After years of saying, “One day we’ll go,” we finally booked our dream trip to Greece — six and a half days in Rhodes, followed by four and a half days in Athens. I’d only been to Greece once before, on a chilled-out, all-inclusive holiday to Corfu about five years ago. That trip was all cocktails, sunbeds, warm seawater and eating until I physically couldn’t anymore. Bliss.
But this time, we wanted something different.
A mix of adventure and relaxation.
History and good food.
Pool days and mythological nerd-out moments.
Plus, I’d had “See the Acropolis” on my bucket list since I was 13.
Rhodes and Athens ended up being completely different experiences, but both left me genuinely obsessed with Greece.
Rhodes
Arriving in Rhodes & First Impressions
We landed early Tuesday morning into warm, slightly cloudy weather — basically perfect after leaving whatever British misery was happening at home. The drive from the airport was surprisingly short and ridiculously scenic, weaving through rugged hills, dry rocky patches, clusters of greenery, and that unmistakable “we’re somewhere properly Mediterranean now” landscape.
We stayed at the Kresten Royal Euphoria Resort, and honestly, the first thing that hit me was: this place is huge. Beautifully maintained pathways, everything freshly painted, not a scrap of litter anywhere. Very resort-y in the best way.
Our junior suite came with our own private pool overlooking the sea — an absolute slice of luxury. The room looked modern at first glance, but once we’d settled in, you could see it was a bit worn in places. Nothing tragic — just well-used, end-of-season vibes. The bathroom, though? Amazing. Two showers and a jacuzzi bathtub. Easily the best bathroom I’ve ever had in a hotel.
One thing we weren’t expecting — even though reviews mentioned it — was the smell. Being near a sewage plant meant a weird aroma hit you as soon as you walked outside. Not pleasant, but also… weirdly easy to get used to. After five minutes, you just stop noticing it completely.
The grounds, however, were gorgeous. Bright plants, colourful trees, spotless walkways… the sort of place where your shoulders immediately drop and you think, Yes. Holiday mode activated.
Pool Bars, Snacks & Settling Into Island Life
The moment we reached the pool bar, we realised this would be our little home base for the week.
The drinks? Free — amazing.
The taste? Chaotic.
Some were very strong. Some were syrup in disguise. The secret was adding water, which actually worked wonders. But the real magic wasn’t the drinks — it was the snack area.
They served food during the awkward “restaurant closed” gap, which was a lifesaver. We’re talking:
- Fresh crepes with loads of toppings
- A mountain of fruit
- Ice cream
- Gyros
- Burgers & chips
- And the BEST thing: koulouri with feta, tomato, and pepper
We loved that so much we’ve started making it at home.
We spent a good few hours that afternoon just relaxing — playing rummy, people-watching, sipping questionable cocktails, listening to background music that wasn’t too loud, and just… decompressing. Loads of sunbeds, friendly atmosphere, not too busy — perfect first-day vibes.
Dinner: A Genuine Highlight of the Entire Trip
Let me not be dramatic here… but also, let me be dramatic.
This hotel’s buffet was unbelievable.
Fresh salads, great fish, tender meats, perfect pasta, desserts that tasted homemade — I went up for seconds (and sometimes thirds) every night purely because everything was so good. All-inclusive food is usually hit or miss. This? I would pay to eat here again.
The Resort Cats, Evening Entertainment & Our Little Beach
As with pretty much everywhere in the Mediterranean, there were cats.
Many cats.
Friendly, happy, well-fed cats that had absolutely claimed the hotel as their kingdom. We adored them.
The resort’s private beach
The beach was small and shaded for a decent part of the day, so we didn’t spend much time there. But when we first went down to check it out, we spotted a lionfish floating near the rocks — such an unexpected and very cool moment.
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Exploring Rhodes Old Town – My Favourite Part of the Island
On our first full day, we grabbed the €2.50 bus into Rhodes Old Town — and I was not ready for how stunning it was.
Walking along the seafront was beautiful: a warm breeze, lively restaurants, the smell of grilled seafood mixing with salty air. Then we walked through St Paul’s Gate… and it felt like stepping back in time.
The Medieval City of Rhodes completely blew me away.
Stone streets twisting in every direction, dramatic walls, flowers spilling over balconies, and a maze of tiny shops selling:
- Statues of gods
- Mythological ornaments
- Jewellery
- Ceramics
- Tourist souvenirs (of course)
It was busy but not in an overwhelming way — lively, colourful, and ridiculously easy to get lost in. My Percy Jackson–obsessed younger self was living their best life.
Cocktail Recommendations
Chevalier Shisha & Cocktail Lounge Bar
Tucked in Hippocrates Square. Mojitos are unreal.
But do not order the large mojito unless you want to suffer.
Balcony 961
Tiny balcony, only about 14 seats.
The owner is incredibly friendly, chatty, and keeps giving out free drinks.
A top-tier people-watching spot.
After wandering the streets, we got caught in the most incredible lightning storm — but from a distance. From our hotel balcony later that night, we watched constant flashes illuminating the sky above the sea. It was honestly one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. Cocktails + thunderstorms = perfection.
We loved Old Town so much we went back later in the week — which resulted in us (slightly tipsy) browsing an art gallery and buying a piece to take home. No regrets.
Lindos – Climbing Up to Ancient Beauty
On our second full day, we headed to Lindos, and wow — what a place.
Whitewashed buildings packed tightly together, narrow little lanes, rooftop restaurants with insane views, shops full of souvenirs… it felt like walking through a postcard.
We grabbed frozen strawberry daiquiris and some amazing Greek bruschetta before making our way up to the Acropolis of Lindos.
The climb is steep, but manageable.
If you prefer, you can take a donkey (some people do it for novelty rather than necessity), but we walked.
The views the whole way up are incredible — sparkling sea, white buildings, cliffs, everything.
And then the Acropolis itself… breathtaking.
Ancient columns, temple remains, pathways worn down by thousands of years of footsteps. Seeing Greek inscriptions still carved so clearly into stone honestly blew my mind.
It’s absolutely worth visiting Lindos for this alone.
Only thing I regret? Not doing one of the glass-bottom boat tours. Next time!
Rhodes Summary
Rhodes was everything I hoped it would be — warm, beautiful, friendly, full of history and charm.
I’d go back in a heartbeat (maybe in slightly warmer weather).
Old Town was my favourite, but every day had its own special moment.
Athens
Hotel & First Impressions
After a lovely, relaxing few days in Rhodes, we flew to Athens for the more “tourist mode” portion of the trip — museums, tours, ruins, food, all of it.
We stayed at Athens21, right near Monastiraki Square, and our room had a balcony view of the Acropolis. At night, with everything lit up… absolutely unbelievable.
The staff were great, the apartment was cosy but stylish, and the location was perfect.
Our first evening, we wandered to the Roman Agora before stopping at Taverna Akropoli for dinner. If you go, get the halloumi with raspberry jam. Trust me.
Seeing Athens by Segway (Yes, It’s Brilliant)
We always do a Segway tour when we visit a new city — it’s fun, fast, and gives you your bearings instantly.
We booked with Athens City Segway Tours and lucked out: we were the only people on our time slot, so it became a private tour.
Our guide was amazing — friendly, super knowledgeable, and full of recommendations for food and views.
We visited:
- Pnyx
- Ancient Agora
- Roman Agora
- Herod Atticus Odeon
- Kerameikos Cemetery
- Areopagus (Mars Hill)
It was a perfect introduction to Athens.
Afterwards, we stopped at Makrigianni 3, next to the Acropolis Museum, where I had the best mojito of my entire life, plus saganaki and roasted peppers with feta. Unreal.
The Acropolis Museum
This museum is incredible — not just for what’s inside it, but how it’s designed.
The top floor aligns perfectly with the Parthenon, displaying the original frieze in the same orientation it would’ve had on the temple. It’s such a clever, respectful layout, and it makes the whole experience feel special.
We spent hours looking at sculptures, artefacts, pottery — everything. Fascinating history everywhere you turn.
After leaving, we detoured to Little Kook, a famous fairy-tale-themed street. It’s chaotic, colourful, over-the-top, and very Instagrammable.
Mythology Tour & Finally Seeing the Acropolis
This was the big day — the thing I’d wanted since I was 13.
We joined the Athens & Acropolis Highlights Mythology Tour with Alternative Athens and visited:
- Hadrian’s Arch
- Temple of Olympian Zeus
- Acropolis
- Theatre of Dionysus
- Temple of Athena Nike
- Erechtheion
- Parthenon
- Ancient Agora
- Temple of Hephaestus
Walking up the marble steps to the Acropolis felt surreal.
Seeing the Parthenon? I couldn’t stop grinning. It’s so much bigger, brighter, and more impressive than photos can ever show.
We also stopped at the Hill of Mars (Areopagus) — a rocky outcrop with great views and its own mythological history.
By the end of the tour, we were exhausted… but very, very happy.
Athens Food Tour – A Day of Eating Everything
On our final full day, we joined an Athens food tour, and it was amazing. We tried:
- Fresh, warm koulouri
- Custard-filled bougatza
- Traditional Greek coffee
- Local cheeses and cured meats
- Mezze plates
- Real Greek yogurt with honey
The yogurt was life-changing.
So much so that we’ve now changed the brand we buy at home.
We ended the day at a cosy wine bar recommended by our guide, drinking white wine with cheese and fig jam — the perfect finish to our Athens adventure.
Final Thoughts: Greece, We Love You
Some holidays end and you’re ready to go home.
This was not one of those holidays.
I didn’t want to leave.
Rhodes and Athens were completely different but equally incredible — beaches and medieval walls on one side, ancient temples and unbelievable food on the other.
If you’re thinking of visiting Greece, go.
Whether you’re into sunsets or ruins, cocktails or mythology, relaxing or exploring… there is something magical waiting for you.
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