The Times Recommends the 28 Best Greek Destinations for 2024

Andros, Cyclades. Photo source: Municipality of Andros

UK newspaper The Times recently released an updated list of 28 summer destinations in Greece that can satisfy the most demanding travelers and provide a comprehensive experience of the country’s offerings.

Beyond the well-known destinations of Athens, Crete, Mykonos, and Santorini, The Times’s editor, Dana Facaros, explored emerging Greek locations and curated a list that includes both islands and mainland spots.

Facaros recommends readers to visit “Greece’s beautiful seas and beaches, stunning islands and mountains, traditional villages, and historic cities” and enjoy “superb food and wine”.

The 28 Greek destinations

Topping the list, Andros is highlighted as the ideal destination for taking walks with “miles of ancient footpaths winding through the island’s densely wooded hills and mountain villages”. The Times also commends the Cycladic island for its neoclassical main town and “lovely” beaches.

Kamper Aga Bridge, Zagori. Photos source: Municipality of Zagori

Next, Facaros explores the destination of Zagorochoria in western Greece, known for the “impressive mansions” and “beautiful walks in the Tymphi mountains”, before crossing the Ionian Sea to visit the “ancient olive groves” of Paxos and tour the island’s sea caves.

On the other side of the country, Mount Pelion rises above the Thessalian peninsula, known as the “mythic home of the centaurs and the summer resort of the Greek gods”. Praised for its idyllic landscape, Pelion is an all-year-round destination, featuring charming beaches just a stone’s throw from colorful woodlands.

Paxos, Greece.

Encompassing the full spectrum of the Greek travel scene, Facaros includes Mani in the Peloponnese on the list.

“In the westerly Outer Mani, you’ll find lovely beach resorts such as Stoupa and Kardamyli,” she writes, “but the rugged, arid Inner Mani, especially south of the spectacular Diros show caves, is another world altogether — savage and rocky, with villages like Vathia, a mini-San Gimignano of tower houses”.

The list of destinations is rounded out with Corfu, Kefallonia, Hydra, Evia, Aegina, Kos, Kythnos, Lefkada, Meganisi, Milos, Naxos, Patmos, Spetses, Rhodes, Sifnos, Skopelos, Skiathos, Poros, Symi, Halkidiki, Tilos, and Kythira, with Kalymnos closing the list as the top spot for rock climbing.