A guide to things to do in Greece

Beaches, bars, history and cuisine. There’s so much that Greece does – and does well. You might know it as your favourite holiday destination, as the birthplace of Western civilisation, as the cradle of philosophy and mathematics, or as the ultimate party paradise.

Whatever your perspective, Greece delivers in spades, and whether you’re travelling on a friends’ getaway, a holiday with the family or exploring just the two of you, there’s so many things to do in Greece for all.

Get wet and wild

Staple number 1 of a Greek holiday is certainly the gorgeous beaches. Wherever you are in Greece the waters are crystal clear, sands are golden and the sun beams. There’s beaches perfect for those wanting a secluded spot, as well as those who want that hustle and bustle holiday feel, or the party beach clubs. Be sure to pack your snorkel for there’s plenty of marine life to see, there’s also plenty of opportunity to try your hand at windsurfing, jet skiing or paragliding in these deep blue waters.

Island Hopping

There’s no need to stick to one destination when you can take in a few dozen. Greece consists of thousands of islands beyond its mainland, 227 of which are inhabited. And you can hop aboard a boat and cruise between several of them during your adventures, seeing each one’s distinctive landscape and trying their unique cuisine. It’s one of the best things to do in Greece because you’ll get a flavour for several places, learn lots of new things and meet tons of new people, all in one holiday. 

Island hopping is a great way to keep everyone happy. Maybe someone wants to see the magnificent blue domed churches in Santorini, someone’s interested in the gorges in Crete and you want to spend an evening in Mykonos. You can tick all the boxes.

Spot loggerhead turtles

Zante is known for many things: its luxurious resorts, the famous Shipwreck Beach and the beautiful Blue Caves to name just a few. One of our favourite things about Zante is that it’s home to many adorable loggerhead turtles!

Spotting turtles is an especially great experience in Zante as there are so many of them that you don’t necessarily need to take an organised trip to sight them. We recommend grabbing your snorkel and heading for a swim off the island of Cameo, which can be accessed via a picturesque wooden bridge from Zante. Obviously, you can’t be fully guaranteed to see one, but it’s likely that some turtles may pay you a visit at this particular spot in the sea.

Cliff jumping in Santorini

If you’re travelling to Greece with teenagers that love a bit of adventure then cliff jumping in beautiful Santorini is certainly one of the best things to do in Greece – or, the dazzling Amoudi Bay to be precise. The cliffs safe to leap from are around 15-20 feet high, so a substantial height but not too high to put you off! An idyllic swim in the glistening Aegean Sea is a welcome reward after your jump as well. If you dare, this free activity is definitely one to add to your list. Plus, how cool a parent would you be if you jump off a cliff?!

Barter in the markets

You’ll find a whole host of markets wherever you are in Greece so you’ve got plenty of chances to practise your bartering. Foodie’s will love the Central Municipal Athens market – in Athens – where you’ll find everything from meat and seafood to herbs and spices, as well as fresh produce. There’s even traditional Greek restaurants within the markets where you can be sure to try some Greek delicacies. This is the biggest food market in Athens so if that’s what you’re after, this is where you should be.

Alternatively, in Kos Town you’ll find a smaller market that sells almost everything, perfect for picking up fresh fruit and veg, as well as gifts and souvenirs for those back home. Nea Moudania in Halkidiki has another market to not be missed. It’s the biggest, open-air market in the area and has a huge shopping centre nearby if you’re ready for a switch up.

Sample the nightlife

After busy days of exploring Greece it’s always nice to head out and unwind with a drink or two. In Greece you have ample options, choose to hit the clubs and break out some dance moves together on islands like Zante, and Mykonos. These islands can both get pretty wild with huge clubs, famous DJs and of course, beach parties. 

Most of the Greek islands have the option for booming nightlife, but they also offer cosy bars, cocktail lounges and places to make the most of happy hour before heading home. A must-do on holiday in Greece is to enjoy a drink in a Greek taverna with some authentic Greek entertainment – you’ll find these across all the islands.

Wander the historic streets of Athens

Athens is the capital, and is located in mainland Greece. It’s simply bursting with things to do and see for free – even just browsing around it is a treat!

Some activities we’d look out for include a handful of fabulous free admission museums, going to the Monastiraki flea market, visiting the National Gardens, checking out free walking tours and journeying through ancient Greek ruins (some you do have to pay for, but many sites are free). If you’re feeling active, you could even climb the hills of Athens and absorb the most fabulous views of the city from the top. There are endless sights to be seen in Athens!

Visit relics of ancient empires

Greece wasn’t always Greek, and its mediaeval monuments stand as proof of that. You can see how other empires made themselves at home here in years gone by, from Byzantine castles to the Ottomans’ mighty White Tower. Some of its cities are especially rich in history, such as the island capitals Corfu Town and Rhodes Town.

In Rhodes Town you can see the ancient Olympic stadium which was once believed to extend 210 metres wide. Unfortunately, not much of the original stadium still stands but it has been restored and still hosts musical performances today. If you walk to the top of the stadium you can enjoy a spectacular view of Rhodes Town, and you can look down and imagine what it must have been like when the Haleion Games were held here.