Discover Greece

Athens

Athens’ claim to be the birthplace of democracy and a cradle of civilisation isn’t made lightly – and there’s history at every turn. But look beyond and dig a little deeper to find a modern, cosmopolitan city with more than its fair share of decent bars, restaurants, open air clubs... and public transport that really works.

Must See:
Take the Metro to Monastiraki for a quick shop in the flea market and a ground-level view of the Acropolis – then scale its peak for an encounter with the gods.

Chania

kkCrete’s second-largest city makes a fuss of putting its rich cultural and historic background on show (it’s a meld of many civilisations – Minoan, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman, to be precise). Like much of modern Greece, it’s a fusion of ancient and modern as fabulously tiny churches and glorious fountains jostle for space with more contemporary buildings.

Must See:
To get an immediate buzz from the town, head straight for Syntrivani, the main square in the old town dedicated to Eleftherios Venizelos, the father of modern Greece.

Corfu

This once-British jewel in the crystal clear waters of the Ionian has variety at every turn, from heaving, neon-decked resorts in the south to sheltered coves and deserted beaches in its mountainous north. Take a trip offshore to spend the day on nearby Paxos and tiny Antipaxos for a different, more unplugged version of Greece.

Must See:
The grand Venetian arcades and throbbing passageways of Corfu town are a delight. Plonk yourself in a cafe on the either side of the stylish Liston (just by the cricket pitch) for a slice of life as the Corfiots live it.

Cyprus

Cyprus has built-up a formidable reputation for the warmth of its climate – and its welcome, with myth and legend, history and hospitality in equal measure... and all with a rather British colonial twist in which cars still drive on the left. It’s as you’d expect from the home of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, whose ‘birthplace’ you can still visit today.

Must See:
Take a trip high into the Troodos Mountains to see the majesty of Kykkos Monastery, which boasts a wealth of hand-painted cloisters and galleries – and mosaics going back millennia.

Heraklion

Crete’s capital has boasted a proud seafaring tradition as far back as 2000BC, attracting all manner of invaders over the centuries. Now, the only invaders are visitors drawn here for no fewer than four different (and fascinating) eras of history, a warm dry climate, and a city that knows its place in the world.
 
Must See:
Take a trip to the outskirts of modern Heraklion and take in the ruins at the palace of Knossos, which marked the ceremonial and political centre of the once mighty Minoan civilisation.

Kalamata

Sitting proudly on the southern coast of the Peloponnese and facing out to the Messenian Gulf, Kalamata is world famous for its olives and its oil. Scratch the surface, however, and you’ll soon find a modern provincial capital with long sandy beaches nearby and relaxed civilised living by the waterfront.

Must See:
Pay a visit to the Kalograion monastery and stop by at its famous silk-weaving workshop, home to beautiful Kalamata scarves.

Kefalonia

At 350 square miles, Kefalonia is the largest in the Ionian island chain, and, if you haven’t already been charmed by its role as the backdrop for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, it’s beauty – from sheer cliffs and towering mountain ranges to clear blue seas – will take your breath away.

Must See:
Make a Captain Corelli’s pilgrimage and visit the village of Farsa and nearby Argostoli for a fuller flavour of the film, the locals and the natural scenery.

Kos

Lying in the southern Dodecanese islands, and just 4km from the Turkish coast, Kos is a sun-kissed spot which has been much sought-after through history... having been a plaything of everyone from the Pharaohs to the British Empire over time. Now, it can be your plaything, too, with ruins and beaches aplenty.

Must See:
Take an oath to visit the Hippocratic Museum, sit under the plane tree where Hippocrates is said to have taught the very first lessons in medicine 2500 years ago.

Mykonos

Cosmopolitan party island Mykonos is up for fun – and knows it – as heaving clubs and bars mark it out at a top spot for a hedonistic fortnight. Meanwhile, away from the bars, picturesque windmills and whitewashed roads point to an altogether different side of the island.

Must See:
Take a quick trip by boat to the nearby island of Delos. With just 14 inhabitants but millennia of history, it’s one of the most significant archaeological sites in all of Greece (and a UNESCO World Heritage site to boot).

Mytilene

Civilised Mytilene is the compact capital of ‘emerald’ Lesbos, largest of the islands in the Aegean group. With 11 million olive trees to its name, Lesbos is verdant and lush – the perfect spot for a break from the bustle... and a handy place to pick-up some locally produced Ouzo!

Must See:
There aren’t many places in Greece that have something in common with Arizona – but the petrified forest of Lesbos is one of them. It’s worth making the trip to witness the amazing fossilised trees first hand.

Preveza

At the mouth of the Ambracian Gulf in the North-Western Greek mainland, ancient Preveza looks out into the crystal clear Ionian with a wealth of seafaring history behind it. Epic Roman conquests are never far from the surface – it’s here that Antony and Cleopatra were defeated and separated. Today, we’re more likely to go for great yachting and dazzling coastline.

Must See:
Take a trip just 5km up the coast to visit the ruins of Nicopolis, the town founded by Octavian in 31BC to celebrate his victory over Mark Antony.

Rhodes

Having more in common with feel of mainland Turkey, Rhodes is one beautiful spot. Commanding the Eastern edge of the Aegean, it’s home to Wonders of the World, ancient and modern. Bustling markets and beach resorts abound – including the infamous Faliraki – but inland mountains and forests are a world away.

Must See:
Get your walking shoes on and hit the streets. Although the original Colossus of Rhodes is long gone (since 224BC, in fact), the Medieval Town of Rhodes City is a modern day World Heritage Site.

Samos

Lush, fertile Samos is the Aegean’s larder, with grapes, honey, olives, fruit and almonds in abundance. It’s picture-postcard stuff as rolling hills, steep cliffs and long beaches give way to pure blue seas. The island was once the home town of Pythagoras (but don’t let that put you off), and today it’s better known as the home of some award-winning Greek wine.

Must See:
Go underground and visit Tunnel of Eupalinos, an ancient engineering marvel that was in its day the longest tunnel in the world – an ancient aqueduct that was used for over a thousand years.

Santorini

Spectacular Santorini owes its fame to its physical beauty – as the site of one of the most spectacular volcanic eruptions in history some 3600 years ago. Today, its legacy includes 300-metre cliffs towering over natural harbours below – the perfect recipe for beautiful views and simply stunning sunsets.

Must See:
Take a trip to the bottom of a cliff to check out the island’s famous red beach... which resembles holidaying on Mars.

Skiathos

Densely wooded Skiathos, one of only four inhabited islands in the Northern Sporades group, is a fragrant place to come for a holiday. Chances are you’ll be more interested in the island’s 70 beaches, including at least one of the nudist variety...

Must See:
Take a 16km trip out of the main town and you’ll find Koukounaries, one of the finest stretches of sandy beach on the island, which, at 1.5km long, has enough space for everyone.

Thessaloniki

Greece’s second city is the undisputed gateway to mainland northern Greece and the beautiful northern Aegean coastline. Stay in town and, amid the 21st century throng of modern Greece, you’ll be treated to a festival of early Christian and Byzantine splendour, which have helped more than one of its sites on to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Must See:
The 1700 year-old Rotunda of St George is worth a visit to marvel at its death-defying longevity... with 6 metre-thick walls it’s miraculously survived the city’s earthquakes unscathed.

Zakynthos

This pearl of the Ionian has everything going for it – beautiful beaches, a fertile inland, friendly locals... and the odd surprise or two, including turtles, shipwrecks, caves and offshore arches. Sit back and admire beautiful Ionian panoramas, or get stuck in to the island’s many natural attractions – the decision’s yours.

Must See:
Take a trip to Navagio – or ‘Shipwreck’ – Beach, accessible only by boat, for a day of fun on pure golden sand in the company of the wrecked and rusting hull of the good ship Panagiotis. Amazing.