After travelling to Greece, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s one of the most surreal places to visit. In between ancient ruins, bright blue waters, clean white buildings and cascading cliffs that offer some of the best sunsets, visiting Greece must be added to your bucket list.
There is so much to do and see in Greece — the country seamlessly blends history with breathtaking landscapes to offer a unique travel experience.
Here are some of the best things to do in the three iconic Greek destinations: Athens, Santorini and Mykonos. After this, you will be prepared to book your flight as we spill all the secrets to making this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Athens
Athens is the most convenient way to start your trip since it’s the biggest airport in the country and services the most international flights.
This busy metropolis mixes modern-day life with ancient history. As soon as you land in Athens, you’ll already begin noticing some ancient ruins scattered around the city.
The Acropolis, an ancient citadel that sits on top of a cliff, houses iconic structures such as the Parthenon, Erechtheion and the Acropolis Museum. It’s a must-visit for history enthusiasts, as it offers a glimpse into the glory of ancient Greece. In my experience, lines to purchase tickets can be up to 30 minutes long, with another hour to enter the site, so make sure to buy tickets ahead of time.
Aside from the Acropolis, Mount Lycabettus is known for some of the best sunrises and sunsets. The taxi only goes to a certain point, so be prepared to climb 20 minutes up the mountain for some insane views.
If you intend to both shop and eat well, the Plaka district is the perfect place to go. This spot is a hub for endless shops selling food, teas, homemade gifts and clothing.
During the evening, Monastiraki Square is a great place to experience the night-time buzz of the city. This area has live music and is surrounded by shops, flea markets and quaint cafes. A hot spot on my list is the 360 Cocktail Bar, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city while sipping on expertly crafted cocktails.
However, always be wary of pickpocketers whenever travelling to a new place!
Santorini
After visiting Santorini, it has truly become one of my favourite places. The people are friendly, the views are breathtaking, and the food is delicious. This Greek island surprised me hour after hour as I continued to make new discoveries and memories.
I highly recommend staying in the heart of all the fun: the cliff in Thera. The view is something you will never experience anywhere else as it’s unique to Santorini’s landscape. I stayed at the Aqua Luxury Suites, which I would personally say was a 10 out of 10.
As a guest, you have the luxury of waking up every morning to a huge spread of food on the balcony overlooking blue water, cliffside landscapes and clear skies from 500 metres high.
Walking along the path from one side of Thera to the other takes around 40 minutes and is highly enjoyable. The town has beautiful blue and white villas, one better than the next.
If you are looking for a place to eat, booking a reservation isn’t needed as most places flip the tables quite fast. I recommend you try the unique Santorinian dish, “domatokeftedes” (tomato fritters), moussaka and deep-fried feta with honey for a true taste of the island.
A catamaran ride around the island is also a good option to hit all the beautiful beaches in Santorini. With black, red and white sand beaches from the volcano, each has a rare characteristic. The catamaran tours let you get off at each beach, swim with the fish, enjoy some food and tan under the sun.
Oia is also another charming village with great boutiques, cafes and restaurants. The sunset in this town is also a must-see.
Mykonos
To be honest, I don’t know where to start with Mykonos. It’s easy to see how this vibrant island is world-famous for having the best nightlife in the world. From day to night, there’s so much to do here.
However, be prepared to spend a hefty amount on this place, as all the fun comes with a large price tag.
For a relaxing day, head over to Paradise Beach for some relaxing music, calm waves and water-side service. For more of a day party vibe, head to Super Paradise Beach, a world-famous destination for revelry.
However, you’ll likely spend roughly 250-400 Euros (300-450 CAD) at the very least as sun beds themselves cost around 80-100 Euros — let alone food and drinks. Some places will advertise free sunbeds with the purchase of a drink, but the drink itself will cost you around 60 Euros (98 CAD).
In Mykonos Town, known as Chora to locals, explore the iconic Little Venice during sunset to experience a picturesque district with upbeat and happening music, where the electricity pours into the streets from the bars along the promenade.
As the night falls, Mykonos comes alive with some of the world’s most famous clubs, including Cavo Paradiso, Paradise Club and Scorpios. Even if you don’t go inside these clubs, people will be jamming on the streets as the music echoes all along the clean cobblestone paths.
Whether you dance the night away to the tunes of renowned DJs or stroll around for an easygoing night, the vibe here is definitely contagious and will have you coming home with heightened serotonin.