Greece is much more than a single beach island. The country has thousands of islands, and on top of that there is Athens, the mountains and ancient cities of the Peloponnese, and the big city of Thessaloniki in the north. That is why deciding where to stay in Greece matters more here than in most other countries.
The islands are spread across separate island groups, and it takes time to get from one to another. Here are my 13 suggestions for where to stay in Greece, with a map, the journey time from the airport and three hotels in different price ranges for each place.
Contents
Where to Stay in Greece: The Best Areas
- Athens - best city for ancient history, food and starting your trip
- Santorini - best island for caldera views and romance
- Mykonos - best island for beach clubs, nightlife and luxury
- Naxos - best island for sandy beaches and families with children
- Paros - best island for charming harbour towns and island hopping
- Crete - best island for a long holiday with towns, beaches and mountains
- Rhodes - best island for a medieval town and a beach holiday
- Kos - best island for an easy beach holiday by bike
- Corfu - best island for lush nature and Venetian town life
- Kefalonia - best island for nature, road trips and turquoise water
- Zakynthos - best island for sea turtles and boat trips
- Nafplio - best base for the Peloponnese and ancient Greece
- Thessaloniki - best city for food and a city break in the north
I go through the places island group by island group: first Athens, then the Cyclades, followed by Crete and the islands of Rhodes and Kos to the east, the Ionian Islands to the west and finally the mainland. For each place you get a map, the journey time from the airport and three hotels: the most expensive first, then a mid-range option and finally one for a smaller budget. Travel times without a source are my own estimates.
Start by deciding what kind of holiday you want. If you’re after city life and ancient history, go for Athens, Nafplio and Thessaloniki. For the classic beach holiday with children, Crete, Rhodes, Kos and Zakynthos are the easy choices, because there are lots of hotels by the beach and, in the summer season, there are usually direct flights from the UK. Santorini and Mykonos are the most famous and the most expensive islands, while Naxos and Paros give you the white villages of the Cyclades at lower prices.
A week is enough for one island, or for one island plus a few nights in Athens. If you have two weeks, you can combine two or three islands in the same group, such as Naxos, Paros and Santorini, which are connected by ferry. I wouldn’t mix the Cyclades with the Ionian Islands on the same trip. They lie on opposite sides of the mainland, so you’d lose a whole day flying via Athens.
Ferries to the Cyclades leave from Piraeus and Rafina near Athens, and in summer both high-speed and conventional ferries sail between the islands. Timetables change with the season, so check them before you commit to your hotels. Most of the larger islands also have an airport. The company Fraport Greece runs 14 of the regional airports, including Chania on Crete as well as Rhodes, Corfu and Santorini, and on the airport operator’s website you can see where the flights go. If you’re travelling around the mainland or the larger islands, a hire car is the easiest option, as the buses rarely go out to the small beaches and villages.
Not every island can get a section here. I’ve also written guides on where to stay on Milos, Lefkada, Samos and Skiathos. Milos is a quieter island in the Cyclades with rocky beaches, you can drive to Lefkada from the mainland, and Samos and Skiathos are green islands with good beaches and fewer tourists than the big names.
1. Athens - best city for ancient history, food and starting your trip 🏛️
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Syntagma Square. The three hotels are no more than about 450 metres from there, on the edge of Plaka and Monastiraki below the Acropolis.
- 🚇 Transport: Metro. Line 3 runs from Syntagma to the airport, and line 1 runs from Monastiraki to the ferry port in Piraeus.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: About 40 minutes by metro from the airport to Syntagma, according to the metro operator STASY. Trains to and from the airport run every 36 minutes.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. Athens is cheaper than the popular islands, but hotels with views of the Acropolis cost extra.
- 👮 Safety: The centre feels safe in most places. Watch out for pickpockets on the metro and in the busy squares, and avoid walking alone around Omonia late in the evening.
Most trips to Greece pass through Athens, and the city deserves more than a stopover. The Acropolis sits right in the middle of the city, and below the rock lie the Plaka and Monastiraki neighbourhoods, with narrow streets, tavernas and rooftop terraces looking out over the Parthenon. Two or three nights is enough for the main sights, and then it fits nicely to catch the ferry on to the islands.
I’ve picked three hotels between Syntagma and Plaka, because you can walk to most things from here and have the metro right on your doorstep. If you’d rather stay somewhere quieter in Kolonaki, or want to know which neighbourhoods to avoid, read my guide to where to stay in Athens. What to see while you’re there is in my guide to things to do in Athens.
The metro is the easy way in from the airport. According to the metro operator STASY, line 3 takes about 40 minutes from the airport to Syntagma, and I cover the bus and taxi in my guide to getting from Athens Airport to the city centre. If you’re catching a ferry, line 1 runs from Monastiraki to Piraeus. Also visit the Acropolis Museum at the foot of the rock, where the finds from the Acropolis are displayed, and head up to the Acropolis early in the morning, before the heat and the tour groups arrive.
Hotels in Athens
Hotel Grande Bretagne - five-star classic on Syntagma Square
Hotel Grande Bretagne faces Syntagma Square, opposite the parliament. It’s the city’s most famous hotel, and on the roof there’s a pool and the GB Roof Garden restaurant, where you look up towards the Acropolis. The smallest rooms are 27 square metres. Prices are high, and guests mention that the cheapest rooms are small for the money.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Service, views, food and staff were absolutely top-notch.”
See photos and book Hotel Grande Bretagne here.
Hermes Hotel - three-star hotel between Syntagma and Plaka
Hermes Hotel is on Apollonos street, a few minutes’ walk from both Syntagma and Plaka. The hotel has a rooftop terrace and a breakfast buffet, but no pool. Rooms range from 16 square metres up to family rooms of 32. Guests mention that the rooms are small and the lift is very small, so choose a larger room category if you have big suitcases.
One guest praises both the location and the food on Booking.com: “The hotel’s location is excellent. The food is delicious.”
See photos and book Hermes Hotel here.
Kimon Hotel Athens - simple budget hotel with a rooftop terrace and Acropolis views
Kimon Hotel Athens is on the same street as Hermes, on the edge of Monastiraki. It’s a simple hotel with no restaurant, but the rooftop terrace looks out over the Acropolis. Rooms range from a small inside room of 6 square metres to studios of 35 with Acropolis views, so read the description before you book. There’s no lift.
One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “The location is excellent and very convenient, everything is close by.”
See photos and book Kimon Hotel Athens here.
2. Santorini - best island for caldera views and romance 🌅
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Fira, the island’s main town. Two of the hotels are in Fira, and the third is in Imerovigli, about two kilometres to the north.
- 🚌 Transport: Buses run from the bus station in Fira to most of the island. You can also walk to Oia along the edge of the caldera.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: About 15-20 minutes by car to Fira. The ferry port of Athinios is about a 20-30 minute drive south of the town. Both times are estimates.
- 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. Greece’s most expensive island, especially for rooms with caldera views.
- 👮 Safety: Safe. Watch out for the steep steps on the edge of the caldera, especially in the evening.
Santorini is the island that graces more postcards from Greece than any other. The island is what’s left of a volcano, and the towns sit high up on the rim of the huge crater, the caldera, with white houses and blue domes tumbling down the cliff. This is where to stay if you dream of watching the sunset from your own terrace.
The view comes at a price. A room on the edge of the caldera costs many times more than one in the beach villages, so think about how much time you’ll actually spend at your hotel. I’ve chosen Fira and neighbouring Imerovigli because the buses leave from Fira and there are plenty of restaurants. Oia is more famous, but it’s also pricier and packed with people at sunset. I cover all the areas in my guide to where to stay on Santorini.
Two to three nights is enough for most people. Spend one day on the caldera hike from Fira to Oia, which is about 10 kilometres, and one day on a boat trip to the volcanic island of Nea Kameni. You’ll find more ideas in my guide to things to do on Santorini. Cruise ships dock during the day, filling up Fira and Oia, so save your walks for the morning and evening.
Hotels on Santorini
Grace Hotel, Auberge Collection - five-star hotel with an infinity pool in Imerovigli
Grace Hotel is in Imerovigli, about two kilometres from Fira, with views over the caldera. There’s an infinity pool, a restaurant and a spa, and breakfast is included. Children under 14 can’t stay here. Rooms start at 32 square metres, and the largest villas have their own pool. The hotel is built down the cliff, so there are steps, and the price is among the highest on the island.
One guest says on Booking.com: “Fantastic hotel with excellent staff and service. We enjoyed our private pool with the beautiful view and the wonderful sunsets.”
See photos and book Grace Hotel, Auberge Collection here.
Antonia Apartments - apartments with a pool close to the main square in Fira
Antonia Apartments is about 80 metres from the main square in Fira, so buses and restaurants are right on your doorstep. There’s a pool but no restaurant, so you’ll have breakfast at a café in town. Rooms range from 12 to 25 square metres and don’t have caldera views. Children must be at least 10, and one guest felt the pool was too cold late in the season.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location and the helpful staff were absolutely top notch.”
See photos and book Antonia Apartments here.
Rooms By Lignou - simple, cheap rooms in the heart of Fira
Rooms By Lignou is about 300 metres from the bus station in Fira and a short walk from the edge of the caldera. There’s no pool or restaurant, but the 15-20 square metre rooms are among the cheapest in town. Guests mention that some of the rooms are a little worn. This is my pick if you want to see Santorini without paying for the view.
A happy guest writes on Booking.com: “Perfect place to stay and a lovely owner. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to visit.”
See photos and book Rooms By Lignou here.
3. Mykonos - best island for beach clubs, nightlife and luxury 🍸
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Mykonos Town. All three hotels are in or right next to the town, no more than about a 10-minute walk from Little Venice.
- 🚌 Transport: Buses run from the town to the main beaches, and boats operate along the south coast. Many people hire a quad bike or take a taxi.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: The airport is about 3 kilometres from the town, and a taxi usually takes less than 10 minutes.
- 💰 Price level: €€€ to €€€€. Mykonos is expensive, whether it’s hotels, beach clubs or drinks.
- 👮 Safety: Safe, but the lanes get very crowded at night. Keep an eye on your phone and wallet at the beach clubs.
Mykonos is the island for beach clubs, nightlife and fine dining. The town is a maze of whitewashed lanes, and in Little Venice the bars sit right on the water’s edge with views of the windmills and the sunset. This is also where the boats leave for the ancient island of Delos, and I’d recommend that trip even if you’ve mainly come to party.
I’ve picked hotels in the town because then you can walk back from the restaurants and won’t need a taxi or car in the evening. If you’d rather stay by the beach in Ornos or Platis Gialos, or close to the parties in Paradise, have a look at my guide to where to stay on Mykonos, where I go through six areas.
Mykonos is pricier than the other Cycladic islands, and prices climb even higher in July and August. If partying isn’t your thing, the island combines well with Naxos or Paros, which you can reach by ferry. I’d spend two or three nights on Mykonos and the rest of the time on a quieter island. Remember to book tables and sunbeds at the popular beach clubs in high season.
Hotels on Mykonos
Semeli Hotel Mykonos - five-star hotel with pool and spa on the edge of town
Semeli Hotel Mykonos is in the Rochari area, about 500 metres from Little Venice. There’s a heated pool, a spa and the Thioni restaurant, and breakfast is included. Rooms range from 20 to 70 square metres, and some have sea views. Guests mention noise from the area around the hotel and find the restaurant expensive.
One guest puts it simply on Booking.com: “An exceptional hotel in a fantastic location!”
See photos and book Semeli Hotel Mykonos here.
Vencia Boutique Hotel - boutique hotel with an infinity pool and views over the town
Vencia Boutique Hotel sits on the hill above the town, about a 10-minute walk from Little Venice. From the infinity pool you look out over the town and the sea, there’s a restaurant, and breakfast is included. Rooms range from 18 square metres to large suites. Guests mention the steep hill up to the hotel and a bit of noise from the nightlife.
One guest sums up their stay on Booking.com: “Beautiful views and a relaxing stay.”
See photos and book Vencia Boutique Hotel here.
Andriani’s Guest House - small guesthouse close to Little Venice
Andriani’s Guest House is about 200 metres from Little Venice, so you’re staying right in the middle of town. There’s no pool and breakfast costs extra, but it’s one of the cheaper places in town. Rooms range from 15 to 56 square metres, and some have sea views. Guests mention poor soundproofing and the uphill walk from the bus stop.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A wonderful stay on Mykonos.”
See photos and book Andriani’s Guest House here.
4. Naxos - best island for sandy beaches and families 🏖️
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows the Old Town in Naxos Town. The hotels are between the harbour and Agios Georgios beach, no more than about a kilometre from the ferry.
- ⛴️ Getting around: Buses run from the harbour to the beaches on the west coast. You can get around the town itself on foot.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: The airport is 3-4 kilometres from town, and a taxi takes around 10-15 minutes.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. Cheaper than Santorini and Mykonos, and you get more space for your money.
- 👮 Safety: A very safe island. The beaches on the west coast are usually shallow.
Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades and the one I would pick for a family beach holiday. The west coast has long sandy beaches with shallow water, and inland there are green valleys and mountain villages where they grow potatoes and make cheese. At the entrance to the harbour stands the Portara, the huge marble gateway of a temple that was never finished.
I have chosen Naxos Town as the base because you can walk from the ferry to your hotel, and because both the restaurants in the Old Town and Agios Georgios beach are within walking distance. If you would rather stay right by the long beaches at Agios Prokopios or Plaka, you can see all six areas in my guide to where to stay on Naxos.
Naxos is easy to combine with other islands. The ferry to Paros takes around half an hour to an hour, and there are also connections to Mykonos and Santorini. Buses run from the harbour to the beaches in the south, but if you want to explore the mountain villages, a hire car is the easiest option. Stay at least three nights if you want both beach time and to see the rest of the island.
Walk up to Kastro, the Venetian quarter at the top of the Old Town, once the heat has died down, and then watch the sunset at the Portara. Agios Georgios beach is just south of the harbour, so the children can swim without you having to catch the bus.
Hotels on Naxos
Nissaki Beach Hotel - five-star hotel right across from Agios Georgios beach
Nissaki Beach Hotel is across from the sandy Agios Georgios beach and around 800 metres from the harbour. There is a pool and a restaurant by the water, and breakfast is included. The double rooms are 21 square metres, and the sea-view suites are 33. Guests mention that the bathrooms are a little dated and that breakfast orders can be forgotten.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “We loved the location in a quieter part of town right across from the beach.”
See photos and book Nissaki Beach Hotel here.
Hotel Grotta - small hotel with a free transfer, north of the harbour
Hotel Grotta is in the northern part of town, around a 10-minute walk from the harbour. The hotel has an indoor pool, and guests praise the breakfast. You are picked up free of charge at the ferry and the airport. The rooms are small, 14-16 square metres, and one guest mentions that the bathroom has no window. Agios Georgios is around 1.4 kilometres away.
One guest highlights the breakfast on Booking.com: “The breakfast spread was magnificent.”
See photos and book Hotel Grotta here.
Katerina Roza Studios - studios with kitchenettes close to Agios Georgios
Katerina Roza Studios is around 600 metres from Agios Georgios beach and a 10-minute walk from the harbour. The studios have kitchenettes, so you can cook for yourself, and the ones for three and four people are 30-35 square metres. Breakfast costs extra. Guests mention noise from the surrounding area in the evening.
One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “Super friendly staff.”
See photos and book Katerina Roza Studios here.
5. Paros - best island for charming harbour towns and island hopping ⛵
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Naoussa. The hotels are no more than about a 15-minute walk from the old harbour.
- 🚌 Transport: Buses to Parikia and the beaches. The ferry port in Parikia is about 10 kilometres away.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: About 20-25 minutes by car to Naoussa.
- 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. Naoussa is the most expensive town on Paros.
- 👮 Safety: Safe. In summer, the narrow streets get very busy in the evening.
Paros sits in the middle of the Cyclades, and lots of ferries call in at the island. Naoussa on the north coast is the island’s most charming town, with fishing boats in the little harbour, the remains of a Venetian fortress and restaurants right at the water’s edge. The alleyways fill up in the evening, but the atmosphere is more relaxed than on Mykonos.
Naoussa is my pick if you’re a couple or want to stay somewhere with restaurants and bars at the end of the street. If you’d rather stay by the ferry in Parikia or near the beaches on the east coast, I cover five areas in my guide to where to stay on Paros.
Paros is the obvious base for island hopping. Ferries sail from here to Naxos, Mykonos, Santorini and little neighbouring Antiparos, and in summer there are several departures a day to the biggest of them. Around Naoussa you’ll find the beaches of Kolymbithres and Monastiri, which you can reach by boat or car. Book well ahead if you’re travelling in July or August, as the town is small.
Spend a few hours in Parikia too, where the ferries dock. This is home to the Panagia Ekatontapiliani church, one of the oldest churches in Greece, and a small Old Town with whitewashed lanes. The bus from Naoussa takes about half an hour.
Hotels on Paros
Lilly Residence - adults-only five-star hotel with an infinity pool and sea views
Lilly Residence is just east of town, about 30 metres from a public beach and a five to ten-minute walk from the old harbour. All the suites have sea views, and there’s an infinity pool, a restaurant and a champagne breakfast. The suites range from 21 to 80 square metres. None of them has direct beach access, and prices are high.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The breakfast is delicious, and the champagne flows.”
See photos and book Lilly Residence here.
Hotel Bilia - hotel with a pool a few minutes from the harbour
Hotel Bilia is a few minutes’ walk from the old harbour and about 150 metres from Piperi beach. There’s a pool but no restaurant, and breakfast isn’t included. Rooms range from 16 to 45 square metres, and one guest felt the smallest ones are too small.
One guest writes briefly on Booking.com: “Fantastic location, and the pool was great.”
See photos and book Hotel Bilia here.
Hippocampus Hotel - simple beachside hotel with views over the bay
Hippocampus Hotel is on the west side of the bay, about 50 metres from the beach and a 10-15-minute walk from the harbour. There’s no pool, but breakfast is served in a rooftop dining room overlooking the bay. Rooms are 20-45 square metres. One guest felt the outside of the building could do with some attention.
One guest highlights the view on Booking.com: “Both the room and the dining room had a fantastic view over the bay at Naoussa!”
See photos and book Hippocampus Hotel here.
6. Crete - best island for a long holiday with town, beach and mountains 🌿
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows the Venetian harbour in Chania. All three hotels are by the harbour.
- 🚌 Transport: Regional buses run from the bus station in Chania to the beaches west of town and on to Rethymnon and Heraklion. For the mountains and the more remote beaches, a car is easiest.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Chania Airport is around 15 kilometres from town, and a taxi takes about 25 minutes. If you’re heading to the eastern part of the island, fly into Heraklion.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. Crete is generally cheaper than the Cyclades.
- 👮 Safety: Safe. The mountain roads are narrow and winding, so drive carefully.
Crete is Greece’s largest island, and it’s so big that you can spend two weeks here without getting bored. There are beaches, mountains, gorges and the Minoan palace of Knossos near Heraklion. I’ve chosen Chania on the west coast as a base, because it’s the island’s most beautiful town, with a Venetian harbour, a lighthouse and narrow streets in the Old Town.
Chania is a proper town where people live all year round, so the restaurants stay open outside the season too. If you have children and want to stay by the beach, Agia Marina and Platanias are a short drive to the west. I cover those and the rest of the island in my guide to where to stay on Crete.
If you want to see all of Crete, the island is too big for a single base. From Chania you can reach Balos Lagoon, Elafonissi and the Samaria Gorge on day trips, but Knossos and the area east of Heraklion are a two to three-hour drive away. If you have two weeks, you can split your holiday between Chania and Rethymnon or Heraklion. You’ll find more ideas in my guide to things to do on Crete.
Hotels on Crete
Ambassadors Residence Boutique Hotel - five-star boutique hotel by the Venetian harbour
Ambassadors Residence sits by the old harbour, and most of the rooms look out over the water. Rooms range from 20 square metres up to suites of 45, and breakfast is served at a nearby restaurant. The hotel has no parking, so allow a five to ten-minute walk from the car. Guests mention street noise and rooms that are smaller than expected.
One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were very helpful with recommending restaurants and booking tables.”
See photos and book Ambassadors Residence Boutique Hotel here.
Porto Veneziano Hotel - three-star harbourside hotel with free parking
Porto Veneziano Hotel is at the eastern end of the Venetian harbour, around 300 metres from the centre. The hotel has a restaurant, and the rooms look out over the harbour, the Old Town or the White Mountains. There’s free parking, which is rare this close to the Old Town. The cheapest rooms are only 12 square metres, so choose a larger category if you’re staying several nights.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A beautiful, peaceful hotel and the perfect base for exploring Chania on foot.”
See photos and book Porto Veneziano Hotel here.
Lucia Hotel - simple hotel with sea views on the waterfront
Lucia Hotel is right on the waterfront, and many of the rooms have sea views. It’s a simple hotel with a lift, and breakfast costs extra. Rooms are 14-17 square metres, and guests mention street noise and slightly dated décor.
One guest describes the location like this on Booking.com: “The location is perfect. There’s nothing better than sitting on the balcony of a sea-view room and watching life go by on the waterfront.”
See photos and book Lucia Hotel here.
7. Rhodes - the best island for a medieval town and a beach holiday 🏰
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows the Old Town in Rhodes Town. All three hotels are inside the town walls.
- 🚌 Transport: Buses run from Rhodes Town to Lindos and the beaches on the east coast. Inside the Old Town, you walk.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Around 25 minutes by taxi to Rhodes Town. This is an estimate.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. The Old Town has both cheap guesthouses and pricey boutique hotels.
- 👮 Safety: Safe. The cobblestones are slippery and uneven, so bring sensible shoes.
Rhodes is both a beach holiday and a history trip. The Old Town in Rhodes Town is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, and UNESCO notes that the Knights of St John held the town from 1309 to 1523 and turned it into a fortress. The Palace of the Grand Master still stands at the top of the town, and the whole Old Town is surrounded by walls and moats.
I’ve picked hotels inside the Old Town, because the evenings among the old walls are the best thing about the town. If you’d rather have a classic beach holiday in Faliraki, Ixia or Kolymbia, or stay in the white village of Lindos, take a look at my guide to where to stay in Rhodes.
From Rhodes Town you can take the bus or the boat to Lindos, which also has an acropolis on the cliff, and the town’s own beach is just north of the Old Town. Cars are only allowed in parts of the Old Town, so ask your hotel where you can drop off your luggage before you arrive. For more ideas for your days, see my guide to things to do in Rhodes.
If you want to swim, choose the east coast. This is where you’ll find the calmest beaches, while the west coast is often windier. That matters a lot if you’re travelling with young children, and it’s why most beach hotels are on the east coast between Rhodes Town and Lindos.
Hotels in Rhodes
Kókkini Porta Rossa - five-star boutique hotel with suites in the Old Town
Kókkini Porta Rossa is in the southern part of the Old Town and has only suites, from 38 to 62 square metres. Some of them have their own garden with a plunge pool. There’s a bar and breakfast is included, but there’s no pool. It’s a small hotel with a high price tag, and one guest found it expensive compared with other hotels.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Like a home away from home.”
See photos and book Kókkini Porta Rossa here.
The Wine Hotel - four-star hotel with a restaurant inside the Old Town
The Wine Hotel is inside the Old Town, so you can walk to the restaurants and the harbour. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, and breakfast is included. The rooms are 18-33 square metres, and guests would like a bit more space for their clothes. There’s no pool, so you’ll spend your beach days on the beach.
One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “All in all an excellent hotel.”
See photos and book The Wine Hotel here.
Stavros Pension - budget guesthouse with a bar in the heart of the Old Town
Stavros Pension is on Ippodamou street in the middle of the Old Town. The rooms are simple and small, from 8 square metres up to triple rooms of 20, and breakfast costs extra. There’s a bar on the ground floor, and guests mention noise during events and that the rooms could do with some refurbishment.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “Excellent location in the middle of the Old Town in Rhodes.”
See photos and book Stavros Pension here.
8. Kos - best island for an easy beach holiday by bike 🚲
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Kos Town. The hotels are no more than about a 10-minute walk from the harbour.
- 🚲 Getting around: Kos is flat, and the town has cycle paths. Buses run from town to the beaches at Tigaki, Kardamena and Kefalos.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Roughly 30-40 minutes by taxi to Kos Town. That’s an estimate.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. One of the cheaper islands to stay on.
- 👮 Safety: Safe. The cycle paths cross the roads in many places, so keep an eye on the traffic.
Kos is one of the easiest islands for a week’s beach holiday. The island is flat, so you can get around by bike, and there are long sandy beaches along the north coast. Kos Town has a harbour with a fortress built by the Knights of St John, excavations right in the middle of town and a plane tree where, according to legend, the physician Hippocrates taught his students.
I’ve chosen Kos Town because you can manage without a car and have restaurants, the harbour and buses right on your doorstep. In the evening, the streets around Eleftherias Square and the waterfront are buzzing. If you’d rather stay by the beach in Tigaki or somewhere quieter to the west, I’ve written a guide to where to stay on Kos covering five areas.
The excavations of the Asklepieion, a sanctuary dedicated to medicine, lie a couple of kilometres outside town, and you can cycle there. Boats sail from the harbour to the neighbouring islands and to Bodrum in Turkey, so remember your passport if you want to go. Kos is close to Rhodes, and in summer fast ferries run between the two islands.
Tigaki and Marmari on the north coast have long sandy beaches with shallow water, and you can cycle there from town along flat roads in about an hour. Hire your bikes in town on the first day, and you’ll have them for the whole week.
Hotels on Kos
Kos Aktis Art Hotel - four-star design hotel right on the water
Kos Aktis Art Hotel sits right on the water with its own beach area, about a 10-minute walk from the harbour and the Old Town. The sea-view rooms are 21-32 square metres, and breakfast is included. The hotel has a restaurant and bar but no pool. Guests mention that the rooms and bathrooms are starting to look a bit worn.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel’s location was excellent, the rooms were clean and spacious, and the view was truly beautiful.”
See photos and book Kos Aktis Art Hotel here.
Blue Lagoon City Hotel - four-star hotel with a pool and spa in town
Blue Lagoon City Hotel is close to the harbour in the western part of town. It has both an outdoor and an indoor pool, a spa and a gym, and breakfast is included. The rooms are 23-34 square metres. Guests wish the pool stayed open later in the evening.
One guest praises the hotel on Booking.com: “Fantastic hotel. Modern, spotlessly clean and with friendly, helpful staff.”
See photos and book Blue Lagoon City Hotel here.
Catherine Hotel - simple budget hotel a few minutes from the harbour
Catherine Hotel is on a quiet side street a few minutes’ walk from the harbour. It’s a simple hotel with a lift and a breakfast buffet but no pool. The rooms are small, 10-12 square metres, and guests mention noise from the surroundings. It suits you if you spend your days on the beach and on your bike.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is perfect, close to the Old Town in Kos on a quiet road.”
See photos and book Catherine Hotel here.
9. Corfu - best island for green nature and Venetian town life 🌳
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows the Old Town in Corfu Town. All three hotels are in the Old Town, no more than about a kilometre from the Old Fortress.
- 🚌 Transport: The green buses run from Corfu Town to the larger beach resorts. For the small coves, you’ll need a car.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: The airport is just south of the town, and a taxi takes about 10-15 minutes.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The Old Town is most expensive in July and August.
- 👮 Safety: Safe. The roads out on the island are narrow and winding.
Corfu is the greenest of the big islands, with olive groves and cypresses running right down to the water. Corfu Town is one of the most beautiful towns in Greece, and it looks nothing like the towns in the Cyclades. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the great fortresses were designed by Venetian engineers. The arcades of the Liston were built while the French ruled the island, and the British left behind the cricket pitch on Spianada Square.
I’ve chosen the Old Town because this is where you’ll find the restaurants, the cafés under the arcades and the buses to the rest of the island. If you’d rather stay by the water in Paleokastritsa, Kassiopi or Sidari, you can read my guide to where to stay in Corfu.
The most beautiful beaches are on the west and north coasts, and Paleokastritsa is about 25 kilometres from the town. If you’re staying in Corfu Town, a hire car is the easiest option for day trips. Ferries sail from the port to Igoumenitsa on the mainland and to Italy, so Corfu is also an option if you’re arriving by car.
Head up to the Old Fortress early in the day for the view over the town and the sea, and have dinner in the narrow streets behind the Liston, where prices are often lower than under the arcades. Two nights in town and the rest of the week by a beach is a good split.
Hotels in Corfu
Siora Vittoria Boutique Hotel - small boutique hotel with a garden in the Old Town
Siora Vittoria Boutique Hotel is on a quiet street in the Old Town, about a five-minute walk from the Liston. There’s a garden and a lift, and breakfast is included, but there’s no restaurant. The rooms are small, from 16 to 27 square metres, and guests mention cramped bathrooms and things that could do with updating.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is fantastic, and the staff are very helpful and friendly.”
See photos and book Siora Vittoria Boutique Hotel here.
Arcadion Hotel - three-star hotel overlooking Spianada
Arcadion Hotel is on the Liston, overlooking Spianada Square, and it’s about 260 metres to the Old Fortress. The hotel has a restaurant, and breakfast is included. The rooms are 18-24 square metres. There’s no pool, and one guest mentions an awkward shower.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything about the hotel lives up to expectations: location, breakfast, staff and cleanliness.”
See photos and book Arcadion Hotel here.
Konstantinoupolis - simple adults-only hotel by the old harbour
Konstantinoupolis is by the old harbour in the northern part of the Old Town, about a 10-minute walk from Spianada. It’s a simple adults-only hotel with a lift and sea views from some of the rooms. There’s no restaurant and no breakfast, and the rooms are 14-18 square metres. Guests mention noise from the street.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic location just round the corner from shops and restaurants.”
See photos and book Konstantinoupolis here.
10. Kefalonia - best island for nature, road trips and turquoise water 🚗
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Argostoli, the island’s capital. The hotels are in the centre, close to the waterfront.
- 🚗 Transport: Car. The island is mountainous, and buses rarely run out to the best beaches.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: About 20 minutes by car or taxi. The airport is south of the town.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. Argostoli is cheaper than Fiskardo and Assos.
- 👮 Safety: Safe. The roads down to the beaches are steep and winding.
Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands and one of the most beautiful. Here you’ll find Mount Ainos, limestone cliffs and beaches such as Myrtos with pale sand and turquoise water. Argostoli was rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake, so the buildings are newer than on many other islands, but the town is lively all year round and has a long waterfront.
I’ve chosen Argostoli because the airport is close by and because the town has the most restaurants and shops. In the mornings you can often spot sea turtles in the harbour. If you’d rather stay by the beach in Lassi or in the little harbour village of Fiskardo in the north, you can read my guide to where to stay on Kefalonia, where I go through seven areas.
Kefalonia is an island made for a road trip, and it’s the one I’d pick if you like driving around and finding your own beaches. It takes just over an hour from Argostoli to Fiskardo, and on the way you pass Myrtos and the village of Assos. Melissani Cave and the Drogarati stalactite cave are near Sami on the east coast. Stay at least four nights, and consider adding a couple of nights in Fiskardo or Assos if you want to see the north coast.
The beaches at Lassi are only a couple of kilometres south of town, so you can go for a swim without driving far. If you want to see the turtles, head down to the waterfront early in the morning when the fishing boats come in.
Hotels on Kefalonia
Casaly Hotel & Spa - five-star adults-only hotel with a spa
Casaly Hotel & Spa is in the northern part of Argostoli, a short walk from the harbour. There’s a spa with a sauna, steam room and hot tub, an outdoor pool and a restaurant, and breakfast is included. Rooms range from 24 to 55 square metres, and many have sea views. Parking is free. Guests mention that the pool area is small and in the shade.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were incredibly helpful and welcoming, breakfast had good local dishes, and the rooms were clean and comfortable.”
See photos and book Casaly Hotel & Spa here.
Mouikis Hotel Kefalonia - three-star hotel in the heart of Argostoli
Mouikis Hotel is right in the centre of town, a short walk from the waterfront. The breakfast buffet is included, and several of the rooms have sea views. Rooms are 18-25 square metres. There’s no pool, and guests mention that there’s little space for clothes and that the showers are small.
One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “Good location, helpful staff, fantastic breakfast and quiet air conditioning.”
See photos and book Mouikis Hotel Kefalonia here.
Mirabel CityCenter Hotel - simple hotel on the main square
Mirabel CityCenter Hotel is on Vallianou Square, the town’s main square, and the waterfront is just a few minutes’ walk away. Breakfast is included, and you can park for free on the street. Double rooms are 15 square metres, and family rooms are 40. There’s no pool, and guests mention that the rooms are small.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Good breakfast, lovely staff and a good-sized room and shower.”
See photos and book Mirabel CityCenter Hotel here.
11. Zakynthos - best island for sea turtles and boat trips 🐢
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Tsilivi, about five kilometres north of Zakynthos Town. All three hotels are close to the beach.
- 🚌 Transport: Buses to Zakynthos Town. For the rest of the island, a car or a boat is the easiest option.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: About 20 minutes by car. This is an estimate.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. Tsilivi is cheaper than the Vasilikos Peninsula.
- 👮 Safety: Safe. Laganas has lots of nightlife, but Tsilivi is quieter.
Zakynthos is known for two things: the sea turtles in the bay at Laganas and Navagio beach with its shipwreck beneath the white cliffs. The turtles lay their eggs on the beaches in the south during the summer, which is why part of the coast is protected as a national park.
I’ve chosen Tsilivi because it’s the best all-rounder. The beach is long with calm water, there are restaurants and supermarkets, and the resort is neither as wild as Laganas nor as sleepy as the mountain villages. If you’d rather stay close to the turtles in Kalamaki or by the beaches on the Vasilikos Peninsula, you can read my guide to where to stay on Zakynthos.
Most people see Navagio from a boat, and the boats depart from several harbours around the island. The trip is often combined with the Blue Caves near Skinari on the island’s northern tip. Access to the beach itself and to the viewpoint above it has been restricted at times, so check the current situation before you book a trip. Avoid staying in Laganas unless you’ve come to party, as the music plays until late into the night.
Spend an evening in Zakynthos Town. The town was rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake and has a large square facing the harbour, Solomos Square, named after the island’s own poet Dionysios Solomos, who wrote the lyrics to the Greek national anthem.
Hotels on Zakynthos
Lesante Classic - five-star resort with three pools and a spa
Lesante Classic is about 200 metres from the beach in Tsilivi. There are three pools, one of them for children, a spa with a hammam and restaurants, and breakfast is included. Rooms range from 25 square metres to large suites of 90. Guests mention that the hotel can be a little inflexible and that there are few dishes to choose from in the evenings.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were incredibly friendly and did everything for us.”
See photos and book Lesante Classic here.
Al Mare Hotel - four-star hotel right on the beach
Al Mare Hotel sits right by the beach in Tsilivi, and sunloungers and parasols are free for guests. There’s a pool, a bar and a restaurant, and breakfast is included. The smallest rooms are 15 square metres, and there are family rooms for up to five people. Guests mention that the bathrooms could do with updating.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is perfect, and the food couldn’t have been better.”
See photos and book Al Mare Hotel here.
Zante Palace - three-star hotel with a pool and views over Tsilivi
Zante Palace sits on the hillside above Tsilivi, about 150 metres from the beach. There’s a pool, a snack bar and a restaurant, and breakfast is included. Rooms are 20-36 square metres, and the family apartments have sea views. The road up to the hotel is steep, and guests mention things in the rooms that need maintenance.
One guest highlights the view on Booking.com: “The view from the rooms down over Tsilivi is unrivalled.”
See photos and book Zante Palace here.
12. Nafplio - best base for the Peloponnese and ancient Greece ⚔️
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Syntagma Square in the Old Town. All three hotels are no more than about 350 metres from there.
- 🚗 Transport: You can get around the Old Town on foot. To reach Mycenae, Epidaurus and the beaches of the Peloponnese, you’ll need a car or a tour.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Around two to two and a half hours by car from Athens Airport. This is an estimate.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. Cheaper than the popular islands.
- 👮 Safety: A very safe town. The steps up to Palamidi are steep and have no shade, so go early.
Nafplio was the first capital of modern Greece, and it’s one of the most beautiful towns on the mainland. The Old Town sits on a peninsula below the Palamidi fortress, with hundreds of steps leading up to the top. Out in the harbour, the small Venetian fortress of Bourtzi stands on its own rocky islet.
Nafplio is the best base if you want to see the Peloponnese. The citadel of Mycenae is about half an hour’s drive away, and according to UNESCO, Mycenae and neighbouring Tiryns were the two largest cities of the Mycenaean civilisation. The theatre at Epidaurus is also within an hour’s drive, so with a car you can visit both in one day and still be back for dinner by the harbour.
From Athens, you drive across the Corinth Canal, and the journey takes about two hours. There are also buses from Athens, but they don’t reach the ancient sites, so a car is the easiest option. Nafplio is popular with Greeks themselves at weekends, so book well ahead if you’re arriving on a Friday or Saturday. Two or three nights is enough for the town and the excursions. If you fancy a swim, the town has a small beach, Arvanitia, below the cliff, plus a path along the water around the peninsula.
Hotels in Nafplio
3 Sixty Hotel & Suites - four-star hotel with large suites close to Syntagma Square
3 Sixty Hotel & Suites is about 150 metres from Syntagma Square in the Old Town. There’s a restaurant and bar, and breakfast is included. The suites measure 30-40 square metres, so there’s plenty of space. There’s no parking at the hotel, and guests mention a bit of noise in the evenings.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating.”
See photos and book 3 Sixty Hotel & Suites here.
Hotel Ippoliti - four-star hotel with a small pool in the Old Town
Hotel Ippoliti is in the Old Town, about 175 metres from Syntagma Square. It has a small outdoor pool with massage jets and a lift, and breakfast is included. Rooms range from 25 square metres up to 40-square-metre family suites. You park in the public spaces nearby, and some of the rooms could do with freshening up.
One guest writes briefly on Booking.com: “Perfect location in Nafplio Old Town.”
See photos and book Hotel Ippoliti here.
Pension Dafni - guesthouse with breakfast in the eastern part of the Old Town
Pension Dafni is in the eastern part of the Old Town, about 340 metres from Syntagma Square. Breakfast is included and ordered from a menu. Rooms measure 20-35 square metres, and there are family rooms. You park in the public spaces nearby, and guests mention that spaces are limited.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is excellent. Right outside the door there are loads of restaurants, and the beach is just a short walk away.”
See photos and book Pension Dafni here.
13. Thessaloniki - best city for food and a city break in the north 🍽️
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The map shows Aristotelous Square. Two of the hotels are no more than about 300 metres away, and the third is about a kilometre to the east.
- 🚇 Transport: Metro and buses. You can cover most of the centre on foot along the seafront promenade.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: About 40-50 minutes on the airport bus and around half an hour by taxi in normal traffic.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. Usually cheaper than Athens for the same standard.
- 👮 Safety: A safe city. Watch out for pickpockets in the busy squares and on the buses.
Thessaloniki is Greece’s second-largest city, and it’s known for its food. The city sits right on the sea with a long promenade running from the harbour to the White Tower, and from Aristotelous Square you can walk to the markets, the Byzantine churches and Roman ruins such as the Rotunda.
This is the city I’d choose for a long weekend without a beach, or as the start of a holiday in Halkidiki, which is about an hour’s drive to the south-east. I cover six neighbourhoods in my guide to where to stay in Thessaloniki, and here I’ve picked hotels around Aristotelous Square, where you can walk to most things.
See hotels in Thessaloniki here.
Head up to the Ano Poli neighbourhood to see the city from above, and have lunch at the Modiano and Kapani markets. In the evening, Ladadika by the harbour is packed with tavernas and bars. Thessaloniki is easy to combine with Athens, as there are both flights and trains between the two cities.
Hotels in Thessaloniki
Electra Palace Thessaloniki - five-star hotel on Aristotelous Square with a rooftop pool
Electra Palace Thessaloniki sits right on Aristotelous Square, and from the rooftop restaurant you look out over the sea. There’s a rooftop pool and a spa with an indoor pool, and breakfast is included. Rooms are 22-27 square metres. Guests mention waiting for the lift, as it’s also used by diners heading to the rooftop restaurant.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is fantastic, and we loved the rooftop restaurant, where breakfast and dinner were served.”
See photos and book Electra Palace Thessaloniki here.
COLORS Urban Hotel Thessaloniki - four-star boutique hotel on the Tsimiski shopping street
COLORS Urban Hotel Thessaloniki is on Tsimiski, the city’s main shopping street, about 300 metres from Aristotelous Square and a short walk from the sea. There’s a restaurant and bar, and breakfast is included. Rooms are 23-26 square metres. Guests mention street noise.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “It’s a charming boutique hotel where everything you could need has been thought through.”
See photos and book COLORS Urban Hotel Thessaloniki here.
Abc Hotel - three-star hotel east of the centre
Abc Hotel is about a kilometre east of Aristotelous Square and just over 600 metres from the White Tower. There’s a restaurant and bar, and the breakfast buffet is included. Rooms are 16-21 square metres and fairly simple, so it suits you if you want somewhere cheap and don’t mind walking a bit further.
A regular guest writes on Booking.com: “One of the best hotels in Thessaloniki. Every time we visit Thessaloniki, we stay at this hotel.”
See photos and book Abc Hotel here.
Where not to stay in Greece
I wouldn’t book a cheap hotel far from both town and beach. On many of the islands there are hotels along the main road where you need a car for everything, and then the savings quickly disappear. Always check the distance to the beach and to the restaurants you want to eat at in the evening.
I also wouldn’t stay in Piraeus just to be close to the ferry. The metro runs from central Athens to the port, and the centre is a nicer place to come back to. If you’re not there to party, avoid Laganas on Zakynthos and Malia on Crete. And don’t try to fit in too many islands, as every change costs you half a day.
If I had to pick one combination for a first trip, it would be two nights in Athens and five nights on Naxos or Paros with a day trip to one of the neighbouring islands. If you’re travelling with children, Crete, Kos and Zakynthos are the easy choices, and if you want romance and views, it’s Santorini. If you’re more into nature and road trips, go for Kefalonia or Corfu.
The swimming season runs from May to October, and July and August are the hottest and most expensive months. In May, June and September the sea is still warm, there are fewer people and prices are lower. Many hotels and restaurants on the small islands close in winter, while Athens, Thessaloniki and Nafplio are open all year. The Greek National Tourism Organisation has more on the individual regions at Visit Greece.
Book your hotel and ferries well in advance if you’re travelling in high season. That way you’ll have the widest choice, and you can plan your route around the timetables rather than the other way round.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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