Feb 20, 202114 min read

18 of the Best Places to Visit in Greece for 2021

Wondering where to go in Greece? It’s a huge task deciding what to choose as the best places to visit in Greece. It could take a lifetime to discover it all, but these places are a good start.

Greece is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world with something to suit everyone’s needs. Beach lovers and foodies, culture seekers, and history buffs will all fall in love with Greece.

Dating back to 2000 BC, Greece is known as the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of western civilization.

Some of the best places to visit in Greece are the Greek Islands but the mainland houses rugged mountains and fascinating historic sites as well. So we are here to help you decide where to visit in Greece on your next holiday.

Best Places to Visit in Greece

From whitewashed villages to its rugged mountains Greece is a land made for the Gods. There are so many beautiful places to visit in Greece that it really is impossible to show them all, but we are going to give it the old college try.

1. Meteora

Beautiful views of the Meteora Monoliths

Meteora is one of the best places to visit in Greece that you’ve probably never heard of. This dreamlike destination is a sea of 9th-century monasteries built atop massive rock monoliths.

The Monasteries sit atop the monoliths of Meteora

Meteora’s landscape alone makes it one of the most beautiful places in Greece. It is dreamy. Massive sandstone monoliths reach 400 meters to the sky. Forming 60 million years ago, the landscape of Meteora is one of the most unique and beautiful we’ve ever seen.

Read all about the Monasteries of Meteora Greece here.

A quiet spot overlooking Meteora

Monks built monasteries at the top of these spires as a hidden retreat where they lived in seclusion and safety scaling the walls with ropes and ladders.

There are 6 monasteries remaining in Meteora, and between the ancient ruins and dreamy fairytale landscape, this is definitely at the top of the best places to go in Greece.

How to Get to Meteora

Meteora can be reached from the city of Athens by Bus, Train and Car. We recommend renting a car as the best way to see Meteora is to drive around to its many lookouts. Going early in the morning before the tour buses is a must.

Where to stay in Meteora – Stay at Divani Meteora Hotel situated in the town of Kalabaka right at the base of the massive Meteora Rocks.
Book this top-rated two day tour that explores Meteora Monasteries and the Delphi Archaeological Site from Athens.

2. Santorini

One of the best places to visit in Greece for a Honeymoon

whitewashed towns of Santorini

No trip to Greece would be complete without a visit to Santorini. Of all the places to visit in Greece, this island is certainly the most famous.

With its whitewashed villages and blue domes sitting high on sea cliffs, Santorini is postcard perfect. The turquoise waters glisten in the caldera below as the sun sets over the Aegean Sea.

Read – The Best Honeymoon Destinations in the World

Steps leading down to our cave hotel – The Andronis

Check out A Photography Guide to Santorini

Beautiful sea cliffs of Imeroviglia

Santorini is an island paradise with awe inspiring views overlooking the caldera. It truly is the most beautiful of the Greek islands and our favorite place to visit.

But make sure to pull yourself away from its infinity pools and stunning views of the caldera to see its beaches and the archeological site of Akrotiri that dates back to the 16th century BC.

Read Sand Beah pathway

With black-sand beaches, red sand beaches and golden sand beaches Santorini has it all. This island is your one shop stop in Greece that offers everything.

The most beautiful beach on the island (in our opinion) is Red Sand Beach where you can hike through high red sea cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea.

How to Get to Santorini from Athens

We flew to Santorini from Athens and there are flights daily, but you can also take the Blue Star ferry from the Piraeus ferry port just outside of Athens. It’s about 20 minutes from the city. Athens-

Where to stay in Santorini – We recommend staying on the west coast of Santorini in the town of Oia or Imerovigli. Two hotels that we recommend are Iconic Santorini in Imerovigli or Adronis Luxury Suites in the town of Oia.

3. Costa Navarino

While the Greek islands are considered one of the best places to visit in Greece for beaches, we feel that Costa Navarino in the Southwest corner of the Peloponnese region rivals the best of them.

Located on the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea in Messinia, this little-known destination is a must see in Greece.

Messinia is a destination unto itself with luxury resorts, olive groves, and picturesque villages making it one of our favourite places to visit in Greece.

How to get to Costa Navarino

Costa Navarino is a 3 hour drive from Athens. We rented a car from Athens and it was a great way to have the freedom to explore its historical sites on our own

4. Voidokilia Beach

Drone shot of Voidokilia Beach

Voidokilia Beach is the most beautiful beach we’ve ever seen. Shaped like the Greek letter Omega, Voidokilia Beach is the place of legends. Homer referenced this beach in the Odyssey and it was believed to be used by King Nestor, the ancient king of Pylos.

5. Zakynthos (Zante)

While each and every Greek Island is beautiful, Zakynthos (also known as Zante in Greek) in particular, has the most stunning scene of white sandy beaches, with chalky white sea cliffs reaching up from the deep azure waters.

Located in the Ionian Sea, Zante is one of the seven Ionian islands. It is known as one of the best places in the Greek Islands for nightlife. But the island has so much to offer with ancient history, some of the country’s best beaches and fantastic traditional Greek food.

Read – Ultimate Greek Food Guide

One of the best things to see on Zante is Navagio Beach – aka shipwreck beach. From the top, you’ll see extraordinary views of the island and the white sandy beach surrounded by cliffs. This beautiful beach really offers one of the best views in all of Greece.

Hike to the lookout for views of this must-see beach in Greece. With Gorgeous sea caves and crystal clear waters, Zante is a popular alternative to the more popular places in Greece like Crete or Santorini.

How to Get to Zakynthos

Ferries run to Zakynthos Island from Peleponese. There are also flights to Zakynthos.

Where to Stay in Zanynthos – On the East Coast of Zakynthos is the town of Zante. It is a good place to stay for nightlife and ease of getting around.

6. Athens

City of Athens at night

Athens is one of the best places to visit in Greece for a blend of history and excitement. The capital of Greece has a blend of ancient ruins fitting in harmony with the everyday lives of the people.

The ancient Acropolis towers over this beautiful city with The Parthenon, built between 447-432 BC standing at its center.

The Acropolis of Athens

There are so many ancient ruins in Athens. Besides the Acropolis, some of the best places to see in Athens are Ancient Agora, the Theatre of Herodes Atticus, and the Temple of Hephaestus.

The National Archaeological Museum is a great stop to learn all about Greek Mythology and history and don’t miss seeing and the Temple of Zeus.

Odeon Templ in Athens

Athens has it all. Food, Culture, history, and a vibrant nightlife. Besides the ancient ruins scattered throughout the city, there are picturesque neighborhoods in Athens including the lovely neoclassical buildings, and balconies overflowing with all kinds of flowers in the Plaka neighborhood.

Where to Stay in Athens

Chances are, no matter where you choose to go in Greece, you will be staying in Athens for at least a night or two. We have a comprehensive guide to Athens to help you decide which neighborhood it eh best for you.

Read: Where To Stay In Athens – A Guide To The Best Neighborhoods

7. Crete

Deb enjoys the beautiful views of Crete

Crete is the largest island of all the Greek Islands and it certainly has the best beaches in Greece. This island has it all with high peaks, deep gorges and pristine sandy beaches, Crete is the perfect destination for your next Greece adventure!

Don’t miss taking a hike through Samaria Gorge. This national park is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. And be sure to see Elafonisi Beach which is often considered the best beach in Greece.

How to Get to Crete

We took a very pleasant ferry ride to Crete from Santorini. There are ferries from Athens to Crete, but it is 7 hours long. I would recommend flying to Crete as there are regular short flights to Heraklion.

8. Knossos

One of the best places to visit on the island of Crete is Knossos. Make sure to get out to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site with your own eyes. This archaeological museum contains the palace of King Minos.

Knossos is a 2000 year old ancient site that dates back to the Minoan civilization. This large bronze age archeological site is one of the best preserved in Greece and is considered one of the best museums in the country.

This private tour is an excellent way to see the best of Knossos and Heraklion City. Take a guided tour of Knossos, see the highlights of the main city of Crete, tour the old Heraklion and try some traditional Greek food.

How to get to Crete from Athens

Crete is a long ferry ride from Athens being 5 hours. But if you break it up while you visit other islands in Greece like we did, taking the ferry is a great way to get around. There are also daily flights from Athens to the island Crete.

9. Pelion

Pelion is a beautiful region of Greece, located on the Pelion Peninsula. It is a five-hour scenic drive north of Athens en route to another major Greek City, Thessaloniki in Northern Greece.

Located between Athens and Thessaloniki Pelion is filled with picturesque villages that you must visit including Tsagarada, Makrinitsa, and Milies.

Also, if you want to visit the locations of the movie Mama Mia, this is the place to be. Much of the movie was filmed in the coastal village of Damouchari.

The coastal city of Volos is the main hub where you’ll be flying into. This beautiful city was home to Jason and the Argonauts if you love ancient Greek mythology, this is a must-stop.

How to Get to Pelion

Pelion is a five-hour drive from Athens taking the Greek National Greek Road of Athina to Thessaloniki. You can take the bus from Athens. There is an airport in Volos.

Where to Stay in Pelion – We stayed at the 12 Months Luxury Resort in Tsagarada. There are local shuttles that take you around Pelion if you don’t have a car and this was a beautiful retreat.

10. Skiathos

Skiathos was a surprising destination that takes you off the beaten path in Greece. With beautiful beaches and a thriving nightlife, Skiathos is popular with local tourists.

Located in the northwest Aegean sea, in the Sporades archipelago, Skiathos feels like what Crete or Santorini would have been 20 years ago.

This island has the same lovely whitewashed houses, sandy beaches, and the same vibe as the more popular Greek islands.

It’s an easy ferry ride from Pelion and driving around the island to find hidden pockets was the most fun we had. With beautiful beaches and hiking trails, there are plenty of things to do.

The best evening we had in Skiathos was spent relaxing in a beachfront tavern sipping sparkling wine while eating traditional Greek food followed by a sunset stroll on the waterfront.

With our car we had a chance to explore all the island and a highlight was visiting the Evangelistria Monastery founded in 1894.

How to Get to Skiathos

Ferries depart daily from Volos and Agios Konstantinos. You can take your car, (like we did) on the ferries and it is a great way to get around the island to explore its hidden beaches and beautiful villages.

Where to Stay in Skiathos – We stayed at La Piscine Art Hotel. It was very central to everything.

11. Skopelos

Another beautiful island in Greece is Skopelos. Located just another hop skip and a jump from Skiathos, Skopelos is another Mama Mia destination.

Skopelos is a gorgeous island with the typical whitewashed houses with blue doors and terracotta roofs, picturesque monasteries clinging to its coast and stunning beaches.

Skopelos wasn’t at the top of our list of places in Greece until we had the chance to visit this gorgeous Greek island.

There are 360 monasteries and churches, blue waters made for diving and snorkeling, and impressive beaches with white limestone cliffs.

How to Get to Skopelos

Ferries depart mainland Greece to Skopelos from Thessaloniki and Volos. There are also several ferries a day leaving from Skiathos. We suggest combining a trip with Skiathos, Pelion and Skopelos.

Where to Stay in Skopelos – The Skopelos Holidays Hotel & Spa was a lovely 5-star hotel in the main town of Skopelos where we enjoyed scenic views of the hills and bay.

12. Thessaloniki

While we are in the area, be sure to keep driving to visit Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki is the capital of Macedonia in Northern Greece. It has a feel of being in Turkey with Turkish Baths and monuments from the Byzantine and Roman eras.

Be sure to walk around the old town to see ancient sites like the Roman Market, Hammams, and the Byzantine Churches. Don’t miss the White Tower that is the symbol of Thessaloniki, the 15th century tower reaches 33 meters into the air.

How to Get to Thessaloniki

The international airport of Macedonia welcomes flights from several countries around the world. Being a major city in Greece, it is easy to get to Thessaloniki by air, train, bus and ferry. It is also a popular cruise destination in Greece.

Where to Stay in Thessaloniki – Electra Palace is a luxury hotel overlooking Aristotelous Square, facing the Thermaikos Gulf. On clear day ou can see Mount Olympus!

13. Mount Olympus National Park

Mount Olympus national park

When we hiked Mount Olympus, I couldn’t believe that we were actually on this mythical mountain. Located in Thessaly, Mount Olympus stands 2,917 m (9,570 ft) high and its natural beauty is not to be missed.

Passing through waterfalls and dense forests, Mount Olympus feels worlds away from civilization.

Even if you only climb a portion of the Mountain of the Gods, do it. A good place to start is at the nearby town of Litochoro. We entered at the Prionia trail head and walked down from there on this lovely day trip in Greece.

If you are a fan of ancient Greek mythology, you must see Mount Olympus with your own eyes.

How to Get to Mount Olympus

As you have probably guessed, we feel that the best way for getting around Greece is by car and highly recommend a car rental. But you can also get ot Mount Olympus by public bus from Thessaloniki and Athens.

14. Messene

One of the Best Places to Visit in Greece Free of Crowds

While everyone knows of the Acropolis, Temple of Apollo, or the Temple of Poseiden, not many have heard of the ancient city of Messene. This well preserved city of the ancient Greeks is a must visit place in Greece.

Filled with centuries of history, it withstood many sieges by both the Macedonians and the Spartans.

It is not nearly as visited as other ancient destinations in Greece but it was definitely one of our favourite. We had the chance to visit Messene free from crowds, walking through Hellenistic agora, theatre, and stadium with nobody else around.

If you visit Costa Navarino, be sure to add the Ancient City of Messene Greek travel list.

How to Get to Messene

You can take a bus from Athens which is approximately 3 1/2 Hours. Buses also run from Kalamata and Costa Navarino organizes day tours to Messene.

Where to stay in Messene – We stayed at the Westin Costa Navarino and took a day trip to Messene, but there are plenty of places to stay nearby. You can browse them all here on TripAdvisor.

15. Mykonos

Mykonos belongs to the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea and has long been one of the most popular places in Greece for twenty-somethings getting away from it all.

It is the second most visited place in Greece right after Santorini and with good reason. Its world famous golden sand beaches falling into crystal clear waters attract people to its shores for beach time and nightlife.

But there is more to the island than partying and nightlife. There are many historic places. Be sure to visit the archaeological site of Delos the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

It is best known for its beautiful windmills lining the shore which have become the symbol of the island. Built by the Venetians in the 16th century, they are incredibly well preserved.

It is fitting that the town of Alefkandra is known as Little Venice. With its charming wooden balconies hanging over the sea, it was once home to rich merchants of Venice.

How to Get to Mykonos

Like all the Greek islands, it is easy to get there by ferry from the other islands. It is possible to take the ferry from Athens as well. You can also fly directly from Athens or your home country.

16. Rhodes

One of the Best Places to Visit in Greece for History

Known as Knights Island, Rhodes is a Greek Island on the Aegean Sea that is draped in history and natural beauty. Inhabited since prehistoric times a visit to Rhodes offers the perfect blend of history and beautiful scenery.

Combined with ancient history, great beaches, and nightlife, it is also one of the most popular places to visit in Greece. A part of the Dodecanese Islands, Rhodes (like many other Greek Islands) has beautiful beaches and crystal clear azure waters.

Notable places to visit in Rhodes are the Acropolis of Lindos, Rhodes Old Town, and relaxation at Lindos Beach (aka Limanaki Agios Pavlos). Rhodes was an important location for the Trojan War in 1184 BC where the Dorians.

It has survived centuries of earthquakes and wars making it one of the most interesting places to visit in Greece.

How to Get to Rhodes

Piraeus port Airport on Rhodes is one of the busiest airports in Greece and regular flights fly to Rhodes from several destination. Regular ferries from from Athens Piraeus port to Rhodes.

17. Delphi

Delphi Archaeological Site is a famous place to visit in Greece. This ancient temple located at the top Mount Parnassus dedicated to the Greek God Apollo is awe-inspiring. The ancient Greeks, revered Delphi s their center of worship.

One of the best things to see in Greece is Delphi. Why? because of its history and setting. With the Temple of Apollo standing all at is center. Delphi dates back to the 8th century BC and is one of the top destinations in Greece for beauty and history.

The ancient temple complex of Apollo sitting atop the high mountain makes for an incredible scene.

How to Get to Delphi

Delphi is a popular day tour from Athens that you can organize an easy excursion to. You can also take a bus to Delphi. It is 3-hours from Athens. We highly recommend renting a car.

Book this highly rated private day tour from Athens to Delphi where you’ll explore the UNESCO-listed Delphi Archaeological Site and marvel at ancient statues of the Charioteer and the Sphinx of Naxos at the Delphi Archeological Museum

18. Halkadiki – One of the Best Places to Visit in Greece that You’ve Never Heard of

Halkidiki is an area located in the northern part of Greece. It is famous for its three peninsulas known as “the three legs” – Kassandra, Sithonia, and Mount Athos.

One of the most interesting places to visit is the Mount Athos Monastery. Mount Athos is one of the house of many monks and monasteries that makes Halkidiki famous.

Compared to the thousands of islands in Greece, tourists have yet to discover Halkidiki. It is popular with neighboring Bulgaria and Romanian sunseekers but it will soon catch on with the rest of Europe I am sure.

How to Get to Halkadiki

From Thessaloniki, a car transfer can be arranged to the hotel or even a car rental. Once you get to your hotel there are several options to rent a car in the main resorts, but probably it is better to get one at Thessaloniki airport. You will need it anyway to explore the area!

With each visit to a new destination in Greece, we are mesmerized by its beauty. There are so many places to visit in Greece, it could take a lifetime and we are okay with that. We look forward to going back to Greece again and again.

And these are the best places to visit in Greece. Where have you been in Greece? Is there a place we should add? Let us know in the comments below.

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine, the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.