67 Best things to see & do in Greek Islands

A wide, sandy beach on the narrow strait between Paros and Antiparos, Pounta is the island’s kitesurfing centre, thanks to the steady sideward winds. Even if you aren’t a kite boarder, it’s entertaining to watch the action from the comfort of a sunbed.

This huge church, whose name derives from the Greek for ‘100 entrances’, has architectural, artistic, and historic interest. Look out for the 11th-century frescoes and 4th-century sculptures taken from the temple of Demeter nearby. The Byzantine Museum on site has an interesting collection of icons and wood carvings.

The Regina is a wooden kaiki (fishing boat) available for slow cruises from Aliki. The skipper, Dimitris Skiadas, comes from a long line of local fishermen and knows the Aegean inside out. You can try fishing using traditional nets, and grill your catch on board, or just snorkel around hidden coves and sea caves.

Built in 1890 by the Empress Elisabeth of Austria and subsequently bought by Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm II, this is a Victorian folly dedicated to Achilles with classically inspired statues, murals, colonnades and gardens but, admittedly, breathtaking views.

Art museum exhibiting over 10,000 pieces from China, Japan, Korea, India, Central and Southeast Asia – all bequests from wealthy Greeks. It’s housed in a remarkable building – the Palace of St. Michael and St. George – an early 19th-century Georgian-style palace and seat of the British High Commissioner.

A UNESCO Heritage site, the Old Town (Xopoli) lies between the Old and the New Fortress and grew horizontally inside the fortified walls along twisted, narrow cobbled alleys (kantounia). Great for a lazy wander.

Crete’s luminous ‘blue lagoon’, Balos is a shallow turquoise bay with powdery sand that could be in the Caribbean. It’s a bumpy, dusty 40-minute drive down a dirt road, followed by a 30-minute hike down to the photogenic beach. For a more relaxed experience, sail there from Kissamos port with Balos Sailing.

With a terrace overlooking the sea, a wood-fired oven, and meat and cheese from the owner’s own flock of goats and sheep, this lovely taverna on Marmara beach is as authentically Cretan as it gets. Order braised lamb tsigaristo, boureki (baked, layered vegetables with feta), dakos, and loukoumades (honey-drenched donuts) for dessert.

Seasonal, local, and traditional, Cretan food is phenomenally fresh and tasty. Don’t miss home-grown produce, especially olive oil, honey, wine, and cheese.

Tucked away behind the harbour, it serves divine home-made pistachio and strawberry ice cream. Flora grows her own fruit and nuts on the nearby islet of Dokos.