The image is perfect. You’re sitting on the upper deck, salty wind in your hair, an iced frappé in hand, and a white silhouette rising out of the deep blue Aegean on the horizon. Greece island hopping — skipping from one island to the next — is the absolute essence of a Greek summer. But the reality can catch an unprepared traveller off guard. A wrong port, a cancelled sailing due to wind, or a bout of seasickness can turn that idyllic picture into a logistical nightmare.

The good news is that the Greek ferry network is vast and complex, but once you know how to work it, it’s remarkably reliable. You just need to know the rules of the game — which port to leave from, which vessel to choose, and how to put together a route that actually makes sense.

In this guide, you’ll find a complete practical manual for Greece island hopping: Athens ferry ports, types of vessels, when and where to buy tickets, a ferry vs. flight comparison, five golden rules, and four tried-and-tested routes. Let’s dive in. ☺️

TL;DR

• Athens has three ports: the main Piraeus (Cyclades, Crete, Dodecanese), the smaller Rafina (Mykonos, Andros, Tinos), and the tiny Lavrio. Always check which one your ferry departs from.
• Two types of vessel: large, stable conventional ferries (Blue Star) are slower, cheaper and more reliable; fast catamarans (SeaJets) are quicker, pricier, and sensitive to rough seas.
• Book tickets online via Ferryhopper or Ferries.gr — in peak season, weeks or even months ahead.
• Watch out for the meltemi wind (May to September). When it blows hard, fast catamarans stay in port; the big ferries keep going.
• Don’t overdo it: for a 10-day trip, plan a maximum of two to three islands and spend at least three nights on each.
• Sleep in Athens on your last night before flying home, so a cancelled ferry doesn’t cost you your flight.

Three Athens Ports: Which One to Use

The most common mistake first-time visitors make? Assuming Athens has a single port and that turning up ten minutes before departure is fine. Wrong on both counts. The Greek capital has three separate ferry ports, and they couldn’t be more different from one another.

Piraeus is Greece’s main artery, where the majority of ferries depart for the Cyclades, Crete, and the Dodecanese. From Athens Airport and the city centre, you can reach it directly on the Metro (Blue Line 3). The catch is that Piraeus is enormous — gates are numbered E1 through E12, and the distances between them can run to several kilometres. Always check your departure gate in advance, and arrive at the port at least 45 minutes before sailing, as ferries will not wait.

Rafina is the insider’s secret, especially if you’re flying in. Located on the eastern coast of Attica, a direct bus from Athens Airport gets you there in about 30 minutes. It’s smaller, easier to navigate, and far less chaotic than Piraeus — and it’s where you’ll find ferries to Mykonos, Andros, and Tinos. The third and smallest port, Lavrio, sits to the south of Attica and tends to fly under the tourist radar; it serves as the jumping-off point for the islands of Kea and Kythnos.

Conventional Ferry or High-Speed Catamaran?

On the same route you’ll often find very different vessels with a world of difference in both journey time and price — and your choice of boat will shape your whole experience on the water. There are essentially two types.

Large conventional ferries (Blue Star Ferries, ANEK Lines) are best imagined as floating apartment blocks. They’re enormous, slower, but supremely reliable — complete with open sun decks, restaurants, and vehicle decks for cars. Most importantly, they’re incredibly stable: when the sea gets rough, you’ll barely notice it. Tickets are also cheaper. The Piraeus–Santorini crossing takes a large ferry around 8 hours, with tickets running roughly €40–50.

High-speed catamarans (SeaJets, Hellenic Seaways) practically skim across the surface. Inside, the experience is more like a low-cost flight — you sit in an assigned seat in an air-conditioned cabin and going out on deck is often not permitted at all. You’ll save half the travel time, but you’ll pay roughly twice as much, and crucially, these vessels are extremely susceptible to waves. The same Santorini route takes 4.5 to 5 hours by catamaran, but expect to pay €60–80 for a ticket.

The Meltemi Wind and Seasickness

From mid-May to mid-September, the Aegean is ruled by the meltemi — a strong northerly wind. It brings welcome relief from the heat, but it also kicks up some serious waves, and that’s where it gets tricky. When the meltemi is really blowing, fast catamarans are stuck in port and their sailings are cancelled, while the big conventional ferries carry on regardless.

If you tend to get travel sick even on a bus, steer well clear of high-speed catamarans in July and August. And if seasickness does strike, there’s a simple trick: book a ticket for the lower deck and sit as far back and as central as possible — that’s where the motion is least. Keep some travel sickness tablets (like Dramamine or Kwells, available at any UK pharmacy) to hand just in case.

Where and When to Buy Ferry Tickets

Queuing up at ticket booths in the port is a thing of the past — everything is handled online these days. The two most reliable aggregators are Ferryhopper.com and Ferries.gr, which show all operators side by side. You can even plan a more complex multi-island itinerary and download your e-tickets directly to your phone.

When should you book? In peak season (July and August) and around Greek public holidays, buy your tickets weeks or even months in advance — ferries sell out completely, especially around the Assumption of Mary on 15 August. In May or October, a few days’ notice is usually plenty, and you can often buy on the day. Outside of high season (November to March), watch out for dramatically reduced timetables: some smaller islands may only have one sailing per week.

Ferry or Flight?

Sometimes it simply doesn’t make sense to spend a whole day at sea, especially if you only have a week’s holiday. Greece has an excellent domestic flight network (Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, Sky Express), with fares starting from around £45–100 when booked ahead. Here’s a quick comparison of the most popular routes.

Flying makes the most sense for covering the long distance from Athens. But between the islands themselves — say Naxos to Paros — the ferry remains the only sensible option, or in many cases the only option at all.

5 Golden Rules of Greece Island Hopping

Break these rules and it’ll cost you — in stress, money, or both. They’re worth taking seriously.

• The three-night rule. Never plan just one or two nights on an island. Every transfer eats up at least half a day (packing, checking out, getting to the port, the crossing, finding your new accommodation). Three nights is the absolute minimum to actually enjoy a place.
• The greedy traveller’s maths. “We’ve got ten days — we can do five islands!” No, you can’t. You’ll just arrive home exhausted, with all the islands blurring into one. Two to three islands for ten days is the realistic maximum.
• Stick to one island group. Ferries work brilliantly within island groups (Cyclades, Ionian Islands, Dodecanese). Trying to combine Corfu in the west with Rhodes in the east in a single holiday is logistical madness — you’d need to fly back through Athens.
• Build in a buffer before your flight home. Always spend your last night in Athens (or on an island with its own airport). One strong meltemi is all it takes for your ferry to be cancelled — and your flight home won’t wait.
• Respect the meltemi. In July and August, go for Blue Star large ferries. The journey will take longer, but the chances of your sailing actually departing are as close to guaranteed as you’ll get.

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Where to stay on Greek islands

1 accommodation — hotels and other lodging options

⭐ TOP CHOICE 🏨 Hotel

Accommodation in Greece

General accommodation in Greece via Booking.com with the best cancellation conditions. Ideal for island hopping, where booking flexibility is key due to possible ferry cancellations during strong meltemi winds.

★★★★ Check prices

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Tried-and-Tested Routes: Where to Go

Not sure how to string the islands together? Here are four proven combinations that make sense both logistically and in terms of experience.

The Classic First Trip (10 Days)

Athens → Mykonos → Naxos → Santorini → fly home. The holy grail for first-time visitors to Greece who want to see the icons. You start on Mykonos with its parties and glamour, move on to Naxos for excellent food and beaches, then finish on the dramatic cliffs of Santorini — flying home at the end to save time.

Family-Friendly Island Hopping (7–10 Days)

Athens → Paros → Naxos. With children in tow, there’s no point spending hours on a ferry. Paros and Naxos sit close together — the crossing between them takes just 45 minutes — and Naxos is ideal for families thanks to its long, shallow beach and fine sand at Agios Georgios.

Western Ionian Route (7 Days)

Kefalonia → Lefkada. If you love lush greenery and turquoise water, the Ionian Islands will blow you away. A local ferry from Fiskardo on Kefalonia to Vasiliki on Lefkada connects you to some of the most spectacular cliff beaches in Europe — including the famous Myrtos — and as a bonus, the meltemi barely touches this part of Greece.

Budget & Quick Escape (Weekend to 5 Days)

Athens → Aegina → Hydra. The islands of the Saronic Gulf are practically on Athens’ doorstep. From Piraeus, you’re on Aegina in 40 minutes and on the peaceful, car-free island of Hydra in under two hours. You can even tackle the whole route as a series of day trips from your Athens base.

Where to Stay When Island Hopping in Greece

With island hopping, you’re sorting out accommodation separately on every island, so flexible booking conditions are essential. On each island, aim to stay as close to the port or main town as possible — you really don’t want to be lugging suitcases across the island on departure day. In Athens, choose a hotel near a Metro stop with a direct line to Piraeus.

💡 Accommodation tip: We always search on Booking.com, which tends to have the best cancellation policies. That matters a lot with island hopping — if the meltemi cancels your ferry, you’ll be very glad you can move your reservation without hassle.

In peak season, book accommodation on the most popular islands (Santorini, Mykonos) well in advance — leave it too late and you’ll be left with only the most expensive options.

Further Reading

Before you head off, check out our other articles about Greece:

• Where to Go on Holiday in Greece: Islands, Mainland & Tips
• When to Visit Greece: Weather Month by Month
• Best Beaches in Greece: TOP 20 + Practical Tips
• Naxos Holiday: 15 Tips on What to See and Do

Frequently Asked Questions

When you start piecing together your Greece itinerary, two things will catch up with you sooner or later: logistics and budget. Greece is not a compact destination you can zip across by train in an afternoon. It’s made up of a mountainous mainland and thousands of islands scattered across two seas — and in recent years, the country has introduced a string of new fees and taxes that can push up the final bill considerably. This Greece travel guide has everything you need to plan a smooth, surprise-free trip.

The good news is that Greece ranks among the safest countries in the world, and with a little preparation you can enjoy your holiday without any nasty surprises. You just need to know how to get around, how much money to bring, what to watch out for, and how to react if nature — or a city scammer — decides to test you.

In this practical guide you’ll find everything you need for a trip to Greece: transport options, money and ATMs, a realistic 2026 budget, new taxes and fees, safety (earthquakes, wildfires, the sea) and the most common tourist scams. Let’s get into it. ☺️

TL;DR

• Getting around Greece means flying, taking ferries, or hiring a car. Domestic flights (Aegean, Sky Express) often save you hours compared to ferries.
• Watch out with scooters and quad bikes. Anything over 50cc requires a category A licence — without it, you pay for everything out of pocket if there’s an accident.
• Cash is still king. Carry 100–200 € in cash and only use ATMs from Greek banks, not Euronet.
• 2026 budget: backpacker 50–80 € per day, mid-range around 265–455 €, luxury from 490 €.
• New fees: the climate resilience tax is 1.50–10 € per night (paid at the hotel) plus a cruise passenger tax.
• Safety: Greece is very safe overall. Watch out for heatwaves, wildfires (SMS alert from 112) and pickpockets or restaurant traps in Athens.
• Travel insurance with repatriation cover is essential — your EHIC card alone won’t cut it.

Getting Around Greece: Flights, Ferries or Car?

Greece has solid and improving infrastructure, but you need to know when to fly, when to take a ferry, and when to just hire a car.

By Plane

The main hub is Athens’ Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, which handles over 34 million passengers a year, followed by Heraklion (Crete), Thessaloniki, Rhodes and Corfu. From the UK, there are frequent direct flights to Athens and Thessaloniki year-round, with seasonal charter and scheduled services to the islands running from May to October. Airlines including British Airways, easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair all operate routes from major UK airports. Outside peak season, return flights to Athens can be found for as little as 80–150 €, while direct island routes in summer typically cost 200–400 €.

For inter-island hops, you’ll be choosing between Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air and Sky Express. Short island flights last under an hour and cost 50–120 €, which often makes far more sense than a long, gruelling ferry crossing.

By Ferry

Island hopping is a Greek classic. The main port for the Cyclades is Piraeus in Athens, but if you’re heading to Andros, Tinos or Mykonos straight from the airport, use the closer port of Rafina instead — it’ll save you an hour. For a detailed how-to, check out our guide to island hopping in Greece.

That said, people frequently underestimate ferry logistics. From mid-May to mid-September, the strong meltemi wind regularly causes delays and outright cancellations of high-speed services. If you have a connecting flight home, never leave your ferry transfer from an island to Athens for the very last day.

By Car or Scooter

Hiring a car gives you complete freedom to explore hidden villages and deserted beaches. Outside peak season you can pick up a small car for 25–40 € a day; in summer prices jump to 50–80 €. As a UK citizen, your standard driving licence is valid in Greece. Always insist on zero-excess insurance, though — island roads can be extremely narrow and scrapes from roadside bushes are an everyday occurrence.

⚠️ A word of serious warning. Riding a scooter over 50cc or a quad bike requires a category A motorcycle licence. Many rental shops ignore this and will happily hand over a more powerful machine on a standard car licence. But if there’s an accident, the insurer will check your licence — and if you’re not properly qualified for that vehicle, you’ll be liable for all medical costs and damages yourself, potentially running into tens of thousands of pounds.

Money: Cash, Cards and ATMs in Greece

Greece uses the euro, and these days you can tap your card in supermarkets, petrol stations and hotels without a second thought. In family-run tavernas, market stalls and kiosks, however, you’ll sometimes be met with an apologetic smile and the line “the terminal is broken.” This is often a routine form of tax avoidance, so always carry a cash reserve of 100–200 €.

When you do need an ATM, steer well clear of the blue-and-yellow Euronet machines — their exchange rates and fees are frankly exploitative. Stick to ATMs from official Greek banks (Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank, Eurobank, National Bank of Greece) and always select “without conversion” when asked about dynamic currency conversion. Tips are usually 5–10% and it’s better to leave them in cash on the table rather than adding them via the card terminal, where the money may not reach your waiter.

💡 If you want to avoid foreign transaction fees altogether, a travel-friendly card like Revolut or Wise can save you a surprising amount over a two-week holiday. Alternatively, consider a Holafly eSIM so you’re always connected and can check your account on the go.

How Much Does a Holiday in Greece Cost in 2026?

Greece is currently around 15–25% cheaper than neighbouring Italy, but it has caught up with Spain and Croatia in terms of pricing. Budgets broadly fall into three tiers.

A dorm bed in a hostel costs 15–25 €, a decent mid-range hotel runs 80–150 € per night, and a room with a caldera view on Santorini can easily top 300 €. Food will set you back around 30–50 € a day if you mix a quick lunch (a gyros pita costs 3.50–5 €) with a sit-down taverna dinner in the evening.

The golden rule: your budget isn’t determined by how you travel — it’s determined by where you go. Mykonos and Santorini are 40–60% more expensive than comparably good experiences on Naxos, Paros or the mainland, where you can often “earn” your sunbed simply by ordering a frappé. The cheapest islands tend to be those without airports and with fewer tourist crowds, like Thassos. Timing matters enormously too — accommodation prices drop by around 40% in October compared to August.

New 2026 Taxes and Fees to Know About

The Greek government is responding to climate change and overtourism with a wave of new charges that can push up your final bill in ways you might not expect.

The Climate Crisis Resilience Fee replaced the old city tax and is always paid in cash at the hotel on arrival — not online in advance. The rate depends on the accommodation category and season: apartments pay 1.50 € per night, three-star hotels 3 €, four-star 7 €, and five-star hotels 10 € per night.

The Cruise Passenger Tax applies to anyone arriving by large cruise ship. During peak season, each passenger pays 20 € to disembark at Santorini or Mykonos, and 5 € at other ports; rates drop in the shoulder season. Don’t forget entry fees for major sights either: the Acropolis and the Palace of Knossos both cost 20 € and operate mandatory timed-entry slots, so your ticket is only valid for a specific time window — book in advance.

Safety in Greece: Earthquakes, Wildfires and the Sea

Search “is Greece safe” and you’ll be met with dramatic headlines. Don’t be put off — Greece consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world and violent crime is rare, especially on the islands. Nature does occasionally flex its muscles, though.

Earthquakes

Greece sits in the most seismically active zone in Europe, so the ground does tremble from time to time. Most of these are micro-tremors you won’t even notice. A classic case of media scaremongering was the Santorini situation in early 2025, when instruments recorded tens of thousands of tremors — yet there were no casualties and no damage to infrastructure. Greek building codes have been among the strictest in Europe since 1995, and modern hotels are built to withstand significant quakes, so cancelling your flights over this really isn’t necessary.

If an earthquake does catch you indoors, follow the Drop, Cover, Hold On rule: get under a sturdy table or press yourself against a load-bearing wall, and don’t run outside where falling debris is a real danger. If strong tremors hit while you’re at the beach, head uphill immediately and move away from the shoreline.

Summer Heat and Wildfires

Summer in Greece no longer means a pleasant 30°C — heatwaves now regularly push 42°C. Air conditioning is standard these days; skip any accommodation that doesn’t have it. Drink water before you feel thirsty, wear a hat, and follow the local lead by taking a siesta in the shade between noon and four.

With heat and drought comes the threat of wildfires. Greece has an excellent early-warning system: when danger is detected, a loud emergency SMS is sent to your mobile from number 112 in both Greek and English, with clear instructions on where to evacuate. During red-alert days, stay out of pine forests, never light fires, and call 199 or 112 if you spot smoke.

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Where to stay in Greece

1 accommodation — hotels and other lodging options

⭐ TOP CHOICE 🏨 Hotel

Booking.com – accommodation in Greece

The best place to find accommodation in Greece with good cancellation policies. You’ll especially appreciate it on the islands, where meltemi winds can disrupt your ferry, and flexible reservations give you the freedom to change your plans.

★★★★ Check prices

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Sea Hazards

The Aegean and Ionian seas look like a calm swimming pool in photos, but looks can be deceiving. The silent danger is rip currents. If one catches you, don’t panic and don’t try to swim straight back to shore against it — swim parallel to the beach until you’re out of the current. Also watch out for the meltemi wind, which can blow a paddleboard or inflatable flamingo kilometres from shore before you know it. Water shoes are a smart choice on rocky beaches, where sea urchins lurk just beneath the surface.

Scams to Watch Out For, Especially in Athens

While crime on the smaller islands is practically non-existent, Athens is a big city with all that entails — and around the Acropolis you need to keep your wits about you.

• Taxis: flagging down a yellow cab on the street is a sport for the brave (rigged meters, long detours). Download FREE NOW or Uber instead — you’ll see the price upfront.
• Restaurant traps: in the tourist district of Plaka, touts lure you into restaurants with no prices displayed and the bill for two can easily hit 400 €. Never sit down anywhere without a menu showing prices, and refuse any unsolicited “gifts.”
• Bar scam: a friendly local or a charming stranger invites you for a drink, disappears after a few rounds, and you’re left with a bill for hundreds of euros and a bouncer at the door. Don’t follow strangers to bars of their choosing.
• Pickpockets: their hunting ground is the blue Metro line from the airport and the Monastiraki and Syntagma stations. Wear your backpack on your front and keep your wallet in a zipped front pocket.

Health, Pharmacies and Insurance

As a UK citizen travelling post-Brexit, your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) entitles you to necessary treatment at state-run facilities — but these are often underfunded, and on many islands you’ll find only a basic health centre. If you break a leg on Naxos, you’ll likely need a helicopter transfer to Athens. That’s why comprehensive travel insurance with a high medical limit and — crucially — repatriation cover is an absolute must for Greece. It costs relatively little and could save you an enormous sum.

Greek pharmacies are marked by a green cross and are genuinely excellent. Pharmacists speak English and often act as a first point of medical contact, sometimes dispensing medicines that would require a prescription elsewhere. Malaria and tropical diseases are not a concern here. The biggest nuisance is mosquitoes — buy your repellent locally, as Greek brands tend to work better on local mosquitoes.

Practical Tips and Emergency Numbers

A few final things to make sure nothing catches you off guard. Tap water is safe to drink in Athens and on the mainland, but on many islands it’s desalinated and not really suited for drinking — buy bottled water there. Plug sockets are the standard European type (Type C and F, 230V), so you’ll need a UK travel adaptor. Greece is two hours ahead of the UK (UTC+3 in summer). As a member of the EU, Greece falls under roaming rules — however, post-Brexit UK travellers are no longer automatically covered by EU roaming, so check with your mobile provider before you go or pick up a local SIM or eSIM. A Holafly eSIM is a convenient option that works from the moment you land.

Most importantly, save these emergency numbers to your phone — they’re all free to call, even without credit:

• 112: pan-European emergency line (English-speaking operators)
• 100: police
• 166: ambulance (EKAB)
• 199: fire brigade

Where to Stay in Greece

Whether you’re heading to the islands or the mainland, it pays to compare options carefully — and to prioritise accommodation with air conditioning and strong independent reviews, not just pretty photos from a brochure.

💡 Accommodation tip: We usually search on Booking.com, which tends to offer the most flexible cancellation policies. That’s especially valuable for island bookings, where the meltemi can disrupt your ferry plans — a free cancellation reservation gives you the freedom to adapt.

Remember to factor the Climate Crisis Resilience Fee into your accommodation budget for longer stays — it’s always paid on-site and isn’t included in the room rate.

Read More About Greece

Before you head off, check out our other articles about Greece:

• Where to Holiday in Greece: Islands, Mainland & Tips
• Best Time to Visit Greece: Month-by-Month Weather Guide
• Island Hopping in Greece: A Practical Ferry Guide
• What to Pack for a Holiday in Greece

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a trip to Greece always comes back to one fundamental question: when should you actually go? You’re certainly not alone in asking — search terms about Greek weather and specific months are typed into Google nearly six million times a month. October is a particular obsession, because everyone secretly hopes to squeeze out one more month of summer without freezing or blowing the holiday budget. Finding the best time to visit Greece really does depend on what kind of trip you’re after.

The truth is, there’s no single universally perfect time to visit Greece. It all depends on whether you’re after swimming, empty ancient ruins, or a buzzing nightlife scene. The country also spans three distinct climate zones, so while it’s already raining in the north come October, you can still be sunbathing in the south.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through Greek weather month by month, demystify the infamous meltemi wind, lay out air and sea temperatures in a handy table, and finish with advice on when to go for your specific goals. Let’s find your perfect travel window. ☺️

TL;DR

• The two best months are May and September — the so-called sweet spots. Warm weather, reasonable prices, quieter beaches, and in September the sea is like a warm bath.
• September is king for swimming (water 24–26 °C), followed closely by July and August. In October, stick to the south.
• July and August are extreme: temperatures above 40 °C, massive crowds, peak prices, and wildfire risk. Perfect only if you love the party scene.
• The meltemi is a strong northerly wind (May–September) that cools the air but whips up waves and disrupts ferries. Choose coves facing south or south-west.
• The south has the longest season (Crete, Rhodes), where you can swim well into autumn.
• Off-season (November–March) the islands go to sleep, but Athens and Thessaloniki make excellent budget city breaks.

Three Climate Zones in Greece

Before picking a month, it’s worth knowing that Greece is far from climatically uniform — each region behaves quite differently. This matters most in autumn, when the gap between north and south becomes most pronounced.

The Ionian Islands in the west (Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia) are lush, wetter, and spared from summer gales. The Cyclades in the middle of the Aegean (Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos) are dry, rocky, and battered by wind in summer. Then there’s the south — Crete and Rhodes — which enjoys the longest season in the entire Mediterranean and where you can swim comfortably well into autumn.

The Meltemi Wind Explained

From mid-May to mid-September, the Aegean is ruled by the meltemi — a strong, dry northerly wind that hits the Cyclades, Crete, and the Dodecanese hardest. It’s a force that can either save your holiday or seriously complicate it.

The good news: the meltemi is your best defence against brutal summer heat. While Athens shimmers at 40 °C in July, a steady breeze on Naxos can make it feel a full ten degrees cooler.

The catch is that the wind kicks up waves, and the Aegean can get seriously choppy. Even seasoned travellers can be caught out by seasickness on ferry crossings, and strong meltemi regularly causes delays or outright cancellations of sailings. If you’re planning island hopping, build in buffer days in case a ferry can’t sail. And at the beach, check the map — bays facing south or south-west are sheltered from the northerly wind and far more comfortable.

Greece Month by Month

Now for the main event. Let’s run through the whole year and set realistic expectations for each month — from the wildflower-filled days of April to the quiet winter sleep of the islands.

April: Blooms, Traditions and Cold Water

April in Greece is all about nature waking up. Everything is extraordinarily green, meadows are in full bloom, the air smells of wild herbs, and temperatures climb to a pleasant 20 °C. These are ideal conditions for hiking and sightseeing — no sweltering heat, no crowds.

If you want to explore the ruins at Delphi, climb up to the monasteries of Meteora, or walk the Samaria Gorge in Crete, April is your month. Swimming is firmly off the agenda though — the sea barely reaches 16–17 °C. The key event of spring is Greek Orthodox Easter, the most important holiday in the Greek calendar, when villages come alive with candlelit processions and whole lambs are roasted on the spit. Bear in mind that many shops and services will have reduced hours over the holiday period.

May: The First Sweet Spot of the Season

Among experienced travellers, May is widely regarded as one of the two best months to visit Greece. The sun already has real warmth, the days are long, but the tourist machine is only just getting started. Beaches are blissfully quiet and accommodation prices are noticeably friendlier than in high summer.

The sea warms to 19–20 °C, so a swim is perfectly doable — it’s refreshing rather than warm, but still. May is brilliant above all for road trips on the mainland, such as a two-week loop around the Peloponnese (Athens, Corinth, Olympia, Kalamata, Nafplio). You’ll also save on Greece’s relatively new cruise passenger levy: in high summer, disembarking from a cruise ship on Santorini or Mykonos costs 20 euros, but in May it’s just 12 euros.

June: The Perfect Compromise

If you want the reassurance of warm weather, a properly warm sea (around 22–23 °C), but still don’t want to fight your way through the crowds, June is the answer. Every taverna and beach bar is open and running at full capacity, ferries are on their summer schedules, but the islands haven’t yet hit breaking point.

This month works especially well for families with younger children who aren’t tied to school holidays. The shallow beaches of Naxos or Corfu offer ideal conditions for little ones, evenings are warm enough for dinner outside in a t-shirt, and the meltemi is still just warming up — so the sea tends to stay calm.

July and August: Peak Season, Crowds and Extremes

This is where the gloves come off. July and August represent the undisputed peak of the season — with everything that entails. Greece welcomed a record-breaking nearly 38 million visitors in 2025, and the overwhelming majority came in these two months.

Expect extreme heat. Temperatures routinely push 35 °C and top 40 °C during heatwaves. In July 2025, a 42 °C heatwave forced the closure of the Athens Acropolis mid-day for safety reasons — a site that now operates with timed entry slots and a daily cap of 20,000 visitors anyway. Extreme heat also brings the very real risk of wildfires; firefighters dealt with up to fifty separate blazes per day last summer.

Prices skyrocket — sunbeds on Mykonos can run into the hundreds of euros and the cruise levy is at its maximum rate. If you’re after parties, nightlife, and packed beach clubs, this is your scene. But if peace and quiet is more your style, escape to lesser-known islands like Skopelos, Symi or Ikaria.

September: The Second Sweet Spot — Sea Like a Warm Bath

Once that first week of September passes and the kids are back at school, Greece lets out a long, collective sigh of relief. September is, for many seasoned travellers, simply the best month to visit Greece.

The sea has been soaking up heat all summer and acts like an enormous radiator, holding at a gorgeous 24–26 °C. The air, meanwhile, cools to a very manageable 28 °C and the meltemi gradually fades, calming the waves along with it. It’s the ultimate month for couples and honeymoons — the romance of Santorini or the winding lanes of Milos takes on a whole new dimension without cruise-ship crowds bearing down on you. And accommodation prices are already starting to fall.

October: The Secret Extended Summer

We arrive at the month that breaks search engine records. October in Greece is a genuine phenomenon, and the answer to whether it’s worth the gamble is: yes — but you need to know where to go.

While the north (Halkidiki, Thassos) can already bring rain and a chilly wind, the south remains firmly in summer mode. Crete and Rhodes are a safe bet in October — thanks to the sea’s enormous thermal mass, the water still hovers around 22–24 °C. You can still catch a real tan on the beach during the day, though evenings will call for a light jacket. Autumn is also a fantastic time to explore Athens, when the atmosphere is more relaxed and the tourist traps are fewer.

Lukáš and Lucie recommend

Where to stay in Greece

1 accommodation — hotels and other lodging options

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Booking.com – accommodation in Greece

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November to March: Greece in Winter Hibernation

Come November, most of the islands effectively shut down for winter. Charter flights stop, hotels close their doors, and even magnets like Santorini and Mykonos return to life at a local pace. A winter island visit is strictly for true adventurers — ferry services on some routes drop to just once a week.

If you want to travel off-season, focus on the mainland. Athens is brilliant for a winter city break — no heat, empty monuments, and often discounted entry fees. Thessaloniki is another superb option, and recently opened a brand-new automated metro line that makes getting around a breeze.

Quick Reference: Greece Weather Month by Month

If you want everything in one place, here’s the full year at a glance — air and sea temperatures, crowd levels, prices, and who each month suits best.

When to Go for Your Specific Goals

If you already know what you want from your holiday, the choice becomes easy. Here’s a quick cheat sheet based on your priorities.

• For the best swimming (June to October): July and August are reliable, but September is the undisputed champion — the water is at its warmest and the beaches aren’t as heaving. In October, stay as far south as possible (Crete, Karpathos, Rhodes).
• For sightseeing and hiking (April, May, October): climbing the Acropolis in 40 °C heat is genuinely punishing. Spring and autumn offer comfortable temperatures around 20 °C for exploring ruins and national parks.
• For parties and nightlife (July and August): Mykonos, Ios and Zakynthos never sleep in these months — top DJs are in residence and beach clubs are packed to capacity. Just make sure your wallet is ready for it.
• For a romantic break without the crowds (September): want that iconic Santorini photo without fifty strangers in the background? Fly in September, when the sea is warm, the evenings are dreamy, and the island atmosphere returns to something approaching normal.

When to Book and Where to Stay

Your timing is closely tied to how far in advance you need to book. For July and August — especially on Santorini and Mykonos — book several months ahead. The best hotels and apartments go first, and prices in the final weeks are eye-watering. For May, June and September, a few weeks’ notice is usually sufficient and you can save tens of per cent.

💡 Accommodation tip: We always start our search on Booking.com, which tends to offer the most flexible cancellation policies. That’s particularly handy outside peak season, when the weather and ferry timetables are unpredictable — a free-cancellation booking can save a lot of stress.

If you want to chase warm weather as late into autumn as possible, head south — the season stretches to October on Crete, Karpathos and Rhodes. If spring or autumn sightseeing is more your thing, base yourself in Athens or on the mainland, from where you can easily reach Delphi, Meteora and the Peloponnese as day trips.

Further Reading

Before you book those flights, have a look at our other Greece guides:

• Where to Go in Greece: Islands, Mainland and Tips
• Best Beaches in Greece: TOP 20 + Practical Tips
• Crete Holiday Guide: 34 Things to See and Do
• What to Pack for Greece

Frequently Asked Questions

Mention Greece to most people and, alongside ancient columns and blue-domed churches, their minds go straight to the food. And that’s no coincidence. Greek food has a magnetic pull — the words alone generate nearly five million search queries every month from people hungry to know more about the country’s incredible gastronomy.

The secret doesn’t lie in complicated cooking techniques. It rests on the absolute freshness of ingredients, a generous pour of olive oil, and above all, the way Greeks actually eat. Food here isn’t just fuel — it’s a social event, a ritual, and the perfect excuse to sit around a table with family or friends for three hours straight.

And here’s some great news upfront — especially for fellow vegetarians: Greece is one of the most plant-friendly cuisines in the world, thanks to its abundance of vegetable mezedes, pulses, and cheese. In this guide, I’ll walk you through 20 Greek dishes you absolutely must try, along with what to order, when to eat, what to drink, and how to avoid the most common tourist pitfalls. Let’s dive in. ☺️

TL;DR

• It all starts with mezedes — small sharing plates placed in the centre of the table for everyone to pick at. Order gradually, not all at once.
• The holy trinity of classics: Greek salad (horiatiki), tzatziki, and baked moussaka. Add pastitsio and stuffed gemista to round it out.
• King of street food is gyros and souvlaki. People often mix them up, but there’s a real difference (explained below). Vegetarian versions are widely available today.
• Vegetarians are very well catered for: fava, gigantes, dakos, meatless gemista orfana, fried saganaki cheese, and dozens of vegetable starters.
• Sweet finish: baklava, galaktoboureko, loukoumades, and Greek yoghurt with honey and walnuts.
• What to drink: iced frappé or freddo espresso during the day; ouzo, tsipouro, or Assyrtiko wine in the evening.
• Watch out for: the bread scam, fish priced by weight, menus without prices, and restaurants with touts at the door.

Taverna Culture: How Greeks Actually Eat

The heart of Greek dining is the taverna. Don’t expect starched white tablecloths and hushed background music, though. A proper Greek taverna is loud, smells of charcoal and sea air, and has paper tablecloths held down by plastic clips to stop them blowing away in the breeze.

The foundation of any taverna meal is the mezedes — small plates of starters and nibbles placed in the centre of the table for everyone to share, with ouzo, tsipouro, or local wine flowing freely alongside. Greeks rarely order a single main course just for themselves; they’d far rather fill the table with a spread of smaller dishes and share everything. It’s a style of eating you’ll fall in love with instantly, because it lets you taste ten different things in one sitting.

Timing matters too. Between 3pm and 6pm, many Greeks observe an afternoon break and plenty of traditional kitchens close or cook only for tourists. Real culinary life doesn’t kick off until after 9pm, so if you turn up at 7, you’ll likely be sharing the room with other tourists.

💡 Tip: As soon as you sit down in touristy areas (such as the Plaka in Athens or on Mykonos), a waiter may bring bread and bottled water without asking. This is the so-called “bread scam” and it’ll appear on your bill as a charge of €1–3 per person. The practice is technically legal, but the charge must be listed on the menu. If it isn’t, you’re perfectly within your rights to dispute it.

The Holy Trinity (and a Few More) Greek Classics

Before you venture into regional specialities, it’s worth mastering the absolute cornerstones of Greek cuisine.

Horiatiki (Greek salad) is the ultimate pillar. It’s built from roughly chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, Kalamata olives, and green pepper, all drizzled with quality olive oil and scattered with dried oregano. In an authentic horiatiki, you’ll never find shredded lettuce, and the feta isn’t crumbled over the top — it sits as one thick slab on the crown of the salad. On a hot day, it’s one of the finest things you can eat.

Tzatziki you probably know already. Thick Greek yoghurt, grated and squeezed cucumber, plenty of garlic, olive oil, and a dash of vinegar or lemon. It’s the perfect dip for bread and vegetables alike.

Moussaka is the iconic layered dish of aubergine, potato, and minced meat in a tomato-based sauce with a hint of cinnamon, all topped with a thick béchamel and baked until golden. Traditionally made with lamb or beef, many tavernas now serve an excellent vegetarian version with just vegetables. Its cousin, pastitsio, is essentially the Greek answer to lasagne — same concept, but using long hollow pasta tubes instead of sheets.

And then there’s gemista — large tomatoes or peppers stuffed with rice and herbs, then slowly baked in the oven. It comes in a meat version and a meatless one; the latter is called orfana, meaning “orphaned”, and it’s an absolute vegetarian classic.

Street Food: Gyros, Souvlaki, and the Difference Between Them

Greece has a rich street food tradition, and two terms dominate it — terms that travellers constantly mix up. Let’s settle this once and for all.

Souvlaki are small chunks of meat (usually pork or chicken) threaded onto a skewer and grilled over charcoal. They can be eaten on their own on a plate with a squeeze of lemon, or wrapped in a pitta with tomatoes, onion, chips, and tzatziki. Gyros, on the other hand, is made from thin slices of meat stacked onto a huge vertical rotisserie spit, slowly roasting and shaved off as it spins. It goes into a pitta in exactly the same way. In short: souvlaki is the skewer, gyros is the spinning spit.

For locals, this is the national fast food — and it costs just a few euros. Vegetarians needn’t despair either: plenty of places now offer gyros made with mushrooms or halloumi, and in any decent-sized town you’ll find falafel in pitta that works just as well.

Once you head inland from the coast into the mountains, a different league awaits. Tavernas up there serve paidakia (chargrilled lamb chops) and kleftiko — lamb slow-roasted in parchment paper. The name kleftiko comes from the Greek word for bandits, who supposedly used to cook stolen meat in underground pits so the smoke wouldn’t give them away. For meat lovers, these are the local legends.

Cheeses You Have to Try

Greeks consume more cheese per person than anyone else in Europe, and honestly, we completely understand why. The lion’s share goes to feta — a salty, crumbly cheese made from sheep’s (and sometimes goat’s) milk with protected designation of origin status. Under EU rules, only cheese made in mainland Greece and on the island of Lesbos can legally be called feta.

But feta is far from the only dairy miracle the country has to offer. Graviera is a hard cheese with a sweet, nutty flavour that pairs beautifully with wine. Manouri is a soft, creamy whey cheese that finds its way into both sweet and savoury pastries.

And then there’s our personal favourite: saganaki. This isn’t actually a type of cheese — it’s a cooking method. A thick slab of hard cheese is dusted in flour and fried in a very hot pan until it has a crisp, golden crust and a molten centre, then served piping hot with a generous squeeze of lemon. As a simple vegetarian starter, it’s hard to beat.

Gifts from the Sea: More Than Just Fish on a Plate

Octopus drying on a line outside a taverna like laundry is one of the most iconic images of the Greek coast. The sun draws out the moisture and intensifies the flavour before they head to the grill. Seafood is a huge deal here, for locals and visitors alike, and it’s something many people simply can’t leave the coast without trying.

Among the most popular seafood dishes: kalamarakia (fried squid rings with lemon), grilled sardines known as sardeles, and garides saganaki — prawns braised in a thick tomato sauce with feta and a splash of ouzo. For whole fish, Greeks love tsipoura (sea bream) and lavraki (sea bass).

⚠️ If you’re ordering seafood, be very careful about pricing. Fresh catches (often listed as “catch of the day”) are sold by weight, not by portion. Before you order any fish, ask to see it, have it weighed, and get the final price confirmed upfront. Otherwise the bill can come as a very nasty shock.

Regional Specialities: Every Island Tastes Different

Greek cuisine is anything but uniform. Every region has its own traditions, local ingredients, and historical influences, so even if you travelled the whole country, you’d be eating something slightly different at every stop. Here’s a quick overview.

For vegetarians, this table is something of a treasure trove. Cretan dakos, Santorini’s fava and tomatokeftedes rank among the finest things Greek cuisine has to offer — and not a scrap of meat in sight.

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Where to stay in Greece

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The Sweet Finish

Greek desserts are rich, sticky, and ferociously sweet — honey, nuts, and paper-thin filo pastry play the starring roles in almost all of them. And we’re completely hooked.

The ultimate classic is baklava — layers of pastry with chopped walnuts, drenched in sweet syrup. Going one step further is galaktoboureko, filo pastry filled with a rich semolina custard, also soaked in syrup after baking. And fans of fried food must try loukoumades — small Greek doughnuts fried until golden, drizzled with hot honey, and dusted with cinnamon.

After something lighter? Plain Greek yoghurt with honey and walnuts works brilliantly as a dessert, and in many tavernas they’ll bring it out as a complimentary treat at the end of your meal.

What to Drink: From Frappé to Retsina

Greeks are a nation of coffee lovers, though their coffee culture has its own distinct character. In summer, two national drinks dominate. The first is frappé — instant coffee shaken with water into a thick foam and served over ice, invented by accident at the Thessaloniki trade fair in the 1950s. The more modern and now wildly popular alternative is freddo espresso: a shot of espresso rapidly chilled and frothed with ice.

Traditional Greek coffee is brewed directly in a small copper pot called a briki, grounds and sugar included. There’s one golden rule: never stir the coffee in the cup, or you’ll disturb the sediment and end up with a mouthful of mud. ☺️

Come evening, it’s time for something stronger. Ouzo is an anise-flavoured spirit that must always be served with ice or cold water — when you add the water, it turns a milky white in a satisfying chemical reaction. A more traditional and potent alternative is tsipouro, known as raki on Crete. Greek wine is also enjoying a real renaissance, so forget cheap carton wine and seek out crisp, mineral Assyrtiko from Santorini or full-bodied red Agiorgitiko from the Peloponnese. A special case is retsina — white wine flavoured with pine resin, which you’ll either love or hate. And beer? You’ll most often find light lagers such as Mythos, Fix, or Alfa, which in the summer heat essentially do the job of water.

How Much Does Food Cost in Greece?

The good news is that eating well in Greece is still very affordable if you steer clear of the most tourist-heavy spots. Prices vary significantly by island — on Mykonos or Santorini, expect to pay roughly double compared to the mainland — but here’s a general sense of what to budget.

A gyros or souvlaki pitta — the classic grab-and-go street food — costs around €3 to €5 and is genuinely filling enough for a full lunch. An iced frappé or freddo espresso at a café runs about €3 to €4, while a Greek salad or a plate of mezedes at a taverna comes to roughly €6 to €9.

For a proper sit-down dinner at a family taverna — a few shared starters, a main course, and a carafe of house wine — budget around €15 to €25 per person. For that price, you’ll eat royally and probably leave feeling you’ve overdone it. Vegetarians often spend less, since vegetable starters and pulses tend to be the cheapest items on the menu.

How Not to Get Stung: Surviving the Tourist Jungle

Greece is a phenomenal place to eat, but in the most heavily visited spots — Athens, Mykonos, Santorini — it’s surprisingly easy to fall into tourist traps. A bit of common sense and a few simple rules will keep you out of trouble.

• A tout outside is a bad sign. If someone is standing in the doorway with a menu, actively pulling people in off the street, walk on. A good taverna doesn’t need one.
• A menu without prices means run. If they hand you a menu with no prices, or tell you they’ll “let you know the price”, get up and leave. It’s an age-old trick that ends with a €200 bill for two portions of calamari.
• Eat where the locals eat. Look for places tucked away down side streets. If there’s a large Greek family at the next table arguing loudly over the food, you’re in exactly the right place.
• Order gradually. Don’t let them bring everything at once. Greeks have starters, eat them, sip their wine, and only then order the next round. Waiters are used to this pace — don’t feel rushed.

A Mini Greek Food Glossary

Knowing a handful of basic phrases will go a long way in any taverna. Locals genuinely appreciate the effort and you’ll often find the welcome becomes noticeably warmer.

• Kalimera – Good morning / good day
• Kalispera – Good evening
• Efcharistó – Thank you
• Parakaló – Please (also “you’re welcome”)
• To logariasmó, parakaló – The bill, please
• Nero – Water
• Krasi – Wine (lefko = white, kokkino = red)
• Yamas! – Cheers!

Where to Eat and Where to Stay

The best rule for finding a great taverna is to wander away from the main tourist drags and watch where the locals congregate. In Athens, neighbourhoods like Psyri and Koukaki are worth seeking out; on the islands, head to inland villages where the food tends to be better and considerably cheaper than on the beach.

💡 Accommodation and experiences tip: We usually book accommodation through Booking.com, which tends to offer the most flexible cancellation policies. And if you want to truly get under the skin of Greek cuisine, a food tour or cooking class with locals is well worth it — you can find and compare the best options on GetYourGuide.

Accommodation in Athens starts from around €60 per night; on the islands, prices climb higher in peak season. Wherever you’re headed, book early — the best-value spots with a great price-to-quality ratio go fast.

Further Reading

Before you head off to eat your way around Greece, check out our other articles on the country:

• Where to Go in Greece: Islands, Mainland & Tips
• Crete Holiday: 34 Things to See and Do
• Athens: 21 Things to See and Do
• Best Beaches in Greece: TOP 20 + Practical Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Close your eyes and picture the perfect holiday — chances are you’re imagining turquoise water and an endless stretch of white sand or pebbles baking in the sun. You’re definitely not alone. The best beaches in Greece are searched for hundreds of thousands of times every month, and it’s no wonder. Greece has literally thousands of them and consistently ranks second in the world for Blue Flag awards, currently holding around 620.

Finding your dream cove, though, isn’t as simple as jabbing a finger at a map. Some of the most famous beaches are now groaning under the weight of crowds, others have been closed by nature itself, and still others have been quietly hijacked by overpriced beach clubs where two sunbeds cost more than your flight.

That’s why this honest guide exists. I’ll walk you through 20 of the most beautiful Greek beaches, sorted by what you actually want from your holiday — alongside the practical rules for 2026 (sunbeds, the closed Navagio, the new beach law) and a handy summary table at the end. Let’s dive in. ☺️

TL;DR

• Postcard-perfect iconic beaches: Elafonissi (pink sand), Balos (lagoon), Myrtos, and Sarakiniko. Stunning, but often packed — arrive early to make the most of them.
• Watch out for Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) on Zakynthos: it’s still closed for 2026 due to ongoing rockfalls. You can’t set foot on the sand or swim near the wreck — views from a boat or the clifftop lookout are your only options.
• Families with children will love the shallow, calm waters of Agios Georgios (Naxos), Tigaki (Kos), and Golden Beach (Thassos).
• Party from afternoon till dawn at Super Paradise (Mykonos), Paradise Beach (Kos), and Kavos (Corfu).
• Escaping the crowds is easy at Voidokilia, Simos, Vai with its palm grove, or the wild sands of Egremni.
• New beach law: at least 70% of every beach must remain free of sunbeds and umbrellas. You can now lay your own towel down almost anywhere.
• Water shoes are a must on the Ionian Islands — the pebbles and sea urchins are no joke.

Essential Greek Beach Rules for 2026

Before you head out to catch some sun, it’s worth knowing how things work right now — Greek beach culture has changed considerably in recent years, and a few things have shifted quite dramatically.

The biggest talking point is sunbeds and umbrellas — and the wildly varying prices. On quieter islands like Thassos or on the mainland, a set of two sunbeds and an umbrella will cost you around 5 to 15 euros per day. At the luxury beach clubs of Mykonos, that same setup can set you back an eye-watering 100 euros or more. On many smaller islands like Kos or Naxos, the friendly “free sunbed with a purchase” rule still applies — order a frappé and something to eat at the nearby taverna and the spot is yours for the day.

The golden rule: always ask the price upfront. Many beach bars don’t display a price list anywhere, and your eyes will water when the bill arrives.

The Towel Movement and the New Law

If you’d rather not pay anything and prefer to spread your own towel, the law is now firmly on your side. Under Greek legislation, at least 70% of every beach must remain freely accessible to the public (and in Natura 2000 protected zones, that rises to 85%). For years, bar operators ignored this and staked out the sand all the way down to the waterline — but in the summer of 2023, a huge wave of public anger erupted, known as the “Towel Movement” (Κίνημα της Πετσέτας). Locals protested against illegal sunbed sprawl, the government cracked down hard, deploying drones and handing out fines of between 2,000 and 60,000 euros. People can now report violations directly from the beach via the official MyCoast app, which received more than eleven and a half thousand complaints in a single summer. The result? You can now plant your own umbrella almost anywhere.

Sea Urchins, Pebbles, and Safety

Lifeguards and warning flags are only found on large, organised beaches, where a red flag means swimming is prohibited. At wild coves, you’re on your own — so keep two things in mind.

The Ionian Islands (Kefalonia, Lefkada, Zakynthos) are famous for their extraordinary blue water, which they owe to white limestone pebbles. They look spectacular, but walking on them is genuinely painful, so water shoes are an absolute necessity here. The second hazard is sea urchins, which tend to cluster on rocks and stones in clear water. On a purely sandy beach you won’t encounter them, but the moment you’re picking your way into the sea over rocks, watch your step carefully.

The good news is that Greek waters rank among the cleanest in Europe. The country has 623 Blue Flag beaches for 2025, a designation that covers water quality, safety, and facilities all in one. If you’re travelling with someone with limited mobility, check out the Seatrac accessible ramps, which are now installed at nearly 150 Greek beaches and allow independent sea entry.

Iconic Beaches You Know from Postcards

These are the beaches you’ve seen in travel brochures and all over Instagram. They’re breathtaking — but their fame comes at a price, so going in with a strategy makes all the difference.

Navagio (Shipwreck Beach), Zakynthos

A cove sheltering the rusting hull of the smuggler’s ship Panagiotis, surrounded by sheer white limestone cliffs — this is probably the most photographed spot in all of Greece. It’s also a genuine headache at the moment.

⚠️ Current status for 2026: the beach is closed to visitors. Following a series of dangerous rockfalls and seismic activity, authorities extended the strict access ban after an inspection in March 2026. You cannot set foot on the sand or swim near the wreck — indefinitely. Don’t be taken in by touts promising a picnic right next to the ship.

So what can you do? You can either book a boat trip (departing from Porto Vromi, Alykes, or Skinari) that takes you into the cove to photograph it from the deck. Or head to the clifftop viewing platform high above the beach, which offers an equally jaw-dropping perspective. Expect queues and occasional restricted access, especially in strong winds. For more tips on making the most of the island, check out our guide to Zakynthos.

💡 Tip: You can browse and book Navagio boat trips in advance on GetYourGuide — it saves you hunting for tickets on the day and lets you pick the best-reviewed boat.

Elafonissi, Crete

A lagoon on the south-western tip of Crete, famous for its blush-pink sand — the colour comes from crushed shells of tiny sea creatures. The water is incredibly shallow and warm, so you can simply wade from the mainland across to the small islet alongside, and kids have a playground that looks straight out of a fairy tale.

It sounds like paradise, but in July and August Elafonissi becomes an absolute ant colony, with hundreds of cars and dozens of coaches arriving daily — up to 5,000 people on a single day. To truly enjoy it, you need to be strategic. Arrive before 10am, or alternatively after 5pm, once the organised tour groups have left. And remember that the entire lagoon is a nature reserve, so you can’t take the pink sand home as a souvenir. More tips in our guide to Crete.

Balos, Crete

Another Cretan lagoon, this time in the north-west — raw, wild beauty where dozens of shades of blue and green collide. Getting here is half the adventure.

The more relaxed option is a full-day boat trip from Kissamos harbour (around 30–40 euros), which also stops at the pirate islet of Imeri Gramvousa before dropping you right at the water’s edge. The alternative is driving, but that means eight kilometres of dusty off-road track along the cliff edge — a route most car hire companies explicitly exclude from their insurance. At the end you park and descend (and later, in the blazing heat, climb back up) about twenty minutes along a rocky footpath. The reward is an utterly unbeatable view from above that will stay with you long after you’ve left.

💡 Tip: You can book a full-day boat trip to Balos and Gramvousa from Kissamos well in advance on GetYourGuide — boats fill up fast in high season.

Myrtos, Kefalonia

Dazzling white pebbles set against deep blue water and steep green cliffs — Myrtos has a dramatic, almost cinematic quality that makes it one of the most photographed beaches in the Ionian Islands.

The water drops sharply and the currents can be deceptively strong, so this isn’t the ideal spot for young children. For confident swimmers and photography lovers, though, it’s an absolute must. Don’t forget your water shoes — the pebbles are unforgiving. Kefalonia has plenty of quieter coves too; see our guide to Kefalonia for more.

Porto Katsiki, Lefkada

The name translates as “Goat Harbour” — because once upon a time, only goats could get down here. These days a road leads to the clifftop and you descend to the beach via around a hundred steep steps bolted into the rock face. The water, thanks to the limestone bedrock, is a milky, otherworldly turquoise that genuinely takes your breath away.

Worth knowing: in the afternoon the sun hammers mercilessly off the white cliff face, so bring plenty of water and prepare for serious heat. Lefkada has many more beaches of this calibre — explore them in our guide to Lefkada.

Sarakiniko, Milos

Sarakiniko isn’t really a beach in the traditional sense — it’s more like a lunar landscape. Brilliant white volcanic rock has been sculpted by wind and sea into smooth, rounded forms; there’s barely any sand, you lie directly on sun-warmed stone, and you leap into the water from the rocks.

It’s an experience you won’t find anywhere else in Greece — just bear in mind that there is absolutely no shade on those white rocks, and the stone reflects the sun so intensely that you’ll burn in no time. Bring a hat, plenty of sunscreen, and aim to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon. We cover this volcanic island in more detail here.

Family-Friendly Beaches

Travelling with kids? Then dramatic cliffs and deep water aren’t what you’re after. You want fine sand for building castles, a gently shelving entry where toddlers can splash safely, and solid facilities — toilets, tavernas, the works. These beaches were made for little swimmers.

Agios Georgios, Naxos

Naxos is generally considered to have the best sandy beaches of all the Cycladic islands, and Agios Georgios sits right beside the main town of Chora. The water stays shallow for tens of metres from the shore, waves are almost non-existent, and parents can sit at a taverna with their children in full view the whole time.

A huge bonus is that you can walk here straight from town — no car needed at all. If you’re choosing one island for a family holiday, Naxos is a safe bet every time.

Tigaki, Kos

A long, wide strip of pale sand on the north coast of Kos, with excellent facilities and plenty of sunbeds — but also plenty of free space for your own towel. The water is crystal clear, exceptionally shallow, and holds a Blue Flag. Tigaki is calm, well-equipped, and ideal for a holiday with children. Kos is also brilliant for cycling, so you can easily ride here from town. For more island highlights, take a look at our guide to Kos.

Golden Beach (Chrissi Ammoudia), Thassos

Golden Beach lives up to its name. Three kilometres of soft sand backed by lush green mountains, with calm, warm water that’s perfect for the youngest swimmers. Thassos is also one of the most affordable Greek islands, so you won’t be paying a fortune for sunbeds here. If you’re after relaxed family vibes without the crowds or inflated prices, this is your place.

Falassarna, Crete

If Elafonissi feels too overwhelming, Falassarna on the western coast of Crete is an excellent alternative. It’s enormous — made up of several adjoining sandy sections — so even at the height of summer you can find your own quiet corner. The water is beautifully clear and the beach is well-equipped.

The open sea does mean a stronger breeze here on occasion, which wave-lovers will appreciate more than absolute beginners in the water. In return, it rewards you with some of the finest sunsets on the entire island.

Agios Gordios, Corfu

A beautiful bay on Corfu’s west coast, surrounded by ancient olive groves and dramatic rock formations. The sand is a little coarser than elsewhere, but the entry into the water is completely safe and there are some excellent family-run tavernas right on the beach. It’s one of those spots where you can happily spend an entire day without a care in the world. More island tips in our guide to Corfu.

Party Beaches for Dancing Till Dawn

If a beach holiday means DJ sets, cocktails, and dancing in the sand rather than a quiet book and the sound of the waves, Greece has its legends. Just don’t go near these if you’re after peace and quiet. 😅

Lukáš and Lucie recommend

Where to stay in Greece

1 accommodation — hotels and other lodging options

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Accommodation in Greece

Accommodation throughout Greece with the best cancellation terms. Suitable for all types of beach holidays.

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Super Paradise, Mykonos

Ground zero for Greek beach hedonism. By day it’s all luxury sunbeds and expensive cocktails; come afternoon the music cranks up and the whole cove transforms into an enormous open-air club packed with the global jet set.

It is expensive, exclusive, and very, very loud — sunbeds at premium clubs like Scorpios need to be reserved weeks in advance. But if you want to dance the night away and feel like a celebrity for a day, you’re in exactly the right place. We cover the most famous party island in Greece in our guide to Mykonos.

Paradise Beach, Kos

A smaller and considerably more affordable cousin of the Mykonos legend. Also known as “Bubble Beach” because volcanic activity sends tiny streams of bubbles rising up from the seabed. It’s a brilliant swim during the day, and by afternoon a lively atmosphere takes hold with music and water sports. The perfect compromise when you want fun but aren’t prepared to pay Mykonos prices.

Kavos, Corfu

The southern tip of Corfu has been claimed almost entirely by young British holidaymakers. The beach itself isn’t the prettiest on the island, but if you’re after cheap drinks, loud music, foam parties, and a raucous nightlife scene, Kavos delivers on every count. It’s a purpose-built party zone and one of the most intense in Europe — families and anyone seeking quiet should definitely look elsewhere.

Wild and Quiet Beaches Away from the Crowds

For those who want nothing but wind and waves, and don’t mind trading beach-bar comforts for space and silence. The reward is solitude, elbow room, and the feeling that you’ve discovered it all yourself.

Kavourotrypes (Orange Beach), Halkidiki

A cluster of small coves with white sand and turquoise water, framed by fragrant pine forests and smooth white rocks. This isn’t one continuous beach — it’s a whole chain of hidden coves along the Sithonia peninsula in Halkidiki.

It does get busy in peak season, but in June or September it turns into absolute paradise. Halkidiki also holds more Blue Flags than any other region in Greece, so water quality is never in doubt.

Egremni, Lefkada

⚠️ Access remains difficult. The famous staircase leading down to this stunning beach was largely destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 2015. It has been partially rebuilt, but the descent — and especially the climb back up — in summer heat is an extremely demanding undertaking that I wouldn’t recommend to anyone who isn’t in solid physical shape.

The best and safest way to experience Egremni is to arrive by boat from Nidri or Vassiliki. From the water, that endless wall of white cliff plunging into turquoise sea looks even more extraordinary than from above.

Vai, Crete

At the far eastern tip of Crete you’ll find something genuinely unique: the largest natural palm grove in Europe. With thousands of date palms swaying behind the shoreline, Vai feels more like the Caribbean than the Mediterranean — and it’s a sight you simply don’t expect.

It does function as an organised beach with full facilities, but venture a little further from the main entrance and you’ll find the peace and quiet you came for. It’s a long drive to the other end of the island, but absolutely worth the effort.

Simos, Elafonisos

A bit of a hidden gem, this one. Elafonisos is a small island just off the southern tip of the Peloponnese (not to be confused with Elafonissi in Crete), and you reach it via a short ferry crossing from the port of Pounta — barely ten minutes on the water.

Simos is a spectacular double bay of fine white sand and dunes, nicknamed the “Caribbean of Europe”. It’s a remote spot favoured by Greeks themselves, so if you want to go where the locals go, this is it.

For Nature Lovers: Turtles and a Perfect Crescent

To finish, two beaches where the main attraction isn’t a beach bar or sunbeds, but nature itself. One is home to endangered sea turtles; the other has a shape so perfect it barely seems real.

Gerakas, Zakynthos

Zakynthos is about far more than a closed shipwreck. In the south of the island lies Gerakas, a key nesting site for the endangered loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), which falls within the National Marine Park and operates under strict rules.

You can’t plant your own umbrella in the sand (to protect the nests), no dogs are allowed, motorised water sports are banned, and crucially the beach closes strictly at sunset. The water is beautifully clear, warm and shallow, and with a snorkel you may well spot a fully grown loggerhead just metres from the shore. Just remember the golden rule: don’t touch, don’t chase — observe quietly from a respectful distance. Full park rules are on the official website.

Voidokilia, Peloponnese

An almost flawless semicircle in the shape of the Greek letter omega (Ω), rimmed by a band of sand dunes. Voidokilia on the Peloponnese is so perfectly symmetrical it looks almost artificial, and it’s one of the most photogenic beaches in the whole of Greece.

The water is shallow and calm, and above the beach sits the Cave of Nestor alongside a Frankish castle, while behind it a lagoon teems with birdlife. This is a wild, protected beach with no cafés or sunbeds, so bring your own shade, water, and snacks. For all its simplicity, it’s one of the most unforgettable spots in Greece.

The Full List: TOP 20 Greek Beaches at a Glance

Here’s a quick overview of all twenty beaches in one place — whether you’re choosing by island, beach type, or whether you’re travelling with children or in search of a party.

Where to Stay Near the Best Greek Beaches

💡 Accommodation tip: We always search for places to stay on Booking.com, which tends to have the best cancellation policies — handy if weather or beach access conditions change. For tours, boat trips, and activities, it’s worth comparing and booking through GetYourGuide.

Where you base yourself depends hugely on which beaches you want to explore. On Crete, choose your base according to the beaches on your list. For Elafonissi and Balos, Chania in the west is ideal; for Vai and the eastern beaches, Sitia or Agios Nikolaos make more sense. Apartment prices start around 50–70 euros per night, and in high season booking a few months ahead is wise.

For family beaches, Naxos or Kos are reliable choices — both have plenty of self-catering apartments within walking distance of the sea. If you’re heading to Mykonos for the party scene, bear in mind it’s the most expensive island in Greece and a decent place to stay in season will start at around 150 euros a night. Kos offers a similar vibe at a fraction of the cost.

For quieter beaches like Voidokilia or Simos, staying in the surrounding villages gives you an authentic atmosphere and local prices. Wherever you’re headed, it’s worth comparing options on Booking.com and booking early — the best value options go first.

Whether you end up at a buzzing beach bar in the Cyclades or a hidden cove in the Ionian Islands, don’t forget what matters most: respect the local rules, look after the nature around you, and soak up every bit of that incredible laid-back feeling the Greek coast does better than anywhere else. Have a wonderful trip! ☺️

Read More

Before you go, check out our other articles on Greece to get every last detail of your holiday sorted:

• Where to go in Greece: islands, mainland, and travel tips
• Crete holiday guide: 34 things to see and do
• Zakynthos holiday guide: 20 things to see and do
• What to pack for a holiday in Greece

Frequently Asked Questions

If you think Kos is nothing more than a factory of giant all-inclusive resorts and lazy days by the pool, let me set the record straight right away. 😊 This sun-drenched corner of the Dodecanese is genuinely unique — it blends deep ancient history with surprisingly active, adventurous holidays in a way that few Greek islands manage. I’ve put together 15 things to do in Kos, Greece that cover something for every type of traveller, from ancient ruins and thermal springs to a day trip on a different continent. The island is also the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, so fascinating historical sights are never in short supply. I’ll tell you where to stay for the best base, why you should hire a bike on day one, and what to watch out for if you decide to hop across to neighbouring Turkey.

TL;DR

• Greece’s most cycle-friendly island: The northern part of Kos is beautifully flat and criss-crossed by over 200 kilometres of cycle paths — hire a bike on your first day.
• Hippocrates’ legacy: Don’t miss the ancient healing centre of the Asklepion or the famous plane tree in the heart of Kos Town.
• Natural spa: At Bros Therma beach you can soak in hot sulphurous springs that bubble up directly into the sea — completely free of charge.
• Watch out for crowds: The mountain village of Zia is famous for its stunning sunsets but suffers from severe overtourism in high season — go early in the morning instead.
• Day trip to Turkey: From Kos you can see the Turkish town of Bodrum on the horizon — ferries run daily, but you’ll need a valid passport.
• Great for families: Long sandy beaches with a very gradual entry into the sea make Kos an ideal choice for a holiday with young children.

When to Visit Kos

Thanks to its southerly position, Kos boasts an incredible three hundred sunny days a year and ranks among the sunniest spots in the entire Aegean. If swimming and soaking up the sun on the beach is your main goal, the ideal window is June through to mid-September. Temperatures regularly climb above 30 °C during the summer months and the sea is as warm as a bathtub — perfect for families with young children. Bear in mind, though, that this is also when the island is at its busiest and accommodation prices are at their peak.

Active travellers who want to explore the island by bike and take in the ancient sights will find May, June and especially late September into October a better fit. October in particular is something of a hidden gem across the Dodecanese — the tourist crowds thin out dramatically, hotel prices drop sharply, yet the sea retains a very pleasant temperature after the long hot summer. Up in northern Greece the weather can already be turning by then, but down here you can still sunbathe without a second thought.

From mid-May to mid-September, the Aegean is also swept by the dry northerly wind known as the meltemi. On Kos it tends to be a little gentler than on the neighbouring Cyclades, but it can still kick up waves along the northern coast — which windsurfers and kitesurfers absolutely love. On the eastern shores the same wind brings a very welcome cooling breeze during the scorching August heat, so even when the sun is blazing you won’t feel like you’re being slowly baked alive.

Where to Stay in Kos

💡 Travel tip: We always search for accommodation on Booking.com, which tends to have the best cancellation policies. For tickets, tours and activities, it’s worth comparing and booking through GetYourGuide.

Although Kos is a fairly compact island — you can drive from one end to the other in just over an hour — choosing the right base will shape the whole character of your holiday. If long, fine sandy beaches with shallow water are your priority, head to the northern coast and the resorts of Tigaki or Marmari. This area is ideal for families with children and for anyone who wants to spend their evenings strolling along the shore. A great pick in Tigaki is the luxurious five-star Astir Odysseus Kos Resort & Spa, offering huge pools and top-class wellness facilities, while in Marmari the highly rated Caravia Beach hotel is a perennial family favourite.

The eastern coast around Kos Town, along with the neighbouring resorts of Lambi and Psalidi, is a great choice for travellers who want historical sights and a lively nightlife scene on their doorstep. You’ll find decent mid-range hotels here for around 60 to 120 euros per night, and thanks to the dense network of cycle paths you can reach the town centre in just a few minutes on a bike. The western resort of Mastichari, meanwhile, has a quieter, more village-like feel and is home to the impressive Neptune Luxury Resort, renowned for its exceptional gastronomic programme showcasing local cheeses and sweets.

If lively entertainment and proximity to the airport appeal to you, look for accommodation in Kardamena on the southern coast, where the popular Grand Blue Beach Hotel stands out. For absolute peace and romantic sunsets, choose the more remote Kefalos peninsula in the southwest — home to the prestigious Ikos Aria. You can browse and book all of these options easily on Booking.com, where you’ll also find detailed reviews from previous guests.

Lukáš and Lucie recommend

Where to Stay in Kos

6 accommodations — hotels, wellness hotels and other accommodation options

⭐ TOP CHOICE ⭐ Luxury

Astir Odysseus Kos Resort & Spa

Luxury five-star resort in Tigaki on the northern coast, offering huge pools and premium wellness facilities. Ideal for families with children thanks to long sandy beaches with shallow water.

★★★★★ Check prices

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Caravia Beach

Excellently rated family hotel in Marmari on the northern coast. One of the most popular family classics in the area with beautiful sandy beaches.

★★★★ Check prices

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Neptune Luxury Resort

Beautiful resort in the western resort of Mastichari with a quieter village atmosphere. Renowned for its fantastic gastronomic program full of local cheeses and sweets.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability 🏖️ Beach

Grand Blue Beach Hotel

Popular hotel in Kardamena in the south of the island. Ideal for those looking for vibrant entertainment and proximity to the airport.

★★★★ Check prices

Check availability ⭐ Luxury

Ikos Aria

Prestigious luxury resort on the more secluded Kefalos peninsula in the southwest of the island. Perfect for absolute peace and romantic sunsets.

★★★★ Check prices

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View all accommodation in Kos

Explore all available accommodation options in Kos and find the best one according to your preferences and budget.

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15 Best Things to See and Do in Kos

Let’s dive into the very best that this Greek island has to offer. I’ve put together a mix of ancient history, stunning beaches and brilliant day trips — there’s genuinely something here for every kind of traveller.

1. Kos Town and the Ancient Agora

The island’s main town is like one big, compact history textbook you can browse through in a leisurely afternoon. All the main sights are within a few minutes’ walk of each other, making it very easy to explore on foot. Right in the centre spreads the vast ancient agora, which once served as the commercial and social heart of the city. Today you can wander freely among the remains of Doric columns and sanctuaries that were unexpectedly uncovered by a powerful earthquake in 1933 — admission is completely free.

Just a short stroll away you’ll find the fascinating Casa Romana, a reconstructed Roman villa with an extraordinary thirty-six rooms and three inner atriums. The preserved mosaic floors and marble fountains give you a vivid sense of the luxury enjoyed here two thousand years ago. As you wander through the town you’ll also notice the Defterdar Mosque on Eleftherias Square — its minaret collapsed in another earthquake in 2017 and it’s still awaiting full restoration. If history really grips you, the local archaeological museum is well worth a look too.

2. The Hippocrates Plane Tree

Right in the town centre, not far from the harbour, stands a tree that draws virtually every visitor to the island. The famous Hippocrates Plane Tree is said, according to ancient legend, to be the very spot where the father of modern medicine taught his students in the shade of its spreading canopy. If that were true, this majestic tree would have to be over two and a half thousand years old — which, botanically speaking, simply isn’t possible.

The current trunk is around five hundred years old, though locals proudly claim it’s a direct descendant of the original. Its girth measures twelve metres, and the tree is now so ancient that it needs an elaborate frame of metal and wooden supports on all sides just to stay upright. Visiting is entirely free, and right beside it you’ll find an old Ottoman fountain and the Loggia Mosque, both of which add a wonderfully layered historical atmosphere to the spot — even if both also bear the scars of recent earthquakes.

3. Neratzia Castle

Strolling along the harbour in Kos Town, your eye will inevitably be drawn to the massive Neratzia fortress. This imposing structure was built in the fourteenth century by the Knights of St John to defend the island against raids from the nearby Ottoman Empire. The castle was sadly badly damaged in the devastating 2017 earthquake and was completely closed to visitors for eight years on safety grounds. The good news is that following an expensive restoration costing more than two and a half million euros in European funding — which reinforced the damaged walls — the castle finally reopened to the public in 2025.

Walk the newly secured battlements for breathtaking views over the harbour and its moored boats, then treat yourself to an iced coffee in town afterwards. Admission is around 5 euros and the visit takes roughly an hour. Do bear in mind that some peripheral areas may still be fenced off, and it’s worth arriving in the morning as the castle typically closes in the mid-afternoon.

4. The Asklepion: Ancient Hospital

About three and a half kilometres northwest of the town centre, set into a gentle hillside, lies the single most important ancient site on the entire island. The Asklepion functioned in antiquity as a vast healing centre and sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine. According to historians, this is where Hippocratic medical practices were applied, and patients travelled here from across the ancient world in search of a cure.

The complex is laid out across several terraces, and the higher you climb, the more the view opens up towards the Turkish coast — which looks close enough to touch from up here. Adult admission is around 8 euros, but check the current price on the official hhticket.gr website as it can change. EU citizens under 25 get in free. From Kos Town you can catch local bus number 3, or take the tourist train, but either way go early in the morning to beat the heat and the crowds.

5. Explore Kos by Bike

If there’s one thing that sets Kos apart from most other Greek islands — which tend to be mountainous and tricky to navigate by bike — it’s the island’s serious love affair with cycling. In 2022, Kos was awarded the prestigious Bike Friendly Destination certification, and it fully deserves the title. The northern and eastern coasts are almost perfectly flat and threaded with over 200 kilometres of well-maintained cycle paths, where you’ll encounter families with toddlers and active retirees alike.

Hire shops are on every corner, and a basic city bike will set you back just 3 to 5 euros a day. If you fancy heading further into the interior, e-bikes are available from around 15 euros a day. The most beautiful and safest route runs directly from Faros beach along the coast through Kos Town and on to the resort of Psalidi — it takes about an hour at a very relaxed pace, and you can stop at a café or take a dip in the sea whenever the mood takes you. Try friendly Nikos Bikes in Tigaki, where the staff are happy to help you plan your route.

6. Bros Therma Hot Springs

Fancy a bit of natural spa therapy? Then make the trip out to the eastern coast, about twelve kilometres from Kos Town. At Bros Therma beach, natural sulphurous springs at 42–50 °C bubble straight out of the rock and into the sea. Locals have used the stones to create a small natural pool roughly twenty-five square metres in size, where the hot mineral water mixes with the cooler Aegean waves — the result is an absolutely blissful place to relax.

Entry to the hot springs is completely free and open year-round. Do bring water shoes, though — the beach is covered in dark volcanic pebbles and the path to the springs is quite rocky. Also avoid wearing light-coloured swimwear or silver jewellery, as the high sulphur and mineral content in the water can permanently stain them yellow. Local buses run from Kos Town and the journey takes around twenty-five minutes, after which you’ll have a roughly fifteen-minute walk downhill to the water.

7. Sunsets in the Mountain Village of Zia

Perched high on the slopes of Mount Dikeos, the pretty village of Zia is known for its traditional blue-and-white architecture and sweeping views over the northern coast. It has become something of a legend thanks to the most spectacular sunsets on Kos. You’ll find plenty of souvenir shops and tavernas where you can try the local speciality: a refreshing cinnamon lemonade called kanelada.

💡 Tip: Zia suffers badly from overtourism during peak season. Around sunset, dozens of coaches pull in and thousands of people jostle for space on the viewpoints with their phones raised. If you’d rather avoid the chaos, visit early in the morning or late morning, when the village has a wonderfully calm and authentic feel. The natural park on the edge of the village also offers lovely views without the crowds. If you want to have dinner here, try the traditional taverna Oromedon — they do excellent wood-fired vegetarian dishes, a wonderful meat-free moussaka, and fried cheese with jam that’s absolutely worth the trip alone.

8. Kefalos Peninsula and Agios Stefanos

While the north of the island is dotted with large resort complexes, the southwestern Kefalos peninsula — about forty kilometres from Kos Town — still has a noticeably quieter, more rural character. Its coastline is fringed with beautiful coves just begging to be explored. The standout gem is Agios Stefanos beach, which offers something you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else: swimming right alongside the ruins of a fifth-century early Christian basilica, whose columns rise just a few steps from the water’s edge.

Directly opposite the beach, roughly a hundred and fifty metres offshore, sits the photogenic little islet of Kastri — topped by an iconic white chapel with a blue dome dedicated to St Nicholas. Confident swimmers can easily paddle out to it and ring the bell at the entrance, though always check the current sea conditions before you set off. The water around this part of the island is a little cooler than in the north, but it makes up for it in clarity and transparency.

9. Paradise Beach and Camel Beach

While you’re on the Kefalos peninsula, you absolutely cannot skip the beaches that regularly feature in lists of the most beautiful in all of Greece. The most famous is Paradise Beach, and it lives up to its name completely. Its fine golden sand, turquoise water and wide range of water sports make it a genuine paradise for families with children. It’s often nicknamed “bubble beach” too, because tiny bubbles of volcanic gas constantly seep up from the seabed — a brilliant extra attraction for young swimmers.

If Paradise Beach feels too busy during high season, drive a little further to the more secluded cove of Camel Beach. It gets its name from a huge rock on the horizon that looks remarkably like a sitting camel. The access road is fairly steep and gravelly — worth noting because standard hire car insurance often doesn’t cover unmade roads. Your reward for the slightly more adventurous journey is a great deal more peace and quiet, noticeably cooler and more refreshing water, and fantastic snorkelling conditions along the rocky edges of the bay.

10. The Sandy Beaches of the North

If your ideal holiday day is blissfully simple — morning coffee, beach until sunset — then the northern coast is made for you. The resorts of Tigaki, Marmari and Mastichari all share one defining feature: vast stretches of wonderfully fine, pale sand. Tigaki’s beach alone stretches for ten kilometres, flies the Blue Flag for water quality, and is connected to Kos Town by a convenient flat cycle path. The entry into the sea here is so gradual that you can wade dozens of metres out and still only be knee-deep — perfect for young children.

While Tigaki and neighbouring Marmari — flanked by pretty sand dunes — are fairly tourist-oriented resort towns full of hotel complexes, Mastichari retains the pleasant character of a traditional fishing village. It’s also the departure point for regular ferries over to the neighbouring island of Kalymnos. The entire northern coast is very exposed to the wind, so when the meltemi blows from mid-May through September, windsurfers and kitesurfers flock here from all over Europe. The sky fills with colourful kites on those days, as the conditions are simply ideal — and there are plenty of schools and equipment hire shops along the shore if you fancy giving it a go.

11. Plaka Forest with Peacocks and Alykes Salt Lake

If you need a break from the salty sea and blazing sun, venture inland towards the village of Antimachia near the airport. Here you’ll find Plaka Forest, a pine woodland that acts as the green lung of the island. Entry is free, and the main attraction is the dozens of free-roaming peacocks that are remarkably tame and will eat right out of your hand. There are also freshwater turtles and plenty of shady picnic spots — the only catch is that no buses come here, so you’ll need a car or bike.

Another worthwhile natural stop on the northern part of the island is the Alykes salt lake, just outside Tigaki. In the summer heat it dries out to a glistening salt crust with mountains in the background, but if you visit in spring, autumn or winter you stand a very good chance of spotting flocks of wild flamingos that stop here during their migration. It’s a lovely cycle from Kos Town and makes for a perfect afternoon outing.

12. The Abandoned Castle of Palio Pyli

Love mysteries and abandoned places with a dark history? Then Palio Pyli is bound to captivate you. It’s a ruined medieval settlement hidden high in the island’s interior, hurriedly abandoned by its inhabitants in the nineteenth century during a devastating cholera epidemic. Rising above the crumbling stone houses are the imposing remains of a Byzantine castle and two historic small churches, reached by a roughly three-kilometre woodland trail from the modern village of Pyli. From the top, the panoramic views across the Aegean, the neighbouring islands and the nearby Turkish coast are absolutely breathtaking — which is why it’s also become a popular spot for watching the sunset.

Entry to the whole site is completely free, though travel forums regularly warn about fake monument guardians. These individuals sometimes hang around at the forest entrance and try to persuade unsuspecting tourists to make voluntary contributions towards a non-existent restoration fund. Don’t be taken in — feel free to walk straight past them with a clear conscience. The climb up is a bit demanding, so wear sturdy footwear, but you’ll be rewarded at the top by a charming little café with extraordinary views.

13. The Windmill in Antimachia

Most of us picture iconic white windmills the moment we think of Greek islands, and Kos happily delivers. In the village of Antimachia, right in the middle of the island not far from the international airport, you’ll find the only fully functioning windmill on the whole island. It’s over two hundred and fifty years old and, following careful restoration, now operates as a fascinating small museum. For an entrance fee of around 3 to 5 euros, you can step inside the mill and have the owners walk you through exactly how the ancient grain-milling mechanism works.

The visit also includes the adjacent traditional house, furnished with original period furniture, which shows precisely how a typical island miller’s family would have lived a hundred years ago. It’s a quick stop, but a surprisingly interesting and wonderfully photogenic one. While you’re in Antimachia, it’s also well worth swinging by the nearby thirteenth-century Crusader fortress of Kastell, inside whose walls two charming little chapels are tucked away.

14. Day Trip to the Volcanic Island of Nisyros

Being this close to an active sleeping volcano and not visiting it would be a real missed opportunity. The neighbouring island of Nisyros is a fascinating place, with volcanic activity still rumbling away beneath its surface. You can book a full-day organised tour for around 40 euros, easily arranged through platforms like GetYourGuide or directly through a local rep. The price typically includes a bus transfer from the port to the Stefanos crater, where you’ll walk across a yellow sulphurous crust and feel the heat radiating up from below.

If you prefer to explore independently, it’s perfectly straightforward and cheaper. Regular ferries run from Kardamena port, with a return ticket costing around 16 euros and the crossing taking about forty-five minutes. On the island itself you’ll pay 3 euros as an island fee and 5 euros for access to the crater. Don’t miss the picturesque harbour town of Mandraki with its Panagia Spiliani monastery, where you can try the wonderful local almond drink called soumada.

15. A Day Trip to Bodrum, Turkey

From the beaches in northern Kos, the Turkish mainland is so sharp and clear on the horizon that it almost feels within swimming distance — just seven nautical miles separate the two countries. It would be a real shame not to make the most of it and hop over for a day on an entirely different continent. Boats depart every morning from Kos Town to the Turkish resort of Bodrum, and the crossing takes just 30 to 60 minutes depending on the vessel. Return tickets are available from various operators for between 15 and 25 euros.

In Bodrum you’ll discover bustling bazaars where everything is up for negotiation — from spices to leather goods — as well as the imposing Castle of St Peter and the remains of the ancient Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. The latter is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: you’ve probably read about it at school, but nothing quite prepares you for seeing it in person. ⚠️ Important note: Turkey is not a member of the EU or the Schengen Area. This means that for this trip you must carry a valid passport — a UK driving licence or any other ID card will not be accepted. Passport and customs checks at the port before departure can take a while and queues do form, so arrive with plenty of time to spare.

Where to Eat in Kos

The food scene on Kos is far better than you might expect. This isn’t just about gyros and Greek salad: the island has its own PDO-protected cheeses, fried pastry parcels drizzled with honey, and a cinnamon lemonade you simply won’t find anywhere else. Kos has exceptionally fertile soil and a long tradition of local produce, which forms the backbone of most island specialities. If you love discovering new flavours, seek out the traditional family-run tavernas that cook from recipes passed down through the generations — there are great options for meat lovers and vegetarians alike.

The absolute must-try is the local cheese called krasotiri (also known as posa). This soft goat’s or sheep’s milk cheese carries a protected designation of origin and is unique in that it ripens in red grape pomace, giving it a distinctive reddish rind and a subtly spicy, wine-tinged flavour. Another vegetarian treat is katimeria — delicious fried pastry parcels stuffed with fresh cheese, then generously drizzled with honey and dusted with cinnamon. On hot summer days you’ll be very grateful for a glass of kanelada, the traditional cinnamon lemonade especially associated with the mountain village of Zia, or the popular local almond drink known as soumada.

For the best restaurants, the taverna Oromedon in Zia is well worth booking in advance. They serve outstanding mountain cuisine, a wonderful meat-free wood-fired moussaka, and a magnificent fried cheese with homemade jam. Back in Kos Town, the elegant restaurant Petrino — set in a beautiful garden courtyard — is a must for its excellent tasting boards loaded with local cheeses. Not far from the centre, the popular taverna Elia serves a near-perfect saganaki alongside a whole range of traditional vegetable meze dishes.

Meat eaters are also well catered for. A typical local speciality is pitaridia — homemade pasta similar to wide noodles, slow-cooked in a rich meat broth. Traditionally served with a generous portion of minced meat and pork fat, it’s a wonderfully hearty dish that locals particularly love on cooler evenings.

Where to Go Next from Kos

If you’re weighing up whether Kos is the right destination for your holiday, or you’d like to combine it with other places in Greece, do have a look at our other guides. We’ve put together a comprehensive overview of where to go on holiday in Greece, comparing different destinations. History lovers will find plenty to interest them on the neighbouring island of Rhodes, while for the ultimate in romance our article on a holiday in Santorini is essential reading. And if your flights are already booked, don’t forget to check our practical packing list of what to bring on a Greek island holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve put together answers to the most common questions about a holiday on Kos, so you can head off with everything sorted. Hopefully these practical tips will make planning a little easier. 😉