Do you prefer ancient ruins or irresistible beaches? The tourist spot in Greece where grand sunsets, missing Minoans, fine restaurants, Atlantis legends, good local wine, vampire stories, and a fascinating volcanic legacy are famous. Next up is something a little different. See 559 Experiences Nearby attractions include Tiryns, Epidaurus Theater, and Ancient Corinth. 1. Stroll among the cobbled streets and take in all of the handicraft shops and restaurants. The best known and most distinctive is the Parthenon, originally made up of 58 columns supporting a roof and decorated by ornate pediments and a frieze. The Peloponnese Peninsula, south of Athens, is another great spot and home to such places as Corinth, the fortified city of Mycenae, and the ancient Epidauros Theater. The Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum preserve sculptures, vases, jewelry, and more from Ancient Greece. The centre of the island is less explored than the coastline, with fir trees and olive groves adding to the island’s charm. The Argo-Saronic Islands, just a stone’s throw from Athens, are the perfect destination for multi-stop holiday. Greece's best sights and local secrets, from travel experts you can trust. Blog expand_more. Regarding possible vacation spots, Greece was rated among the top three destination choices for tourists, garnering 15.01 percent and following only the nations of … Click on the links and check them out for yourself! Click on the links and check them out for yourself. A visit here is one of the top things to do in Crete. Stay 4 nights for the price of 3 at Preferred hotels & Resorts . Citadels and fortresses dot the hillsides giving Nafplio an enticing charm. Otherwise known as Navagio beach, this alone makes Zakynthos a must-visit destination. We joined a unique experience that combined sailing with scuba diving and had a wonderful day. Traveling will be me, my wife, my Mother and my 22-year-old nephew. How many of these incredible places have you visited? Make time for the iconic features of the Acropolis of Athens, which include the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. *Editor’s Note: We stayed at Katerina Rooms and loved our stay there – the owner was so kind! I do not often get off the island due to working commitments, but I have managed to see Athens a few times. General tourist information. Biden’s order also reimposes an entry ban on nearly all non-U.S. travellers who have been in Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland and … Experience a bright summer in Greece using your Mastercard® card and get access to special travel offers. Top Attractions in Athens, Greece Athens, the capital of Greece, was the heart of the ancient Greek civilization. These hallowed monuments are dedicated to the great gods of old such as Zeus and Hera. Built on the lower slopes of Mount Parnassus, overlooking a dramatic ravine, the site was sacred to the ancients, who came here on pilgrimages to worship Apollo (god of light, prophecy, music, and healing) and to ask advice from the mythical Oracle. Go on a hike through one of its majestic landscapes and witness shutter-worthy sunrise and sunsets. Let’s face it, the Acropolis tops every list of tourist attractions in Greece that’s ever been written – but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wrong to do so. Learn how to make money on the road, so you can travel forever. In Greek mythology Mykonos was the location of the great battle between Zeus and the Titans and the great Hercules is said to have been killed here in the battle. Goats on the Road Posts » Travel Blogs » Europe » Greece » 15 Best Places To Visit in Greece (2021 Update). The nearest town is Kalambaka. Antarctica. Top Attractions in Greece 1. Athens, Greece’s capital city, is often used as a pit stop on a trip to the Greek Islands, but it is well-worth a visit on its own. Search Lonely Planet. Built on a small peninsular on the east coast of the Peloponnese, it became the first capital of modern Greece in 1828 before Athens took over in 1834. Boasting some of the best swimming spots in Greece, Rhodes has the perfect mix of quaint towns, pristine beaches, and archaic history. If you do make it to Skyros, keep an eye out for the legendary wild horses of the island. Athens (One of The Best Cities in Greece to Visit), 8. Greece is one of Europe's most popular LGBT tourist destinations. US President Joe Biden signed a decree on Monday barring most non-U.S. citizens from entry if they have recently been in South Africa. Check out that hotel here. Picturesque and world-renowned, Santorini must be seen to be believed. Greece comes in 13th place (2019) in the world rating of tourist destinations, since, according to the National Statistical Service of Greece, it receives more than 30 million tourists every year, after countries such as the USA, China, Spain, France and Great Britain. Samos is one of the Greek islands standing out for its stunning beaches and beautiful natural landscape. © Copyright 2021 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. Knossos (One Of The Best Places in Greece For History), 6. ☞ Click here to see all accommodation options available in Zakynthos on Booking.com. In 2009 the international tourist’s arrival increase by 14.9 million, and in 2016 it reached 24.8 million. Destinations Food & Drink News Stay Video Search *Editor’s Note: We stayed at Corfu Palma Boutique Hotel and loved our stay! The capital, Corfu Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to its elegant Italianate architecture — it was ruled by the Venetians for several centuries. This incredible country offers the perfect mix of relaxation, culture, and history. I have free accommodation in a small town bit want to travel around in Greece and Turkey while I’m there. This friendly and patriotic town was once the capital of Greece, as many of the locals will happily tell you. It is best known for the west coast cliff-top towns of Fira and Oia, which appear to hang over a deep, blue sea-filled caldera. Back in Athens, arguably the second-most famous archaeological site in Greece is the ancient Agora, located just below the Acropolis. You can go on a cruise vacation, which is a complete world of its own or head over to the never ending paradise of beautiful sights. One of Greece's top tourist destinations, Corfu sits in the Ionian Sea off the west coast of the mainland. Here is a list of the top 3 rated, affordable properties in Skiathos. Home to one of the most famous ancient civilizations, Greece has a cultural history dating back many centuries. The most popular beach area is Paleokastritsa, on the west coast, about 25-kilometers from Corfu Town. Along with beautiful mosaics and fine pottery, there is also the hall of kings. The island is also home to one of the most photographed spots in Greece, the incredibly beautiful Shipwreck Cove. Also do not forget to visit the Plaka district. This is perhaps as it should be as it’s the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese Islands. Steeped in tradition and still relatively untouched, Skyros is a great choice for an idyllic getaway. Known for its plethora of ancient ruins, whitewashed villages, sunny beaches, tasty cuisine and friendly atmosphere, it is no wonder that Greece ranks among Europe’s top travel destinations.Greece is made up of a mountainous mainland and hundreds of islands where each one offers its own share of stunning landscapes, historic sites, nightlife scenes and cultural delights. There are endless things to do in Athens, you’ll never be bored here! Often cited as Greece's most beautiful city, Nafplio is a popular weekend destination for wealthy Athenians. A dog-leg of an island that bridges the gap between the Albanian Adriatic coast and the Ionian Sea of Greece, Corfu really is the stuff of travel brochures. Nick and I even spent our anniversary in Corfu. Skirting the foot of the Acropolis and connecting it to the city's other major ancient attractions — the Ancient Agora , the Roman Forum, Kerameikos, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus — is a 2.5-kilometer walking path known as the Archaeological Promenade. your site is wonderful i love the posts thanks for sharing . The ruins of Knossos are the best-preserved bronze age relics in the whole of Greece and are an incredible sight to see. That way you’re getting a mix of everything. The Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum preserve sculptures, vases, jewelry, and more from Ancient Greece. Corfu. Away from the main town, the island is lushly beautiful, with rugged limestone rocks tumbling into the sea in its north and velvety green hills in its south. Nafplio is one of the most romantic towns you will ever visit. The island’s capital is Vathi, but a drive along the coastline will get you to many picturesque seaside villages, such as Kokkari, Pythagorion, Karlovassi, and Heraion. Visitgreece.gr is the official tourism web site for Greece, run by the Greek National Tourism Organisation, where you'll find information on the main tourist destinations, such as cities, beaches, as well as activities, events and much more! From rugged snow-capped mountains and ancient ruins to turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, Greece can satisfy every traveler’s needs. But most people come here to catch a ferry to the islands; Santorini, Mykonos, Zakynthos, Corfu, and Crete are the most popular. In the summertime Greece is a marvel of cloudless skies, bleaches beaches, memorable monuments and endless historical truth and legends, while locals are generally friendly and English language is not a problem. A mix of all ages and interests, so we’re not quite sure where to begin. This year over 30 million tourists will be making their way to Greece, breaking an all time record. For millennia Skyrian horses have roamed the island, unfortunately however they are becoming fewer and fewer. Learn more about the best 15 things to see and do in Santorini in our post. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Santorini: Best Areas & Hotels. Lesvos is the third largest island in the country and is one of those places to go in Greece if you’re looking for somewhere away from the crowds. Other attractions include Paraportiani (a whitewashed church in Mykonos Town) and numerous sandy beaches along the island's south coast (served both by bus and taxi-boat from Mykonos Town). Corfu definitely is one of the most popular places to visit in Greece and when people are searching the web for where to go in Greece, Corfu usually shows up in the top 10 of all places in Greece. Mykonos, also known as the island of the winds, is a Greek island very popular to the tourists especially for its exotic nightlife. #Greece #travel #paradise #vacation #adventure” If you have time (and you love Greek food as much as we do), then head to Chios Cooking Lessons for a family lunch at a local’s home. This is one of the best places in Greece for couples and families. One of the most unusual things to see in Greece has to be the Thessaly Plain, where bizarre rocky outcrops are capped by the centuries-old monasteries of Metéora. At that time, Olympia would’ve been one of the best cities to visit in Greece. All of this combined makes Olympia and the Valley Of The Gods one of the best places to visit in Greece. Considered the symbol of Athens and Greece, and indeed of Western civilization, the Acropolis is a rocky mound rising in the heart of modern Athens, crowned by three magnificent temples dating from the 5th century BC. Delphi, the religious centre of the ancient world still clings on even today. Vibrant and modern, Athens is also an ancient city; the birthplace of western civilization and home to some of the world’s most important archaeological sites. Here is a list of the top 3 rated, affordable properties in Rhodes. There are so many things to do in Zakynthos, you’ll never be bored. 15% off at Hertz. Of course the list of great destinations in Greece is unlimited. Visitors on Greek vacations are drawn to the country's beaches and reliable sunny summer weather, its nightlife, historical sites and natural beauty. We loved it! ☞ SEE ALSO: Zakynthos, Greece: Our Last Minute Travel Decision. 8% off at Hotels.com. It is made up of the crumbling ruins of numerous temples, a theater, and stadium, dating from between the 8th century BC and the 2nd century AD. When to visit Greece for mythology sites. Here, you'll find a collection of deep, curving bays sheltering sand and pebble beaches stretching into a clear blue sea. Along with the stunning Greek Islands, some of the best places to visit in Greece are the country’s amazing historical sites. This spectacularly beautiful place is one of the most scenic in all the Greek Islands. ☞ Click here to see all accommodation options available in Corfu on Booking.com. Greece is one of those rare places where ancient history is still very much a part of modern life. Mount Olympus is great for a hiking trip, either a couple of hours, either all day. Click here to see the latest price and reviews. Discovering the soul of a Greek city is much more than a quick tour around its monuments and sightseeing. This is a spectacular land of beauty with an endless variety of landscapes. Without a doubt, Mycenae is one of the great archeological sites of Greece and will leave visitors awestruck at the engineering prowess of the ancients. Another area of historical and mythical interest is around Mount Olympus. This area of mainland Greece, easily accessible by a fast new toll road from Athens, is arguably one of the country's best destinations for Covid-era tourism. Greece banks on its low coronavirus rate and a long list of new safety rules to lure visitors back to its tourism hotspots. The best bet is to plan a longer trip, 10+ days and island hop. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. Greece mainland and the Greek islands have some of the favorite holiday destinations in Europe. Where to go, best places to stay, travel tips and and best holiday destinations - inspiration from the experts at Lonely Planet. Tourists are present all year round and it is best to arrive at the island by sea to have a good view of the scenery. Ancient sites, unique islands, towns of white washed buildings, and fine weather, make Greece a prime tourist destination in Europe. With almost a fifth of its recession-battered economy dependent on tourism, Greece wants to start receiving foreign tourists on July 1. It is known for its rich culture and history, 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well its long and beautiful coastlines, many islands, and sandy beaches. It’s most famous ruler was the mighty King Agamemnon himself. According to the reports shared by Europeans, and the US; In the next 10 years, the Greek tourism industry will be 10 times bigger. up to 20% off at AVIS. Make time for the iconic features of the Acropolis of Athens, which include the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. We rented a car during our last visit to Chios and met some amazing people. 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