This stone-built village in Greece’s mountainous heartland is best known as the gateway to Meteora, a spectacular cluster of six active monasteries perched precariously atop rock formations. Stay in a local B&B to enjoy crisp country air and hike the sacred Byzantine sites one by one, before returning to the village for an evening of hearty spetzofai (sausage stew) and traditional mandolin music.
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Fun fact: Monemvasia is the only castle town in Europe to have been continuously inhabited since its construction. Which is impressive, since it was built in AD 583. Hidden from the mainland by a huge hill and connected to it only by a thin tombolo, Monemvasia is defended on all sides either by sea or by soil. It remains a little tricky to reach, so you can usually enjoy its medieval monuments and family-run guesthouses without meeting too many others.
A 45-minute drive from the city of Ioannina, Metsovo is known throughout Greece for two things: a culturally distinct local community and smoky Metsovone cheese. Many Metsovonians come from Greece’s Vlach community, who speak a language similar to Romanian. Nibble on a platter of Metsovone purchased from a Vlach deli before sampling a slice of culture in the Averoff Art Museum, which contains around 700 works by modern Greek artists.
Dio Choria literally means ‘two villages’ in Greek, and was once two cute Cycladic villages stretched down a hillside that were pushed together over time. Today the town houses only a handful of residents, but those who live here take great care to ensure it’s as pretty as a picture: the brightly-painted doors are immaculately maintained, and you’ll find trimmed bougainvillea on every corner. There’s one restaurant in town, where succulent souvlaki reigns supreme.
Nicknamed the ‘balcony of Pelion’ (a stream-laced mountain in central Greece), scenic Makrinitsa has everything you need to feel like you’re on top of the world. Peer inside opulent Ottoman-era mansions, drink spring water (said to make you immortal) straight from a fountain, then grab a table under the plane trees for a leisurely evening meal and impeccable sundown views out over the valley.
There’s barely a noise on the whitewashed streets of Kastro, Sifnos, as no motorised vehicles are allowed. Fortunately you’ll only need your feet, as Kastro’s main attraction is reached via a set of stone steps out over the sea. The windswept and blue-domed Chapel of the Seven Martyrs looks like something out of Mamma Mia, and is one of 365 churches on this island. When you’re done wandering, stop off at the quirky local haunt Kavos Sunrise for a Cuban-inspired cocktail (its owner makes a famously mean mojito).
Set between the big blue Mediterranean and the little green lake of Voulismeni (pictured), Agios Nikolaos is one of eastern Crete’s most photogenic resorts. Named for an 8th-century Byzantine church – still standing in the grounds of a luxury hotel – there’s history and archaeology aplenty. Take a short boat ride to Spinalonga – a former leper colony that is now popular with tourists, who come to see the island's ruins – and return to town in the evening to enjoy the seafood tavernas and cocktail bars. The aptly-named Migomis Piano Restaurant accompanies its food with soothing melodies every day.
This town on eastern Rhodes was said to be blessed by the Greek gods. To give thanks, the ancient people of Lindos built a truly majestic acropolis which rivals even that of Athens. At the top, you’ll find a 4th-century BC temple dedicated to Athena, plus an ancient staircase you can ascend for even more stunning views of the emerald-green bay. Down in town, there’s a Crusades-era castle and a beach perfect for swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding.
Thrace is Greece’s easternmost province, close to the Bulgarian and Turkish borders. A few of its mountain villages are inhabited by Bulgarian-speaking Pomak Muslims, and one of those is Kottani, a cluster of centuries-old houses built around a white mosque. Strike out from the town on pine-lined dirt paths to reach remote hamlets only accessible by foot, and then backtrack for Bulgarian and Turkish home cooking at Kottani’s sole taverna.
The Ionian island of Kefalonia is famed for its dense fir forests, its chalky teal seas and its time-capsule towns. Tucked away on the verdant island’s northern tip is Fiskardo, so beautiful it’s one of just a few villages protected by the Greek government in national law. Book into a boutique villa and use it as a base to enjoy the island’s Venetian vibes, or take part in a scuba diving course which helps protect local wildlife at Fiskardo Eco Dive Resort.
Described by conservationist and author Gerald Durrell as "a paradise", the village of Kalami on the Italian-influenced island of Corfu is certain to capture your imagination, set on a quiet bay ideal for swimming or kayaking. You can even savour a meal in the White House villa (pictured) where Gerald Durrell’s older brother Lawrence once lived. We suggest a plate of crispy kalamari and ouzo-infused jelly paired with a local Corfiot wine and idyllic Ionian views.
A 45-minute ferry from southern Corfu comes in to dock at the peaceful fishing village of Gaios, the capital of Paxos, one of the smaller Ionian islands. An islet in front of the pastel-hued town creates a fjord-like harbour, and various waterside cafés await. Spend a chilled day shopping for linens in the independent boutiques, grab an iced cappuccino, and then tuck into a ricotta and caramelised fig gelato from Capriccio’s.
Lesser-known Greek islands to visit before the crowds catch on
The beating heart of the Cycladic island of Paros, Parikia is home to around 3,000 people. Rent a bike to pedal its flat streets and discover sandy beaches, ancient ruins and souvlaki shops. You’ll also find one of the most magnificent churches in all of Greece – the 4th-century Church of One Hundred Doors (pictured). Featuring carved balconies, a stunning dome and many legends about its unusual name, it’s an atmospheric place to spend an afternoon.
Overlooking Lake Kremasta (pictured) and with nearby ski slopes that could rival even Switzerland, the high-altitude village of Fidakia is a great place for a Greek winter break. There’s just one guesthouse in this serene mountain village, but simplicity is what makes Fidakia so appealing. Don't miss scenic strolls by the lake, or the local favourite rice-stuffed courgette flowers at Oichalia’s taverna.
Symi is one of Greece’s most remote islands. Start in its pocket-sized capital, Ano Symi, where an 1881-built clock tower stands guard at the harbour mouth. Wander a little further into town, where psarotavernas (fish restaurants) and cocktail bars with courtyards await. It's an exceptional spot to bask in the sunshine, while Nos Beach, just a 20-minute walk away, looks sensational at sunset.
A prosperous shipbuilding town in the 19th century, Galaxidi was home to wealthy marine merchants whose Neoclassical mansions make the town one of the prettiest places on the Gulf of Corinth. If you come on Clean Monday, the first day of Orthodox Lent, you’re in for an unforgettable experience: every year, there’s a coloured flour fight in the main square. Travellers are welcome to join in and hurl vibrantly-dyed flour at locals and other tourists alike.
Close to the border with North Macedonia is Edessa, a thriving town home to twin 230-foot (70m) waterfalls (pictured). See how the life-giving liquid flows through the leafy town’s history at the Open Air Water Museum, which includes stream-powered flour mills and plenty of pleasant picnic spots. A few streets away, check out the Macedonian-style mountain architecture in the old town district, Varosi.
Teetering above the Aegean Sea, the village of Olympos on Karpathos is nothing if not traditional. Around 500 permanent residents live in this cliff-clinging village, where most households still bake their bread in outdoor wooden ovens and special occasions see local women don jewel-spangled costumes. At the top of town is a traditional coffee shop, a ‘kafeneio’, where you can sip earthy Greek coffee with unbeatable sea views.
The arid Cretan countryside might look inhospitable, but the petite port of Loutro certainly doesn't. There’s a selection of friendly guesthouses and family-run restaurants in the town, plus enough beaches, hiking trails and archaeological sites (including an ancient bath) to keep any type of tourist entertained for days. If you want to experience Cretan ‘filoxenia’ – literally 'love to strangers' – head to Taverna Akrogiali for a warm welcome, top-class gyros and a dip in the glassy blue sea.
The patterned houses of Pyrgi are unlike any other. Their unique motif-driven style is known as ‘xysta’, and may have been inspired by the carpets Genoese merchants (who ruled Chios from the 14th to 16th centuries) used to hang outside their homes. Today, wander Pyrgi’s lovingly-painted streets before driving a short way out of town to the Chios Mastic Museum. You’ll learn how the mastic tree’s resin, mastiha, is extracted and infused into the island’s most famous export, a cedar-tasting liqueur with the same name.
In the shade of Mount Holomontas on the leafy Halkidiki peninsula is the ancient village of Arnaia. Sample the region’s internationally-renowned viticulture at Akrathos Winery – crisp assyrtiko and punchy xinomavro grapes are the two best-known local varieties. Other handicrafts abound in Arnaia, from carpet-weaving to beekeeping. Learn more in the Folklore Museum, housed in one of the town’s oldest Macedonian-style buildings.
The capital of the island of Amorgos is a laid-back village populated by a few hundred people and some donkeys. A 13th-century Venetian castle watches over the (limited) action in the town’s main square, where eucalyptus trees rustle above mezze restaurants and coffee houses. Don’t forget to visit the incredible 11th-century Hozoviotissa Monastery (pictured), hewn out of the cliffside. The monks who inhabit it sometimes pour local honey raki for visitors.
Snow and Greece don't usually go together, but Samarina – Greece’s highest town, at an elevation of around 4,600 feet (1,400m) – often gets a heavy covering. The town is a great base for ski touring Mount Smolikas in winter, and forest hiking in summer. Visit in August, and you’ll be part of a huge celebration that sees the Samarina diaspora return to their ancestral home. The main event is the ‘tsiatsio’, a complex dance completed in two large circles that reflects the social strata of the village.
When it comes to finding work-life balance, the rainbow-coloured fishing village of Klima has it spot on. Small dinghies idly bob in the harbour after the morning trawl while fish-loving cats bask in the sun, and the trappings of the modern world feel very far away. There’s little to do in this one-street town but wander along the multicoloured seafront, browse the sole souvenir shop and chill out in the taverna all day. Try the lemon-drizzled salt cedar salad, which makes ingenious use of the abundant local ingredient tamarisk leaf.
Also known as Mithymna, this gorgeous Aegean town is a culture vulture’s dream destination. In summer, the grassy courtyard of the Byzantine castle is transformed into a venue for concerts, performances and screening events. When night falls, hop between wisteria-covered wine bars and sophisticated Greek restaurants, before bedding down in the Olive Press Hotel; a former olive oil refinery turned boutique lodging.
Kastellorizo is Greece’s most far-flung island, lying about 350 miles (563km) east of Athens. However, it’s only one mile (2km) from Turkey, and the Turkish influence on its colourful main port is undeniable. Inside the 18th-century Ottoman mosque (now a museum) you’ll see Turkish-style tea sets and traditional costumes. For afters, head to a local bakery for a piece of flaky katoumari pastry, a Turkish-influenced Kastellorizo sweet treat.
Known locally as the ‘marble village’, beauty is everywhere you look in this Cycladic hamlet, but keep your eyes trained on the windows and doors – the carved frames can be particularly elaborate thanks to a strong Venetian influence. History lovers have even more reason to visit as Apiranthos has a disproportionate number of museums for its size: there’s one apiece for archaeology, geology, natural history, folklore and visual arts.
The rugged Mani Peninsula looks at its most wild at the almost-abandoned village of Vathia. Though it was once a thriving settlement with tower houses designed to resist pirates and invaders, the village became notorious for infighting in the 19th century. After the Second World War most of its inhabitants left, and today only 40-odd people remain to look after the crumbling stone buildings and broken wooden balconies. Desolation looks good on Vathia, thanks to its hilltop position overlooking the ocean; see it for yourself on a self-guided adventure.
An hour’s drive from Athens – and just 20 minutes away from Athens airport – is Porto Rafti, a buzzing seaside town. Its shallow waters are sheltered by a headland, so it’s perfect for young swimmers (and ducks, who also love splashing about here). On the seafront, munch on a fresh-off-the-grill souvlaki wrap or take a sunset salsa class. Just make sure you don’t miss a visit to the Papagiannakos Winery, where you can not only taste local wine, but see it being pressed, fermented and bottled. Booking ahead is essential.
Oia’s blue-roofed Anastasi Church is (probably) Greece’s most famous view, featuring on countless postcards and social media stories. However, there’s more than a snapshot to this 15th-century town, built into the steep side of a black volcanic caldera. You can shop for artisanal souvenirs on the lively Nikos Nomikos Street, ramble the remains of a fortress built by the Venetians to repel pirates, or clamber down 300 steps for a quiet swim at Armeni Beach.