Best Places To Visit in Greece: Top 10 Tourist Destinations
Greece has been referred to as the cradle of Western civilization, and you can still see the amazing remnants of this fact by visiting some of the country’s top tourist destinations today.
Known for its cultural heritage and long history, Greece’s beauty doesn’t stop at historical landmarks; with gorgeous beaches, beautiful islands, and other natural attractions,
it’s easy to see why so many people visit each year. Here are 10 of the top places to visit in Greece.
(01)The Mykonos Island
Between Tinos, Syros, Paros, and Naxos sits the Greek island of Mykonos, which is a member of the Cyclades. With a population of 11,423 people and an area of 85.5 km2 (33.7 sq mi), the island is one of 12 municipalities in the South Aegean.
Because of its reliance on tourism, Mykonos is known as the “island of windmills.” To help power its 8,500 homes, 18 windmills and a number of tiny hydroelectric dams were constructed.
Mykonos has a reputation for being a rowdy party island, but it also provides elegance, history, fine dining, dazzling coastlines, and interesting excursions and activities. Mykonos is a popular island-hopping destination because of its location.
(02)Santorini Island
Santorini, also known as Thira and Therasia, is one of several Greek islands that make up Cyclades. Santorini is located about 150 miles southeast of mainland Greece and 350 miles south of Athens. A volcanic eruption nearly destroyed Santorini over 3,500 years ago;
it’s now home to rich lava caves, beaches and black-sand coves. If you plan on visiting Santorini Island during your time in Greece , there are a few things you should know.
Santorini is well-known for its winemaking heritage, with large vineyards and superb wine varietals. Its boutique vineyards are a must-see since they provide the ultimate opulent experience.
The architecture of the settlements constructed directly on the brink of the caldera is the most amazing feature of Santorini. These lovely settlements are notable for their sugar-cube dwellings, paved streets, beautiful churches, and, most importantly, the spectacular view of the Aegean Sea.
(03)Athens, The Ancient Capital City
Athens is an ancient city with a powerful past. The birthplace of democracy, Athens also features a wealth of Greek art and architecture for visitors to admire. Most travelers begin their tour of Athens at Syntagma Square where they can visit its many historic buildings, including Hotel Grande Bretagne, which dates back to 1887 and was designed by Ernst Ziller.
From there it’s easy to reach other popular sites such as The Acropolis Museum, where tourists will find a wide variety of artifacts excavated from various areas across Attica. The Acropolis itself is worth exploring; it contains 6th century B.C. architecture designed by Mnesicles and attracts millions of visitors each year who enjoy panoramic views from its summit overlooking Omonia Square.
If you decide to visit Athens, three days is a fair amount of time to spend there. You will have ample time to tour key monuments and intriguing neighborhoods in Athens without feeling rushed. With 3 to 4 days, you will have enough time to see other cities near Athens.
(04)Meteora
The Meteora is a central Greek rock formation that houses one of the largest and most precipitously erected complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries.
Meteora is a region of rock pillars located above a village, dating back to Byzantine times. Today, it is home to six Christian monasteries.
The incredible views of rock formations make for an awe-inspiring visit, but be sure not to miss Moni Agii Apostoli, since you need special permission from one of its monks if you want to visit. Your hotel can set up your appointment for you or you can apply directly on their website .
Meteora, which means “suspended in air,” is famous for its monasteries perched atop vertical peaks; however, few people realize that prior to their construction in the 14th century, hermit monks first climbed these soaring stones to settle in the caves and hollows of the rocks as early as the 9th century.
(05)Peloponnese Region
Peloponnese is a region of southern Greece. It is located between the Ionian Sea and the Gulf of Corinth. It is separated from its neighbor, Arcadia, by mountains running in a north-south direction. The mountains include Tymfi (2,407 m) and Parnon (1,918 m). The main cities are Kalamata, Tripoli and Gytheio.
The Peloponnese, located on the country’s southern coast, is the most visited region on the Greek mainland. This region, which has the topographical shape of a plane tree leaf, is home to several notable ancient sites, coastal resorts, beautiful beaches, castles, and ski resorts.
The cultural riches and natural beauty of the Peloponnese can hardly be overstated. This southern peninsula—technically an island since the cutting of the Corinth Canal—seems to have the best of almost everything Greek.
(06)Nafplio
Nafplio, A Luxurious Destination For The Rich
Nafplio is a tourist destination for people who want to experience everything that Greece has to offer. Nafplio is named after nymphs and gods, making it a luxurious destination.
But there are many reasons that make Nafplio different from most other cities in its region. One of those factors is an abundance of neoclassical architecture. These buildings have been around since 1829, giving tourists plenty of time to appreciate them.
Many beautiful Nafplion beaches are located in close proximity to the town. The coasts of Argolida, Greece are clean and picturesque, in fact, developed with many tourist amenities. The most popular beaches in Nafplion are Tolo, Kandia, and Nea Kios. You will find below a list of the best beaches in Nafplion, Greece.
(07)Delphi and Olympia
Delphi was a sanctuary dedicated to Apollo, god of prophecy and light. You may have heard of it—it’s rumored to be where Socrates went to seek wisdom. The ruins of Delphi’s center are stunning, but its appeal stretches even beyond ancient history. These days,
hiking trails lead you through forests that seem straight out of The Odyssey and let you climb up rocky hillsides overlooking lush valleys.
It’s beautiful enough that it was featured on a Travel Channel series about natural wonders around Europe. Olympia is one of Greece’s must-see sites for history buffs: It hosted games for more than 1,200 years—from 576 BC until AD 393—and is home to several temples, including one dedicated to Zeus.
(08)Crete
Crete, One Of The Most Resilient Islands On Earth
Crete is a large, heavily mountainous island located at nearly dead center of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s rich with archaeological sites, beautiful beaches and amazing natural beauty. The capital city of Crete, Heraklion (or Iraklion), has been inhabited since antiquity and is full of historic charm;
however, much like most cities on Crete, it’s something you must experience to really appreciate. Heraklion was struck by an earthquake that devastated many parts of city in 1956; however, since then it has slowly regained its former glory while adding many modern touches that complement Crete’s legacy as a center for diverse and powerful cultures.
(09)Patmos Island
Patmos is a small island in Greece, famous for its monasteries, beaches and beautiful landscape. The island is also important to history buffs because it’s home to an ancient manuscript, St. John’s Apocalypse. The 4th century text describes visions that St. John had while he was on Patmos and contains vivid descriptions of things like angels and demons fighting over souls. While you won’t be able to see St.
(10)Agios Nikolaos Pateras Bay, Creta
Located on Crete, Agios Nikolaos Bay is a secluded bay with several nearby beaches and a few tavernas. It’s not very crowded, but it is popular among tourists due to its breathtaking beauty and location close to several other important tourist attractions on Crete.
In fact, one of those main attractions – Elafonisi Beach – lies within walking distance of Agios Nikolaos Bay. Even if you don’t want to go for a swim here, it’s worth your time just to see Elafonisi; there aren’t many spots around as lovely as Elafonisi beach.
