Greece Luxury Holiday Planner
Places to Visit in Greece
Iconic islands, ancient sites and quiet coastal hideaways for your next luxury holiday.
Greece travel guide
The Best Places to Visit in Greece
From the volcanic caldera of Santorini to the pine-fringed beaches of Halkidiki, Greece offers a destination for every kind of luxury holiday. Discover where to go and who each place suits best. Many travellers combine two destinations, such as Athens with an island or two neighbouring islands linked by ferry. Our travel experts can help you plan a multi-centre itinerary with flights, transfers and hotels arranged for you.
Greece has more than 200 inhabited islands and a mainland full of ancient sites, so the hardest part of planning is choosing where to go. These are the destinations our travel experts recommend most for a luxury holiday, with a note on who each one suits best.
Santorini
Whitewashed villages cling to the rim of a flooded volcanic caldera, making Santorini the most photographed island in Greece. Stay in Oia or Imerovigli for caldera-view suites with private plunge pools, and time your evening around the famous sunset.
- Best for: couples, honeymoons and special occasions
- Don’t miss: a catamaran cruise around the caldera and a wine tasting at a local estate
Crete
Greece’s largest island combines long sandy beaches with mountain villages, Minoan palaces and some of the country’s best food. The Elounda and Agios Nikolaos area on the north-east coast is home to many of Crete’s finest resorts.
- Best for: families, food lovers and all-inclusive stays
- Don’t miss: the Palace of Knossos, Balos Lagoon and Spinalonga island
Rhodes
Rhodes pairs a medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with reliable sunshine and a long season. The east coast around Lindos and Kallithea has calm bays and a strong choice of luxury all-inclusive hotels.
- Best for: families, history lovers and late-season sun
- Don’t miss: the Acropolis of Lindos and the Palace of the Grand Master
Halkidiki
Three green peninsulas reach into the Aegean south of Thessaloniki, lined with pine forest and some of the clearest water in Greece. Halkidiki is known for spacious beachfront resorts and a relaxed pace.
- Best for: beach holidays, families and couples looking for calm
- Don’t miss: a boat trip along the Mount Athos coastline
Mykonos
Mykonos is the Cyclades at its most glamorous, with designer boutiques, beach clubs and a lively Little Venice waterfront. Quieter luxury hotels sit on the south coast away from the busiest beaches.
- Best for: stylish couples and groups of friends
- Don’t miss: the windmills at sunset and a day trip to the sacred island of Delos
Corfu and the Ionian islands
The Ionian islands are greener than the Aegean, with Venetian architecture and sheltered coves. Corfu, Kefalonia and Zakynthos all offer a good choice of boutique and family-friendly hotels.
Athens
Two or three nights in Athens make an easy start or finish to an island holiday. Choose a rooftop hotel with views of the Acropolis, and leave time for the Acropolis Museum and the Plaka district.
Tip: combine a city break in Athens with a week on an island for a two-centre holiday. Ask our team about multi-centre itineraries.
Places to visit at a glance
| Destination | Ideal for | Typical flight from London |
|---|---|---|
| Santorini | Couples and honeymoons | About 4 hours |
| Crete | Families and all-inclusive | About 4 hours |
| Rhodes | History and long-season sun | About 4 hours |
| Halkidiki | Calm beaches and spacious resorts | About 3.5 hours |
| Mykonos | Style, nightlife and beach clubs | About 4 hours |
| Corfu | Green scenery and boutique stays | About 3 hours |
Flight times are approximate and vary by UK departure airport. Browse luxury hotels in Greece to compare stays in each area.
Good to know