Myth and daily life are so intertwined in Greek life you can’t help but lose yourself in time and space. Each place has thousands of years of documented civilisation alongside a collection of legends about timeless gods, goddesses, and heroes. In several areas, people were said to be born from the very earth itself, having come from there and nowhere else. Wherever you go in Greece, you’ll find a rich array of traditions, culture, and stories.
Destination: Greece
Athens is the capital and main transportation hub. The birthplace of democracy and ancient temples make Athens one of the most storied cities in the Western canon. Most visitors pair Athens with Mykonos and/or Santorini. The beaches and party atmosphere of Mykonos have earned an international reputation for good times. An ancient volcanic explosion left Santorini sitting on the rim above a caldera that the Aegean Sea has rushed into, creating some of the most spectacular views you’ll ever see.
But there is so much more to this delightful country! Greece has over 100 inhabited islands and a mainland with more than enough to fill a week-long trip. Combine an exploratory mainland adventure with an island or two, or island hop from Aegina to Zakynthos.
Related: Travel More – Off the Beaten Path
Hidden Gems of Greece
Crete, 100 miles south of the mainland, is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean. It gave birth to the Bronze Age Minoan civilisation, which spawned its own myths thanks to the elaborate palace at Knossos, purported home of the labyrinth and the Minotaur. The eruption of Thera, or Santorini, is generally considered the beginning of the end of the Minoans – probably compounded with invasions from the mainland. Today, Crete is an outdoor playground, with beach enclaves in the east and a giant gorge in the middle, as well as the cave Zeus was born in.
Dodecanese Islands
Some very overlooked islands sit off the coast of modern Turkey. Rhodes, full of medieval castles, is the former home to the Colossus, one of the wonders of the ancient world. Homer name-dropped Kos in the Iliad – and it has been accumulating layers of history and archaeology since. And Patmos, brought from the sea bottom to the surface by the Greek gods, is where the Christian St. John envisioned the Book of Revelation.
Mainland
In the north of the mainland you’ll find Macedonia – not the country, but the Greek region. Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city and an economic hub since the Roman period, is the capital. The surrounding region contains the ruins of the ancient Macedonian capital and, believe it or not, ski resorts. Halkidiki, a remote region in Macedonia, is a popular local tourism spot.
In the middle, Meteora has six (of an original 24) monasteries atop gigantic stone pillars. Once only accessible by rope ladders, they’re now accessible by stairs cut into the-rock. Some monasteries only have one or two inhabitants, but visitors are welcome at all six. The Greeks considered nearby Delphi – home of the famed Oracle – the centre of the ancient world.
In the south, the Peloponnese holds the ruins of Greece’s ancient second city, Sparta, and Olympia. The Peloponnese is chock full of ruins – the original Olympic stadium, Temple of Zeus, Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus, and the medieval town of Monemvasia, among others. Olive groves and sea breezes surround buzzy port town Kalamata, on the western coast.
Ionian Islands
While it doesn’t have as many islands as the famed Aegean, the Ionian Sea to the west of the mainland is where you’ll find Corfu, Zakynthos, and Ithaca. It took Odysseus 20 years to get back to Ithaca, but you can get there in just a few hours from Athens on your own legendary journey.
How to Get Around
The best way to explore mainland Greece is by car, especially if you want to get off the beaten path. Driving in Athens isn’t for the faint of heart, so take an Uber or hire a driver. On the islands, rent a car or moped. Taxis are prevalent. If you’re planning on an extensive island hopping trip, take advantage of the ferry system combined with a flight here and there. Both are seasonal so in the off-season you might find it harder to get around.
COVID entry protocols for Greece
US citizen travel to Greece is currently prohibited. Greece requires a negative molecular test result (PCR) for Covid-19, performed up to 72 hours before entry to Greece. This includes air and land arrivals to Greece. The Greek government is formulating plans to allow vaccinated travellers to enter the country without testing by summer.
I suggest travellers stay on top of the requirements through the US State Department.
Where to stay:
There are thousands of hotels in Greece, from budget to budget-blowing. I’ve curated a short list of some of the best hotels in Greece below, but have access to hundreds more – there’s definitely one perfect for you.
Athens
Hotel Grande Bretagne: Located within walking distance of the Acropolis, Hotel Grande Bretagne indulges guests with deluxe guest rooms and suites, two distinctive restaurants, two swimming pools, and the multiple-award-winning GB Spa. Guest rooms feature sumptuous fabrics, original artworks, and restored antiques from Christie’s and Sotheby’s. Suite guests enjoy complimentary butler service to help fulfill every request with impeccable discretion. The GB Spa offers exclusive ESPA & Valmont products, and signature body and facial treatments. Alexander’s Cigar Lounge provides a relaxed setting to enjoy fine cognacs and premium cigars.
Peloponnese
The Romanos, a Luxury Collection resort: Set amid lush olive groves and overlooking the storied waters of the Ionian Sea, The Romanos resort offers a distinctive and inspiring environment of genuine luxury and heartfelt hospitality. Choose from 321 beautifully appointed guest rooms, suites, and villas – be sure to book one of the 128 that have their own infinity-edge pool. Dine on local and international culinary flavours in numerous unique venues. Activities such as philosophy walks and olive harvesting are sure to pique your interest, and set aside time to indulge at Anazoe Spa, with special therapies based on ancient Greek practices and unique oleotherapy® treatments.
Amanzoe: A storied Aman hotel with 360* views of the Mediterranean on a hilltop near Porto Heli. Olive trees cluster around the hotel, which features 38 pavilions with their own pools and terraces. The private beach club is just a few minutes from the hotel and Porto Heli town is 10 minutes by car.
Ionian Islands
Porto Zante Villas & Spa: Set along a private beach on a secluded bay just minutes from Zakynthos city, the ridiculously beautiful Porto Zante oozes exclusivity. Expect every extravagance in the nine sublime villas. Ranging from one to four bedrooms, the villas boast private pools, furnishings from Armani Casa and Gervasoni, Bang & Olufsen entertainment centers, and iMac desktops. Get active with tennis, beachfront yoga, horseback riding, and plentiful water sports. The waterfront spa offers lavish treatments using Bulgari products. Dine on fine Greek and Mediterranean or Asian fusion that takes advantage of the Ionians’ bounty.
Cyclades
Parilio: Named for the near-constant sunshine the resort experiences, Parilio is a testament to the Cyclades Islands’ unspoiled natural beauty. A soothing colour palette and distinctive Greek architecture define the 33 suites. All feature spectacular island views. Take a dip in the cross-shaped pool, then taste the island’s famed gastronomic legacy at chef Alexander Tsiotinis’ Mr. E, serving fresh, seasonal Greek and Mediterranean cuisine inspired by the surrounding natural bounty.