Greece Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

Athens
Begin with the Acropolis rock, home to the fifth-century BC Parthenon, then stroll down to the Ancient Agora, once Athens' civic, political and commercial center. Don't miss the world-class National Archaeological Museum, packed with ancient marble statues, jewelry and ceramics.

Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge.
Marvel at the Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge. Crossing the Gulf Corinth and linking mainland Greece to the Peloponnese. Nearly 3,000 meters long, this miracle of engineering shows Greece can boast of modern wonders as well as old.

Delphi
Discover Delphi, believed by the ancients to be the center of the world. This fascinating pagan religious complex, set on a stunning hillside site, comprises classical temples, a theater and a stadium. Numerous finds are displayed in the excellent Delphi Archaeological Museum.

Knossos
Explore the extensive ruins of Knossos, a 3,000-year-old frescoed Minoan Palace, home to Europe's earliest civilization. Finds from the site are displayed in the Archaeological Museum in the nearby Venetian-style port town of Iralkio, on Crete.

Lake Plastira
See the work of man of nature combined at Lake Plastira in Kardista. Surrounded by hills covered in oak and chestnut trees, a wander round the glistening waters and awe inspiring views are sure to leave your senses soothed.

Monemvasia
Slow down on Monemvasia. The town can only be reached by a single causeway after an earthquake in 375 AD caused Monemvasia to split from the mainland. Car are not allowed in the old twon, but starry nights and fine food most certainly are.

Mount Athos
Stand tall on Mount Athos, also known as ‘Holy Mountain’, in the east of the Chalcidice peninsula. Situated at the heart of Macedonia geographically and culture, it boasts of over a 1000 years of history.

Mount Olympos
Climb Mount Olympos (2,917m/ 9,570ft), believed by the ancients to be home of Zeus, or scale Mount Pasnassos (2,457m/8,061ft) near Delphi.

Mycenae
Visit the treasure trove that is Mycenae. This hilltop citadel, surrounded by Cyclopean Walls, was the powerful Mycenaeans' capital. Golden treasure, including the ‘Mask of Agamemnon', was found here.

Olympia
Run the race track in Olympia, birthplace of the Olympics, which were staged here between the eighth and fourth centuries BC. Explore the site then see the Archaeological Museum and the nearby Museum of the Olympic Games.

Samaria Gorge
See the flowers bloom at Samaria Gorge on Crete. A visual treat at any time of year, but a veritable explosion of color during spring whether hiking through it or admiring from afar.

Top Things to Do

Birdwatching
There are 11 wetlands of international importance in Greece, and over 190 ‘important bird areas'. The most impressive include the Nestos Delta in Thrace and the Prespa Lakes in Macedonia. Expect to see herons, storks, pelicans and eagles.

Caving
Greece is home to some 6,000 karst caves, the majority in Crete. Over 20 show caves are open for guided tours, the largest and most impressive being Perama, which is filled with stalagmites and stalactites

Discover the Cyclades
Visit Santorini's whitewashed towns of Ia and Thira, built on a cliff overlooking the caldera, a circular depression in the sea created when a volcanic eruption blew the center out of the island around 1600 BC. Expect stunning sunsets, black sand beaches, boutique hotels and gourmet cuisine. Mykonos, known for its glamorous, hedonistic nightlife, attracts celebrities and fashionistas in equal measure as well as a notable gay community.

Hellenic Festival
Do not miss the Hellenic Festival (www.greekfestival.gr), Jun-Sep, which sees music, dance and theater performances held in the second-century AD Odeion of Herodes in Athens, as well as classical Greek dramas in the fourth-century BC amphitheater in Epidaurus.

Hit the beach
Greece and its islands boast many magnificent beaches. The world-renowned Paradise beach at Mykonos is stunning despite the crowds; the surroundings at Balos in Chania, Crete, will take your breath away; the same can be said of Red Beach on Santorini.

Sailing
Set sail from the ancient fortified port of Pythagoreion. There are endless sailing opportunities in Greece, but few can match the quintessentially Greek charm of Pythagoreion, with boats of all sizes looked down upon by the Eupalinian aqueduct.

Watersports
The shallow, fast-flowing rivers of mainland Greece offer excellent facilities for water-based adventure sports such as rafting, kayaking and canoeing. Sea-kayaking and scuba diving are also becoming popular on the islands. Greece has numerous thermal springs, spas and hydrotherapy centers to help sooth any aches and pains.