The village of Oia in Santorini
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Villages in Greece & the islands
The cosmopolitan village of Fiscardo in Kefalonia
Chora, the main town of Mykonos
All villages in Greece and the Greek islands have something special.
Depending on the landscape and the historical course of each place, visitors see different styles of architecture in Greece. The most distinctive style is, of course, the Cycladic architecture.
Our guide proposes a list of the best 10 villages in Greece. But you can also discover villages in many locations and regions in Greece and the Greek islands. After discovering the best villages, y
Check out also our list of the best beaches.
Table of contents:
• Best Villages • Villages by locations • General info • Photos
List with the best 10 villages
Although Greece is mostly famous for its wonderful beaches, it also has many villages that amaze visitors with its unique location and architecture.
Whether in the islands or the mainland, the villages differ one from the other and each has a special, distinctive style.
Here is a list of the best villages in Greece.
Note:We have also added a quarter of Athens, Plaka, as it looks exactly like a village.
1. Oia village
Oia is located on the northern side of Santorini and this is the most beautiful village on the island. World-famous for its romantic sunset, the picturesque architecture, the blue-domed churches and the fabulous view to the Aegean Sea, Oia is the favorite spot for artists and couples. Many weddings take place there every year. Although this is the most popular spot of Santorini, Oia has kept intact its romantic and authentic style.
2. Rhodes Town
With an evident Medieval style, Rhodes Town is among the best-preserved Venetian towns in Europe. Located on the northern side of Rhodes, it gets lively day and night. The old part of the town is certainly the most beautiful quarter with tall Venetian buildings, old churches, the Palace of Grand Master, the Street of the Knights and the picturesque port of Mandraki. At night, Rhodes Town gets busy as a nightlife spot on the island.
3. Chora of Mykonos
Mykonos Town, also known as Chora, is the capital and center of activities on Mykonos island. The village distinguishes for the bright colors, the sugar-white houses, the paved streets, the picturesque harbor of Little Venice and the bars that stay open all night long. During your walk in Mykonos Town, you will certainly see the famous Peter the pelican, who will also be wandering around. Buses and boats from Mykonos Town go to various beaches on the island.
4. Town of Corfu
One of the most beautiful towns in Greece, Corfu Town stands out for its evident Venetian style and the romantic atmosphere. The architecture of Corfu has been greatly influenced by the architecture of Italian towns, like Venice and Florence. The Old Town of Corfu is the most impressive part. It has two fortresses that protected Corfu island from pirates or enemies in Medieval times, many churches, paved paths and two or three-story Venetian buildings. Very impressive is Liston Avenue and the large Spianada Square.
5. Plaka neighborhood
Plaka is the historical center of Athens and not a real village. But it reminds everything of a village. Although it is located within a short walking distance from the city center and right under the tourist spot of the Acropolis, Plaka gives a nice, relaxing feeling away from noisy crowds. Crossed by paved paths and with nice Neoclassical buildings, this is a nice quarter to stroll around the shops, enjoy a coffee or have dinner in the many traditional taverns of the region. Geographically Plaka is bordered by the Roman Agora in Monastiraki, the Arch of Hadrian and the Acropolis Museum.
6. Fiscardo village
Located on the northern side of Kefalonia, Fiscardo stretches around a lovely port. Surrounded by lush greenery, this is a popular mooring port for private yachts in the Ionian Sea. The port promenade of Fiscardo is lined up with many fish taverns, cafeterias, and lounge bars, making it a popular place all day and night. In close distance from the village, there are nice coves for swimming and diving. The port of Fiscardo is linked by ferry to the islands of Lefkada and Ithaca.
7. Apiranthos village
Located in the center of Naxos island, the name of this village means plenty of flowers. Apiranthos is surrounded by green mountains and stands out for its traditional architecture. With four museums and a beautiful central square, this is a wonderful place to stroll around and meet authentic people of Naxos. As a remnant from the Medieval era, you will see many Venetian towers in Apiranthos.
8. Olympos village
Located on the northern side of Karpathos, Olympos is a truly unique village. Surrounded by wild mountains, it seems like the village is lost in the clouds. Due to the isolated location and away from tourist crowds, the locals have managed to keep their original character: women wear their traditional costumes every day and each house has an outdoors wooden oven and a small chapel in the yard.
9. Monemvasia Castle
The Medieval Castle of Monemvasia is among the few castles that are still inhabited in Greece. With an evident Medieval style, the Castle (Kastro) of Monemvasia is divided into two quarters: Ano Poli (Upper Town) Town and Kato Poli (Lower Town). Kato Poli has shops, restaurants and old residences now turned into boutique hotels, while Ano Poli is not inhabited. From the top of the Castle, visitors get a breathtaking view of the sea.
10. Makrinitsa village
The mountainous region of Pelion has many wonderful villages with traditional stone houses and paved paths, surrounded by lush greenery. Makrinitsa stands out for the lovely central square with a gorgeous view of the town of Volos and the Pagasetic Gulf. Visitors love walking around the paved streets and checking out the traditional products at the entrance path of Makrinitsa. The surrounding nature is gorgeous and many hiking trails start from or cross this wonderful village.
Discover the villages by location
Information about the villages
Villages in the Cyclades are usually constructed around a port or along the slopes of a hill with a breathtaking sea view.
Houses are small and surrounded by flowered yards, no large block of flats.
The window shutters and doors are usually painted in blue or other vibrant colors.
Churches have white walls and blue domes, while the streets in the village center are narrow and paved.
The capital of the Cycladic islands is usually called Chora.
The most famous village in Greece is Oia, located on the Cycladic island of Santorini.
Due to the long occupation by Venetians in Medieval times, many Greek villages have evident Venetian architecture. The Old Town of Rhodes and Corfu are characteristic examples of this architecture with two or three-story residences, no balconies, and paved streets.
Such old towns are found in other places, like Chania & Rethymno in Crete, Monemvasia, Nafplion in the Peloponnese or the Chora of Naxos.
This is also why so many Venetian Castles are found all around the mainland country and the Greek islands.
The traditional style of mountainous villages has small stone houses, lovely yards, and paved square. Due to their remote location, mountainous villages have few inhabitants and truly authentic style.
Pelion, Zagorochoria, and Peloponnese are regions with picturesque villages in the mountains.
Most of them make their living from agriculture and cattle-breeding, while seaside villages mainly rely on tourism.
Read also our article: Ghost villages in Greece
