Greece rewards a short trip as much as a long one. In three or four days you can climb the Acropolis, eat your way around Thessaloniki or swim off a Cycladic island. These are the places that work best for a long weekend, with the practical rules worth knowing before you book.
1. Athens, Greece
The capital is the obvious starting point. The Acropolis and the Parthenon crown the city, and the Acropolis Museum below shows the sculptures that once decorated it. Entry to the Acropolis is by timed one-hour slot, with a daily visitor cap, so book online on the official site and choose the first slot of the morning to beat the heat and the cruise groups. Spend the evening in Plaka or Psyrri. Our Athens weekend guide has a full route.
Tip: In summer, book the 8am Acropolis slot or go after 5pm. Midday is the hottest and busiest time on the hill.
Best for: First-timers, history and a city break with great food.
2. Crete, Greece
Greece’s largest island could fill a fortnight, but a long weekend in one corner works well. Around Heraklion, visit the Minoan palace of Knossos early, then see its original frescoes in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. A combined ticket covers both. Further west, Chania has a Venetian harbour and a lovely old town, and the Samaria Gorge draws walkers in the warmer months.
Best for: Beaches plus history, and the best food of the islands.
3. Meteora, Greece
In central Greece, Orthodox monasteries sit on top of huge sandstone pillars, a sight unlike anything else in Europe. Six monasteries are open to visitors, and each closes on a different day of the week, with more closures in winter. Check the opening calendar so you see the ones you want. Dress modestly: covered shoulders, long trousers for men, and skirts below the knee for women (wraps are lent at the entrances).
Best for: Landscapes, walking and sunset photography.
4. Delphi, Greece
Once considered the centre of the ancient world, Delphi spreads across the slopes of Mount Parnassus above an olive-filled valley. The Temple of Apollo, the theatre and the stadium sit above the Sanctuary of Athena, and the site museum holds the bronze Charioteer. It is an easy, scenic drive from Athens, or a stop on the way to Meteora.
Best for: A day trip from Athens, or a road trip north.
5. Thessaloniki, Greece
Greece’s second city is younger and more laid-back than Athens. A long seafront promenade leads to the White Tower, and Roman and Byzantine monuments, including the Rotunda and several UNESCO-listed churches, sit among modern streets. Above all, it is a food city, famous for bougatsa pastries in the morning and long meze lunches.
Best for: Foodies and a city break with fewer crowds.
6. Halkidiki, Greece
The three-fingered peninsula south-east of Thessaloniki has some of mainland Greece’s best beaches, with pine trees running down to clear water. Kassandra, the first finger, is the liveliest. Sithonia, the second, is wilder and quieter. The third, Mount Athos, is a monastic community with strict entry rules, so most visitors see it from a boat.
Best for: Beach breaks paired with Thessaloniki.
7. The Islands, Greece
Each island group has its own character. In the Cyclades, Santorini offers caldera views and sunsets, while Naxos and Paros are better for beaches, villages and space. The Ionian islands, such as Corfu, are greener, with Venetian towns. In the Dodecanese, Rhodes has a walled medieval old town. For a short trip, pick one island with a direct flight rather than trying to hop.
Tip: Visit the islands in May, June, September or early October. The sea is warm enough for swimming, the ferries run, and the crowds are far smaller than in high summer.
Best for: Sun, sea and slow days.
Getting there and around
Athens and Thessaloniki have the most flights from the UK and the rest of Europe. In summer, many islands, including Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Santorini, also have direct flights, which saves a connection through Athens. Ferries to the Cyclades leave from the Athens ports of Piraeus and Rafina. Fast boats are quicker but feel rougher in the wind, so conventional ferries are often more comfortable on breezy days.
On the mainland, a hire car is the easiest way to link Delphi and Meteora, and the roads north from Athens are good. Trains run from Athens to Thessaloniki and to Kalabaka, the town below Meteora. On the islands, local buses connect the main villages and beaches, but a small car or scooter gives you far more freedom on the larger ones such as Crete and Naxos.
Leave a buffer day at the end of an island trip before a flight home. Strong summer winds, the meltemi, can delay or cancel ferries in the Aegean.
How to choose
- For a first visit: Athens plus one island, or Athens plus Delphi.
- For history: Athens, Delphi and Crete’s Knossos.
- For landscape and walking: Meteora, Crete’s gorges or Naxos.
- For food: Thessaloniki and Crete.
- For beaches close to a city: Thessaloniki with Halkidiki.
- For Roman ruins elsewhere in Europe: See our best Roman amphitheatres.
Tip: Archaeological sites close earlier in winter. Check opening hours for your dates, and plan big sites for the morning.
FAQ
What is the best place to visit in Greece for the first time?
Athens, for the Acropolis and food, combined with a nearby island or a day trip to Delphi.
Do you need to book the Acropolis in advance?
Yes. Entry is by timed slot with a daily cap, and summer morning slots often sell out weeks ahead. Book on the official ticket site.
When is the best time to visit Greece?
April to June and September to October bring warm weather, open sites and fewer crowds. July and August are very hot and busy.
Can you visit Meteora from Athens in a day?
It is possible, but it’s a long day, with around four hours’ travel each way. An overnight in Kalabaka lets you see the monasteries at sunset and early morning.
For more ideas, browse the best city breaks in Europe, the most romantic destinations in Europe, or the latest travel news.
