Islands, cities, food and ferry routes
Island hopping and the wider country
HEARTGREECE

Discover the HEART of Greece

Ferries, routes and regions, from the Aegean islands to the mainland.

Explore, plan and book authentic islands, cities, food, ferries and experiences.

Start exploring Plan the crossings

Photo: dronepicr, Sarakiniko Beach, Milos, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, tinted

Welcome to Heart Greece, your guide to a country we love. From ancient wonders and whitewashed islands to mountain villages and long seaside lunches, find the best of Greece here!

What makes Heart Greece different

Heart Athens is about one city and Heart Corfu about one island. Heart Greece is about moving: the ferry decks of the Aegean, the ports and routes between the island groups, and the mainland regions most visitors drive straight past.

Top stories

PlacesIoannina, the lakeside city of EpirusA lakeside city in Epirus with an Ottoman era fortress quarter, silversmiths and a small inhabited island reached by ferry.PlacesKalamataThe main city of Messenia, known for its olives, a long seafront and as the gateway to the Mani.PlacesNafpaktosA small Gulf of Corinth town with a perfectly circular Venetian harbour beneath a hillside castle.Day TripsMeteora MonasteriesSix working monasteries on top of sandstone pillars in Thessaly, reached by steps cut into the rock.What’s OnGreek Orthodox EasterApril or early May, dates vary (2027: 30 April to 3 May).

New on Heart Greece

Venues across Greece ›
Food946 places to eat and drinkTavernas, meze houses, bars and bakeries from the Cyclades to Thessaloniki, each listed by a published guide.TravelFerries, routes and regionsThe ports, the island groups, crossing times and suggested hops.TravelHoliday flats and the rulesThe registration number every let needs, and what rentals cost by season.Heart PicksDeniz’s own picksPersonal recommendations, never paid for. Plus delivery and shopping, and the forums.

Places

More in Places ›
ExploreSantoriniThe famous caldera, whitewashed villages and sunsets over the sea, with the clifftop village of Oia the classic spot to…Day TripsDelphiThe sanctuary of Apollo on the slope of Mount Parnassus, where the ancient world came to ask its questions.ItinerariesClassic Aegean HopAbout 10 days.Find Your WayA map of Greece that finds youSearch anywhere in Greece and get walking or driving directions from where you are.

Food

More in Food ›
Eat and DrinkKostas, AthensLegendary hole in the wall souvlaki since 1950.Eat and DrinkBougatsa Bantis, ThessalonikiA family bakery since 1969, famous for bougatsa.Taste of GreeceMoussakaThe layered bake of aubergine, spiced mince and béchamel, a lunchtime classic.Taste of GreeceSouvlakiSkewered grilled meat with pita and trimmings, Greece's beloved fast food (a bare skewer is a 'kalamaki').

Recipes

More in Recipes ›
RecipeHow to make spanakopitaSpinach and feta pie in crisp filo; the cheese only version is tiropita.RecipeHow to make baklavaLayers of filo, chopped nuts and syrup or honey, a sweet shared across the eastern Mediterranean.RecipeHow to make tzatzikiThe yoghurt, cucumber and garlic dip that partners grilled meats.RecipeHow to make a freddo espressoA double shot of hot espresso shaken hard over ice until it turns cold and builds a thick, long lasting crema on top, then…

Travel

More in Travel ›
Where to StayKatikies SantoriniA cliffside caldera icon with infinity pools in Oia.Getting AroundFerriesThe heart of island travel, from Piraeus and Rafina.Getting AroundIsland hoppingMoving between islands by ferry is part of the fun.FlightsFlights and airlinesWho flies where, airport opening hours and exactly what you can carry on board.

What’s On

More in What’s On ›
ConcertsConcerts and live musicFrom ancient theatres to basement rebetiko rooms.CinemaOpen air cinemaGreece watches films outdoors in summer and indoors in winter.SportFootball, basketball and the marathonFootball and basketball run through the winter, so there is almost always something on.CalendarEvery fixed date in the year aheadHarvests, Ohi Day, film festivals, carnival, Easter and the Assumption, nearest first.

Promotions

More in Promotions ›
FreeFree entry to every state museum and site on Ohi DayWed 28 Oct 2026: every state museum and archaeological site is free for all.FreeBenaki Museum of Greek Culture: free on Thursday eveningsEvery Thursday from 18:00 to midnight the permanent exhibition is free.DiscountsOver 65 from Greece or the EU: half price at state sites, October to MayUntil 31 May 2027, over 65s from the EU pay half at state sites.DiscountsAthens 3 day tourist ticket: €20 with a return airport trip€20 for 72 hours of travel plus a return trip to the airport.

Practical

More in Practical ›
Practical InfoEmergency NumbersSave these before you need them: 112 (EU emergency, English speaking, free of charge, and the same line that sends the…Trip PlanningBest Time to VisitLate May, June and September offer the same sunshine as peak summer with smaller crowds, shorter queues and noticeably lower…AppsMoovitThe one to install first.ExpatsMeetup, AthensThe busiest thing going, and free to browse.

Dictionary

More in Dictionary ›
A to ZAcropolisThe ancient citadel of Athens crowned by the Parthenon, Greece's most famous monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.A to ZMeltemiThe strong dry north wind of the Aegean summer that cools the islands but can cancel ferries.A to ZKafeneioThe traditional coffee house at the heart of every Greek village, for coffee, backgammon and conversation.A to ZPanigyriA village festival typically held in honour of a local patron saint's feast day, combining religious tradition with music…

Island Hopper

Plan a route between the islands, then check the sea and the weather at every port before you commit to a crossing.

  • Live conditions for 16 hub ports across the Aegean and Ionian.
  • Wind, wave and temperature side by side, so a rough crossing is obvious before you book.
  • Built for the summer ferry season, when a cancelled sailing costs you a whole day.

Open the Island Hopper

For Local Businesses

More in Business ›
BusinessList Your BusinessEvery genuine Greece business can have a card in the relevant section at no cost.BusinessFeatured PlacementYour card pinned to the top of its section, marked as featured, where people are already reading about exactly that kind of…BusinessHomepage BannerOne banner, above the fold, one advertiser at a time.BusinessSponsored GuideA full page about your place, written properly, kept up to date, and labelled as sponsored.

Contact Heart Greece

More in Contact ›
ContactList your businessFree.ContactAdvertise or partnerFeatured placement, a sponsored guide, or an affiliate arrangement on tours, stays and transfers.ContactCorrectionsPlaces close, prices change, ferries get rerouted.ContactPress and writersUsing something from Heart Greece in a piece, or want to contribute a guide to Greece?

Get in touch

General and reader enquiries
hello@heartgreece.com

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