Thessaloniki's Aristotelous Square was designed by French architect Ernest Hébrard in 1918 after the devastating fire of 1917 destroyed much of the city center. One of Greece's largest and most impressive squares, it offers a view of Thermaikos Gulf and up the grand boulevard of Aristotelous to the gardens of Platia Dikastirion.
Hemmed in by a crescent of jagged rocks, Tsambika Beach is an idyllic stretch of golden sand and crystalline water that is considered one of Rhodes’ most beautiful beaches. A popular stop for boat cruises around the island, the beach is well-served by beach bars and eateries—but with no town nearby, the focus is firmly on the sun and sea.
Crete is renowned for its many beautiful beaches, and many consider Preveli Palm Beach the very best of them all. Located on the island’s southern coast, the beach sits in front of the limestone cliffs of the Kourtaliotiko gorge and is framed by a lush palm forest.
Once a gritty industrial area, Gazi has reinvented itself as one of Athens’ coolest nightlife and entertainment hubs. Home to the Technopolis cultural center—the former gasworks that today hosts concerts, art exhibitions, and a museum—the neighborhood is now crammed with bars, restaurants, live music venues, and nightclubs, as well as contemporary galleries and street art.
A minuscule cove protected by cliffs, St. Paul’s Bay is reputedly the spot where the Apostle Paul first set foot on Rhodes in AD 51. One of three beaches in Lindos, the water here stays warm as late as October, and the bay is both shallow and protected from winds, which makes it ideal for swimming.
Lions Square is a popular Heraklion meeting point. Here visitors cross paths with locals on their way to work, to meet friends, or go shopping. Although the official name is Eleftherios Venizelos Square (after the former prime minister), the area is known as Lions Square thanks to the four stone lions gracing the ornate Morosini fountain.
One of the seven hills of Athens, the pine- and scrub-covered Philopappos Hill (Filopappou) is topped with a 39-foot (12-meter) marble monument; the structure, built in the 1st century AD, honors Gaius Julius Antiochus Philopappos, a Greek aristocrat who served as a high-ranking Roman official. The hill also boasts a scenic viewpoint that directly overlooks the Acropolis, offering some of the best panoramic views of the city.
Built in the 13th century when Crete was under Venetian rule, Koules Fortress is known by many names. Sometimes called Rocca al Mare, or simply the Venetian Fortress, it was initially designed to protect Heraklion from invasion. Today it houses exhibits on the history of Heraklion.
Just a short drive from the beaches of Heraklion, Acqua Plus Water Park is the largest and most popular water park in Crete. With more than 50 different slides, games, and activities, the park has plenty to do for all ages and preferences, from daring water slides to a scenic lazy-river cruise.
Spread across hills overlooking the crescent-shaped Mirabello Bay, Agios Nikolaos is a picturesque and cosmopolitan seaside resort. By day, visitors flock to the beaches, while at night, patrons fill chic waterfront restaurants and bars in the harbor and around Lake Voulismeni—connected to the harbor via a narrow channel. The lively yet low-key atmosphere appeals to many visitors who use the town as a base while in Crete.
Claiming the title of Rhodes’ longest stretch of sand is sun-soaked Afandou Beach, which stretches for 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) along the northeast coast. One of the island’s most popular beaches, the Blue Flag–awarded Afandou features a sand-and-pebble beach, calm shallow waters, and shaded alcoves lined with palm trees.
The main port on the sun-soaked Greek island of the same name, Corfu Cruise Port serves as a gateway to pristine beaches, verdant mountainous interiors, and Corfu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A popular stop on Adriatic Sea itineraries, Corfu Cruise Port is also the departure point for ferries bound for other Ionian Islands.
Set along the coastline south of Athens, Glyfada Beach is one of the top seaside destinations from the city. This long stretch of sand and pebbles is lapped by the clear waters of the Saronic Gulf—ideal for swimming and sunbathing—and direct tram connections from Syntagma Square take you from the heart of Athens to the beach in under an hour.
Omonoia Square (Plateia Omonoias) is one of Athens’ most famous public spaces. Six major streets fan out from its central monumental fountain, and the square itself is primarily a busy transit hub—with bus, metro, and taxi routes clustered here. But it’s also the city’s eclectic and multicultural nexus, where old-school gritty neighborhoods and trendy storefronts meet. The area has a bohemian vibe and offers an array of affordable hotels, inexpensive restaurants and cafés, and international shops.
Set around a boat-filled harbor facing across the sapphire channel to Albania, this once sleepy fishing village is now a lively tourist getaway. As well as ample tavernas and bars, Kassiopi also has beautiful beaches, tranquil headland trails, and a ruined Byzantine castle perched on a hillside overlooking the village.
Comprising two sandy stretches extending from either side of a pier, Marathi Beach overlooks the vivid blue waters of Souda Bay and the White Mountains of Chania. The beach is well sheltered from the elements, meaning the waters are waveless and calm. Traditional tavernas near the sand serve fresh fish to hungry beachgoers.
One of Rhodes’ most tranquil spots, the Seven Springs (Epta Piges) comprises seven natural springs that feed into a small man-made lake, built by the island’s Italian occupants to provide water to the nearby villages. The springs offer a welcome relief from the Mediterranean heat, as well as a habitat for a surprising variety of wildlife.
Located toward the western end of Crete’s northern coast and framed by a backdrop of looming mountains, the historic port city of Chania is one of the island’s most picturesque destinations. With its labyrinth of cobblestone lanes, scenic seafront promenade, and well-preserved Venetian, Turkish, and Jewish quarters, Chania Old Town is the city’s greatest draw. And that’s before you get to the food.
Hailed as one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval streets, Street of the Knights (Odos Ippoton) stretches from the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes to the port. The lane was once home to the Knights of St. John, who lived in streetside inns.
With gleaming white-and-blue buildings perched on a clifftop overlooking the glittering Aegean Sea, Fira (or Thera) is every bit the postcard star of Santorini. The island capital, the main port of call for holidaymakers, is famous for its stunning views, lively nightlife, and archaeological museums.
The capital of the Greek island of Corfu, Corfu Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Twin fortresses, known as the Old Fortress and the New Fortress, stand atop two hills overlooking the old town, where you’ll find cobbled lanes strung with clotheslines, squares, museums, and an astonishing number of churches for a city of its size.
Cutting through the heart of Plaka, Adrianou Street is one of the most storied and atmospheric thoroughfares in Athens. It runs from the Monastiraki Flea Market, past the Ancient Agora of Athens, to the statue of Theseus at Thissio. Most of its length is lined with lively eateries and a variety of shops selling handcrafted jewelry and art, antiques, and souvenirs.
Tucked away from the buzzing nightlife of Mykonos Town, Ornos Beach is draped around a sheltered bay whose calm water makes it a popular family swimming spot. A generous selection of seafront restaurants, tavernas, and resorts offer plenty of amenities for a day in the sun or a longer stay on the island’s quieter side.
Crete is renowned for being a divinely sun-baked Greek Island, boasting great beaches and hot weather—but it’s less known for its spectacular White Mountains (Lefka Ori). Found in the west of the island, the mountains are a paradise for hikers and nature spotters when not dusted with snow in winter and early spring.
Nestled on top of a hill on the east coast of Rhodes, Lindos is a picturesque seaside village offering plenty of history and natural beauty. A popular day trip destination, highlights include the Acropolis of Lindos, several pretty beaches, and a charming maze of small cobblestone alleyways, whitewashed houses, and a lively dining scene.
Kolonaki Square is set beneath Mt. Lycabettus in the heart of the upmarket Kolonaki district, the luxe epicenter of modern-day Athens. A modern, compact, leafy square with minimalist fountains, it’s home to popular cafés, plus statues of the 19th-century Greek revolutionaries who give it the name you’ll find on most maps: Plateia Filikis Etaireias (Square of the Friendly Brotherhood).
One of Greece’s largest water parks, Zante Water Village in Zakynthos promises a fun family outing. The park offers nine main water attractions—some incorporating several slides and adventures—alongside food outlets, shops, and family-friendly land activities such as go-karts.
Winding through whitewashed villages and rugged Mediterranean landscapes, the clifftop Fira to Oia hike is one of Greece’s most beautiful walks. The trail links Fira, Santorini’s postcard-perfect capital, with Oia, a village known for its sunset views, and takes you along the rim of the sunken crater of the island’s dormant volcano. For most trekkers, every inch of the 6.5-mile (10.5-kilometer) trek is worth it.
Golden sands meet the Ionian Sea at Kourouta Beach, which stretches for almost 10 miles (16 kilometers) along the coast of the Peloponnese. With clean shallow waters, the beach is well-suited to swimming and water sports.
Also known as the Esplanade, Corfu’s Spianada is the largest town square in Greece. Located in front of the Old Fortress and home to a mix of Venetian, French, British, and Greek buildings, the square’s construction dates back to the 19th-century French occupation and it is both a popular tourist attraction and the liveliest part of town.
