Korres is Greece’s most famous beauty brand harnessing ingredients like Greek yoghurt, olive oil, and grapes in its products. Celebrating 30 years in business this year, the brand founded by Lena Korres has grown far beyond its Hellenic borders, beloved by skincare enthusiasts around the world. Each Korres product is a testament to Greece’s wild beauty, and every year the brand comes out with new formulations and ingredients reflecting the country’s abundant nature.
While many are familiar with islands like Santorini and Mykonos, we wanted to find out what islands, hotels, and beauty destinations in Greece are a must-visit from a true Greece insider. Here are some of Lena Korres’ favorite spots across the islands and mainland you’ll want to visit.
How is Korres a celebration of Greece’s biodiversity?
Lena Korres: Recently we had our global conference here in Athens — we’re celebrating 30 years this year. We had people from 55 countries, and I opened the conference with my co-founder, Yorgos. He asked me to speak to the 30 years while he covered the vision, and honestly it was hard to figure out what to say.
But the one thing that stands out is that globally, everywhere we go, we are the Greek brand. We’re deeply embedded in Greece’s biodiversity, its communities, its ecosystem. Our mission is to bring out the treasures of Greece — this country has some of the most powerful ingredients on the planet, endemic species you don’t find anywhere else, shaped by the soil, the sea, the whole ecosystem here.
We formulate with Greek grapes, pure Greek olive, pine from the Pindus mountains — the backbone of Greece. Every ingredient has a story and an origin, and we partner with more than a thousand families across Greece who cultivate them for us. We take the plant material to our factory, extract the active molecules, and what remains from extraction goes back to the farmers as fertilizer for next year’s harvest — so there’s a full circle.
Korres has introduced eight ingredients to the global INCI directory — the ingredient list on the back of your product — things like Korres black pine bark extract, which we discovered, studied, and sourced ourselves. For 20 years we’ve been a leading voice in Europe on natural ingredient research. So really, everything we do is a celebration of Greece’s biodiversity, traditions, people, ecosystem, and climate.
Lena Korres
What are some of your favorite places to witness Greece’s natural beauty?
I’m a fanatic Greek — this place runs in my blood. My absolute favorite landscape is the Aegean Islands: the blue and white, the dryness. I’m happiest when the wind is blowing hard and there’s nothing around but blue sea, brown earth, and white houses.
That said, the mainland and Crete are stunning too. I also love Athens — I’m a year-round swimmer, winter and summer. I drive about an hour and 15 minutes south to Cape Sounio and swim there. Even in winter, when it’s cold, it’s beautiful — you have the whole cape to yourself. I live in paradise and I don’t want to miss a single day of it.
What are some beauty and wellness destinations in Greece?
Athens has a few beautiful ones. One favorite is the traditional Hammam Baths in the city center; it showcases the Greek-Turkish tradition with stone therapies and heat treatments. I also love the spa at the Four Seasons Athens (Astir Palace), right on the Athens Riviera — a world-class wellness experience combining luxury, nature, and holistic wellbeing. I’ve been swimming there my whole life. The Margi Spa is a boutique luxury spa with a strong focus on mindfulness, wellness and Mediterranean living. Lastly, The Naxos Apothecary is a unique destination where Greek biodiversity, phytotherapy and contemporary design come together. More than a beauty concept store, it offers an immersive experience inspired by the culture, heritage and endemic flora of Naxos, celebrating the connection between nature, science and authentic Greek wellbeing.
What is your favorite Greek island and why?
Tinos. I discovered it about 15 years ago and it just felt like my place. It’s close to Mykonos but the opposite — very mountainous, with remote villages at altitude. In summer you can be swimming in the sea, hot, and then drive up to a mountain village for dinner where you might need a jacket — that contrast is exciting to me. I also love Crete for the same reason: a lot to discover, both touristy and traditional areas on the same island. My grand plan is to eventually have a house on Tinos with friends and family and retire there.
Odera
What is your favorite hotel in Greece?
Odera, on Tinos, is located on the west side of the island, which is my favorite side (on most Cycladic islands, the west side tends to be best because of the wind). It’s built into the landscape with its own isolated beach — understated, not extravagant, which is exactly right for the place.
Chora Kythnos Suites is a boutique adult-only retreat that perfectly captures the authentic charm of Kythnos. Just steps from the island’s picturesque Chora, it combines minimalist Cycladic design, warm Greek hospitality and a peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for those seeking an authentic and understated luxury experience.
The Modernist is a stylish and contemporary hotel that reflects the creative energy of modern Athens. I love its understated design, neighborhood feel and the way it combines simplicity, comfort and authentic local experiences.
The Perianth Hotel perfectly represents the new face of Athens, creative, design-led and deeply connected to contemporary Greek culture. Located in the vibrant Agia Irini Square, it combines modern architecture, Greek art, wellness and an authentic neighborhood atmosphere, offering a sophisticated yet genuinely local experience.
Manna Arcadia Hotel reveals a different side of Greece. Surrounded by pristine forests and mountain landscapes, it offers a rare combination of wellbeing, design, history and connection with nature, making it one of the most inspiring hospitality destinations in the country.
Dexamenes Seaside Hotel is one of Greece’s most distinctive design hotels, where a historic 1920s winery has been transformed into a conscious-luxury retreat. Set directly on the Ionian Sea, it beautifully combines industrial heritage, contemporary architecture, sustainability and authentic local experiences, offering a completely unique sense of place.
What is a place in Greece people should know about but don’t (yet)?
Delos. It’s uninhabited — you can’t vacation there, but you can take a small boat over from Mykonos. It’s arguably the most complete archaeological site in Greece, incredibly well preserved. It was once the commercial center of the ancient world not just Greece, but Italy, North Africa, Egypt. There were palaces and residences for the wealthy. Most people don’t know about it, but it’s unbelievable — a real dive into the ancient world.
What’s a misconception about Greece?
First: Greece has all four seasons. If you see cheap prices in January, don’t book — everything will be closed, the islands will be empty, and it could be snowing. People assume Greece is hot year-round, but it’s a classic Mediterranean climate with real seasons which is actually part of why the biodiversity is so rich.
Second: don’t skip Athens. It’s a beautiful, lively city — a great downtown, incredible food, the Athens Riviera where you can swim and it feels like an island, and a greener, more sophisticated north side. There’s so much art and so many concerts that you won’t know where to start. Spend a few days there.