Greece Tourism & Travel Guide - Places to see in Greece

Greece Tour & Travel Guide - Places to See in Greece

Athens

Start off with the oldest city in Europe - home to the iconic Parthenon temple and the breathtaking Acropolis - the sacred rock on which the ancient Greek temples were built. The most amazing change was initiated here in the historic centre when cars were banned, linking most ancient sites in what has become Europe’s longest pedestrian promenade. Athens is one of the safest and liveliest European cities with a pulsating street life and relaxed lifestyle. Tourists can spend their day on endless coffees breaks and evening strolls and go out at night for dinners and parties till however long they want. Apart from its architectural marvels, the Greek capital also has a number of interesting museums. The Piraeus Archaeological Museum has amazing antiquities from Piraeus and southern Greece, including finds from a Minoan sanctuary on Kythira. The things to watch out for here include the four colossal bronzes, with a larger than life sized 520 BC statue of Apollo. A second century BC theatre has been excavated in the museum grounds. Another museum is the Hellenic Maritime Museum, which brings the country’s maritime history to life, with models of ancient and modern ships, seascapes by some of Greece’s greatest 19th- and 20th-century painters, and guns, flags and maps. There is also a small Museum of the Electric Railway in the metro station. If you are into art, make a visit to the Municipal Gallery of Piraeus, which has a permanent collection of Modern Greek art and sculpture.

Mykonos

The sun kissed Mykonos has a charming but expensively reputation. This popular and entertaining island is usually full of travelers, cruise ship crowds, fashionistas and celebrities. The town is known for the lounger lifestyle on its main busy beaches, the bustling streets and the relentless partying. But if you’re looking for some peaceful time, you can still find a few off-track beaches and stylish but quiet bars, restaurants and shops in the old town. Remember to save some time for the nearby sacred island of Delos. In Mykonos Town you will be charmed with the quintessential Green whiter-than-white houses decked with bougainvillea and geraniums. You can also visit a few small museums and beautiful churches - Mykonos' most famous church is the Panagia Paraportiani - it is five small churches amalgamated, in classical Byzantine style, into one asymmetrical entity, looking as if it has grown from the rocky ground. The place that has to top your list of spots to see is Little Venice, where the sea laps up to the edge of the restaurants and bars and of course Mykonos' famous hilltop windmills.

Santorini

Famous for its spectacular sunsets, the relic of one of the biggest eruptions in world history, Santorini has a truly surreal landscape. The caldera with its magnificent wall of multicolored cliffs is breathtaking. To have the full dramatic experience it’s recommended to go by a slow ferry with open decks. The village of Oia located on the northern tip of the island is a very popular sunset viewing site because there is an uninterrupted view of the sun as it finally sinks below the horizon. The Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira displays the stunning frescoes and ceramics that were found when excavations uncovered an ancient city under the volcanic ash. Accurate fresco replicas are also on display at the Nomikos Convention Centre.

Corfu

Homer’s ‘beautiful and rich land’, Odysseus’ last stop on his journey back home and Shakespeare’s background for The Tempest, Corfu is the second-largest, greenest and most popular Ionian island. With its stunning landscape of wildflowers, and cypress trees rising out of shimmering olive groves, Corfu hangs in there as one of Greece’s most beautiful islands.

Thessaloniki

Greece’s cultural capital, Thessaloniki invites you to indulge in fine food, sinful sweets, ultra-chic shopping, an energetic nightlife and more concerts, parties, art shows and events than you can keep track of. What really enhances Thessaloniki’s hip atmosphere, however, are the enduring symbols of its glorious history, from the White Tower on its café-lined waterfront all the way up to the Byzantine walls, just above the Upper Town, an enchanting neighborhood of pretty traditional houses set on winding, peaceful alleyways. Down from them are impressive constructions like the 4th-century Church of Agios Dimitrios, the enormous Roman Rotunda, and the sculpted Arch of Galerius in Kamara, thronged with students from Thessaloniki’s universities. Indeed, Thessaloniki’s multitude of young people gives it a vivacious, stylish mood, which can be felt in its cafés, restaurants and bars, even in its shops and designer hair salons. True, it’s no budget destination, but Thessaloniki is packed with life and should be on every traveler’s itinerary.

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