Where to visit in Greece

As I think many can relate, Greece was my dream destination for years. As one of the farther spots in Europe from the US, I kept pushing it back on my adventure bucket list. When we made the move abroad, I knew Greece was the number one spot I wanted to visit. It took a bit longer than I hoped it would due to the pandemic, but finally, in September of 2021, I got to go on my dream trip. Except for one windy day in Santorini, it was everything I had hoped for and more. Athens surprised me and gave me the perfect intro into the country, while Paros gave me the island trip I had always dreamed of. There are a million ways you can plan a trip to Greece from land-based to island hoping, budget to luxury, and more, but here’s a look at what I did and where I stayed to help you as you map out your own dream holiday and decide which Greek islands are the best to visit.

ATHENS

ISLAND HOPPING TIPS

PAROS

SANTORINI

ATHENS

Athens was the spot I was least excited for but turned out to be pleasantly surprised by. Grungy yet historical, this city has something for everyone. I wouldn’t recommend more than two nights unless you have other day trips on the mainland on your agenda, but it’s well worth the stop.

Where to eat in Athens


Greek cuisine is one of my favorites, and Athens did not dissapoint. Perhaps one of my favorite meals on the entire trip was the lamb chop platter at Stki Tou Ilia. Before I moved abroad I don’t think I had ever tried lamb, but it has quickly become one of my favorite dishes when done right. Here are some of my other reccs:

Things to do in Athens

When you think of Athens, there’s usually one thing that always pops up on the to-do list - the Acropolis. It’s well worth the visit, but not without a slew of tips you need to know before. So many, in fact, that I’ve created a separate section on it below. For other ideas of what to do, I recommend a bus tour, especially as it can be extremely hot. We went in mid-September and it was almost 90 degrees Fahrenheit every day. I’d also recommend planning a late afternoon siesta, as this is the peak heat time during the day, and you’ll want to be out of the sun. I really liked shopping and visiting the markets in Athens as well. The Psyri area, where we stayed, is known for the Monastiraki Flea Market. My tip is to go off on the side streets for the better deals, I particularly liked Fay Fib and the shops near it.

Now here are my quick tips for planning a visit to the Acropolis in Athens:

  • Get in early or near closing time, otherwise, the heat will make the trip miserable, as it’s a bit of a hike to get there. Go to the south entrance as well for fewer crowds.

  • Skip the sights on the way up if you go first thing in the morning, as you’ll get to the top before the morning crowds. You can check them out after on the way down.

  • Buy tickets in advance - for 30 euro you can get a pass for the Acropolis Museum and other sights.

  • Google it the day before. Sometimes foreign dignitaries visit and they close it off. We couldn’t go up until 11AM thanks to the King of Spain.

Where to stay in Athens

The Psyri neighborhood was young and trendy with endless bars and restaurants, all while being steps from all the major sights. We stayed at Central Stay Athens which also had a rooftop with a view of the Acropolis.

Getting around the GREEK islands – ferries, schedules, and TRANSFERS

Unless you’re lucky enough to have your own boat to sail around the Mediterranean, you’ll probably need to rely on some ferries and flights to get around the Greek islands, as well as a car once you’re there. Here are a few tips:

  • Book your ferries ahead of time with Ferry Hopper - they tend to have the best rates

  • Ferries are the best way to get around the Greek islands, so long as you’re visiting islands in the same area. The Cyclades, where Santorini is, tend to be the most popular and have plenty of ferry options. Most of the islands have airports as well, but if visiting multiple islands, ferries are the way to go.

  • Don’t worry about packing snacks or how comfortable the long ride will be - the ferries we took were super modern and nice with multiple restaurants and seating options.

  • Prearrange transit to your hotel if you can. The ferry docks and airports can be in remote areas or just super slammed with people looking for taxis.

  • When you’re on the islands, you’ll probably want (or likely need) to rent a car or ATV. Even if the hotel looks like a close walk to downtown, it probably won’t be in a walkable area with sidewalks. The bus schedule can be pretty unreliable too.

    • If you’re coming from outside of the EU, you’ll need to get an international driver’s license before the trip in order to rent said car.

PAROS

Not to be mistaken for Paris, Paros was my favorite spot on our two-week trip. It has all the charm of the big spots but with far fewer crowds and much lower prices. When deciding which Greek islands to visit, Paros and Milos were at the top of my list, but I went for Paros over Milos just due to ferry routes. Here’s what I recommend:

Eat and drink in Paros at

What to do in Paros

  • Walk the streets of Old Town Paros and capture postcard-worthy shorts of the blue-capped churches, windmills, and stone tiled streets

  • Bring home a pair of hand made leather sandals from Atelier 1935 Paros

  • Rent a car and walk around the small towns of Lefkes and Marpissa and the larger, posh hub of Naousa

  • Take a dip in the sea at Logaras or Kolympethres Beach

Where to stay in Paros

Naousa is definitely a little more upscale and the top spot for restaurants on any guide you read, however, I recommend staying near Old Town Paros, as it had a little more charm and far fewer people. We stayed at Paros Palace Suites which was an absolute dream.

SANTORINI

While I found this iconic island to be overrated, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular with tourists. If I could plan my trip again, I would nix Santorini and add Milos instead. It’s really a preference on what you want to see, but I prefer a quieter, more beachy vibe more than the luxury scene that islands like Santorini and Mykonos will provide. Here are my tips if you visit:

  • Let’s start with your arrival. Prearrange your ride if you take the ferry in - the port is at the bottom of a huge mountain and is slammed with people looking for a ride after the ferry docks. The airport is also small but super busy and took a long time for check-in when we left the island. You’ll want to rent a car unless you’re staying in the major towns of Fira or Oia. Otherwise you’ll have a hard time seeing the sights and have to rely on the bus, which rarely comes as scheduled.

  • While the white-washed hotels with their own pools look amazing, they’ll also cost you an amazing amount of money to stay in. Opt for hotels close to downtown but off the main path for lower rates - we stayed Ifestos Villa which had a great location but was super basic hotel-wise. It was a good spot to stay, but I think there are many better options on the island.

  • The restaurants can be pricey, however, we found a few great spots with lower prices like Pita Gyro, Volkan on the Rocks, Da Costa, PK Cocktail Bar, and my favorite, Nikolas Oinomagiremata.

  • There are endless things to do in Santorini, from lounging by the pool all day to going on an adventure excursion. One thing you won’t see as much of - sandy beaches. While there are a few, this volcanic island is mainly rocks.

  • Opt for a day on a boat to get your fix of the ocean. We did a catamaran ride with the Santorini Yachting Club which I can’t recommend enough. Lunch and round trip transit from our hotel were included and it was a stunning day on the crystal clear blue waters.

  • If you want something more active, the hike from Fira to Oia is gorgeous and worth the three-hour trip, however, make sure you wear proper shoes; I can’t tell you how many girls I saw struggling in sandals.

  • Santos Wines is a must-visit for local wines and stunning views. When you reserve a table you can also book your food and drink. I recommend holding off until you arrive, as I ordered a cheese platter only to find the flight of wine came with cheese and crackers

  • Sunset is a thing in Santorini, and it’s easy to see why. From the island’s elevated view, you can see the sunset go on for miles in a kaleidoscope of colors. I recommend taking a sunset stroll along the caldera and bringing your own drink to save on overpriced cocktails and large crowds for your sunset viewing.

No matter where you go in Greece, you’re sure to have an amazing time relaxing in the sun. I hope these tips inspire your own trip.