Greece and its unrivalled collection of idyllic islands has been a favorite vacation hot spot for visitors since antiquity. The towns and villages found on the 200 or more inhabited islands are obvious choices for a holiday in the sun. But so, too, is the mainland. Hidden away in the interior are little-visited places of exceptional beauty, many tucked away in the country's spectacular mountain ranges. But whether you choose to stay on the coast or travel inland, Greece's enviable abundance of charming town and village destinations guarantee a memorable stay, at any time of the year.
Oia, Santorini - Oia crowns a hilltop on Santorini and is one of the most iconic villages of the Greek islands. The film set looks of Oia's blue-domed church set against a distant Aegean Sea is a travel brochure favorite.
The serene little village of Assos on Cephalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands, was founded under Venetian rule. Its main tourist attraction is a 16th-century castle, set 170 m (557 ft) above the bay.
Lindos is steeped in history. The settlement dates back to the 10th century BCE. Above the town rises the impressive acropolis where the ruins of the Temple of Athena Lindia, dating back to around 300 BCE, is just one of the ancient buildings that can be admired at this historic location.
Kastraki means "small castle," and from a distance this peaceful village set at the foot of the gigantic Meteora rock formation does appear as if carved out of the base of one of Greece's most impressive natural wonders.
Located in mid-eastern Greece on the beautiful green slopes of Mount Pelion is Makrinitsa. Nicknamed the "balcony of Mt. Pelion," the village is one of the country's characteristic traditional settlements.
An Instagram star, Olympos on the island of Karpathos appears as if built from Lego bricks dabbed with flecks of color. Its isolated position has preserved a local dialect and a traditional style of costume.
Tucked away in Arcadia, a region in the Peloponnese, is the medieval village of Karytaina. Over the centuries, Karytaina has come under Crusader, Byzantine, and Ottoman rule. Later, its inhabitants were among the first to rise up during the Greek War of Independence of 1821–29.
Set on the island of Lesbos, Mithymna is a coastal gemstone of a destination. One of the most noticeable features of the town is the old Genoese fortress on the hill in the middle of the town. Mithymna is still sometimes referred to as Molyvos, its name during the Byzantine era.
In fact a city, Hafplio makes this list for its delightfully evocative old town—Acronauplia—set on a peninsula jutting into the Argolic Gulf. The Venetians and later the Franks were responsible for the town's solid fortifications.
Sugar-cubed Plaka is the chief town of Milos. It covers the side of a hill and affords a magnificent view of the Gulf of Milos. The location is famed for its fiery-red sunsets.
Ermoupoli on Syros is blessed with an ecclesiastical wonder that is the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, its turquoise dome a defining town-center landmark.
Chora means "town" in Greek, and the old town of Naxos serves as its wonderfully attractive center of history and culture. In fact, Chora Naxos is considered one of the most beautiful hubs in the entire Cyclades island group for its fine architecture that combines Venetian and Cycladic elements.
Sleepy whitewashed Katapola sits in a small bay on the island of Amorgos. Its harbor front is lined with a scattering of restaurants and taverns and a number of moorings for fishing boats and visiting yachts.
In Greek mythology, Apollo is recognized as god of the sun and light, among other aspects of life. The little village of Apollonia, named for the deity, is bathed in warm sunlight for much of the year, which heightens the traditional Cycladic churches the destination is famous for.
Most visitors arrive on Symi via Yialos' famous amphitheater harbor, with its terraces of delightful neo-classical town houses. Symi is one of Greece's Dodecanese Islands.
Arguably the most colorful fishing village in the Greek Islands, Klima on Milos is also where the sea literally laps the doorsteps of the cottages lining the harbor front.
Kastellorizo lies just 2 km (1 mi) off the coast of Turkey. It's one of the most isolated of the Dodecanese Islands and maintains a local personality that is as appealing as it is colorful.
Chora village is the brilliantly vivid capital of Amorgos. It's hidden behind mountains crowned by a 13th-century Venetian castle. The best way to explore the labyrinth of quaint streets is to get lost on purpose.
Fiskardo serves as a scenic haven for those wishing to explore the Ionian island of Cephalonia (Kefalonia). The coast around Fiskardo is mainly rocky with numerous pebble-beached coves.
