Greece is everything you’d expect it to be but so much more — it definitely deserves a spot on your travel bucket list! The views are postcard worthy and the architecture, people and food are amazing too… and don’t even get me started on the sunsets. If you’re planning a trip, enjoy this Greece travel guide of the best places to stay, eat and explore in Santorini and Mykonos.
Greece Travel Guide
Santorini had been on my travel bucket list for decades, and my husband and I finally got to experience Greece together last fall. We spent five days in Santorini and three on the island of Mykonos and, let me tell you, both were magical.
When you picture Greece, the island of Santorini is probably one of the first iconic views that comes to mind. But there are actually 6,000 Greek islands (only 227 are inhabited) in the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Santorini, Mykonos and Crete are three of the most popular tourist destinations. To get to the Greek islands from the United States, it’s best to fly to Athens, Rome or another larger European city first. From there, you can fly to Athens if that wasn’t your first destination and catch a flight or ferry to Santorini.
Where to Stay
In Santorini, we stayed at the San Antonio Luxury Boutique Hotel. It’s a small, cliffside hotel in the village of Imerovigli that overlooks the Aegean Sea. It’s only a few miles from Santorini’s capital, Fira, and has breathtaking views of the caldera. Along with the views, we were blown away by the unparalleled customer service.
We also stayed at the Bohème Mykonos Hotel, which is a chic boutique hotel that’s walking distance to town. It’s close to some of our favorite spots in Mykonos like Little Venice and The Windmills. Again, the views were unbelievable from this hotel and we loved getting up early to watch the sunrise.
Favorite Restaurants (Bonus: All Have Gluten-Free Options!)
The food in Greece definitely won me over. (I’m now borderline obsessed with dolmas, which are stuffed vegetable dishes common in Mediterranean cuisine.) Here are some of our favorite places we tried in Santorini and Mykonos.
La Maison Restaurant in Santorini: Located in the village of Imerovigli, this restaurant has views of the caldera, sea and nearby islands. The Mediterranean dishes are not only tasty, they’re made with local ingredients.
The Athenian House in Santorini: This award-winning restaurant did not disappoint. Greek cuisine is rich in flavor and aroma, and the Mediterranean dishes here had a bit of a modern twist to them.
M-eating in Mykonos: This was a cool spot located inside a traditional Mykonian building. They also serve delicious Mediterranean-style food.
D’Angelo in Mykonos: An Italian-style restaurant, we loved that its food was produced locally. The outdoor patio was also beautiful!
Must-Do Activities in Santorini
Everything about Santorini looks like something out of a dream and there are many spots you should visit. We took a day trip to tour the village of Oia and the local winery, Santo Wines. We also had an amazing sunset dinner in Oia — the sunsets there are magical and world-renowned!
Pro Tip: Since LOTS of people want to experience the sunsets in Oia, it can get packed quickly. I recommend making a reservation at one of the restaurants with a sunset view ahead of time, if possible.
Another thing I highly recommend doing in Santorini is hiking the caldera path between Fira and Oia. It’s about 6.5 miles and is totally worth it. (Check out the stunning view above!) The colorful Red Beach and Anastasi Church (the most photographed spot in Santorini) are also places you can’t miss while in Greece.
Must-Do Activities in Mykonos
There are many reasons to visit Mykonos. Along with the picturesque seaside views (make sure to visit Psarou Beach!), we had a blast exploring the colorful shopping streets.
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Visiting Little Venice is also a must. It’s a charming 18th-century district filled with historic mansions with colorful balconies. We loved The Windmills (Kato Milli) too and highly recommend adding them to your list of places to visit.
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