Sightseeing in Greece
Greece is located in the southeast of Europe and is surrounded by Bulgaria, Albania and Turkey! It is connected by sea with the Aegean Sea to the east, the Ionian Sea to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the south!
Greece's renown stems mostly from its exact islands, which are well-known all over the world, including the Cyclades, Dodecanese, Sporades, Ionian Islands (Eptanisa) and Crete.
Furthermore, Greece's history, dating back to antiquity, with its numerous landmarks, its weather with the brightest sun and the most beautiful oceans in the world and its Mediterranean cuisine, which is appreciated all over the world, is practically a plus over other nations! The relationship with Greece extends to the neighboring countries of Italy, Turkey and Albania!
Greece has attracted travelers for decades. Greece is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, due to its rich history, breathtaking beauty and vibrant culture. From Athens' historic ruins to the scenic Aegean Sea islands, Greece has something for everyone.
Athens, Greece's capital city, is a must-see destination for anybody interested in history and architecture. The city boasts world-renowned landmarks including the Acropolis, Parthenon and Temple of Olympian Zeus. But Athens represents much than just history. The city is also colorful, with a thriving nightlife, world-class museums and wonderful food. Visitors may meander through the vibrant streets of Plaka, the city's oldest quarter, and eat classic Greek dishes like moussaka and souvlaki at one of the many tavernas.
In addition to Athens, Greece boasts some of the world's most gorgeous islands. The Cyclades, a group of islands in the Aegean Sea, are especially popular with visitors. Santorini, with its distinctive white-washed homes and stunning sunsets, is undoubtedly the best-known of these islands. Mykonos, known for its active nightlife and stunning beaches, is another popular holiday destination.
But Greece has much more to offer than its islands. Several historic sites may be found in the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece, most notably the medieval city of Olympia, which is where the Olympic Games began. Visitors may also discover the medieval town of Mystras and the beautiful Diros Caves.
No vacation to Greece is complete without sampling some of the amazing foods. Greek food is known for its clean ingredients and powerful flavors. Visitors may sample traditional dishes including spanakopita (spinach pie), tzatziki (yogurt and cucumber dip) and dolmades (stuffed grape leaves). Of course, no Greek meal is complete without a pitcher of ouzo, a famous anise-flavored liqueur.
In addition to its history, magnificence, and delicacy, Greece is well-known for its kind hospitality. Greeks are well-known for being friendly and appealing to tourists. Whether you stay in a little village or a large town, you will be met with a smile and a warm welcome.
Greece should be on every tourist's bucket list. With its rich history, stunning scenery, delectable cuisine and kind hospitality, it is a rustic that has something for everyone. Whether you're interested in visiting ancient ruins or resting on a beautiful beach, Greece will leave you with amazing memories.
Below, we will show the most important landmarks from all throughout Greece, as well as accommodation alternatives that have received excellent evaluations from visitors!
Archaeological sites
The Acropolis is Athens' most renowned and outstanding monument! The historical Acropolis is located on the top of a hill in Athens and has ancient remains of significant architectural and historical value, including the Temple of Erechtheion, the entrance to the Propylaea and the Temple of Athena Nike. The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, is the most famous edifice on top of the Acropolis!
The Parthenon (Athens) is Greece's most important Doric temple, built on the highest point of the Acropolis and completed in 15 years.
Ancient Mycenae (Mycenae, Crete): Located on top of a hill between towering mountains, it was formerly the realm of Agamemnon, the legendary monarch who controlled the Greeks during the Trojan War.
Mystras (Laconia): Became a Byzantine capital and walled city, situated on a steep slope covered with olive and orange trees. It is regarded as the most amazing group of medieval remains in Greece.
The Palace of Knossos (Crete) is a remarkable historical landmark in Crete, the noteworthy capital of Minoan Crete, located 5 kilometers south of the town of Heraklion. The remains are impressive and the setting includes a large palace, courtyards, private houses, baths and colorful murals.
Phaestos (Crete): Became the second most significant Minoan palace-town after Knossos, with less frescoes and a spectacular perspective of Messara's plain and Crete's greatest point, Mount Psiloritis!
Sanctuary of Apollo (Delphi): Placed in the center of Ancient Delphi, on the hillside and is the spot frequented by pilgrims to pay attention to the prophesies of the god Apollo, which have been expressed by the oracle selected with the assistance of (a girl from the place).
Ancient Delos (Delos): A UNESCO World Heritage Site! It is an ancient city in Delos that served as both a refuge and a booming industrial area. Access to Delos may be quite easy from the island of Mykonos.
Kerameikos (Athens): Discovered in 1861 during the building of Pireos Street. It was previously situated on the clay-rich banks of the Iridanos River. It acquired its name from the potters and was used as a cemetery in the sixth century A.D. It features multiple marble columns etched with gleaming photos.
Ancient Agora (Athens): The Agora became the core of ancient Athens, where Socrates taught his philosophy! On the site of the old market lies the towering Temple of Hephaestus, a spectacular museum and the 11th century Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles, ornamented with brick decorations that mirror Arabic calligraphy.
Temple of Olympian Zeus (Athens): Placed in the center of Athens, it is a brilliant temple that had 104 Corinthian columns (17 meters high with a base diameter of 1.7 meters), yet only 15 remain.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Athens) was built in 161 AD by the wealthy Roman Herod Atticus in remembrance of his wife Regilla. For many decades, the theater has been the setting for a number of the most important theatrical, musical and dance acts throughout the summer season, thanks to its exceptional acoustics.
Panathenaic Stadium (Athens): The only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, it has a rich history and is one of the most prominent tourist sites in Athens. In 1896, it hosted the first modern Olympic Games.
The Theatre of Epidaurus (Epidaurus): Built around the end of the fourth century BC, it is one of the most important and well-preserved ancient Greek structures in existence. It can hold up to 14,000 people and is known for its excellent acoustics. Today, it is utilized for performances throughout the annual Athens and Epidaurus Festival.
Temple of Poseidon (Cape Sounion): Located in the southernmost point of Attica, near the extremity of the peninsula of Sounion and built entirely of white marble in the middle of the 5th century BC in honor of Poseidon, the god of the ocean. It is a gap with a wonderful view of the Aegean Sea, which is why hundreds of Athenians come here to watch the sunset and the full moon.
Ancient Thira (Santorini): The Dorians helped turn it into a community in the 9th century BC and it now has Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine remains, as well as temples, mosaic dwellings, a marketplace, a theater and a gymnasium. It is worth a visit for both its archeological significance and its breathtaking views.
Ancient Messini (Messinia): Is a massive ancient town set on a mountainside with remains under excavation! It has a large theater, a marketplace, a colossal Sanctuary of Asclepius and one of the most magnificent old Greek stadiums.
Ancient Nemea (Peloponnese): An enormous Doric-style temple from the fourth century BC. And the site of the ancient Nemean Games, conducted in honor of Zeus. Three distinctive columns are now intact and the well-known local museum displays a wealth of finds from the site.
The archaeological site of Dodoni (Ioannina - Epirus) is located 22 kilometers south of Ioannina in Epirus! The remains date back to the ancient period.
Philippi Archaeological Site (Macedonia): It is located near Kavala and has one of the most extensive histories of any ancient Greek ruin, playing an important part in Macedonian, Roman and early Christian history. It relocated to the several World Heritage Sites of Greece designated by UNESCO in 2016.
Museums
The Museum of Cycladic Art houses nearly 3,000 artifacts of Cycladic, medieval Greek, and Cypriot art, which are displayed on four floors in the Museum's galleries, creating a living cultural environment in Athens.
The Acropolis Museum is a fantastic, contemporary museum that has over 3000 notable antiquities from the Acropolis site, dating back to prehistoric periods and ending with Antiquity.
The National Library of Greece (Athens) is a modern facility with over a million volumes and journals, as well as a vast collection of manuscript codices dating from the ninth to the nineteenth centuries.
National Historical Museum (Syntagma - Athens): Served as the ancient parliament from 1875 to 1935 and is especially important since it shows cutting-edge Greek records, particularly during the war period, and serves as the inspiration for the modern Greek country.
Benaki Museum at 138 Pireos St (Athens): A home founded and given in 1930 by Antonis Benakis in the heart of Athens. The museum focuses on Greek life throughout the country's histories and houses over 100,000 artifacts from Greek history, highlighting the various ages, cultures and civilizations that influenced Greece's development. In addition to Greek art from prehistoric to present times, there is also a considerable collection of Asian art. The museum hosts frequent exhibitions and maintains a latest conservation and healing workshop.
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum (Crete) is one of Greece's and Europe's most spectacular museums. It houses a rare collection of Minoan art treasures, which is why it is often regarded as the museum par excellence of Minoan living.
Delphi Archaeological Museum: Explains the history of the well-known Delphic sanctuary and the most important oracle of the ancient Greek world. It has an important collection of some of the most significant pieces of historic Greek art, spanning the period from the second millennium BC, before the founding of the Sanctuary, until Late Antiquity.
The Museum of Marble Crafts (Tinos - Cyclades) is located in the village of Pyrgos on the island of Tinos and houses an excellent collection of genuine gadgets, including secular, ecclesiastical, funerary and ordinary objects made of marble, a material that has a special place in the architecture and art of Greece and Tinos, from antiquity to the present.
The Natural History Museum of Apiranthos (Naxos) is located in the hamlet of Apeiranthos on the island of Naxos and houses an outstanding collection of specimens from the local fauna and plant life. It houses an aquarium, an outstanding collection of shells, dolphin skeletons, bones and a bellows cranium, as well as an exceptionally large collection of floral species.
The Archaeological Museum (Thessaloniki) is undoubtedly one of Greece's largest museums, as well as the most important museum in northern Greece. It has a vast collection of historical objects from Thessaloniki's rich ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine records, including stunning examples of Roman architecture, unusual colored mosaics, sculptures and jewelry from the Greek classical and Hellenistic periods.
The Historical Archives Museum of Hydra (Hydra) was founded in 1918 and is situated in a magnificent stone palace. It has historical educational, administrative, and religious records, manuscripts from the Greek Revolution, vintage books, maps and more. Relics from the Balkan and World Wars, as well as traditional costumes, sculptures, nautical instruments and artwork, are on display in the museum.
The Museum of El Greco (Heraklion/Fodele - Crete) is located in the village of Fodele, 10 minutes from the city of Heraklion, Crete and is where one of the most important painters, the genius of the Spanish Mannerist school, Dominikos Theotokopoulos, was born and spent his childhood.
Other sites & activities
Parliament (Athens): From 1875 until 1935, the Greek Parliament met in the Old Parliament House on Stadiou Street in Athens. It presently houses the country's National Historical Museum.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center: A key cultural institution and one of the world's most prominent private organizations. There is free access for anyone who want to engage in a variety of cultural, intellectual, sporting and recreational events! It comprises the National Opera House, the National Library of Greece, and Stavros Niarchos Park, which is one of Athens' largest green spaces, covering 21 hectares.
Attica Zoological Park (Spata - Attica): A non-public and the most accessible zoo in Greece, located in the neighborhood of Spata, some 20 kilometers east of Athens. The zoo, which covers 20 hectares, is home to around 1,500 animals representing 220 species.
Hiking Vikos Gorge: Located in the North Pindos mountain range of Epirus, known as Zagori and home to forty-four communities known as Zagorochoria.
Spinalonga Island (Crete) is a small barren island with a lengthy history as one of Europe's last active leper colonies, operating from 1903 until 1957.It is located in the herbal port of Elounda, in the prefecture of Lassithi on Crete.
Akrotiri prehistoric metropolis (Santorini) is one of the most important sites in the Aegean. A bioclimatic roof covers the archeological remains and passageways extend above them, allowing visitors to roam among the two and three-story dwellings. It was a Minoan port town that became blanketed in ash as a result of the island's volcanic eruption.
Valley of the Butterflies (Rhodes): Located on the western side of the island of Rhodes, it is one of the island's most picturesque spots. It is home to hundreds of thousands of butterflies, who gently rest inside the trees in lakes and little waterfalls.
National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades (Alonissos): In 2003, the first marine park was established in Greece, and it is now Europe's largest marine protected area.
Liston (Corfu town): One of the most important and well-known locations on the island of Corfu, paved with magnificent architectural and function arches that make it one of the most important places of attraction. It serves as the primary entry to Corfu's iconic thin canyons in Old Town.
Dikteon Cave (Lasithi, Crete): Located 1025 meters above sea level. Visitors may appreciate the cave by following a stairway that leads down to the cave's interior, which is lit beautifully and evocatively.
Windmills (Mykonos - Cyclades): They are the symbol of the island of Mykonos and can be seen from the port since they are located on a small hill near the island's Chora. There are sixteen in all and they were erected by the Venetians in the sixteenth century.
Little Venice (Mykonos - Cyclades): One of Mykonos' most charming spots, featuring first-rate antique traditional white residences on the seafront.
Lighthouse (Chania - Crete): Located near the entrance to Chania's ancient harbor, it was built by the Venetians in 1864 and has been listed as an archaeological site in Greece since 1962.
Lesvos Petrified Woodland (Lesvos): Created 20 million years ago, this is one of Greece's most beautiful geological monuments. There are petrified pieces of wood, huge and little, colorful and standing or lying on the globe, forming a completely unique introduction of nature.
Beaches in Greece
Porto Katsiki Beach (Lefkada): One of Greece's best beaches and the most photographed in magazines, with blue waves and white sand flanked by enormous cliffs covered with luxuriant flowers.
Elafonisi Beach (Chania/Crete): One of Crete's best beaches, with pure blue seas, pink sand and a distinctive scenery.
Balos Beach (Chania/Crete): Located roughly 56 kilometers northwest of Chania, it is undoubtedly the most photographed beach in Crete, with blue waves, shallow waters, and natural beauty.
Plaka Beach (Naxos): One of Naxos' most popular beaches and a favored spot for nudists, with long and wide white sand and blue water.
Super Paradise (Mykonos): One of the world's most famous beaches, with pure, crystal-clear waters, sandy and nicely organized.
Seychelles Beach (Ikaria): A gorgeous beach in Ikaria with pebbles nestled amid rocks, creating a completely distinct landscape. A large cave may be seen on a little beach near the main beach.
Tsigrado Beach (Milos): This beach is located at the bottom of a bay surrounded by extremely steep cliffs and rocks. Its uniqueness stems not only from its beautiful turquoise waters, but also from the authentic way you can get there: at the top of the cliff, there may be a rope connected to a staircase that leads to the beach, and you must hold the rope tightly and begin descending cautiously.
Paleokastritsa Beach (Corfu): One of Corfu's most popular beaches, located near the Byzantine Castle of Paleokastritsa.The waters are beautifully clear, but quite chilly.
Simos Beach-Elafonissos (Peloponnese): Simos Beach is the island of Elafonisos' signature beauty, with crystal clear waters and herbaceous dunes that reach up to 10 meters high.
Mylopotas Beach (Ios): Located in a bay near Ios' city, this beach has golden sand and crystal blue waves, and it is the island's most popular beach.
Sarakiniko Beach (Milos) is one of Greece's most publicized beaches owing to its unique lunar white chalk look!
Navagio Beach (Zakynthos): A cove with a shipwreck in the beach. The beach boasts clear blue waves and a very wonderful view.
Myrtos Beach (Kefalonia): A world-famous beach that is regarded as one of the most beautiful in Greece, with breathtaking natural beauty surrounded by lush hills.
Agios Prokopios Beach (Naxos): Located around 4 kilometers from the port of Naxos, it features thick sand that leads to sand dunes with crystal blue waters and has received the highest accolades in Greece and abroad.
Platys Gialos (Mykonos) is a well-kept sandy beach with sports including starfishing, windsurfing, and parasailing in the Aegean. There are also seafood cafés and restaurants nearby.
Golden Beach (Thassos) is a sandy organized coastline with highly clean waters, hence it gets a blue flag.
Glyfada Beach (Corfu) is one of Corfu's most beautiful beaches, complete with sand and beach bars. It may be rather easy to get from Corfu's ancient town.
Kolymbithres Beach (Paros): One of the most famous in Paros, with shallow waves and a unique seashore known as Kolimbithres that overlooks the harbor of Naoussa. It is not a single beach, but numerous little sandy beaches isolated from one other among large granite boulders that build a pool-like depression.
Panormos Beach (Skopelos): A large, protected harbor with a pebbly beach and crystal-clear waves, as well as an organized beach.
Mikri Vigla (Naxos): Located in the southwestern section of Naxos, it features two unique seashores separated by a series of rocks! The well-known north wind makes it ideal for diving as well as windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Faliraki Beach (Rhodes): Rhodes' most famous and well-prepared beach, measuring 5 kilometers in width. There may be pubs, nightclubs and restaurants on the beach, as well as water sports available.
Potami Beach (Samos) is a long, unusually beautiful beach with pebbles and crystal blue waves on Samos' northeast coast. It is equipped with umbrellas, sunbeds and a seaside bar.
Agali Beach (Folegandros): A sandy seaside placed approximately 4 km away from the main town of the island. Ideal for families.
Greek cuisine & gastronomy
It's no accident that the word "gastronomy" is Greek! The origins of Greek delicacies can be traced back to antiquity and it is undeniably a draw for tourists visiting Greece, since it is well-known for its delectable items cultivated in truly wonderful Mediterranean climate! The superb virgin Greek olive oil, which is considered international, makes most Greek foods nutritious and tasty, as does the abundance of herbs, spices and seasonings!
In recent years, younger chefs have added new aspects to their recipes, giving them a more international and cosmopolitan flavor! However, the principle of Greek food remains unchanged, with the combination of sparkling seasonal vegetables, the right seasonings and fresh olive oil to create a tasty boost and high nutritious value!
Famous Greek delicacies:
Moussaka is a typical Greek dish made with roasted or fried eggplants (aubergines), potatoes and a rich, tomatoey sauce of minced beef or lamb, topped with a wonderfully creamy bechamel sauce.
Fava: A pulp or puree with a texture similar to hummus, prepared with dry fava beans, onions and a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil. The most well-known comes from the island of Santorini.
Greek Salad: The most popular salad in Greek cuisine, made with tomato, cucumber, onion, feta, olives, oregano and clean olive oil.
Taramosalata is a snack made with taramas, salted cod fish mixed with olive oil, lemon juice and a starchy basis of bread or potatoes. Garlic, onions and vinegar may occasionally be present.
Gigantes: Large beans roasted in tomato sauce with lots of sparkling herbs and orange.
Greek pies: There are several pies that vary with each region of Greece and are a common traditional meal in every part of Greece.
Pastichio: A deep layer of large tubular pasta, minced meat and a rich béchamel sauce.
Spetsofai is a rustic spicy Greek meal made with thick sausages and peppers in a rich tomato sauce. There are other variations, like this one from the Pelion region using eggplant, while in most regions it is made with green or colorful mild peppers, or heated peppers.
Souvlaki is perhaps the most renowned Greek dish! It's any type of meat (red or chicken) wrapped in a pie with tzatziki, tomato, potato and sauce.
Gemista: Vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, aubergines, pumpkins) cooked in rice and tomato sauce with spices and occasionally minced pig or beef.
Loukoumades: Small fluffy sweet balls with honey (the Greek version of doughnuts) cooked in a deep pan till golden and crispy. They're served with honey and a sprinkling of cinnamon.
Dolmadakia are vine leaves filled with grains and herbs. They can also be stuffed with minced meat, rice and seasonings.
Kleftiko: A rustic, conventional Greek recipe and in Greek which means "stolen". It is made with slow-cooked lamb, that is first marinated in garlic, olive oil and lemon juice.
Tzatziki is a dip made with salty strained or diluted yogurt blended with cucumbers, garlic, salt, olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and herbs such as dill, mint, parsley and thyme.
Soutzoukakia: Cumin is the key ingredient here. Cumin is a highly aromatic spice that imparts a distinct taste to the meat. Traditionally, soutzoukakia are cooked with minced pig or a combination of minced red meat and beef.
Hotels in Greece
There are so many gorgeous hotels in Greece that it would take several pages to list them all. There are outstanding luxury hotels in Athens and throughout the Greek islands, hotel complexes with numerous amenities, elegant boutique hotels, Rbnp residences, and low-cost hotels. Below, we will provide you with an illustrative list of several hotels that cover all the aforementioned lodging categories:
Luxury hotels in Greek Islands:
- MarBella Nido Suite Hotel & Villas (Corfu)
- Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa (Chania/Crete)
- Elounda Gulf Villas (Elounda/Crete)
- St.Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas (Crete)
- Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort (Mykonos)
- Boheme Hotel (Mykonos)
- Mykonos Ammos Hotel (Mykonos)
- De.Light Boutique Hotel (Mykonos)
- Cavo Tagoo (Mykonos)
- Naxian Collection (Naxos)
- Summer Senses Luxury Resort (Paros)
- Santorini Secret Suites & Spa (Santorini)
- Canaves Oia Suites (Santorini)
- Cosmopolitan Suites(Santorini)
- Rocabella Hotel (Santorini)
- Andronis Hotel (Santorini)
- Cavo Tagoo (Santorini)
- Lindos Blu (Rhodes)
- White Coast Pool Suites (Milos)
- Aristide Hotel (Syros)
- Porto Zante Villas & Spa (Zakynthos)
- The Petra (Patmos)
- Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel & Spa (Kos)
More affordable choices:
- Golden Beach (Paros)
- Mr.& Mrs.White (Paros)
- Aelia by Eltheon (Santorini)
- Astra Suites (Santorini)
- Labranda Kiotari Miraluna Hotel (Rhodes)
- Lindos Sun (Rhodes)
- Castelli (Zakynthos)
- Allure Wellness Retreat (Lefkada)
- Skiathos Avaton Hotel (Skiathos)
- MarBella Corfu (Corfu)
Luxury hotels in Athens:
- Theoxenia Palace Hotel
- The Margi
- Grande Bretagne
- St. Lycabettus
- Intercontinental
Luxury hotels in Mainland:
- The Excelsior (Thessaloniki)
- Hyatt Regency (Thessaloniki)
- Makedonia Palace (Thessaloniki)
- Electra Palace (Thessaloniki)
Best resorts in Greece:
- Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso (Athens)
- Corfu Holiday Palace (Corfu)
- Myconian Utopia Relais & Chateaux (Mykonos)
- Myconian Imperial (Mykonos)
- Katikies (Mykonos)
- Creta Maris Resort (Hersonissos /Crete)
- Blue Palace Elounda (Elounda/Crete)
- Epirus Palace Congress & Spa (Ioannina/North Greece)
- Andronis Concept Wellness Resort (Santorini)
- Elea Resort - only for adults (Santorini)
- Costa Grand Resort & Spa (Santorini)
- Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection (Santorini)
- Marpunta Resort (Alonissos/Sporades)
