10 Most Beautiful Villages in Greece | The Mediterranean Traveller

Greece has endless beautiful villages, from the iconic clifftop dazzlement on Santorini to fishing ports adorned with neoclassical mansions and stunning medieval stone villages.

It’s difficult to whittle it down to 10 – but we had a go! Here are 10 of the most beautiful Greek villages.

(If you’re only interesting in the white sugarcube villages then we have a separate list for you – check out the 20 Most Beautiful Whitewashed Villages in Greece.)

Oia, Santorini

Oia is surely the most famous village, known the world over for its beauty and stunning views. One of Santorini’s iconic caldera villages perched along the lip of a volcanic crater, the buildings here are soft organic shapes often carved right into the rock. The houses seem to cascade down the cliffside until they reach a sharp drop. Tucked away in its warren of alleys are romantic hotels and restaurants with perfect sunset views. Watch out for the crowds though, it can feel like every visitor to Santorini and his mother rushes to Oia for the sunset!

Fiskardo, Kefalonia

Fiskardo is a handsome harbour village on the island of Kefalonia, one of the few places on the island where the original Venetian architecture wasn’t totally destroyed by the earthquake of 1953. With its jewel-toned buildings and atmospheric streets, Fiskardo has become a magnet for the rich and famous who inhabit the superyachts. It has a surprisingly glamorous and cosmopolitan feel for such a tiny place, and some fab restaurants.

Lindos, Rhodes

Lindos has it all – this whitewashed village on the island of Rhodes is wedged in between one of the island’s best sandy beaches and hilltop ancient ruins. You couldn’t make up a prettier village if you tried.

These days its maze of narrow streets are home to some upmarket boutiques and hotels as well as tavernas and fast food joints, which exist to serve the legions of daytrippers who understandably pile into the village during the day. But Lindos is just large enough to retain a lively buzz in the evenings, and you can take it in turns to lay your towel on the numerous small beaches nearby.

Kastellorizo

Stunning little Kastellorizo is one of the best tiny islands in Greece. Also known as ‘Megisti’ (which ironically means ‘biggest), it’s located just off the Turkish Coast near Kas and isn’t the easiest to include in an island hopping itinerary. But it’s well worth the extra effort. Kastellorizo’s main (and only) was once a wealthy trading port – hence the handsome villas – now painted in an array of colours – which enclose a bay of perfect blue sea.

Symi

Symi is another port village with a rich legacy of smart neo-classical mansions, but on a slightly bigger scale than bijou Kastellorizo. The houses are slightly grander and tumble down from the hillsides to meet the sea. A preservation order has helped keep the architectural aesthetic intact. The harbour is popular with yachts and boat trips (it’s a popular day trip from nearby Rhodes) and buzzes with life. There are are several lovely beaches to explore too.

Assos, Kefalonia

The tiny village of Assos on Kefalonia is another of the island’s main attractions. Here, the original Venetian and Ionian architecture was damaged by the earthquake but thanks to a sensitive restoration effort (aided by the French) many of the buildings have been repaired. Assos has a particularly scenic setting – occupying an isthmus between the mainland and the remains of the 15th century castle. It has just a handful of tavernas and bars, and two small bays that are perfect for an afternoon swim.

Kioni, Ithaca

Similar Ionian architecture can be found on Kefalonia’s sister island, Ithaca, which is just across the channel from Fiskardo. It has several attractive villages, but the best of the bunch is Kioni. This charming village is a popular stop with yachts and boat trips but has a more hushed, intimate feel than Fiskardo.

Kioni has a small harbour and a cluster of excellent tavernas that cater to the boats, all tucked away in a hidden green bay – arrive by boat for the best views if possible.

Loutro, Crete

Nestled away on the south coast of Crete, at the foot of the dramatic White Mountains, are the villages of the Sfakia region. The most well-known is Agia Roumeli, for this is the end point of the popular Samaria Gorge. But there’s a string of these villages linked by boat (there is no road access), and the most spectacular is Loutro. It’s a small whitewashed village sandwiched between barren rock face and the iridescent turquoise of the Libyan Sea.

Pyrgi, Chios

The village of Pyrgi is the most unique on this list thanks to the distinctive black and white patterns which grace its buildings. This style, which is called xysta and is similar to sgraffito, was reported to have been brought over from Italy when the Genovese ruled the island. Pyrgi is one of 24 remaining villages on the island of Chios which were at the centre of mastic production (mastic is a gum resin which was highly prized in medieval times for its culinary and medicinal uses), but it’s the main village where you’ll find the monochrome patterns.

Folegandros Chora

If you want a feel for what Santorini was like before Instagram and cruise ships happened then head to Folegandros, a quiet island of bewitching views and simple pleasures – though it is attracting an increasingly chic crowd. Folegandros Chora, the main settlement on the island, has a breathtaking clifftop location at the edge of a 200m drop. It’s one of the oldest in the Cyclades and its narrow whitewashed streets are blissfully car-free.

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