10 Best Places To Visit In Greece
Greece is an amazing place to go on vacation. With millennia of complex history that changed the world, it never fails to fascinate. Add to that, wild nature and sweeping landscapes, picture-perfect islands, and charming towns and you have the ultimate getaway destination!
I’ve put together a list of the absolute best places to visit in Greece. From an ancient city to a monastery in the mountains, there’s enough beauty and splendor here to keep your Greek itinerary stretching on for weeks.
You can spend your holiday at one or two destinations, tick them all off on your own, or find a tour that covers most of them with time to spend in each location, like this best of Greece tour. Whichever means of travel works best for you!
Athens
With a fascinating history full of mythology, and social and technological advancement, Athens is undoubtedly one of the best places in Greece.
Explore iconic sites of ancient history and culture, like the Athenian Acropolis! Once the most powerful Empire in the world, there is so much history still to be found in this great city.
The birthplace of democracy, Athens is also filled with museums, theatre, and modern cultural centers. Of course, Athenian cuisine is also incredible! There are so many reasons to visit Athens.
You will find something to see almost anywhere in the city, with splendid monuments and lovely old houses creating a vibrant Mediterranean atmosphere. Meet fellow tourists and friendly locals while relaxing at cafés and strolling through the streets. It’s a dreamy start to your vacation.
Santorini
Famous for its idyllic whitewashed houses clinging to the cliff-face, and its azure blue oceans, Santorini is an amazing Greek destination. Also known as Thera, the island is immortalized by artists, ancient and contemporary.
It’s also well known for its vibrant nightlife, particularly in Fira! You’ll find many lovely hotels and restaurants on the island’s two towns, catering to tourists and locals. Sitting at the edge of a largely underwater caldera, the island is magnificent and full of contrasts.
Avoid the summer crowds by going in Spring or Autumn, when it’s warm enough to swim but cool enough to trek the island’s picturesque expanse.
Molivos
A lesser-known, but incredibly unique, Greek destination is the small town of Molivos on the island of Lesvos. It’s red-roofed sandstone houses crest a hill by the ocean, on top of which stands an old castle.
If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation in Greece, this is the perfect place to find it. Spend your days exploring the cobblestone streets surrounded by flowers and quaint homes, or cycle around the olive groves just beyond the village.
You’ll also spend much of your time eating tapas at charming restaurants overlooking the bay, lazing on the beach, and taking a little boat out to snorkel in the calm ocean waters. Despite being relatively unknown, and perhaps because of it, Molivos is certainly one of our top places to visit in Greece.
Mykonos
This island is well known for its summer party atmosphere and will be one of the best party experiences you’ve ever had. That is, if sandy beaches, blue skies, well-priced alcohol, great music and plenty of enthusiastic people appeal to you.
Of course, if you’re looking for a more laid-back Greek vacation, Mykonos remains one of the most beautiful places in Greece. But you should try to go in September-October. In this time, the crowds thin out and the weather is still warm!
Visit the ancient sacred ruins of Delos, spend the day sunbathing on the tranquil beach of Andreas Bekas, or pop into some lovely museums to get a greater sense of the area’s rich history.
Crete
The birthplace of Zeus, according to Greek mythology, Crete is known for its wild natural beauty and interesting history. With some of the most significant attractions in Greece, many pilgrimages have been made here!
A wonderland for nature-lovers, you can go canyoning, trekking, scuba diving, and snorkeling. There is so much adventure to be had on Zeus’ great island.
While you’re here, be sure to visit Heraklion, the island’s capital. The city has so much historical significance, with a massive archaeological site dating back thousands of years, and the striking Palace of Knossos, among many others.
You’ll find many intriguing artifacts, and a local culture beautifully and fascinatingly shaped by a complex past.
Corfu
Corfu Town has everything. Whether you’re looking for great nightlife, authentic food, fun and friendly locals, beautiful nature, or history, you’ll find it all here. Explore an ancient fortress, seek out a hidden beach, or indulge in tapas and cocktails at one of their many restaurants.
Corfu is quite a popular tourist destination but has lost none of its charm. Here you’ll find old Greek women calling to each other above your heads and hanging washing over narrow cobblestone streets. If you’re anything like me, that’s the way you’ve always pictured Greece, and it’s amazing to see it actually happen!
Locals spend hours dining, and the wine always flows, as does the olive oil. Get to know some of the friendly locals and join them for an authentic, divine meal. You will go home with a deep desire to make every meal an affair, with relaxation and laughter. And wine!
Meteora
Differing from our other places to visit in Greece, Meteora is neither a town nor an island. Rather, it’s a monastery complex, perched high up on phenomenal rock formations.
One of the largest and most impressive Eastern Orthodox Monasteries in the world, the six monastery buildings are built on top of immense boulders and natural pillars. Startling to the eye, and a totally unique place to explore, Meteora is undoubtedly one of the best places to travel in Greece.
An entire monastic community was established here in the 14th century and has continued to live here ever since, separated from the world. You can visit on certain days, and even spend the night.
The trip involves a lot of stairs – after all, the monasteries were built here to be difficult to get to. But for anyone who can, the journey is more than worthwhile.
Paliochori Beach
This colorful beach in Milos is something totally out of the ordinary! With bubbling springs, fine reddish pebbles and pastel-colored rocks, you’ll enjoy more than the usual sun-and-sea beach day.
While little-known, it’s a beautifully photo-worthy place, and you’ll find charming tavernas and casual dining in the immediate area. You can relax with a cocktail and a great view of the unusual beach.
You can also order sun loungers and have your food brought to you on the beach for a unique picnicking experience.
There are all kinds of water sports available here, with stunning visibility in the water, so you can perfectly see the underwater creatures who find themselves in this magical wonderland with you!
Rhodes
One of the most popular Greek destinations, Rhodes is both an island and a city. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, history buff, foodie, party animal, or a weary traveler looking for a place to relax and revive, the city has more than enough to make your Greek vacation memorable.
The Old Town is one of the world’s best preserved medieval settlements, protected by an imposing wall. Its heritage includes so many past civilizations over two millennia, that every stone tells a story. Ancient statues, fountains, mosques and a grand palace make Rhodes worth visiting just for this part of it!
The modern city, however, is also well worth your time. Explore captivating and interweaving contemporary cultures. Enjoy top-class restaurants, bars, nightclubs, museums, and theatre. You can never grow bored in Rhodes.
Delphi
Located on Mount Parnassus, Delphi is one of the most important and impressive ancient sites you’ll ever see. When the Greek Empire was at its peak, Delphi was home to the famous oracle of Apollo, which gave cryptic predictions and guidance to those who ventured here.
The sacred religious sanctuary of the god Apollo, Delphi was believed by the Greeks to be the very center of the world. The ruins are well preserved and impressive. Sitting there among the green hills, they impart a sense of spirituality and beauty which stretches back millennia.
This archeological site is one of the most stunning in the world, and one of the best things to do in Greece. You can hike up the beautiful mountain and take in the island landscape, or catch a bus to the top. Be sure to also spend time in the nearby Delphi village. It is incredibly charming and has a lot of history of its own.
The Most Beautiful Places In Greece
Without a doubt, these awe-inspiring locations are the best places to visit in Greece that we’ve ever come across.
Do you have any you would add to the list, that took your breath away? I’d always love to expand the list, and tick it off next time I go.
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