Cosmopolitan in culture, architecture and energy, Thessaloniki has the feel of a big city with the charm and ambience of a much smaller town. Roman, Venetian and Ottoman civilizations have all left their mark here, and the influences of former empires are evident in fifteen UNESCO World Heritage sites, including churches, monasteries and baths spanning the 4th to the 14th centuries. The city’s gastronomy is likewise diverse and well regarded.
For picture-perfect whitewashed Greek towns on scenic waterfronts with patios of smiling patrons, nothing beats the laid-back island of Paros. With an exceptional selection of gorgeous beaches and historical sites to explore, the only thing missing is the crowds in this off-the-beaten-track destination. One of the country’s oldest Byzantine churches, the 4th-century Panagia Ekatontapiliani is an Old Town standout that features a tranquil garden with fragrant flowers and lemon trees.
Embraced by beautiful beaches and thousands of years of history, Kos is a tiny but mighty Dodecanese island in the wide Aegean Sea. The charming harbor town is dominated by the 15th-century Castle of the Knights, steps from the famous Tree of Hippocrates where the philosopher and native son is said to have taught. Just outside of town, further tribute to the Father of Medicine is found at the ruins of the Asklepieion, a center of healing dating to the 3rd century BC.
Some may recognize Skiathos as a setting in the movie Mamma Mia! — which gives you an idea of how scenic this island is. The coastline is home to some of Greece’s most beautiful beaches, and that says a lot given this is the Greek Isles. Only accessible by boat, Lalaria is a favorite because of the soaring white cliffs that rise from the pebbly sands and the striking rock formations jutting into the sea. Koukounaries provides a contrast with silky sands, a backdrop of emerald pines and plenty of loungers and umbrellas.
A study in contrasts, the Greek island of Syros is as historic as it is modern, as Catholic as Orthodox, and as stately and traditional as it is hip and cosmopolitan. The capital of the Cyclades, the island is known for its own intriguing capital, the thriving port city of Ermoupoli. Ermoupoli is crowned by the bright blue dome of the Orthodox church and paved with marble flagstones that line the main square.
On the eastern coast of Crete lies the island’s capital and largest urban center, Heraklion. A lively port city on the surface, millennia of history lie beneath its modern facade. Turkish fountains lie within the modern bustling city center and Venetian buildings and Minoan fortresses transport visitors back in time. See Minoan art and artifacts at the Heraklion Archeological Museum and explore the impressive Koules fortress for a view of Heraklion’s past before roaming the city’s plazas.
The picturesque resort of Parga offers island-style ambience and historic charm on the Greek mainland. Tiers of colorful houses, a legacy of Venetian rule, rise up over a secluded turquoise bay. In the crystal-clear waters is a tiny tree-covered islet, home only to a gleaming white chapel. From the pretty waterfront, a tangle of cobbled streets lead up to a hilltop medieval castle. The ruins overlook the bay below, the golden sands of nearby Valtos beach, orange and olive groves, and out to the Ionian Sea.
The largest town in eastern Crete, Agios Nikolaos is a cosmopolitan resort whose vibrant seaside ambience centers around three distinctive waterfronts. A narrow channel links the sea with Voulismeni, a deep lake filled with small boats and ringed with cafes, tavernas and bars. This picturesque inner harbor is the heart of Agios. A short walk south leads to the marina district. The town’s northern shores enjoy views of the islets of Mikronisi and sacred Agii Pantes (All Saints), topped by a tiny chapel.
A stunning Aegean setting and an array of sights drawn from 26 centuries of history make Kavala one of northeastern Greece’s most fascinating destinations. From atop the ruins of a Byzantine acropolis, an Ottoman castle guards the small peninsula that holds the old town, called Panagia. Cobbled streets lined with pastel-hued buildings wind up to the bastions, past churches, the Halil Bey mosque and the domed Imaret, once a religious school.
Off the southernmost reaches of the Argolis peninsula, the island of Hydra is renowned as a boater’s paradise and a rare car-free destination. Hydra Town rises up the hillsides that surround the u-shaped harbor like an amphitheater, its aquatic stage flanked by cannons. Donkeys are the lone form of transportation up the steep cobblestone lanes, as even scooters and bicycles are banned. The waterfront area is the island’s center for shopping, dining, nightlife and maritime traffic. The town also features art, history and cultural museums housed in converted 18th-century stone mansions.
