Mamma Mia, do you need a vacation? I know I do! And where could be better than sunny Greece with its gorgeous islands? The stunning architecture and beautiful beaches are phenomenal. Combine them with the region’s delicious cuisine and slower pace of life and you have an ideal vacation destination.
Embrace the Grecian way of life and take the time to explore these four islands and the country’s capital in this country located at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Corfu
Corfu is a beautiful island located on the west coast of Greece. Here you’ll find The Old Town of Corfu, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. If you love architecture, specifically structures built in the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical styles, then you’ll have a fantastic time exploring Old Town.
The seas around Corfu are crystal clear and the weather is mild year-round. Visit Agni Bay to spend time in the water and to dine at one of its seafront tavernas. Make sure you explore the nature at the stunning Cape Drastis, too.
Kos
One of Greece’s larger islands, Kos bustles with activity. Beautiful beaches and cute villages invite you to take your time exploring. There’s also a vibrant nightlife scene and amazing local food options.
However, this is Greece, after all, and you’ll definitely want to spend time learning about the island’s historical sites as well. Visit the medieval Neratzias Castle and take your time appreciating its towers and bastions. And the castle is just the beginning.
According to Visit Greece, you should also, “stop by the Doric Hellenistic Temple, Dionysus altar, the sanctuary and the stoa by the harbour, the sanctuary of Hercules, the ruins of the north side of the wall, the Roman baths, the luxury roman estates with elaborate mosaic floors, roman houses as well as the Roman Odeon with a capacity of 750 people.” You’ll certainly have plenty to do on Kos!
Mykonos
You’ve probably heard of Mykonos before; either that it’s a beautiful island or that it’s party central. Both are true! Mykonos is definitely a luxury destination, so if you’re looking to travel on a budget, you may want to wait to visit it until later.
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There are plenty of beach bars and clubs for those looking for nightlife. And since it’s become a luxury destination, there are plenty of stores to shop at as well. However, there are plenty of cultural opportunities, too. Spend an afternoon gazing at the works in an art venue. Once you’re tired of exploring the city, head to the countryside to dive deeper into the island’s culture and history.
Whether you love the city or country life, make sure you save plenty of time to spend on the beaches of Mykonos. They’re considered some of the top beaches in the Aegean Sea.
Santorini
Have you ever wanted to see a volcano up close? “Santorini’s volcano is one of the few active volcanoes on Greek and European land. The islands that form Santorini came into existence as a result of intensive volcanic activity; twelve huge eruptions occurred, one every 20,000 years approximately, and each violent eruption caused the collapse of the volcano’s central part creating a large crater (caldera). The volcano, however, managed to recreate itself over and over again.”
The caldera is stunningly beautiful, so if you’re even just near Santorini, you can’t miss seeing it. Carve out time to visit the volcano at sunset. While you’re in Santorini, you’ll also want to spend time wine-tasting and enjoying the delicious flavors in Fira, the island’s capital, and explore the other smaller villages as well.
Athens
Last but not least, head to the mainland to explore everything Athens, Greece’s capital, has to offer – and it’s a ton. Visit the Acropolis, an ancient citadel from the 400s that contains the remains of several important structures. One of those structures is the Parthenon, a temple that was dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena. There’s no feeling quite like standing somewhere where people practiced their faith thousands of years ago.
There are many museums to visit in the capital city, including the National Archaeological Museum, the Benaki Museum (featuring Greek, Chinese, Islamic, and Coptic art), the Athens Olympic Museum, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, and others.
After you’re finished at the museums, head to one of the markets to get another taste of traditional Greek life. Varvakeios is the largest food market in Athens. There you can pick up some fresh fish and olives for lunch. If you’d rather avoid this massive market, look around for the weekly neighborhood farmer’s market in your area – there’s bound to be one!
Last but not least, wine lovers, head to the region of Attica to explore its vineyards. Visit one of the world’s oldest grapevine plantations and of course, have a glass of wine (or several) while you’re there.
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