Greece offers an extraordinary range of accommodation — from five-star cave hotels carved into Santorini's caldera cliffs and all-inclusive beach resorts on Crete to family-run guesthouses in the Peloponnese and boutique hotels in Athens' Monastiraki neighbourhood. The key decision is whether to use Athens as a hub or to commit fully to island time.
Athens
Athens has transformed its hotel scene significantly over the past decade, and the city now offers excellent options across all budgets. The most sought-after addresses are in the neighbourhoods of Monastiraki, Plaka, and Koukaki — all within walking distance of the Acropolis, with rooftop bars offering some of the world's great urban views. Boutique hotels in renovated neoclassical buildings have multiplied in these neighbourhoods, offering stylish rooms at mid-range prices. Luxury flagship hotels cluster around Syntagma Square and along the Athenian Riviera to the south. Budget travellers will find well-run hostels and guesthouses in Monastiraki and Exarchia. Staying central in Athens is strongly recommended — the Metro and walking will handle all sightseeing needs.
Santorini
Santorini's cave hotels and caldera-view suites in Oia, Imerovigli, and Fira represent some of the most spectacular — and expensive — accommodation in the Mediterranean. These cliffside properties, carved into the volcanic rock and often featuring private plunge pools and panoramic terraces, define the Santorini experience for most visitors. Budget options exist in the beach villages of Perissa and Kamari on the east coast, with solid black-sand beaches and a range of studios and guesthouses at far lower prices. Book Santorini accommodation — especially caldera properties — six to twelve months in advance for summer travel.
Crete
Greece's largest island offers the country's widest accommodation range. The north coast from Heraklion to Chania has the densest concentration of hotels and resorts, including large all-inclusive complexes popular with package holidaymakers. Chania's Venetian old town has excellent boutique hotels in renovated historic buildings. The south coast — Plakias, Matala, Paleochora — is far quieter and better suited to independent travellers seeking simple taverna-and-beach holidays. Elounda and Agios Nikolaos in the east coast offer Greece's most exclusive resort hotels, including several ultra-luxury private-island properties.
The Ionian and Other Islands
Corfu Town has lovely boutique hotels in its elegant Venetian-influenced old town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), while the rest of the island ranges from large beach resorts to quiet village guesthouses. Kefalonia and Zakynthos offer mostly villa and apartment rentals alongside a range of hotels — a car is essential on both islands. The Cyclades beyond Santorini — Naxos, Paros, Milos — offer mid-range hotels and a growing number of design-conscious boutique properties that represent excellent value compared to Mykonos and Santorini. Rhodes Town's medieval old city has fine hotels within the ancient walls, as well as large resort complexes along its coast.
Booking Tips
Greece's accommodation market is heavily seasonal — the vast majority of island hotels and resorts operate only from April or May to October, closing entirely in winter. Book summer accommodation (especially July–August) on popular islands as early as possible, ideally six months or more ahead. Shoulder season (May–June and September–October) offers better availability and significantly lower prices. Villa rentals through specialist agencies offer excellent value for families and groups, particularly on Crete, Corfu, and the Cyclades.