Great weather, beautiful waters and awash with antiquity, it’s no wonder Greece is the destination of choice for a multitude of holidaymakers every year. And with so much to see it’s hard to know where to begin – which is exactly why we thought we’d lend an overly-charitable helping hand with our sparkling list of the Top 10 tourist attractions in Greece.
No-matter if you’re planning to trek the Peloponnese or relax in the Athenian Riviera, our top ten sights of Greece can help you discover the best visitor attractions in the country and, with our directory of sites in Greece, you can dig even deeper if you wish. Take a look at our Top 10 Greece list for some famous attractions, along with a couple of more obscure but wonderful sights we snuck in when no-one was looking…
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. For despite the noise, dust and crowds the Acropolis is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting Greece or interested in the past. While not necessary the most slick and ordered experience, it’s nonetheless top of most people’s wish lists when visiting Greece. What many people don’t experience however is the new Acropolis Museum and to miss it would be a real mistake. Modern, fascinating and full of unique artefacts and information, you really shouldn’t see the Acropolis without also exploring the museum.
2. Akrotiri
Not many tourists make it to the ancient site of Akrotiri on the island of Santorini. In fact, a roof collapse several years ago led to the site being closed to visitors for many years. However, now reopened, Akrotiri is simply astonishing and, in our minds, rightly ranks among Greece’s top tourist attractions. Likened by many to Pompeii, this ancient city was also destroyed by a volcano. However, it’s almost 2,000 years older than its Italian counterpart and its brilliantly preserved ruins show just how sophisticated this truly ancient culture was. Two or three story buildings, ornate frescoes and much, much more stand as testament to the advanced nature of life here almost four thousand years ago. Some have even speculated that Akrotiri was in fact the fabled city of Atlantis…
3. Epidaurus
Providing one of the best sights anywhere in Greece, the ancient theatre at Epidaurus is a wonder to behold. Built to accommodate 15,000 people and still extremely well preserved, this is just one of many things to discover at an ancient Greek city which dates back well over 2,000 years. This popular tourist attraction is absolutely vast; set over three levels it offers a startling insight into Ancient Greek life.
4. Mystras
Set atop a beautiful hilltop landscape, the medieval city of Mystras contains a wealth of scenic churches, palaces, streets and houses all topped by an imposing castle which looms large at the very peak of the summit. The most intriguing thing of all is the fact that this town was abandoned sometime around the eighteenth century, meaning visitors get an experience which feels very much like stepping back in time. Don’t miss the attractive monasteries and their fantastic frescoes.
5. Mycenae
One of the most famous tourist attractions in Greece, Mycenae was the centre of the Mycenaean civilisation – that of Agamemnon, Achilles et al – and is now a well-preserved archaeological site in the Peloponnese. At its peak, Mycenae was one of the most important Greek cities and today many of its wonders can still be explored, including the Lion’s Gate, its fortified walls, the Terraced Palace and of course the famous Tomb of Agamemnon.
Located on the Greek island of Rhodes, the Grandmasters Palace is a spectacular medieval fortress and former headquarters of the famous Knights Hospitaller – crusading religious warriors known for their power and influence in the early medieval period. Today, this massive medieval castle operates as a museum covering everything from early Christianity up to the Ottoman conquest. Though part-19th century reconstruction, its huge battlements are nonetheless exceptionally impressive and definitely worth exploring.
7. Delphi
Among the most iconic visitor attractions in Greece, the archaeological site of Delphi is hugely popular with tourists and contains a wealth of famed ruins such as the Temple of Apollo and the Treasury of the Athenians. Once considered to have been the centre of the Earth, Delphi takes quite some time to explore in its entirety, but many people take one of the myriad tours available to get the highlights experience.
8. Knossos
The thriving centre of the ancient Minoan civilisation, Knossos attracts thousands of tourists and plays host to the heady mix of archaeological wonder and enthralling myths and legends - including those of the Minotaur, Icarus and Daedalus. Heavily reconstructed, the most famous of its sights include the Knossos Palace, thought to have been the home of King Minos. Rather than wander aimlessly through Knossos, it’s definitely worth getting a guidebook, a map or even a guide as the place is indeed a labyrinth.
9. Meteora
Visually, Meteora is simply one of the most startling attractions in Greece – consisting as it does of medieval monasteries perched precariously on towering rocky outcrops which seem to dangle hundreds of feet above the ground. Built to provide shelter from the Turkish forces which conquered Greece in the 14th and 15th centuries, these amazing structures are quite a sight to see and should be on anyone’s Greek bucket list.
Often overshadowed, figuratively and literally, by the Parthenon on the Acropolis, the Temple of Hephaestus is nevertheless one of the best Greek temples left in existence. Indeed it’s far better preserved than the Parthenon, less busy and generally set in more tranquil surroundings – making it a must-see entry on the list of tourist attractions in Greece..
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