Here are my choices for the best places to visit in Greece. Whether planning a road trip in Greece or a summer vacation, take your pick from these great suggestions of places to see in Greece.
Places to see in Greece
Greece is a much bigger country than its size suggests. Partly due to the thousands of Greek islands, partly due to its mountainous landscape, it's impossible to see it all.
This Greece travel blog post aims to give you an overview of what there is to see and do. I've based this on the concept of seeing these places in Greece on a road trip.
Pick and choose from the dozens of places to see in Greece listed here, or spend six months trying to see it all. Incredible food, UNESCO World Heritage sites, great beaches, and clear warm waters await. What more could you ask for?!Best places to visit in Greece
I've been living in Greece for around 4 years now, and during that time, taken quite a few road trips and bike tours around the country.
Each time I think I have seen all there is, I realise I have barely scratched the surface. It seems that there is an endless amount of things to see and do in Greece!
Greece Road Trip Itineraries
I love it when people ask me what are the best places to visit in Greece on a road trip. I always reply with ‘how long have you got'? And this answer applies to both how long it will take me to answer, and the length of the road trip in Greece the person has in mind.
I like a challenge though, and so I have put two lists and four road trip itineraries together.
Note – Although I have labelled these as Greece road trip itineraries, you can also create a backpacking route, private tour or even bike tour from the suggestions. My only aim here is to encourage you to get a little off the normal tourist trail in Greece, and experience more of this fantastic country!
The first list is for people visiting mainland Greece for the first time.
The second list is for people planning to visit Crete.
I'm not including any of the other Greek islands for these road trip ideas. Beneath the lists, I have included four Greek road trip itineraries that cover some of the best places to visit in Greece.
** Car rental in Greece with Hertz – Click here **
Best places to visit in Greece – Mainland Greece
Planning a two week road trip in Greece? It's your first time, and you might not get the chance to return again? Here are the best places to visit in Greece on the mainland:
- Athens – See my 2 days in Athens itinerary
- Corinth canal, and Ancient Corinth
- Nafplion
- Mycenae – Read my article on Mycenae here
- Ancient Olympia
- Delphi – Discover more about Delphi here
- Meteora – You can find out more about Meteora here
Best places to visit in Greece – Crete
Don't underestimated Crete. Even 2 weeks is not really enough to do it justice, and you are going to want time to enjoy those great beaches! If it's your first time, and you are not sure when you will be back, here are the best places to visit in Crete.
- Knossos – Check out my article on the Palace of Knossos
- Spinalonga
- Dikteon Cave and Lasithi plateau
- Matala Caves
- Samaria Gorge
- Preveli Beach
- Chania
- Elafonisi
- Rethymnon
A Road Trip in Greece
Whilst I have covered some of what I consider to be the best places to visit in Greece above, it's really only a small part of what a road trip should be about. For me, it's about getting to know a country a little better through its people, food, culture, traditions, and way of life.
** Car rental in Greece with Hertz – Click here **
So, whilst you could probably blast through and cover the main points of interest in a few days, I don't think you would get much actual depth. I guess you feel the same, if you are planning a road trip in the first place, right?
Here then, are four Greek road trip itineraries that cover some of the best places to visit in Greece, and give you time to experience the country on a more authentic level.
Ancient Greece Road Trip Itinerary
This Greek road trip starts in Athens. It loops through the Peloponnese, over the bridge at Patras, goes through Delphi, and then finishes in Athens.
It would make a nice 2 week road trip itinerary, and would even give you some spare days to go and spend time on the beach and soak up the sun. Let's begin!
- Athens – I suggest spending 2 full days in the city to see the major attractions such as the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, and museums. My Ultimate Guide to Athens can help you plan your time in Athens.
- Drive out of Athens, and head for Corinth Canal for the obligatory photos!
- Visit Ancient Corinth.
- Wine tasting – The Peloponnese is famous for its wine. There are many vineyards all through the region. Consider visiting a few, taste the different types, and pick up some bottles along the way.
- Nafplion – Often considered to be one of the most picturesque towns in Greece, it is a relaxing place to stay for a few days. You can also make side trips out to other places of interest such as Epidavrous.
- Mycenae – Legend has it that this ancient city was home to Agamemnon of Trojan War fame. This is a must-see site.
- Ancient Olympia – Home of the first Olympic games. An interesting complex to visit, and the chance to run on a running track thousands of years old!
- Nafpaktos – An interesting town that is a secret even amongst Greeks it seems! It has all the tourist facilities you want though, and has a lovely port, beaches, and scenic mountain areas. A good place to enjoy outdoor activities, or simply relax. Read my article on the best things to do in Nafpaktos here.
- Delphi – Navel of the world, and home to the famous Oracle.
- Back to Athens
For extra information, check out my articles below:
Best places to visit in Greece – Peloponnese Road Trip
The Peloponnese seems purposefully designed with road trips in mind! It has several regions within it, all with their own unique characteristics such as Mani.
There are ancient archaeological sites, great beaches, Venetian castles, mountains, and even shipwrecks! Here is a rough road trip itinerary for the Peloponnese based on my own experiences there.
- Again, start in Athens where you should spend a couple of days seeing the sights.
- Drive on to Corinth Canal and Ancient Corinth.
- Epidavrous for the magnificent theatre
- Nafplion – A beautiful coastal town with a romantic feel
- Mycenae – An ancient Greek city where myth and history collide
- Monemvasia – A small town in a medieval fortress
- Diros Caves
- Mani Peninsula – Peculiar tower like house
- Mystras – A huge Byzantine castle town, and a UNESCO World Heritage site few people know about
- Kalamata – Famous for its olives and olive oil, it is a pleasant coastal town. Base yourselves here, and explore the coastline in search of a perfect beach. My favourite is Foinikounta
- Ancient Messene – One of the largest and most impressive ancient sites in Greece.
- Koroni and Methoni Castles – Two amazing Venetian castles which don't seem to be given the prominence they deserve.
- Ancient Olympia – Home of the original Olympic games thousands of years ago!
- Back to Athens
For extra information, check out my articles below:
Peloponnese road trip – A more in-depth look at my road trip around the Peloponnese.
Peloponnese Tour – A 2 day tour to Olympia and back Athens.
Best places to visit in Greece – North Greece Road Trip
Apart from the obvious places such as Delphi and Meteora, the the North of Greece doesn't receive as many visitors as other parts of the country. I guess this is understandable, as people rush to the islands for their two weeks of sun, but it's a shame, as there is a lot to see and do there.
In some sense, I am also guilty of this, as I haven't spent as much time exploring the areas as I would like. In a similar fashion to the Peloponnese, it is ideal for a road trip. There is a sense of adventure and discovery, and arguably you are going to see more of the authentic rural Greece here than anywhere else in the country. Here's an example road trip itinerary for the north of Greece:
- Begin with a couple of days in Athens.
- Drive north to Arachova, a pretty mountain town. In the winter, this is a popular destination for skiing.
- Delphi – This ancient site seems to have a sense of calm due to its location. It's easy to see why the Ancient Greeks though that this was the centre of the world!
- Nafpaktos – A small coastal town which many people overlook. History was made here in the naval battle of Lepanto, a significant encounter which may have altered the course of European History.
- Missolonghi – An historic town with connections to pirates, the War of Independence and Lord Byron
- Lefkada – A little known Greek island which is accessible via a bridge. This has some wonderful beaches, and is a popular destination with Greeks.
- Nicopolis – A massive archaeological site that rarely features in the marketing and promotion campaigns of Greece. Why? Probably because it is of Roman origin, but it is one of the largest and most interesting sites to visit in Greece.
- Parga – This coastal town is a popular destination with British families, and is situated on the west coast. I visited Parga when cycling from Greece to England.
- Ioannina – I have still to visit this city! By all accounts I should, and so I included it on the itinerary for you!
- Kalambaka – You are going to want to stay here when you visit the astounding Meteora region. I would suggest spending at least a couple of days exploring the area to fully appreciate the monasteries and rock formations.
- Mount Olympus – Home of the Ancient Greek Gods, and a National Park area. Spend a couple of days hiking, visit a monastery, or just breathe in that cool, clean mountain air!
- Vergina – The burial site of Philip, King of the Macedons and father of Alexander the Great.
- Thessaloniki – The second largest city in Greece, and it has a more laid back vibe than Athens. There is plenty to see and do here over a 2 day break.
- Pelion – If you want to experience a more authentic side to Greece that few foreign tourists visit, then spend a little time in the Pelion region. Mountains, outdoor sports, beautiful beaches, quaint villages… What more do you want?
- And back to Athens
For extra information, check out my articles below:
My Big Fat Greek Road Trip – A road trip from Athens to Thessaloniki and back.
2 Days in Pelion – What to see and do with 2 days in Pelion.
Meteora at Sunset – Where to take the best photos in Meteora.
Best places to visit in Greece – Crete Road Trip
Crete can be described as almost a country in itself. It has its own culture and traditions, and Greeks have an admiration for the people who seem to have a natural ability to live life on their own terms. There is of course plenty to see and do here. This is a suggested road trip itinerary for Crete that will take in some of the highlights.
- Heraklion – This road trip in Crete will start and end in Heraklion, the capital of the island. Plan to stay here 2 or 3 days, where you will want to visit the Palace of Knossos, archaeology museum, walk around the Venetian Walls, and enjoy what the town has to offer. Why not take a food tour in Heraklion whilst you are there?
- Dikteon Cave and Lasithi plateau – Visit the cave where Zeus was hidden as a child from his father Kronos! The plateau itself is also pleasant to drive around.
- Spinalonga – A popular day trip in North Crete, this island is reached after a short boat journey. Spinalonga itself was once a leper colony.
- Gortyna and Phaestos – I wasn't fully aware of these sites before embarking on my own road trip, although I knew that the famous Phaestos Disc was obviously found at one of them. Both are worth visiting, and I personally felt that they were better than Knossos.
- Matala Caves – These famous caves on Matala beach have been used for thousnads of years, most recently by hippies in the 60s who set up home there! Now a protected area, you can visit this almost Flintstone like cave system, and then sunbathe and swim in the sea after.
- Preveli Beach – Crete has some amazing beaches, and I won't gointo them all here. It's probably worth an article by itself!
- Chania – A quaint port town which people rave about. Personally, I found it a little too geared towards tourism and very crowded. It probably looks and feels better in quieter off season months.
- Elafonisi – Another one of those beaches you have to visit! Famous for its pink sands. Kedrodasos Beach is a short drive away down a dusty track. In my opinion far more relaxing, beautiful, and fewer people!
- Rethymnon – An coastal city with an old harbour, fortress, and plenty of museums. Stay for a night or 2, or even base yourselves here to explore the north of the island.
- Back to Heraklion!
For extra information, check out my articles below:
Highlights of a 2 week road trip in Crete – A more detailed look at my own road trip around Crete.
Wow – I never figured that this article on the best places to visit in Greece on a road trip would end up being so long! I'm also aware, that I have left out tonnes of potential things to see and do. As I told you, there is a lot here in Greece!
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If you found this article useful, would like any advice for a trip you are planning, or would like to contribute some thoughts on the best places to visit in Greece on a road trip, please leave a comment below! For more information on travelling in Greece, sign up for my newsletter!
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Kathy says
Hi Dave, we are planning a four day side trip to the island of Kefalonia at the end of September this year, 2019. We will be renting a car for the entire time and creating their own itinerary, and would love your input in creating this itinerary to capture interesting sites and towns to see and beaches to visit. We are doing the same On the islands of Corfu and Santorini, and would appreciate your insights for these two islands as well.
Thank you!
Kathy A.
Tan SIo Ling says
Hi Dave,
I am planning a trip on my own from 9 to 15 June in Greece before my friend joins me on 15 June in Athens. I intend to do Meteora and some coastal areas or an Ionian island but as I am alone, I hope to travel around by train or bus. Do you have any suggestion? (I have done Delphi, Olympia and Kefalonia before) Also if I travel by bus, is it advisable to bring a luggage?
Dave Briggs says
Hi,
I hope you had a great day!
So, it looks like you have around 6 days to play with.
If you want to go to Meteora, you can take a look here: Athens to Meteora. I think the train would be your best option there.
From there, you could take a bus to Igoumenitsa. I’ve not got a detailed article but it looks like the Meteora to Igoumenitsa bus services, operated by KTEL Prevezas, arrive at Igoumenitsa station.
From Igoumenitsa, the obvious choice of island would be Corfu. The old town of Corfu is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Have a great trip to Greece!
Tan Sio Ling says
Hi Dave,
thanks for the help. Just a question, if I am taking bus, is it possible to bring a luggage? Do they have storage?
Regards.
Dave Briggs says
HI,
Yes the intercity buses have storage for luggage.
🙂
David Benninga says
Dave, this note is to thank you. I just returned from my third bike trip, this time using most of the route you described on your web page. I stored my box at the Athens’ Int’l Airport and biked out of the airport going east through Spata and to the coast. I continued north through Marathona, Afidnes, Oropou. Made it to Thiva, Delphi, then due to weather continued to Patras and along the southern coast of the Corinthian Sea. Took the ferry to the island of Salamina, then ferry to Perama, Gylfada and back to the airport, all on bike. The route was great, Greece is wonderful.
My first two trips were to Peloponnese and to northern Greece including sleeping at a monastery on Mt. Athos.
Be well,
David
Dave Briggs says
Hi David,
That sounds like a fantastic trip you had on the bike!
Greece is definitely an underrated cycling destination, and so happy to hear from other cyclists.
Time to start planning next year’s ride?….. I hear Crete would be a nice challenge!!
Brandi Jordan says
Hey Dave!
We are planning our 1st trip to Greece this year from August 25th thru September 13th. We are flying into Athens and leaving for an island hopping adventure (on our own) on Friday August 30th. We planned on spending the first few days in Athens, however we have also considered using part of that time to take the 2 day trip by train to Meteora and Delphi. I was wondering what you thought of this type of tour?
We have yet to finalize our island hopping plan. Santorini and Paros are a must but the rest we are still undecided on. We want to make the most of our time there. We want lots of beach time but also it is important for us to be surrounded by the local culture. We are huge foodies and we love wine!
Looking forward to any suggestions you may have regarding our train tour plans as well as recommending an itinerary in the Cyclades!
Dave Briggs says
Hi Brandi,
I hope you are well!
In answer to your main question:
I think the 2 day Delphi / Meteora tour is worth it if you want to avoid driving yourself. Having your own transport would always be a better option of course, because you will be able to organise your own time at the sites. Here some more details about the 2 day trip – 2 day Delphi and Meteora trip.
When planning your beach time, keep in mind that Santorini doesn’t have great beaches. There’s not much ‘real’ culture there either. probably 2 days would be enough for most people.
Another island for your consideration might be Milos. Here’s some more info – Milos travel guide.
Sandra Bloom says
Hi Dave.
Loving your website. We have provisionally booked the ferry from Ancona to Patras for April 27th 2019. We are going to travel around in our small camper van for a month then return by ferry to Ancona. Your Ancient Greece Road Trip Itinerary looks amazing and we will look to follow this mainly finding wild camping spots on the way. I wondered if you could offer any suggestions of extensions to the itinerary or advise if best to use your plan at a more leisurely pace. Have you any experience of motor homing in Greece and if so any tips?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sandra
Sandra
Dave Briggs says
Hi Sandra,
Sounds like a great road trip in Greece you have planned!
I’ve not travelled by van, but I have cycled around Greece a few times, so there’s plenty of opportunity to wild camp.
You’ll find it easier in the mountains, but you can probably get away with it at more remote beach destinations, especially in western Peloponnese.
For a month, you could quite happily spend it all in the Peloponnese, but I’d suggest heading to the area around Ioannina.
The landscape here is breathtaking, with Vikos Gorge worth the trip alone.
Driving out here would also give you the option of getting a ferry back to Italy from Igoumenitsa.
Here’s a few posts and videos you might like:
About Ioannina
Meteora in Greece
Hercules bike Tour (will give you an idea of landscape and routes for the Peloponnese).
Loreena Doumbos says
Hi Dave
Love your articles, thank you so much for all of your information!
We have about 8 days for a mainland road trip in July before heading to Lemnos to join up with family.
We would like to include Sparta, Olympia, Corinth, Delphi, Mt Olympus and Thessaloniki. We have been to Meteora on a previous trip and though we absolutely loved it, don’t necessarily need it included this time around.
Are you able to suggest itinerary/accommodation options for us please?
Many thanks,
Loreena
Dave Briggs says
Hi Loreena,
I hope you are well!
It sounds like you have a really interesting trip planned – I hope you enjoy your time in Greece 🙂
Before leaping in on a suggested itinerary, I’d just like to ask about Sparta and why you would like to visit. If it’s for any archaeology or history, you might be a little disappointed, so I’d research this a little before committing.
With that in mind, here’s my suggestion based on the assumption you’re starting in Athens and finishing in Thessaloniki –
Day 1 – Athens – Corinth – Mycenae – Stay at Nafplio (Corinth has two sites. I personally prefer Acrocorinth for the views)
Day 2 – Nafplio – Epidaurus – Stay at Monemvasia
Day 3 – Monemvasia – drive around the Mani Peninsula – Stay at or near Kalamata
Day 4 – Beach day – I like finikounda beach – stay at Finikounda
Day 5 – Coastal drive past Methoni and Koroni castles (with stop for photos) – Ancient Olympia (stay in ancient Olympia)
Day 6 – Big drive to Delphi and sightseeing Delphi – stay near Delphi
Day 7 – Mount Olympus
Day 8 – Thessaloniki
Obviously, you can tweak and alter this based on what you want to do, but I hope there’s a few suggestions in there that you might not have thought of.
I’ve got no specific accommodation to mention, but of you use Booking you could go through this link to receive a discount (you can only use it once) – https://www.booking.com/s/34_6/88364550
Have a lovely trip to Greece!
Sarah says
Hey Dave! My friends and I are taking a 1 day road trip from Athens to Lefkada for a sail trip. Any suggestions on the route over? We’ll be heading over in the beginning of Sept. Thanks!
Dave Briggs says
Hi Sarah!
Lefkada is a great island with some amazing beaches – I’m sure you’re going to love it there!
If you just have the one day on the road driving there, I think there’s two nice choices.
1. Leave Athens, head to Delphi (stop at this lovely UNESCO World Heritage site!!), and then carry on to Lefkada – Note, this will be a LONG day!
2. For a quicker more direct drive – Leave Athens, head over Corinth Canal (stop for photos!), carry on to Patras. Take the Rio bridge (another photo op!) to Antirio, and then drive through Messalonghi and on to Lefkada. This is a more direct route. You might consider stopping at Patras for lunch or quick sightseeing – Things to do in Patras.
I would personally take option 1, but because I like archaeological spaces!
Whatever you decide I’m sure you’ll love the scenery and your boat trip.
Have a great time in Greece!
amy says
Hi Dave,
We are looking to stay put for a few days in Crete, doing day-trips or hanging out as we wish. Can you recommend a place where we can work from that may include some swim/dive/snorkeling?
Dave Briggs says
Hi Amy,
A tough question to answer, as Crete is so varied! My initial though is to try starting your search near Rethymno. It’s close to Heraklion, and you can get most places on the island easily enough with your own vehicle. It’s developed enough to have good internet as well (which I am assuming you need for work).
In my opinion though, it’s the beaches on the south of Crete which are the best for relaxing and swimming etc. The downside is that internet is not reliable in these places.
JIll says
HI Dave, I am planning on a road trip and its my first adventure in Greece this coming March! Any advise or recommendations for a 7 days road trip for me and my best buddy? We land at athens and would like to have crete and santorini in our plans. 🙂 Is it convenient and safe to drive around in Greece?
Dave Briggs says
Hi!
Great to hear you are planning to visit Greece, and you’re aiming to do a road trip!
Let’s start off with the easy bit – Driving here is fine, although Athens is quite crazy. Whatever you decide to do, don’t plan on doing much driving within the city itself. And actually, there’s not much need, as it has a great Metro system to get around.
The tough bit though!!…
7 days is great, but I think you will need to narrow down your priorities. If a road trip in Greece is the number one priority, then I think you should consider either leaving Crete out, OR only going to Crete.
Based on my own experiences here, I think I would plan to road trip in mainland Greece for 4-5 days, and then take 2 days in Santorini.
Your mainland road trip could be something like Athens – Delphi – Nafpaktos – Olympia – Mycenae – Epidaurus – Nafplion – Athens
In Santorini, if you do want to hire a car, you would probably only need it for one day.
In regards to Crete – This is like a country in itself. You could also spend 5 days on a road trip in Crete, and then go to Santorini from there. Perhaps though leave it for next time – I’m sure you’ll love Greece enough to want to return!
Hope this is of some help. If you need any advice closer to the time let me know 😉
Lori says
Dave, this is brilliant. At first I thought to make Athens a home base and do much of these things from there. We do like a bit of luxury and are traveling with 3 teens. Keeping in mind the places you just mentioned to Michel, any further recommendation? We would rent a car, of course, have to see the sunsets! Many thanks.
Dave Briggs says
Hi Lori,
Hope you are well!
I think a road trip is such a great way to see a bit more as opposed to basing in Athens – and it will certainly add to the adventure!
It all depends on the time of year you are visiting and for how long. Whilst the weather right now is still good for swimming for example, in October the weather is less reliable. The road trip route I mentioned for Michel can be tweaked to the following
Athens
Meteora – Sunset!!
Delphi – Sunset (and you can stay either in Delphi or Arachova)
Nafpaktos
Ancient Olympia
Mycenae
Nafplio
Corinth
Athens
If you need accommodation in Athens and Meteora, please take a look here! – Hotels in Athens near the Acropolis and hotels in Meteora.
Car hire tip – Make sure the boot/trunk has enough room for your luggage! If you need an automatic, you may need to specifically ask for it. Hertz Car Rentals have a number of depots in Athens, including the airport.
michel says
Hello,
Im planning a road trip with my wife and our 1 year old baby in April 2018.
we have around 8 days. do you have any recommendations for which cities we must see?
thank you
michel
Dave Briggs says
Hi,
Glad you have found the info helpful so far!
A lot depends on what you would like to see, your interests ext.
For first time visitors with just 1 week, I would suggest..
1 full day in Athens (No car needed)… but you should aim to visit To union temple of Poseidon for sunset (car needed).
Then for sure Delphi and Meteora (2 full days).
Drive back South through Athens to head to the Peloponnese and see Corinth, Nafplio, Myceanae and ancient Olympia. Head for some beaches as well… Founikounda is a nice one 😉
Hope this is of some help!
Agness of aTukTuk says
This is my dream! I would love to go on this road trip. The places are so picturesque!
Meena Misra says
Hi Dave, your information on Greece is very useful! We’re looking for some info on Mykonos and Santorini for our upcoming trip in July. We already got info for Athens, Delphi and Meteora from your travel pages.
I need to know some good places to stay (for a family of 4. We have 2 kids 16 and 19 year old) in both those places. 4 days in each of those places. So far, I’ve been looking at exhorbitantly priced villas, or the tacky ones, but we’re looking for something at a good location and in the USD 200-300 a night (per room) price range, preferably with a pool. Also, the ‘must-do’ stuff for first timers! If you can direct me to a website, I can go from there.
Thanks!
Dave Briggs says
Hi Meena,
Hope you are doing well!
I can’t help you out with Mykonos – I still have to spend enough time there to be able to write about it!
For Santorini – Yes, you are going to need to book quickly for your trip in July – accommodation fills up super-fast there!.
Mu suggestion is to spend some time looking through Booking.com, and start to narrow down your selection from there. I am working on an accommodation guide to Santorini, but it will not be ready until around May 11th, and I strongly suggest you book your accommodation before then!
For a ‘must do’ list, take a look at my guide on things to do with 2 days in Santorini in order to get a taste of what to see and do.