Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Greece | Travel Guide

With over a thousand islands and a territory that stretches from the South Aegean Sea to the middle of the Balkan Peninsula, Greece is one of the most popular travel destinations known for its historic sights. Delicious food, famous hospitality, beautiful views, sandy beaches, and mild weather. With such a diverse range of Greek destinations on offer all tastes are catered for, from history fans to serious clubbers. So, here are the best places to visit in Greece. Number 1. Athens. The capital of Greece, Athens is a city with many points of interest. A rich history, good shopping, tasty food, and amazing nightlife. Seeing the 5th century Acropolis is the most popular thing to do in Athens. Most people visit the Acropolis to see the Parthenon, but there are several other things to see on the hill, including the Erechtheion, the Erephorion, the Theater of Dionysus, and the Temple of Athena Nike. In the center of Athens you will find a neighborhood called Plaka that stretches from the Acropolis to Syntagma Square. This is one of the best spots to go shopping with the older and more interesting streets closer to the Acropolis. The Anafiotika area is a charming older section of Plaka with narrow photogenic streets and shops. On top of the 65-meter Agareios Kolonos hill on the northwest side of the Agora of Athens, the Temple of Hephaestus is a Doric temple in an amazing state of preservation. It was built in the second half of the 5th century before Christ and construction was delayed for three decades because funds and labor were redirected towards the Parthenon. Designed by Actinus, the temple was dedicated to Athena and Hephaestus who was the ancient god of fire, metalworking, forges, sculpture, and stonemasonry, and has six fluted columns on its west side and 13 on its north and south. Moving on to number two, Thessaloniki. Considered as the city's landmark, the White Tower is clearly one of the best places to see in Thessaloniki. Built in 1535, the tower was originally surrounded by heavy walls, as it was used as a prison during the Ottoman occupation of Greece. There many prisoners were tortured and executed, and the tower acquired its nickname, the Tower of Blood, or the Red Tower. The 34-meter-high tower is now hosting the White Tower Museum, dedicated to Thessaloniki's history from the Roman era to the present day. A must-see is the Thessaloniki Waterfront, a 5-kilometer-long promenade on the seaside. This promenade was completely renovated a few years ago and connects the Photography Museum, the White Tower, and Thessaloniki Concert Hall. On the seaside, you will find many bars and restaurants frequented by locals and tourists. During your walk on the seaside, you will also discover beautiful thematic gardens such as the Alexander the Great Garden, the Garden of the Afternoon Sun, the Garden of the Sand, and the Garden of the Mediterranean. Number three. Delphi. Home to the legendary Oracle of Apollo, the stage of one of the four Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece, the Pythian Games, Delphi is the most sacred site of Ancient Greece. The Treasury of the Athenians is one of the most impressive buildings in the Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi. The treasuries were actually buildings where the city-states used to safeguard their loots from wars and their offerings to God Apollo. Rechova is one of the most popular winter destinations in Greece and just 10 minutes away from Delphi. The main street of Arechova is filled with shops selling local products and woven taverns and cafes. The alleys of Arechova are stone-built and very picturesque, forming the heart of the village. However cosmopolitan it may be today, it still retains its authenticity and true character of a Greek mountain village. Number four. Olympia. The archaeological site of Olympia on the western side of Peloponnese is most famous as the venue of the Ancient Olympic Games. These were actually athletic events taking place every four years as part of celebrations for God Zeus. The Temple of Zeus is one of the most visited places in Olympia, and you will recognize it by the ruins of the majestic columns that protected the sculpture of Zeus. The sculpture is no longer standing, however visiting the place is still a good experience as these ruins are impressive if you love history. The Archaeological Museum of Olympia houses the Nike of Peonius, depicted on the 2004 Summer Olympic medals. Visit the statue and wonder at her flowing skirt and proud body. The arms and wings exist in pieces, but even the ruins serve as an impressive example of Greek artistry. Other artifacts range from the Archaic to the Roman period with terracotta, bronze, and sculptures. Number five. Cape Sounion. The Temple of Poseidon, honoring the Olympian god of the sea, is located at the edge of Cape Sunio at the southern coast of Attica with breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. If you can only be here for a few hours, make sure it's during sunset from the temple's ruins, which is by far one of the best sights in all of Greece. While most people will only stop by the Temple of Poseidon for sunset, there are many more things to do around Cape Sounion. Whether you'd like to see more ruins, squeeze in some beach time, or get some lunch in a fishing village, just outside of Sounion you can find Lavrion, a little port city that is best known for being the site of Athens' ancient silver mines. The town also has a mineralogical museum, which has many beautiful and rare crystals on display. Now, before you plan your next trip to Greece, make sure to check out the first link in the description where you can find the best deals for your flight, hotel, and car rentals in Greece. 6. Meteora Rising from the plain of Thessaly in mainland Greece, Meteora is a mesmerizing group of vertical rocks reaching up to 300 meters high, which time has twisted into bizarre and beautiful formations. The Great Meteoron Monastery is the biggest and most visited of the remaining monasteries. The Great Meteoron was founded by Athanasius the Meteorite in 1356 and enlarged in the second half of the 14th century by his disciple and successor Iassaph, son of Serbian king Simeon. It is in a wonderful setting with stunning views across the surrounding landscape. Something that is very unique to Meteora is the Mushroom Museum. It is actually a combination of the Natural History Museum and Mushroom Museum. There are more than 300 embalmed animals on display showing wildlife from Europe's past and present. Meteora is regarded as one of the best rock climbing playgrounds in Greece. The crags leading up to the top are a mix of bolted and traditional routes which you can choose depending on your climbing ability. There are approximately 50 routes spread out in beautiful forest terrain, making Meteora a perfect climbing destination for adventure enthusiasts. 7. Peloponnese Attached to the rest of Greece by the Isthmus of Corinth, the Peloponnese is a peninsula with ancient cities and natural sites that are ingrained in the world's shared memory. The region has one UNESCO World Heritage Site after another, from the Bronze Age tombs of ancient Mycenae to the Great Theater of Epidaurus in immaculate condition at 2,300 years young. In the ancient city of Epidaurus, the monument you have to see is the theater which was built in the 4th century before Christ and designed by architect and sculptor Polykleitos the Younger. The Theater of Epidaurus is often cited as one of the finest ancient theaters, and in the 2nd century it was lauded by Pausanias for its symmetry and beauty. Other must-see places in the Peloponnese area are the archaeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns, the Sanctuary of Asclepios at Epidaurus, the archaeological site of Mistras, and the Temple of Apollo Epicureus at Bassi. 8. Crete The Mediterranean's fifth-largest island was the birthplace of the oldest civilization in Europe. To get to know the Minoans, you can venture through Bronze Age archaeological sites across the island and call in at the phenomenal Archaeological Museum in the capital Heraklion. One of the island's most visually stunning hikes on the continent, the main trail in Samaria Gorge National Park is a must for adventure and outdoor enthusiasts. Across the roughly 15-kilometer-long, trek-towering rock faces provide both shade and beauty, with flowing streams and unique wildlife popping up along the way. At the Palace of Knossos, you can feel the playful passion of the artists who painted its many frescoes 4,000 years ago, such as the one in the Queen's Megaron showing dolphins frolicking. Check out the charging bulls on the famous work near the north entrance, or ponder the plumbers and engineers who designed the water system. Appreciate the architects who cleverly placed rooms and windows to catch seasonal changes in the light. Rethymno Old Town, the third-largest city in Crete, also is what may be the best preserved old town on the island. Originally behind walls, the city's tight cobblestone alleys were laid out in the 14th century when Crete was in the hands of the Republic of Venice, and has held onto its Renaissance mansions, arches, and Catholic churches. If one building can sum up Rethymno's tumultuous history, it's the Neretza Mosque. This started life as a Venetian church before becoming a mosque for almost 300 years up to 1925. Now, it's Rethymno's municipal odeon staging regular music concerts. Number 9. Mykonos Famous for its pristine beaches and great nightlife, Mykonos is among the most popular Greek islands. Mykonos is not only for the party-goers. It's an island that offers gourmet food, cultural activities, and romantic holidays. The windmills are among the most recognized landmarks of the island, and one of the most famous Mykonos attractions along with Little Venice. For many centuries, the mills used to refine grain with the help of the high winds that blow on the island. Now, they are used as private homes or museums. The most famous ones are the Kaidomailoi which stand on a hill facing the sea. The most famous neighborhood on Mykonos is commonly known as Little Venice. Located along the southwest part of the harbor in the town of Mykonos, what makes Little Venice so appealing besides its beauty is that there's something for everyone here. The area is perfect for taking photos, enjoying meals at small intimate restaurants of which many are built in former sea captains' houses, souvenir shopping, and sipping on drinks at one of the bars. 10. Santorini Fira, Santorini's capital, is one of the best places to see on the island. During your trip to Santorini, you certainly want to discover the famous white and blue houses, wander in picturesque narrow alleys, and admire magnificent views of the caldera. If you're a history lover, you can visit two museums in Fira. The Museum of Prehistoric Fira, exposing vestiges discovered in Akrotiri, and the Archaeological Museum and its collection of remains from all Santorini including vases from Akrotiri. Oh yeah, Fira and Imrovigli are the most popular places to visit in Santorini. However, there are many other lesser-known towns and villages to explore on the island. My personal favorite is Pergos Village. Standing at the highest point in Santorini, Pergos offers magnificent views of the entire island. Pergos is a fortress settlement typical of the Cyclades Islands. Its architecture is a superb blend of whitewashed island buildings and gorgeous neoclassical mansions.