Greece is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, and it’s easy to see why. The country is famous for its many historic sites, picturesque villages, beautiful beaches, delicious food, and welcoming locals.
But, this area’s attractiveness is what draws visitors here in the first place. Such kind of beauty is frequently to be found on one of the many islands that dot the waters around the Greek peninsula like glittering jewels.
Beautiful scenery, fascinating landmarks, exciting cities, and fascinating cultures may all be found in each of these places.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Greece
You can find a tonne of them online. From the western Ionian islands like Kefalonia and Corfu to the Aegean Sea with its many islands like Mykonos, Santorini, Kos, and Rhodes. Crete, further south, is home to the pre-Hellenic Minoan civilization.
When you return to the mainland, you will find breathtaking natural beauty around every corner. Meteora, the ruins of Delphi, and finally, the city of Athens and its most famous landmark, the Parthenon. The top tourist destinations in Greece are as follows.
1. Cape Sounion
Cape Sounion, near the very extremity of the Attica peninsula, is most famous as the location of the ruins of an ancient Greek temple dedicated to Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea.
Resting on a headland, the ocean surrounds the site on three sides. Sunset over the Aegean Sea, as seen from the ruins, is a sought-after spectacle, making the place a popular day-trip destination for travellers from Athens.
2. Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the capital of the Macedonian region of northern Greece and the second-largest city in all of Greece. Culture in Greece can be found in this city, which hosts many exciting festivals, gatherings, and a thriving nightlife.
From its ancient Byzantine walls and White Tower to its modern Turkish baths and vibrant food markets and art galleries, Thessaloniki has something for everyone. The party scene in Thessaloniki is unparalleled. Thessaloniki has a wide variety of restaurants and nightlife options.
3. Zagori
The northwestern Greek region of Zagori is a natural wonder thanks to its stunning geology and two national parks. Dense forests and rocky mountains are carved by mighty rivers, and quaint, historic villages dot the landscape, many of which are home to stately stone manors built in the late 18th century.
Taking a walk along one of the many trails that link the local communities is the greatest way to get to know the landscape. The magnificent Vkos Gorge is the easiest and most rewarding destination to reach.
4. Halkidiki
Halkidiki is a triangular-shaped peninsula with great beaches located close to Thessaloniki. Roughly speaking, the following describes the three distinct peninsulas: There is nightlife in Kassandra, beaches in Sithonia, and monks in Athos.
Kassandra, being closer to Thessaloniki, is more urbanised, whereas Sithonia, being further away, is more rural, with campsites, secluded coves, and crystal clear waters. Greek and Eastern European vacationers frequent both. The monks of Mount Athos own much of the peninsula’s easternmost tip. It can only be reached by boat, and only male pilgrims are permitted entry.
5. Peloponnese
Morea, which literally means “mulberry leaf,” was the old name for the Peloponnese because of its resemblance to a big leaf. Peloponnese is a broad peninsula connected to the mainland by the Rio-Antirrio bridge, and it can be found in the most southern part of both Europe and Greece.
Peloponnese is replete in relics from bygone eras, including classical Greek temples, Venetian strongholds, Byzantine churches, and Mycenaean mansions. Ancient Olympia, site of the first Olympic Games, is also located here.
6. Delphi
Delphi is the second most visited archaeological site in Greece, behind the Acropolis in Athens. Situated around two and half hours from Athens along the slopes of the awe-inspiring Mount Parnassus, Delphi was once considered by the ancient Greeks as the centre of the earth. Delphi, which was devoted to Apollo, was a significant place of divination.
In ancient times, people would come to this hallowed location to ask of the priestess for advice on a wide range of things from farming to relationships and politics. The ruins of several important buildings, including the Temple of Apollo, the Athenian Treasury, and the theatre and hippodrome used in the ancient Pythian Games, may be found in Delphi.
7. Meteora
The stunning cliffs that soar more than 1,200 feet (366 metres) above the villages of Kalambaka and Kastraki in the north central mainland of Greece are called meteora, which means “suspended in the air” in Greek.
Historic monasteries built atop the cliffs add to their awe-inspiring beauty. The monasteries at Meteora date back to the 14th and 16th centuries, when monks looking for seclusion and protection from religious persecution constructed them.
8. Crete
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and is home to a wide variety of scenic scenery, from steep mountains to a beautiful shoreline and rolling plains studded with olive trees.
From the edge of the bustling metropolises grew peaceful villages with sidewalk cafes. Crete’s rich history may be seen in the numerous ancient sites that have been discovered there.
9. Athens
Inhabited for more than 3,000 years, Athens is widely considered as the cradle of Western culture and the birthplace of democracy. The city is an overwhelming jumble of old and new. The Acropolis, Parthenon, Ancient Agora, and Theatre of Dionysos are just a few of the well-known ruins and structures of Athens.
Athens is more than just its ruins, though. This busy metropolis is also a major financial, cultural, and entertainment hub.
10. Greek Islands
The Greek islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world due to their beauty and diversity. More than two thousand islands means they have a lot of options, which could first overwhelm them.
The Greek islands boast everything from stunning beaches and vibrant harbours to historic sites and active volcanoes. Santorini, one of the Cyclades islands, is renowned as one of Greece’s most beautiful destinations.
Mykonos, one of the Cyclades, has a mix of modern, global culture with classic, Cycladic elements, such as whitewashed homes and winding lanes. Rhodes, the largest and capital island of the Dodecanese archipelago in the Aegean Sea not far from the coast of Turkey, is a popular tourist destination thanks to its beautiful beaches and rich history.
Corfu, the largest and northernmost of Greece’s Ionian Islands, has the cultural and architectural marks of its various colonial rulers, most notably the Venetians and the British.
