8 Fabulous Places to Visit in Greece

8 Fabulous Places to Visit in Greece – Some wonderful places to visit outside of Athens in Greece. From ancient temples to remote islands.

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Greece is probably one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

This Mediterranean gem spans both a peninsula connected to southeastern Europe as well as a range of islands that stretch out into the Meditternean.

Most tourists make their way to Athens and spend their break exploring the magic of the city.

However, Greece is a much bigger and grander country than its capital. Travelling further afield is much advised.

Crete

Crete is the largest of all the Greek islands and provides a land of beautiful contrasts.

It offers a beautiful coastline, rolling countryside, and, of course, plenty of olive trees to gaze at. The best thing about the island is its smattering of small, relatively unspoiled villages.

Many of the people who live in the area have clung onto their traditional way of life, sticking with cooking and lifestyle habits that date all the way back to the middle ages.

Most villages have a chapel and a coffee shop at the centre. They also boast some interesting architecture, with many cities featuring beautiful, colourful buildings that appear stacked on top of each other when viewed from various vantage points.

Delphi

Delphi is perhaps Greece’s most important archaeological site.

The temple here is testament to the country’s spiritual curiosity. The temple at Delphi overlooks beautiful surrounding mountains, including Mount Parnassus which looms large in the background.

The Greek authorities have done everything they can to preserve the site in its current form, though it is a shadow of its former self.

You’ll find a bunch of broken stones leading up to the main temple complex, followed by a circle of smashed columns that didn’t manage to survive the last one thousand years.

However, for those of you who are archaeology buffs, it still makes a fascinating place to visit.

Ios

The island of Ios is accessible by ferry from Santorini. Many tourists who stay on the more famous of the islands take a quick trip across the Aegean to seek out Ios because of its lonely location and incredible beaches.

Penteli

If you happen to be in the Athens area during your trip, you might want to take a quick trip to Penteli.

This beautiful town is located just outside of the Greek capital and is home to Rododafni Castle and a nearby beautiful monastery.

It’s also the location of quarries that the ancient Greeks used to build the acropolis and the other structures of ancient Athens.

Lemnos Island

Lemnos is one of the lesser known Greek islands of the Aegean. It’s well off the beaten track and hardly anyone actually goes there, meaning that it retains much of its traditional charm.

Lemnos is allegedly where Zeus threw Hephaestus from Mount Olympia. Being a geologically active location, various lava flows have left beautiful patterns and rock formations along the shore that you can explore.

You’ll also want to check out a neolithic city called Poliochni too. It’s Europe’s oldest recorded settlement and a testament to human ingenuity.

Mykonos

If you’re new to the Greek islands, Mykonos should be top of your places to visit.

This stunning island features some of Greece’s most beautiful towns and beaches.

Villas in Mykonos are also stunning, catering to an international audience.

When you arrive in Mykonos, you’re struck by just how idyllic it is. You’ll find narrow cobbled streets between rows of white-painted hotels and apartments. And every now and then, you’ll come across beautiful restaurants and fashionable shops.

If you head out of town, you’ll arrive at the harbour, sometimes called Little Venice. From here, you can sail to other islands in the area, including Delos, the birthplace of Apollo.

Kefalonia

Kefalonia is well-known today because of various video games depicting it.

Is it the most stunning Greek island to visit? Well, that’s really up to you. But it does play host to two natural wonders that take your breath away: Melissani Lake and the Drogarati Cave.

The lake gets its name from nearby Minoan excavations that took place in the 1950s. And the cave formed when a large underground cavern collapsed, allowing water and light to flow into this ethereal space.

Zakynthos

Zakynthos is one of the most beautiful islands in Greece and home to the stunning Navagio beach.

Tourists venture here from all over the country and the rest of the world to soak up the sun and enjoy views of the surrounding rock formations carved by the sea into the limestone.

The best way to include the island in your itinerary is to take a boat trip to the area.