6 Most Beautiful Towns To Visit in Greece

You’ve probably seen hundreds of photos of amazing Greek beaches, monuments, and sunsets while scrolling on Instagram and made yourself a long list of must-see in Greece.

But, believe it. The photos often don’t do justice to the reality which makes it almost impossible to choose just which are the best places to visit in Greece. The list would be endless. Add in the extra elements of incredible Mediterranean cuisine and friendly, hospitable people, and once you’re there, you may even find you never want to leave.

Whether you’re thinking of visiting the mainland or are planning on touring some of the islands, wherever you go, you’ll find Greece is a magical country. Not sure where to start? Here’s a list of the 6 best towns in Greece, none of which you’re going to want to miss out on.

# Mykonos Town, Mykonos, Cyclades

If you like to party to dawn and be in with the in-crowd, then Mykonos Town is the best place in Greece for you to visit. While the island of Mykonos, which is in the Cyclades chain, might only cover an area of thirty-three square miles, it’s an island which has dominated the Greek social scene for years. Yes, it has a reputation for being as wild, if not wilder, than Ibiza and it’s a reputation it lives up to.

Be prepared to be blinded by the morning sunshine and the bright, whiteness of the houses when you leave the clubs. You may even need to elbow your way through the crowds if a cruise ship has docked in the harbor. That’s all part of Mykonos’s charm.

Is there more to Mykonos Town than bars and nightclubs? Yes, there is. Little Venice is a part of the town where the houses and restaurants go right up to the waterfront. It’s quaint, and the narrow streets behind are an interesting labyrinth of boutiques and bars. The cluster of five windmills on the town’s coastline makes for an iconic Instagram photo if you snap them at sunset. The Mama Mia-style, Panagia Paraportiani church with its white-washed walls and arched bell tower is one of the most photogenic buildings in Greece.

# Lindos, Rhodes, Dodecanese

One of the best Greek towns to visit for combining beach time with viewing ancient monuments is Lindos on the island of Rhodes. The town sits in a beautiful bay edged with golden sands. Above it on a prominent hillside is a fortress-like acropolis which dates from around 200 BC.

While Lindos is picture perfect with narrow cobbled streets full of flowers and trailing vines, it’s the acropolis which is attention-grabbing. Enter through the medieval gateway and inside is another world, an ancient one, where there’s a lot to explore. Discover the Doric temple with impressive columns, Hellenistic stairways, the remains of a Roman temple and a pentagonal tower which was part of the castle built by the Knights of St John. There are donkey rides from the town to the acropolis, but it’s not a difficult walk, so avoid using the overworked animals and give them a break if you can.

# Monemvasia, Peloponnese

Monemvasia lies just off the coast of the Greek Peloponnese, and although it is an island, a narrow causeway connects it to the mainland. From a distance, Monemvasia appears to be a gigantic and lifeless mound of arid rock. It isn’t until you’re actually on it that it reveals its impressive secrets.

On this tiny islet, shrouded by the presence of the central rock formation and hidden from view, is a medieval walled citadel. Go through the tunnel entrance, and you’ll be in a world that time has forgotten. Stroll the cobbled streets lined with empty houses. There are very few people living in the fortress, and no cars are permitted inside, so it’s eerily quiet once you’re away from the center. There are a few hotels, a couple of tavernas and some souvenir shops. The island also has two beautiful beaches. One right by the castle walls and the other around two miles away which you can walk to.

# Chania Town, Crete

Chania Town on the island of Crete is overflowing with authentic Greek character. From the colorful Venetian harbor which is lined with cafeterias and restaurants, to the labyrinth of back streets full of shops and boutiques in the Old Town, it teems with life both day and night. The Cretan cuisine is unbeatable, and the harbor is the best place to try some of the local fish.

Stroll along the mile-long sea wall to photograph the lighthouse or snap a sly shot of the fishermen sitting on their boats working at mending their nets. Trek up to the small church of Profitis Ilias, and you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic vistas of the whole of Chania town.

While you’re in Chania, you won’t want to miss out on seeing two of the best beaches in the world. Elafonisi, famous for its pink sand and crystal-clear sea, and Balos, the tranquil lagoon with white sand and turquoise waters. They’re both some distance from the town but are must-see places when you’re in Greece. That goes for the Samaria Gorge too. It’s an hour’s drive from Chania, but hiking through the gorge’s incredible landscape is something you’ll never forget.

# Kastraki, Meteora

Kastraki is a small Greek town in the region of Meteora on mainland Greece and is the best Greek town to visit for seeing the Meteora monasteries. Wake up in the morning, open the patio doors and you will see the UNESCO World Heritage Site from your balcony.

The Meteora monasteries are one of Greece’s most famous landmarks. The medieval monasteries sit atop incredible pillars of rock, most of which are over a thousand feet high. Now accessible by steps carved into the rocks, there was a time when provisions and people were hauled up the cliff sides in nets attached to ropes. Thankfully, that no longer happens.

Kastraki itself is an archaeological delight of stone houses with red-tiled roofs adorned with flowers. Its location right under the towering pinnacles is tranquil and otherworldly. The only noise to disturb your sleep will be the crowing of the roosters at dawn. The countryside which surrounds Meteora is great for hiking, and if you’re a rock climber, you’ll find a new challenge everywhere you turn.

# Oia, Santorini, Cyclades

Oia on the Cyclades island of Santorini is in essence what most people imagine when they think of Greek towns. Whitewashed houses snug against a cliffside dominated by the blue domes of a church. Yes, Oia is that typical image made reality and is stunningly picture postcard perfect.

Because of its geographical position, Oia has the most amazing sunsets every day. It’s something which hasn’t gone unnoticed, and the town gets inundated with crowds of tourists as well as visitors from cruise ships which dock in the harbor. The influx doesn’t spoil the town though, and it’s a great place for trying Greek food, enjoying the views and just relaxing on the beach.

Oia is one of the best Greek towns for taking photographs. The town poses as well as any supermodel, and if you’re a novice photographer, you’ll be over the moon with the results you get from snapping Oia and the sunsets.