Greece is one of the most idyllic travel destinations in the world. From the whitewashed Cycladic villages of Paros, to the dozens of gorgeous beaches in Milos, to the vibrant, ancient streets of Athens to the distinctive Venetian, Turkish and Jewish quarters of Chania in Crete, the best places to visit in Greece offer endless discovery.

Greece is famed for its thousands of islands, approximately 200 of which are inhabited. Across six different island groups, plus Crete, the largest island in Greece, travellers can find endless island adventures – and the perfect island to suit your travel style.

Back on the mainland, Athens is one of the most underrated capital cities in Europe. Ancient history has never been more accessible, and modern Athens is a vibrant, exciting city to spend a few days.

Read on for my round up of the 7 best places to visit in Greece, to help you discover your next trip. I’ve visited Greece three times, and am always thinking about my next trip!

1. Milos

Milos is the best place to visit in Greece for seeing the best beaches in Greece. Milos is a large Greek island in the Cyclades group of islands, in the Southern Aegean.

Milos is an enormous Greek island, so I’d recommend spending at least four nights here, and hiring a car.

I stayed in Pollonia, which was the perfect seaside village for our stay, but I’ve written a complete guide to where to stay in Milos, with pros and cons of staying in each of the major villages and some hotel recommendations, to help you find the right spot for you.

There are more than 70 beaches in Milos, although only the eastern half of the island is accessible without a 4WD. Even so, there will still be more beaches than you can visit in a single trip. Sarakiniko is the most famous beach on the island, with a chalky, moon-like landscape and rock formations, but my favourite is stunning Aghia Kiriaki.  Check out my guide to the best beaches in Milos for more tips!

2. Paros

Paros is the best place to visit in Greece, for iconic, white-washed Cycladic villages, without the insane overtourism of Santorini. It’s just as beautiful as Santorini, but with better beaches, and larger villages that aren’t as choked by influencer crowds trying to get the perfect sunset shot.

Like Milos, Santorini and Mykonos, Paros is part of the Cyclades island group.

Some of the most beautiful villages in Paros are Naoussa and Parikia, which are two of the most popular places to stay in Paros. Both are lively, developed villages that have dozens of bars & restaurants, and winding alleyways and classic whitewashed houses, dripping with bougainvillea. 

Tucked away in the hills is Lefkes, the island’s medieval capital, which is worth exploring early in the morning, before the tour buses arrive.

Paros may not boast as many magnificent beaches as Milos, but you can still find plenty of beaches to suit your travel style, such as at Parasporos, Santa Maria, Kolimbithres and Molos beach.

I had one of the dreamiest meals of my life on Paros, at a tiny taverna called Tsitsanis, in a tiny, remote village, called Prodromos. Heaven!

3. Athens

Athens is one of the most underrate capital cities in Europe, and one of my personal favourites. Many visitors to Greece skip Athens in favour of the islands, but it is absolutely worth spending 2 or 3 nights in the Greek capital.

Athens is an incredibly atmospheric city, teeming with life and layers of history.

In just a few days in Athens, you can immerse yourself in ancient history at the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum, browse for leathergoods and vintage treasures at the Monastiraki Flea Markets, while away the afternoon on leafy cafe patios where you’ll never be rushed out the door, and dip your toe into Athens’ nightlife.

Pick a hotel with a rooftop bar or restaurant, as most of them have incredible Acropolis views, which is especially magical after dark!

4. Crete

Crete is the largest island in Greece and feels a little bit like a country all of its own. Crete didn’t become part of Greece until 1913, and while it feels undoubtedly Greek today, its history of Ottoman and Venetian occupation creates a layered historical and cultural legacy, which gives it a unique and distinctive character all of its own.

I visited Crete on my third trip to Greece, and loved exploring a Greek island outside the Cyclades. While you won’t find the iconic whitewashed Cycladic villages on Crete, you will find historic, labyrinthine towns like stunning Chania, and charming Rethymno.

Crete is also famous for the Palace of Knossos, a Bronze Age relic from the Minoan civilisation, which is considered to be the first advanced, complex civilisation in Europe. The Palace of Knossos is best visited from Heraklion, which is also Crete’s most popular destination for package holiday tourists.

We stayed in the seaside town of Rethymno, and spent four days in Crete exploring the wider province of Rethymno, as well as visiting Chania and beach hopping along the coast between Chania and Rethymno.

5. Sifnos

Sifnos is a slip of an island in the Cyclades, offering a refreshing change of pace from the bigger, and busier islands. 

Sifnos is one of the best places to visit in Greece for a relaxed, slow-paced Greek island holiday. The island is known primarily for three things: its local cuisine, an abundance of churches, and excellent rock climbing.

Renowned Greek chef, Nikolaos Tselementes was born on Sifnos, and the island has earned a reputation for its regional cuisine, which is characterised by the use of clay ovens. Tselementes is known as “the father of modern Greek cooking” and published the first comprehensive Greek cookbook in 1910.

Sifnos may be popular with rock climbers for its mountains, but as a less adventurous traveller, I loved Sifnos for its charming, tranquil beaches. Some of my favourites are Cheronissos, Faros & Chrissopiggi.

Sifnos does not have an airport, but is easily accessible by a short ferry trip from both Paros and Milos.

6. Mykonos

Mykonos is one of the best places to visit in Greece if you’re looking for a party island. Greece’s answer to Ibiza, Mykonos is one of the busiest Greek islands and is full of nightclubs and lively beach clubs.

Mykonos won’t be for everyone, and it’s an island I’ll give a hard pass on these days, but it’s undoubtedly earned its reputation as one of the most famous party islands in the world for a reason.

7. Santorini

It may be on the bottom of my list, but you can’t deny that Santorini is an iconic Greek island destination.

While I think there are better Cycladic islands to visit, with much of the same charm, better beaches and fewer crowds, Santorini is truly unique in the way its villages spill down the cliff faces and offer a thousand spectacular vantage points of sunset over the ocean.

My advice? If you are set on visiting Santorini, make time for another nearby Cycladic island for a change of pace, and visit outside the absolute peak of tourist season from late May-early September (however, also avoiding off season, when little to nothing will be open).

Further Reading

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