It can be said that Greece is one of the most important countries in the modern world because of its history and the cultural legacy it has left to the western world.i It is the birthplace of democracy, western philosophy, the Olympic Games, literature and the study of history; not to mention its contributions to current politics and in the area of mathematics and science: Greeks has been the pioneers and creators of many of the principles on which the current sciences are based.

When traveling to Greece you will not only be able to enjoy its rich history and ancient monuments, but also its varied gastronomy, its beautiful natural landscapes, plenty of beaches and mountains, as well as the huge urban metropolis that make up modern Greece today.

This post is an opportunity to know the best that Greece can offer to anyone who wants to visit it as a tourist: a country that mixes its important and impressive history with its natural beauties and its unique and characteristic culture that ranges from its gastronomy to traditional festivities and dances.

Let’s get to know Greece and its wonders!

The Best Places to Visit in Greece

Beaches and Amazing Natural Landscapes

Greece has a large number of archipelagos bathed by the Aegean and Ionian seas. Thanks to its geography and climate, it is possible to find many beautiful beaches.

The Santorini archipelago is the main beach destination in Greece. Six islands bathed by blue water and paradise beaches that, with their picturesque white houses and blue domes form the most romantic landscape of the Mediterranean. It is a popular destination for honeymoons.

A natural landscape that is not to be missed is Mount Olympus. The top of this mountain rises up to 9,580 ft (2,920 meters) above sea level and is located 10 km from Elatochori. It’s the highest point of all Greece and according to Greek mythology, Mount Olympus was the place where the god Zeus reigned, and together with his wife Hera, Apollo, Aphrodite, Poseidon, Athena, Ares, Hermes, Artemis, Demeter, Hephaestus and Hestia formed the Council of Gods in Olympus.

On the Peloponnese peninsula is Thermisa, a coastal city with beautiful beaches, great cultural and artistic wealth. From its beaches you can see the Hydra island; and despite being a very small town, there is a Barceló Hotel. This hotel has access to three private beaches, wellness center and bungalows which have amazing overlookings of the Aegean Sea. You can find more information by clicking on the following link: https://www.barcelo.com/en-us/ofertas/black-friday/

Other natural destinations you can visit are Corfu Island, Rhodes Island, Karpathos and Paros. And if you are looking to enjoy the nightlife with good electronic music, Mykonos is that place you are looking for.

Temples, Monuments and Ancient Cities you Must Visit in Greece

The Greek civilization was one of the most advanced for its time, where the worship of the gods was a mandatory tradition to attract prosperity and health. 

One of the most important ancient cities of Greece is located in its capital, Athens, and it is The Acropolis. This place was the center of citizen life for the ancient Greeks and this is where the Parthenon is located. This Doric monument made of white marble was used to worship Athena, the eponymous goddess of the city. It was built by Pericles during the 5th century BC and is a World Heritage Site along with the entire Acropolis.

You can find one of the most important pilgrimage sites of ancient Greece in Delphi, and that is the Temple of the God Apollo. At that time, many pilgrims traveled to pay tribute to the Greek god of healing, music, light and prophecy. It is said that Delphi was the center of the universe for having been the place where Zeus left the stone that would be the omphalos or navel of the world. Today, you can see the reconstructed temple and the ruins of the ancient city.

The Epidaurus theater is one of the most important artistic precincts of ancient Greece. It was built in the 4th century BC by the sculptor and architect Polyclitus the Younger and is the best preserved theater of antiquity. It is 500 meters from the sanctuary of Asclepius.

Other monuments and ancient cities that you should visit are the monasteries of Meteora, the cities of Knossos, Naxos, Mycenae and Olympia, where the Temple of Olympian god Zeus is; and don’t forget about the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens.

One of the Most Distinguished Mediterranean Cuisines

Greek gastronomy is one of the oldest and most beloved cuisines. Although in the coastal areas you can get seafood and fish dishes, in other cities of Greece you can find dishes such as busaca, a baked dish made with layers of meat and eggplant; gyros, which is a pita bread stuffed with meat, tzatziki sauce and vegetables, and you can find it even in street food stalls; meat stews such as stifado and sweet dishes such as baklava and kataifi.

All this delicious menu is possible to enjoy in any local restaurant in Greece. Your visit would not be perfect without tasting one of those typical meals.