Sunsets, nightlife and gastronomy of Greece: what is worth seeing

A summer evening in Greece easily turns into a ready-made itinerary. First you catch the sunset over the sea, then you dance until morning, and later you sit down for a late dinner. Putting together a day like that on your own is harder than it seems.

We have rounded up 14 tried-and-tested spots: the list includes five sunset viewpoints, three clubs, and six restaurants, and many of them hold a Michelin star. The tasting menu at CTC in Athens consists of 11 courses (as of 09/2026, restaurant website).

The editorial team checked opening hours and menus on the venues' official websites.

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Where to watch the sunset in Greece

💡 In short:

• The best sunsets await you on the islands of the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
• At bars and clubs, book a sunset table in advance.

Pathos club and restaurant

Pathos Sunset Club operates on the island of Ios, where guests sip cocktails by a marble pool and order sushi at the Japanese restaurant. In the evening, DJs play on the dance floor, and the venue fills up by sunset, so book a table in advance (as of 09/2026, official website).

• The catch: in summer, you won't get a table without a reservation.

The heart of Santorini

The heart of Santorini is not in the center of the island: the rock lies in the southwest, near the village of Megalochori. The stone has a natural heart-shaped opening through which you can see the sea sparkling in the rays of the setting sun. The spot is popular with couples and photographers.

Sifneiko beach

Sifneiko beach lies on the island of Antiparos, and its second name, "Sunset," speaks for itself. Here you watch the sunset right by the water, the sky turns shades of pink, and you can find a spot along the sandy shores or on the stone benches above the water. The crowds here are smaller than on Mykonos.

L'été Sunset Bar

L'été Sunset Bar is tucked among the rocks on the west coast of Zakynthos, and its terrace opens onto the coast of Limnionas and the Ionian Sea. The menu features Greek meze and cocktails, the music starts closer to evening, so arrive an hour before sunset and grab a spot at the edge of the terrace. Check details on the official website.

Mount Pelion

© Stathis floros · CC BY-SAPhoto: Stathis floros, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Mount Pelion rises high above the Aegean Sea in northern Greece, and mountain trails lead to the top, so you can go up on foot, by bike, or on horseback. In spring and summer the slopes are covered with wildflowers, chestnut trees, and beeches; in winter the snow-covered ridges glow in the sunset light. The viewpoints are open to everyone.

Where to go dancing in Greece

Nightlife in Greece doesn't end with the sunset: clubs and beach bars stay open until morning, but entry policies vary from place to place.

Monk Paradise beach bar

The Monk Paradise beach bar sits on the shore of the Pagasetic Gulf, where guests can enjoy loungers by the pool, Greek cuisine, and cocktails during the day. After sunset, live music and sets from guest DJs take over, and the atmosphere stays relaxed, with no strict dress code. Check the evening program in the bar's profile.

Temple Athens

© George E. Koronaios · CC BY-SAPhoto: George E. Koronaios, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Temple Athens operates in the center of Athens and focuses on underground electronic music, with its event lineup posted in the club's calendar. Some shows start late, after midnight, so if you're planning an evening out, check the schedule in advance: it changes every week.

Scorpios Mykonos

Scorpios Mykonos is located on Sunset Beach on Mykonos, where the club has an open terrace, a restaurant, and cabanas right by the water. In the evening, DJ sets play with a view of the Aegean Sea, so book a table in advance, demand is high in summer. The menu and reservations are available on the official website.

Where to eat in Greece

Greek gastronomy has long moved beyond tavernas. Athens is home to several Michelin-starred restaurants, each with its own approach.

CTC Urban Gastronomy

CTC Urban Gastronomy occupies a restored neoclassical building in Athens, and the cuisine here is modern Greek, with a blind tasting menu format. Dishes are not announced in advance, the waiter reveals the ingredients as the dinner progresses, and the full set consists of 11 courses (as of 09/2026, official website).

The restaurant holds one Michelin star. Dishes are built around fresh local ingredients, and the composition changes with the season. Book a table several weeks ahead, otherwise you may not get a spot.

• The catch: high demand, reservations are essential.

Botrini's Project

Botrini's grew out of a TV project of the same name and operates in an Athens suburb. Chef Ettore Botrini combines Greek and Italian heritage. The restaurant has a Michelin star (as of 09/2026, official website). The tasting menus include several sets of different lengths, check the website for current prices. In summer, guests dine in the courtyard.

Pelagos

Pelagos operates inside the Astir Palace hotel in Vouliagmeni, serving Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on seafood. The menu features three tasting sets of different lengths, there are vegetarian options, and the restaurant holds one Michelin star (as of 09/2026, official website). The windows offer a view of the Athens Riviera, and the sets include escargot, yellowtail ceviche, and oysters.

Spondi

Restaurant Spondi hides behind the ancient Panathenaic Stadium in the Pangrati district. It is far from the noisy central squares. The restaurant has two Mediterranean-style terraces, where guests dine in the open air.

© seligmanwaite · CC BYPhoto: seligmanwaite, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), Flickr

The cuisine is French-Mediterranean, with chef Arnaud Bignon at the helm. The restaurant has held a Michelin star continuously since 2002 (as of 09/2026, official website). The tasting menu changes with the season; check the website for exact prices.

The evening is built around several set menus, with wine paired to each course. Book a terrace table in advance, as demand is high in summer.

Strofi

Strofi has been operating at the foot of the Acropolis since 1975 (as of 09/2026, official website). The rooftop terrace looks directly onto the Acropolis rock. The menu features Greek cuisine: lamb in grape leaves, fried cod, and grilled meats. The place is prized for its service and the view, so it is best to book a table in advance.

The restaurant sits next to the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus. You can combine dinner with a stroll through Plaka: the old streets of the neighborhood are just a short walk away.

Kiki's

© Jules Verne Times Two · CC BY-SAPhoto: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Kiki's taverna sits on a hill above Agios Sostis beach on Mykonos, and its shaded terrace opens onto a panorama of the sea. Seafood, meat, and vegetables are cooked here on a stone grill, and locals and tourists love the place in equal measure. Find the menu and updates in the taverna's profile.

When to go and how to fit it all in

Summer in Greece is hot and popular spots are overcrowded, so if a sunset without the crowds matters to you, choose May, June, or September. Book Michelin-starred restaurants and trendy Mykonos clubs several weeks ahead. It is also more convenient to arrange your airport transfer in advance.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When are the best sunsets in Greece?

On Santorini and Antiparos the sun sets directly into the sea, on Zakynthos the sky turns shades of pink. Plan your spot in advance and arrive an hour before sunset to get a good place.

Do you need a reservation at Michelin-starred restaurants?

Yes, a reservation is almost always required. At CTC, Botrini's, Pelagos and Spondi the dining rooms run an evening format, and dinner lasts several hours. Send your request a few weeks ahead, or a month ahead in summer. Check opening hours on the restaurants' official websites.

Can you get into Mykonos clubs without a reservation?

The rules depend on the night: at some places you need a table, at others a ticket is enough. At Scorpios and other Mykonos beach clubs in high season there are almost no free spots left, so book in advance. Check the program and entry conditions on the clubs' websites and social profiles.

Where in Greece can you try modern Greek cuisine?

Modern Greek cuisine is served at CTC Urban Gastronomy in Athens. The dishes there are built around local ingredients, and the menu comes as a blind tasting of 11 courses. Nearby, Botrini's and Pelagos lean Mediterranean. All of these restaurants hold a Michelin star.

How much does dinner cost at a Michelin-starred restaurant?

Prices depend on the format and season, so check exact amounts on the official websites. At CTC, Botrini's, Pelagos and Spondi there are tasting menus of different lengths: from a short set to a full dinner of ten or more courses. Budget for the evening with wine separately.

In short: what to book

Greece covers three evening scenarios: sunset, dancing and gastronomy. For sunset, Santorini, Antiparos, Zakynthos and Mount Pelion work well. For nightlife, choose Monk Paradise, Temple Athens and Scorpios Mykonos. For modern Michelin-starred gastronomy, Athens is the place to go.

• If you want a quiet sunset by the water: go for Sifneiko on Antiparos.
• If you're after nightlife: plan for Mykonos and Scorpios.
• If you value gastronomy: book a table at CTC or Spondi.

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