My top 10 things to do in Greece

By Dr Charlotte Russell, Clinical Psychologist & Founder

Those of you who know me will know that Greece is my favourite place to visit. I love the laidback culture, the beautiful scenery, and the fantastic food. I have been visiting since my teens and quite frankly, I can’t get enough of the place. So after twenty-five years of travelling in Greece, here are my  top 10 things to see and do in this beautiful country. This is not intended to be a list or an itinerary to be ‘ticked off’ as that would go against being intentional and mindful with our travels. However these are the 10 experiences that I have really enjoyed and felt connected with, and hope that some of them may resonate with or inspire you.

1. Lefkes, Paros

Featured in my guide to Paros, Lefkes is a peaceful and tranquil village with a pretty little square. Greece is full of sleepy little villages but they are on another level in the Cyclades islands, where whitewashed houses are punctuated by bursts of bougainvillea. Grab a coffee and a book, or even just people watch; it is the perfect way to spend a morning or afternoon.

2. Watching the sunset in Oia, Santorini

The Santorini sunset is legendary, and is unquestionably the most beautiful that I have ever seen. This volcanic island provides a dramatic backdrop as the sun sets across the vastness of the sea. Not only is there natural beauty, the whitewashed buildings are iconic and what most people imagine when they think of Greece. Not only that. Oia is full of beautiful restaurants serving excellent food, each with their own unique and dramatic view. It’s no exaggeration that a few days in Oia feels like a dream.

Whilst it is now a very popular and busy place, it is spectacular and worth the visit. My top tip would be to combine your visit to Santorini with visiting the other Cyclades islands which can be more affordable and provide a more authentic experience. Find out more in my 10 day Greece itinerary which is a perfect way to get to know Greece for the first time.

As Santorini can be crowded and expensive in the summer months, it can be worth considering visiting Santorini In Winter

3. Koukounaries Beach, Skiathos.

Koukounaries is one of those rare beaches that feels almost purpose‑built for pleasure: a long curve of pale, powder‑soft sand backed by a protected pine forest that fills the air with that unmistakable summer scent. The water is glass‑clear and impossibly calm, and even at its busiest there’s something soothing about the way the pines meet the shoreline.

Skiathos is not just great for beaches though. Once you leave Koukounaries, you find a landscape of hidden coves, pine‑scented walking trails, and a lively old town that still feels unmistakably Greek despite its popularity. It’s small enough to explore easily but varied enough to keep surprising you, the kind of island where you can spend the morning swimming in turquoise water and the afternoon wandering quiet monasteries or watching the planes skim the runway from a waterfront café.

For more, see my full guide to Skiathos, Greece

4. Drinks on the Venetian Harbour in Chania, Crete

Situated on the West Coast of Crete, Chania is a beautiful city with historic charm. The streets are perfect for wandering and the food and wine on this island is top notch. Due to the aspect of Chania harbour it is perfect for watching the sunset, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from.

For more recommendations for Chania, see my full guide to Things to do in Chania Town

5. Kos Town

Whilst it is often seen as a touristy Island, Kos is a beautiful place to visit with a lot to offer. It was my first ever experience of Greece, way back in 2001 when the currency was still the Drachma! I have visited many times since.

Kos Town itself is very picturesque and has lots of interesting history including a castle, and the Tree of Hippocates, the Father of medicine. Sadly the Town was badly damaged in an earthquake in 2017, including the beautiful mosque in the main square. Reparation work is still ongoing and I hope to visit again one day when it has been restored.

The town itself is itself is a lovely base,  lively without being overwhelming, with a waterfront lined by cafés, a small castle watching over the harbour, and enough evening buzz to make it feel like a proper Greek island stay. It’s the kind of place where you can wander between archaeological sites, grab an ice‑cold drink by the sea. What’s more is that staying here opens up an incredible range of day‑trip possibilities, thanks to its busy little harbour and its position close to other islands. From here you can sail to Rhodes or Symi, or even hop across to Bodrum in Turkey; a brilliant way to add a completely different flavour to your trip without changing bases.

6. Boat trips 

No visit to a Greek Island would be complete without spending a day out on the water. I couldn’t possibly choose between all of the boat trips I’ve done over the years. There is no feeling quite like cruising around beautiful blue waters and swimming around to your heart’s content. My advice would be to go down to the nearest port wherever you are staying, and see what your options are.

My absolute favourite boat trip in the whole of Greece has to be the Regaki in Paros. This involves a full day of swimming in hidden coves, drifting over impossibly clear water, and eating freshly cooked food on deck as the Aegean glitters around you. It’s relaxed, friendly, and beautifully run, the kind of slow, sun‑soaked adventure that leaves you feeling like you’ve discovered a secret side of the Cyclades.

7. Moriatis Winery

Also featured on my guide to Paros, Moraitis Winery is one of the islands quiet highlights, a family‑run estate where you can taste island wines right where they’re made, surrounded by vineyards and the soft Parian light. It’s relaxed and genuinely welcoming, the kind of place where you linger longer than planned, learning how the island’s soil and salt‑tinged breeze shape the flavours in your glass.

8. The Temple of Apollo

The Portara is the perfect introduction to Naxos: a single marble doorway standing above the sea, catching the light at sunset and giving you that first sense of how unhurried and quietly beautiful this island can be. Naxos has a laid‑back rhythm that’s hard to find elsewhere in the Cyclades — long beaches, small family‑run tavernas, and inland villages where life still moves at its own pace. It’s an island that feels deeply restorative, the kind of place where you exhale without realising and settle into days that unfold gently rather than rush past.

For more on this beautiful island, see my full guide to Naxos.

9. Kallithea Springs in Rhodes 

There is lots to see and do in Rhodes, including the medieval castle in the Old Town and the clifftop acropolis in the town of Lindos. Both are iconic and must do activities on any visit to the island, and an important way to appreciate the vast history of this area.

A beautiful, newer and less well known place to see is Kallithea Springs which was tastefully restored in 1999. It was originally a 1920s spa complex where sweeping archways, mosaic floors and palm‑lined courtyards meet the clearest water on the island. It has this wonderfully cinematic feel, elegant but relaxed, and it’s the kind of place where you can spend a slow afternoon swimming, wandering through the domed pavilions, and soaking up a sense of old‑world glamour that still lingers in the air.

10. The Acropolis, Athens 

The Acropolis is an obvious recommendation, but it’s a must for a reason: standing at the top of that rocky hill, with the Parthenon glowing above Athens, gives you a sense of the city’s scale, history and resilience that nothing else quite matches. It’s the perfect place to begin any trip to Greece, which is why it’s the first stop on my 10‑day itinerary. Its the best place to ground you in the ancient world before you head out to explore the islands and the rest of the country.

Wherever your route takes you, I hope Greece gives you the same sense of ease, wonder and restoration that keeps drawing so many of us back. It’s a country that rewards slow exploration; ancient sites that still feel alive, islands with their own rhythms, and landscapes that invite you to pause rather than rush. Enjoy planning your journey, and I hope it brings you the kind of moments that stay with you long after you’ve left the Aegean behind.