- emilyxdraz
- Apr 9, 2020
- 12 min read
For years I’ve spent my summers in Greece. When I was a little kid I HATED going because I felt like I was missing out on summers with friends from school. I didn’t have an appreciation for my heritage or culture and I thought the greek language and customs were bizarre, especially when my purely American friends would come over and think my family is whackadoddle (we are, but that’s besides the point). Since college, I have grown to love the country that I call my second home. Even though every year the islands have new hot spots, there are a few places that have stood the test of time. Heres a look into all you need to know for Greece:
Overall Logistics
In two weeks time, you can see quite a lot in Greece. I would say the three main hotspots are Athens, Mykonos, & Santorini, but if you have 14 days you can squeeze in 1 more city or island in the mix! Below you will see a map labeled 1, 2, 3. 1 is the area referred to as the Clycladic Islands... where Mykonos and Santorini are. These are the islands that are purely Greek influenced/where you will find the iconic blue and white buildings. Area 2 are the Ionian islands and these islands are heavily influenced by ancient Italian architecture. You will not find blue and white buildings, but more colorful architecture and greenery. The most popular Ionian islands are Corfu and Zakynthos. Area 3 is called Halkikidi, in english translates to the “three legs” since there are three peninsulas you can visit. This is not somewhere where most tourists from America go, but it very popular amongst Germans and Swiss. Everything is MUCH cheaper there and most likely the cleanest, nicest sandy beaches in all of Greece... but not somewhere I’d reccomend going to if you want to experience “the most popular things” to do in greece. Then in mainland you have the two biggest cities in Greece, Athens and Thessaloniki (hi Yayai!). If you are flying from New York, I reccomend flying into Athens, spending 2-3 days there and then deciding if you want to see the Ionian islands OR the Cycladic islands, but I wouldn’t try to squeeze both in the trip. I have never been to the Ionian islands so I am biased, but for the real Greece experience I would focus on Cycladic and take a ferry or flight to Santorini, Mykonos, Naxxos, Paros, Rhodes, etc. Once you get to one island, it is extremely easy to island hop via ferry. I forgot to mention that Crete is right below the Cycladic islands and is the huge mass of land where you see the city Heraklion... I feel like Crete is at least 1 week of your entire two week trip if you do decide to go there, but I have heard GREAT things!
Athens
You’ll want to get your history lessons & shopping on in Athens, because everywhere else you’ll be relaxing & clubbing. To get around, feel free to use my right-hand man & BEST taxi driver. He speaks perfect english, is FULL of wisdom, and will give you the lay of the land Themi +011 30 693 676551
Up First: The Acropolis & Plaka
The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. It is by far the most touristy aspect of Athens, but you should go to know the history of the countries you visit! The best part is that the Acropolis is centered around the neighborhood referred to as Plaka, a cluster of shops & restaurants! I am absolutely in love with Plaka. Although bustling with tourists (and potentially pick-pocketers so hands on your bags at all times), you can find clothes, purses, jewelry that you’d find in the islands, but for a fraction of the cost! I do all my gift shopping (unless it’s olive oil, get that at the airport so you don’t have to lug that shit around) in Plaka to get the best, affordable gifts.
You can also find really great Tavernas with authentic greek food at every corner. If you want to have a finer dining experience, I recommend 7 Foods Gastro Pub, a restaurant recommended to my by my cousin in Greece so dine like a local! The portions are small, but you’ll get a taste of Greek with a twist!
Other places to dine or drink at near Plaka or Monastiraki (flea market near Plaka)
Rooftop Bars:
-A for Athens (pictured above)
- 360 Cocktail Bar
Restaurants:
-Tzikikas kai Mermigas- FANTASTIC authentic greek food that is SO affordable. Only downside is that it is all indoors I believe... but so worth the price!
- Kuzina
- There are 1,000 you don’t need reccos just gauge what restaurants are pulling you in!
Up Second: The Athens Riviera
Balux Seaside is my favorite restaurant in ALL of Athens. I’ve gone with my mother, i’ve gone with a friend & it’s a good time either way. This restaurant has seafood/asian fusion cuisine and at night has low-key club vibes. After dining you can grab a drink from the bar and then find a spot on the grass filled with cushions for sitting and take in the ocean breeze & fab chill house music.
Ithaki is another great restaurant with a view, but it comes with a hefty price tag. Balux is chill-vibes where Ithaki is like going to the Capital Grille, but if you're swanky, check out the menu!
When I stay in Athens, I stay in the Athens Rivieria because I need to continue my tan at the beach since I’ve already one the Acropolis thing. My two favorite hotels are:
1) The Divani- Similar to a Marriot, this is an affordable hotel on the beach. You get great service, amazing breakfast included, & access to the beach. I almost ALWAYS stay here because it is a win/win for me.
2) The Margi Hotel- If you like to be bougie like me, sometimes boutique hotels are the move. The Margi has an awesome loungey pool (pictured to the right), a 10/10 spa, and the best-smelling lobby (weird that excites me?) The biggest downside is that it is not located on the beach, but Astir beach club is a 10 minute walk. Astir beach club is a private beach where you have to pay 30-40 euro for a lounge chair but good food & drinks if that is what you are looking for!
Santorini
Now that you’ve gotten your cultural lessons out of the way, it is time to take in the romantic air of the island Thira, or as you know it Santorini. In case you do care for history, Thira received the name “Santorini” after a volcanic eruption tore the island apart, save a church named “Santa Irini” or “Saint Irini”. BOOM. Okay now onto the good stuff.
I’ve only been once so I can only recommend 1 hotel, HOWEVER in terms of location, you should stay within Thira (not just the name of the Island but also a section of the island) or Thirostefani. The famous Santorini pictures are taken in Oia, but it is far too touristy to stay in OR you’ll be spending a couple thousand dollars for a nice villa in the caldera. You will still be able to still see the sunset from Thirostefani, I promise.
Belvedere Hotel & Suites
When I first got to the “hotel” I was not necessarily impressed, but then I realized every single hotel Santorini has the same issues. Santorini is ROCKY and HILLY and these hotels are quite literally built within volcanic rock. I was expecting the taxi to pull up into a drive way and drop me off near the lobby, but NOPE you have to lug your luggage up and down hills (probably should have watched Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants first) and fend for yourself.... or so I thought... call the hotel, they will come get everything for you... ooops.
Aside from my melodrama, this hotel HAS EVERYTHING. The rooms are not the selling point, but you have to remember, you will likely not be in your room AT ALL except for sleep. This hotel has incredible views & fantastic amenities such as the pool. I am no photographer, but pretty sure these are picture-perfect snapshots! The best part of all... IT IS SO AFFORDABLE! You can’t lose here.
Things to do:
You really don’t need me for Santorini! There aren’t many beaches to go to & honestly the beaches in Mykonos are much nicer. My ideal Santorini day is spending the morning getting a fish pedi or walking around Thira shops for my daily iced freddo, followed by lounging by the pool. When it starts to get a bit less hot around sunset/dinner 7-9 p.m, head out to Oia to watch the sunset! At the very base of Oia are little tavernas on the water that are perfect for post-sunset dinner.
Aside from that, I don’t have much to recommend here, other than use your gut. Go to restaurants & shops that feel right and 9/10 times it will be PERFECT!
MYKONOS
My list for Mykonos is LONG so get ready. I have gone on a couples trip, I have gone with girlfriends, and I have gone with family. Every time is great... but depending on what you want out of your Myk trip will heavily change where you should stay/do. If you are going on a romantic getaway or family trip, I would say find a romantic villa OR hotel away from chora (town, square). If you are there to party with your girlfriends, opt for an AirBnB RIGHT in chora. You’ll thank me when you’re black out and can roll right into your bed.
Airbnb: Try to find a spot towards the left of chora, closest to the bus stop. Bus stop?!?! Yes, unless you want to spend 40 euro to get to the beach OR you have a quad, you can spend 3 euro and get dropped off at all of the best beaches. It ain't glamorous but Myk is expensive.
Hotels (bougie to least bougie)
Cavo Tagoo- not near town, but this is the influencer hotspot
Mykonos Blue- just a short bus ride or cheapest taxi ride (20 euro) from chora you can get. This is riight next to Nammos, the popular beach spot where you spend at minimum 75 euro for a beach chair.
Bill & Coo Suites & lounge
Saint John- My mom likes to stay here because is SUPER affordable yet very nice. This hotel is a ways away from town, but if you want to relax and have pretty views, this is a good option!
Belvedere Hotel & Suites- if you like to be near all that is happening, this is a great spot for you. Still expensive & bougie, but right in town!
Chora
The pictures you’ve seen of the cobblestone streets, outdoor gyro shops, restaurants & windmills are all taken in Chora. The rest of Mykonos is very dry land and windy roads to get you to the beaches... probably not what you’d expect!
You can do it all in Chora. Go for the day to shop & eat lunch OR go at night for a late dinner & clubbing... remember clubs dont even open until midnight so dinner is usually around 10 pm. Even the shops are open all night. The cobblestone streets are LINED up with clothing/jewelry stores so I won’t list out my favorites because new ones emerge every summer. You will just have to feel that out... but I do have restaurants listed out below! The only thing you will not find here is the beach!
Restaurants in Town:
Dinner:
Interni- Quite an expensive restaurant but the food is amazing and the ambiance is very nice. This restaurant is secluded and actually not by the water... which is a turn off for me but at midnight the waiters come out with sparklers and it really is super fun!
Familia- This is one of my gems tucked in a corner of the streets. Such good itlalian food & drink!
Remezzo- This is far from the center of chora but still in town... highly rated restaurant
Nice N’ Easy- If you want to watch the sunset in Little Venice and eat immediately after, this is an easy spot (see what I did there). I personally love how affordable it is. If you like fish and greek Taverna food (Tzatziki, pita, hummus, olive, fish, etc)... this is the place for you!
Mamalouka- I can’t remember what kind of food but this place was recommended to me and I went once many moons ago... but still very good!
Sea Satin- If you’ve ever seen videos of people standing on tables and whipping around napkins, this is the place... but you’ll only see that after midnight! I give the food a 6/10 but people SWEAR by this place. I will say the ambiance and dinner on water is very beautiful. They have really really great dessert called Loukoumades, which is similar to an Italian zeppole. It is fried dough served warm, covered in honey and nut shavings. It is FANTASTIC.
Lunch/Breakfast/Post Club:
Salt N’ Pepper (pictured to the right)- this is a great LUNCH or MIDNIGHT snack spot... affordable and if you are looking for a pizza or crepe, this should be your go-to
Lalala- I LOVE this spot for breakfast. Great eggs / yogurt parfaits
Souvlaki Story- You must get gyros when in Greece. There is no other option.
Negrita Mykonos- Located in Little Venice (on the water), this is a good spot if you want pancakes/really fatty breakfast sandwiches
Clubs in town:
Honestly I am probably the last person to give you the club list bc I am usually inebriated when I go to them and don’t remember the name but a few cross my mind:
Toy Room- A very small space, bottle service only (or you make friends with tables)... good music
Scandinavian Bar- Go here on your first night of Mykonos to meet people! It is a cluster of bars and people hang out on the streets. This will be BY FAR the cheapest place to go out. If you like beer, this is your spot
Caprice/Breeze Cocktail Bar- These places are right next to each other and on the edge of the water... I have no clue how I have never fell in. These are “chiller” clubs but packed places to get drinks and meet people
Moni- Greek locals took me here... it is definitely a true Greek spot and apparently you can’t go until 3-4 am... but it was very different than anything I’ve ever been to before!
Bonbonniere- Loungey club, older crowd
Queen of Mykonos- Also loungey, slightly younger
Outside of Chora:
Like I mentioned, everything is in town except for beaches and a few clubs. It is really easy to get around by bus which goes to and from town every 15-30 minutes, but if you want to ride in style I do have an awesome driver... but rides are 30-40 euro each way... his name is Savas and he or his partner will get you if you call or text: +011 30 690 6214030. I HIGHLY recommend renting a quad for a day to explore the island, but might not be financially feasible to rent a quad the entire time you are there. You also don’t want to be stuck drinking and driving bc Mykonos has narrow streets and crazy hills :)
Beaches:
It really depends what you’re looking for here... You can go to beach clubs and party all day... but you’ll pay the price to do so. Every beach you go to will likely make you pay for a day bed. There are few beaches that you can bring a towel and lay on the beach... and if you do go to those beaches, bring water & food because there will be no service.. like Agios Sostis, a bare beach that is nearly impossible to go to unless you have a quad.
Platy Gialos (pictured to the left)- This is the beach you go to if you want to pay 10-15 euro max for a day bed. They may make you spend a minimum of 30 euro on food/drink, but you were probably going to do that anyway. I like this beach when I am hungover, trying to just relax and not be bothered. I also love the restaurants that line the beach for a late lunch!
Psarou beach is where Mykonos Blue hotel and Nammos is located. If you don’t know what Nammos is... its where Bella Hadid/Gigi/ Emma whatever her name is go when they are in Greece bc they want to be flashy flashy. IMO, Nammos is overrated because I don’t feel like spending 75-150 euros for crowded AF beach chairs...but people love it! Apparently it turns into a party at 5-6 pm but I have not been to see for myself!
Paradise Beach- This is where Tropicana is. If you want to go to a beach party and dance your ass off, this is the place for you! The party starts around 3-4 pm, maybe later I can’t remember. The music is popular house music and you will have a blast. However, the party continues throughout the night. I went once at 10 and it was truly a WILD experience. My driver said “Don’t get Pregnant” when he dropped me off if that says anything at all.
Paragka beach- Scorpios beach is AWESOME. If I am not a Platy Gialos, I am here. I was introduced to a beach club called SantAnna from a friend and it was amazing. I wasn’t there on a crazy day, but the vibes are unreal. You might not be dancing on tables but there is great music, food, & overall scene. If I remember correctly, you don’t have to rent a beach chair but instead have to spend 60 euro on food/drinks for a chair. I like that since you get something more out of it. Sant Anna also has a pool which is very neat (pictured below)
Also located right at Paragka is Scorpios beach and Scorpios Mykonos! You’ve probably seen pictures of Adriana Lima at Scorpios with body paint all over her... it is a MASSIVE “club” (I don't really know if thats what you call it)... let’s say experience. It is now owned by Soho House but anyone can go! Scorpios is known for its sunset parties on Thursdays & Sunday night. On busy nights, you may need a table but as a girl I never had a problem. This massive jungle gym of a beach club plays jungle trance.. which is not really my thing but when you layer that on top of the sun setting and a few drinks... it’s magical.
I’ve also gone BEFORE the party for a late lunch (pictured below) and the food is PHENOM. 10/10 recommend going here. It may break the bank but it is worth it.
Alrighty, that pretty much SUMS it up! There is SO much to do in Greece. I didn’t list out half of it... but thats the fun part of vacation! You don’t need to do everything on someone else’s list. This list accumulated over time, by seeing and doing. There are very few places that I didn't like! Feel it out, use your judegment and if something peaks your interest, go to it!
Above all else, HAVE THE BEST TIME! If you ever need more info, I am all yours for guidance :)
Xoxo,
Em
