Top 10 places to visit in Greece
Greece is indeed one of the best destinations from Europe.
There are so many interesting things to do and so many wonderful places to visit that it is very hard for you to decide which are the places which should not be missed during your holiday.
When we made this top with the most beautiful places to visit in Greece we take into consideration, not just the ancient sites but also the most scenic islands of Greece.
Here is my list with top 10 destinations to visit in Greece:
1. Cape Sounio
Cape Sounio is located on the southern part of Greece mainland, just 70 kilometres away from Athens. This is the ideal place to go if you are looking for a day from Athens.
This place is home to one of the most emblematic archaeological sites of Greece and here I am talking about the Temple of Poseidon.
The temple is laid at the top of a promontory overlooking the sea and a few islands.
The best time of the day to visit this area is at sunset when the sun sets behind the temple and everything gets a really beautiful colour.
You can choose to rent a car and drive from Athens to Cape Sounio and explore the site by yourself or you can book a tour with everything included.
The cost of a rented car starts from 25 euros per day and vary depending on the size of the car and the coverage chosen.
Get the best price for your car rental today
If you choose to book a ticket to a tour, then we suggest you do so with Cape Sounion: Sunset Tour from Athens which is a 5.5 hours trip with pick up at your accommodation at Athens and arrival at Cape Sounio before the sunset.
You will have enough time to explore the area and prepare your camera for the best shots.
2. Meteora
Number two on my top 10 places to visit in Greece is Meteora.
This wonderful place is located in the centre of Greece mainland and is famous because of the monasteries built around a steep hill.
There are 6 monasteries built around the hill with the highest one built at 300 metres above the sea level.
Because of its amazing scenery and the important role played in the Christian religion, Meteora is a very crowded and popular place.
Prepare for lots of tourists and pilgrims if you plan to visit this mountain.
Where to sleep: Meteora House is one of the best accommodations from the area. It is located just 2 kilometres away from the mountain and offers free parking spaces, nice and clean rooms equipped with a kitchenette where you can prepare your meals.
3. Athens
Athens is not just the capital of Greece but it is also the place where democracy and western civilisation was born.
It is a place full of ancient ruins, with many interesting attractions and great rooftop bars with amazing views over the Acropolis.
The Acropolis together with Parthenon, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike, National Archeological Museum and Athens Museum are the best places to visit if you want to find out more about our history.
After a long day of exploration, relax and sip a cocktail on one of the many rooftop bars and eat your dinner at a taverna with traditional food and local music.
Where to sleep: Hotel Grande Bretagne Athens is our choice for Athens. It is located right in the centre of the city, a few minutes walk from the Acropolis.
The services are great, the rooms have a wonderful view of the Acropolis and more than that, this hotel has one of the best spas in the entire Athens.
4. Zagori
The fourth on my top 10 places to visit in Greece is Zagori.
It is located in the northern part of Greece in the Pindus mountains. Zagori has 45 villages and many protected natural areas.
This is the perfect place to go if you are a fan of walking in nature and hiking.
Where to sleep: One of the most beautiful hotels from the area isKores Boutique Hotel Spa Zagori . It has wonderful views of the mountains, clean rooms and a really delicious breakfast
5. Thessaloniki
The second-largest city in Greece is Thessaloniki.
It is located in the northern part of Greece and is famous for its beautiful port, White Tower and promenade along the sea.
The Arch of Galerius, museums and Aristotelous Square are just some of the places which should be visited when visiting Thessaloniki.
Almost the entire country was destroyed in 1917 during the Great Fire and was reconstructed in the 20th-century style.
So, don’t be surprised if in such an old country like Greece you will find such a modern European layout!
Where to sleep: Antigon Urban Chic Hotel is one of the best hotels in the city. The rooms are clean and spacious and the breakfast is fabulous.
We liked not just how the hotel looks but also the services! I must say, it is a hotel with a great price-quality ratio!
6. Santorini
I guess Santorini is the most famous island in Greece.
There are not many things to say about it that you haven’t heard yet.
The island is located in the Aegean Sea and is part of the Cyclades group.
Santorini is a volcanic island and is famous for its white cubicle houses hanging above the sea in Oia and Fira.
This is one of the most photographed places from entire Greece!
The place is full of couples and honeymooners, all looking for the best shot with the sun setting over the caldera and the sea!
Where to sleep: Lemon Suites Santorini is a great choice when speaking about accommodation in Santorini.
This wonderful aparthotel is located in Fira, close to the main square of the city and right near a bus stop. The rooms are clean and spacious while the view is incredible!
7. Crete
The seventh on my top 10 places to visit in Greece is Crete.
Crete is located in the Mediterranean Sea and is the biggest island in Greece. The island is famous for its wonderful beaches, ancient ruins and beautiful mountains.
You should put onto your travel list the Palace of Knossos, Heraklion which is the capital of the island and the Samaria Gorge.
Here, on this island, you can find one of the most important archaeological museums from Greece which is home to a vast collection of Minoan artefacts and a settlement from the Bronze Age.
Where to sleep: Blue Palace Crete is our favourite resort from the island. It is located on top of a hill offering an incredible view over the sea and the island of Spinalonga.
What I like most about this hotel is that it has very beautiful bungalows with a private pool where you can relax the entire day without being disturbed by anybody!
8. Rhodes
Rhodes is one of my favourite islands! It is the largest from the Dodecanese group and played an important role along the centuries.
Rhodes is the homeplace of one of the Seven Ancient World Wonders: the Colossus of Rhodes, which unfortunately was completely destroyed.
It is an island with many beautiful beaches, cosy villages and beautiful scenery.
The island is located close to Turkey and there are daily ferries between Marmaris ( a small town from Turkey) and Rhodes.
So, if you have time, grab your passport and visit a small part of Turkey!
Where to sleep: Sentido Port Royal is an adults-only resort located right on the beach with a private beach, two huge outdoor pools, a great spa and clean and big rooms, some of them overlooking the sea.
9. Mykonos
Mykonos is the place where you go if you want to party till morning!
Mykonos is the capital of entertainment and has the most active nightlife from the entire country! It is even better than the one from Athens!
There are dozens of beaches spread all over the island with music and parties from morning till dust!
Famous DJs from all over the world come here to mix their music and entertain you!
Besides the endless parties, the island is also famous for its XVI century windmills located on top of a hill right near Mykonos town! You’d better book some time and make them a visit!
Where to sleep: Lithos Spyros Flora Mikonos is our recommendation for Mykonos. This magnificent hotel is located near Agios Ioannis beach and offers a private pool and really modern rooms.
The good thing is that all rooms are equipped with a kitchenette, a living room and have a beautiful balcony.
10. Kos
The last on my top 10 places to visit in Greece is Kos.
Kos is considered by many the entertainment pole of the Dodecanese islands.
There are plenty of bars and clubs around the island, especially in Kardamena, where you can party and have fun all night long.
Kos is famous for its wonderful sandy beaches, an abundance of Roman and Greek landmarks and the Neratzia Castle which dominates the old harbour from Kos city.
By the way, did you know that Kos is the birthplace of the ancient healer Hippocrates?
In our days, Kos is associated with lots of fresh air, good food, fancy hotels and pristine waters. No wonder it is one of the best places to visit in Greece!
Where to sleep: Nissia Kamares Kos is our recommendation for Kos. the hotel is located very close to the city centre of Kos, within a few minutes walk from all the clubs and bars
These are the most beautiful and interesting places to visit in Greece! They all have an abundance of ancient ruins, breathtaking sceneries and amazing beaches!
What are you waiting for!? Pack your bags and hit the road!
Here are some other interesting places to see in Greece.
Book your accommodation
We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.
You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.
Don't forget travel insurance
We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money.
When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.
Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected costs caused by medical events like illness, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.
We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.
Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.
We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.
Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.
We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.
Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.
Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.
Charity
Wednesday 12th of August 2020
Oh wow! I would love to go to Greece one day! All of these places look amazing! Thanks for sharing it!
Sonia Hash
Friday 14th of August 2020
Hi Charity! Greece is amazing! These are so many interesting things to do on the mainland and in the islands! You definitely should visit this country!