Greece is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and it’s no surprise why: The country is full of stunning landscapes, ancient ruins, and ancient art. From Santorini to Kefalonia, you’ll find plenty of unique places to visit during your stay. Here are some highlights from my travels around Greece over the past few years!
1. Santorini
Santorini is one of the most beautiful places in Greece and a popular tourist destination. It’s an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km south of Athens and 3 km off the southern tip of the Peloponnese. The island is famous for its scenic beauty and unique architecture, where you can find charming small towns with white-washed houses built on top of volcanic rock formations. Santorini is a must-see if you’re exploring amazing places, but don’t expect to find any fast-food chains here—this place has more character than any other place on earth!
2. Athens
Athens is Greece’s capital city and one of the most popular places to visit in this country. It has a rich history and many museums in this city that can tell you all about it.
If you love art, Athens is a great place to visit because it has many beautiful buildings designed by famous architects like Frank Gehry and Iannis Phokas. These buildings were inspired by ancient Greek architecture, making them even more interesting for visitors who want to learn about their history. Also, there are many theatres where plays are usually performed every day at night, so if you enjoy watching sports then this might be something for you too!
Lastly, if food interests YOU, I highly recommend trying out some Greek cuisine while visiting this city!
3. Meteora
Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece that was previously used as a place of Christian prayer. The word “meteora” is Greek for “suspended in the air,” which refers to its location above the ground. Meteora is a World Heritage Site and attracts many visitors annually. Meteora has several monasteries and churches, including Agii Theodori (St Theodore) Monastery and Varlaam Monastery. It also has many beautiful hiking trails to explore via foot or bike!
This destination is perfect if you’re looking to spend a day with friends or family—the scenery will amaze everyone who visits this majestic area!
4. Nafplio
Nafplio, a town in the Peloponnese in Greece, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site popular with tourists. It has beautiful Venetian architecture and is known as a fortress city. Nafplio was founded by the Saracens in 860 AD, but it wasn’t until 1460 that it became an important trading port for the Ottoman Empire. The town also has many walls and fortifications, palaces, and mansions built during its later years when it was under Venetian rule from 1686-1715. Today there are plenty of shops to visit, including jewelry stores where you can buy local artisans’ handcrafted items such as glassware or handmade carpets at affordable prices!
5. Delphi
Delphi is one of the most famous ancient sites in Greece, and it’s also one of the oldest. Located on a plateau 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) above sea level, Delphi was once the religious center of ancient Greece. The oracle at Delphi spoke with Apollo’s voice and was consulted for advice by kings seeking guidance about essential matters such as wars, treaties, and marriages.
The ruins of this great city include several temples with outstanding architecture, including two large Doric columns supporting what are believed to remain from Apollo’s Temple; remains from Artemis’ temple; an ancient stadium where competitions were held during Pythian Games (a pan-Hellenic festival); Ictinus’ Treasury; The Sacred Way; Amphitheater; Library and Sanctuary of Apollo Psilon.
6. Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the Greek province of Macedonia. It sits on the Thermaic Gulf and is known for its Byzantine architecture and many churches, monasteries, and mosques. In Ottoman times, Thessaloniki was called Selanik (from which we get the word selection).
7. Kefalonia
Kefalonia is an island in the Ionian Sea, off the western coast of Greece. It is the largest of the Ionian Islands and one of the most beautiful islands in Greece.
Kefalonia is known for its beaches, which are popular with tourists who enjoy their picturesque scenery. The beaches along this island are also known as some of the best in Europe, making it an excellent destination for travelers looking to relax on their trip through Greece.
8. Crete
Crete is the largest island in Greece and is home to many famous beaches, ancient ruins, and a thriving wine industry. It’s also known for its unique culture, with influence of its many conquerors over the years. The island is popular with tourists because of its sunny climate and natural beauty. Here are some of the best places to visit in Crete:
Santorini: This stunning island just off the coast of Crete features dramatic cliffs that plunge into sparkling turquoise waters below. There are also plenty of hiking trails through olive groves and vineyards that offer breathtaking views and fantastic photo opportunities.
Iraklion Archaeological Museum: Located in Iraklion’s Old Town Square (the capital city), this museum houses artifacts from archaeological excavations around Crete, including Mycenaean vases dating back to 1400 BC; Minoan frescoes found at Knossos Palace dating back 3000 years ago; Geometric pottery from 13th century BC; Archaic terracotta figurines made between 700-600 BC; Archaic marble tombstones, including one depicting an athlete holding torches during funeral games; Hellenistic statues dating back 200 BC – 100 AD; Roman mosaics found near Phaistos Palace dating back 2nd century AD – 4th century AD
9. Hydra Island
Hydra island is located in the Saronic Gulf and is a popular tourist destination. It has one of the best-preserved historic centers in Greece, which dates back to ancient times. You can visit Hydra by boat, ferry, or hydrofoil from port Piraeus or Rafina.
You can do many things on this island, such as sailing tours, hiking along its mountain trails, and visiting museums with archaeological finds that date back thousands of years before visiting Hydra Island full of inhabitant by humans today…
10. Corfu – one of the best places you must visit in Greece
Corfu is the second largest island in Greece. This island has many places to visit and explore within its boundaries. Corfu has many things to do, such as walking along its beautiful beaches, visiting historic sites and monuments, or even enjoying a simple beach day with family or friends. The island is famous for its Mediterranean climate, making it an ideal holiday destination for people looking to escape cold winters back in Europe.
There are plenty of beautiful places you must visit in Greece.
There are plenty of beautiful places to visit in Greece. After all, it’s the birthplace of some of our most cherished cultural icons: Socrates, Pythagoras, Aristotle, and Plato, all hail from this country. But there’s more to it than just philosophers—Greece is also one of the most naturally stunning nations on earth and has been home to some of history’s greatest artists and architects (many inspired by its natural beauty).
The monasteries at Meteora are an excellent place to start your journey across Greece. These giant rock pillars have been around for 1,000 years and were once home to monks who lived off nothing but what they could grow themselves or get from passing travelers. Today their stone walls stand tall against an incredible backdrop made entirely of sky-scraping rock formations reaching up toward Heaven itself!
Conclusion
We hope these suggestions have given you some ideas for places to visit in Greece. You could make it a week-long tour of the country or spend a few days in one place. The choice is yours!
