Beautiful islands, great food, picturesque villages, sunny beaches. There is a lot to see and do in Greece, and a plethora of places to explore. From the islands of the Aegean to the Ionian islands in the West. Then there is the beautiful island of Crete in the south, and the mainland, filled with natural wonders. Here’s a look at the top eleven places to visit in Greece.
Athens
What can we say about the Greek capital? A mix of history and modern life greets visitors in Athens. The Acropolis is a must-see, of course, but there are a lot of things to enjoy in Athens.
Among them is the change of guards in Syntagma square, walks in the neighborhood of Plaka and Anafiotika (like an island in Athens), the view of Athens from the hill of Lycabettus.
If you visit Athens during the summer you can also go to an open-air cinema. There is nothing better than watching a movie under the star, with a view of the Acropolis.
Santorini
You know all the stories you’ve heard about the beauty of Santorini? Well, they are true. The beautiful sunset in Oia, the colorful houses, the view to the “caldera” -a large cauldron-like hollow that forms following the evacuation of a magma chamber- make the island one of most popular with tourists.
Meteora
One of the most mystical places in Greece are the rock cliffs of Meteora, with the monasteries. The word “meteora” means suspended in air and that’s the feeling that the visitor has since the cliffs are at an altitude of more than 1,200 feet with a wonderful view of the town of Kalambaka and the misty valleys.
The ancient theatre of Epidaurus
There is a magical energy that seems to flow from the ancient theater of Epidaurus. The theater was built in 330-20 BC and enlarged in the mid-2nd century AD. It is well-known for its wonderful acoustics.
The visitors on the top rows of the theater can hear whispers and small sounds from the center of the stage. The ancient theater is used until today for performances -every summer in July and August.
Lefkada
In the Ionian Sea, there is an island that is connected with the mainland. We are talking, of course, about Lefkada. Amazing beaches, a lot of green, traditional villages make the island a great choice for tourists. From there you can, also, visit other islands in the Ionian Sea.
Kythera
According to the myth, Kythera is the birthland of the goddess of Love, Aphrodite. Although it is at the southern tip of Peloponnese, Kythera belongs to the Ionian islands. Clean waters, a castle, and the cascade in the village of Mylopotamos are just a few of the things one can see in Kythera.
Nafplio
Just an hour and a half outside of Athens, there is one of the most beautiful cities in Greece. Nafplio is one of the first capitals of Greece and in the alleys of the old city one can see flowers, little shops, and restaurants. If you’re in the mood, you can climb the 999 steps of Palamidi Castle and enjoy the view from the top.
Elafonisos
A small island that is at the south of Peloponnese, Elafonisos is famous for its beach, called Simos. The beach is made of two bays, divided by a small layer of sand.
The dunes, the sparkling water, and the golden sand are a characteristic of world-famous Simos beach. Tourists can either stay at the camping in Simos or to the fishing village of Elafonisos.
Olympia
The birthplace of the Olympic Games is one of the most popular destinations for tourists. There one can go to the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, the Archaeological Site itself, the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Antiquity and the Museum of the History of Excavations in Olympia.
The site was once an important religious and athletic center. Furthermore, one of the 7 wonders of the world (the statue of Zeus) was here until a fire destroyed it.
Hania
One of the biggest cities in Crete, Hania is on the west side of the island and it is well known for the natural beauty surrounding it. The visitors are first attracted by the Venetian harbor with the lighthouse and an Ottoman mosque. Incredible beaches, mountains, and lakes could never bore the visitor. Moreover, Crete is famous for its Mediterranean cuisine.
The Deep Mani
There is no place like the Mani Peninsula. Mani is in south Peloponnese and it is divided in two areas: it is part of the Lakonian Gulf to the east and the Messinian Gulf to the west. The last, known as the Outer Mani, has pretty coastal villages, like Kardamyli and Stoupa.
The Deep Mani offers a different experience altogether. Towerhouses and Byzantine churches fill the rough landscape. The Deep Mani starts from Areopolis, and continues to the village of Vathia (it looks like the set of a movie) and to Marmari, where visitors can find a couple of sandy beaches. Gerolimenas is a beautiful coastal village. Of course there lie the spectacular Diros caves, which visitors can see with a boat.
