The Most Complete Greece Travel Guide: Athens, Corfu, Zakynthos, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete

📍 Madrid · 👁 16770 reads · ❤️ 37 likes · 2020-06-07

The beauty of Greece is universally acknowledged. It has healing Mediterranean blue-and-white cottages, romantic windmills from the 16th century, picturesque sunset views, and fairytale-like colorful houses.

It also offers stunning 360° sea views, with waters so enchantingly blue that they captivate countless travelers—no post-processing needed, just a phone snapshot can look like a masterpiece.

Athens, the cradle of ancient Greek civilization and one of the oldest cities in the world.

Its most famous landmark is the Acropolis, which still preserves historical sites such as the Parthenon, the open-air theater, and the Erechtheion.

The most beautiful sight is the full moon over the Acropolis; at this time each month, photography enthusiasts can be seen surrounding the temple with their cameras.

Athens' Monastiraki Flea Market is open year-round and features many unique Athenian products, perfect for buying souvenirs.

Corfu, the "beautiful and fertile land" described by Homer, captured the heart of Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi), who built her private palace there.

The steep coastline is breathtaking, while the inland terrain is undulating and expansive, exuding a tranquil rural charm.

The charming old town of Corfu is packed with various architectural styles, such as Byzantine castles, Parisian-style arcades, 19th-century British buildings, Orthodox church towers, and narrow Venetian streets.

The entire old town has a history of several hundred years, with medieval towers and houses standing along the streets.

Stone-paved narrow alleys, with the scent of sweet cookies and ginger beer lingering in the air.

The IP-level island made famous by the drama "Descendants of the Sun," most notably Song Joong-ki's romantic spot—Shipwreck Bay.

The strongest impression here is "blue": the seawater is crystal clear, naturally photoshopped, needing no post-processing.

Between the steep cliffs, clear waters, and white sandy beach, an old rusted iron shipwreck lies mysteriously across the shore.

The fine sand on the beach reflects the sun's rays, harmonizing with the clear water, captivating the eyes and making it irresistible.

The observation deck on the cliff offers a panoramic view of the island. The cliff face is sheer and suitable for rock climbers, and of course, skydiving and water activities are also unmissable experiences.

Near Shipwreck Bay is the world-famous "Blue Cave," where the interplay of rocks, seaweed, and sunlight creates a magical spectrum of colors.

You can snorkel here or take a boat tour.

Unlike the blue-and-white style of the Aegean islands, Zakynthos town mostly features Italian-style red-roofed buildings, nestled against the mountain and facing the sea—definitely an ideal place to live.

★ Recommended: Rent a car for a round-the-island tour of Zakynthos. Zakynthos is much larger than Santorini and has many beautiful and varied beaches.

★ For first-time visitors to the Blue Cave, choose a small boat for free access into the cave and close-up views of its interior.

Mykonos, known as "the island closest to heaven," with pure blue and white as its main colors.

Rows of houses are painted white, doors and windows blue, with the only accent being clusters of flowers on the wooden balconies of each home.

Lazy cats, adorable dogs, and the island's mascot—the pelican Pedro—can be seen everywhere, filling the island with a relaxed atmosphere.

Mykonos is also known as "Windmill Island," named after five picturesque harbor windmills built in the 16th century. You can take great photos anywhere here.

It also has sunsets that rival Santorini, with 360° unobstructed views—from any corner of the island, you can take in the afterglow of the setting sun.

However, Mykonos is truly famous for its nudist beach—Paradise Beach—and its nightlife. There is a legendary "gay beach."

Many men and women enjoy unconstrained "naturism" here, without discrimination or disturbance.

The island is lined with restaurants and bars, full of Italian Venetian charm. Choose a bar by the water, enjoy the food and scenery—simply stunning.

Santorini, one of the world's most romantic travel destinations, a dream paradise for 90% of women, and undoubtedly Greece's most famous resort.

Here, restaurants and cafes are built on the cliffs, white houses are stacked one above another, creating a unique landscape.

Fira Town is the capital of Santorini, with white walls and deep blue roofs that blend with the sky and sea—every step offers a scenic view, and any snapshot looks like a postcard.

Fira is also a shopping paradise, with streets filled with shops selling traditional costumes, handicrafts, and many small Greek family-run restaurants and cafes.

Follow the cliff path north from Fira, passing beautiful scenery, to reach the famous Oia Town.

This is a paradise that uses every shade of blue in the world, with the most romantic sunset.

At dusk, watch the sun turn from golden to orange-red, finally sinking into the sea, leaving only the reddened sky and scattered evening clouds—absolutely magnificent.

Santorini has many blue-domed churches, the most famous being the "postcard landmark" featured in National Geographic—Saint Maria Theotokos Church.

There is also the rare Kamari Black Beach and the Red Beach, ideal for leisure, swimming, and sunbathing.

Symi Island, the only island that has beaten Santorini to become "the most suitable island for a romantic two-person getaway."

Unlike the typical blue-and-white color scheme of Greek towns, Symi is colorful; its vibrant houses lean more towards Italian style.

The island is divided into two parts: the upper town of Chorio and the lower town of Yialos.

The two towns are connected by a maze of steep alleys, along which you can see some 18th- and 19th-century mansions.

It also boasts what is considered Greece's most beautiful harbor, with rows of brightly colored, lively houses on the cliffs of the fjord, along with delicate balconies and pretty red roofs.

Crete, the largest island in Greece, enjoys fine weather, vast blue waters, and lush greenery, earning it the reputation of a "garden on the sea."

It is the source of many Greek myths and the cradle of Western civilization.

Here you can find the greatest ruins of the Minoan era—the Palace of Knossos—where you can walk through the palace and touch the traces of history.

It also has many excellent beaches; two of Greece's top ten beaches are on Crete, the most famous being Elafonisi Pink Beach, one of the world's ten most beautiful beaches.

The island also has many unique and charming towns, such as Rethymnon, and the enchanting Chania with its beautiful harbor and labyrinthine back streets.

Additionally, Crete is a world-famous olive oil producer, where many of the world's finest olive oils are produced, making it an excellent choice for souvenirs.

Greece is a Schengen country; a passport from any Schengen country allows entry into Greece.

Prices are slightly higher than in China; a proper meal costs around 20 euros, and ordinary accommodation costs 50–100 euros per night.

Local dishes include Souvlaki (grilled meat wrap), Keftedes (fried meatballs), Fried Gavros (fried anchovies), Paella Marinera (seafood paella).

Travel Journal Contents:

1. Athens

2. Corfu

3. Zakynthos

4. Mykonos

5. Santorini

6. Symi

7. Crete

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The Most Complete Greece Travel Guide: Athens, Corfu, Zakynthos, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete

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