Travel guide Greece
Top Attractions in Greece: Corfu Old Town, Knossos, Spinalonga & More
The sights we have actually seen, from Venetian Corfu to Minoan Crete and Kalamata’s old town.
Islands
Ionian & Crete
Mainland
Parga & Kalamata
Best for history
Knossos
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
On this page: Ionian islands · Mainland · Crete · Tips · Food · FAQ
Our top attractions in Greece are Corfu Old Town, the bays of Paleokastritsa, lunch in Kalami, a day on Paxos, Parga’s castle, the Minoan palace of Knossos, the island of Spinalonga and Kalamata’s old town.
This is not a list of the most famous sights in Greece. We have not been to Athens or Santorini yet, so they are not here. At Tone & Taste we only write about places we have seen ourselves, so every stop below comes from our own trips to the Ionian islands, the Peloponnese and two years on Crete.
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The Ionian Islands
Corfu Old Town & the Old Fortress
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007: Venetian lanes, arcades and two fortresses. Walk up the Old Fortress for the view over the rooftops, then have a coffee on the Liston. More in our Corfu travel guide.
Paleokastritsa, Corfu
The postcard west coast of Corfu: small coves, green headlands and very clear, cold water. Small boats run from the beach to the sea caves nearby.
Kalami, Corfu
A small bay on Corfu’s north-east coast, looking across the water to Albania. We had lunch at The White House, the waterfront house where the writer Lawrence Durrell once lived and which is now a taverna.
Paxos
Our favourite of all the Ionian islands, together with little Antipaxos next door. Small, quiet and covered in olive trees, Paxos is a harbour town, a swim and a long lunch. Boats from Gaios, the main harbour, cross to Antipaxos and its beaches, Voutoumi and Vrika.
Beach-hopping the Ionian
Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Lefkada each have their own coastline and character. Kefalonia is mountainous and green, Zakynthos is all about clear water, and Lefkada has the wilder west coast.
Our favourite: if we had to pick one corner of the Ionian, it would be Paxos and Antipaxos. Small enough to feel like a secret, with olive groves down to the water and a boat ride between the two.
Mainland Greece
Parga’s castle
Walk up through the town to the Venetian castle on the hill. The view over the bay and the little island in front of the harbour is worth the climb, especially late in the afternoon.
Kalamata old town
The old town sits below Kalamata’s castle, around the small Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles, which is closely tied to the start of the Greek War of Independence in 1821.
Cycling Kalamata’s seafront
Kalamata is flat and easy to get around. We rented bikes and rode along the seafront at our own pace, which is the best way to see the town.
Crete
The palace of Knossos
Just outside Heraklion, Knossos was the centre of the Minoan civilisation in the Bronze Age, long before classical Athens. Parts were reconstructed by the archaeologist Arthur Evans in the early 20th century. Go early to beat the heat and the tour groups.
Spinalonga
A small island off Elounda with a Venetian fortress that later became Greece’s leper colony, from 1903 until 1957. Boats run from Elounda, Plaka and Agios Nikolaos.
Agios Nikolaos
A lively harbour town in eastern Crete, built around a small lake that is connected to the sea. Good for an evening walk and dinner by the water.
Tips for Seeing More With Less Rush
Start early
Do the big sights, like Knossos or the Old Fortress, first thing in the morning. It is cooler and quieter, and you have the afternoon free for the beach.
Cover up for churches
Shoulders and knees covered for monasteries and churches. A light scarf in your bag solves it.
Base yourself well
Pick a base near what you want to see. Our where to stay in Greece guide goes through the areas we would choose again.
Cook it at home
Eat Like a Local
Every one of these places ends the same way: at a taverna table. These are the dishes to order, and to cook at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top attractions in Greece?
The famous ones are Athens and the Cyclades, but the places we rate from our own trips are Corfu Old Town, Paleokastritsa, Paxos, Parga, Knossos, Spinalonga and Kalamata’s old town.
Is Knossos worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you are staying in or near Heraklion. Go early, and visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum too, where many of the finds from the palace are kept.
How do you get to Spinalonga?
By boat from Elounda, Plaka or Agios Nikolaos in eastern Crete. The crossing from Plaka is the shortest.
What is Corfu Old Town known for?
Its Venetian architecture: narrow lanes, arcades, two fortresses and the Liston. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007.
Planning your trip? Read our Greece Travel & Food Guide and where to stay in Greece next.
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