Athens, Delphi, Sparta, but also democracy, medicine, literature, philosophy, the Olympic Games and large buildings ... Ancient Greece left us a huge legacy and there is so much to see in Greece! Fortunately, we have selected for you, the 5 must-see destinations not to be missed and to see on your next trip.
Five stages for a perfect itinerary!
1. Athens, the historic city to see!
A fascinating city, Athens is a must-see during a stay in Greece. Discover a mysterious city, in which history is told through each monument of its rich heritage. Capital of Greece, it has many contemporary facilities, some of which come from the 2004 Olympic Games, including sports facilities. It is also a city crossed by a dense network of public transport and which benefits from a huge international airport. However, in everyone's imagination, Athens is ancient civilization and the city of democracy. The Acropolis is on a hill where many monuments are located: the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, as well as the Erechtheion etc.
So, what to see in Athens during your visit?
The Acropolis in Greece
The Acropolis of Athens, the must-see
From the top of its limestone plateau, the acropolis offers a condensed history and allows you to see or visit the most emblematic sites of Athens.
<br>• The archaeological site
Access to the Acropolis archaeological site is chargeable, but the ticket price also includes access to the Acropolis Museum, which allows you to complete your immersion in the ancient world.
<br>• The Parthenon
Proudly standing on the Acropolis, the Parthenon is probably the most visited site in Greece. A majestic monument with its Doric columns, it was not dedicated to a cult, but contained the Treasury of the League of Delos. It was the custody of this treasure that allowed Athens to establish its authority over the Greek world. Today, the building is in ruins, and the decorations are mainly exhibited in the British Museum, the Louvre and the Museum of Athens.
<br>• The Temple of Athena Nike
Temple dedicated to the goddess of the hunt. It was one of the only monuments outside the wall, and as such, it was very popular with the ancient Greeks. Nowadays, it is also a very visited site that you must go and see!
<br>• L’Erechtéion
Last born on the Acropolis (5th century BC), the Erechtheion is a temple of ionic architecture. It is renowned for its elegant and unusual construction.
Walking around Athens
Visiting Athens is certainly discovering its prestigious past… however, it is also necessary to walk in the city, especially in the medieval districts. The Plaka district, with whitewashed houses, is a series of small alleys which gradually lead you towards the Acropolis. The Psiri district is a very touristic district, where you will find many shops and where the nightlife is in full swing until late at night, especially in summer.
The Plaka district in Athens
Deepen your visit to Athens with our article:
Athens: 7 must-see things in Greece's capital
2. Delphi, an archaeological place
Delphi, located not far from Athens, also presents an exceptional heritage. Delphi is as important to see in Greece as Olympia and Athens. This was also the case in the days of Ancient Greece, since it is here that the Oracles were consulted in the temple of Apollo.
Delphi
Delphi constitutes a first-rate archaeological ensemble, with not only the Temple of Apollo, but also the Treasury of Athens, the polygonal wall ... A truly essential place to visit if you then plan to travel to Crete or the Cyclades for the rest of your stay.
3. The Peloponnese, a region rich in culture
The Peloponnese is the large mainland region visited in Greece. It is a real treasure of ancient Greece. Discover Corinth, Olympia, Epidaurus and Mystra, once there. The great attraction of Corinth is its canal. But do not miss the temple of Apollo either, located in the archaeological site where you will also discover the Agora, the theater and so many other vestiges of this great rival of Athens. The Corinthian Museum is also worth visiting if you want to explore the temple of Apollo more deeply.
Corinth
The city of Epidaurus, meanwhile, is known for its famous theater, with excellent acoustics. Even today, many people play it with their voices and with the magnificent echo. Near, is also the sanctuary of Asclepius. Finally, to learn more about the miracles of the cures and find the remains of the remains preserved from the wind and bad weather, go through the doors of the Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus.
The theater of Epidaurus
Olympia is world famous for being the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Before each Olympiad, the torch is lit on this site, thus recalling the peaceful origins of these meetings. You can discover the stadium there, as well as the location of one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the chryselephantine statue of Zeus. This statue, which has now disappeared, was immense and honored Zeus for whom these games were given.
Olympia
Far from antiquity, Mystra is a town known for its monasteries and churches decorated with magnificent frescoes and oriental icons. Also worth seeing is the Frankish fortress of Villehardouin.
4. Crete, one of the largest Mediterranean islands
Crete is the second largest island in the Mediterranean after Cyprus. The island is therefore a must-see in Greece. In addition, it offers a temperate climate and presents many varied landscapes. Indeed, there you will find beautiful mountainous regions as well as magnificent and long golden sandy beaches. It is thus a flagship destination to see in Greece, like the Peloponnese.
Chania
In the west of Crete, Chania is a city that has preserved its old houses, giving it an irresistible charm. The Topanas district, in particular, with its narrow streets and Venetian houses, is a typical and totally exotic place. The Venetians also left a castle as a heritage. It overlooks the city and sets the tone for the splendors to be discovered in this seaport. The region around Chania, on the other hand, is mostly dominated by a huge mountainous area, mainly white in color.
The Gorges of Samaria
The Samaria Gorges are accessible to any walker, and allow you to walk at the bottom of huge rock faces, very dizzying. The walk takes about 3-4 hours, but the site is very busy. Also, start the route before the arrival of the hordes of tourists.
The Gorges of Samaria
Agios Nikolaos
The capital of Lassihi, Agios Nikolaos, is located east of Heraklion. This picturesque little town stretches out over a beautiful bay. Walks around Lake Voulismeni are often very popular. Take the time to visit the folklore museum, a very beautiful place to discover, with, inside, very rich explanations on the local trades. Part of the exhibition is also devoted to Byzantine art and contains magnificent oriental icons.
Rethymno
Rethymno, like Chania, has managed to keep its authenticity, but only partially. It is especially the beaches that attract Rethymno : either they are immense endless sand strips, or small very intimate coves. You can discover many small oriental churches during a stroll. If you are going to Crete in February, take a tour of the Rethymno side to enjoy Carnival, one of the biggest in Greece.
Heraklion
Heraklion is the main city of Crete. It is through it that tourists arrive, thanks to its airport. It is often considered by lovers of authenticity as being less attractive than its neighbors, because it is very modern. However, it has two key elements: the palace of Knossos and its museum. Who has never heard of the famous Minotaur? This monster lived in the Palace of Knossos and you can currently visit this huge building. This was not only used to house the royal family, but was also used as a granary and administrative center. As for the museum, it is the second largest museum in Greece and one of the most frequented in this country. The beaches are not left out either and you will have no trouble finding one.
Heraklion
5. The Cyclades and the Ionian Islands, paradise
The Cyclades, like the Ionian Islands, are little wonders to see in Greece. These are great places to take your time on sunny beaches. The Cyclades are a vast group of 56 islands, some of which are known, if only by name: Andros, Delos or Mykonos. Most of these islands are uninhabited due to the barren land unsuitable for cultivation. Discover this vast archipelago rich in nature and culture! The Ionian Islands, on the other hand, are an archipelago of seven islands located to the west of the Peloponnese. : Corfu, Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaca, Cephalonia, Zakynthos and Cythare. Unlike the Cycladic islands, the Ionian islands benefit from the onset of the rains, which adorn them with intensely green vegetation.
The Delos site
Apollo would have been born on this island, just like Dyonysos. The gods therefore leaned heavily on this cradle caressed by the waves of the Aegean Sea. Go for a walk on the side of the Sacred Lake (the exact place where Apollo was born) and pay homage to the lions who guard this mythical place. Also visit the ancient theater and the neighborhood built around it. The archaeological site of Délos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Milos: the Christian catacombs
Located on the island of Milos, they allowed the first Christians to practice their religion out of sight and persecution. It is also in these catacombs that the dead were buried. Today, they allow us to know more and more about the early Christian era. Take advantage of a trip to Milos for stroll along the seafront and admire the white cliffs, an intense blue water… Wonderful photos to take throughout your walk.
Milos
Namely: it is on this same island of Milos, near the village of Klima, that was found the Venus of Milo, the famous statue in the Louvre.
Santorini Island
Photo lovers, take out your cameras! The island of Santorini is the real supermodel, the only volcanic island in the Cyclades. Here, everything is a pretext for a photo and mainly the troglodyte houses which stand out thanks to the reflection of the sun on the whitewashed walls. The village of Oia is also a delight with its blue roofs, its position on the edge of the cliff, as well as the magnificent sunset.
Mykonos
After visiting a few sites, return to Mykonos to spend the night in a hotel. Then enjoy your evening to relax in one of the many trendy nightclubs.
Corfu
Undoubtedly the most famous of the Ionian islands, Corfu is a little gem which has perfectly adapted to the demands of tourism without renouncing its natural beauty. Its beaches are particularly popular with holidaymakers. To get as close as possible to the authenticity of Corfu, stop at a restaurant and order a sofrito (beef with a garlic sauce). Finish your meal with a kumquat liqueur, made on the island.
Corfu
Cephalonia
Kefalonia is the second tourist island in the archipelago of the Ionian Islands. Its landscapes are however less rich in vegetation, but just as spectacular, with Mount Etnos culminating at 1 meters. Very limestone, its summits are as many lunar landscapes, striking. To literally wow you, go to Melissani chasm, preferably in the morning. You will be able to observe turquoise waters adorned with a thousand and one colors. An enchanting spectacle! Finally, St. George's Castle was built by the Venetians. Thanks to its position on the heights of the island, it offers very beautiful views of Kefalonia.
Five must-see destinations in Greece… what's next?
Now that you know the most beautiful places to see in Greece, the question is which ones to choose if your stay does not allow you to see them all? Here is our advice on where to go in Greece according to your desires and your traveler profile.
