There are plenty of all-day, late-night bars where Amorgos groupies meet, summer after summer: Jazzmin, in Hora, for backgammon and cocktails; Pergalidi in Langada for herbal infusions and jazzy tunes; Seladi in Tholaria, with giddying views and a telescope for stargazing. Read More. You can get her directly via a ferry from Athens which will take around two hours. (While you’re there, invest in some timeless tableware from Atsonios pottery, in business since 1870.) Or go south, where you'll find the best beaches in Crete – try Ligres, Sougia, or Kedrodassos. 1. All rights reserved. During the summer flights, it also receives flights from all over Europe. You'd be lost without us! This guide is specifically geared to travelers who want to go to Greece for beaches, beautiful weather, and island-hopping. A winner of a Crime Writers of America award, The Two Faces of January was the basis of a film starring Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst, and Oscar Isaac. “An offbeat, provocative and absorbing suspense novel.” —The New York Times ... This didn't come as a surprise as we know that most In Your Pocket readers . See five of the best new hotels in Mykonos, Best for: Traditional villages and knockout tavernas. Sort by Popularity - Most Popular Movies and TV Shows tagged with keyword "greek-island". Rugged, sun-drenched outcrops of rock, anchored in azure seas and liberally peppered with snow-white villages and blue-domed churches, this is Greece straight from central casting, with stellar archaeological sites and dozens of postcard ... Most popular islands: Rhodes, Karpathos, Kos, Patmos. Beaches are mostly small and pebbly, but the sea is as clear and refreshing as gin. However, its population is around 635.000 people. Everyone from John Galliano to Jon Bon Jovi has jumped ashore to taste the seafood pasta at Tassia in Fiskardo, washed down with local Robola and Muscat wines. A 300-year-old hamlet surrounded by olive groves, Kapsaliana Village Hotel exudes peaceful authenticity. The Other Side of Midnight is Sidney Sheldon at his best. Traditionally the tourist season in Greece is the summer, but this is fast changing, with savvy travelers discovering the wild flowers of spring, the joys of the olive harvest in late autumn, and skiing opportunities during the winter. The eruption also preserved the ancient city of Akrotiri under layers of ash, and created fertile ground for exceptional Assyrtiko grapes and Vinsanto wines. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Five Star Greece specialises in ultra-luxe properties, such as Lefkada JD, which comes with a gym, chef, housekeeper and a skippered RIB boat. Santorini is one of the leading Greek tourist islands. Get directions. Most beaches in Thassos are long and sandy with crystal clear waters and full services. Andros. Most Popular Greek Islands: Crete. Rhodes is a fantastic island that attracts millions of visitors yearly. Where to Stay in Lefkada: Good value and family-friendly, Idilli Villas is a secluded collection of stone houses, most with private pools. Greece is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. When tourists cottoned on to the island's scores of fabulous beaches, these wastrels found themselves sitting on gold mines. I want to visit at least 3 TOP Islets. There's even a village called 'love’, Agapi, where you can tuck into wild-fennel fritters at the only taverna. I've always found it strange that, even though many travelers visit Delphi (one of the most famous ancient Greek sites), few make it to this hidden little island just 1hr away. Lonely Planet's Greek Islands is your most up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. After exploring the Venetian castle high above the harbour, treat the kids to thin-crust pizzas (with grown-up toppings like bresaola, aubergine, and gorgonzola) at Alesta on cute St Mark's Square. Find what to do today or anytime in November. © 2021 Greece Travel Ideas. When you disembark at Katapola, a sleepy harbour lined with great little fish tavernas (our favourites are Prekas and To Mouragio), a sign announces: 'Welcome to Amorgos. It takes up to four hours and is the most practical way to get to the island. Each year the island is overwhelmed by thousands of tourists visiting it to enjoy the sea, nature, and sightseeing. The island has numerous colorful houses, loads of stunning architecture, and relaxed villages. The Ionian, Cyclades, Dodecanese and Sporades are chains with dozens of magical islands to choose from. They sit in the Aegean sea, southeast of mainland Greece. This amazing palace was built by the Knight of Saint John in the 14th Century. Prices for hotels and food are also much cheaper on these quieter islands. 10 Paros Island. Lonely Planet Greek Islands is your most up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. All of these destinations are reachable by ferry from either the mainland of Greece . Where to stay in Cephalonia: i-escape has some lovely hideaways on Cephalonia, including My Little Place on the Hill. Which sums up Astypalea perfectly. Skopelos is a stunning island located near Skiathos and Alonissos. But if there aren’t any direct flights to any of Crete’s airports, a popular transfer is via Athens International Airport. Visitors know the island for the incredible food, breathtaking viewpoints, and majestic architecture. The island of Paros might be so cold and windy during the winter. Which Island Is the Best for Your Vacation? The ferry runs daily and takes around one to two hours. As the 11,000-year-old mining industry is gradually giving way to tourism, several chic hotels have made an appearance. The dramatic scenery still lives up to the hype: milky-white Myrtos beach, the island's pin-up; pine-fringed Horgota beach; and the giddying heights of Mount Ainos, a national park where deer and wild horses roam. If you really want to be alone, rent a motorboat from Maltezana, an old-time fishing village, and putter to Koutsomiti and Kounoupes, tiny islands connected by a double-sided beach. Located about 200 km (120 mi) southeast from Greece's mainland, Santorini has breathtaking volcanic views, amazing beaches and beautiful sunsets. The deep, sheltered harbour town of Vathy is barely livelier, but the mood can be deliciously mischievous at Mylos bar. For a perfect meal in perfect surroundings, go for cuttlefish risotto and octopus caramelised in grape must at Thalassaki, served on the jetty in Isternia bay, then watch dusk bleed into the horizon from Exomeria bar. Hipaway has villas with real personality, including a clutch of wonderful stone cottages on Lichnaftia beach. One of the most popular wines in Greece is Retsina. There is no airport on the island of Skopelos. Not only is there never a shortage of things to do in Santorini, but the island is also a postcard-perfect destination with the famous Cycladic architecture people often associate with the Greek islands.The whitewashed buildings are often adorned with blue accent shutters or doors, creating a color palette that . Solitary chapels and whimsical dovecotes stud thyme-scented hills, dropping to sandy bays whipped by the meltemi wind. Crete island is 0.90 times as big as Cyprus. The fast ferry takes two hours, but the slow ferry only three hours and 30 minutes. There are many flights from Europe straight to Skiathos during the summer, making it a relatively easy journey. To get in with the art crowd, stay at a leading local Artist's Villa (like the one pictured), available through Hipaway. But in the summer, flights run to and from across Europe. Set in the rocks above Agios Nikolaos bay, Papalagi serves big fat prawns and whole grilled octopus on a wooden deck aligned with the horizon. Should you charter a yacht based outside of Athens, a delivery fee will apply and may be shared with another charterer. Batsi in Andros. Pure-white Hora, a World Heritage Site, is where A-listers and fashion editors stay. There's a nascent surfer scene on Kolibithra bay, where a VW camper van has been converted into a cute beach bar. Or bring a big gang and take over one of the fabulous old captain’s houses such as Hydra House, available through Scott Williams. Santa Marina resort tumbles down a private peninsula with a full-blown spa, a secret sandy beach, and a Riva to whisk you off to Nammos or Scorpios, if you can peel yourself off your canopied sunbed. It is the most popular way to access this beautiful island, and the ferry takes around 90 minutes. Crete has an international airport also known as “Ioannis Kapodistrias.” It receives millions of visitors yearly, and it is an excellent airport for getting in and out of the island. In postcard-pretty Artemonas, all roads lead to Theodorou, purveyors of nougat wafers and almond sweets since 1933. Otherwise, there are daily flights from Athens. That view may be a romantic cliché, but it still takes your breath away. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. You can arrive by ferry with regular trips from Athens and other Greek Isles, but you’re better off flying there and saving time. This is the only guide you need to discover the best of the legendary Greek Isles! The island is well-known for being the greenest island in Greece, and it is home to thousands of olive trees. With a population of under 2,000, the locals are outnumbered by shaggy goats that blend in perfectly with the burnished landscape and hippie vibe. Where to stay on Folegandros: Midway between the port and town, Anemi has a fresh, witty design and is ideal for families and fitness freaks, with a yoga studio in the vineyard. I’m Chrysoula, born and raised in Athens, Greece. Popular attractions include Marathounda Beach, Nanou Beach, and St Nicholas Beach, all pristine and picturesque. Visitors love the Palace of the Grand Master of Knights of Rhodes, the Acropolis of Lindos, and Mandraki Port, all of which are superb attractions. The helpful Patelis family and cliff-edge bar are among the hotel’s unpretentious charms. Alternatively, you can catch the ferry from Mykonos or Santorini, which takes around two hours and 30 minutes. Dinner reservations are essential at Benetos, for Med-Asian fusion on an organic farm, and Lambi for grilled fish on a purple pebble beach. Link successfully copied to the clipboard. The Greek Island of Rhodes is famed for its rich history, ancient ruins, small picturesque villages and clear, beautiful beaches. Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie) Spanikopita, otherwise known as 'Greek spinach pie', is another very popular pie throughout Greece and is prepared very similarly to the Tiropita dish mentioned above. There’s still a strong Italian flavour in Ermoupoli’s marble piazzas, princely mansions, and miniature replica of La Scala, the showpiece of a year-round cultural scene. Best Greek island for: Naturists and purists. Fruit trees are protected from fierce winds by rings of stones. (2008) The story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular 1970s group ABBA.