The Greece Guide.
Comprehensive guide to the Greek hot-spot islands (Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, etc) as well as the less touristy islands/mainland regions. Whatever you're looking for out of your Greek getaway + more.
The ultimate wanderlust list to write about. Some come for the wild party scenes of Mykonos or the picturesque charm of Santorini. Some come for the tranquil allure of quiet Milos or the historic streets of Crete. Each Greek island offers a unique escape filled with peaceful beaches, bustling fish markets, and rich traditions that create the most enchanting country. Also the Mamma Mia vibes. Those I can never get enough of.
This list has a comprehensive guide to the big names and just a few scattered recommendations for some less-traveled to islands. But please reach out to carolinehariri@gmail.com for a full itinerary for any of the islands and also for recommendations on which island is best for you.
Note that this guide is continuously updated so you have the latest and greatest at your fingertips!
N E X T T R I P -
Latest on my Radar (some old, some new - all ones I have yet to try!)
I’ve got to get myself to Corfu, Zakynthos, as well as to the Peloponnese region (would love to stay at the Mandarin Oritental in Costo Navarino).
Also, the island of Spetses is supposedly a local go-to summer spot for Athenians.
[this page is constantly updated, so come back whenever you’re looking for your next Greek recommendations!]
Mainland -
Athens - people say that you don’t really need more than a day or two in Athens to do the touristy activities, and while that may be true, there is a lot more to do than just touristy activities. I highly recommend some day trips with Athens as a base (Hydra and Vouliagmeni would be my tops!)
Hotels
The Dolli
Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens
Electra Palace Athens
Mona Athens
The Modernist Athens
Monument Hotel Athens
Perianth Hotel
Monsieur Didot
A77 Suites
Ace Hotel & Swim Club Athens
The Foundry Suites
Shila
Restaurants
ΛΙΝΟΥ ΣΟΥΜΠΑΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΣΙΑ
Gallina Athens
Dopios
O Thanasis (kabob shop)
Lefteris O Politis (for souvlaki)
Cafe Avissinia
Avli
Diporto
Psaras Tavern
Kuzina
Manári Taverna
Seychelles
Skoumbri
Humain
Papaioannou Restaurant Piraeus
Pharaoh (Modern Greek)
Urban Gastromony
My soublakia (kebab shop)
Lsandsi
Koumkan Athens (non-Greek, Italian, sceney vibe)
Wine is Fine (not Greek, but delicious)
Fine Dining:
Spondi
Soil
Aleria
Akra
Point-A
Balthazar
Dessert/Pastries
Tromero Paidi
Stani Athens
Kokkion Ice Cream
Drinks
Baba au Rum
Juan Rodriguez Bar – Compañia de Bebida
The Clumsies
Grand Bertagne Bar
To Tsai (for tea)
Line
Shopping
Themis Z | Athens Fashion Designer Flagship Store in Town
Korres (one of the best skincare products - I always load up when I’m in Greece!)
Callista
Mouki Mou Athens
Mellissinos Sandals - The Poet Sandal Maker
LALAoUNIS
Nikos Koulis (jewelry)
Activities
Acropolis + Acropolis Museum + walk through Anafiotika + walk Tripodon Street (oldest street in Europe)
Parthenon
Temple of Hephaestus
Mount Lycabettus (a beautiful hill and one of the highest points of Athens, go watch the sunset!)
Varvakeios Central Market
Melas Martinos (art gallery)
Mon Coin Studio (art gallery)
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
National Garden Walk
DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art
Vouliagmeni
Hotels
Astir Beach
One&Only Aesthesis
The Margi
Cape Sounio, A Grecotel Resort to Live
Activities
Limanakia Beach
Poseidonos Bay
Peloponnese region
Hotels:
Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino (Pilos)
The Westin, Costa Navarino (Pilos)
Dexamenes Seaside Hotel (Kourouta)
Amanzoe (Porto Heli)
Manna
3Sixty - Hotel & Suites
Food:
Kavos 1964/Kavos Fish Taverna
Activities:
Fortress of Palamidi
Sanctuary of Isthmia
Acropolis of Mycenae
Macedonian Region
Hotels:
Sani Resort
Food:
Maryvonne Taverna
Epirus Region
Hotels
Elix, Mar-Bella Collection
F Zeen
Activities
Kefalovryso mountain village
Crete
Hotels
Phaea blue
Minos Beach Art Hotel
Numo Ierapetra Beach Resort Crete, Curio Collection by Hilton
BY ISLAND -
C Y C L A D E S -
Kéa Island - a one hour ferry from Athens and worth it to stay at the One&Only hotel
Hotel - One&Only Kéa Island
Koufonisia -
Hotel - Eros Keros
Food
Kalofego (great lunch spot)
Tzet
Drinks - Sorokos
Idra (sometimes spelled Hydra) - worth a ferry trip here. The island doesn’t have cars - people just get around with donkeys! Very quiet island beloved by many famous artists.
Hotels - we just took a day trip here but some cute hotels around. Also recommend home rentals!
Cotommatae Hydra 1810
Food + Drink
Kodylenias Resto Hydra - delicious food
To Pefkaki - we came here for lunch after a quick beach dip. Wasn’t anything particular special but that’s the best part of Greece! Even the non-special hole in the walls are delicious, fresh and unforgettable.
Téchnē Restaurant & Social - fancier restaurant with more than just Greek food. We didn’t go because I was looking for something more authentic on my 1 day visit, but recommend if you have more than a few meals
XERI ELIA DOUSKOS
Veranda Restaurant
Sunset Restaurant (touristy but worth it for the views)
Omilos Restaurant Bar
Drinks
HYDRONETTA Cocktail - Bar (actually ended up just sitting on the rocks here and swimming, no table!)
Red Club
The Pirate Bar
Activities - great to rent a buggy here!
Beaches:
Bisti Beach
Avlaki Beach
Klimaki Beach
Limnioniza Beach
Some beautiful hiking trails along the island. Maybe even look into bike rentals along the coast!
Day trip to Polyaigos (island only inhabited by goats!)
Museums
Lazaros Koundouriotis Historical Mansion (National Historical Museum)
Many churches in the middle of the island
Folegandros
Hotels:
Gundari
Anemomilos Boutique Hotel
SPINA folegandros
Activities:
Beaches:
Katergo
Paralia Livadeki
Paralia Agios Nikolaos
Food:
Papalagi seafood
Sifnos
Hotel:
Verina Astra Hotel
NOS Hotel & Villas
Food:
Omega3
Cantina
Pelicanos
Kafeneio Drakakis
Limanki Fish Tavern
Yalos Seaside Obsession
Tsikali
Cafe Mosaic
Chrysopigi tavern
Gerontopoulos (to buy the island’s local cheese!)
Drinks
Kavos Sunrise
Bostani bar and restaurant
Loggia Wine Bar
Activities
Cheronissos Beach
Shopping - Biba, Mple
Chrisopigi Monastery
Kythnos
Hotels
Fos Suites
Santorini
Hotels/Villas
Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection
Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini
Canaves Oia Suites
Domes Novos Santorini, Autograph Collection
Secret View Hotel
Istoria, a Member of Design Hotels, Santorini
Vora
Sandblu
Andronis Arcadia
Santo Mine
Perivolas Hotel
Andronis Concept Wellness Resort
Andronikos Santorini Hotel
Santorini Sky, Luxury Resort
Noūs
Canaves Elefas Villas
Villa Fegari
Food
Ammoudi Fish Tavern
Lycabettus Restaurant (located in Andronis Luxury Suites)
Catch Bar-Restaurant
Activities
Monasterio Profeta Elías
Visit the villages of Megalochori, Emporio and Pyrgos Kallistis
Akrotiri Santorini Venetian Castle
Red beach
Shopping
Bee Pharmacy Santorini, Fira - Φαρμακείο Φ. Πολίτη (they sell my favorite Greek skincare, Korres!)
Mykonos
Hotels:
5-star
Santa Marina, a Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos
The Wild Hotel by Interni
Kalesma Mykonos
Aether Boutique Stay
Cavo Tagoo Mykonos
Deos hotel
Myconian Villa Collection
Numo Mykonos Boutique Resort
Once in Mykonos, Designed For Adults
Cali Mykonos
Anandes Hotel Mykonos
Nomad Mykonos
Other
Grace Mykonos
Mykonos No5 Suites & Villas
Food:
Tsaf
Alemagou - an absolute must
Noema - also a must!
Interni Restaurant
Spilia Restaurant
Kiki's Tavern
Buddha-Bar Beach, Mykonos (at Santa Marina hotel)
Beach clubs
Paradise Beach Club Mykonos
Scorpios
Principote Mykonos
NAMMOS Mykonos
Soho Roc House
JackieO’
Shopping:
Zerteo Kalesma
PHARMA MYKONOS (they sell Korres!)
Going out:
ToyRoom Mykonos
Paros - recommend a boat day to see Despotiko and also going to Antiparos for the day!
Hotel/Villas
Aura Suites Paros (the most incredible hotel! Never experienced service like this)
Cosme, a Luxury Collection Resort, Paros
Parīlio, a Member of Design Hotels, Paros
Piperi House
Yria Island Boutique Hotel & Spa
Food
Stilvi - an absolute must
Bardót
Parostiā
Sigi Ikthios
Siparos Seaside Restaurant
Barbarossa - not the most amazing food and overpriced, but you go here for the party.
Taverna Mouragio (go for sunset!)
Mediterraneo
mario
Shosho Paros Restauarant
Yiannoulis Taverna
Fotis All Day Bar
Avant Mar
Open Garden Restaurant
Taverna Glafkos
Drinks
Sommaripa Consolato Paros
Beach clubs
Aspro Paros seaside restaurant
Santa Maria Beach Bar
CABANA Beach Bar Restaurant
Monastiri beach
Faragas Beach Bar
Activities
Ακρωτήρι Κόρακας (Cape Korakas Lighthouse) - great for a hiking day
Butterflies Nature Reserve
Kolympethres Beach
Ancient Marble Quarries
Take a boat to Despotiko
Holy Shrine of the Virgin Mary Ekatontapyliani
Naxos
Hotels
Naxian Collection
Naxian on the Beach
Beaches
Agios Georgios Beach
Food
To Elliniko Restaurant
Nikos & Maria Restaurant
Savaya Naxos beach bar
Petrino Beach Restaurant
Taverna Naxos
Apostolis
Taverna Axiotissa
Shopping
The Naxos Apothecary
Amorgos
Hotels
Vorina Ktismata
Activities
Holy Monastery of the Virgin Mary Chozoviotissa
Tinos
Hotels
Odera Tinos
Antiparos
Hotel
The Rooster Wellness & Lifestyle Resort
Food
Kalokeri
Captain Pipinos
Beach Club
Soros Beach Club
Ios
Hotel
Calilo
Milos
Hotels
Volcano Luxury Suites Milos
Skinopi Lodge
White Pebble Suites
Milos Breeze Boutique Hotel
Milos Domes White Coast (adults only)
Food
Kipos Café - Restaurant & Events
Ergina
Cafe Palaios
Astakas Cafe Restaurant Άστακας Cafe Restaurant
Archontoula
The Wave - you actually have to take a ferry to this spot, but the reviews are incredible and doesn’t hurt to see Kimolos island
While on Kimolos, check out Prasonisi restaurant
O! Hamos! Tavern
Restaurant OKTO Milos Island
Flisvos Restaurant
Medusa
Drinks
Aqua Loca Beach Bar Milos
Utopia Caffe (go for cocktails at sunset!)
Activities
Papafragas Caves
Triades Beach
Paralia Gerontas (20 minutes walk to the beach)
Alogomandra beach
Fyriplaka
Paralia Paleochori (sulfur springs)
Kleftiko Rocks
Sarakiniko Beach
Tsigrado Beach (you have to take a ladder down between the rocks to get to this beautiful, secluded beach!)
Plathiena Beach
Shopping
CERAMICA KYMBE workshop
Syros
Hotels
Aristide Hotel
Argini Hotel
Activities
Vaporia Beach
Andros
Hotels
Onar Andros
Melisses Andros (culinary institute and retreat center)
Activities
Visit the town of Palaiopoli
I O N I A N -
Corfu
Hotels:
Angsana Corfu
Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Corfu
Food
Etrusco
Kefalonia
Hotels:
Eliamos Villas Hotel & Spa Kefalonia
Zakynthos
Hotels:
Olea All Suite Hotel
The Peligoni Club
Food:
The Peligoni Club (looks like an amazing beach club that also has accommodation)
Mikro Nisi Restaurant
Kefalonia
Eliamos Villas Hotel & Spa Kefalonia
Lefkada
To be honest I didn’t have anything for here except for this beach - Egremni Beach - which looks so picture perfect and magical that I am adding this island to my list.
C R E T E -
Activities:
Marathi Beach
Monastery of Saint George (Arsani)
Agia Marina Beach
D O D E C A N E S E -
Patmos
Hotels
The Petra
Pagostos Guest House
Patmos Aktis
Shopping
Ηλιοτρόπιο (Unnamed Road, Skala 855 00, Greece)
Food
To Kyma
Psilli Ammos Greek Tavern
Flisvos
Fish Tavern Lampi
Ktima Petra
Leros
Food
Mylos By The Sea
Lyxnari
Kos
Hotels
OKU Kos
Activities
Agios Fokas Beach
Rhodes
Hotels
Melenos Art Boutique Hotel
Lindian Village Beach Resort Rhodes
Activities
Prasonisi Beach
Kastellorizo
Hotels
Casa Mediterraneo Hotel
S P O R A D E S -
Alonnisos
Food
Dendrolimano
