If you're dreaming of the quintessential Greek island with whitewashed architecture, amazing beaches, incredible food and culture, and rich history, then Naxos is for you. Especially if you want to avoid the crowds seen on some of its neighboring islands. The largest Cycladic island is just a hop, skip, and a jump from hotspots like Santorini and Mykonos, but feels a world apart.
Samaria Gorge cuts through the rugged White Mountains of Crete, running 10 miles in length and ending at the shores of the Mediterranean. Take it all in from the trail, descending past sheer rock walls, wildflowers, and endless views.
Seven to 11 days is a great length for a Greece trip with stops in Athens and Thessaloniki. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as 3 days. With more time, you can enjoy extra activities at each stop or a few days in another region like Crete. See more ideas for Athens and Thessaloniki itineraries below.
Just south of Athens, in the Saronic Gulf, this group of half-a-dozen or so islands makes for an easy getaway. No two are the same, and which to visit depends on your preference. Match culture with a lively party scene on Spetses, get away from it all on tiny Agistri, and everything in between with this guide.
Chania's best—and affordable—standard hotels reflect the city's diverse past and culture with landmark buildings, prime locations, and Cretan hospitality and cuisine. Whatever your budget, you can experience the best that Chania has to offer from a hotel that captures one or more parts of the city's distinct character.
Though Greece has more than 1,000 islands to its name, the Cyclades are some of the best-known and most popular of the set. Encircling the former sacred site at Delos in the Aegean Sea, this island chain boasts picture-perfect beaches, lots of local culture, and historical sites dating back to the Classical era. From big names like Santorini and Mykonos to tiny isles with far fewer visitors, this guide will get you started.
February is a fantastic time to visit Athens. Although the first part of the month can still be wintery and frigid, by late February the temperatures begin warming up slightly and the Carnival season (called "Apokreas") descends. This fun, indulgent time in the three weeks leading up to Lent involves all sorts of fun and festivities. The best part? Due to the colder weather, there are hardly any crowds.
A trip to Mykonos means diving headfirst into island glamour—or dipping a toe in, at the very least. Stay on the edges with some more reasonably priced accommodations in the center of town or fully submerge in the scene with luxurious beachfront villas with this list, all of which blend beautifully into the white Cycladic seascape.
Greece has a Mediterranean climate with four seasons and a long, dry summer. There's never a bad time to visit the country, but depending on how hot you like it, the most pleasant temperatures are in spring (March to May) and fall (mid-September to November). But no matter the time of year, there's always a reason to go.
The Greek Islands really heat up in June—the official start of summer—and days late in the month can often be sweltering when you’re away from the cooling Meltemi breezes. And rain? What rain? Time to hit the beach! But crowds are building, and price bargains disappear—so the earlier you can go in the month, the better.