Walkthrough the country’s groves and archaeological sites, visit groups of islands, get to know the beaches, gorges, and mountains – we explore the top 8 things to do in Greece you wouldn’t want to miss.
The country’s rich history and beautiful coastlines have made it one of the world’s favourite tourist destinations. From throbbing cities like Athens to a slower pace of life in little villages by the sea, Greece is a mosaic of different experiences and landscapes, as well as one of the world’s largest open-air museums.
Top 8 things to do in Greece
- Tour the Acropolis
Dominating the skyline of the capital city of Greece, Athens, is the Acropolis. If you’re in Greece then this is probably the number one attraction and the complex, made from glittering marble – used to be the site of the famous statue of Athena who was also known as the goddess of Athens.
Anyone remotely interested in ancient architecture can marvel at the Doric columns and the spectacular temples and the Acropolis is lined with pathways that let you walk around at your leisure and enjoy the highlight of this monument which is the stunning Parthenon.
- Climb Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus is one of the most famous mountains in the world, if you’re a fan of Greek mythology, then this is not to be missed off your itinerary. Mount Olympus is known in Greek mythology as the place where Zeus and other Greek Gods lived, so as you climb you can imagine the legends that are interconnected with this mountain.
- Admire the Architecture in Santorini
Santorini is also known as the island of Thira and is the haven of honeymooners looking to get away from it all in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Walking around the island gives you the chance to take in all the spectacular architecture here and because the landscape is formed by a volcanic crater you can expect some of the most spectacular views in all of Greece.
- Visit the Delphi
Delphi has the claim to fame of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as one of the top attractions in Greece. Delphi sits on the sides of Mount Parnassus and was a popular pilgrimage spot in the days of old for those who would come here to pay homage to Apollo, the ancient Greek god of healing, music, light, and prophecy.
- Explore the Samaria Gorge
Nestled on the stunning island of Crete is the Samaria Gorge which is a must-visit for any nature lovers to Greece. The gorge spans 16 kilometers, although parts of it are just 4 meters wide. There is a range of treks available at the gorge, although if you want to walk along the entire length of the section, then it can take up to seven hours.
- Visit the monasteries of Meteora
Meteora is known for its monasteries that sit on top of towering rock formations. The monks that live in the area are Eastern Orthodox and fled to Meteora as a result of the invasion of the Turkish army. There are 6 monasteries in Meteora, although at one point there would have been over 20, and as a result, this is one of the most spectacular religious sites in Greece.
- Explore the Palace of Malia
The Palace of Malia in Malia dates from 1900 BC, although it has been rebuilt several times since then following a range of natural disasters like earthquakes. There are a variety of exhibition halls here as well as photographic galleries and scale models of how the complex would have looked in days gone by. Look out for some of its signature pieces such as the Kronos Stone which is a disk with 24 holes in it.
- Visit the ancient site of Phaestos
Phaestos sits around 60 kilometers from Iraklio and offers you stunning vistas over the Messara Plain and Mount Psiloritis. Phaistos is a ruined palatial city and the palace here is similar to Knossos.
If you are planning to visit Greece, there are two things that you should definitely bring with you: a high-quality digital camera to capture breathtaking sceneries and a high-capacity memory card to store as many pictures as you can, and don’t forget to back them up on the cloud! These top things to do in Greece will leave memories indelibly etched in your memory for a long time.
World Travel Blogger 