17 Greek Destinations for 2017


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LooknWalk Greece (former WhyGo Greece) is happy to be back in the blogging world. And we come back with a bang, revealing our list of top 17 Greek Destinations for 2017.

After battling crisis after crisis, Greek tourism numbers are starting to grow again and we cannot be happier about that.

If you are looking for an awesome place to spend your vacation in Greece in 2017, check out our picks. It was hard picking only 17 destinations, but someone had to do the hard job.

Athens

athens

The capital of Greece is an awesome choice year round – except for the height of summer when the scorching hot temperatures aren’t super friendly. Plan your visit during the low season for a cost-friendly and interesting experience. The sights are not overwhelmed by tourists and you get to enjoy the real Athens. Explore the ancient sites and make sure to take in the view of the city from the Acropolis.

Andros

andros

The northernmost of the Cyclades islands , Andros is a mountainous island, blessed with olive trees and super waterfalls. If you have hiking on your mind, this is the place to place visit. It has 100 km of hiking trails available for the visitors! Bird watching is also a great idea on this island. Of course, you can enjoy time on the beaches.

Chania

chania

Chania is a charming port town on the island of Crete. Together with the 20km stretch of beach home to many resorts, it is one of the most popular places to visit in Greece. If you prefer to check out old cities instead of staying in resorts, you are lucky as the town has a lovely Old Town centered around the harbor. And if you like walking and hiking, you are also in luck as Samaria gorge offers superb landscape and is within easy access as part of a day trip from Chania.

Delos

delos

You cannot stay overnight in Delos, but you can visit the island as part of the day trip from Mykonos. It is the most important Panhellenic sanctuary and, according to mythology, the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Most of the island comprises archaeological sites, so this is heaven for a history buff. Bring good walking shoes, your water bottle and make sure you are protected from the sun. You can also check out Museum of Delos which houses interesting artifacts.

Hydra

Hydra is one of the Saronic Gulf Islands and easily visited from Athens as part of a day trip. The harbor has a very scenic location , with white washed houses rising up on the hill and the dark blue water as their background. Motorized transportation is forbidden on Hydra, but it is also easy to tackle the town on foot. For longer distances, hire a donkey. Enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle of Athens.

Imerovigli, Santorini

santorini

A neighborhood of Fira, Imerovigli is most famous for its beautiful sunsets. It has a typical Cyclades architecture, with the white washed houses and blue domed churches.

Santorini, as a whole, is a superb and extremely picturesque island. Imerovigli is located just 2 km from Santorini town so you can grab accommodation elsewhere if you wish.

Kefalonia

kefalonia

Part of the Ionian Islands , Kefalonia offers breathtaking natural scenery, with lush forests and high mountains. It is probably best known as the setting for Captain Corelli’s mandolin . Spend your vacation riding horses through the mountains, passing vineyards and ruined villages. Or rent a boat and go out to explore the hidden beaches.

Koufonissia

If you are looking for a Cyclades island which has not yet reached peak popularity among travelers, Koufonissia is where you need to go. There are churches and windmills to visit, and the port is also picturesque. And you will experience the typical Cyclades architecture, too, combining white and blue. If you want to spend a cultural holiday in Greece, then come here for Easter, as it is celebrated traditionally on the island.

Lindos

Lindos is a beautiful medieval town on Rhodes . Home to only 700 inhabitants, the town gets overwhelmed with tourists during the peak travel season. The main attraction is the town, as well as the ruins of the Acropolis. And because you can travel to Rhodes year round, you may want to get here in late spring or early fall.

Mykonos Town

mykonos

Mykonos is one of the most popular Greek destinations and is famed for being a party island. Loud dance clubs, and accommodation and restaurants which cater to the same clientèle are common. It gets very crowded in July and August, so for a different – and more relaxed experience – visit from mid-May through June , when it’s not as hot or as expensive. With all its touristy feeling, Mykonos Town remains a stunningly beautiful town, worthy of your time. Explore the tiny streets and check out the shops, too. Or, if you really like to get away from the crowds, check out Ano Mera, a small village located about 7km from Mykonos Town.

Naxos Town

naxos

The largest and most fertile island of the Cyclades doesn’t relay only on tourism for income. Located about 5 and a half hours by ferry from Athens and 2 hours from Santorini, the island’s iconic landmark is Portara, a 6th century BC marble gate on the islet of Palatia in Naxos harbor. It used to be part of a temple dedicated to Apollo. Spend your time exploring the walled city – called Castro – which boasts stunning views overlooking the port and of its alleys. Beaches and diving spots also offer possibilities for entertainment.

Parga

parga-1163344_640

Parga is located on the Greece mainland, between the cities of Igoumenitsa and Preveza. Its historical castle overlooking the town and beaches is the main attraction. This is a perfect choice for those looking to get away from the crowds. Although a very beautiful town, tourism is quite new here – which, in many cases, is a blessing not a curse. You may need to learn some Greek but you will feel the friendlies of the locals.

Rhodes Town

rhodes

Rhodes is a very popular Greek destination, mostly visited for its beaches, extensive and well preserved medieval town, as well as the archaeological sites. Rhodes town is the largest settlement on the island and also its capital, famous as the ancient site of the Colossus. Its medieval town has been part of UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1988. You can spend hours exploring the walled city.

Rethymnon

rethymnon-crete
Located on Crete, Rethymnon was once a Minoan city but never a powerful one. It saw a big growth when the Venetians conquered the island. Testament to that is the Fortezza of Rethymno, one of the best-preserved castles in Crete. The old town is also of Venetian origin and very well preserved, as well.

Symi

symi

Part of the Dodecanese , Symi is home to the most beautiful harbor in Greece. By all means, check out the harbor but you may also want to get out of the touristy areas and spend some time walking on the island. Spring and late summer offer great weather for those who enjoy spending time in nature.

Tsilivi

Located on Zakynthos , Tsilivi is a family oriented resort. It stands just north of Zakynthos Town, it offers everything you would expect from a resort, including the restaurants, tavernas, hotels, beaches with entertainment facilities.

Zakynthos (Zante)

zakynthos

The island of Zakynthos is the third largest in the Ionian Sea and caters for both partying crowds and families. Most traveler know it as a party island, though. One of the lushest Greek islands, Zakynthos is a pleasure to be explore in early spring, around Easter time. Unfortunately, Zakynthos town was badly affected by an earthquake in 1953 and had to be rebuilt. Its central square resembles Venice’s San Marco square and is surely worth your own. The island of Zakynthos is famous for its Blue Caves, shipwreck, and beaches.

Useful resources

>>Ferries in Greece
>>Hotels in Greece
>>Hostels in Greece
>>Weather in Greece

12 thoughts on “17 Greek Destinations for 2017

  1. I did a month long island hopping two years ago and my No. one is the Petrified Forest on Lesvos, one of the most unforgettable places I’ve ever been too, and I’ve been travelling for 3 years now. Nearby is also a museum that explains the whole thing in detail.

  2. I love this list! I’ve been to several that’s mentioned as we go to Greece every year (my husband is Greek). My favorite from this list is definitely Parga, Kefalonia and Imerovigli. I need to show this to my husband as we’re bound to go there this May and June for 3 Greek weddings. Yay!!! 🙂

    • Thank you for the comment! So lucky to have a Greek husband! 🙂 We’ll be going for our wedding anniversary in May next year 😉

  3. I still haven’t been to Greece yet although I was a bit overwhelmed with the number of options in terms of places… This doesn’t help as it just adds me more to my list.

    • If you ask me, that’s a good problem to have! 🙂 I started with Athens and I went there in March (affordable and not overwhelmed by tourists). As a result, I fell in love haha Now it is hard also for me to choose destinations…but I love to have this problem.

  4. I’ve actually been considering a holiday to Greece in the next year, so this post is really useful! I love the sound of Kefalonia and it looks especially beautiful! 🙂

  5. Planning to go in early to mid September with my spouse for 7 days. But there are so many options! What a great problem to have. Athens and Santorini are a must for us.

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