Greece & the Greek Islands are known for 3 things: ancient civilization, amazing landscapes and high developed tourism. Really beloved by people, Greece is so rich in culture and beauty that it never seems to be completely explored, no matter how many times you visit it. After all, this is one of the reasons that brought it in the list with the top 20 tourist destinations worldwide. It is all about Greece, from nature to locals, that makes people coming and coming to this wonderful land every summer.
Heraklion (Crete)
The region of Heraklion Crete gets very popular in summer as this is the main transportation hub to Crete. In fact, many charter flights from abroad and ferries arrive in Heraklion Town, carrying millions of visitors. Holidays in Heraklion combine amazing beach resorts with visit to historical sites. The northern side of the region is very developed with tourist facilities, especially the beach places close to Heraklion Town. The southern side is more secluded and receives fewer visitors but it has famous places, like Matala.
Rhodes island (Dodecanese)
Rhodes island is the largest in Dodecanese and among the most popular destinations in Greece. It amazes visitors with the stunning beaches, the Medieval architecture and the many interesting monuments around the island. The Old Town of Rhodes is a true gem to walk around, a fantastic place from the past. The Street of the Knights, the Palace and Hippocrates Square are the main spots of Rhodes Old Town. Wonderful places around the island are Lindos, the Butterflies Valley and Prassonissi for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Santorini island (Cyclades)
Holidays in Santorini is the dream of a lifetime for many people. As this is the top tourist destination in Greece, the island is famous for the impressive caldera, the volcano and the romantic sunset. In fact, it is frequently included among the best destinations in the world. Over the last years, tourist season has extended in Santorini, from early April until early November due to the many cruise ships that dock there. Due to the good ferry connection with other Greek islands, holidays in Santorini can easily be combined with holidays in other islands. There are also many charter flights to Santorini from abroad, making it easy to come to this small paradise on Earth.
Zakynthos island (Ionian)
World famous for the amazing beaches with crystal waters, Zakynthos island is fabulous for summer holidays. The most impressive beach is Navagio (the Shipwreck Beach), accessible only by boat, however there are also many other nice beaches on the island, including Gerakas, Kalamaki, Porto Zoro, Banana and more. Zakynthos Town is the main town on the island, with interesting museums and a Venetian Castle on top of the hill above. Nice mountainous villages also dot the countryside, as well as old monasteries.
Athens (Attica)
Located in the centre of Greece, Athens is a convenient transportation hub for the Greek islands and road trips to the mainland. Due to the long history and rich culture, this is also an interesting place for sightseeing. The Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, the Hellenic Parliament and the Neoclassical trilogy is among the top ancient sites to visit in the Greek capital. Many museums also dot the city centre, hosting valuable archaeological findings and art treasures. The new Acropolis Museum, in particular, and the Archaeological Museum are very interesing museums for a visit. Holidays in Athens combine a cultural visit in important attractions and a swim in beaches close to the city centre. In fact, there are many hotels along the coastline of Athens, the Athenian Riviera as it is called, that provide easy access to beaches.
Rethymno (Crete)
Located between the popular regions of Heraklion and Chania, Rethymno Crete keeps a lower profile in tourist development. Apart from some beaches in the northern side, the rest of the region remains off the beaten track even in high season. As it is not as popular as Chania and Heraklion, the region of Rethymno has more quiet and relaxing places. Bali, Adelianos Kampos, Panormos and Platanias are the most tourist developed beach places on the northern side, while Agia Galini and Plakias on the southern side are great family places for total privacy. Holidays in Rethymno can be cosmopolitan or totally remote, depending on your preferences. A drive around will also bring you to important historical sites and places of natural beauty.
Peloponnese
Peloponnese is a geographical area of mainland Greece located on the southern side of Greece. Its shape looks like the leaf of a plane tree and it is actually an island connected to the mainland of Greece in two spots: the Corinth Canal and the Bridge of Rio Antirio. Peloponnese is surrounded by sea and has imposing mountains in the inland. Since the ancient times, it has been an integral part of Greece and the terrain of many battles throughout the Greek history. Peloponnese is a wonderful region to visit any time of the year. It has interesting archaeological sites, traditional villages and fabulous beaches. Apart from Olympia, Epidaurus and Mycenae that are the most important archaeological sites in Greece, top destinations for holidays in Peloponnese are Nafplion, Monemvasia, Gythio and Pylos.
Halkidiki
Located on the northern side of Greece, Halkidiki is a popular tourist region with many resorts and lovely beaches. It is easily accessible from Thessaloniki, the second largest Greek city. Due to its large size, tourism in Halkidiki is spread around, creating many beach tourist places. The first peninsula is the busiest, while the second peninsula is less frequented but equally beautiful. Holidays in Halkidiki will give you amazing days on the beach and long romantic nights. A drive around will bring you to nice places and historical sites. The beaches in Halkidiki are famous for their soft sand, the crystal water and lush surroundings. Most popular Halkidiki beaches are found in Kassandra peninsula, including Sani, Kallithea, Paleochori and Hanioti. The second peninsula, Sithonia, is not that tourist developed and has many hidden coves to relax. Halkidiki beaches on the second peninsula are popular for camping. You will find below a list with the best beaches in Halkidiki Greece.
