Discover the most beautiful places in Greece

Among the nations that surround the Mediterranean Sea, Greece is arguably the most fascinating (which is saying something, considering that it has neighbors like Italy, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Morocco, and southwestern Turkey). Its particular appeal comes from a combination of astonishing beauty (both natural and human-sculpted), rich historical (and mythical) background, and vibrant modern culture. The locations and attractions that we’ll explore in this guide feature prominently on many lists of the most beautiful places in Greece, not just ours, because they exemplify these varied aspects of the nation’s character. Let’s take a look.

Iconic historical sites: Journeying through time

The broad spectrum of must-see attractions in Greece reflects the nation’s fascinating background: a fabulous stew of mythology, verifiable Greek history, and the many accounts that fall somewhere between the two.

Ancient and modern Greece in dialogue

Delphi, in the Central Grecian regional unit of Phocis, is a perfect example of this. It’s the ancient location of the god Apollo’s temple, whose high priestess, the Oracle of Delphi, prophesized in the god’s name, commanding reverence from Greeks and international visitors alike. The Pythia (the priestesses’ collective name) had notable influence on regional affairs from the eighth century BCE to the first few centuries CE.

Today, a modestly sized, picturesque municipality of the same name stands close to the ancient site. Both are well worth visiting — the temple ruins for history, the town for its nearby beaches, skiing (in wintertime) down Mt. Parnassus, charming local shops, Delphi Sculpture Park, and more.

Ancient Epidaurus and two modern towns (Palaia Epidauros and Nea Epidaurus) have a similar dynamic. In antiquity, Epidaurus found renown for its sanctuary: The ill traveled there to beseech Asklepios (the god of healing) for aid. While it’s impossible to know how often these supplicants recovered, Epidaurus’ reputation remained intact until at least the fifth century CE, despite attacks, occupation by imperial Rome, and cultural-religious shifts. The sanctuary’s ruins (like Delphi) are a UNESCO Heritage Site, including the still-used theater.

Epidaurus’ namesake towns (both near the Saronic Gulf shores, with excellent beaches) aren’t as well-known but deserve visitation. Palaia Epidauros is home to numerous events of the multi-month Athens-Epidaurus festival, including musical performances in July at a smaller but also ancient amphitheater. Meanwhile, Nea Epidaurus features attractions from different Greek eras, including an 11th-century castle from the region’s Byzantine occupation and the site of 1821’s First Greek Assembly, a watershed event in Greece’s fight for independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Historical island highlights

Several of the many, many Grecian islands are best known for their (sometimes raucous) thoroughly modern cultures. Others rank among the best vacation destinations in Greece for more prosaic but nonetheless fascinating reasons.

For example, on the island of Syros, Ermoupoli (or Ermoupolis) stands out as a monument to modern Greece. Founded in the early 1820s as a haven for Greeks fleeing Ottoman crackdown on the revolution, it was the independent nation’s first major industrial and shipping center. Ermoupoli stands out for the bold, pastel-like colors of its Neoclassical buildings, such as the blue-domed Greek Orthodox cathedral of St. Nicholas and the shades of green, pale pink, and gold you’ll see just walking down residential streets. Cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops surround its main square, the Miaouli, but its beaches are a must-visit (and tend to be less crowded than those on high-profile Greek islands).

Pyrgi is also distinguished by its semi-medieval architecture, but it goes far beyond color: most houses throughout this village on the island of Chios feature intricate patterns (xysta) on their facades — embedded in the plaster by local artisans. As often as you hear the phrase “must be seen to be believed”, it’s absolutely true about Pyrgi’s xysta. The village originated as a hub for harvesting resin of the mastic tree, which becomes a delicate gum-like delicacy. If you visit near the end of summer, you’ll have great weather but won’t be deluged by other visitors.

Read more: Top historical sites in Greece

Mainland highlights (famous and lesser-known)

Some of Greece’s places of interest are world-renowned or close to it. Others are a bit more obscure. We’ve aimed to include both varieties here.

Bucket-list cultural sites

Any list of beautiful Greek places must include Mount Olympus. Situated on the border of Macedonia and Thessaly in northern Greece, the mythological home of Zeus and most other Greek-pantheon gods is actually a series of summits clustered together (Mytikas, the 9,570ft/2,917km peak, is Zeus’s supposed abode and the country’s highest point).

Unsurprisingly, Olympus is quite popular — not only to climbers or mythology buffs, but also for remarkable biodiversity. Awe-inspiring oak and cedar trees line the slopes and hiking paths along with rare plant species, 23 of which are endemic to the area. As for fauna, wolves, wildcats, foxes, and jackals hunt wild goats and chamois, while majestic birds including peregrine falcons and golden eagles circle overhead.

Much lower to the ground on the Thessaly-Macedonia border, Meteora’s visually arresting sandstone-conglomerate rock pillars surround a major cluster of 14th-century Eastern Orthodox monasteries. Six are open to the public, so feel free to visit but be respectful. Those more keen on the geological wonders can marvel not only at the pillars but also Theopetra Cave with its 5,400 sq ft chamber on the banks of the Lithaios River.

Head south to the Peloponnese to find Nafplio, capital of the region of Argolis. It features many architectural standouts, such as the Venetian “water castle” of Bourtzi (c. 1471-1473). But Nafplio’s real wonder is how many different archicteural styles it features: Neoclassical, eclecticist, modernist, Ottoman and more. It managed to stay largely intact despite the millennia of upheaval Greece faced before its 19th-century independent emergence.

Tucked-away treasures

Elsewhere on the Peloponnese coast, there’s a less famous but remarkable site in Monemvasia. Many of its unique border fortifications remain intact to varying degrees. Visit in late winter for a comfortable trip into Greece’s Byzantine era, highlighted by the Hagia Sophia and many other centuries-old churches.

If you go northwest to Epirus, with a little help you’ll find Zagori, arguably best known for being hard to access due to the surrounding mountain terrain. But it’s worth the effort for the natural beauty: Vikos-Aoös National Park is a particular highlight, with the 3,248ft (990m) deep Vikos Gorge sure to leave you astonished. The Pindus Mountains also feature alpine and subalpine lakes famous in local folklore as drakolimni (dragon lakes).

Lastly, if you’d like some birding on your Grecian excursion, look no further than Lake Kerkini, a Central Macedonian reservoir restored out of damaged wetlands. Estimates vary, but most agree that over 300 avian species call Kerkini home. Some of the most eye-catching are the pygmy cormorant, great white pelican, the fairly rare great white egret, and the near-threatened Dalmatian pelican. Multiple flamingo and stork species also use Kerkini as a migration hub.

Read more: Interview with one of our local experts in Greece

Enchanting island getaways

Greek islands like Mykonos and Paros are nearly household names due to their beauty and storied nightlife. The islands we’ll highlight aren’t all as well-known, but they’re remarkable and beautiful places to visit in Greece for many reasons.

The bustling Rhodes and Kefalonia

In terms of annual tourist volume, Rhodes ranks higher among Greece’s top places to visit than the aforementioned nightlife hubs. Only Crete surpasses it. This giant of the Dodecanese Islands has something for everyone: beachside resorts, astonishing historical sites (the eponymous Acropolis, the ruins of Kameiros), rugged beauty (the mountainous, pine-forested interior), and unique shopping (at the Nea Agora). It also features a distinct cuisine, with many intriguing pasta and pastry delicacies and a predilection for goat-focused meat dishes (plus the expected fresh seafood).

Kefalonia is one of the most popular Ionian destinations, even if it falls behind Corfu and Ithaca. It has its fair share of historical landmarks and beautiful beaches, but is perhaps most interesting for its modern cultural attractions. For example, Kefalonia was home base to the Ionian School classical music style and originated the kantada folk ballads. It also hosts lively celebrations like the Robola Wine Festival (honoring the titular white wine), the Carnival of Argolis, and the Assos Barcarolle Music Festival.

Underrated gems: Milos and Elafonisos

Milos is certainly popular, but as part of the Cyclades, it attracts less attention than many of its neighbors. It deserves mention on this list for its outstanding beaches and unique, volcanic geography, which produced wonders like the Cove of Kleftiko. Historical attractions include the ruins of Phylakopi — dating back over 3,000 years to the Bronze Age — and catacombs from imperial Rome (from the first few centuries CE).

Elafonisos, meanwhile, is perhaps the least-populous island we’ve mentioned, with fewer than 400 permanent residents. The summer beachgoers make this Peloponnese gem seem busy as a result, but keep it in your itinerary. For one, many consider Simos Beach, on the island’s southeast peninsula, one of Greece’s best, and its others (Panagia, et al) aren’t far behind. If you visit during the shoulder seasons of late spring or early fall, the crowds won’t be unmanageable.

Read more: The best Greek islands to visit

Make it happen

There’s a lot to consider about the beautiful destinations in Greece, and the list we presented above isn’t necessarily complete. Don’t be intimidated: consult our knowledgeable local experts to start planning your Grecian vacation. They will help you devise a customized itinerary featuring any of the interesting places in Greece from this article that have caught your interest.