Readers have shared their favourite Greek holiday memories, highlighting beach-hopping, gorge hikes, and archaeological sites across the Cyclades, Pelion, Symi, Syros, Hydra, Preveza, Antiparos, Amorgos, Kefalonia, Ithaca, and the Vikos Gorge.
Unforgettable Milos
Chris Rimell recalled being captivated by Milos after flying over it en route from Crete. The island, home to the Venus de Milo, impressed with its calm, peaceful atmosphere and spectacular northern coast shaped by volcanic activity. Sarakiniko beach, with its white rock formations, was a perfect photographic stop.
Chasing Waterfalls on the Pelion Peninsula
Layla Astley based herself in Damouchari on the Pelion peninsula, staying at Kastro Studios overlooking the harbour. She swam in the sea, snorkelled with fish, and walked to Fakistra beach to cool off under a waterfall. Her family enjoyed home-cooked meals at roadside restaurants and coffee under a 1,000-year-old plane tree.
Beach Boat Trips on Symi
Steve took a ferry from Rhodes to Symi, a hidden island in the Dodecanese. Daily boat trips led to beaches like Marathounda Bay, where goats roamed among sunbeds. The shaded tavernas on each shore offered seafood, salad, and cold Mythos beer.
Strolling Around Venetian Palazzos on Syros
Rosie explored Syros, the administrative capital of the Cyclades, enjoying strolls around Venetian palazzos and swimming off rocks in Ermoupoli. She hiked to Agios Stefanos, a chapel in a cave near the sea, where she watched a magical sunset. According to local lore, a fisherman built the chapel after being saved from a giant octopus by Saint Stephen.
The Healing Power of Hydra
After her mother June died, Dawn’s family chose Hydra in the Saronic Gulf for a healing holiday. They stayed at the Hydroussa hotel and explored the car-free island. She described the seas as “the clearest seas I’ve ever swum in,” and the family spent time swimming, reading, eating, and remembering.
An Archaeological Gem Near Preveza
Gerald Willmore visited the little-known archaeological site of ancient Kassopi near Preveza on the central west coast. The mountainside was covered in wildflowers, and the warden seemed surprised to see them. They had the entire site to themselves, wandering through remains of the city and its third-century BC theatre with an azure sea backdrop. Later, they went dolphin-watching in the Ambracian Gulf and dined on Preveza prawns.
Back in Time on Antiparos
Alice stayed for five days on Antiparos, a smaller neighbour of Paros, calling it the best decision of their Cyclades trip. The island felt like stepping back decades, with a modest beauty and peaceful aura. They stayed at Statheros Garden and enjoyed morning dips at Panagia beach, just metres away. Paros is a short ferry ride for further exploration.
Amorgos Is as Epic as in The Big Blue
Ed Simpson had watched the film The Big Blue countless times and was moved to see the 11th-century monastery of Amorgos rising out of the rock face in real life. The island charmed him as one of the most beautiful Greek islands.
A True Adventure on Kefalonia and Ithaca
Dan Law-Jones recalled a childhood trip to Kefalonia, staying in Fiskardo. The highlight was hiring a small motorboat with his father to cross to Ithaca. They ran out of fuel and needed rescue, but the adventure remains a dear memory after his father passed in 2022.
Winning Tip: Wildlife Deep in the Vikos Gorge
Beatrice described a road trip in northern Greece, highlighting the Vikos Gorge, the deepest gorge in Europe by depth-to-width ratio. Hiking through, they saw tortoises and a horned viper, one of Europe’s most venomous snakes. The gorge is home to brown bears, wolves, Egyptian vultures, and wild boar. They enjoyed the tranquility of Voidomatis Springs, a crystal-clear pool at the bottom, with water temperatures of 4-7°C year-round.
