Check out this list of the best tours in Santorini. Chocolate Fiend and Custard Lover. Due to the threat of persecution, the monks sought refuge in remote locations and this is how Meteora was formed. After exploring the medieval town of Rhodes, dont forget to head out in a car and explore the rest of the island, too. Its the kind of island that has a good mix of everything; quaint Greek charm, beautiful beaches (and sunsets), historic towns and party spots (if thats your thing).
Source: Kotsovolos Panagiotis/Shutterstock.com. After all, its only around 8-10km from the city centre. This legendary city has been a tourist attraction for centuries. Oh, and of course, dont forget to partner this region with a trip to the theatre of Epidavros, too. Plus, it has a whole heap of gorgeous beaches, bays and coves to explore. Theres also a quite a few temples and Anafiotika area of Athens that almost feels like youve been whisked away to the Greek Islands.
Santorini is probably one of the most famous Greek islands to visit. Mount Olympus is known in Greek mythology as the spot where Zeus sat on his throne as well as the place where Hades ruled the Underworld, so as you climb you can imagine the legends that are interconnected with this mountain. Crete is easily one of the best places in Greece to visit for an island adventure, but also want to explore a few cities, too. After visiting Corfu a good few times, I can easily say that there are so many gorgeous and totally cool spots to see across the island. Nowadays, you can still explore the ruins and learn more about the history of this incredible spot. The land of Greece is one infused with ancient mythology and if you like archeology, history, art, and philosophy then a trip to this fascinating country is not to be missed.
One of the other main attractions on the canal is the Zulu Bungy Jump which is certainly not for those who dont have a head for heights but is also an amazing way to take in all the majesty of the canal. The canal is still in working order and you can catch ships traveling if you happen to be here at the right time. A close look at a strangely global idiom about how little we understand each other. Atatrk was born in a house within the grounds of the consulate, since Thessaloniki was part of the Ottoman Empire at the time. Discover the impact of Ancient Greece in today's modern-day culture by connecting the dots between legendary landmarks, such as the Oracle of Delphi, and local traditions still found today. There is also a museum where you can learn more about the history. As soon as you arrive, make sure to visit the Antikythera Mechanism, which is a 2,000-year-old computer that was the worlds first calculator.
Santorini is known for its picture postcard good looks which see it covered in traditional Cycladic homes which gleam white under the hot Greek sun and contrast beautifully with the deep blue seas and churches. Find out more, The latest offers and discount codes from popular brands on Telegraph Voucher Codes, You can spot chameleons just a stone's throw from spectacular Voidokilia beach, The chapel bell at the Cave of the Apocalypse, The Romans brought them over as pets, apparently, How the Covid crisis changed our holiday wish list, The best Greek island hotels and where to stay for private beaches and caldera views. The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful.
If you are in Greece then this is probably the number one attraction not to miss and the complex, made from glittering marble, used to be the site of the famous statue of Athena who was also the goddess of Athens. This ancient Greek place of assembly and marketplace is being revealed layer by layer below the modern Athens cityscape. . Located near to Karavomilo is Melissani Cave which is a craggy cave known for its beauty. Still, you dont need to be a world-class geologist to be interested in this island, as Poliochni is a must-see, too. Kos is one of these islands for sure. It was a powerful symbol of deathand victory. That being said, its certainly one of the best places in Greece that not too many people have heard about. The cave is almost 4 kilometers long and was formed when water eroded the soft rocks over the centuries. Acropolis and Acropolis Museum Tour with Entry Tickets, Mount Olympus: Easy Hiking Tour with Wine Tasting and Food, Full-Day Samaria Gorge Trekking Excursion from Chania, Meteora Full-Day Trip from Athens by Train, Melissani Lake and Antisamos Beach Private Tour, 40 Places to See in California Before Your Kids Are All Grown Up, 30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California, 15 Best Things to Do in Bossier City (LA), Learn some history at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, Enjoy the myths and legends at Ancient Mycenae, Learn some history at the Museum of the Kalavryta Holocaust, Enjoy the Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil. Anyone remotely interested in ancient architecture can marvel at the Doric columns and the spectacular temples and the Acropolis is lined with pathways that let you walk around at your leisure and enjoy the highlight of this monument which is the stunning Parthenon. 2022 Atlas Obscura. Monasteries on rock pillars, once accessible only by frayed ropes. Is the World's Oldest Tree This Stately Cypress in Chile? Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Did the commissioning client question the fee? The highlight here is the tomb of Phillip II which dates from 336 BC and you will also be able to see the items that he was buried with in preparation for the afterlife including a shield made of gold and ivory, a suit of armor, and silver chalices. Its so much more than a few vibrant party spots, with a shed load of gorgeous bays and historic fishing villages to explore. Afterwards, pop into Andros Town and head through the little streets and alleys, youll find the best Greek coffee spots and places like Endochora that have the best seafood. Plus, if youre feeling extra adventurous, you might even be able to see the Davelis Cave in the mountain itself. Rhodes really is one of the best places in Greece to visit, especially if you want a mix of relaxing on the beach and shed loads of history. Zakynthos is one of the more famous Greek islands to visit, and rightly so its gorgeous. Read more: Best things to do in Santorini. The whole area around Messenia is just beautiful. The lake was created when a huge underground cavern collapsed, leaving a large circular opening to the surface for us all to enjoy. Check. Lake Plastira is something unusual in Greece which is known for being blessed with a plethora of natural beauty. One of the easiest ways to visit is by taking a boat trip that can be arranged in most hotels and nearby. Perched just shy of Methoni, Costa Navarino is one of the best places in Greece to visit if you just want to relax. The beach is made up of delightful lagoons that open up onto azure waters and it is so clear here that you will be able to see a plethora of underwater life in the form of fish and shellfish. Book online: Mount Olympus: Easy Hiking Tour with Wine Tasting and Food. This is why I wanted to share some of my very favourite and best places in Greece that you should think of exploring. Meteora is easily up there as one of the best places in Greece if you want to see something totally unique. In Epidaurus in the region of Argolis is the Epidaurus Theater, a ceremonial space that is dedicated to the famous god of medicine, Asclepius. Tinos wasnt the only island whose marble was highly sought after in antiquity. Vandalised, crumbling and decidedly creepy, the dilapidated sanatorium on top of Mt Parnitha, north of Athens, looks perfect for the set for a horror movie. Thankfully, theres a long walkway thatll take you right across, with no swimming needed! If you want to climb the mountain then you will need to travel to Litochoro where you can trek part or all the way to the top depending on your ability and fitness levels. Phaestos sits around 60 kilometers from Iralkio and offers you stunning vistas over the Messara Plain and Mount Psiloritis. Did the stonemasons down tools because of a strike? Nestled not too far from the coastline of Turkey, Kos is easily one of the best places in Greece to visit if you want some proper chill time and to just enjoy a more relaxed Greek island. Researchers use art and ancient bones to make the case for modern lions once freely roaming Southeastern Europe.
They are stunning. Here are 10 attractions you wouldnt expect.
Greece is made up of a series of idyllic islands that are surrounded by jet blue seas and covered in dainty white buildings, and you will also find crumbling ruins, engaging museums, and pretty coastal towns aplenty. Book online: Melissani Lake and Antisamos Beach Private Tour. Delphi is located around 180 kilometers away from the capital city of Athens, so this makes a good place to come if you want to get out of the city and explore a different area of Greece. It really is beautiful. Doctors wrote recipes to cure patients' ailments and determine the sex of their children. The most amazing thing about the monasteries here is that they are still in full working order and this makes them the oldest monastic community in the world today. Phaestos is a ruined palatial city and the palace here is similar to Knossos. Thessaloniki is the second biggest city (after Athens) and easily one of the best places in Greece to visit if you want a little city break. Oh, and dont forget to try some of the islands sweet Muscat wine. Plus, if you fancy a little treat, book yourself into the cliff-edge Katikies Hotel that has some of the best views on the island. Its not often that a diplomatic mission becomes the highlight of a city break. Perched on the mountain of Parnassus, Delphi is one of the best places in Greece to explore ancient history. Meteora is crowded with ancient boulders and monolithic pillars and this is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the rock formations offer one of the most haunting and beautiful landscapes in all of Europe. As soon as you arrive, make sure to visit the windmills of Kato Mili, gorge on at M-eating and stroll the Harbourfront of Little Venice. Mycenae is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was made famous in Homers the Iliad and the Odyssey.
About 4,000 years ago, Mycenae was one of the most important cities in Greek civilization and a thrive of activity.
You can rent sun beds and parasols and this is one o the prettiest spots on Crete to spend some time sunbathing or swimming.
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This is not one of the cheapest places to visit in Greece however and you will be able to get a sense of the kind of clientele from the amazing super yachts that sit just off shore. Read more: The best things to do in Rhodes. In ancient times the cave was dedicated to the Nymph Melissani who gave the cave its name. From throbbing cities like Athens to a slower pace of life in little villages by the sea, Greece is a mosaic of different experiences and landscapes, as well as one of the worlds largest open air museums. Read more: Best things to do in Zakynthos. After wandering around, make sure to stop off at Charoupi who conjure up some of the best Greek dishes from across the country. I swear you will roll outta here. All Rights Reserved. Oh, and dont forget the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus thats well over 2,000 years old. It was here, according to tradition, that an exiled St John had his visions of the Antichrist, the Four Horsemen and the Seven Seals composing the Book of Revelation. Lake Plastira is located in the Larditsa region of Greece and offers an adventure filled afternoon. Now, to get here, you either need to fly into the Ioannina National Airport (about 120km away) or take the direct train from Athens to Kalambaka. which are separated into seven sections that you can walk through and tell the story of this part of the country. Look out for some of its signature pieces such as the Kernos Stone which is a disk with 24 holes in it. Mary Edwards Walker and the Queer Suffragists Who Changed History, The Archivists Who Rediscovered 700 Years of Irish History, Exploring the Enduring Mystery of Crete's Phaistos Disc, Following the Mysterious Trail of Europe's Last Wild Lions, Podcast: Martian Meteorites and Greek Columns With the AO Places Team, Sun Glint, Bane of Scientists, Has a Silver Lining, The Swole Women of Sparta Wrestled, Danced, and Drank. The nearby volcanoes would send lava onto the shore here and that has left some pretty cool rock formations that are cool to see. Read more: Best things to do in Kefalonia. Once here, make sure to see the Lion Gate, The Tomb of Aegisthus (outside the walls of the ancient city) and the Treasury of Atreus. Afterwards, pop over to Spinalonga Island, go for a swim at Seitan Limania Beach and gorge at one of the little cafes in the Venetian Harbour of Chania. It really is one of the best places in Greece to see, especially if you want that white-washed typical Greek island vibe. Including Driftwood Beach, Red Beach , and Padar Island. . The island of Rhodes is a picture-perfect Greek spot thats actually not too far from the coast of Turkey. For a gorgeous hotel, check in to the MarBella Corfu, its so sumptuous and some rooms have private pools. That being said, you wont be able to do them all in one trip! There are a variety of exhibitions halls here as well as photographic galleries and scale models of how the complex would have looked in days gone by. It is a city that has been dated to 7000 BC and is said to be one of the oldest cities in Europe. They make the best moussaka. Puppy Defender. Its the kind of island that has a little bit of everything, meaning that theres always something to suit each person youre travelling with. You can spot them during a chilly spring night when they are lethargic and move about more slowly by shining a torch on trees in the south of the reserve. There were at its peak 20 monasteries here, now there are just 6, 5 for men and 1 for women. Legend says this sacred tree was a gift from goddess Athena. Legends state it is where Hephaestus landed when he was thrown from Mount Olympus by Zeus. That being said, theres a few that stand out and have become firm favourites. Youll find plenty of little tavernas and small shops on the waterfront. Perched not too far (in Greek terms) from Santorini, Mykonos is one of the best places in Greece to visit for a little taste of the islands. Of course, afterwards, make sure to head across to the Acropolis and Parthenon thats iconic in Greece. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Two smaller examples lie in the less accessible village of Flerio. It's All Greek to You and Me, So What Is It to the Greeks? Well, Kefalonia is one of them, with two natural wonders you have to see. It really is one of the best places in Greece to visit if you love ancient history.
