Traveling to the Islands

You can either take the ferry or a flight: 

Ferries

• Check out Viva Greece or Ferry Hopper to book your ferries
• Piraeus is the main port to use when traveling from Athens to the Cycladic islands
• Patra is the main port to use when traveling from the mainland to the Ionian islands, and it is about a 3-hour drive from Athens

Flights

• We recommend flying with Aegean/Olympic Air 
• All of the listed islands below have flight options! 
• Islands like Crete and Rhodes are very far by ferry, so flying is the best option to these destinations
• The islands do not have flights between them, with the exception of flying between Mykonos and Santorini

Crete

Heraklion: 1 Day

The location of both the port of Crete and the airport. This is a great spot to transition for a day in Crete, while checking out the Bronze Age site of the Minoans at the palace of Knossos (watch out for the Minotaur)!

Recommended Hotels:

• Aquila Atlantis – nice, simple hotel right in town
• Megaron – luxurious, historic hotel 

Recommended Restaurants:

• AVLI Bar Restaurant – the top-rated spot in Heraklion 
• Kastella – a quaint, seaside taverna with amazing food 

Recommended Activities:

• Check out Knossos! 

Rethymno: 2-5 Days 

An old fishermen town filled with history, beaches, and amazing restaurants and hotels. Rethymno is an hour drive from Heraklion and is great for families and partners.

Recommended Hotels:

• Grecotel Creta Palace – an incredible resort placed perfectly on the water and right by the town
• Dyo Suites – a beautiful hotel with unique suites on the water
• Aquila Porto Rethymno – a perfect combination of practical, top-tier hospitality, and great location

Recommended Restaurants:

• Prima Plora Organic Restaurant & Wine Bar – an elegant restaurant and wine bar seaside
• To Pigadi Restaurant – amazing food, taverna-style in the old town of Rethymno
• Nostos – an incredible dining experience seaside

Recommended Activities:

• Explore the Venetian fortress 
• Walk through the old town and see the Rimondi Fountain at the center
• Go for a swim at Preveli/Finikas Beach, which is the top-rated beach in Rethymno
• Kalypso Beach is truly unique – with nice beach chairs and hospitality, but without sand! 

Elounda/Aghios Nicholas: 2-5 Days

We are definitely biased, since we vacation at Elounda every summer! The Elounda/Aghios Nicholas areas are great for a trip with your family, partner, or friends. There are amazing restaurants and fantastic hotels and resorts. It is an hour drive from Heraklion.

Recommended Hotels:

• Elounda Peninsula (not to be confused with The Peninsula chain) – a gorgeous hotel on the best beach of Elounda. Spend your days swimming, hanging out, and sipping a cocktail beachside. This hotel’s amenities are joined with Porto Elounda, but the rooms are much nicer at Peninsula!
• Minos Beach Art Hotel – a luxurious hotel with gorgeous seaside bungalows in Aghios Nicholas
• Blue Palace Elounda – a luxurious resort on the water with amazing dining options 

Recommended Restaurants:

• Our favorite restaurant in Greece is a 25-min drive from Elounda: Taverna Miliaras – tell Niko we sent you, and try everything he recommends! Oh, and don’t be alarmed that he has a drink with every table at the restaurant. A true Greek experience!
• Despina – amazing, elegant seafood spot in Elounda
• Ofou To Lo – they have amazing cuisine seaside in Aghios Nicholas
• Giovanni’s – a great spot also for seafood!
• Samurai Sushi Bar Restaurant – mix it up with some sushi, and try the sea urchin! 
• Kanali – elegant, incredible dining experience on a small peninsula across from Elounda

Recommended Activities:

• Take a ferry/tour of Spinalonga – the infamous Leper colony visible from Elounda 
• Drive to the Ha Gorge – a gorgeous location for hiking!

Chania: 2-5 Days

A beautiful, historic location in Crete, Chania is a very well-known tourist destination. Every part of it is wonderful. We recommend Chania for families or partners. It is a two-hour drive from Heraklion. 

Recommended Hotels:

• Hotel Casa Delfino – the best hotel in Chania. Look into booking this ASAP, as their rooms tend book out pretty quickly
• Chania Flair Deluxe Boutique Hotel – iconic boutique hotel on the water
• Porto Veneziano Hotel – a more practical hotel with great views and hospitality

Recommended Restaurants:

• Bougatsa Iordanis – great pastry shop for a quick bite for breakfast or while exploring the town!
• O Milos Tou Kerata – unique, traditional Cretan cuisine
• Well of the Turk – perfect combination of Greek and Turkish food. The Ottomans controlled Greece for a long time, and Crete even longer. But this restaurant is hard to beat.
• The Five Restaurant – casual, seaside taverna with amazing food

Recommended Activities:

• Check out the Venetian lighthouse 
• Get lost in the old town! There are great boutiques and all kinds of sightseeing along the streets.
• Chrissi Akti and Pachia Ammos are two beaches near the town of Chania.
• The famous Elafonissi Beach is known for its pink (yes, pink!) sand. It’s about an hour drive from Chania and is great for a beach day trip. If you do go, Kalomirakis Taverna is a great spot for lunch at the beach.

Cycladic Islands: Mykonos, Santorini, Milos, and Paros!

Mykonos: 2-5 Days

Mykonos is a beautiful island with beach clubs, amazing restaurants and hotels, and a noteworthy night life. Mykonos is best enjoyed with your partner or friends. I’d recommend staying in town, making sure your hotel has a car service, or renting a car. The taxis are difficult to come by as there is a maximum number of vehicles on the island at a given town. 

Recommended Hotels:

• Cavo Tagoo Mykonos – Old Port
• Nissaki Boutique – Platos Gialos, amazing service 
• Semeli Hotel Mykonos – right in town
• Kalesma Mykonos – incredible view and service
• Bluetopia Suites – directly on the water, right in town
• Mykonos Blanc Hotel – Ornos Beach, amazing amenities

Recommended Beach Clubs/Lunches:

• Pasaji – beach bar and lunch location
• Alemagou – beach club with amazing lunch and famous DJs; recommend Saturday late lunch and stay for beach party
• Scorpios – beach club with amazing lunch and famous DJs; recommend Sunday late lunch and stay for the all-day-and-night beach party 
• Lotus Resto Bar – right in town and is great for brunch

Recommended Dinners:

• Buddha Bar – amazing cocktails and sushi
• Interni – hot spot right in town
• NOA Greek Restaurant – right in town for dinner
• Souvlaki Story – a few around the island, amazing for late night souvlaki
• Jackie O’s – amazing food and super trendy spot for day and night

Recommended Activities:

• Enjoy a sunset cocktail at 180 Sunset Bar 
• Clubbing at Skandanavian Bar in town
• Shopping! There are incredible boutiques and designers all around the town. We recommend checking out the Greek designer Zeus & Dione! 
• Ornos Beach and Platos Yialos beaches are great for swimming and low key
• Paradise Beach has beach clubs like Tropicana and Kahlua that are fun for daytime beach parties 

Santorini: 2-5 Days

Santorini is known for its amazing sunset view, restaurants, wineries, and catamaran tours to see the iconic volcano. Santorini is best enjoyed with your family or partner. Oia is a great, higher end spot to stay with great resorts and restaurants, Imerovigli has great resorts and cafes, and Thira/Fira has great restaurants and bars. 

Recommended Hotels:

• Cavo Tagoo Santorini – in Imerovigli is great for families and couples
• Armenaki Santorini – in Oia is great for couples
• Santo Maris Luxury Suites & Spa – in Oia is great for families 
• Art Maisons – in Oia is great for couples

Recommended Restaurants (all with amazing sunsets):

• Dimitri Ammoudi – incredible taverna in Oia, but down a ton of stairs, so wear sensible footwear!
• La Colline – elegant restaurant in Thira
• Cavo Tagoo Santorini OVAC – elegant, trendy restaurant and bar in Imerovigli 
• Kapari Wine Restaurant – amazing restaurant and wine bar in Imerovigli
• Fino Santorini – unique cocktail bar and restaurant in Oia

Recommended Activities:

• Rent ATV vehicles and take a half day to explore the island and ride down to the Red Beach 
• Take a catamaran tour at sunset or during the day, meals are included, you’ll swim around the island, and have a tour of the volcano
• Wine tasting at Santo Wines or Artemis Karamolegos (known for the #1 Assyrtiko!) 

Milos: 2-3 Days

Milos has risen in popularity the past five years due to a big push by the Greek government to advertise certain islands – with GOOD reason! A gorgeous island known for its “moon-like” beach. A great location for families and partners. A note that is you are traveling with a larger group, the restaurants may not allow you to make reservations.

Recommended Hotels:

• Artemis Deluxe Suites – great location, great accommodation, and beautiful rooms 
• Santa Maria Village Resort & Spa – great resort, good location with great amenities
• Milos Cove – a luxurious resort with incredible rooms and views

Recommended Restaurants 

• Yialos – delicious seafood taverna right by the sea
• O Hamos Restaurant – a top-rated taverna with amazing service and food with a really fun experience
• Okto – a great taverna that is nearby Sarakiniko Beach and is great for lunch
• Barriello – elegant dining experience up in the mountains of Milos!

Recommended Activities:

• Obviously, spend some time a the “moon beach” Sarakiniko! 
• Take a boat tour of the island. There are a ton of caves, Kleftiko Bay, and more that can only be explored via boat.

Paros: 2-5 Days

Paros is an island rising in popularity known for its amazing restaurants, hotels, bars. Additionally, Antiparos is a short 10-minute boat ride away where you can enjoy the landscape, caves, and restaurants. Paros is best enjoyed with your family, partner, or friends.

Recommended Hotels:

• Cove Paros – in Naousa is an amazing boutique resort on the water
• Parilio – in Naousa is a luxury boutique
• Bohemian Luxury Boutique Hotel – is a great hotel in Naousa
• Bungalows Marina – simple studios in Naousa great for traveling with friends

Recommended Restaurants:

• Siparos – truly incredible seafood restaurant just outside of Naousa
• Stilvi – trendy, amazing restaurant and bar in Naousa
• Saline – unique, modern restaurant in Aliki
• Buonvento – mix it up with this quaint Italian restaurant in the mountainside
• Deck – trendy restaurant and bar in Naousa

Recommended Activities:

• Take a 10-minute ferry ride to Antiparos and explore the island
• Check out the awesome local boutiques and shops 
• Enjoy the city of Naousa for a cocktail in the evening
• Sit at a seaside cafe in the morning for a coffee and watch the fishermen bring in the fresh catch
• Have lunch and go for a swim at Golden Beach 

Ionian Islands: Zakynthos and Kefalonia!

Zakynthos: 2-3 Days

If you’ve done Ionian Village camp, you’ve already been here and can attest to how amazing Zakynthos is! A great location for friends, family, and partners. 

Recommended Hotels:

• Lesante Blu – great service, lovely resort 
• Olea All Suite Hotel – elegant, relaxing hotel
• Porto Zante Villas & Spa – insanely luxurious resort with amazing rooms, service, and spa
• Cactus Hotel – practical, good service, great location

Recommended Restaurants:

• Parthenon – a terrific taverna-style restaurant
• Essence – an elegant dinner restaurant
• Bassia – phenomenal seafood restaurant

Recommended Activities: 

• Navagio – check out the famous shipwreck beach!
• Makris Gialos – a gorgeous beach with clear water for swimming
• Infinity Beach Club Zante – a unique beach club with great music, cocktails, swimming, and vibes 
• Visit the “walking saint” Saint Dionysius! If you do go, make sure your shoulders, knees, and toes are covered out of respect for the monastery.  
• Enjoy Zakynthos town – Busters Bar and Iguana Cocktail bar are a couple of the popular bars many Greeks enjoy going out to.

Kefalonia: 2-3 Days

Many say this is the most beautiful Greek island. A true haven with lots of beautiful green landscape, great beaches, and amazing people. A perfect location for families and partners. 

Recommended Hotels:

• Avithos Resort Kefalonia – gorgeous resort with wonderful hospitality and amenities 
• The Twelve Suites Collection – amazing suites, views, and location
• Aenos Hotel – practical, good service, great location

Recommended Restaurants:

• Alati – a great bar and restaurant for lunch and dinner
• Kastelios Grill House – very casual taverna with amazing meat
• Olive Lounge Bar & Restaurant – elegant dining experience with amazing food, service, and views
• Gefiri Restaurant – top-rated and lives up to the hype! Delicious food and a traditional taverna experience

Recommended Activities: 

• Some of the most beautiful water you will see is at Myrtos Beach!
• Antisamos Beach – a unique beach location that is actually surrounded by pine trees
• Ai Helis Beach Club is a fun spot to visit 
• Take a boat tour around the island to explore the Melissani Cave 
• Visit the famous cave of Saint Gerasimos! If you do go, make sure your shoulders, knees, and toes are covered out of respect for the monastery