The very best places to visit in Greece.

Though world famous for its thousands of island jewels, many of the best places to go in Greece reside on the mainland. Hike to the top of mountains, trace ancient pathways and seek adventure in the footsteps of the gods.

Athens

Athens, Greece’s capital city, once sat at the heart of the ancient Greek kingdom. A generous scattering of 5th Century B.C. landmarks still populate the terrain, including the Temple of Hephaestus and the Ancient Agora. Proud marble columns soar to the sky, while, to the south, the shores are now known as the Athenian Riviera. The birthplace of theatre, Athens remains dramatic to its core.

The Acropolis

The Acropolis of Athens is a rocky, hilltop citadel topped with ancient buildings. The striking UNESCO World Heritage Site is widely considered to be the most complete ancient Greek monumental complex still in existence. Once a home to kings, it stands testament to the strength of the former fortified city.

The Parthenon

One of the many landmarks that sit atop the Athenian Acropolis is the colonnaded Parthenon temple. A one-time symbol of power and wealth, the temple is best viewed today from afar by night when its floodlit glow lights up the Athens skyline.

Nafplio

The small, historic town is home to the Archaeological Museum, which houses a collection of prehistoric artefacts, including an international exhibit of kaleidoscopic prayer beads, or Komboloi, which Nafplio is famous for producing.

Arvanitia Promenade

Take an afternoon stroll along Nafplio’s Arvanitia Promenade, which links the pretty fishing harbour to the square of Arvanitia. Crazy pathing lines the waterfront walk, which is sandwiched between the Argolic Gulf and Acronafplia, Nafplio’s oldest castle. Keep an eye out for a small church midway, which is a favourite resting point with the locals.

Palamidi Fortress

Built by remarkably quickly between 1711-14 during Venetian occupation, the Nafplio fortress is a stunning piece of architecture that can be seen from far and wide. It’s a steep, stepped climb by foot or a short car trip, to the 216m high hilltop. Be sure to visit the chapel of Agios Andreas perched there.

Church of Agios Dimitrios

Dedicated in name to St Agios Demetrius, the Christian-Roman martyr and the patron saint of Thessaloniki, the Church of Agios Dimitrios is a beautifully preserved monument that sits in the city centre. Holding religious, historical and artistic importance to the local inhabitants, it is also a fine example of Byzantine architecture.

The White Tower

Once called the Lion Tower and later, the Tower of Blood, this waterfront landmark has served as a fort, a garrison and even a prison. Today, the White Tower of Thessaloniki – renamed in 1891 after it was symbolically painted white to represent a clean slate – is a museum dedicated to the area’s rich history. It’s height also makes it a popular rendezvous spot for locals.

Parga

The seaside town of Parga in Greece lies on the Ionian coast flanked by Preveza and Igoumenitsa. Its bustling streets are lined with lively bars, restaurants and shops, and is an ideal charter location from which to explore both mainland Greece and the islands – both Paxi and Antipaxos are just a short cruise away.

Castle of Parga

The castle of Parga is perched high up on a hilly peninsula, overlooking the town below. The medieval ruin sits within a 11th Century citadel complex and was built to protect Parga from pirates and Ottomans. Partly destroyed over the years, it has been rebuilt four times, most recently in the 16th Century by the Venetians.

Delphi

Ancient Greeks thought that Delphi was was the centre of the world. Built in 8th Century B.C. it was a religious sanctuary dedicated to the Greek god Apollo and the oracle Delphi. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it lies between two towering rocks of Mount Parnassus, known as the Phaidriades (Shining) Rocks, with vistas that sprawl into the distance.

The Temple of Apollo

Apollo was the Greek god of music, harmony, light, healing, and oracles, and the dedicated Temple of Apollo at Delphi held a position of great power. Take your time to explore the considerable site, including an impressive amphitheatre tucked into the rock above it. The nearby Sphinx of the Naxians is also worth a visit.

The Treasury of Athenians

Built entirely from Parian marble, the Treasury of Athenians was constructed to hold dedications and offerings made by the citizens of Athens to the god Apollo. A stunning example of Doric architecture, it lines the original processional route, still accessible today, which was used to reach the Temple of Apollo.

Penteli

Lying to the north of central Athens, Penteli is world-renowned for its ancient quarries and the crystalline structure of its golden-hued marble that was used to build the Parthenon. Today, the quarry is protected by law and only used to obtain material for the Acropolis Restoration Project.

Penteli Cave

Penteli Cave (or Davelis Cave) on the pyramid-shaped Mount Penteli is rumoured to have sheltered various beings over the ages, from monks and thieves to goat-footed gods. Its Byzantine chapels built into the cave’s entrance are a marvel, but the steeply descending grotto is now better known for ‘otherworldly’ goings on, such as water dripping upwards, ghostly voices and electronic blackouts.

Rododafni Castle

The Castle of Rododafni is the palace and castle of Sophie de Marbois-Lebrun, Duchess of Plaisance. Designed by Greek architect Stamatios Kleanthis and completed in 1861, it sits on the slopes of Mount Penteli.

Meteora

The Meteora mountain is a gravity-defying rock formation that points vertically to the sky and plays host to the most precipitously built Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greek history. Meteora means ‘suspended in air’. It’s possible to reach the top on foot (though not many do) and rewards the brave with far-reaching views.

Hike the Meteora Monasteries

The mountain-top Meteora Monasteries are famed for their precarious positions, the hardest to reach being the Holy Trinity Monastery, with over 140 steps to climb. It sits at the very top and you may recognise it from James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only. For those who would like to visit but can’t quite reach the dizzy heights of the summit, Rousanou, Varlaam and Saint Nicolaos offer similarly spectacular experiences for fewer steps.

There are 6,000 Greek islands and islets scattered across the sea, many of which are considered to be the most beautiful places in Greece. From horse-shoe shaped bays to rust-coloured sand, each one brings something different to a yacht charter itinerary - and only 200 or so are inhabited.

Lindos Acropolis

The clifftop Acropolis is a natural citadel for which Lindos is best known for. Featuring 4th Century gates and reliefs from circa 280 B.C., it is located on the edge of a cliff and is best visited in early evening when the crowds are gone and the sunsets put on a real show.

St Paul’s Bay

Heart-shaped St Paul's Bay in Lindos is a picturesque spot at which to while away a few hours, drinking in the beauty of Rhodes while surrounded by megalithic ruins. Take a dive from the high up on the rocks into the big blue or cool off in the shade of the one-roomed church.

Assos

The traditional fishing village of Assos, on the idyllic island of Kefalonia, is a jewel in the Ionian Sea. Arguably one of Greece’s most picturesque settings, it was once a remote Venetian outpost accessible only by a steep mule trail – which those with energy to burn can still enjoy by foot.

Explore the fishing village

There’s no better way to immerse in the heritage of this horse-shoe shaped harbour than by spending the day on the water in a fishing boat, reeling in a freshly-caught red mullet. After lunch, wander the streets of the secluded village or swim across to the secret beach, only accessible by sea.

Samos

Located north of Patmos, just off the coast of western Turkey, Samos was the birthplace of famed mathematician Pythagoras and philosopher Epicurus. It’s also known for producing sweet Muscat wine, nicknamed by the locals as Samos Nectar.

Heraion of Samos

A large sanctuary dedicated to the beautiful goddess Hera, queen of the Olympian gods, the Heraion of Samos was once filled with spectacular sculptures in her honour. The remains can still be seen today, along with Pythagoreion, an ancient-fortified port.

Tunnel of Eupalinos

The Tunnel of Eupalinos was a spectacular tunnel-aqueduct dating back to the 6th Century BC. Stretching an incredible 1,036 m through the mountainside, it delivered fresh water to the ancient city of Samos.

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