The Royal Guide to Greece

By Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece

July 3, 2023

Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, shares her favourite summer destinations.

For Marie-Chantal, its Crown Princess, there’s nowhere quite like Greece: “It’s such a beautiful country. The islands, the sea, the culture and its people are very special to me. Whenever I spend time there, there’s always something exciting to discover – be it a new museum, a delicious restaurant, or a tiny village where time seems to stand still.” Here, she shares some of her favourite destinations, from the ancient metropolis of Athens to the sunny southwest Peloponnese – home to a newly opened Mandarin Oriental.

Corfu

My memories of Greece go back to when I was a little girl, when we would spend the whole summer in Corfu, a picturesque island off the northwest coast on the Ionian Sea. I remember lazy, hazy sunny days with my sisters learning how to water-ski, picnicking on pebbled beaches, discovering little coves and spending time fishing. Now that I am married to a wonderful Greek man – Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece – our family spends every summer on a different island but, when they were little, our children still did exactly as I did.

View across the picturesque Voidokilia beach from Paleokastro fortress

Costa Navarino

On the mainland, in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese, Costa Navarino is part of a region called Messenia. It’s a short drive from Kalamata International Airport, or a scenic boat ride from Athens – always my preferred way to travel around Greece. It’s a great destination for families, dotted with famous beauty spots, like the horseshoe-shaped beach at Voidokilia. From the beach and its crystal-clear waters, you can hike to the ruins of Palaiokastro Castle – a hot climb, rewarded by wonderful views. A few kilometres away, the walk to the Kalamaris waterfall is also magical. And, if you’re more of a golfer than a hiker, the courses here are renowned.

Greek poet Homer dubbed olive oil “liquid gold”, and for good reason. It’s exceptionally delicious in Messenia, which is famed for its olive trees. This part of Greece also has some wonderful wines, and the countryside is dotted with locally owned, organic vineyards. It’s always fun to visit for a tasting, followed by some delicious Talagani cheese, another local speciality – and, of course, some of Kalamata’s signature olives!

Athens

Every year, we start our summer in Athens, catching up with friends, exploring its museums and visiting family members before heading to our next destination. It’s a city I love: a busy, modern-day metropolis that’s also brimming with culture, art and ancient landmarks. Whether you’re staying for a week or a single night, there’s always so much to discover.

One of my favourite places for lunch is Cookoovaya, which draws a great crowd with its produce-centred dishes. Akti is another: a terracotta-tiled dockside eatery, with beautifully fresh seafood. In the shadow of the Acropolis, Dionysos Zonars is a family favourite and an Athenian institution.

The Plaka is one of the oldest parts of the city, close to the Acropolis and dubbed the ‘neighbourhood of the Gods’. Its narrow, cobbled streets can be slightly touristy, but look closely and you can always find good spots for lunch or a Greek coffee. The Acropolis itself, perched above the city, needs no introduction! Don’t miss its wonderful museum, full of friezes and statues.

I could also easily spend a day walking round the National Archaeological Museum, admiring its antiquities and treasures, or lingering over the Byzantine art in the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture. Finally, don’t miss the marble figurines in the Museum of Cycladic Art, which are endlessly fascinating.

Spetses

A two-hour boat ride from Athens, the Saronic island of Spetses is magical. We’ve been visiting the island for years, since the children were small, and it’s a place we cherish. Its sights include the old lighthouse and the Bouboulina Museum, the 17th-century mansion of Greek revolutionary heroine Laskarina Bouboulina. I’d also recommend renting a traditional wooden boat, packing a picnic and spending the day swimming, sunbathing and exploring the coves along the western coast.

Come the evening, you can walk along the port to the old town, lined with colourful fishing boats and yachts. We love to have drinks at one of the many cafés, before heading for dinner at the old harbour. Tarsanas is a family favourite, serving fish from the local boats, while Bikini is great for music and the after-dinner hot spot.

Discover Marie-Chantal’s childrenswear, gifts and homeware here.

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, the group’s first property in Greece, opens this summer on the southwest coast of the Peloponnese.

About the Author

Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece

Marie-Chantal is the Crown Princess of Greece, and the founder of her own luxury childrenswear label.