Maybe it's my love of Mediterranean culture, my obsession with Greek food (easily one of my favorite cuisines!), or those dreamy whitewashed villages set against brilliant blue waters. Whatever the reason, there's something undeniably magical about Greece, and few places on Earth can rival its sheer beauty.
Our trip took us to Athens, Crete, and Santorini, three very different destinations, each with its own charm. We explored ancient ruins, wandered through picturesque villages, sipped local wines, and ate our weight in feta, watermelon, and fresh seafood. The scenery was absolutely stunning, the food was unforgettable, and one island in particular completely stole our hearts. Spoiler alert: It was Crete!
Here's a look at our Greek adventure, favorite experiences, and travel tips along the way.
A View of Athens with My Very Own Greek God
Greece Travel Tips
How Long to Stay: Plan for 10–14 days to explore Athens, Crete, and Santorini without feeling rushed.
Best Time to Visit: May, June, September, and early October offer beautiful weather and fewer crowds than the peak summer months.
Getting Around: Domestic flights and ferries connect Athens and the islands. Book ferry tickets well in advance, especially during peak season.
How Much Time to Spend in Athens: For first-time visitors, I'd recommend one to two days to explore the highlights. Consider bookending your Greek island adventure with a day in Athens when you arrive and another before your international flight home.
Island Hopping: Combine Crete's rugged landscapes, historic towns, and authentic villages with Santorini's iconic whitewashed buildings, dramatic cliffs, and breathtaking sunsets.
Athens: Ancient History Meets Modern Greece
Athens was the starting and ending point of our Greek adventure, with the beautiful islands of Crete and Santorini sandwiched in between. Admittedly, we didn't have particularly high expectations for Greece's capital city. We viewed it primarily as a gateway to the islands, but with roughly 36 hours to explore, we were determined to make the most of our time.
Did we fall in love with Athens? Not exactly. It's gritty, crowded, and lacks some of the charm of other European capitals. But what it lacks in beauty, it certainly makes up for in history. As the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of Western civilization, Athens is home to some of the world's most extraordinary ancient landmarks. And for that alone, it's absolutely worth a visit.
Highlights of Athens
Feeling Extra Young at the Acropolis
The Acropolis & Parthenon: No visit to Athens is complete without exploring the Acropolis, the ancient citadel perched high above the city. Home to the iconic Parthenon, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is every bit as impressive as you'd imagine. The climb from the Plaka neighborhood is scenic, and the sweeping views from the top are an added bonus.
Athens by Night Tour: One of our favorite experiences was a private evening tour with Private Greece Tours. We watched the sunset from Lycabettus Hill, the highest point in Athens, visited the historic Panathenaic Stadium (site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896), marveled at the city's beautiful neoclassical architecture, and watched the Acropolis illuminate the night sky. We also stopped at Mars Hill (Areopagus Rock), a popular gathering spot with spectacular views of the Acropolis. Watch your step - the rocks are incredibly slippery!
Mars Hill Overlooking the Acropolis at Night
Plaka Neighborhood: Easily our favorite area of Athens! Located at the foot of the Acropolis, Plaka is filled with winding pedestrian streets, charming tavernas, shops, and outdoor cafés. Yes, it's touristy, but it's also a wonderful place to wander, enjoy a leisurely meal, and soak up the atmosphere.
Pretty-as-a-Postcard Plaka
Monastiraki: This lively neighborhood is known for its bustling square, flea market, and traditional tavernas. We found the market a bit too touristy for our taste, but it's worth a quick stroll.
Rooftop Dining: Athens has a fantastic rooftop bar scene, with many establishments offering spectacular views of the Acropolis. We enjoyed grilled octopus and our first of many Greek salads at Thea Terrace Bar at Central Athens Hotel. Not a bad way to kick off our Greek adventure
While we didn’t fall head over heels for Athens quite like we did for the Greek islands, its incredible history made it a worthwhile stop.
Crete: Five Days on an Incredible Island
The Picturesque Venetian Harbor in Chania
Of all the places we visited in Greece, Crete was our favorite. We spent five incredible days exploring Greece's largest island, and it completely exceeded our expectations. Crete spoiled us with its spectacularly lush, verdant scenery, dramatic mountains, rolling hills, olive groves, and stunning beaches. Add in incredible food, local wines, and warm hospitality, and we were completely smitten.
We made our home base in Chania, a picture-perfect coastal town with a colorful Venetian harbor, winding cobblestone streets, and charming Old Town. We loved wandering through its narrow alleyways, popping into little shops, and enjoying leisurely dinners overlooking the water. It was the perfect place to unwind after exploring the island.
While not the easiest place to reach, Elafonissi Beach, famous for its turquoise waters and stretches of pink-hued sand, is absolutely worth the journey. The combination of soft pink sand and impossibly clear water makes it one of Crete's most spectacular beaches.
Elafonissi Beach
But wait, there’s more! The food! The wine! Crete is an absolute culinary paradise, and we unabashedly ate and drank our way through the island. Everything tasted unbelievably fresh, from deliciously sweet watermelon and crisp vegetables to local cheeses and freshly caught seafood. Crete’s Mediterranean cuisine celebrates simple, locally sourced ingredients, proving that the freshest flavors often need the least embellishment.
One of our favorite experiences was taking a traditional Cretan cooking class in a family's home, where we learned to prepare local dishes and experienced the island's warm hospitality firsthand. We also visited Karavitakis Winery, a family-run winery in the Chania region, where we sampled local wines and got a taste of Crete's wonderful winemaking traditions. Add in olive oil tastings and the island's seemingly endless olive groves, and it was a food and wine lover's dream!
Crete had it all: breathtaking scenery, charming towns, gorgeous beaches, and phenomenal food and wine. Lush, rugged, and wonderfully unpretentious, it felt unlike anywhere else we visited in Greece.
Santorini: Picture-Perfect Paradise
If there were a contest for the world's most photogenic destination, Santorini would win in a landslide. With its whitewashed villages perched along dramatic cliffs and brilliant blue waters stretching endlessly into the horizon, it's impossible not to fall under its spell.
That said, it seems the rest of the world has also fallen under Santorini's spell, so expect throngs of tourists, especially during the summer months like we experienced. Santorini is undeniably magnificent, but the crowds? Not so much. If you can avoid peak season, I highly recommend it.
Santorini’s Colorful Cliffside Villages Overlooking the Stunning Caldera
Hiking the Caldera Trail
One of our favorite experiences was hiking the 10-kilometer Caldera Trail from Fira to Oia, with breathtaking views at every turn. Unfortunately, the Hills aren't exactly morning people, and despite knowing we should start by 8 a.m., we didn't hit the trail until 10. By 11, temperatures had soared past 95 degrees, with virtually no shade. Let's just say T was not a happy hiker. According to him, he nearly died of heatstroke. Dramatic much?
Despite the scorching heat (and T's near-death experience), the spectacular scenery was worth every sweaty step! My advice? Start early, bring plenty of water, and don't forget the sunscreen.
White Hot Along the Caldera
Exploring Oia & Ammoudi Bay
Oia is every bit as magical as the photos suggest, with its blue-domed churches, winding streets, and charming shops. It's also incredibly crowded, which made us especially happy we chose to stay in quieter Imerovigli.
Just 270-plus steps below Oia lies Ammoudi Bay, a charming fishing port tucked beneath dramatic red cliffs. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch of fresh seafood and local wine at one of the waterfront tavernas. The climb back up was quite the workout, but well worth it!
Heaven on Earth
Sunset Sailing
Another highlight was a sunset catamaran cruise around the island. We met up with good friends of ours and swam in volcanic hot springs, snorkeled near White Beach, and stopped for a swim at Red Beach. With unlimited wine, a delicious barbecue, and a spectacular sunset, it was a wonderful way to spend the day!
Sunset Cruising with Our Friends Tim and Megan
Winery Hopping
Santorini is a wine lover's paradise, especially known for Assyrtiko, a crisp white wine shaped by the island's volcanic soil and unique basket-shaped vines. We joined a sunset wine tour, visiting Boutari, Gavalas, and Venetsanos wineries. Between the delicious wines, local cheeses, and entertaining guide, it was one of the best wine tours we've ever experienced!
Wine Tastes Better with Friends
Fira & Imerovigli
Fira, Santorini's lively capital, is filled with shops, restaurants, and bars. We especially loved staying in Imerovigli at Above Blue Suites, a peaceful escape from the crowds.
On our final day, we ditched our ambitious sightseeing itinerary in favor of lounging by the pool, sipping wine, and enjoying a leisurely dinner. Sometimes the best travel plans are the ones you abandon!
From the ancient wonders of Athens to the lush landscapes of Crete and the picture-perfect villages of Santorini, Greece was everything we hoped for and more. Each destination offered something special, but it was the combination of spectacular scenery, incredible food and wine, and warm hospitality that made this trip so memorable. While Crete won us over, all three destinations left a lasting impression. Greece, you are one gorgeous country, and we can't wait to return!
