From the stunning sunsets in Santorini that seem to come out of a postcard to the hidden wineries in the centre of the island, Greece is the perfect holiday getaway with hundreds of islands to be discovered and the great beaches of Folegandros and Corfu that will relax your mind and your soul. Your cravings for good food will be satisfied by local fresh fish in abundance, light greek salads and hearty moussakas – a traditional dish made of lamb meat, potatoes and aubergines. To finish your meal, try raki (anise based liquor) or a warm rakomelo (sweet raki mixed with honey).

Discover now the 10 tips that will make you wish to book a flight to Greece

Greece

Greece is a gorgeous destination for late spring, summer and early autumn holidays.
Like all other Mediterranean countries, it grants stable sunshine, blue warm and calm waters to bathe in and of course lovely delicious food.

For me, it is one of those places you can never get enough of.

1. Santorini

The stunning island of Santorini is one of the easiest places you can reach from the rest of Europe without stopping in Athens.
The perfect gate to start exploring the Cyclades Islands.

Super famous and able to attract tonnes of tourists every year, it is definitively a place to visit, however we recommend avoiding July and August to avoid the high season that commands higher prices and less spaces where you can enjoy the sunsets.

Santorini is not really famous for its beaches but more for the iconic and vertically built town of Oía and its worldwide known white houses with blue roofs facing the vast of the Mediterranean waters. Especially magic at sunset and with night lights.

If flying there to start your adventure in Greece, do allow a couple of days to explore and before sailing towards a more remote tiny island.

2. Santo winery (Santorini)

Did you know that Santorini is also a land of wineries and producing really good local wine? We didn’t.

But once tripping with our motorbike around the island, we simply bumped into Santo Winery and went on their lush terrace for a wine tasting flight around sunset.

And well, this is something I absolutely recommend not to miss.

Simply breath-taking views and excellent wine produced out of the volcanic terrain. Do ask for some fava (yellow split peas puree – it’s delicious) to couple with your Assyrtiko. And a bowl of local olives of course.

Lush at an affordable price tag.

3. Grilled sun-dried octopus

And together with wines, Santorini also offers a vast choice of superb fresh fish restaurants.
Following the advice of a Greek friend of mine, I have headed to Ammoudi port, straight at the feet of Oía and have tried Katina Tavern.

Sitting right by the sea, fish was superb but amongst all the delicacies make sure you try the grilled sun-dried octopus.
You will see how many of these are hanging out to dry and it will not reveal a bad choice at all, trust me.

To end your meal ask for a raki (anise based liquor, but less sweet than ouzo) or a warm rakomelo (sweet raki mixed with honey).

4. Folegandros (beaches)

Once properly fuelled up with stunning views, sunsets and wine in Santorini, it is high time to board a boat to explore another Cyclades islands for a proper beach break.

When we did it in 2015 we chose Folegandros, and we did not regret that choice at all.
You can get there with the ferry in one hour and a half and, once got ahold of a motorbike, start exploring the amazing beaches.

The only downside is that the beaches require some effort to be reached: for some, a walk is enough, for others, it is necessary a short boat trip.
All the beaches will be quite small and with cobbles rather than sand, nevertheless they are quiet and the sea is as blue as you can dream of.

Warm and calm to grant a fantastic time swimming.
Just my perfect idea of a relaxing week.

5. Folegandros (eating out)

The charm of Greece is found in its beaches as much as in the small villages located around the island.

We had chosen to stay in Chora in Folegandros, that is for sure an excellent starting point to explore around as well as enjoy restaurants and bars for the evening at just a short walking distance.

There are many places and the food is really good almost everywhere you decide to go, so just enjoy and take your chance to have dinner at tables outside and enjoying your Mediterranean long lazy night.

6. Greek salad

I like Greek food.
In some ways, the flavours do remind me of home, and the fresh veggies do taste amazing whilst they sprinkle with colours ripen under a warm sun.

A traditional must taste hence have to be the Greek salad. Made with sweet and ripe tomatoes, refreshing cucumbers and tasty onions, olives and feta cheese it has been my favourite holiday lunch I am still dreaming of.

7. Corfu (Paleokastritsa)

Apart from the Cyclades, there are just so many other islands in Greece that are worth a visit, so no surprise that many tourists keep going back to Greece every year but trying a different destination every time.

Quite different and far from Santorini, you can instead decide to head to Corfu in the Ionian see.
Among the many beaches you can explore here, make sure you spend one day at Paleokastritsa.

Situated in a gorgeous bay, you can explore it by boat before laying lazily on the beach.

8. Corfu (hills and goats)

Corfu is quite a big island and unlike Santorini and Folegandros it is better to rent a car rather than a motorbike to explore it.
Often, local Rental Cars have old cars and it might be difficult to understand what you are renting and what you are covered for until you are already on the road.

This time we opted for a local Company and we did not book with RentalCars, I regretted it and I would recommend all of you to stick for a slightly higher price tag in this case but to be sure that your car will not give you the impression to break down on hills and slopes. It has not been fun!

And as part of the touring around, make sure you dedicate some time to exploring the interior as well as the coasts.
There are simply lovely mountain villages to see and from where you can admire the whole coast.

Get up to Mount Pantokrator for the best view up to continental Greece and Albanian coasts and then pick a local farmer restaurant for some roasted lamb and a glass of house red wine.

9. Moussaka

Greece is not only about islands or fresh fish, as indeed the most famous national dish is a hearty one made of lamb meat.
Its name is moussaka and it is simply delicious.

Not suitable for a light lunch, find the right time to enjoy at least once this gorgeous and rich mix of lamb meat ragout, layered between potatoes and aubergines.

If you like Italian classics like lasagna or “melanzane alla parmigiana” you will love this dish as well.

10. Sunsets (in the picture Santorini)

Back to Santorini to only touch upon one of the must do of the island: the sunset watching, if possible far from the crowd and with a cold drink in your hand to enjoy.

No doubt the best and most magical sunset is the one you can see from the streets of Oía, but well, the crowds there are just crazy and you will see people lining up under the hot sun even one hour before the show starts. Not to mention how packed and touristy bars also are.

But if you prefer a most enjoyable experience, we have actually found the place for us, combining a great spot to see the sunset with a fantastic bar location and amazing drinks and food to nibble.

Just head to Katharos Lounge, on Katharos Beach, and order a nice cocktail. Perfect also for a nice lunch break away from the sun.
You will find far fewer people and have a place in the first line for the most beautiful natural show.