Things to Do in Greece: What Is Worth Your Time

The things most worth your time in Greece are the Acropolis and Athens's ancient sites, one or two Cyclades islands such as Santorini or Naxos, and slower days by the sea. With a week, choose from the experiences below rather than island-hopping every day, and plan sightseeing for the cooler mornings.

Greece combines ancient history with island life, and the two need different paces. This guide groups 18 experiences by place and type and explains who each one suits, so you can build a balanced trip. Pair it with our 7-day Greece itinerary and Greece cost guide.

At a glance

Athens

1. The Acropolis. The Parthenon and the hilltop temples. Go at opening time or late afternoon, with a timed ticket.

2. The Acropolis Museum. Sculptures from the Parthenon in a modern museum with views of the hill. Suits everyone.

3. Plaka and Anafiotika. Old neighbourhoods of lanes and tavernas beneath the Acropolis. A free evening walk.

4. The Ancient Agora and Temple of Hephaestus. The heart of ancient Athens, with one of Greece's best-preserved temples.

5. Cape Sounion. The Temple of Poseidon on a clifftop, best at sunset, about an hour and a half from Athens.

6. A Saronic islands cruise. A day visiting Hydra, Poros and Aegina, as in our Athens short break. Ideal for parents.

The mainland

7. Delphi. The sanctuary of Apollo on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, a day trip from Athens.

8. Meteora. Monasteries on rock pillars in central Greece, best with an overnight stay.

9. Nafplio and Epidaurus. An elegant seaside town and an ancient theatre with remarkable acoustics.

The islands

10. Oia sunset on Santorini. The famous sunset over the caldera. Arrive early or watch from a boat.

11. A Santorini caldera cruise. Volcano, hot springs and swimming stops, often with a sunset sail.

12. Mykonos town and Little Venice. Windmills, white lanes and seaside bars. Suits groups and nightlife lovers.

13. Delos. The sacred island and archaeological site, a short boat trip from Mykonos.

14. Naxos. Long sandy beaches, mountain villages and good food. A calmer, family-friendly island.

15. Milos. Coloured cliffs and coves such as Sarakiniko, best explored by boat.

16. Crete: Knossos and Chania. The Minoan palace near Heraklion and the Venetian harbour at Chania, with beaches nearby.

17. Rhodes old town. A walled medieval town of the Knights, on an island close to Turkey.

18. Corfu. Green landscapes and a Venetian old town in the Ionian Sea.

Food experiences

Greek tavernas, bakeries and markets are a highlight: spanakopita, Greek salad, gemista, fava and giant beans are vegetarian, and Athens has Indian restaurants. A cooking class or a wine tasting on Santorini adds a hands-on experience. Jain travellers should plan meals ahead.

When to go

May, June, September and October offer warm seas and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy, and many island hotels close from November to March.

In winter

Athens is pleasant and quiet in winter, with museums and sites easy to visit. Most island hotels and ferries reduce services, so winter suits a city and mainland trip.

On a rainy day

The Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum and the Benaki Museum fill a wet day in Athens.

What you can safely skip

On a first trip, you do not need four islands. Choose two and stay longer, rather than spending days on ferries.

Getting between the experiences

The Athens metro reaches the main sights. Ferries and short flights link Athens with the islands. A car or tour suits Delphi, Meteora and the Peloponnese.

Favourites with Indian travellers

Many Indian visitors favour the Acropolis, the Santorini sunset, a catamaran cruise and Mykonos, and some combine Greece with Turkey or Italy.

Free and low-cost experiences

Walking Plaka, sunset from Lycabettus Hill, the island villages and many beaches cost nothing. A combined ticket covers several Athens sites.

Which island suits you

Santorini is for views, sunsets and couples, with cliffside hotels and few sandy beaches. Mykonos is for beach clubs, nightlife and groups. Naxos and Paros suit families, with long beaches, villages and good food at better prices. Milos suits travellers who love boat trips and unusual coastlines. Crete is large enough for a week on its own, combining history, mountains and beaches.

Visiting ancient sites

Greece's archaeological sites are open-air, with little shade and uneven, often slippery marble paths. Wear shoes with good grip, carry water and a hat, and visit at opening time or in the late afternoon. A licensed guide brings the ruins to life, and audio guides are a cheaper alternative. A combined ticket in Athens covers the Acropolis and several other sites.

Days on the water

Boat days are often the highlight of an island stay: a caldera cruise on Santorini, a trip to Delos from Mykonos, a day around Milos's coves, or a sail from Naxos to the Small Cyclades. Choose licensed operators, check the wind forecast and bring sun protection.

Beaches worth the trip

Greece's best beaches include Plaka and Agios Prokopios on Naxos, Sarakiniko and Firiplaka on Milos, Elafonisi and Balos on Crete, and the red and black volcanic beaches of Santorini. Many beaches have sunbeds for hire, and some are reached only by boat or a short walk.

Photography spots

Oia's blue domes, the windmills of Mykonos, the Parthenon from Filopappou Hill and the monasteries of Meteora at sunset are the classic photographs. Go early to avoid crowds, and respect private terraces and church rules.

How to choose

With a week, spend two or three nights in Athens and four on one or two islands. Our Athens short break is a good start.

For families and parents

Children enjoy beaches and boat trips; parents may prefer islands with level access rather than Santorini's cliffside steps.

For couples

Couples often favour Santorini, Milos and a sunset sail.

Practical tips

Carry water and sun protection, dress modestly for monasteries and churches, and book ferries early in summer. Read our Greece trip guide from India for visas, flights and money.

A BagPackerMe planner can choose and plan these experiences privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

What is the one thing not to miss in Greece?

For most first-time visitors, the Acropolis in Athens, visited early in the morning, followed by a sunset on Santorini. Book Acropolis tickets ahead in summer.

Which Greek experiences suit families?

Children usually enjoy the beaches of Naxos and Crete, boat trips, the Acropolis Museum and Knossos. Avoid midday heat at archaeological sites.

Should I visit Santorini or Mykonos?

Santorini suits couples and views; Mykonos suits beach life and nightlife. Naxos and Paros are calmer, better-value alternatives that suit families.

How many islands can I see in a week?

Two islands plus Athens is comfortable in a week. More than that means spending much of your time on ferries.