Our Big Fat Greek Adventure – The Best Things to Do in Greece in One Month

Our unique Greece itinerary includes four of the best Greek islands and some other Greek gems (such as Athens and Meteora)

We were lucky enough to spend a month exploring beautiful Greece and the Greek islands. We left behind our home in Whistler. And embarked on our big fat Greek adventure.  We’d been itching to do a short backpacking trip, and Greece was featured highly on both of our bucket lists.

So, the decision was an easy one. My husband is excellent at finding cheap flights, so we found a great deal to Corfu. And so our big fat Greek adventure began.

Here’s our unique Greece itinerary, more information if you scroll down –

So, here it is, our unique Greece itinerary featuring the best Greek islands. With the best tips on which hotels to stay at and where to find the yummiest restaurants. Greece is certainly a country that should not be missed! Why not visit Greece this Summer?

If you’re short on time you may be interested in this one week Greece itinerary, it’s filled with great travel tips for a shorter vacation to Greece!

How Many Days Are Enough for Greece?

I recommend allowing one month in Greece to truly get a feel for this magnificent country. With one month in Greece, you’ll be able to tick off the best sights on the mainland (we recommend Athens, Delphi, and Meteora) as well as explore my favorite Greek islands such as Corfu, Syros, Naxos, and of course, Santorini.

By spending one month in Greece, you’ll be able to take your time at each destination and really explore it. In this itinerary, I suggest a minimum stay of 4 nights in each place.

CORFU

Corfu is one of the cheaper Greek islands, and public transport is incredibly efficient. It’s easy to see the whole island in a short period. A top recommendation from us would be to visit Corfu town. Corfu town is a lot bigger than you’d expect, with lots of quirky cobble-stoned back streets in which you can spend hours getting lost. 

I’m sure most of you are familiar with Corfu, it’s a very popular holiday destination in Greece. Corfu is what it says on the tin – a holiday-makers paradise with lush green scenery and turquoise-water beaches. We spent five days here in total.

The best things to do in Corfu

• Hop on the Corfu Hop On Hop Off Bus – Hop off at famous sights like Corfu Old Town, Panagia Valcherna Monastery and Pondikonissi Island. The bus does the route regularly so you can hop back on when you’re done with your stop. This tour is very reasonable and starts from €22 per person.

• Go on a Cruise to the Blue Lagoon (also known as the Greek Carribbean) – The boat trip takes you to two stunning beaches where you can go snorkelling or explore some sea caves. This is a full-day experience, allow 7-10 hours total. The boat departs from Corfu town port or Lefkimmi port.

• Do a Guided Food Tour through Corfu Town – Your guide will introduce you to a less-explored side of historic Corfu Town, chat with locals and taste their homemade food and then sit down to lunch at a highly-recommended restaurant.

Best places to stay in Corfu

We stayed at the gorgeous family-run Hotel Kaiser Bridge in Benitses, a beachside town 14 km from Corfu town. Benitses is very easily accessible from both Corfu Airport & Corfu town. In fact, we caught the local green bus into Corfu town regularly & it was hassle-free.

There are lots of yummy Greek restaurants in Benitses, most of them with lovely outdoor seating areas. In fact, our favorite restaurant in Benitses is Paxinos Restaurant. We visited on our first evening & I believe we ordered almost everything on the Menu – it was that delicious.

Another beautiful beach (and one of our favorites on the island) is Paleokastritsa. Located 25 km northwest of Corfu town. You can also catch the local greenbus here but the roads are quite steep & winding.

Two hotel recommendations for Corfu Island are Thomas Beach Studios in Paleokastritsa and Kapetonios Luxury in Agios Georgios.

METEORA

Meteora is to put it simply a series of Greek Orthodox Monasteries on top of extremely high rocks. It sounds crazy, but my photos below show more than I can explain with words. Now, I’m sure most of you have never heard of Meteora, but believe me, once you visit, you will want to return time and time again. It is one of the true treasures of Greece.

It was a unique experience and one of our favorite stops on the trip. We spent our days here hiking to the Monasteries (there are six active Monasteries in total). The photo opportunities when you get to these Monasteries are incredible.

To get to Meteora you catch a train direct from Athens. Two top recommendations from us would be to book a hotel with a view of the Monasteries (there aren’t many so book in advance). Also, book a sunset tour to see the valley bathed in a magnificent pink.

The best things to do in Meteora

• Do a Meteora Sunset Tour – To visit the monasteries and take some epic photos of the sunset behind the rocks. This is a 4 hour tour and you will visit 2 monasteries and take photos of the exterior of the other 4, then you will be brought to the secret viewpoint to witness the best sunset in Greece!

• Book a Guided Tour to the monasteries -This half-day tour is great value for money and includes a visit to 3 monasteries. Your guide will give you a great insight into life in the monasteries and the history of the area. We found our guided tour so interesting. Prices start at only €40 per person.

• Go on a Guided Hike through this unique landscape – This 4 hour hike takes you off-the-beaten track and enables you to see the glorious monasteries from a different perspective. The hike starts from Doupiani rock and ends at Grand Meteora Monastery, you will also pass Ypapanti and some of the smaller rock monasteries. Prices start from just €40 per person!

Best places to stay in Meteora

We stayed at the very beautiful Meteora Hotel, the views from here have to be the best from any hotel in the world. With the magnificent Meteora rocks in prime viewing position from the outdoor pool and your suites balcony. Meteora Hotel is a little pricier than the smaller hotels in the nearby town of Kalabaka, but it’s worth every penny in my opinion.

Some other highly rated hotels in Meteora include Grand Meteora Hotel and Only Yours Meteora.

Thankfully, there are lots of authentic Greek restaurants within a short walk of the Meteora Hotel. In the nearby town of Kalambaka some of our favourite restuarants included Elias Garden & Restaurant Meteora.

ATHENS

Walking through ancient Athens is like being in a history book. There is so much to do in Athens that you will never see it all unless you’re here for a long time. You can purchase a Multi Ticket which gives you access to most of the ancient sights (including the Acropolis) for about €36.

We stayed very close to the Acropolis and we highly recommend staying near the Acropolis or Monastaraki Metro stations, Athens is a big city and you don’t want to be too far out from all the major sights.

We also recommend NOT to go in July and August as the crowds are at their biggest and the weather is at its hottest. It was 40°C when we were there. Overall, Athens is a great insight into true everyday life in Greece.

The best things to do in Athens

• Whilst in Athens you must do a Guided Tour of the Acropolis – this small group tour is personalized and gets you a skip the line ticket so you don’t need to queue in the hot sun. This experience is up to 4 hours in duration and we learned so much from our knowledgeable guide.

• Go on a Day Tour to Delphi – Explore the Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi on this 10 hour guided tour that departs from Athens. You will see gorgeous mountain scenery on the drive and also stop at the Sanctuary of the oracle and see the remains of the Temple of Apollo.

• Hop on a Boat Tour to some colorful Greek islands – Including Hydra, Poros and Aegina on a luxurious cruise ship. You will stop at all 3 islands and have free time to explore each and also be treated to a buffet lunch on board, Prices start from €128.

The best places to stay in Athens

We were lucky enough to grab last-minute deal at Adams Hotel, just a two minute walk from Hadrian’s Arch. We were even luckier to be upgraded to a larger room with a huge terrace featuring an excellent view of the Acropolis. Adams Hotel is close to many excellent restaurants including Electra Roof Garden (for sunset cocktails with a view of the Acropolis) and our personal favourite 7 Food Sins.

The Athenian Riviera Hotel & Suites is also highly recommended as well as the Four Seasons Palace Hotel if you’re after somewhere truly luxurious and romantic.

SYROS

Syros island is in the Cyclades region famous for its sunsets and white-washed houses. Syros is one of the first stops on the ferry from Athens to Santorini. It’s one of the least-visited islands in this region and so it was a pleasant change for us after the crowds in Athens.

We stayed literally next to the beach in a region called Galissas. A sort of sleepy beachside resort, populated mostly with Greek holidaymakers. The village of Galissas has no more than five restaurants, all very good mind you. And every night we climbed the steps of the little white church on the hill, sat on its wall and watched the sun set into the ocean with a beer in hand. Heaven.

Best things to do on Syros Island

• Go hiking – The first hike we undertook during our time on the island was the 2.9 km trail from Kini to Delfini Beach. It’s a relatively easy trail but is quite a narrow path and you may be scrambling over rocks in some sections. We also loved the Varvarousa Beach trail, which starts at Delfini Beach and is 2.4 km long

• Climb up to Agia Pakou church in Galissas for sunset – Every single night, we bought some beers from one of the little corner shops in Galissas and climbed up to this gorgeous white church on the hill. Then, we sat on the wall and watched the sun sink into the ocean for what seemed like hours.

• Explore the island’s biggest town, Ermoupoli – Ermoupoli is the administrative capital of the Cyclades. It is filled with narrow, cobbled streets, white-washed houses, and everywhere you look, gorgeous sparkling blue water (enticing you to jump in). I did jump in! Whilst Paul climbed up to Ano Syros, I went swimming off the pier. Afterward, we had lunch down a narrow, colorful lane – a frappe and a gyro for me always.

Where to stay on Syros Island

We stayed at the bright and modern Hotel Remvi. Gorgeously decorated and airy rooms featuring a fantastically large balcony. A lovely pool to dive into after a hot day of exploring. Also worth noting is the excellent breakfast and the very reasonably priced beers at the bar.

Every evening on Syros island we undertook the short walk to the beach front to enjoy dinner at either Savvas or Iliovasilema .

Some other great hotels in Syros, include –

• Apollonion Palace in Ermoupoli for luxurious rooms and direct sea access.
• Doras’s Studio and Apartments in Megas Gialos for great views, clean and luxurious rooms and friendly service.
• Aktaion in Ermoupoli for neoclassical beautiful rooms right in the heart of the town.
• Aegean Paradiso in Azolimnos is just steps from the beach with a lovely outdoor swimming pool.

NAXOS

Naxos is ‘in the middle’ both in terms of its geographic location between Athens and Santorini and its popularity with holiday makers. It is more touristy than Syros but less so than its neighbor Santorini. It is very popular with Dutch and Scandinavian tourists, and it is indeed very beautiful.

We stayed next to probably the prettiest beach on the whole island – Prykopios, it has some of the clearest water in Greece, in fact the clearest water  we’ve ever seen. It honestly gives the Carribean waters of Cuba a run for its money. A lot of the restaurants here are on the beach, so it makes for a unique dining experience. More so for the fact you can watch the sunset from your table.

Our top recommendation would be to spend an evening in the islands capital town – Chora. The white-washed streets here are very similar to the famed streets of Mykonos.

The best things to do on Naxos Island

• Go on a Cruise around the island – On a luxurious catamaran and swim in the crystal clear waters, it also includes a fresh local lunch.

• Do a Greek Cooking Class and have dinner at a locals house – This is a 4-hour experience in a traditional house in Kaloxylos. Cook and eat a typical Naxian menu with local wine together with a local family.

• Go on a nature hike – There’s a super-scenic 6 hour hike takes you to Kourounochori and Potamia Valley.

The best places to stay on Naxos Island

We stayed at Anna Studios, a short walk from the hustle & bustle of the beach. It features a very welcoming pool area out front and spotlessly clean rooms. As our rate at Annas Studios didn’t include breakfast, we walked into town to enjoy breakfast at the very colourful Cafe Hideaway.

Melidron Hotel and Suites also in Prykopios is highly recommended as well as Naxos Riviera Suites in Chora.

SANTORINI

Santorini tops the list for most people’s trips’ to Greece. Sure, the crowds can be manic, it’s expensive and it’s a little pretentious. BUT its sunsets are beyond outstanding, its local people surprisingly friendly and what other place in the world can you find hotels built into the side of a cliff? What can I say about Santorini that hasn’t already been said, it’s top of a lot of people’s ‘Bucket List’ for good reason.

It’s an instagrammers dream in Oia, the way the light falls onto the quirky ‘cave houses’ is magnificent any time of the day. Most of the hotels here have a pool, but there is also a black sand beach in Perissa if that tickles your fancy.

Our top tip for here is NOT to stay in Oia or Fira (the crowds here are crazy) instead opt for Imerovigli or Pyrgos which offer the same views with less crowds. Also, summer in Santorini can be VERY busy, so, instead try to visit in May or September – when the weather is still warm and the evenings still bright.

The best things to do in Santorini

• Enjoy the sunset and avoid the crowds is to book a sunset boat tour. Most tours leave from either the port of Ammoudi in Oia or the port of Athinios every day at 3 pm. The tours are typically 5 hours in duration and include a tour of the island of Santorini from the ocean and maybe even a spot of swimming or snorkeling. The tour ends with you dropping anchor in a prime spot to watch the sunset near Oia.

• Go on a Wine Tour – Why not try a slightly more unique wine tour and do a sunset tour – most tours include a stop at 3 wineries, ending in a winery with an epic view of the famous sunset. Worth noting is that some tours offer a full dinner, while most offer a cheese platter and nibbles.

• Hike the Fira to Oia trail – This famous trail is 6.5 miles in total and includes some of the best photo opportunities on the island. If you walk at a leisurely pace, it should take you approximately 3 hours. Hike the trail just before sunset to avoid the intense heat, ideally starting in Fira and ending in Oia for the famous sunset session.

Where to stay in Santorini

We stayed at the phenomenal Above Blue Suites on the cliffs of Imerovigli. Even though it was pricier than the rest of our accomodation on our Greek itinerary – it was to be expected for Santorini. We are so glad we splurged a little, as Above Blue Suites is perfect. The breakfast every morning is so fresh and yummy. Plus, you can easily walk along the cliffs to both Oia and Fira.

Two other great places to stay in Santorini include: Afroessa in Imerovigli – brilliant value for money for what you , each room has a private balcony with stunning views.Carpe Diem Santorini in Pyrgos – no kids allowed in this adults-only resort. For the views alone and the stunning rooms it’s great value for money.

All the walking we undertook on Santorini certainly took its toll on our apetite and we enjoyed some delicious meals in both Oia and Fira. In Oia we love Fino, consistently rated as one of the best restaurants on the island of Santorini.

Whilst in Fira we loved the more casual dining affair that MeRaki offered. Again, Me Raki is a very popular restaurant and is currently No.1 on TripAdvisor. So, get there early to avoid disappointment.

What is the Most Unique Greek Island?

Syros is the most unique Greek Island! Syros is part of the Cyclades region and it’s famous for its sunsets and white-washed houses. It’s also one of the least-visited Cyclades islands and will make a pleasant change from the busier nearby islands of Santorini and Mykonos.

Syros has many gorgeous clear-water beaches like Galissas, Vari, and Kini. And it also boasts many scenic hiking trails and great restaurants. Plus, it’s charming capital city – Ermoupoli is one of the prettiest European cities I’ve ever visited.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Greece is more beautiful than the photos show and the warmth of the local people together with the insanely good food make this country one of our favourites to date. I trully hope you will add Greece & the Greek islands to your Summer holiday bucketlist. As for me, I would go back every year if I could.

Tell me, what do you think of our picks for our unique Greece itinerary?

While you’re here, you may also enjoy reading our other Europe blogs, like –

Best activities in Cinque Terre (5 best things to do)

Villages of the Cinque Terre: Which One to Pick?

12 best things to do in Alicante, Spain

Unique things to do in West Cork

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