffee€3-4.5

Taverna dinner, pp€15-26

Mid-range hotel night€70-150

Hire car, per day€30-50

Blue Caves / Navagio boat€15-35

Turtle-spotting trip€20-35

Indicative only — always confirm current rates when you book.

Day trips & what’s nearby

Easy reach across the southern Ionian.

By boat

Marathonisi

The uninhabited “Turtle Island” off Laganas — white sand and snorkelling.

By boat

Blue Caves & Navagio

The classic northern boat loop in one morning.

Ferry

Kefalonia

The big neighbouring Ionian island, a short crossing north.

A perfect 4 days in Zakynthos

One iconic morning, plus turtles, town and the gentle south.

Zakynthos Town & east beaches

Settle in, Solomos Square, the Bochali view, an evening by the sea.

Navagio & the Blue Caves

An early boat north for the cove and the glowing caves, viewpoint at sunset.

Marine park & turtles

A responsible trip around Marathonisi and the south-coast sands.

West coast

Porto Limnionas, the Keri cliffs and a long final swim.

Good to know

Getting there

Fly to Zakynthos (ZTH), or ferry from Kyllini in the Peloponnese (about an hour).

Getting around

A hire car is best for the cliffs, viewpoints and beaches; the island is compact.

How long to stay

4–5 nights for the icons, the turtles and a relaxed beach base.

Navagio is view-only

Landing on the Shipwreck beach is closed for safety — enjoy it from the balcony or a boat.

Be turtle-kind

Respect nesting-beach rules and pick licensed wildlife operators.

West vs south

West for drama and cliffs; south and east for calm, sandy, family swimming.

Summer packing

Reef-safe sunscreen & a hatWater shoes for pebbly covesA light layer for boat daysBinoculars for turtle-spottingPlenty of waterSwimwear you can live in

Can I walk on the Shipwreck beach?+

Not currently — Navagio is closed to landing after cliff collapses. You can see it from the clifftop viewpoint and by boat from the water.

Will I really see turtles?+

Often, around Laganas Bay and Marathonisi in season — always with a licensed, low-impact operator, never guaranteed.

Is it good for families?+

Very — the south and east coasts have long, calm, organised sandy beaches.

Zakynthos in pictures

A taste of the island — swap these for your own photography on the live site.

Photography for illustration — swap in your own shots on the live site.

📍 Interactive map of Zakynthos — Navagio, Blue Caves, the town & Laganas Bay

Destinations / Ionian / Lefkada

Lefkada

The Ionian island you can drive to — linked to the mainland by a bridge, with the most astonishing white-cliff beaches in Greece and a world-class windsurf bay.

Best for Beaches · Windsurfers · Road-trippers

Best time May–June · September

Region Ionian

Right now in Lefkada · June

Turquoise west-coast water, warm days, and the windsurf bay coming alive.

Sea ~21-22°C, warming Days warm & breezy Crowds gentle, building Tip west beaches before noon

Why Lefkada

Lefkada is the Ionian’s great exception: a floating bridge connects it to the mainland, so you simply drive across — no ferry required. That ease leads to some of the most jaw-dropping beaches in the country, strung along the west coast beneath sheer white cliffs: Porto Katsiki, Egremni, Kathisma and Mylos, where the water glows an almost unreal turquoise.

The green, mountainous interior hides traditional villages and waterfalls, while the sheltered south at Vasiliki is a world-renowned windsurf and sailing bay. Offshore lie Meganisi and a scatter of small islands — including Skorpios, the old Onassis estate — making Lefkada as good for boat days as for beach drives.

Best for

Beach loversWindsurfers & sailorsRoad-trippersCouplesFamilies (east side)Boat-day fans

If you want world-famous beaches without an island ferry — and a windsurf bay or a boat day on the side — drive straight to Lefkada.

When to go

May–June: green, warm and quiet, sea warming — ideal. July–August: hot, busy and breezy, peak windsurf season. September: warm sea, calmer beaches, lovely light. The exposed west can be wavy when the wind is up.

Top experiences

The west-coast beach drive

Kathisma, Egremni and Porto Katsiki strung beneath white cliffs — Greece’s most dramatic coast road.

Vasiliki windsurf bay

One of Europe’s best wind spots — lessons for beginners, thermal wind for pros.

A boat to Meganisi

Sea caves, quiet coves and the islets off the east coast, including a look at Skorpios.

Agios Nikitas

The island’s prettiest village — a single lane of tavernas down to a little beach.

Cape Lefkatas lighthouse

The dramatic southern cape where, legend says, Sappho leapt into the sea.

Nydri & the waterfalls

Boat-trip hub on the east coast, with a short walk to cool inland falls.

Beaches worth the trip

Porto KatsikiThe icon — a crescent of pale pebbles under a towering white cliff, reached by steep steps.
EgremniA long white-sand-and-pebble beach below the cliffs — a serious stairway down.
KathismaThe big, organised west-coast beach — sunbeds, beach bars and famous sunsets.
Mylos & Agios NikitasA pretty cove by the village, reached on foot or by water taxi.
PefkouliaA long sandy stretch in the northwest, less developed.
Mikros Gialos & the eastCalmer, sheltered bays on the east coast — better for young families.

A day in a Lefkada summer

Lefkada is a driving island — a day is a loop of beaches, villages and a swim.

Early

White cliffs. Hit Porto Katsiki or Egremni before noon, before the boats and the heat.

Late morning

Wind or water. A windsurf session at Vasiliki, or a quieter swim at Kathisma.

Midday

Village shade. Lunch in a hill village, or grilled fish in Agios Nikitas.

Afternoon

Boat or beach. A trip out to Meganisi’s caves, or a second west-coast cove.

Golden hour

Kathisma sunset. The west coast faces the sundown — settle in with a drink.

Evening

Town & canal. Dinner along Lefkada Town’s waterfront, then a stroll by the marina.

Local secrets

What the guidebooks miss

You can drive straight onto Lefkada over the bridge — no island ferry to book.
West-coast beaches mean steep steps and winding roads — and real waves; check the wind.
Agios Nikitas is the village to wander; park outside and walk in.
The east coast (Nydri, Mikros Gialos) is calmer — better with young kids and for boat trips.

Lefkada for…

One island, very different trips. Here’s how it shapes up.

Beach hunters

The white-cliff coast

Porto Katsiki and Egremni are among the most spectacular beaches in Greece.

Windsurfers

Vasiliki Bay

Reliable thermal wind and a full surf-town scene make it a European classic.

Families

The gentle east

Sheltered east-coast bays and Nydri boat trips suit younger travellers.

Eat & drink Lefkada

Lefkada has a hearty Ionian table — mountain lentils, cured meats, honey and its own wine.

Eglouvi lentilsFamous lentils grown in the mountain village of Eglouvi.

Lefkada salamiA air-dried, peppered cured sausage, the island’s signature.

SavoroFried fish in a rosemary, vinegar and raisin sauce.

RiganadaRusks with tomato, oregano and oil — simple and good.

LadopitaA traditional sweet oil-and-honey pie.

Local wine & honeyHillside vineyards and thyme honey from the interior.

Where to eat: the waterfront of Lefkada Town, the tavernas of Agios Nikitas for fresh fish, and the mountain villages (Eglouvi, Karya) for the most traditional plates.

What’s on this summer

A reason to come now. Dates shift year to year, so check locally.

August
Lefkada Folklore FestivalAn international gathering of folk music and dance — the island’s big cultural week.
Summer
Speech & Arts FestivalConcerts and performances across the town.
Aug
Eglouvi lentil feastA village celebration of the famous mountain lentils.
Summer
Vasiliki regattasWindsurf and sailing events in the bay.

Where to stay

Town and canal, the prettiest village, the windsurf bay, or a west-coast beach base.

Central · canal

Lefkada Town

The walkable capital by its lagoon and marina — dining and ferries to the islets.

Pretty · beachy

Agios Nikitas

The island’s loveliest village, a lane of tavernas down to the sea.

Active · lively

Nydri & Vasiliki

East-coast Nydri for boat trips and family life; Vasiliki for windsurf.

Beach · scenic

Kathisma & the west

Wake up near the dramatic west-coast sands and sunsets.

Hand-picked places to stay — book direct, no commission:

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A stay in Lefkada Town

By the canal and marina, no commission.

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A village room in Agios Nikitas

Steps from the cove, book direct.

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A windsurf base at Vasiliki

On the bay, boards at the door.

Check availability

What it costs

Lefkada is good value and saves you a ferry; June and September are calmest and cheapest.

Frappé / coffee€3-4.5

Taverna dinner, pp€15-26

Mid-range hotel night€70-150

Hire car, per day€30-50

Windsurf rental / lesson€25-50

Meganisi boat day€20-40

Indicative only — always confirm current rates when you book.

Day trips & what’s nearby

The bridge and the boats put a lot within reach.

By boat

Meganisi

Sea caves and quiet coves on the green islet across the strait.

By boat

Skorpios & the islets

Cruise past the former Onassis island and the scatter of small isles off Nydri.

By car/ferry

Kefalonia & Ithaca

The bigger Ionian neighbours, reachable for a longer day.

A perfect 4 days in Lefkada

Beaches, a village, a windsurf bay and a boat day.

Lefkada Town & Agios Nikitas

Settle in, the canal and marina, then the prettiest village for sunset.

The west-coast beaches

Kathisma, Egremni and Porto Katsiki in one dramatic drive.

Vasiliki & the south

A windsurf session or a calm swim, and Cape Lefkatas.

A boat to Meganisi

Caves, coves and the islets off the east coast.

Good to know

Getting there

Drive across the bridge — no ferry. Nearest airport is Aktion/Preveza (PVK), about 20 minutes away.

Getting around

A car is essential for the west-coast beaches and the villages; the island is compact but hilly.

How long to stay

4–5 nights for the beaches, a village, the windsurf bay and a boat day.

West-coast caution

Steep steps, winding roads and real waves — go early, check the wind, mind the kids.

East for calm

Nydri and the east bays are sheltered — better for young families and boat trips.

Bring water shoes

Many west-coast beaches are pebbly and the sea deepens fast.

Summer packing

Reef-safe sunscreen & a hatWater shoes for pebbly beachesA light layer for the windGood sandals for steep beach stepsPlenty of waterSwimwear you can live in

Do I need a ferry to reach Lefkada?+

No — it’s joined to the mainland by a bridge, so you drive straight on. The nearest airport is Preveza/Aktion.

Which is the best beach?+

Porto Katsiki and Egremni are the famous white-cliff stunners; Kathisma is the easiest and best for sunset.

Is it good for windsurfing?+

Vasiliki Bay is one of the best wind spots in Europe, with schools for all levels.

Lefkada in pictures

A taste of the island — swap these for your own photography on the live site.

Photography for illustration — swap in your own shots on the live site.

📍 Interactive map of Lefkada — the west beaches, Vasiliki & Meganisi

Destinations / Attica / Athens

Athens

Where it all began — 2,500 years of history under a fast, funny, delicious modern city, with the Acropolis above and the islands a short boat ride away.

Best for Culture · City breaks · Gateway

Best time Year-round · best Apr–June, Sept–Oct

Region Attica

Right now in Athens · June

Long warm evenings, rooftop dinners under a floodlit Acropolis.

Sea Riviera ~23°C Days hot & sunny Crowds busy at the sights Tip Acropolis at opening or late

Why Athens

Athens is two cities at once: the ancient one — the Acropolis and Parthenon crowning the skyline, the Agora where democracy was argued into being, the temples and theatres scattered through the centre — and a fast, creative modern capital of street art, rooftop bars and some of the best, cheapest eating in Europe.

Most travellers pass through on the way to the islands, but Athens rewards a proper stay: world-class museums, the village-like lanes of Plaka and Anafiotika beneath the rock, the buzz of Psyrri and Koukaki, and a whole coastline — the Athens Riviera — running south to the marble temple at Cape Sounion. It is also the great launchpad: the port of Piraeus sends ferries to almost every island.

Best for

Culture loversCity breakersFood & nightlifeFirst-timersGateway stopoversHistory buffs

Whether it’s a focused city break or two days before the ferry, Athens packs ancient wonders, great food and a coastline into one easy city.

When to go

April–June: warm, clear and in bloom — the best time. July–August: hot — do the sights early and head to the Riviera to cool off. September–October: warm, golden and calmer. Mild, atmospheric and uncrowded in winter, with the sights to yourself.

Top experiences

The Acropolis & Parthenon

The sacred rock and its temples — go at opening or late afternoon to dodge heat and crowds.

The Acropolis Museum

A stunning modern museum with the Parthenon sculptures displayed in full daylight.

Ancient Agora & Plaka

The marketplace of classical Athens, then the village lanes of Plaka and tiny Anafiotika.

National Archaeological Museum

One of the world’s great collections — Mycenaean gold, Cycladic figurines, bronzes.

Sunset on a hill

Lycabettus or Filopappou for the city, the rock and the sea all turning gold.

Cape Sounion

The marble Temple of Poseidon on a headland south of the city — a classic sunset trip.

Beaches worth the trip

Astir & VouliagmeniThe Athens Riviera’s smartest beaches, a half-hour south of the centre.
Lake VouliagmeniA warm spring-fed lake ringed by cliffs — swimming year-round.
Glyfada & VoulaOrganised town beaches with bars, easy by tram from the centre.
Cape Sounion covesQuiet swimming below the temple headland.
NoteAthens is a city, not an island — but the Riviera gives it a real summer coastline.
Island day-swimFor true island beaches, hop a fast boat to Aegina or Hydra.

A day in a Athens summer

Athens runs late and eats well — pace the sights around the heat.

Early

Beat the rock. The Acropolis at opening, before the heat and the tour groups.

Late morning

Museum cool. The Acropolis Museum or the National Archaeological, out of the sun.

Midday

Souvlaki & shade. A quick, brilliant gyros, then the lanes of Plaka and Monastiraki.

Afternoon

Sea or street. The tram to the Riviera for a swim, or the street art of Psyrri.

Golden hour

A hill or a cape. Filopappou over the city, or drive to Cape Sounion for the temple sunset.

Evening

Rooftops & meze. Dinner with an Acropolis view, then the bars of Koukaki or Psyrri.

Local secrets

What the guidebooks miss

Book the Acropolis online and go at opening or late afternoon — midday is brutal in summer.
The combined ticket covers the Agora, Roman Forum and more across several days — good value.
Koukaki and Pangrati are where Athenians eat — better and cheaper than the tourist tavernas.
The metro links the airport and Piraeus — no taxi needed for the ferry.

Athens for…

One island, very different trips. Here’s how it shapes up.

First-timers

The greatest hits

Acropolis, museum, Plaka and a rooftop dinner — the perfect 48 hours.

Food & nightlife

A serious eating city

Markets, mezedopoleia, modern bistros and rooftop bars — Athens delivers.

Gateway

Before the islands

Two days of culture, then the fast boat from Piraeus to the Cyclades.

Eat & drink Athens

Athens is one of Europe’s great, underrated food cities — from street souvlaki to inventive modern Greek.

Souvlaki & gyrosThe city’s legendary cheap eat — char-grilled meat in pita with everything.

MezedesSmall plates to share with ouzo or tsipouro in a mezedopoleio.

Varvakios marketThe roaring central meat-and-fish market, with hole-in-the-wall eateries around it.

Modern GreekA new wave of bistros reinventing classics in Koukaki and Pangrati.

Bougatsa & loukoumadesSweet custard pastry and honey-soaked doughnuts for breakfast or late night.

Freddo espressoThe iced coffee that fuels the whole city.

Where to eat: Plaka and Monastiraki for atmosphere, Psyrri for buzz and meze, and Koukaki and Pangrati for where Athenians actually go.

What’s on this summer

A reason to come now. Dates shift year to year, so check locally.

May–Oct
Athens Epidaurus FestivalTheatre, music and dance, including nights at the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus under the Acropolis.
Summer
Rooftop cinemaOpen-air screenings across the city — a beloved Athenian summer ritual.
Summer
Riviera nightlifeBeach bars and clubs run down the southern coast.
Year-round
Museum lates & gigsConcerts, exhibitions and gallery nights across the centre.

Where to stay

Stay in the historic heart for walkability, or near the Acropolis Museum for the buzz.

Heart · walkable

Plaka & Monastiraki

Beneath the Acropolis, in the village-like old lanes — most sights on foot.

Trendy · central

Koukaki

Cool, leafy and packed with cafés, steps from the Acropolis Museum.

Central · lively

Syntagma & Psyrri

Transport hub and nightlife — convenient and buzzy.

Beach · breezy

Athens Riviera

Glyfada and Vouliagmeni for a sea-and-city stay south of the centre.

Hand-picked places to stay — book direct, no commission:

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A rooftop hotel in Plaka

Acropolis views, walk everywhere, no commission.

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A boutique stay in Koukaki

By the museum and the best cafés.

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A Riviera hotel in Glyfada

Beach by day, city by tram.

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What it costs

Athens is excellent value for a European capital — world-class culture and cheap, brilliant food.

Freddo espresso€3-4

Souvlaki / gyros€3.5-5

Dinner out, pp€15-30

City hotel night€80-180

Acropolis ticket€20 (combined ~€30)

Metro ride€1.20

Indicative only — always confirm current rates when you book.

Day trips & what’s nearby

One of the best-connected bases in Greece — sea, sites and islands all close.

By car/bus

Cape Sounion

The Temple of Poseidon on the sea for a famous sunset, ~1.5h south.

By car/tour

Delphi

The mountain sanctuary and oracle, a stunning day trip into central Greece.

By boat

Hydra & Aegina

Saronic islands a fast boat from Piraeus — car-free Hydra is a gem.

A perfect 3 days in Athens

The ancient heart, the museums and a taste of the coast — before the ferry.

The Acropolis & Plaka

The rock at opening, the Acropolis Museum, then the old-town lanes and a rooftop dinner.

Agora, museums & nightlife

The Ancient Agora, the National Archaeological Museum, meze and bars in Psyrri.

Coast & sunset

The Riviera for a swim, then Cape Sounion for the temple at sundown.

Onward

A day trip to Delphi or Hydra — or the fast boat from Piraeus to the islands.

Good to know

Getting there

Fly into Athens (ATH); the metro and a rail link connect the airport to the centre and to Piraeus.

Getting around

Walk the historic centre; the metro and tram are cheap and easy for the museums, Piraeus and the coast.

How long to stay

2–3 days for the sights and the food, more if you add day trips or the coast.

Beat the heat

In summer do the Acropolis early or late and retreat to museums or the sea at midday.

Tickets

Book the Acropolis online; the multi-site combined ticket saves money over several days.

Gateway

Piraeus is your island launchpad — the metro runs right to the ferry port.

Summer packing

Comfortable walking shoes for marble & cobblesReef-safe sunscreen & a hatA light layer for eveningsSwimwear for the RivieraA refillable water bottleSmart-casual for rooftop dinners

How many days in Athens?+

2–3 days covers the Acropolis, the great museums and the food; add a day for the coast or a trip to Delphi or Hydra.

Is Athens worth it, or just a stopover?+

Well worth a proper stay — the ancient sites, museums, food and the Riviera reward more than a quick night before the ferry.

How do I get to the islands?+

From the port of Piraeus, reachable directly by metro from the centre and the airport.

Athens in pictures

A taste of the island — swap these for your own photography on the live site.

Photography for illustration — swap in your own shots on the live site.

📍 Interactive map of Athens — the Acropolis, Plaka, the museums & the Riviera

Destinations / Cyclades / Milos

Milos

A volcanic wonderland of 70-odd beaches — from the lunar white rock of Sarakiniko to the sea-cave amphitheatre of Kleftiko — ringed by colourful fishing villages.

Best for Beaches · Landscapes · Couples & explorers

Best time May–June · September

Region Cyclades

Right now in Milos · June

Warm water in the sheltered south, and Sarakiniko glowing at golden hour.

Sea ~22°C, warming Days bright & breezy Crowds gentle, building Tip Sarakiniko early or late

Why Milos

Milos is the geological showpiece of the Cyclades — a horseshoe-shaped volcanic island whose eruptions and minerals have left it with some of the most extraordinary coastline in Greece. There are said to be more than seventy beaches, no two alike: blinding-white Sarakiniko like a moonscape, the towering sea-caves of Kleftiko, rust-and-ochre cliffs, and tiny coves cut into the rock.

It is also wonderfully authentic. Fishing villages like Klima and Mandrakia line the water with syrmata — garage-like boat houses with brightly painted doors — while the hilltop capital of Plaka offers one of the best sunsets in the islands. (The Venus de Milo was unearthed here.) Mining still shapes the landscape, and a boat trip around the coast remains the single best thing you can do.

Best for

Beach huntersLandscape loversCouplesBoat-day fansPhotographersSlow explorers

If you want astonishing, ever-changing beaches and otherworldly scenery — with real fishing-village charm — Milos is unlike anywhere else in Greece.

When to go

May–June: warm, calm and uncrowded — ideal. July–August: hot and busy, with the meltemi stirring the exposed north. September: warm sea, soft light, thinning crowds. Many beaches need calm seas, so the wind shapes each day.

Top experiences

Sarakiniko

Walk the wind-smoothed white volcanic moonscape — go early or at sunset, there’s no shade.

Kleftiko by boat

A sea-cave amphitheatre of white rock and turquoise water on the southwest tip — reachable only by boat.

Plaka sunset

The hilltop capital, the castle (Kastro) and the Panagia Korfiatissa church for the island’s best sundown.

Klima & Mandrakia

Fishing hamlets where the syrmata boat-houses meet the sea in a riot of colour.

Trypiti

The early-Christian catacombs and a Roman theatre above the spot where the Venus de Milo was found.

A boat day

Circle the island past Kleftiko to the blue lagoon of neighbouring Polyaigos.

Beaches worth the trip

SarakinikoLunar white rock and a small cove — the island’s signature, more landscape than beach.
Firiplaka & TsigradoDramatic south-coast sands under coloured cliffs (Tsigrado reached by a rope-and-ladder scramble).
KleftikoBoat-only sea caves and stacks — the best swim on Milos.
PapafragasA tiny turquoise inlet slotted between rock walls.
FiropotamosA sheltered, pretty cove with a little chapel and syrmata.
PaliochoriWarm, volcanically-heated sand with beach tavernas on the south coast.

A day in a Milos summer

On Milos the wind picks your beach and a boat unlocks the best of the coast.

Early

Moonscape light. Sarakiniko before the heat and the crowds, while the white rock is soft and golden.

Late morning

Out to sea. A boat tour toward Kleftiko — sea caves, swimming stops and rock stacks.

Midday

Village shade. Lunch by the water at Mandrakia or Klima among the painted boat-houses.

Afternoon

South-coast sand. Paliochori or Firiplaka, sheltered when the north wind blows.

Golden hour

Plaka. Up to the capital and the castle for the island’s finest sunset.

Evening

Adamas tables. Dinner along the port, with fresh fish and a glass of Cycladic white.

Local secrets

What the guidebooks miss

A full-day boat tour is the single best thing on Milos — it’s the only way to reach Kleftiko.
Sarakiniko has no shade and gets busy — go at sunrise or for sunset.
Match your beach to the wind: south coast when the meltemi blows from the north.
Some beaches (like Tsigrado) need a rope-and-ladder scramble — check before you go.

Milos for…

One island, very different trips. Here’s how it shapes up.

Couples

Scenery for two

Sunset at Plaka, a private cove and a boat day make Milos quietly romantic.

Explorers

A beach a day

Seventy-plus beaches mean you could stay a fortnight and never repeat one.

Photographers

Otherworldly light

Sarakiniko, the syrmata villages and Kleftiko are a camera’s dream.

Eat & drink Milos

Milos has its own Cycladic table — cheese pies, sweet-savoury bakes and the day’s catch.

PitarakiaLittle fried cheese pies, the Milos meze.

LadeniaThe island’s flatbread of tomato, onion and oil — a Cycladic ‘pizza’.

KarpouzopitaA sweet watermelon-and-flour pie of the high summer.

KoufetoA wedding sweet of pumpkin preserved in honey and almonds.

Fresh seafoodGrilled fish and octopus at the harbours of Mandrakia, Klima and Pollonia.

Local cheeseSoft white cheeses from the island’s farms.

Where to eat: the fishing village of Mandrakia for seafood by the water, chic Pollonia for dinner, and the tavernas of Adamas and Plaka for the view.

What’s on this summer

A reason to come now. Dates shift year to year, so check locally.

Summer
Klima & village feastsSaint’s-day panigiria with food and music across the villages.
15 August
DekapentavgoustosThe big summer feast, celebrated island-wide.
Summer
Milos Festival nightsConcerts and cultural events around Adamas and Plaka.
Autumn
Harvest & fishingQuiet, golden, and the seafood at its best.

Where to stay

Central by the port, hilltop and authentic, or chic by a fishing harbour.

Central · lively

Adamas (Adamantas)

The main port — most restaurants, boats and car hire, well placed for the beaches.

Hilltop · authentic

Plaka & Trypiti

The capital’s whitewashed lanes, castle and sunsets — quieter and atmospheric.

Chic · calm

Pollonia

A pretty fishing village on the northeast tip — stylish dining, calm water.

Scenic · tiny

Firopotamos & Klima

Postcard syrmata hamlets for a romantic, get-away-from-it-all base.

Hand-picked places to stay — book direct, no commission:

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A sea-view stay in Pollonia

Calm fishing-village chic, no commission.

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A hilltop room in Plaka

Castle, sunsets and lanes at the door.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A boutique base in Adamas

Central for boats and beaches, book direct.

Check availability

What it costs

Milos is mid-range and rising in popularity, but still gentler than the famous Cyclades; June and September are best value.

Frappé / coffee€3.5-5

Taverna dinner, pp€18-30

Mid-range hotel night€90-180

Hire car / ATV, per day€35-55

Full-day boat tour€80-130

Milos / Kleftiko cruise€90-150

Indicative only — always confirm current rates when you book.

Day trips & what’s nearby

The volcanic coast and quiet neighbours are the draw.

By boat

Kleftiko & the coast

The classic island circuit to the sea-cave amphitheatre.

By boat

Polyaigos

An uninhabited islet with a Caribbean-blue lagoon.

Ferry

Kimolos

Tiny, sleepy and lovely — the neighbour just across the strait.

A perfect 4 days in Milos

Moonscapes, a boat day, the capital and the south coast.

Adamas & Sarakiniko

Settle in, then the lunar rock at golden hour and dinner at the port.

The big boat day

A full circuit to Kleftiko — sea caves, stacks and swimming stops.

Plaka & the villages

The capital, the castle sunset, and the syrmata of Klima and Mandrakia.

South-coast beaches

Firiplaka, Tsigrado and warm-sand Paliochori.

Good to know

Getting there

Fly to Milos (MLO) from Athens, or ferry from Piraeus (3–7h depending on the boat).

Getting around

A car or ATV is essential — the beaches are spread out and some roads are rough.

How long to stay

4–5 nights for the boat day, the moonscapes and a clutch of beaches.

Mind the wind

Many beaches need calm seas; switch to the sheltered south when the meltemi blows.

Do the boat tour

Kleftiko is boat-only and the highlight — book a full-day trip.

Tricky access

A few beaches (Tsigrado, Papafragas) need a scramble — wear proper shoes.

Summer packing

Reef-safe sunscreen & a hatWater shoes for rocky covesA sun shelter for shadeless SarakinikoA light layer for boat daysPlenty of waterSwimwear you can live in

Is Milos better than Santorini?+

Different — Milos wins on beaches and raw landscapes and feels more authentic; Santorini wins on the caldera and design hotels. Many pair them.

Do I need a car?+

Yes — the beaches are scattered and a car or ATV makes the island. A boat tour covers the rest.

Which beach is the famous one?+

Sarakiniko, the white lunar rock — though Kleftiko, reached by boat, is the most spectacular swim.

Milos in pictures

A taste of the island — swap these for your own photography on the live site.

Photography for illustration — swap in your own shots on the live site.

📍 Interactive map of Milos — Sarakiniko, Kleftiko, Plaka & the beaches

Destinations / Cyclades / Sifnos

Sifnos

The gastronomic heart of the Cyclades — clay-pot cooking, a clifftop medieval village, hundreds of churches and the best walking trails in the islands.

Best for Food lovers · Hikers · Couples

Best time May–June · September

Region Cyclades

Right now in Sifnos · June

Warm light, blooming hills, and the wood-fired ovens working again.

Sea ~21-22°C, warming Days bright & clear Crowds gentle, building Tip book Kastro dinners ahead

Why Sifnos

Sifnos is where Greeks come to eat. The island gave the country its great early cookbook writer, Nikolaos Tselementes, and a tradition of slow, clay-pot cooking — revithada chickpeas baked overnight, mastelo lamb cooked in wine and dill — that still defines its tavernas. It wears its food culture as proudly as its 200-plus churches.

It is also one of the prettiest and most walkable of the Cyclades: the medieval village of Kastro clings to the east coast above the sea, the little Seven Martyrs chapel sits on a rock below it, and the whitewashed monastery of Chrysopigi guards a sea promontory. A network of waymarked stone paths links elegant Artemonas, lively Apollonia and the hilltop chapels — making Sifnos a quiet, soulful, delicious island.

Best for

Food loversHikersCouplesAuthentic CycladesPotters & craftsSlow travel

If you want to eat brilliantly, walk old stone paths between white villages and skip the big resorts — Sifnos is the one.

When to go

May–June: green, warm and quiet, hills in bloom — perfect for walking. July–August: warm and lively, busiest in Apollonia. September: warm sea, soft light, fewer people. Winters are sleepy but the food endures.

Top experiences

Kastro

The medieval clifftop capital-of-old, with Roman sarcophagi in its lanes and the Seven Martyrs chapel on a rock below.

Chrysopigi monastery

The island’s patron, a whitewashed monastery on a sea-girt promontory by Apokofto beach.

Apollonia & Artemonas

The lively modern capital and its elegant neighbour — lanes, bakeries and the island’s nightlife.

Walk the old paths

A waymarked network of stone trails links the villages, chapels and coves — the best hiking in the Cyclades.

Pottery

Sifnos’s centuries-old ceramic tradition, still alive in seaside workshops.

Eat the island

Revithada, mastelo and chickpea croquettes in a Kastro or Artemonas taverna.

Beaches worth the trip

Platis GialosA long organised south-coast sand beach lined with tavernas — the liveliest.
VathiA sheltered, shallow sandy bay around a monastery — calm and family-friendly.
Chrysopigi / ApokoftoSwimming beneath the famous monastery, with a beloved beach taverna.
KamaresThe port beach — sandy, easy and good for families.
FarosA trio of small, charming coves near the old lighthouse hamlet.
HerronissosA remote fishing harbour at the northern tip, for the day’s catch.

A day in a Sifnos summer

A Sifnos day is a gentle loop of villages, a swim and a very good dinner.

Morning

Old stone paths. A waymarked walk between the hill villages and a clifftop chapel before the heat.

Late morning

Down to the sea. A swim at Platis Gialos or under the monastery at Chrysopigi.

Midday

Long lunch. Clay-pot revithada or mastelo at a village taverna — the whole point of Sifnos.

Afternoon

Kastro. Wander the medieval lanes and out to the Seven Martyrs chapel on its rock.

Golden hour

Artemonas. The most elegant village glows; bakeries and bougainvillea.

Evening

Apollonia. Dinner and a drink along the lively central lane.

Local secrets

What the guidebooks miss

Sifnos is the islands’ food capital — come hungry and book the best tables ahead.
The waymarked trail network is superb; the Kastro–Chrysopigi path is a classic.
Kastro at sunrise or after the day-trippers leave is pure magic.
Buy a piece of Sifniot pottery straight from a seaside workshop.

Sifnos for…

One island, very different trips. Here’s how it shapes up.

Food lovers

Greece’s tastiest island

Slow clay-pot cooking and a serious taverna scene make Sifnos a pilgrimage for eaters.

Hikers

Stone-path country

A genuine waymarked trail network links villages, chapels and coves.

Couples

Quiet & soulful

White villages, a clifftop chapel and long dinners — romance without the crowds.

Eat & drink Sifnos

This is the reason many come — slow, clay-pot island cooking with centuries of pedigree.

RevithadaChickpeas baked overnight in a clay pot — the Sunday classic.

MasteloLamb or goat baked with red wine and dill, traditionally at Easter.

RevithokeftedesChickpea croquettes, the perfect meze.

Local cheesesManoura and xinomyzithra from the island’s farms.

MelopitaA honey-and-cheese pie to finish.

Capers & herbsWild capers and herbs that flavour the island’s cooking.

Where to eat: the tavernas of Kastro and Artemonas for the clay-pot classics, Apollonia for variety and buzz, and Chrysopigi’s beach taverna for fish with a monastery view.

What’s on this summer

A reason to come now. Dates shift year to year, so check locally.

Summer
Cycladic Gastronomy FestivalNikolaos Tselementes festival celebrating the island’s cooking (when held).
Summer
Saint’s-day panigiriaWood-fired feasts with food, wine and lyra across the villages.
Easter
Mastelo & traditionsThe island’s great food-and-faith celebration.
Summer
Pottery & craft fairsWorkshops and markets showing the ceramic tradition.

Where to stay

Central and lively, elegant and quiet, medieval and atmospheric, or down by a beach.

Central · lively

Apollonia

The modern capital — dining, nightlife and bus connections, walkable to Artemonas.

Elegant · quiet

Artemonas

The handsome neighbour — mansions, bakeries and calm.

Medieval · atmospheric

Kastro

The clifftop old capital — tiny, magical, with sea-view tavernas.

Beach · family

Kamares & Platis Gialos

Sandy bases by the port or the long south-coast beach.

Hand-picked places to stay — book direct, no commission:

Featured · Direct booking

A village stay in Apollonia

Central for dining and walks, no commission.

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A medieval room in Kastro

Sea-view lanes and history, book direct.

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Featured · Direct booking

A beach hotel at Platis Gialos

Sand and tavernas on the south coast.

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What it costs

Sifnos is good value for its quality — authentic, not flashy, with June and September best.

Frappé / coffee€3-4.5

Taverna dinner, pp€16-28

Mid-range hotel night€80-160

Hire car / ATV, per day€30-50

Pottery piece€10-40

Guided hike€20-40

Indicative only — always confirm current rates when you book.

Day trips & what’s nearby

Well connected across the western Cyclades.

On foot

The trail network

Half- and full-day waymarked walks are the island’s best ‘excursion’.

Ferry

Milos & Kimolos

The volcanic neighbours, a short hop south.

Ferry

Paros & Serifos

Easy connections for a wider Cyclades hop.

A perfect 4 days in Sifnos

Villages, a clifftop chapel, a hike and a great deal of good food.

Apollonia & Artemonas

Settle in, wander the two central villages and a first clay-pot dinner.

Kastro & Chrysopigi

The medieval village and the Seven Martyrs chapel, then a swim under the monastery.

A coastal hike & beach

Walk an old stone path to a cove, then Platis Gialos or Vathi.

Faros & the north

The lighthouse coves, Herronissos for fish, a last village evening.

Good to know

Getting there

Ferry from Piraeus (2.5–5h); no airport. Well linked to Milos, Paros and Serifos.

Getting around

A bus network covers the main villages and beaches; a car or ATV adds freedom.

How long to stay

4–5 nights to walk, swim, see the villages and eat your way around.

Come hungry

The food is the headline — reserve the best Kastro and Artemonas tables ahead.

Walk the paths

Bring proper shoes; the waymarked trails are the island’s hidden joy.

Quiet by design

Few big resorts — this is authentic, low-key Cyclades.

Summer packing

Comfortable shoes for the stone pathsReef-safe sunscreen & a hatA light layer for breezy eveningsSwimwear you can live inA refillable water bottleAn appetite

Why is Sifnos famous?+

For its food — slow clay-pot cooking and a serious taverna culture — plus its hiking trails, hundreds of churches and the medieval village of Kastro.

Is it good for hiking?+

Yes — it has the best waymarked trail network in the Cyclades, linking villages, chapels and coves.

Is Sifnos lively or quiet?+

Both: Apollonia has the buzz and bars, while Kastro, Artemonas and the beaches stay calm.

Sifnos in pictures

A taste of the island — swap these for your own photography on the live site.

Photography for illustration — swap in your own shots on the live site.

📍 Interactive map of Sifnos — Apollonia, Kastro, Chrysopigi & the trails

Destinations / Cyclades / Folegandros

Folegandros

A tiny, cliff-edge island for romantics and slow travellers — one of the most beautiful Choras in Greece, perched 200 metres above the Aegean.

Best for Couples · Slow travel · Hikers

Best time June · September

Region Cyclades

Right now in Folegandros · June

Warm, calm and uncrowded — the island at its gentle best.

Sea ~21-22°C, warming Days warm & clear Crowds quiet, building Tip walk up to Panagia at sunset

Why Folegandros

Folegandros is small, remote and quietly spectacular. Its Chora is widely held to be one of the loveliest in Greece: a cluster of car-free squares strung along the edge of a 200-metre cliff, with the medieval Kastro quarter (built by the Venetians in the 1210s) at its oldest heart and bougainvillea spilling over whitewashed walls.

Above the town, a winding path climbs to the whitewashed Panagia church for a sunset over the sea that rivals Santorini — with a fraction of the people. The beaches (Katergo, Agali, Ambeli) are wild and secluded, reached on foot or by boat, and the pace is deliberately slow. With just a few hundred residents and no airport, it rewards travellers who want the real, unhurried Cyclades.

Best for

CouplesSlow travellersRomanticsHikersQuiet seekersSecond-island trips

If you want a dramatic, authentic, blissfully quiet island — and you’re happy to slow right down — Folegandros is a gem. (Best paired with a bigger island nearby.)

When to go

June: long days, warm calm sea, gentle crowds — the sweet spot. July–August: busier (especially in Chora at night) but never overwhelming. September: warm and serene. Out of season it goes very quiet, with few places open.

Top experiences

Chora at dusk

Wander the car-free squares as the village wakes from its afternoon nap — one of Greece’s prettiest.

Panagia church sunset

The winding climb to the hilltop church for a sea-sunset to rival Santorini’s.

Kastro

The medieval Venetian quarter of Chora, its tall houses forming the old defensive walls.

Katergo beach

A dramatic pebble cove reached by boat or a coastal walk from Karavostasis.

Ano Meria

The rural village strung along the island’s spine, with a little folklore museum and old farmsteads.

Boat to the coves

Hop the secluded beaches — Agali, Agios Nikolaos, Livadaki — by caique.

Beaches worth the trip

KatergoA striking pebble beach below cliffs — reached by boat or on foot, no facilities.
Agali (Agkali)The main beach — a sandy-ish cove with a couple of tavernas, by road or boat.
Agios NikolaosAcross the bay from Agali, a quieter beach with a taverna — walk or water-taxi.
AmbeliA tiny, remote cove for those who want to be alone.
LivadakiA secluded beach reached by a walk or a boat trip.
ChochlidiaA small pebbled cove near the port at Karavostasis.

A day in a Folegandros summer

Folegandros runs slow — a beach, a walk, and a long golden evening in Chora.

Morning

A quiet cove. An early boat or walk to Katergo or Agali before the day warms up.

Late morning

Swim & laze. Clear water and almost no one — the island’s beaches are wild and calm.

Midday

Shade in Chora. A long lunch in a car-free square under the plane trees.

Afternoon

Ano Meria. Out to the rural village and the old farmsteads, or a coastal hike.

Golden hour

Up to Panagia. The winding climb to the hilltop church for the sunset everyone remembers.

Evening

Chora squares. Dinner and a drink as the village comes alive after dark.

Local secrets

What the guidebooks miss

The sunset walk to Panagia is the island’s ritual — allow time for the climb.
Chora is car-free — park outside and wander in on foot.
Many beaches need effort (a boat or a hike) — that’s exactly why they stay quiet.
Pair it with Santorini or Milos — Folegandros is a second-island kind of place.

Folegandros for…

One island, very different trips. Here’s how it shapes up.

Couples

Romance, unspoilt

A clifftop Chora, a sunset church and quiet coves — Santorini’s magic without the crowds.

Slow travellers

The real Cyclades

Few residents, no airport, deliberate calm — an antidote to the busy islands.

Hikers

Old island trails

Coastal paths to remote beaches and across to Ano Meria reward walkers.

Eat & drink Folegandros

Small-island cooking done well — handmade pasta, cured pork and honeyed sweets.

MatsataHandmade pasta with rooster or rabbit — the island’s signature dish.

Souvlaki of ChoraThe famous grills of the village squares, a local institution.

Local cheesesSoft fresh cheeses from the island’s farms.

RevaniA semolina cake soaked in syrup, the classic sweet.

Fresh fishThe day’s catch at Karavostasis and the beach tavernas.

Thyme honeyFrom the island’s hives, drizzled over yoghurt or cheese.

Where to eat: the squares of Chora for atmosphere and the famous grills, the beach tavernas at Agali for fish, and Ano Meria for the most traditional, home-style cooking.

What’s on this summer

A reason to come now. Dates shift year to year, so check locally.

Easter
Folegandros EasterAn intimate, deeply traditional island celebration.
Summer
Saint’s-day feastsVillage panigiria with food, wine and music.
Summer
Chora nightsThe squares fill with diners, bars and the occasional DJ.
July
Cultural eveningsSmall concerts and events around the villages.

Where to stay

The cliff-edge Chora for romance, the port for convenience, or a rural retreat.

Cliff-edge · romantic

Chora

Car-free squares on the cliff — the heart of the island, best for atmosphere and dining.

Convenient · beachy

Karavostasis

The little port, with beaches nearby — handy for ferries.

Rural · remote

Ano Meria

Strung along the spine of the island — quiet, traditional, big skies.

Beach · quiet

Agali

A cove base for those who want sand and calm.

Hand-picked places to stay — book direct, no commission:

Featured · Direct booking

A cliff-edge suite in Chora

Sunset views, car-free calm, no commission.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A port stay in Karavostasis

Beaches and ferries at hand, book direct.

Check availability

Featured · Direct booking

A rural retreat in Ano Meria

Big-sky quiet on the island’s spine.

Check availability

What it costs

Folegandros is mid-range and rising with new boutique hotels, but still more affordable and authentic than Santorini; June and September are best.

Frappé / coffee€3.5-5

Taverna dinner, pp€18-30

Mid-range hotel night€90-180

ATV / scooter, per day€25-40

Boat to Katergo€8-15

Boat beach tour€20-40

Indicative only — always confirm current rates when you book.

Day trips & what’s nearby

Small, but with quiet coves and easy island links.

By boat

Katergo & the coves

A caique trip to the island’s wild, boat-only beaches.

Ferry

Santorini

The big neighbour ~45 minutes away — the easiest way in and out.

Ferry

Sikinos & Milos

Quiet Sikinos next door, or volcanic Milos for a contrast.

A perfect 3–4 days in Folegandros

Chora, the sunset church, the wild beaches and the slow island pace.

Chora & Panagia

Settle in, wander the squares, and climb to the church for sunset.

Katergo & the south

A boat or walk to the dramatic pebble cove, a long lazy swim.

Ano Meria & a hike

The rural village and a coastal trail to a quiet beach.

Agali & the coves

A boat day around the secluded west-coast beaches.

Good to know

Getting there

Ferry only — an overnight from Piraeus, or about 45 minutes from Santorini. No airport.

Getting around

An ATV or scooter is best for the hilly island; Chora itself is car-free.

How long to stay

3–4 nights — ideally paired with a bigger island like Santorini or Milos.

Beaches take effort

Many are reached by boat or on foot — that’s the price of their quiet.

Not a first island

Stunning, but best as a second stop rather than your only Greek island.

Embrace the pace

Few cars, few crowds, early closing — slow right down and enjoy it.

Summer packing

Comfortable shoes for the Chora climb & trailsReef-safe sunscreen & a hatWater shoes for pebble covesA light layer for the eveningsPlenty of waterSwimwear you can live in

Is Folegandros worth visiting?+

Very — for its cliff-edge Chora, sunset church and quiet beaches. Best paired with a bigger island, not as a first or only stop.

How do I get there?+

Ferry only: overnight from Piraeus, or about 45 minutes from Santorini. There is no airport.

Is it like Santorini?+

Similar drama and sunsets, far fewer people — but smaller, quieter and with harder-to-reach beaches.

Folegandros in pictures

A taste of the island — swap these for your own photography on the live site.

Photography for illustration — swap in your own shots on the live site.

📍 Interactive map of Folegandros — Chora, Panagia, Katergo & Ano Meria

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Naxos

Guides / Cyclades / 5 Days in the Cyclades

5 Days in the Cyclades

Naxos, Paros and one quiet island most people miss — a relaxed island-hop you can actually do in a long weekend.

🗓 5 days🌊 Best: May–October⛴ 2 ferriesBy Destinova Greece

Free to read, in full, right here. No wall, no catch — because the best way to earn your trust is to be useful first.

Three islands, two short ferries, one unhurried rhythm. You start on big, green Naxos — the Cyclades’ quiet all-rounder — cross to chic little Paros, then slip over to sleepy Antiparos for a day most visitors never reach. It packs the full Cycladic mix — whitewashed Choras, marble villages, sand-bottomed bays and proper island cooking — into a long weekend that never feels rushed.

Bonus map

Unlock the hidden-beaches map

The 7 coves locals actually swim at, pinned on a map — free with your email.

✓ Unlocked below — enjoy!

Hidden coves: Plaka secret end · Kolymbithres back bay · Mikri Vigla south · Alyko cedar beach · Pyrgaki dunes · Faragas point · Agios Prokopios far rocks.

The route, day by day

Arrive in Naxos

Drop your bags in the old Chora and walk the causeway out to the Portara — the giant marble doorway of an unfinished temple — for the sunset everyone comes for. Wind back up through the Venetian Kastro for dinner, then a nightcap by the harbour as the ferries come and go.

Naxos beaches & mountain villages

A long, lazy morning on the soft sand of Plaka or Agios Prokopios. After lunch, head inland through the Tragea’s olive groves to marble-built Apeiranthos and green Halki — taste the island’s citron liqueur at the old Vallindras distillery, then buy a wedge of Naxian graviera for the ferry.

Ferry to Paros

A short morning hop across to Paros. Wander Parikia’s marble lanes and the Panagia Ekatontapyliani church, swim at Kolymbithres’ sculpted granite coves, then save golden hour for Naoussa — its little fishing harbour and back-alley bars are the prettiest sundowner on the route.

Antiparos day trip

The five-minute boat from Pounta lands you on the island most people skip. A single whitewashed main street, a dramatic stalactite cave up the hill, and shallow turquoise bays you’ll have nearly to yourself. Lunch at a waterfront taverna, then back to Paros for the evening.

Slow morning & home

No alarms. A long breakfast, one last swim, and a frappé by the water before the high-speed ferry back to Athens or your island-hop onward. You’ll already be planning the next three.

📍 Interactive route map — Naxos → Paros → Antiparos

FerriesAthens (Piraeus/Rafina) to Naxos in 3.5–5.5h; Naxos–Paros ~45min; Paros–Antiparos every 30min. Book summer crossings ahead.

Best monthsMay–June and September: warm sea, gentle crowds, soft light. July–August are hot, lively and busiest.

Getting aroundA hire car or scooter on Naxos opens up the beaches and villages; Paros and Antiparos are easy on foot, buses and boats.

Take it with you

Download the offline PDF

The whole itinerary, map and ferry times in a clean one-pager for your phone — perfect for spots with no signal. Free with your email.

✓ On its way — check your inbox.

Planning to stay on Naxos or Paros? Browse our hand-picked places to stay →

Corfu, where Greece turns green.

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Corfu

Early summer is the island at its most generous.

Why Corfu

Best for

When to go

Top experiences

Corfu Old Town

Paleokastritsa

Achilleion Palace

Mount Pantokrator

Old Perithia

The Corfu Trail

Beaches worth the trip

A day in a Corfu summer

What the guidebooks miss

Corfu for…

A romantic escape

Easy with kids

Beaches & freedom

Eat like a Corfiot

What's on this summer

Where to stay

Corfu Town

NE coast — Kassiopi to Nissaki

Paleokastritsa & the west

The south — Issos & the lagoon

A boutique hotel in the Old Town

A seafront retreat near Kassiopi

A villa above Paleokastritsa

What it costs

Day trips & what's nearby

Paxos & Antipaxos

Parga & Sivota

Saranda & Butrint

5 perfect days in Corfu

Corfu Old Town

Achilleion & the west sunset

Paleokastritsa

The north-east & Pantokrator

South & slow

Good to know

Getting there

Getting around

How long to stay

Swimming season