67 Best things to see & do in Greek Islands

Arguably the most memorable hike in the Aegean, this easy 6-mile trek on the rim of the Santorini caldera offers precipitous views and mesmerising landscapes.

Santorini’s signature experience: sailing, swimming and lunching on luxury catamarans amid stunning volcanic scenery.

Considered the oldest city in Europe, this royal palace was a Bronze Age centre of commerce and culture. The centre of Minoan civilisation, Knossos was also home to the legendary Minotaur.

Sail the beautiful flooded caldera, climb the sizzling crater and cool off in sulphurous springs.

One of Europe’s most famous hikes, a 16km trail running through Crete’s most iconic canyon, from the 1200m Omalos plateau down to the Libyan Sea; freshwater springs, abandoned villages, isolated chapels and 450 species of flora and fauna.

A dramatic 7.5-kilometre hike through a sheer gorge that takes you from a ghost village to a remote beach in the province of Sfakia.

Sample Santorini’s most famous export at source: the distinctive wines produced from the volcanic terroir.

Watch the sunset at Oia and marvel at the changing colours of the rocky cliffs as the sun dips below the horizon.

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.

Pleasure boats leave daily for day trips to the small islands around Naxos. Expect clear, pristine beaches overlooked by simple tavernas at Iraklia and Schinoussa. Book through any of the travel agencies by the main bus station.