Wondering where to go in Greece? It’s a huge task deciding what to choose as the best places to visit in Greece. It could take a lifetime to discover it all, but these places are a good start.

by Dave and Deb

Greece is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world with something to suit everyone’s needs. Beach lovers and foodies, culture seekers, and history buffs will all fall in love with Greece.

Dating back to 2000 BC, Greece is known as the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of western civilization.

Some of the best places to visit in Greece are the Greek Islands but the mainland houses rugged mountains and fascinating historic sites as well. So we are here to help you decide where to visit in Greece on your next holiday.

Best places to visit in Greece

From whitewashed villages to its rugged mountains Greece is a land made for the Gods. There are so many beautiful places to visit in Greece that it really is impossible to show them all, but we are going to give it the old college try.

1. METEORA

Meteora is one of the best places to visit in Greece that you’ve probably never heard of. This dreamlike destination is a sea of 9th-century monasteries built atop massive rock monoliths.

Meteora’s landscape alone makes it one of the most beautiful places in Greece. It is dreamy. Massive sandstone monoliths reach 400 meters to the sky. Forming 60 million years ago, the landscape of Meteora is one of the most unique and beautiful we’ve ever seen.

Monks built monasteries at the top of these spires as a hidden retreat where they lived in seclusion and safety scaling the walls with ropes and ladders.

There are 6 monasteries remaining in Meteora, and between the ancient ruins and dreamy fairytale landscape, this is definitely at the top of the best places to go in Greece.

2. SANTORINI

One of the best places to visit in Greece for a honeymoon.

No trip to Greece would be complete without a visit to Santorini. Of all the places to visit in Greece, this island is certainly the most famous.

With its whitewashed villages and blue domes sitting high on sea cliffs, Santorini is postcard perfect. The turquoise waters glisten in the caldera below as the sun sets over the Aegean Sea.

Santorini is an island paradise with awe inspiring views overlooking the caldera. It truly is the most beautiful of the Greek islands and our favorite place to visit.

But make sure to pull yourself away from its infinity pools and stunning views of the caldera to see its beaches and the archeological site of Akrotiri that dates back to the 16th century BC.

With black-sand beaches, red sand beaches and golden sand beaches Santorini has it all. This island is your one shop stop in Greece that offers everything.

The most beautiful beach on the island (in our opinion) is Red Sand Beach where you can hike through high red sea cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea.

3. COSTA NAVARINO

While the Greek islands are considered one of the best places to visit in Greece for beaches, we feel that Costa Navarino in the Southwest corner of the Peloponnese region rivals the best of them.

Located on the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea in Messinia, this little-known destination is a must see in Greece.

Messinia is a destination unto itself with luxury resorts, olive groves, and picturesque villages making it one of our favourite places to visit in Greece.

4. VOIDOKILIA BEACH

Voidokilia Beach is the most beautiful beach we’ve ever seen. Shaped like the Greek letter Omega, Voidokilia Beach is the place of legends. Homer referenced this beach in the Odyssey and it was believed to be used by King Nestor, the ancient king of Pylos.

5. ZAKYNTHOS (ZANTE)

While each and every Greek Island is beautiful, Zakynthos (also known as Zante in Greek) in particular, has the most stunning scene of white sandy beaches, with chalky white sea cliffs reaching up from the deep azure waters.

Located in the Ionian Sea, Zante is one of the seven Ionian islands. It is known as one of the best places in the Greek Islands for nightlife. But the island has so much to offer with ancient history, some of the country’s best beaches and fantastic traditional Greek food.

One of the best things to see on Zante is Navagio Beach – aka shipwreck beach. From the top, you’ll see extraordinary views of the island and the white sandy beach surrounded by cliffs. This beautiful beach really offers one of the best views in all of Greece.

Hike to the lookout for views of this must-see beach in Greece. With Gorgeous sea caves and crystal clear waters, Zante is a popular alternative to the more popular places in Greece like Crete or Santorini.

6. ATHENS

Athens is one of the best places to visit in Greece for a blend of history and excitement. The capital of Greece has a blend of ancient ruins fitting in harmony with the everyday lives of the people.

The ancient Acropolis towers over this beautiful city with The Parthenon, built between 447-432 BC standing at its center.

There are so many ancient ruins in Athens. Besides the Acropolis, some of the best places to see in Athens are Ancient Agora, the Theatre of Herodes Atticus, and the Temple of Hephaestus.

The National Archaeological Museum is a great stop to learn all about Greek Mythology and history and don’t miss seeing and the Temple of Zeus.

Athens has it all. Food, Culture, history, and a vibrant nightlife. Besides the ancient ruins scattered throughout the city, there are picturesque neighborhoods in Athens including the lovely neoclassical buildings, and balconies overflowing with all kinds of flowers in the Plaka neighborhood.

7. CRETE

Crete is the largest island of all the Greek Islands and it certainly has the best beaches in Greece. This island has it all with high peaks, deep gorges and pristine sandy beaches, Crete is the perfect destination for your next Greece adventure!

Don’t miss taking a hike through Samaria Gorge. This national park is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. And be sure to see Elafonisi Beach which is often considered the best beach in Greece.

8. KNOSSOS

One of the best places to visit on the island of Crete is Knossos. Make sure to get out to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site with your own eyes. This archaeological museum contains the palace of King Minos.

Knossos is a 2000 year old ancient site that dates back to the Minoan civilization. This large bronze age archeological site is one of the best preserved in Greece and is considered one of the best museums in the country.

9. PELION

Pelion is a beautiful region of Greece, located on the Pelion Peninsula. It is a five-hour scenic drive north of Athens en route to another major Greek City, Thessaloniki in Northern Greece.

Located between Athens and Thessaloniki Pelion is filled with picturesque villages that you must visit including Tsagarada, Makrinitsa, and Milies.

Also, if you want to visit the locations of the movie Mama Mia, this is the place to be. Much of the movie was filmed in the coastal village of Damouchari.

The coastal city of Volos is the main hub where you’ll be flying into. This beautiful city was home to Jason and the Argonauts if you love ancient Greek mythology, this is a must-stop.

10. SKIATHOS

Skiathos was a surprising destination that takes you off the beaten path in Greece. With beautiful beaches and a thriving nightlife, Skiathos is popular with local tourists.

Located in the northwest Aegean sea, in the Sporades archipelago, Skiathos feels like what Crete or Santorini would have been 20 years ago.

This island has the same lovely whitewashed houses, sandy beaches, and the same vibe as the more popular Greek islands.

It’s an easy ferry ride from Pelion and driving around the island to find hidden pockets was the most fun we had. With beautiful beaches and hiking trails, there are plenty of things to do.

The best evening we had in Skiathos was spent relaxing in a beachfront tavern sipping sparkling wine while eating traditional Greek food followed by a sunset stroll on the waterfront.

With our car we had a chance to explore all the island and a highlight was visiting the Evangelistria Monastery founded in 1894.

11. SKOPELOS

Another beautiful island in Greece is Skopelos. Located just another hop skip and a jump from Skiathos, Skopelos is another Mama Mia destination.

Skopelos is a gorgeous island with the typical whitewashed houses with blue doors and terracotta roofs, picturesque monasteries clinging to its coast and stunning beaches.

Skopelos wasn’t at the top of our list of places in Greece until we had the chance to visit this gorgeous Greek island.

There are 360 monasteries and churches, blue waters made for diving and snorkeling, and impressive beaches with white limestone cliffs.

12. THESSALONIKI

While we are in the area, be sure to keep driving to visit Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki is the capital of Macedonia in Northern Greece. It has a feel of being in Turkey with Turkish Baths and monuments from the Byzantine and Roman eras.

Be sure to walk around the old town to see ancient sites like the Roman Market, Hammams, and the Byzantine Churches. Don’t miss the White Tower that is the symbol of Thessaloniki, the 15th century tower reaches 33 meters into the air.

13. MOUNT OLYMPUS NATIONAL PARK

When we hiked Mount Olympus, I couldn’t believe that we were actually on this mythical mountain. Located in Thessaly, Mount Olympus stands 2,917 m (9,570 ft) high and its natural beauty is not to be missed.

Passing through waterfalls and dense forests, Mount Olympus feels worlds away from civilization.

Even if you only climb a portion of the Mountain of the Gods, do it. A good place to start is at the nearby town of Litochoro. We entered at the Prionia trail head and walked down from there on this lovely day trip in Greece.

If you are a fan of ancient Greek mythology, you must see Mount Olympus with your own eyes.

14. MESSENE

One of the best places to visit in Greece free of crowds

While everyone knows of the Acropolis, Temple of Apollo, or the Temple of Poseiden, not many have heard of the ancient city of Messene. This well preserved city of the ancient Greeks is a must visit place in Greece.

Filled with centuries of history, it withstood many sieges by both the Macedonians and the Spartans.

It is not nearly as visited as other ancient destinations in Greece but it was definitely one of our favourite. We had the chance to visit Messene free from crowds, walking through Hellenistic agora, theatre, and stadium with nobody else around.

If you visit Costa Navarino, be sure to add the Ancient City of Messene Greek travel list.

15. MYKONOS

Mykonos belongs to the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea and has long been one of the most popular places in Greece for twenty-somethings getting away from it all.

It is the second most visited place in Greece right after Santorini and with good reason. Its world famous golden sand beaches falling into crystal clear waters attract people to its shores for beach time and nightlife.

But there is more to the island than partying and nightlife. There are many historic places. Be sure to visit the archaeological site of Delos the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

It is best known for its beautiful windmills lining the shore which have become the symbol of the island. Built by the Venetians in the 16th century, they are incredibly well preserved.

It is fitting that the town of Alefkandra is known as Little Venice. With its charming wooden balconies hanging over the sea, it was once home to rich merchants of Venice.

16. RHODES

One of the best places to visit in Greece for history

Known as Knights Island, Rhodes is a Greek Island on the Aegean Sea that is draped in history and natural beauty. Inhabited since prehistoric times a visit to Rhodes offers the perfect blend of history and beautiful scenery.

Combined with ancient history, great beaches, and nightlife, it is also one of the most popular places to visit in Greece. A part of the Dodecanese Islands, Rhodes (like many other Greek Islands) has beautiful beaches and crystal clear azure waters.

Notable places to visit in Rhodes are the Acropolis of Lindos, Rhodes Old Town, and relaxation at Lindos Beach (aka Limanaki Agios Pavlos). Rhodes was an important location for the Trojan War in 1184 BC where the Dorians.

It has survived centuries of earthquakes and wars making it one of the most interesting places to visit in Greece.

17. DELPHI

Delphi Archaeological Site is a famous place to visit in Greece. This ancient temple located at the top Mount Parnassus dedicated to the Greek God Apollo is awe-inspiring. The ancient Greeks, revered Delphi s their center of worship.

One of the best things to see in Greece is Delphi. Why? because of its history and setting. With the Temple of Apollo standing all at is center. Delphi dates back to the 8th century BC and is one of the top destinations in Greece for beauty and history.

The ancient temple complex of Apollo sitting atop the high mountain makes for an incredible scene.

18. HALKADIKI

One of the best places to visit in Greece that you’ve never heard of

Halkidiki is an area located in the northern part of Greece. It is famous for its three peninsulas known as “the three legs” – Kassandra, Sithonia, and Mount Athos.

One of the most interesting places to visit is the Mount Athos Monastery. Mount Athos is one of the house of many monks and monasteries that makes Halkidiki famous.

Compared to the thousands of islands in Greece, tourists have yet to discover Halkidiki. It is popular with neighboring Bulgaria and Romanian sunseekers but it will soon catch on with the rest of Europe I am sure.

With each visit to a new destination in Greece, we are mesmerized by its beauty. There are so many places to visit in Greece, it could take a lifetime and we are okay with that. We look forward to going back to Greece again and again.

Source: The Planet D