Greece is one of those places that actually lives up to the hype. Whatever you’re picturing from beautiful images you’ve seen online, that’s really what it’s like! I’ve been photographing elopements here since 2019—including islands like Santorini, Milos, and Keflonia—and I’m still impressed with the views and light that’s possible here every time.
Santorini is one of my favorites for elopements. This place that oozes that old-school romance that feels straight out of a movie. Santorini sits on a caldera, so that means everything has a great view. The light is perfect, the sunsets are cinematic, and it looks like you’re on the edge of the world.
Naturally, though, Greece has so much more to it, including ancient cities like Athens and legendary spots like Mount Olympus. You can find more of my hand-picked elopement locations for a wedding in the tip of the Balkan Peninsula.
(I also now have a location database stalked with nearly 600 locations! You can filter by scenery, season, and activity from all over the world and get lists customized to your wishlist. Click here to be taken to it!)
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is iconic, full stop. If you’ve always dreamed of seeing the city’s distinct white walls and blue roofs, there’s no better time than during your elopement! Picture a sunset romantic dinner, overlooking the cliffs and caldera, gazing out onto the sea after just getting married, watching the sun turn the buildings pink and orange. Take a wine tour, visit ancient ruins, or go see the wildly popular stage show about a Greek wedding in the 1940’s (seriously—celebrate your wedding day by pretending to be in someone else’s). Another great feature of the island being volcanically formed is black sand beaches, which can be found in a few spots around the island and make for dramatic vistas against the color of the water and sky. Or if black sand isn’t your taste, explore the red sand (and red cliffs) of Red Beach! Paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming, and sailing are all great options here for getting out on the water.
Best for: Coast, Mountains, Cities and Hot Springs
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Helicopter, Sailboat, Boating, Paddleboarding, Hiking
Kefalonia, Greece
Kefalonia is the largest island in the Ionian Sea but isn’t as touristy as other island spots around Greece, giving it a distinctly easy and laid back vibe. Take a boat tour of Melissani Cave, where ancient legend mixes with stunning geological features to make something truly unique. Afterwards, you can visit Mt. Ainos National Park, the only Greek national park on an island, situated around the tallest peak (which is also an ancient sanctuary dedicated to Zeus). This is a great spot to relax, enjoy each other’s company, and soak in the sun. Chartering a boat here would be a great way to spend a day.
Best for: Coast, Mountains and Forest
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Sailboat, Boating, Paddleboarding, Hiking
Athens, Greece
Athens is well known for being the cornerstone of so many institutions, from democracy to philosophy… why not add your marriage to the list? With structures that date back well over 3,000 years, it’s hard not to feel like you’re a part of something special while you’re here. You’ll feel it the whole time—from walking tours, to food sampling, to the National Garden. Fill your elopement with the art of human history and then say your vows and usher in the next chapter of it together.
Best for: City
Best months to get married here: March to November
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Mount Olympus National Park, Greece
Just as mystical as its namesake, Mount Olympus is a park full of mountains so divine that the ancient Greeks thought they were home to the gods. Spend part of your elopement day at Prionia, a high altitude destination that requires no hiking and is famous for its bridge, gorge, and river. Or ascend to new heights and climb to the highest peak of the mountain, called Mytikas. The blend here of history and nature here is a stand-out and makes this super special for an elopement. You can tell them Aphrodite sent you.
Best for: Mountains and Forest
Best months to get married here: May to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Samaria National Park, Greece
From a US standpoint, this park looks like if Hawaii and Colorado had a baby and it up and moved to Greece. Which is to say, National Park of Samaria is absolutely stunning. The Samaria Gorge that the park is named after varies drastically in terms of width and depth and is the longest gorge in Europe, providing a super dynamic range of scenery lined in cliffs and green hills. There are some serious trails here if you’re into hiking, but if not, rest assured that there are just as many beautiful sights here with less strain, especially if you don’t go to the gorge floor.
Best for: Mountains and Canyons
Best months to get married here: May to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Milos, Greece
Usually overlooked for nearby Santorini, the island of Milos offers a less-busy spot to still have everything you want out of a Greek Island elopement! Including iconic white Cycladic buildings, stone paths lined with flowers, sheer pale cliffs that drop down into bright teal seas, and unique vineyards that give you a taste of hyper-local flavor. Renting an ATV is a great way to see the island! The volcanic formations here are really interesting and there’s a super awesome blend of those prime Greek sights and unique features that will make you glad you came to Milos, specifically. Fun fact—the Venus de Milo was found here!
Best for: Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Helicopter, Hiking, Boating, Paddleboarding
Corfu, Greece
Corfu could be a great fit for an eloping couple that wants the beauty of a Greek Island while having a ton of unique character and flair. You can visit cliffside castle ruins, take cooking classes with local crops like kumquats and olives, and explore the satellite island of Paxi. Want to step out of your ordinary travel style and into something a little more catered to? Corfu also has great luxury resort options, chartered yacht tours of the Ionian Sea, and private wine tastings.
Best for: Beach, City, Forest and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Paddleboarding
Zagori, Greece
Zagori sits along the northwestern border of Greece next to Albania, tucked into the Pindus Mountains. This region combines Greek culture, great alpine scenery, and central-European influence to create a place that’s totally unique. The national park here, Vikos-Aoös, includes beautiful features like the Vikos Gorge, the Voidomatis river, and scenery ranging from sheer cliffs to hidden glens under treetops. The shoulder seasons are great here for moderate weather and lower tourism. This would be a great fit for a couple who likes a mountainous natural setting but wants to weave in other Greek travel to their elopement!
Best for: Mountains, Forest, River and Canyons
Best months to get married here: May to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos is an island with serious staying power in the minds of people all over the world. From movies, to TV shows, to books—if there’s a Greek Island involved, it’s likely this one. That’s likely due to its sun soaked spot in the Aegean Sea, mix of urban and rural lifestyles, and beautiful beaches. You can make your visit unique with helicopter tours of the island, diving or jet ski tours, or chartered sails through the ocean at sunset. Visit during the fall for less tourists and fair weather!
Best for: Beach, City and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Helicopter, Hiking, Boating, Paddleboarding
Crete, Greece
As the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the most populated of the Greek islands, Crete is packed full of gems for your elopement! This island combines ancient art and culture with some truly incredible beaches. Take a hike to Agiofarago Beach for sheer cliffs, calm turquoise waters, and options for swimming and boating. Or take your day to the ancient and beautiful Knossos Palace to feel transported back in time. Elafonisi has incredible pink sands, the city of Chania has great nightlife, or try out a luxury stay like the Blue Palace. Crete is an awesome combo of beauty, activity, Greek culture, and one-of-a-kind sightseeing, making it a great place to elope!
Best for: Beach, Mountains, City and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Paddleboarding
Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece
On the western edge of Zakynthos Island, Navagio Beach is one of the most iconic sights around. Its draw for visitors comes from its bright, clear water, stunning rocky cliffs, and white pebble sands. It’s also been called Smuggler’s Cove and Shipwreck Beach (from the remains of an old wrecked boat that washed ashore over 40 years ago). Whether you’re down by the water saying your vows next to the waves or taking it all in from one of the viewpoints from above, there is beauty everywhere you turn here.
Best for: Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating
Zakynthos, Greece
If you’re looking for Mamma Mia vibes for your elopement, you should check out Zakynthos. This isn’t where they filmed the movies, but it does strike that perfect balance of wild, Greek nature and vibrant, humming culture. It doesn’t matter much if you’re paddling into sea caves, taking in the chalky white cliffs and bright blue sea from the beach, carefully observing sea turtles, or just basking in the beauty from one of the many resorts around. You’re likely to leave happy.
Best for: Beach and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Kayaking, Boating, Snorkeling
Rhodes Old Town, Rhodes, Greece
Old Town Rhodes is an UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the middle ages—and it just so happens to be located on an absolutely jaw-dropping Greek Island. That gives you the ability to directly incorporate both the ancient and the modern into your elopement day. For beautiful spots, check out the Palace of the Grand Master (which you can climb up the walls of!), Elli Beach, Hippocrates Square, and Parko Dimokratias.
Best for: City and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Thassos, Greece
With pebbled beaches, forests of pine and olive trees, waterfalls, and elevated hills that let you see over the entire island, Thassos is known for its incredible natural beauty. Take your elopement to Saliara Beach for small white stones instead of sand, making the already vibrant water look even bluer. Or for a unique activity, pick olives, take a boat out on the water, or ride horses on the beach. Romance here is a very easy ask and something you will have no trouble finding!
Best for: Beach, Forest and Coast
Best months to get married here: Year round
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Kayaking, Boating
With a ton of ancient human history and so many different beautiful regions to pick from, narrowing down locations for your Greek elopement can be intimidating. My searchable map is here to make your life easier! Filter through nearly 600 locations and get results based exactly on what you’re looking for, no research paralysis required.
I’ve photographed more than 300 elopements all over the globe, and I’m here to lend my expertise to your location questions! I give my clients a ton of resources and information, including personalized location options, planning guides, packing lists, permit and travel advice, tailored timelines for their entire day, and so much more.
Skip the FOMO and get to the heart of how to make your wedding day into the elopement of your dreams. Click here for my contact form and let’s chat!
