697 Best Sights in Greece

In the early 13th century, William de Champlitte divided the Peloponnese into 12 baronies. He bestowed Kalamata on Frankish knight Geoffrey de Villehardouin, who built a winter castle here. Through the centuries the castle was bitterly fought over by Franks, Slavs, and Byzantines, and today it's difficult to tell what of the remains is original. From Martiou 23 Square, walk up Ipapandis past the church, take the first left at the castle gates, and climb the small hill; the views of the town, coast, and the Messinian plain are lovely.

The windy beach of Kalamitsa is 4 km (2½ miles) along the road south from Ahilli, and popular with windsurfers for obvious reasons. Nevertheless, this also means that the sands can be whipped up into a skin-cleansing frenzy on certain days, so whether you're a surfer or bather, check the winds first. There are three decent tavernas at this old harbor. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; surfing; swimming; windsurfing.

In Greece, the ski slopes of Chlemos Mountain (7,726 feet) are second only to those of Parnassos, which lies across the Corinthian Gulf. Indeed, winter is the busier time in this region, with the town's ski resort humming between November and April. Its facilities include 12 runs totaling 20 km (12 miles), moguls, and a snowboard park. Few foreigners visit, but it's pretty affordable (as far as European skiing goes) and you can even see the Gulf as you hurtle down the slopes.

Mykonos’s characteristic rocky hills surround Kalo Livadi’s long sandy beach, at the edge of the island gully from which it got its name, meaning "good valley.” Families head here to spend the day playing with their kids in the shallow waters and take a break at one of the restaurants surrounding the beach. In summer, paddlers and kayakers crisscross the bay. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming.

This long, sandy stretch backed by a pine forest and a grassy plain where cattle graze is much favored by Patras residents on weekends and in August. It's around 40 km (25 miles) west of the city. Bracing winds that can whip up a wild surf don't seem to deter beachgoers and are a boon for windsurfers. A river behind the beach forms estuaries that are great for bird-watching. People swim in them as well, but you may feel like Hercules if you are joined by yard-long snakes (they are nonvenomous). Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Santorini's most popular beach, one of several excellent stretches of sand on the southern end of the island, manages to maintain its beauty despite an onslaught of sunseekers. The black sands are backed by dramatic cliffs, including the one topped by Ancient Thera. A steep path from one end of the beach leads up to the ruins, past a refreshing and very welcome natural spring, but most beachgoers don't venture beyond their umbrella-shaded loungers or the long line of beach bars and tavernas. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

The most popular beach on the island stretches for 1½ km (1 mile) or so along Kambos Bay, with a gently sloping sea floor that's ideal for young waders and swimmers. Sun beds line the strand of fine pebbles and sand, and pines behind the beach provide plenty of shade. The many amenities include windsurfing, waterskiing, and pedal-boat rentals. Regular bus service connects Kambos with Skala, about 6 km (4 miles) away. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; windsurfing.

Sandy, long, and unorganized, Kaminia sits to the north of Paroikía Bay. Beachgoers seeking more solitude can head here, even though it’s right next to the popular Krios Beach. See if you can find the cave of Archilochos, which is a small opening on the rock along the coast. The famous ancient Greek poet was said to visit the cave for inspiration and wrote poetry there. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; swimming.

The closest sandy beach to Nafplion, Karathona is easy to reach by road (just keep following 25 Maritou Street) or a pleasant walk first along the seaside promenade and then a dirt track for 4 km (2½ miles). You can also get there by bus in summer. The pine-backed sands are favored by Greek families with picnic baskets, and this is an ideal spot for kids, since the waters remain shallow far out into the bay. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for rent, though a pine grove behind the sands provides plenty of nice shady spots. Several tavernas back the beach. Amenities: food and drink; free parking; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

This popular beach fronts a large bay, and its golden sands and shallow, warm waters make it a good spot for young families. Many tavernas and hotels line the built-up shoreline, and there is a bus service to and from town. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunrise; swimming.

The hill where the Venetians first settled rises above the east end of the harbor and it became the quarter of the local nobility. Their palaces, now partially in ruin from neglect and World War II bombings, still line the ridge above the harbor. Kastelli had been occupied much earlier; the Minoan city of Cydonia was sited here.

Although close to the popular beach destinations, Kastraki Beach has kept its tranquil, quiet, and low-key status in place. The long, sandy stretch of beach is essentially a continuation of Mikri Vigla but attracts those who prefer the experience of undeveloped and untouched Greek island beaches. There are several designated areas popular with nudists. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: nudists; solitude; swimming; walking.

A geological wonder to rival any in the area. As well as vast subterranean galleries, labyrinthine passageways, gill-like rock formations, and huge stalactites, the cave of Kastria is most famous for the lakes that have pooled in its 13 naturally created basins. An underground river once ran through here, perforating the karst rock and opening up its lower levels. Boardwalks now snake 500 meters (1,640 feet) of the underground network's reputed 2 km (1 mile) length, but it's enough to get a taste. Audio guides in English can be downloaded from the cave's online site, as can guides that explain the geological history of the area. The caves lie 17 km (10 miles) from Kalavrita; if you don't want to shell out for an expensive taxi, rent a scooter or e-bike to make the journey.

At the eastern corner of Pythagorio lie the crumbling ruins of the Kastro, probably built on top of the ruins of an older acropolis. Revolutionary hero Lykourgou Logotheti created this 19th-century edifice; his statue is next door, in the courtyard of the church built to honor a victory. He held back the Turks on Transfiguration Day, and a sign on the church announces in Greek: "Christ saved Samos 6 August 1824." On saint days the villagers light votive candles in the church cemetery, a moving sight with the ghostly silhouette of the fortress and the moonlit sea in the background. Nearby are some fragments of the wall that the ruler Polycrates built in the 6th century BC.

You won't miss the entrances to the castle. The south gate is called the Paraporti (side gate), but it's more interesting to enter through the northern gate, or Trani (strong), via Apollonos Street. Note the vertical incision in the gate's marble column—it is the Venetian yard against which drapers measured the bolts of cloth they brought to the noblewomen. Step through the Trani into the citadel and enter another age, where sedate Venetian houses still stand around silent courtyards, their exteriors emblazoned with coats of arms and bedecked with flowers. Half are still owned by the original families; Greeks and romantic foreigners have bought up the rest.

The entire citadel was built in 1207 by Marco Sanudo, a Venetian who, three years after the fall of Constantinople, landed on Naxos as part of the Fourth Crusade. When in 1210 Venice refused to grant him independent status, Sanudo switched allegiance to the Latin emperor in Constantinople, becoming duke of the archipelago. Under the Byzantines, "archipelago" had meant "chief sea," but after Sanudo and his successors, it came to mean "group of islands," that is, the Cyclades. For three centuries Naxos was held by Venetian families, who resisted pirate attacks, introduced Roman Catholicism, and later rebuilt the castle in its present form. In 1564 Naxos came under Turkish rule but, even then, the Venetians ran the island, while the Turks only collected taxes. The rust-color Glezos tower was home to the last dukes; it displays the coat of arms: a pen and sword crossed under a crown.

Incorporating fragments of an ancient acropolis within its walls, the small castle was built by the Knights of St. John. A church and several chapels dot the sparse hillside around the remnants of its walls. The hilltop view takes in both sides of the narrow peninsula that Chorio crowns, with the villages of Yialos and Pedi (and their sparkling harbors) far below.

Above the village of Sangri, you can make out the ruins of Kastro Apilaros, the castle vanquished by the Italian conquerer, Marco Sanudo. The castle was the defensive stronghold for the region and held out for 40 days; its fall heralded the Venetian occupation of the island. Sanudo built his own stronghold in Chora to be by the sea and Apilaros was abandoned. The tough climb to view it up close is rewarded with a fantastic view of mountains, the Naxian plains, and the coast.

Enjoy a tour around this important winery, with 1,200 oak barrels, and discover the wine-making process, animated with video projections and sound and art installations. The journey ends in the wine-tasting area, so just try leaving without a few bottles of the exquisite, full-bodied, musky red Katogi-Averoff wine. For those who can't seem to tear themselves away, booking into the four-star Katogi-Averoff Hotel is a must (pardon the pun).

This stretch of coast extends north from Vouliagmeni to Voula and is one of the more easily accessible free public beaches near the city. It has fine golden sand and is a good choice for families. There are a few modest cafés along the beach as well as some shops, while umbrellas and sun beds are available for rent. Amenities: food and drink; free parking; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

Calm, turquoise waters wash onto this beach of sand and pebbles that is shaded by pine trees. Kerveli provides a quiet escape from the beaches near the more populated centers, and getting here involves a pleasurable final stretch through some of the loveliest forested parts in eastern Samos. Just offshore there is an uninhabited island called Kasonisi easily swimmable from the mainland. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; sunrise; swimming; walking.

If you're looking for the best sunset on the island, head where the locals head—Kini. The beach, long and sandy, features a little picturesque port that's flanked by a line of shady trees and the pretty little whitewashed village it gets its name from. It's big enough to accommodate all beach-going types including families, strolling couples, and water-sports lovers. The selection of taverns, restaurants, and cafés is plentiful and if you need a beach umbrella and chair rental, show up early during peak season. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: swimming; sunset; walking.

Just 3 km (2 miles) west of Tinos Town, Kionia Beach remains one of the island's most visited beaches. It has both pebbles and sand, but the long stretch of sand dominates, and a section of it fronts the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Poseidon. Kionia's beachfront road is lined with cafés, tavernas, rooms for rent, and the landmark Tinos Beach Hotel, which are all within walking distance of the beach. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent during the summer. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming; walking.

Perched on the far west coast and famed for its cliff-top views, this 18th-century monastery was restored by a solitary monk in the 1990s, after only the church had been rebuilt following the 1953 earthquakes. It wasn't the first time the monastery had been razed. In 1915, during some bad weather, a passing French destroyer was said to have mistaken the smoke from its chimney for an enemy ship; the hail of its cannon fire leveled the outer walls. Today, the many empty cells recall how busy it once must have been. Contained within its church are the skulls of its three founders as well as a piece of the "holy wood" donated by a Russian prince in the mid-19th century. A short trail nearby the monastery leads to some fine views over the cliffs.

A semisecluded sandy beach, Klima (aka Keithi), which is just south of Perdika, has a finely pebbled bay of crystal clear waters that rarely kick up any waves. To reach it, turn left at the intersection toward Sfentouri before entering Perdika, and then go right at the crossroads and continue until you reach Klima. It is also a popular destination for yachts. There's a beach bar that rents sun beds and umbrellas during the summer months. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Kolimpithira is made up of two beaches; the smaller is more organized and sheltered with sun beds and a taverna up on the headland, the second is a larger stretch of sand much favored by surfers when the weather is right. A small scene has developed around a VW camper van converted into a cool beach bar, with driftwood furniture and umbrellas disguised as giant mushrooms. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: surfing; swimming.

Aegina Town's beaches, notably the pine-surrounded Kolona, are pleasant enough with their shallow waters—and crowds—for a refreshing dip after a hot day. This largely undeveloped beach is within easy walking distance to a few tavernas and the archaeological site of Kolona, a wonderful backdrop for some great pictures (Hotel Rastoni is also not too far away); you can find some precious shade in the adjacent pine forest. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: swimming.

Athenians gather at the cafés on and around Kolonaki Square for good coffee, socializing, and being seen. From loyal pensioner customers to crowds of corporate-glamour girls sipping daylight Aperols on a weekday afternoon and off-duty celebs out to see and be seen, the square, officially known as Filikis Eterias, is always fashionable and lively but elegantly so. Roads starting from here are lined with cafés—Million, Tsakalof, and further on, Kanari and Koumpari—also hot spots for clinching business and social deals.

The beach, which is noted for its anfractuous rock formations, is also considered to be one of Paros's best, attracting its share of crowds to the small, sandy cove. The granite formations create shallow pools of water popular with the kids. It's within walking distance of three tavernas that overlook the shoreline. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent from a seasonal beach club. Head to the top of nearby Koukounaries Hill to view the remains of an ancient site. You can get there by car—there is designated parking for the beach—or take the water taxi from Naousa. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: swimming.

Fabulous, pine- and palm-fringed Kommos lies below the site of a Minoan harbor, once the port of Phaistos. At its far northern end lies the small resort of Kalamaki, where a few modest hotels and tavernas back the sand, but for the most part the beach is an unspoiled 2-km (1½-mile) stretch of white sand washed by clear waters and backed by hills shaded with tamarisk trees. Kommos is especially popular with nudists, and it's also a nesting ground for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), so avoid taped-off areas where the females have laid their eggs. Lifeguards watch over the southern end of the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers, toilets. Best for: nudists; solitude; sunset; swimming; walking.

The second floor above the impressive Korais Library, Greece's third largest, houses artifacts celebrating life on Chios. Meticulously designed costumes, embroideries, pastoral wood carvings, furniture from a village home, and rare books and prints are the legacy of Philip Argenti (1891–1974); a Renaissance man who studied at Oxford, he was a diplomat and scholar, and for many years chronicled island history from his estate in the Kambos District.