Heidi Fuller-Love

Greece might be the birthplace of democracy but it also has Europe’s longest coastline, which is probably why most travellers vote with their feet and head for the beaches. You might like your beaches buzzy, golden and packed with beachy cafés. Or perhaps you’d like yours served up in the shape of a secret pirate’s hideaway. Perhaps you’re after aesthetically pleasing spots that will look great on your Instagram feed. Whatever you’re looking for, here are the most mouth-watering beach treats in Greece. Happy chilling.  RECOMMENDED:🇬🇷 The best places to visit in Greece🏝️ The most beautiful Greek islands🏨 The best hotels in Greece🏖️ The best beaches in Europe Heidi Fuller-Love is a Greece expert based in Crete. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.  

Mykonos has gained a bit of a reputation for being one of Europe’s victims of overtourism. And it’s true – much of this beautiful island has become lined with tourist trap restaurants, naff souvenir shops and beaches full of commercial sunbeds.  But if you know where to look, Mykonos’s magic is still very much alive. On any given week in Mykonos, you can party all night to famous DJs, have dinner overlooking a crystal-blue sea, stroll through its old town and head out on a day trip by boat. Your best bet might just be heading there in the quieter months to avoid the crowds. Here are the best things to do on Mykonos. RECOMMENDED:🧿 The best hotels in Mykonos🏝️ The best Greek islands to visit🇬🇷 The best places to visit in Greece🏖️ The best beaches in Europe Marissa Tejada and Heidi Fuller-Love are writers based in Greece. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.  

From the volcanic majesty of Santorini to the culinary charms of Sifnos, Greece’s islands are the country at its absolute best. No country in Europe is better suited for island-hopping, whether you’re driving or catching a couple of ferries.  Greece may have myriad brilliant things to do, but what can beat pure, unadulterated beachside bliss? That’s right, nothing. So we’ve rounded up the very best Greek islands to visit, and the best things to do while you’re there. Whatever the holiday you’re after, here are the best islands in Greece.  RECOMMENDED:🇬🇷 The best places to visit in Greece🏨 The best hotels in Greece🧿 The ultimate guide to Athens🏖️ The best beaches in Europe Heidi Fuller-Love is a travel writer and Greece expert based in Crete. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.  

‘Overtourism’. It’s more than a buzzword – in the world’s most popular destinations, it’s a problem that affects almost every aspect of local life, from the environment to the cost of renting, transport and eating out. And when a place is overwhelmed by people, it’s not only locals’ quality of life that suffers; the quality of your holiday does, too.  But, with baby steps, it looks like things could be changing. Destinations like Italy and Japan are coming up with ways to redistribute tourism from densely crowded hotspots to lesser-visited regions. Among travellers, overtourism has given rise to the ‘destination dupes’ trend, where overrun holiday destinations are swapped out for less crowded, less expensive, but just-as-good alternatives.  On our newly updated list of the world’s most underrated travel destinations, you won’t find your Bangkoks or your Balis, your Amalfis or your Amsterdams. What you will find is a Yosemite dupe, Morocco’s overlooked neighbour, a place where penguins outnumber people, and plenty more travel inspo where that came from.Chosen by our network of expert editors and globetrotting travel writers, these overlooked spots offer great (or quiet) alternatives to the classics. And in many cases, they’re places that actually really want visitors. In other words, travelling to any of these 24 criminally overlooked destinations is a win-win situation. See you out there? RECOMMENDED: 🏰 The most underrated travel destinations in Europe🚞 12 ways to be a bett

The French Riviera might be the international capital of luxury travel, but you don’t have to be super rich and wealthy to enjoy some fun in paradise. You can easily bask in the sun on a beautiful beach and not spend a single euro, and if you know the right spots, there are most certainly good towns for a budget. Brave the narrow, and sometimes steep, streets of Eze and marvel at the panoramic views from the mountainside village. Or coordinate your outfits with the bright and vibrant buildings in the medieval old town of Menton. Even if just for a day, embrace the life of luxury and leave with enough to fantasise about when you’re back at home. The best way to do it? Rent a car and tick each of them off on a colossal road trip. Sound good? We agree. Here are the best places to visit on the French Riviera.  When is the best time to visit? When planning your trip to the French Riviera, aim for spring or late summer, particularly September if you can avoid the crowds. RECOMMENDED:🏨 The best hotels in the South of France🇫🇷 The best places to visit in France🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Nice🏰 The prettiest villages in France This guide was last updated by Chloe Braithwaite, a writer based in Nice in the South of France. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more informatio

Stretching some 300kms from tip to toe, the megalo nisi, as it’s known to Greeks, (meaning the ‘big island’) is a bite-sized dose of everything this fabulous country does best; mainly great food, and plenty of sun, sea and sand.  From stunning seaside resorts with golden beaches and turquoise waters, to buzzing cities packed with sights and attractions, and budget-friendly regions where travellers rarely venture, here are the five best places to stay in Crete. RECOMMENDED:🧿 Where to stay in Mykonos🏛️ Where to stay in Athens🏖️ The best things to do in Crete🇬🇷 The best places to visit in Greece Heidi Fuller-Love is a travel writer and Greece expert based in Crete. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.  

The largest of the Balearic Islands is a hugely underrated spot. Majorca seems to have earned a bit of a reputation for ‘Brits abroad’, but if you know the right spots, you’ll see a different side of it entirely.  Home to some of the best beaches you’ll ever see, you’ll spend your days strolling quaint old towns, taking dazzling hikes, studying ancient ruins and tasting the very best sobrasada, fresh fish and coca de trempó Majorca has to offer. From flea markets to hidden coves, here are the best things to do in Majorca.  RECOMMENDED:🏨 The best hotels in Majorca📍 The best places to visit in Spain🇪🇸 Our ultimate guide to Spain Mary-Ann Gallagher is a travel writer and guidebook author. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have 

There’s nothing quite like standing at the top of the multicoloured cliffs that Santorini is famous for. This island is one of the most unique destinations in the world, and not just because it is in the huge crater of a volcano. The scenery here seems crafted by the Greek gods: whitewashed villages crown the island with views over its sea-flanked edges, rural vineyards span huge stretches inland, and the beaches are black, red and out of this world. There’s plenty for explorers, foodies and culture vultures to discover, from archaeological sites to swimming spots and friendly hotels, brilliant wine and Mediterranean food. RECOMMENDED🛏 Where to stay in Santorini🏨 The best hotels in Santorini🇬🇷 The best places to visit in Greece🏝️ The best Greek islands Marissa Tejada is a writer based in Greece. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Corfu is a little different to the other beloved Greek islands (geography plays its part), but this slice of paradise is inundated with annual visitors for good reason. The landscape is luxurious and leafy, brimming with olive trees and fruit groves, giving Corfu a verdant feel that is easy to get lost in. What are the best things to do on Corfu? Well, be on Corfu for a start, but there is plenty to get your teeth into on this beautiful island. Gorgeous architecture, stunning walks, idyllic beaches and ornate palaces headline, but the beauty of Corfu arguably lies in the spaces. You’re going to love this place. Greece at its absolute finest. RECOMMENDED:🧿 The best places to visit in Greece🏝️ The most beautiful Greek islands🏨 The best hotels in Greece🏛 The best things to do in Athens Heidi Fuller-Love and Marissa Tejada are travel writers based in Greece. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Ibiza’s reputation as one of the most notorious party islands on the planet may turn a lot of people off (and turn plenty on), but there is much more to this place than hitting the clubs and throwing shapes until the sun comes up. Ibiza’s beaches are delightful, the seafood is tremendous, and the rugged landscape is a joy to behold. Of course, the clubs are fantastic, but don’t make the mistake of thinking Ibiza is a one-trick pony. The best things to do in Ibiza cover plenty of ground, from lazing on the beach to all-night parties. What a wonderful, wonderful place. RECOMMENDED:🏨 The best hotels in Ibiza🏠 The best Airbnbs in Ibiza🏖 The best places to visit in Spain😋 The best restaurants in Spain This guide is by travel writers Alice Tait and Heidi Fuller-Love. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Mykonos might be known for being a bit of a party holiday destination, but there’s more to this Greek island than meets the eye, and each of its main areas offers something a little different.  And sure, it’s popular with jetsetters who come here to hang out on stunning beaches, dance ‘till dawn in glitzy nightclubs and prowl stylish boutiques and bars in the alleys of Chora town. But this pocket-sized Cyclades Island also has a quieter side if you know where to look. From lively city hangouts to peaceful beach resorts, here’s where to stay in Mykonos. RECOMMENDED:🏨 The best hotels in Mykonos🧿 The best things to do in Mykonos🇬🇷 The best places to visit in Greece🏛️ The best things to do in Athens Heidi Fuller-Love is a travel writer and Greece expert based in Crete. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.  

Even from a distance, Santorini is a sight to behold. Surrounded by the azure Aegean Sea and home to its famous flooded caldera, it’s a true gem of the Cyclades. This is the Greece that attracts tourists from all across the globe: the sugar cube-like houses glinting in the sunlight (almost good enough to eat) and the domes of Orthodox churches sending flashes of blue through the landscape. The island is almost too attractive. On the days when a cruise ship has docked, Santorini’s largest towns, like Fira and Oia, become packed with friendly visitors. But don’t let that put you off. If you know where to look, there are plenty of lesser-known, picture-perfect spots to stay away from the hustle and bustle. Start your holiday here. And now, relax... RECOMMENDED:🇬🇷New to Greece? Here's where to stay in Santorini☀️Check out the best spots to visit in Greece  Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

It’s hard not to make jokes about having to build your own bed when you stay in the world’s only IKEA Hotell, but I resisted the temptation when I checked into this unique property in Älmhult: the remote, lake-studded region of southern Sweden where IKEA’s founder Ingvar Kamprad grew up.  I reached the flatpack furniture giant’s only hotel after a two-hour train ride from Copenhagen. With that iconic blue and yellow sign outside, it was hard to miss. The 254 rooms – which range from cabins with bunks beds and shared bathrooms to doubles with plump queen beds – stay true to IKEA’s budget-friendly ethos, with one-night stays coming in well under €100. And – as you’d expect — they’re all furnished with some of IKEA’s most iconic products: Lisabo tables, Poang easy chairs, Boomerang coat hangers. It’s a bit like walking into one of those staged sets you find in an IKEA warehouse, only with a shower tacked on.  Photograph: Booking.com Although the rooms are Scandi-style bland, with blonde parquet floors, beige walls and white cotton curtains, there are excellent IKEA-style add-ons that travellers and digital nomads (like me) will love. Included is a free-to-use communal lounge area complete with fridge, sink and dishwasher, plus a laundry room – also free – where you can put a wash on before heading down to IKEA Hotell’s gleaming restaurant for a fika (that’s Swedish for snack) or – you guessed it – lingonberry-smothered meatballs. Photograph: Booking.com IKEA was founded by I