Greece travel guide
Greece is where classical civilisation meets sunloungers – where the myth-shrouded landscapes of Mount Olympus and the Peloponnese compete with equally legendary beaches and turquoise seas
Consisting of a rugged, history-rich peninsula and nearly 1400 islands, Greece is one of the world’s oldest and most popular travel destinations.
Capital Athens is an essential stop for the culturally curious, home to the world-famous rock-top ruins of the Acropolis, perhaps the most significant ancient monument in Europe. Once derided for its smog-laden gridlock, Athens has spruced itself up in recent years and (despite economic woes) retains a real metropolitan buzz.
Staying on the mainland, highlights to the north include the walker-friendly Pindos mountains; the extraordinary rock monasteries of Meteora; the home of the gods, Mount Olympus; and the cosmopolitan second city of Thessaloniki.
To the west, the Peloponnese peninsula is a wildly scenic region drenched in myth – here you’ll find Olympia, spiritual home of the Games; the ancient citadel of Mycenae; and the Mani, the rugged promontory extolled by travel writer Patrick Leigh Fermor.
Starting just a short ferry-ride from Athens’s Piraeus harbour, the islands beckon – and hopping between them is one of travel’s classic journeys. They are divided into six groups, plus two larger islands: Crete and Evia.
Closest to Athens are the Saronic Gulf islands, including Aegina and Hydra. To the east, in the Aegean Sea, you will find the Sporades, North Aegean Islands, Dodecanese (including Rhodes) and Cyclades (including Mykonos and Santorini).
West of the mainland lie the Ionian Islands, which include bustling Corfu and the quieter island of Kefalonia.
Every visitor has their favourite spot, and despite decades of mass tourism, there are still areas of Greece that are almost unknown to tourists. Get off the beach and explore.
Wanderlust Recommends
- Visit during the spring and autumn. Many of the islands go into ‘shut down’ mode for the winter, and hotels and restaurants are closed.
- For a truly Greek island experience, head to Evia. Hugging the eastern coast of mainland Greece, it is a popular destination with Greeks for a weekend getaway, and a place to wander through vineyards, dine on fresh octopus and hike past ancient ruins.
- Try visiting the islands in a slightly different manner. SwimTrek offer one week swim tours between the islands of the Cyclades.
- Take the slower open-deck ferry to Santorini and take in the wonder of the submerged caldera, the epicentre of one of the world’s biggest ever volcanic eruptions.
Wanderlust tip
Want an unusual ski trip? Try one of the 16 Greek ski resorts located in the north of the country, and noted as some of the cheapest skiing in Europe. The resorts are normally open from January through to April depending on snow conditions.