Top 10 things to do in Greece

Greece offers a myriad of experiences, landscapes and activities. It is the pulsing nightclubs of Mykonos and the ancient beauty of Delos; the grandeur of Delphi and the earthiness of Ioannina; the rugged hillsides of Crete and the lush wildflowers of spring. It is the blinding light of the Mykonos sun, the melancholy throb of Thessaloniki's rembetika (blues songs), the tang of home-made tzatziki, the gossip in the kafeneia (coffee shops). It is the Parthenon - solitary and pristine - lording it over the hazy sprawl of Athens.

#1

The Parthenon from the northwest
Parthenon from the southwest, The Erechthium, Parthenon from the west, Athens - Acropolis
The Acropolis of Athens

What would a visit to Athens be without going to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon? And still people ask me why the Parthenon is so important. Its because it was the most perfect building built by the world's most advanced civilization and even though we have been studying it for centuries we are still not sure how they did it.

#2

The mask of Agamemnon, one of the best known pieces shown in the museum.
The philosopher's head from the Antikythera wreck., The Antikythera mechanism (main fragment)., Minotaur bust.
The National Archaeological Museum - Athens

The National Archaeological Museum in Athens houses some of the most important artifacts from a variety of archaeological locations around Greece from prehistory to late antiquity. It is considered one of the great museums in the world and contains the richest collection of artifacts from Greek antiquity worldwide. It is situated in the Exarhia area in central Athens between Epirus Street, Bouboulinas Street and Tositsas Street while its entrance is on the Patission Street adjacent to the historical building of the Athens Polytechnic.

#3

Temple of Poseidon
Temple of Poseidon, Poseidon
Temple of Poseidon

Cape Sounion ("Cape of Columns") is noted as the site of ruins of an ancient Greek temple of Poseidon, the god of the sea in classical mythology. The remains are perched on the headland, surrounded on three sides by the sea. The ruins bear the deeply engraved name of English Romantic poet Lord Byron. The site is a popular day-excursion for tourists from Athens, with sunset over the Aegean Sea, as viewed from the ruins, a sought-after spectacle.

#4

Santorini
Santorini, Santorini sunset, Santorini, Santorini, Santorini, Santorini
Santorini

Santorini Greece or Thera is located in the Cyclades islands, in the Aegean Sea, Mediterranean. It has been said that the sunsets in Santorini are the best in the world with the Caldera breathtaking views of the volcano and neighbouring islands. Going out in the evening in Santorini is like a fairy tale. Twinkling lights over the Caldera and the reflection of the full moon in the dark waters creates a magical atmosphere. Fira heads the nightlife section with many bars and cafes on the caldera, and are also into the streets through the town.

#5

Mykonos windmills
Church of Paraportiani, Mykonos, Mykonos pelican, Mykonos
The Island of Mykonos

The island of Mykonos is part of the Cyclades, a group of islands nestled in the southern and central Aegean Sea. In recent years, Mykonos has positioned itself as a trendy place to visit, rivaling even some of the swishiest locales such as Capri or Hawaii. The island's recent fame is thanks in part to the fact that some of the world's most beautiful people have been flocking here, including Madonna and Mick Jagger.

#6

Theater of Epidaurus
Theater of Epidaurus, Theater of Epidaurus
The Ancient Theater of Epidaurus

The Theatre at Epidaurus is the best-preserved theatre structure in Greece. At the time of its construction, it was admired for its beauty, symmetry, and acoustics. Many Greek theatres were altered by the Romans in later years; the Theatre at Epidaurus was not altered—perhaps a testament to its near-perfect design.

#7

Lion Gate
Lion Gate, The citadel is the Grave Circle , The Acropolis of Mycenae, Lion Gate, The citadel is the Grave Circle
The Acropolis of Mycenae

The ruins of the Mycenaean Acropolis themselves are a delight. The awe inspiring "Lion Gates" (the earliest known piece of monumental sculpture in the European continent) take you to the interior of the acropolis, and a steep path leads your climb through several ancient buildings and pathways, towards the palace where Agamemnon was murdered by his wife Klytemenestra and her lover after he returned victorious from the Trojan war.

#8

Palace of Knossos
Palace of Knossos, Palace of Knossos, Palace of Knossos, Minoan Palace
Palace of Knossos

Knossos Palace, is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and probably the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization and culture. The palace appears as a maze of workrooms, living spaces, and store rooms close to a central square. Detailed images of Cretan life in the late Bronze Age are provided by images on the walls of this palace. It is also a tourist destination today, as it is near the main city of Heraklion and has been substantially restored by archaeologist Arthur Evans.

#9

Island of Creta
Creta, Old man from Creta, Creta, Fresco fragment of a dancing woman (Knossos, 1600–1450 BC)
Island of Creta

The island of Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands, and the fifth largest Island in the Mediterranean, covering 8336 square kilometers. The Capital City of Crete, Heraklion, has a population of 137,000 inhabitants and is the fifth largest City in all of Greece.

#10

Aghios Dimitrios church
Aghios Dimitrios church , Aghios Dimitrios church , Aghios Dimitrios church , Aghios Dimitrios church , Aghios Dimitrios church
Aghios Dimitrios church - Thessaloniki

Agios Demitrios (Saint Dmitri) was a third century Christian scholar who was martyred by Galerius and whose ghost has apparently appeared at several key battlesites. The significance of Agios Demitrios has led to the construction of Greece's largest church on his birthplace in Thessaloniki. The church was converted into a mosque by the Turks, who plastered over its interior walls. When these were uncovered after the return of the church to the Greeks, it was discovered that the church also possessed the finest mosaics in Greece.

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