When anyone starts to plan a vacation in Greece, they immediately think of visiting Athens, mostly because of the impressive archeological sites.

No matter where you decide to spend your vacation in Greece, you’ll be very close to at least one important archeological site, ruin or museum. Staying in Athens? Aegina, Epidavros and Sounion are very close and excellent for a day trip from Athens. Staying in Mykonos? Delos is just a stone’s throw away. Planning to visit Rhodes? You’ll probably spend at least a day checking out the Old Town.

Delos

One of the Cyclades, located just 3.5 km from Mykonos, Delos (Dilos) is a superb archeological site. The island was the most important Panhellenic sanctuary. According to mythology, it’s the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

The deserted ancient city has a certain magic to it, which you can almost feel. Remains of the Mycenaean period have been uncovered in the area of the sanctuary. The most important ruins on the island are the three temples dedicated to Apollo, The Altar of Dionysos, the Lion Terrace, Cleopatra’s House, House of Dionysos, House of the Masks, House of the Dolphins and the theatre.

Admission costs €12 per person (Reduced: €6). There are some days when admission is free.

How to get to Delos

The easiest way to get to Delos is with a tour boat departing from Mykonos. If you want to plan the excursion yourself, there are also ferries from Tinos and Naxos into Delos.

>>read more about Ferries in Greece

Where to stay in Delos

Overnight stay on Delos is forbidden. The closest accommodation options are in Mykonos. You can choose among the many Mykonos hotels or choose a cheaper option and look for budget accommodation in Mykonos.

Paros

Paros is a large island in the Cyclades group, located close to Naxos. Paros is popular for its beaches, charming villages and history. The stars here are definitely the 5th-century Church of 100 Doors and the Archaeology Museum. The church is located in Parikia, very close to the harbor. It is believed that the original church was built by St. Helen, the mother of St. Constantine. The ancient city of Parikia is one of the biggest in the Cyclades islands. Thankfully it’s not spoilt by the tourist waves.

How to get to Paros

Paros is served by an airport which receives direct flights from Athens on Sky Express Olympic Air. A one-way ticket from Athens starts at €49 per person (depends on the season).

>>read more about Flights within Greece

The island definitely has the advantage of being located centrally in the Cyclades. Most of the ferries to Naxos and Santorini make a stop in Paros. There are ferries connecting the island to Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and other important Greek ports. A one-way ferry ticket from Mykonos on regular ferry costs €30 per person and you can book ferry tickets here.

Read more about:

>>Ferries from Santorini to Paros (and return)
>>Ferries from Mykonos to Paros (and return)
>>Ferries from Athens to Paros (and return)

Where to stay in Paros

Since Paros is a large island, it’s not hard to find affordable hotels for your stay. Rates vary from €40 per night in studio apartments to €300 per night in top resorts.

Aegina

Located very close to the mainland, Aegina is a popular day-trip destination for those who visit Athens. Also, it’s a nice choice if you plan to enjoy the island life but want to skip the tourist crowds.

The island is home to the Doric Temple of Aphaia. This shrine, built for the goddess of wisdom and light, is one of the most well-preserved ruins on any Greek island. It can be reached by taxi or motorbike and is located on a hill overlooking the marina.

One of the best ruins is located just a five-minute walk from the port. Admission to the museum is paid at the entry point to the site.

Tip: stay hydrated and wear sunscreen while you walk on the island.

How to get to Aegina

The island is located very close to Athens and the ferry ride takes between 45 minutes (high-speed ferry) and 1 hour (regular ferry). There are many departures daily and a ticket on the high-speed ferry (economy class) costs €14 per person one way. You can book ferry tickets online.

>>read more about Ferries from Athens to Aegina (and return)

Where to stay in Aegina

Aegina is a popular island for vacations and there are enough hotels to choose from. Room rates start at €15 per night (2-stars hotel).

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Rhodes

>>book your accommodation in Rhodes Town

Rhodes is the most popular of the Dodecanese Islands, located close to Turkey, between mainland Greece and Cyprus .

The top places to visit if history is on your mind are The Old Town, the Temple of Hera, the fortified artists’ colony and the archaeological site of Lindos.

How to get to Rhodes

You can get to Rhodes by plane from Athens on Volotea and Olympic Airlines. A one way flight starts at €29 per person (depends on the season). There are also flights to Rhodes from Crete, Mykonos, Karpathos, Santorini and Thessaloniki.

>>read more about Flights within Greece

You can also get to Rhodes by ferry. There are connections with major Greek ports – Athens, Create, other Greek islands – as well as to ports in Turkey and Israel. A one-way ferry ticket (economy) from Athens costs €67.50 per person and tickets can be bought here.

Read more about:
>>Ferries from Athens to Rhodes (and return)
>>Ferries from Rhodes to Kos (and return)
>>Ferries from Santorini to Rhodes (and return)
>>Ferries from Thessaloniki to Rhodes (and return)

Where to stay in Rhodes

The island is a very popular island and there are many hotels in Rhodes to choose from. Rates start at €25 per night but make sure to book your room in advance especially if you plan to visit the island during summer.

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The article was originally written in 2010; the prices have been updated of Feb 2020.