The Best Honeymoon Ideas in Greece The Best Honeymoon Ideas in Greece

The Best Honeymoon Ideas in Greece

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Why go? With all the historic sites, delicious food, beautiful beaches, and dramatic seascapes, Greece truly has something for everyone, making it an ideal honeymoon hotspot.

Best Ideas: Cruise the Greek Islands, visit mountaintop villages, and catch a romantic sunset you’ll never forget at a restaurant by the water.

Good to Know: The Greeks are Europe’s biggest smokers (though the younger generation is kicking the habit), so while puffing indoors isn’t allowed, anticipate plumes of cigarette smoke to engulf most al fresco restaurants and bars. They also like to eat dinner late — we’re talking after 10:00 p.m. Other than stocking up on antacids, you’ll rediscover life’s simplest pleasures while in Greece, as long as you remember to savor every bit.

What do you think you know about Greece? A bit of the alphabet, perhaps, which you learned from your college’s fraternities (though you’re totally mispronouncing those letters). Or the basic concept of democracy, the form of government invented by the ancient Greeks, which we totally improved upon… or maybe not at all. You’re also very familiar with Greece’s most iconic street food, the gyro, which you can now find at Arby’s drive-thrus across the country. 

The Cradle of Western Civilization — replete with scenic pockets fit for cradling your new spouse — includes Europe’s best beaches, world-famous archeological sites, and luxurious hotels fit for any budget. An easygoing attitude is always a sexy trait, which Greece exemplifies at its core, alongside rich cultural treasures enshrined in great food, influential architecture, and generous hospitality. Though America’s adapted some pretty significant Greek inventions, you’ll have to go there for the real deal. The country is a honeymoon heavyweight in the destination department, for its passionate people, the crystal seas of the Mediterranean, and sunshine that just won’t quit. Here’s how to make it happen.

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Traveling & Getting Around Greece

There’s never really a bad time to go to Greece. You can go skiing in the winter, hiking in the spring and fall, and to the beach all summer long. But the sweet spots really are during the shoulder seasons, May through June or September through October. It’s the best timeframe for ample sunshine without the oppressive heat. You’ll also skip the tourist crowds and peak pricing. The sea is at its warmest in the early fall, though most islands become dead zones past mid-October. 

The Euro is Greece’s official currency. Credit cards are widely accepted, though keeping cash on hand is a smart idea. Tipping is always optional, but it’s customary to leave a few Euro coins or up to 10% of the bill if it’s a pricier meal. There’s no need to tip at bars.

Several airlines have direct flights to Athens from the East Coast, including Delta, United, American, and Emirates. Once in Athens, the rest of Greece is pretty easy to reach with flights to the major islands on national carriers (namely Aegean and Olympic) and an extensive network of ferries departing from the main port of Piraeus. Inter-island transit can be tricky unless you’re in the same “family.” In other words, you can get from Santorini to Mykonos with a quick boat ride, but you’ll have to stop in Athens if Corfu is on your itinerary. Driving around Greece is also super easy, with (mostly) omnipresent bilingual highway signs, though driving in aggressive Athenian traffic can be a dizzying experience. 

Honeymooning in Greece: Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Favorable weather nearly all year round.
  • Food will rarely disappoint, and can be affordable compared to other European destinations (though not always… see below).

Cons:

  • Limited inter-island transport except within island “families.”
  • The most popular islands can be outrageously pricey (we’re talking $30 margaritas on some Mykonos beaches).
  • Rampant bureaucracy and inefficiency can lead to transport strikes and shoddy customer service.

Greek Regions

  • Athens

    Athens, Greece
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    (Photo by nikos_karmis_photography)

    Although Greece’s morale-shattering economic crisis still lingers and unemployment is still strikingly high, the buzzing capital is experiencing a creative renaissance of sorts. The arts and design scene is flourishing with galleries and culture hubs, like the Renzo Piano-designed Stavros Niarchos Foundation. Innovative chefs are looking inward with a renewed appreciation for Greece’s own culinary traditions rather than emulating foreign trends. Formerly grungy neighborhoods are being revitalized with independent boutiques and cafes. 

  • Thessaloniki

    Thessaloniki, Greece
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    (Photo by Thessaloniki Travel)

    Despite being Greece’s second largest city, being home to several national universities brings a youthful ambiance to Thessaloniki’s social scene, with killer nightlife and restaurants. It often plays second fiddle to Athens in the antiquities department, but is listed by UNESCO as an “open museum” of early Christian and Byzantine art with over a dozen sites preserved from the Ancient Roman times to last century’s Ottoman rule. 

  • Peloponnese

    Peloponnese 220 16, Greece
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    (Photo by Peloponnese_Gr)

    When the Corinth Canal was carved to make boat travel more efficient from one side of Greece to the other, one-third of the country’s land mass technically became an island. The lesser-visited Peloponnese region is still considered the mainland, however, and is a paradise for honeymooners who like to road trip. With historic towns like Nafplio, Monemvasia, and the dramatic coastlines of Porto Heli and Costa Navarino, building a driving itinerary around the peninsula is a great way to go. 

  • Crete

    Crete Region, Greece
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    (Photo by Crete Island)

    Greeks often say that Crete is its own country, not just because it’s the largest island within Greece’s borders, but because it’s always more or less had an independent Cretan culture. From the age of the ancient Minoans to the occupying Venetians and Brits, Crete is an intriguing blend of old and new. Relative to the rest of Greece, luxury resorts are probably going to be affordable here. 

  • The Greek Islands

    Thera 847 00, Greece
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    (Photo of Oia in Santorini by Federico)

    Greece has over six thousand islands peppered across the Aegean and Ionian Seas, and most of them are uninhabited. Excluding Crete, the isles are categorized into six groups based on geography: Cyclades, Ionian, Sporades, Northern Aegean, Dodecanese, and Saronic. Like any family, the groups have unique characteristics that encompass their natural environment, architectural traditions, and cultural uniqueness. 

  • Best Attractions & Activities in Greece

  • The Acropolis

    Acropolis, Athens 116 36, Greece
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    (Photo by This Is Athens)

    First-timers to Greece: A visit to the Acropolis is non-negotiable, no matter how many tourists ambush the site on a daily basis. Mornings are guaranteed to be mobbed, so visit in the late afternoon when families and tour groups head back to their hotels for a siesta. Start at the Acropolis Museum for educational context before climbing up the steps up to the historic citadel and emblematic Parthenon temple. After hitting up the touristy districts of Plaka and Monastiraki, spend time in emerging neighborhoods like Kypseli and Koukaki, where hipsters mingle over afternoon frappes (addictive frothy iced coffee) for hours — literally.

  • Check Out the Athenian Riviera

    Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni 166 71, Greece
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    (Photo by Astir Beach)

    We often hear folks jumping to conclude that the Greek capital is gritty and smothered in graffiti. Certain parts are for sure, but to experience a ritzier, polished side of this great city, grab a taxi or take the shore-hugging tram eastward along the Athenian Riviera. Seek out the beach clubs (Astir Beach is the most exclusive), seafront cafes (Balux is the trendiest), and high end boutiques of Metaxa Avenue in the towns of Glyfada, Voula, and Vouliagmeni. Cape Sounio — the grand Temple of Poseidon — marks the end of the Riviera. 

  • Explore Nafplio

    Nafplion, Greece
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    (Photo by Nafplio Greece)

    Few enclaves rival the laid back charms of the Greek islands, but Nafplio is the closest you can get without leaving the mainland. Plus, unlike the islands, it’s a year-round destination, all just two-hour drive from the capital. Rent a car from Athens and make pit stops at the impressive Corinth Canal and Nemea vineyards. A stroll through the cobblestone streets of the historic center will reveal why Greek honeymooners have flocked here for decades. 

  • Visit the Medieval Village of Monemvasia

    Monemvasia, Greece
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    (Photo by Monemvasia Society)

    It’s a shock that Game of Thrones never filmed in Monemvasia, a medieval village carved into the side of a giant rocky promontory off the eastern Pelopponese. But it’s a blessing after all — a vaccination preventing the Gibraltar of Greece from going viral. Prepare to be enchanted by Byzantine chapels, Venetian-style manors, and the famous Monemvasia castle, the only one in Europe that’s never not been inhabited. 

  • Discover Scenic Mani Peninsula

    Mani Peninsula, Greece
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    (Photo of Cape Matapan by Peloponnese_Gr)

    Don’t miss the ruggedly picturesque Mani peninsula, the middle finger of the Pelopponese hand. (Just look at satellite imagery to see what we’re talking about.) At one point in time, the end of the peninsula was the farthest point of the known world for Ancient Greeks. The nearby Cape Matapan caves were also thought of as an entrance to Hades in the underworld, while the whole area is dubbed the Sanctuary of the Dead. It’s a vastly underrated part of country for lovebirds seeking seclusion in the Hellenic countryside. Drive through coastal hamlets (Limeni is a stunner), abandoned ghost towns (especially the stone 18th-century tower houses of Vatheia), and lovely pebble beaches.

  • Visit UNESCO World Heritage Wonders

    Korai 3, Athina 105 64, Greece
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    (Photo by Prestige Greece)

    Sign up for a two-day limo tour with Prestige Greece of Delphi and Meteora, to see a pair of UNESCO-designated wonders in the country’s interior. On day one, your professional chauffeur will pass through the ski town of Arachova before dropping you off at the awesome Delphi archeological site, where oracles hallucinated with prophetic grumblings at the foot of Mount Parnassus. Day two brings you to the floating Meteora monasteries, which seamlessly cap off sky-high sandstone pillars that jut out from the Thessaly plains. Your thoughts will evolve from “Wow, this is incredible” to “How the hell did they build this?” to “Get me down from here.” 

  • Best Hotels, Resorts & Airbnbs in Greece

  • Airbnb: Lycabettus Nill, Athens

    Best Views Athens 114 71, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Airbnb)

    Vibe: Airbnbs in Athens are plenty and an affordable choice. Entire apartments run under $200 per night. Snag one that has views of the Acropolis, like this one near Lycabettus Hill with a roof deck and jacuzzi. 

    Price: Rates from $136 a night.

  • Hotel Grand Bretagne

    Best Rooftop Pool 1 Vasileos Georgiou A, Syntagma Square Str, Athina 105 64, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens)

    Vibe: You could certainly splurge on hotels, like the stately Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens.

    Price: Rates start at $303, which is worth it for the rooftop pool. 

  • Perianth Hotel

    Best Location in Athens 2, Limpona Street, Athina 105 60, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Perianth Hotel)

    Vibe: Choose a more modest option like the modernist Perianth Hotel.

    Price: Rates start at $118 a night for a double room. 

  • Coco-Mat Hotel Athens

    Best Value Patriarchou Ioakim 36, Athina 106 75, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Coco-Mat Hotel Athens)

    Vibe: Eco-friendly Coco-Mat is also a gem.

    Price: Rates start at $116 a night. 

  • Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens

    Best "Go Big or Go Home" Splurge Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni 166 71, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Astir Palace Athens)

    Vibe: For resort-style luxury just outside the city, migrate to the sparkling Athenian Riviera. The posh Four Seasons Hotel Astir Palace Athens is tough to beat for honeymoon glamor.

    Price: But you’ll pay for it, with rates starting at about $500 per night for a standard sea view suite. 

  • The Margi

    Worth the Splurge Litous 11, Vouliagmeni 166 71, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of The Margi)

    Vibe: Also in the tony district is The Margi, an attractive boutique hotel that’s become a hotspot in the “Hamptons of Greece.” 

    Price: Rates from $380 a night.

  • Kyrimai Hotel

    Best Waterfront Hotel Γερολιμένας Ν. Λακωνίας, Gerolimenas 230 71, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Kyrimai Hotel)

    Vibe: In Gerolimenas, at the tip of the Mani Peninsula, is the uber-romantic waterfront Kyrimai Hotel.

    Price: Rooms in this restored early 19th-century abode start at $128 per night, and include access to a dreamy pool and onsite restaurant. 

  • Kinsterna Hotel

    Best for History Buffs Ag. Stefanos 230 70, Greece
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    (Photo by Kinsterna Hotel)

    Vibe: In Monemvasia, post up at Kinsterna Hotel, a historic Byzantine-era estate.

    Price: Double rooms start at $151 a night. 

  • If you’re headed to the islands, Airbnbs may not be the best options as they are better suited for larger groups. Hotels offer a far more romantic experience, many of them packaging up tempting honeymoon deals, and they’re often located in more scenic areas like the beach or away from the village noise.

  • Cavo Tagoo

    Best Place to Live Like a Celebrity Mikonos 846 00, Greece
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    (Photo by Cavo Tagoo)

    Vibe: The Cyclades boast some of Greece’s most stylish hotels, fusing traditional whitewashed architecture with modern conveniences. The best of the bunch are on Mykonos. Cavo Tagoo is among the most coveted stays on the island thanks to a now-legendary pool scene ripe with celebrity spotting opps.

    Price: Rates start at $536 a night.

  • The Hermes Mykonos Hotel

    Best Off-The-Beaten-Path Hotel Mykonos Town [Chora], Mikonos 846 00, Greece
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    (Photo by Hermes Mykonos Hotel)

    Vibe: The Hermes Mykonos Hotel, located a short walk from the maze of Mykonos Town, will be gentler on your wallet.

    Price: Rates start at $126 per night. 

  • Senia Hotel Paros

    Most Romantic Naoussa Paros, Paros 844 01, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Senia Hotel Paros)

    Vibe: Another romantic hotel in the Cyclades is Senia Hotel Paros.

    Price: Rooms from $160 per night. 

  • Villa Marandi Luxury Suites

    Best Suites Stelida Area, Naxos 843 00, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Villa Marandi Luxury Suites)

    Vibe: Villa Marandi Luxury Suites in Naxos offers affordable luxury. 

    Price: Rooms from $220 per night.

  • Skinopi Lodge

    Best Example of Rustic-Chic skinopi 848 00, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Skinopi Lodge)

    Vibe: Rustic-chic is the best way to describe Skinopi Lodge in Milos.

    Price: Prices start at $300 a night. 

     

  • Diles & Rinies

    Best Villas Lia Cyclades, Tinos 842 00, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Diles & Rinies)

    Vibe: Diles & Rinies’ villas is located on the holy isle of Tinos. 

    Price: Prepare for rates, which usually start at $300 a night, to double from low to high season. 

  • Domes Miramare

    Best for Island-Style Luxury Miramare Beach, Μοραϊτικα 490 84, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Domes Miramare)

    Vibe: While the white-and-blue palette of the Cyclades is the most common vision of Greece, the Ionian islands on Greece’s west side present something completely different with dense pine forests and Venetian architecture.

    Price: Stay at Domes Miramare for the most luxurious stay on the island of Corfu, maybe the entire Ionians, starting at $230 per night. 

  • Casa Cook Rhodes

    Most Affordable European Union St, Kolympia 851 02, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Casa Cook)

    Vibe: Adults-only Casa Cook is located in the eastern isle of Rhodes.

    Price: Low-season rates start at $135 a night. 

  • Domes of Elounda

    Best Honeymoon Hotel in Crete Elounda 720 53, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Domes of Elounda)

    Vibe: Domes of Elounda in Crete is another standout honeymoon-worthy hotel.

    Price: Rates from $220 a night. 

  • Airbnb: Spectacular Luxury Villa in Santorini

    Best Luxury Villa Pirgos Kallistis, Greece
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    (Photo by Airbnb)

    Vibe: This charming one-bedroom Cycladic-style vacation home offers spectacular views of Oia from Pyrgos, a town in central Santorini. The extremely reasonable rate includes a private infinity pool with Jacuzzi jets, transfers to and from the airport, daily breakfast, and daily housekeeping (note that these services are not available between November and March).

    Price: From $145 a night.

  • Airbnb: Hector Cave House in Oia

    Coolest Cave House Oia, Greece
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    (Photo by Airbnb)

    Vibe: This cozy cave home was originally used as a wine cellar and carved into the caldera cliffside more than 250 years ago before being transformed into a family owned summer house. Today, you can enjoy the legendary Oia sunsets from its private plunge pool on your veranda after a long day of Santorini sightseeing.

    Price: From $278 a night.

  • It’s also worth perusing The Thinking Traveler’s portfolio of villas throughout Greece, especially on the lush island retreats of Lefkada, Meganissi, or the lesser-known Sporades group (where Mamma Mia was filmed).

  • Honeymoon Packages & Cruises in Greece

  • Windstar Cruises

    Pireas 185 38, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Windstar Cruises)

    A slew of honeymoon packages can make Greece an even more appealing destination, magnifying the romance with every perk. Departing from Athens, Windstar’s Treasures of the Greek Isles itinerary — one of its flagship honeymoon cruises — docks at Mykonos, Santorini, and Patmos (favored by the fashion crowd), as well as Monemvasia and Nafplio during a week-long cruise. Prices start at about $12,000 per couple. 

  • Regent Seven Seas

    Pireas 185 38, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Regent Seven Seas)

    Regent Seven Seas outlines an even more extensive tour with its Grecian Wonders itinerary from Athens to Istanbul. The route’s cheek-to-cheek approach hits up the Ionian Islands in the west, Crete to the south, and the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to the east. This package earns extra points for offering free business-class airfare and a 2-for-1 savings of $2,000 to make the $11,000 price tag a bit easier to swallow. 

  • Grecotel Corfu Imperial Resort

    Tzavros - Kommeno, Kerkira 490 83, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Grecotel Corfu Imperial)

    Grecotel Corfu Imperial resort has four carefully curated honeymoon packages, two of which are complementary to add on if you show a wedding certificate from the past twelve months. Look forward to bottles of bubbly wine, traditional wedding sweets like honey-soaked melokarido cookies, and a candlelit dinner at one of 15 (!) seafront restaurants. 

  • Best Restaurants & Bars in Greece

  • Point A

    Best Upscale Greek Food Rovertou Galli 4a, Athina 117 42, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Point A)

    Point A ($$$) is a stunning food destination up on the roof garden of the Herodion Hotel in Athens. The restaurant-gallery hybrid features a rotating curation of Greek paintings and sculptures from local exhibitions. It’ll be a tug of war of the senses between savoring your succulent lamb dish and taking in breathtaking vistas of the Acropolis.

  • Veganaki

    Best for Vegans and Vegetarians Athanasiou Diakou 38, Athina 117 43, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Veganaki)

    Vegetarian crusaders passing through Athens will find their holy grail at Veganaki ($). Refuel from your antiquities circuit with crispy nuggets of falafel, fresh salads, and gluten-free versions of traditional Greek pies. Coffee is free trade, too. 

  • Ithaki

    Best Upscale Seafood Apollonos, Αθήνας 28, Vouliagmeni 166 71, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Ithaki)

    Even if you’re not overnighting on the Athenian Coast, plan a sunset dinner at Ithaki ($$$$) in the affluent suburb of Vouliagmeni. Perched on a sea-facing hill, this upmarket restaurant is a stomping ground for Athens’ glitterati obsessed with the seafood specialities caught from the Med earlier that day.

  • The Many Restaurants of Mykonos

    Best for a Big Night Out Belvedere Hotel, Mikonos 846 00, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Matsuhisa Mykonos)

    Mykonos has a smattering of global names in glamorous dining, including Buddha Bar at the exclusive Santa Marina Resort, Ling Ling from the Hakkasan team, Nobu’s Matsuhisa at the Belvedere, and even Nusr-Et ($$$$) of “salt bae” fame. Food-wise they’re all fairly decent, but will set you back a pretty Euro penny. And hold the salt. 

  • Matoula Restaurant

    Best Family Run Restaurant Monemvasia 230 70, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Matoula Restaurant)

    Throughout the Pelopponese, you can rely on finding delightfully authentic, family-run tavernas. That’s not to say they’re any less romantic than a fancy Myconian price-gouger. There’s 60-year-old Matoula Restaurant ($$), tucked in the gardens of the Monemvasia Castle with a vine-covered terrace overlooking the ocean. 

  • Taverna Byzantio

    Best for Live Music Vasileos Alexandrou 15, Nafplio 211 00, Greece
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    (Photo of Taverna Byzantio by world_citynstreet)

    Nafplio’s Taverna Byzantio ($$) in the Old Town, famed for its charcoal-grilled meats and live rembetika music, the Greek blues. 

  • Telonio

    Best Waterfront Restaurant Limeni 230 62, Greece
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    (Photo courtesy of Telonio)

    Dreamy Telonio ($$$) is a great little waterfront seafood restaurant in the quaint village of Limeni in Mani. 

  • Bottom Line

    Politics and romance should never be used in the same sentence, but the Birthplace of Democracy is one honeymoon destination we’ll always vote for. Put that in your pita and eat it.