Places to stay in Greece

Greece immediately brings to mind two images: beautiful sea and impressive ancient ruins. These two elements can be found in many Greek resorts, but depending on where you choose to stay you can experience a very different vacation.

There are small islands still unknown to mass tourism and others where crowds of vacationers from all over Europe pour in; places where dance music continues uninterruptedly from late afternoon until the following evening and others where the only noise at night are the waves of the sea.

In order to choose the most suitable location for the type of vacation you want to take, we have created this brief guide on where to stay in Greece; from the most famous hotels to studios, from resorts to apartments in the cities, in this section we recommend the structures to book for an unforgettable vacation.

The most famous islands

Those who choose to sleep on the main Greek islands have the great advantage of being able to take advantage of direct flights (even low cost), have a wider choice of accommodation in various price ranges and find a large number of stores and services on site.

Here are the four most famous Greek islands.

Santorini, postcard island

It’s impossible not to fall in love with Santorini: it’s the Greek island par excellence, with its typical blue and white houses and blue sea, but it’s also unique thanks to its particular shape due to the volcanic origin of the island. Despite being a chic and rather expensive resort, it remains one of the favorite islands for tourists from all over the world.

The most common accommodations in Santorini are boutique hotels with rooftop pools and luxurious villas, but by booking in advance you can find affordable guesthouses and family-run hotels.

Crete, the largest

Crete is the largest Greek island and boasts an incredible variety of landscapes, so it’s ideal for both those who dream of a relaxing beach vacation and those who prefer more active vacations that include days at the beach and hiking in the mountains. Moreover, it is rich in cultural attractions and is therefore recommended to those who want to combine sea and culture.

Given its size, Crete offers a wide variety of hotels, b&b’s and vacation homes of all prices.

Mykonos, for fun

Considered the Ibiza of Greece, Mykonos is famous for its transgressive beach parties and clubs that stay open until morning.

It is certainly the most suitable island for young people, but it is not a cheap destination. In recent years, in fact, the fame of Mykonos has turned it into a snob destination, with many luxury hotels and exclusive villas. Better to book well in advance to find the best deals.

Rhodes, the most distant

Rhodes combines a bit of all the positive qualities of the most famous Greek islands, but without the excesses of Santorini, Mykonos and Crete: it is large enough not to get bored but it is easy to get around with a rental car, has a good amount of bars and nightclubs and boasts some breathtakingly beautiful views.

The choice of hotels and b&b’s is wide and prices are a bit cheaper than in Mykonos and Santorini.

Ionian Islands

The most famous, as well as the easiest to reach, is Corfu, the island of the Phaeacians according to the Homeric myth. It is one of the most developed islands in terms of tourism and offers a great amount of accommodations and services. It is perfect for those who want a vacation that combines sea, nature and cultural visits.

Other Ionian islands are the beautiful Zakynthos, the less known but equally fascinating Lefkada, and Ithaca, the mythical island of Ulysses: you will have to make at least one change.

Accommodation in Corfu Accommodation in Zakynthos Accommodation in Lefkada

Cities and archaeological sites

For lovers of art and history, Greece is a top destination, but even if you’re not a fan, the ruins of the past will win you over with their timeless epic charm. Be subjugated!

If you want to concentrate many cultural visits in a short time, stay in Athens, rich in museums and historical monuments and dominated by what is the very symbol of ancient Greece, the wonderful Acropolis.

An excellent idea for those who want an art and archeology themed vacation of a week or more is an on-the-road itinerary in the Peloponnese, a peninsula where the great cities of ancient myth and some of the most important archeological sites in Europe are concentrated. Your itinerary should not miss: the mythical Olympia, where the famous Olympic Games were born; Mycenae, cradle of a civilization that gave birth to some of the most important works in the history of art; the temple of Apollo Epikourios in the city of Bassae.

Other unmissable places for a cultural vacation in Greece are the city of Delphi south of Mount Parnassus and The Meteora, a fascinating complex of six monasteries perched atop steep hills.

Accommodation in Athens Accommodation in Thessaloniki

Chalkidiki Peninsula

With the name of Chalkidiki we indicate the area to the northeast of mainland Greece that includes three distinct peninsulas: Kassandra, Sithonia and Mount Athos.

Still little explored by foreign tourists, Kassandra and Sithonia are actually two areas very developed for tourism and can boast natural landscapes of extraordinary beauty as well as a lot of beaches and coves washed by a very clear sea. Mount Athos is wilder and more difficult to explore because it is considered sacred territory and there are some rules in force which limit the access to men and forbid it completely to women.

The majority of hotels are concentrated in Poligiros, the capital of the region, and in Metamorphosis.