Embrace the beauty of Greece’s inviting waters and beaches by seamlessly island hopping with top ferry companies like Blue Star Ferries, Seajets, and Hellenic Seaways. From budgeting to luggage restrictions, learn everything you need to know to maximize your ferry experience in Greece!
In the jostle for seats and space on crowded ferry boats, many Greek travelers naturally gravitate towards indoor cafe-bars. Here, members of Cafe Society are known to nurse iced coffees throughout their 14-hour voyages.
Ikaria Island
Ikaria is a rugged and authentic Greek island that has escaped the glitz of more popular resort islands. Its beaches are beautiful and uncrowded. Its restaurants serve up goat dishes and honey as well as fresh fish from local fishermen.
The island is renowned as one of the world’s “Blue Zones” where residents live long lives. The island’s residents are known for their healthy diet and active lifestyles. The Ikaria Longevity Retreat is held on the island and teaches visitors how to adopt these habits.
The island is located halfway between Samos and Mykonos in the Aegean Sea. It is a perfect destination for a relaxing summer getaway and can be visited year-round. Winter and spring are also good times to visit, with lower temperatures, cheaper prices, and beautiful scenery.
Santorini Island
Santorini is the supermodel of Greek islands, an utterly head-turning landscape of multicolored cliffs that soar from a sea-drowned volcanic crater and are topped with whitewashed villages. It’s a postcard-perfect sight that’s immortalized in every travel guide, computer screensaver and “Visit Greece” advertisement, but it’s also just as breathtaking in person.
You can experience Santorini’s wonder from a wide variety of activities and tours. Sample the island’s lauded wines at dozens of vineyards, with crisp dry whites and amber-colored Vinsanto made from the indigenous Assyrtiko grape. Or visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira, which displays the remains of a Minoan city blasted away by an eruption centuries ago.
Many guests prefer to take a sunset cruise around the caldera’s rocky edges, admiring the fabled white towns on the rim of the volcano and watching as a palette of lilac, purple and red streaks across the sky. Or explore the interior of Santorini with a visit to Pyrgos, home to great restaurants and quiet backstreets. It’s here you can see the true beauty of Santorini, away from the crowds and the hustle and bustle.
Mykonos Island
Mykonos is the wild and cosmopolitan child of the Cyclades, a top celebrity favorite with its renowned party scene. A trip to Mykonos is like stepping into a gilded carnival: a kaleidoscope of upscale boutiques, rocking bars, quaint windmills and homey tavernas, all set against a brilliant blue backdrop.
While the island gets crowded in high season, it’s possible to escape the crowds by renting a car and exploring lesser-known areas of the island. A drive around the island will reveal private coves for swimming, secluded monasteries and fabulous spots with sea views.
Be sure to visit the church of Panagia Paraportiani. Locals believe the church holds one of the 365 saints mentioned in the Bible, and the stunning structure has inspired artists from painters to cinematographers to music bands such as Fleet Foxes who wrote a song about it. It’s also a beautiful place to enjoy a breathtaking sunset.
Lesvos Island
Lesvos is the third largest island in the Aegean Sea and is famous for its local products, blue-flag beaches, and artists. Spend your days basking in the sun, swimming in the crystal-clear waters, and savoring authentic Greek cuisine in waterfront tavernas.
Lesbos is also a nature lover’s paradise with impressive natural locations like the Petrified Forest, which has fossilized trees dating back to 2 million years ago. Explore this UNESCO Global Geopark by following the marked walking trails and learning about the island’s history along the way.
Lesvos is home to many historical and cultural attractions, too, including the neoclassical buildings of Mytilene, the ruins of ancient temples, and monuments commemorating the emancipation of the Aegean islands from Ottoman rule. You can also visit the sardine festival in Kalloni or immerse yourself in the island’s rich folklore at the Lesvos Museum of Folklore.
Thessaly
Thessaly is a mountainous region in north-central Greece. It is bordered all around by high mountains, including the Olympus massif in the north (bordering Prefecture Macedonia), Pindos in the west and Parnassos in the south. Its most famous feature are the monasteries perched atop the towering rocks of Meteora. This unique natural formation combines surreal beauty with spiritual significance, making it one of the most impressive sights in the country.
Whether you’re exploring Volos with its lively waterfront and rich history, or experiencing the tranquil beauty of Plastira Lake, or taking a nostalgic ride on the Pelion Steam Train, Thessaly will take your breath away. Its idyllic location, rich culture and invigorating nature offer a truly one-of-a-kind experience all year round.
Thessaly is also dotted with quaint villages and verdant landscapes. Thessalian people have embraced their unique identity and preserved traditional customs, while cultivating wholesome foods, including regional cabbage, nettles, docks, chervils and herbs. They also raise livestock, which produces quality dairy products. Despite its many wonders, Thessaly remains largely off the beaten track for most travelers.