Discover the Best Things to Do in Greece : Islands, History, and More
Getting to know Greece is no joke, and although it is a complex task, these are the 7 Best Things to Do in Greece (places you must visit).
The home of ancient gods and heroes, of the most primitive and at the same time advanced philosophy, where one of the most famous mythologies in the world was born, is also one of the most adored destinations in the entire world. Beaches of infinite beauty, islands to daydream on, exquisite cuisine, ruins that tell stories from all eras and a spectacular climate are some of the many ways to describe Greece.
A culture that has inspired entire civilizations must be known by any human being who inhabits the Earth. It is this eclectic country of the Balkan Peninsula that houses some of the most precious wonders on the planet. But its size makes it difficult to get to know it all, at least in a single trip. These are the seven places you must visit to say you’ve visited Greece.
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Acropolis
The first obligatory stop is the emblematic citadel on the outskirts of Athens. The Acropolis began to be built around 447 BC, during the height of the Greek Empire. This incredible complex full of history and legend in equal parts, where myth has ended up merging with logos, is where monuments such as the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion or the Temple of Athena Nike are found.
Things to do in Athens Greece
The Greek capital is also an essential visit within the country. It is the current home of such important and spectacular monuments as the National Archaeological Museum or the Acropolis itself. Its name comes from the goddess of war, justice, wisdom, intelligence, arts and sciences, Pallas Athena. The deity was chosen as the patron saint of Athens after defeating Poseidon, god of the oceans, and giving the citizens one of the most precious possessions of all time: an inexhaustible well of water.
Santorini
Although Santorini is quite crowded today and it might be a better option to visit other similar islands, it is still the quintessential Greek island. Its white buildings with blue domes look out over the sea just as we see on postcards. The curious caldera shape in the centre is due to a volcanic eruption that occurred 10,000 years ago and caused a large part of the island to sink. Now it has become one of its greatest attractions and is one of the parts that makes it different.
Palace of Knossos
Located on the island of Crete, this splendid royal residence transports the traveller 3,000 years back. Walking through its luxurious rooms is a deeper understanding of the Minoan civilisation. In its origins it had some 1,300 rooms connected to each other and organised around a central courtyard. This labyrinthine shape inspired the myth of the Minotaur’s labyrinth, which fed on maidens until one person, Theseus, managed to escape from the labyrinth and kill the beast.
Ithaca
This is the most literary island in the country. Odysseus (Ulysses according to Roman mythology) lived there with his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus. It was on this island that Penelope waited, weaving and unweaving, for her lover to return from the Trojan War. It is also a paradise of beaches with turquoise and crystal-clear waters, where you can relax while feeling like you are in an authentic Greek myth.
Oracle of Delphi
Also known as “the navel of the world”, it is one of the most important religious complexes of Antiquity. It is located at the foot of Mount Parnassus and was built in the 8th century BC to honor the god Apollo. The oracle became the religious centre of the Hellenistic world, where the Muses came when Apollo called upon them and where Hermes learned the art of divination.
Mount Olympus
There is probably no more legendary place – literally speaking – than Mount Olympus. According to Greek mythology, it is the sacred mountain where the gods lived. The myth is that it was created after the Titanomachy, a battle between twelve Olympian gods and the pre-Olympian gods, known as Titans. After ten years, the Titans were defeated and sent to the underworld by Zeus.
It is made up of 52 peaks that rise above the clouds and as many gorges. Its highest point is 2,917 metres high, making it one of the highest mountain peaks in Europe. For this reason and because of its sacred quality, it remains untouched by the ravages of humanity and has been named a World Biosphere Reserve, thus protecting its rich diversity of fauna and flora.
