A local's guide to Greece from the Santorini caldera to the Mykonos backstreets and every taverna in between
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Day 2 · Athens
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Build me a day like thisFrom Santorini and Mykonos to Milos and Naxos, the islands every trip to Greece starts with.
A first trip to Santorini without the disappointment: which village to base yourself in, how to see the sunset without the crush, the beaches nobody photographs, and how long you actually need.
Everything for a first trip to Mykonos: the maze of Chora, the best beaches for calm swims or beach clubs, the famous nightlife, and which area to base yourself in for the trip you actually want.
White volcanic rock, a coastline of more than seventy beaches, fishing villages with boat garages under the houses, and why you need a boat and a car to see any of it.
The largest Cycladic island and the one people wish they had booked longer: the sandy west coast, the marble villages inland, the Portara, and why families keep coming back.
The Cycladic island that balances everything: two very different towns, a coastline of sandy bays, a mountain village of marble, and enough nightlife without being Mykonos.
My complete guide to Crete, Greece: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Knossos, the wild Lasithi east, the Samaria gorge and why one week barely scratches it.
Compare prices on hotels and rentals across Greece.
Every island, beach and site from our guides, on one map.
Destination
More than 650 of the best places in Greece, in one guide with photos and tips.
What to eat standing up in Greece: the difference between gyros and souvlaki, koulouri for breakfast, bakery pies, bougatsa in the north, loukoumades, and roughly what each costs.
Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos: pine forest running down to the water, the film locations everybody recognises, and short boats between the three. A greener, quieter island cluster in the western Aegean.
Everything to know before hiking the Samaria Gorge in Crete: the route, the difficulty, when it is open, how to get there and back, and how to time the walk sensibly.
A Byzantine town tucked behind an enormous rock in the sea, invisible until you walk around it. Stone lanes with no cars, hotels inside the walls, and one of the most atmospheric places on the Greek mainland.
A guide to the ancient theatre of Epidaurus in the Peloponnese: the famous acoustics, the summer festival, the wider sanctuary site, and how to pair it with Nafplio and Mycenae.
A guide to Hydra, the Saronic Gulf island where cars are banned and donkeys still carry the shopping: the harbour, the swimming spots, how to get there from Piraeus, and whether to make it a day trip or a night.
The core guides to start from.
Where to stay in Santorini: Oia, Fira, Imerovigli and Firostefani for the caldera, the beach towns for value, what a caldera view really costs, and the stairs nobody warns you about.
How to choose a Greek island: the six groups explained, which suits couples, families, first-timers and walkers, how ferry logistics limit your options, and the islands people actually regret.
Ten days in Greece, planned three ways: Athens with two Cyclades islands, the Peloponnese by car, or Crete done properly. See what each route sacrifices.
When to visit Greece for the weather, the crowds and the price you want: a month-by-month look at the seasons, island weather, the shoulder months and the summer meltemi wind.
Do you need a visa for Greece? Here are the Schengen rules by nationality, the 90/180 day count, the EES biometric border checks, where ETIAS actually stands in 2026 and the passport validity rules, explained simply.
How to island hop in Greece without stress: the ferry networks, the ports of Piraeus and Rafina, which islands connect to which, when to book, and how to plan a route that actually works.
Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area. Many visitors, including those from the UK, US, Canada and Australia, can enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. From 2026 the ETIAS travel authorisation is expected to launch, a quick online pre-registration for about 20 euros. Always check the latest rules for your passport before you fly.
May, June, September and early October are the sweet spot: warm sea, pleasant weather and smaller crowds. July and August are hot and busy on the islands, while early spring and Athens are ideal for culture and history without the heat.
The islands are for beaches, sea and a relaxed pace (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes), while the mainland is strong on historic sites and nature (Athens, Delphi, Meteora). For a first trip many people combine a few days in Athens with two or three nearby islands.
Mostly by ferry: fast boats between the Cyclades, and slower, cheaper lines for longer routes. Far-flung islands like Rhodes and Crete also have short domestic flights. It is worth booking ferries ahead in the busy summer months.
The currency is the euro. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops, but it is handy to carry some cash for small tavernas, markets and island buses. A meal at a local taverna runs about 15 to 25 euros a head, less if you stick to mezze and share.
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