Known for its plethora of ancient ruins, whitewashed
villages, sunny beaches, tasty cuisine and
friendly atmosphere, it is no wonder that
Greece ranks among Europe’s top travel destinations.
Greece is made up of a mountainous mainland
and hundreds of islands where each one offers
its own share of stunning landscapes, historic
sites and cultural delights.
Here’s a look at the best places to visit
in Greece:
Number 10.
Cape Sounion
Situated at the southernmost tip of the Attica
peninsula, Cape Sounion is best known as the
site of the ancient Greek temple of Poseidon,
the god of the sea.
The remains are perched on the headland, surrounded
on three sides by the sea.
The sunset over the Aegean Sea, as viewed
from the ruins, is a sought-after spectacle.
The site is also a popular day-excursion for
tourists from Athens.
Number 9.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is Greece’s second-largest
city and the capital city of the Macedonian
region of Northern Greece.
Lively festivals, social events and a buzzing
nightlife make this city the cultural capital
of Greece.
Comprised of a historic city center and commercial
district, Thessaloniki offers both old and
new attractions from its Byzantine walls,
White Tower and Turkish baths to colorful
food markets and museums.
The city’s nightlife is unmatched.
From small tavernas to nightclubs and other
entertainment venues, Thessaloniki offers
it all.
Number 8.
Mykonos
Mykonos is famed as a cosmopolitan destination
amongst the Greek islands.
Mykonos Town is a stunningly picturesque Greek
town with a maze of tiny streets and whitewashed
houses.
Although the streets are lined with small
shops, boutiques, cafes, bars and restaurants,
Mykonos Town has not completely lost its identity.
Thanks to strict building regulations its
traditional Cycladic architectural style and
character has remained firmly intact.
Number 7.
Halkidiki
Halkidiki is a trident-like peninsula near
the city of Thessaloniki, sporting excellent
beaches.
The three separate peninsulas can be roughly
summarized as follows: Kassandra has the nightlife,
Sithonia has the beaches and Athos has the
monks.
Being closest to Thessaloniki, Kassandra is
more built-up, while the more quiet Sithonia
has campgrounds, hidden coves and clear waters.
Both are popular with Greek and Eastern European
tourists.
Much of the easternmost peninsula belongs
to the Mount Athos monastic community.
It’s accessible by boat and open to male
pilgrims only.
Number 6.
Peloponnese
Shaped much like a large leaf, Peloponnese
was traditionally called Morea, which means
mulberry leaf.
Located in the southernmost region of both
Europe and Greece, Peloponnese is a wide peninsula
connected to the mainland by the Rio-Antirrio
bridge.
Interspersed with classical Greek temples,
Venetian fortresses, Byzantine churches and
Mycenaean palaces, the peninsula echoes the
ancient cultures and events from its extensive
history.
Among these ancient ruins is Olympia, where
the first Olympic Games were hosted in honor
of Zeus.
Number 5.
Delphi
Second only to the Acropolis, Delphi is Greece’s
most popular archaeological site.
Located about two and half hours from Athens
along the slopes of the awe-inspiring Mount
Parnassus, Delphi was once revered by the
ancient Greeks as the center of the earth.
Dedicated to the god, Apollo, Delphi was an
important oracle.
In ancient times, people would come to this
sacred spot to inquire of the priestess for
advice on a wide range of topics from farming
to relationships and politics.
Significant ruins and structures include the
Temple of Apollo, the Athenian Treasury, the
theater and hippodrome that once hosted events
of the ancient Pythian Games.
Number 4.
Meteora
The Greek word meteora means “suspended
in the air,” and this phrase aptly describes
the spectacular cliffs that rise more than
1,200 feet into the air overlooking the villages
of Kalambaka and Kastraki in the northern
Greece.
What makes these cliffs even more inspiring
are the historic monasteries perched along
the summits.
Dating back to the 14th and 16th centuries,
the monasteries at Meteora were built by monks
seeking spiritual isolation and freedom from
religious persecution.
Number 3.
Crete
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete is
a spacious land of pleasing contrasts where
landscapes range from stunning coastline to
rugged mountains and rolling countryside dotted
with olive trees.
Bustling cities spread beyond to quiet villages
centered around outdoor coffee shops.
History lovers will want to explore the many
historic and archaeological sites that dot
the island such as Knossos Palace, which dates
back to the Minoan civilization.
Number 2.
Athens
Inhabited for more than 3,000 years, Athens
is widely known as the cradle of Western civilization
and the birthplace of democracy.
The city presents a confusing blend of historical
and modern features.
Athens is famous for its archaeological ruins
and monuments such as the famous Acropolis,
the Parthenon, the Ancient Agora and the Theatre
of Dionysos just to name a few.
However, Athens is not just about ancient
ruins.
This bustling city is also an important center
for culture
and nightlife.
Number 1.
Santorini
Part of the Cyclades, Santorini is famous
for its dramatic views, stunning sunsets,
the white-washed houses, and its very own
active volcano.
Fira, the capital of Santorini, is a marriage
of Venetian and Cycladic architecture, whose
white cobblestone streets bustle with shops,
tavernas, hotels and cafes, while clinging
on the edge of a high cliff.
If you arrive by sea you can take a cable
car up from the port or alternatively take
a trip on a mule up the 588 zigzagging steps.
