10 Most Beautiful Landscapes in Greece | The Mediterranean Traveller

Looking for incredible landscapes to explore in Greece? Here are 10 places where you’ll find beautiful scenery and jaw-dropping vistas – from the epic monastery-topped rocks of Meteora to lagoon beaches on Crete, volcanic islands of Santorini and Nisyros, and one of the deepest gorges in Europe.

Meteora

It’s no surprise that the unique monasteries of Meteora top this list – they’re one of the top tourist destinations on the Greek mainland and have graced the covers of travel magazines around the world.

This famous sight is on the UNESCO World Heritage list and you’ll find the 6 monasteries located near the village of Kalabaka which you can reach from Athens or Thessaloniki by train or bus ( though it’s a long journey and worth staying overnight). It’s one of the most popular areas in Greece for hiking and rock climbing.

Balos, Crete

Greece is not short of incredible beaches, in fact the only difficulty is in deciding where to go. But if we had to pick just one beach for breathtaking scenery it would be Balos, where a dreamy lagoon beach with warm shallow waters connects Crete with the tiny island of Gramvousa.

The area around Balos is protected and undeveloped but it’s a popular day trip from beach resorts on the west side of Crete. The view of the beach from the parking spot up on the hill behind is quite spectacular (and worthy of the steep walk back uphill).

Vikos Gorge

Surprisingly, the Vikos Gorge hasn’t yet been marketed as the Grand Canyon of Greece – although as one of the longest and deepest gorges in Europe it’s certainly worthy of the moniker. In fact, Vikos is relatively quiet and still something of a hidden gem. A small but steady stream of walkers and hikers visit this beautiful area in the north of Greece.

Pelion

The Pelion Peninsula is a peaceful and beautiful coastal area half way between Athens and Thessaloniki, near the city of Volos. Foreigners are slowly discovering the joys of this tranquil area which has long been a favourite of local tourists. The landscape is lush and green, with miles of unspoilt coastline and deep emerald waters. There are some fantastic beaches tucked away on its eastern side and handsome stone villages up in the interior.

Milos

The island of Milos in the Cyclades is home to some truly unique volcanic landscapes, where its soft rock has been whittled and sculpted by winds and seas over the years. The unusual beaches of Papafragas and Sarakiniko are the most well-known but others to check out include Alogomandra, Kapros, and the heart of the long-dormant volcano at Kalamos.

Samaria Gorge

The day-long descent of Crete’s Samaria Gorge is one of the most popular activities for holidaymakers on the island of Crete. The hike starts at the village of Omalos high up in the White Mountains, and it spits you out by the Libyan Sea at the tiny village of Agia Roumeli, where a small ferry will take you to Chora Sfakion for the return trip to your hotel. But keen walkers should linger longer in the area – there are several smaller gorges that you can hike, as well as the long-distance E4 trail, and some of Greece’s best hidden beaches and villages.

Santorini’s Caldera

The best way to appreciate Santorini’s harsh but special landscape is to hike the trail that joins its caldera villages. These iconic whitewashed villages are built along the lip of a volcanic crater and are famous for their sunsets. The panoramic view from the caldera looks out over several small islands in the centre of the crater – complete with bubbling springs and a tiny chapel (boat trips are popular) – and over to the other edge of the crater, the island of Thirasia. Elsewhere on Santorini you can find black sand beaches and red cliffs.

Nisyros

Santorini is not the only volcanic island in the Aegean though. Oh no. Perhaps even more noticeably volcanic is the island of Nisyros in the Dodecanese. This tiny island is the tip of an active volcano that you can easily visit – hiking trails lead up to Lakki, the main crater, and there are a also handful of secondary hydrothermal craters. You can also take a boat trip to the strange island of Giali where unexpectedly amazing beaches are surrounded by a pumice mining operation.

Nisyros is a popular day trip from surrounding islands but you will want to stay longer in the small whitewashed village of Mandraki and Nikia.

Acheron River

The River Acheron is best known as the entrance to the ancient underworld (it’s sometimes conflated with the Styx but technically these are separate rivers). But yes, it exists in real life – and it’s much more beautiful than you might imagine! Located on the west coast of Greece in the Epirus Region, not far from the pretty coastal town of Parga. The river cuts a swathe through majestic white limestone cliffs, creating a landscape that’s protected for its beauty and is also perfect for adventure activities. River rafting, rock climbing, paragliding, kayaking, and horse-riding are all to be found in the area.

Cliff Beaches in the Ionian Islands

The beaches in the Ionian Islands are frequently spectacular thanks to the steep limestone cliffs that are common on their respective west coasts. The most famous is the much-photographed shipwreck beach at Navagio on Zakynthos, but it’s just the first of many. Over on Kefalonia you’ll find similar scenery at Myrtos, Petani, Platia Ammos, and Fteri. On Lefkada there is Egremni, Porto Katsiki, Pefkoulia, Milos, and Kathisma. And on Corfu there are a number of cliff beaches around Liapades and Loggas.

Honourable mentions: