12 Best Tourist Places to Visit In Greece

Being the birthplace of Western civilization, Greece has left a mark on history. The historic country is a top destination for tens of millions of visitors. Greece is remarkable for its thousand-year record of civilization and large wealth of ancient ruins. A memorable Greece Vacation must be added to your list of things that must be done in a lifetime. Here are the top ten places to visit in Greece. Each place or attraction will bring you a unique experience, whatever you expect.

Athens

Athens is the capital and the largest city in Greece, stretching back over 3000 years. It serves as the cradle of Western civilization, the birthplace of some great people like Socrates and Plato, and the first city to hold the modern Olympic Games. As the first stop on most Greek vacations, you'll find many historical remains here. Among them, the Acropolis is one of the most iconic landmarks in Greece. The rocky citadel, lying at the heart of Athens, includes the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Athena Nike, and other ancient temples and structures. These structures are famous for their flawless marble sculptures of youthful characters, vivid animals, and brilliant flowers on the walls and colonnades. There is a museum, the Acropolis Museum, situated on the base of Mount Acropolis. The museum houses a collection of ancient statues and sculptures, including the famous Moschophoros (a young man standing with a calf on his shoulders) and Caryatids (a female lifting the Erechtheion up). The Acropolis gives you the best chance to witness the architectural glory of the 5th century BC, the golden age of ancient Greece.

View of the Acropolis from Areopagus Hill

Santorini

Santorini is one of the most dramatic Greek islands. Faced with the Aegean Sea, the island's stunning seascape and fairy-tale buildings are a great magnet for thousands of tourists every year. Against the backdrop of the blue sea level, you're sure to get an incredible photo filled with pride. What makes Santorini so strikingly dreamy are the towns of Fira and Oia, perched around a blue sea-covered caldera on the west coast. The two towns are known for their brightly white-washed buildings with lovely blue domes. Fira and Oia offer theme-variegated hotels with huge swimming pools. Both are popular romantic getaways for weddings and honeymoons. Besides scenic views of the sea and houses, Santorini is also a good place to relax, sunbathe, and go swimming at the beaches on the south or east coast. For history exploration, you can visit Akrotiri, a lava-buried site of the Minoan Civilization around 4000 years ago. Santorini is sufficiently synonymous with dreams and romance, so don't be stingy with your money and time on such a fantastic island.

Relaxing Vacation in Santorini

Meteora

Meteora is the center of a complex of Greek Orthodox monasteries that are perched on top of the Pindus Mountains overlooking the Pineios River. The six monasteries were built in the 14th century and served as a refuge where Greek Orthodox monks escaped from the Turkish invasion because of their inaccessibility. Needless to say, its magnificent historical buildings and the bizarre towering rock formations in the area are a rich source of material for your photography. The monasteries are open to visitors by turn, and each of them has stunning views of the surrounding landscape to offer. It is a good idea to spend at least one day climbing to the top of outcrops and exploring some of the monasteries, inside which you'll see some Orthodox portraits and Byzantine frescoes by swaying candlelight.

Meteora Monasteries

Corfu

The coastal town is located off the Ionian Sea, on the west coast of Greece. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is characteristic of Venetian-style architecture, with its labyrinth of pedestrian-only streets. You will find a number of historic landmarks along the streets, like the 16th-century Old Fortress Corfu, the arcaded Liston, and the Achilleion Palace, which was constructed for the Austrian Empress Elisabeth. If you're thirsty, the street-lined quaint cafes are an excellent resting place. In practice, the historical sights of the capital are one of the fascinating attractions of Corfu Town. Away from the main town, the island shows newcomers a great deal of its fabulous nature. Paleokastritsa, a west coast pebble beach, is a favorite destination in Corfu for enjoyment. A collection of rugged limestone rocks and imposingly curving bays is well worth exploring. You can possess a beach view harmoniously with crystal-clear blue waters, lush greenery, and brilliant blossoms.

Rhode

Have you ever seen in films and TV shows that a ship, no matter how big, can only enter a harbor between the legs of a giant statue? The prototype for this harbor can be found in Rhode. Although the Colossus of Rhodes can no longer be explored, the mystery of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World can fill your trip to Rhode if you wish. The medieval Old Town with Clock Tower to view the splendid Aegean, Street of the Knights with its magnificent castle known as the Palace of the Grand Masters, as well as one of the most famous ancient acropolis of Lindos, which is surrounded by walls built by the knights. These ancient and mysterious aspects are perhaps one of the reasons why the island is so popular with tourists. The island also has wonderful beaches for water sports, such as Kiotari, Kallithea, and Agathi, and the island's stunning surroundings make it the perfect location for butterflies. If you are lucky enough to be in Rhodes in June, visit the colorful elves in this secluded valley.

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Zakynthos

For a bit of adventure, head to the island of Zakynthos and immerse yourself in its enchanting nature. Nicknamed the Flower of the Levant, Zakynthos, or Zante, is always covered with dense vegetation. Famous for its stunning scenery, especially the Blue Caves at Shipwreck Beach. Sailing through one of these sea caves on the west coast, you will find an unexpected view of the blue sky, clear water and the cave walls painted with the reflections of the sparkling water. Traveling to the east coast, you will find no less sunny beaches to relax on, as well as the Zakynthos Marine Park, where you can see many lovely creatures such as seals and turtles resting on the sandy beaches or swimming in the calm waters. You can even catch the migration if your holiday to the Marine Park is during the migration month of June to August.

Delphi

Delphi, an ancient Greek city, earned itself great fame for the well-preserved Delphi Theater. The site, lying on the lower hillside of Mount Parnassus, was built to worship Apollo in the 4th century. In a semicircle around the central stage, the theater could hold about 5,000 spectators in 35 rows. In ancient times, the Delphi Theater was a large arena where significant performances, such as plays, musicals, and poetry readings, took place. Moreover, the location of the theater brings spectators audible beauty and a bird's-eye view of the lush valley. Apart from the Delphi Theater, the city includes a collection of other tourist sites, such as the Temple of Apollo, a stadium, and the Delphi Archaeological Museum. You'll find the well-known Charioteer of Delphi statue, which is regarded as one of the best specimens of ancient Greek sculpture. Delphi was once considered the center of the ancient world and is a must-visit place in Greece.

Mykonos

Another dramatically beautiful island off mainland Greece besides Santorini, Mykonos wins its international popularity not only for beautiful sandy beaches and snow-white houses but also for a wealth of exotic nightlife. You can explore a maze of Cycladic-styled streets, stone-paved alleys, and white-painted step lanes within the town. Mykonos Town can fulfill a variety of your touring purposes. For natural beauty, you can explore the stunning beaches on the south coast of the Aegean Sea for sunbathing. For history learning, you can visit the Archaeological Museum, the Aegean Maritime Museum, and some of the town's iconic landmarks, like the whitewashed Panagia Paraportiani Church, Little Venice, and windmills. For luxury relaxation, it is wonderful to join in local parties at night. Mykonos is home to various nightclubs, bars, boutique hotels, and seafood eateries. You can enjoy your dinner just a few meters away from the Aegean Sea or refresh yourself at one of the live music venues. If you're looking to splurge on a vacation, this luxurious holiday destination will offer you a memorable stay.

Crete

Crete is the largest island in Greece. The city is blessed with a great number of fascinating beaches and an unusual mountain range. Crete has soft, sandy or pebble beaches against crystal-clear waters, ranging from small lengths of bustling beaches lined by restaurants and shops, like Elafonissi Beach for its white and pink sands and Balos Beach for its private yachting, to massive beaches on the south coast, such as Matala Beach. The seductive beaches are one of the great attractions for vacationers. But Crete is not all about beaches; it is also full of culture and history. You can find a wealth of archaeological sites like the Minoan palaces of Knossos and 15th-century monasteries like Rethymno, Arkadi, and Toplou. Museums like the Historical Museum of Crete are a recommended place for you to learn about the history of Crete. What's more, you can stay in Heraklion or Chania in the city to enjoy Cretan specialties and a Mediterranean diet. Some must-sampled dishes are a dakos salad, free-flowing raki, the graviera (a piquant cheese), the stamnagathi (a wild chicory), and so on.

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Pylaros

The Europe-famous beach lies on the northwest coast of Kefalonia Island. Going to Myrtos Beach of Pylaros becomes a prevalent option for a great number of tourists for their summer vacations. Sitting in the shade of Agia Dynati and Kalon Oros mountains, the beach is a good place to keep cool. There is fantastically turquoise water, spectacularly lush cliffs, and the shore is dotted widely with round or diamond-like cobblestone pebbles in a striking shade of white. One of the highlights at Myrtos Beach is to capture its breathtaking view of sunset against the Ionian Sea. You can drive to the viewing spot on the top of the cliffs. Sunbeds and umbrellas, as well as a beach bar, are offered on the beach for easy sunbathing and drinking. Taking a slow boat tour is a popular activity that allows you to capture a unique view of the sea.If you're a thrill-seeker, try the breathtaking tandem paragliding.

Lindos

Lindos, a whitewashed fishing village, lies on the east coast of the Greek island of Rhodes. The holiday destination is endlessly bewitching with all its dramatic beaches and historical ruins of ancient monuments. As an archaeological site, has left a vast collection of historic buildings, including the Acropolis of Lindos, an ancient theater, and the Church of Panagia. You can explore late Byzantine temples and grand stone columns around the Acropolis; leave your fingerprint on the ancient Greek theater's rocky seats and visual stage; and have a look at the vivid frescoes on every corner of the walls and ceiling inside. As for appealing beaches, the village is blessed with Paul's Bay and Agios Pavlos Beach. Located on the southern part of the village, St. Paul's Bay is a curvedly rocky area that embraces Agios Pavlos Beach. The sandy beach is suitable for strolling and sunbathing. If you're curiously thrill-seeking, it would be nice to take an excursion boat and go snorkeling in the blue, crystal-clear water. Other attractions include Vlycha, a large sandy beach packed with luxury 5-star hotels like the Lindos Blu and Sensimar Lindos Bay Resort and Spa.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second-largest city after Athens in Greece, and it seems that the city is less known among the top places mentioned above. But its rich, long history makes it an unmissable visit during your journey in Greece. Thessaloniki receives increasing attention for a number of UNESCO-listed Byzantine and Roman monuments. Byzantine monuments include the Agios Demetrios church and the Byzantine Baths, and Roman sites contain the well-preserved Roman Agora, the Triumphal Arch of Galerius, the 4th-century Rotunda, and the 15th-century White Tower on the seafront. Besides these ancient archaeological sites, the city is active in contemporary art exhibitions in some museums and art galleries. Thessaloniki is still a gateway to the Aegean Sea, which enables you to go for a pleasant stroll along the seaside pedestrian mall. Or, during the day, you can choose to take a harbor cruise to enjoy a magical city view from the sea. It is also a foodie paradise for savoring the breakfast "bougatsa", a kind of filo pastry filled with custard and cinnamon, with "tsipouro" spirit, and various street foods and sugary snacks with a European and Asian flavor at late night.

From monumental ancient ruins to marvelous islands and beaches, Greece has something for everyone. Charmed by both its past glory and modern vitality, Greece is the best destination to review the ancient Greek civilization and savor its cultural delights. Whether you long for culture, newness, or relaxation, the iconic land fails to disappoint you. If you're impressed by any one of the places above, make your way to Greece like a shot! You can contact Odynovo for more travel guides to Greece. We're happy to clear up any of your doubts and, if needed, fit you up with a customized itinerary. Traveling with Odynovo, you'll maximize your vacation in Greece.