Greece Travel Guide
Dreaming of sun-drenched islands, breathtaking views, and unforgettable meals? Greece has it all—whether you're wandering through the charming streets of Athens, soaking in the magic of Santorini’s caldera, or discovering the relaxed beauty of Paros.
This travel guide is your insider's pass to the best restaurants, must-see sights, and hidden gems in these three iconic destinations. From traditional Greek tavernas and award-winning dining experiences to picture-perfect hikes and vibrant neighborhoods, consider this your roadmap to savoring every moment of your Greek getaway.
PAROS
Paros effortlessly combines the charm of traditional Greek island life with modern touches, making it the perfect destination for any traveler. From its whitewashed villages with blooming bougainvillea to golden beaches ideal for sunbathing or water sports, Paros has something for everyone.
Where to Eat:
Greek Creative & Mediterranean Cuisine
Siparos – Greek creative cuisine by the coast with a sunset view. (Ksifaras area, Naoussa)
Mario By The Sea – Greek creative cuisine using local products. (Parikia)
Aspro Galazio - Damianos – Beach restaurant with creative dishes and an oyster bar. (Ampelas)
Thalassamou – Mediterranean cuisine with Greek touches from local products. (Piso Aliki)
Levantis – Mediterranean cuisine inspired by the Aegean Sea. (Parikia)
Thea – Tastes from Pontos, Asia Minor, and Istanbul. (Pounta)
Fresh Fish & Seafood
Barbarossa – Fresh fish and seafood with a variety of mezedes. (Naoussa)
Thalami – Fresh fish with a great sea view, including cooked dishes and meze.
Mouragio – Fish tavern by the sea. (Aliki)
Chalaris – Fresh fish and fish meze directly from the family’s fishing boat. (Piso Livadi)
Katsounas – Fresh fish and traditional dishes. (Santa Maria)
Traditional Greek & Island Taverns
Tsitsanis – One of the oldest taverns on the island, offering traditional cooked dishes. (Prodromos)
Fisilanis – Traditional tavern with Greek cooked and roasted dishes. (Logaras)
Anna and Giorgos – Tavern with cooked local meat dishes. (Logaras-Merpissa road)
To Marathi – Greek tavern with meat dishes. (Marathi)
Gourmet & Fine Dining
Stilvi – Gourmet creations by an awarded chef with Mediterranean influences.
BuonVento – Neapolitan cuisine made with local and Italian products. (Marpissa)
Agnadio – For meat lovers, with wine from the owner’s vineyard. (Lefkes)
Not to Miss in Paros
Parikía, the capital of Páros, features whitewashed houses, neoclassical mansions, and a 13th-century Venetian castle with stunning views. Key sights include the 6th-century church of Panayia Ekatontapyliani, with a secret gate and a 4th-century baptistery, one of the best preserved in the Orthodox East. The Parikía Byzantine Museum displays icons and heirlooms, while the Archaeological Museum showcases artifacts, including part of the 3rd-century BC "Parian Chronicle."
Naoussa, a former pirate’s den, is now one of the most picturesque and vibrant villages in the Cyclades. Its whitewashed architecture, stone-paved streets, and colorful shrubbery create a unique charm. At night, the village transforms with lively bars, bustling restaurants, and a festive atmosphere.
The marble quarries at Maráthi, known for its transparency and purity. This unique marble was used in masterpieces like the Venus de Milo, Hermes of Praxiteles, and the Temple of Apollo. The mining galleries and 19th-century industrial remains are still preserved and open for visits.
Paros offers stunning beaches like Chrissí Aktí, Santa Maria, and Poúnda, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. Chrissí Aktí hosts the Windsurfing World Championship each year. Explore ancient ruins at Alykí beach, marvel at the white rock formations at Kolymbíthres, or enjoy a natural clay spa at Kalóyeros beach, where the red and green rocks offer a unique experience.
Explore Paros on foot along ancient "strátes" trails. Hike the Byzantine Léfkes-Pródromos trail, paved with marble, starting in Léfkes and ending in Pródromos. Another hike from Márpissa takes you to Kéfalos Hill and Áyios Antónios Monastery, passing Venetian ruins and offering stunning views of the island’s eastern side.
You can discover the island on horseback! There are two horse-riding centres, one by the sea, at Ambelás, and one at Ystérni. Ride around the coast, along the sandy beaches or take a detour inland – a great way to see for yourself some of the most beautiful spots on the island!
It’s an ideal destination for those who love sea sports, especially kitesurfing and windsurfing. Paros has been home to international tournaments for years. If you aren’t already a pro, take a wind or kite-surfing lesson at Chrysi Akti or Pounta. Don’t miss the opportunity to live experience an exhilarating touring all around the coast of the island by canoe or kayak!
SANTORINI
Santorini is the jewel of the Cyclades, famed for its dramatic caldera views, breathtaking sunsets, and whitewashed villages perched on volcanic cliffs. Wander through charming towns like Fira and Oia, where blue-domed churches meet the endless horizon, or explore the island’s rich history at the ancient ruins of Akrotiri. Indulge in world-class dining, savor local wines grown in volcanic soil, and unwind on unique beaches with black, red, or white sands.
Favorite Dishes
Barolo - restaurant on the edge of caldera with modern Greek fusion cuisine (our favorite dish- beef carpaccio)
Aktaion tavern - one of the oldest on the island with traditional Greek dishes and spectacular views (our favorite plate- cheeseballs "loukoumades" with marmalade tomato)
Galini - for breakfast & brunch options with amazing views, vegan & VEGETARIAN options (our favorite dish - santorini omelet)
Aegean - traditional Mediterranean and local dishes (our favorite dish fried squids)
Confetti Dessert Boutique - for amazing brunch and handmade dessert with an artistic representation. (our favorite is pancakes carrot cake and salted caramel tarte.)
Metaxy Mas - tavern style dining local's choice with nice panoramic view serving Cretan and Santorini fusion cuisine for meat lovers (our favorite dish-beef fillet with vinsanto sauce)
Sunset Ammoudi - tavern style dining right on the sea serving fresh fish (our favorite plate- Lobster pasta)
Psaraki Tavern - famous for its fish option with amazing view to vlychada port (our favorite plate- ceviche sea bass)
The Dolphins - Traditional style tavern for fresh fish options by the sea (our favorite dish- "Kalamarakia" squids fried)
Seaside Santorini - stylish restaurant on Perivolos beach with modern seafood dishes (our favorite dish is sushi & cocktails)
Not to Miss in Santorini
The Caldera - Walk from Fira to Firostefani and Imerovigli along the edge of the Caldera, ideally early morning or afternoon. For a bolder trek, continue to Oia, passing Profitis Elias, the Cross citadel, and Black Mountain, which glows at sunset. The breathtaking views and emotions Santorini evokes are simply indescribable.
Akrotiri - an ancient Aegean civilization buried by volcanic ash in 1600 BC, now protected under a bioclimatic shelter. Don’t miss the Museum of Prehistoric Thira in Fira, showcasing stunning wall paintings like “Spring,” “Monkeys,” and “African.”
Volcanic Beaches - Dive into beaches with black sand, red sand, white rocks. Here the beaches are full of color. On the Red Beach, the White beach, on Vlyxada, Perivolos, Perissa and Kamari the volcanic earth creates immortal works of art. Hammocks, sunbeds, drinks, cocktails, treats and whatever else you are looking for on your vacation, you will find at the organized beaches of Santorini.
Sunset in oia - An experience that cannot be described with words, but its force is felt by everyone. Thousands of visitors come here from all over the world for this. For a few precious minutes you will sense the energy of the place. And when the disk of fire is immersed in the Aegean Sea, this moment will stay with you forever.
Wine of the ancient vineyard - Try out the unique white and red wines of Santorini and the famous “Vinsanto”, the sweet wine of the volcanic vineyards, which count over 3200 years of life! The island is considered to be one of the most organized wine tourism destinations in the country.
Walk to the volcano of the nea kameni - Take the small boats that depart from Fira or Athinios port and visit the wild landscape islet around the crater.
ATHENS
From the world-famous sunsets of Oia to the volcanic sands of its unique beaches, the island offers a magical mix of romance, adventure, and history. Explore the ancient ruins of Akrotiri, stroll through charming villages like Fira and Imerovigli, and savor exceptional local wines and cuisine. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, exploration, or awe-inspiring views, Santorini is an unforgettable Greek escape.
Award Winning Restaurants
CTC Urban Gastronomy - Gastronomic creations inspired from Greek traditions from award winning chef
Varoulko Seaside - Michelin star restaurant with focus on seafood
Hytra - Fine dining with the use of Greek ingredients and food culture
Spondi - Two Michelin star awarded restaurant with influenced from French cuisine
GB Roof Garden - an awarded restaurant on top of Grande Bretagne Hotel with exceptional dishes and service
Aleria - a highly recommended and multi awarded restaurant with sophisticated yet modern Greek dishes
Delta - Experiential gastronomy that provokes emotions in an elegant environment
Sense Athens Restaurant - Creative local cuisine on a rooftop right under the Acropolis
Soil Restaurant - Unique fine dining experience from Michelin awarded chef in the trendy neighborhood of Pagrati
Not to Miss in Athens
Visit the sacred Rock of Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum.
Plaka neighborhood. It is inhabited without interruption since antiquity and is the heart of the historic centre of Athens. Wander through the narrow labyrinthine streets with the old houses and the villas and travel back to the time of Ottoman domination and Neoclassical period. The area of Plaka has interesting museums, picturesque taverns with exquisite Greek cuisine, cafes, bars, wine shops, as well as shops with souvenirs and Greek traditional products.
Monastiraki. A characteristic area of Athens with trademark its Flea market. The area is home to clothing boutiques, souvenir shops and sellers with outdoor tables where one can find whatever he wants. Very close to Monastiraki is the Psyri area. A classical Athenian neighborhood with buzzing streets, bars, taverns and ouzo…
Walk in the commercial area of the city with more than 2500 thousand shops of all kinds, located on the main and side roads that surround the city's most commercial street, Ermou. West of the shopping center is Athena Street with a large food market which very much resembles a Middle Eastern bazaar. Here are located amongst others the Neoclassical building of the Town Hall and the Varvakios Market where meat, fish and vegetables are sold.
LYCABETTUS Hill. Climb the cable car (from Plutarch Street). The magnificent view of Piraeus and the Saronic Gulf will reward you.
Filopappou Hill. Located very close to the Acropolis. You can easily reach it on foot and enjoy views to the Acropolis and the Attica Basin.
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