Greece is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations with ancient ruins set to the backdrop of a mountainous mainland and idyllic island beaches. It is the location of an ancient culture that had a significant influence on the world, particularly in the arts, language, philosophy, politics, and sports. The Greek Islands are a collection of nearly 1400 islands with only approximately 227 actually inhabited. The islands reveal dazzling azure waters, breathtaking scenery, traditional villages and lively tavernas. Key Highlights The capital of Greece, Athens contains ruins of the ancient city; particular highlights are the acropolis and many nearby sites. Many national museums are also situated in Athens, including the newly opened Acropolis Museum which showcases many of the excavated sculptures from the acropolis. Just four hours drive from Athens you can visit the site of the ancient Olympics, Olympia which is a sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek gods. The Olympia stadium has also been restored. The most popular islands in Greece are Mykonos, Santorini and Crete. Mykonos is a ruggedly beautiful island with quaint ports and famous beaches. The volcanic cliffs of Santorini are a natural wonder and make the island Greece’s major honeymoon destination. Crete is the largest of the Greek islands offering quaint fishing ports and historic Venetian-style towns. Visit the famous Minoan sites of Knossos and Phaistas or hike through stunning mountain ranges and gorges. In Depth Athens is the capital and the largest city in Greece with a population of 3.7 million. The ancient city of the Acropolis is perched high above the modern city. The largest temple of the Acropolis is the Parthenon which was originally dedicated to the goddess of the city, Athena. The temple of Athena is also a highlight. The site of the Ancient Agora is a green space in the city with a magnificent view of the Acropolis. The major museums showcasing Greece’s antiquity are the National Archaeological Museum and the New Acropolis Museum. The archaeological site of Delphi located near the modern village of the same name was the site of the most important oracle of the god Apollo in ancient times. The oracle of Delphi was thought to be the centre of the universe. With a continuous history of 3000 years, Thessaloniki is a city that holds relics from many different civilisations. This means you can find many museums including the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Byzantine Culture.
Greece is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations with ancient ruins set to the backdrop of a mountainous mainland and idyllic island beaches. It is the location of an ancient culture that had a significant influence on the world, particularly in the arts, language, philosophy, politics, and sports. The Greek Islands are a collection of nearly 1400 islands with only approximately 227 actually inhabited. The islands reveal dazzling azure waters, breathtaking scenery, traditional villages and lively tavernas.
Key Highlights
The capital of Greece, Athens contains ruins of the ancient city; particular highlights are the acropolis and many nearby sites. Many national museums are also situated in Athens, including the newly opened Acropolis Museum which showcases many of the excavated sculptures from the acropolis. Just four hours drive from Athens you can visit the site of the ancient Olympics, Olympia which is a sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek gods. The Olympia stadium has also been restored.
The most popular islands in Greece are Mykonos, Santorini and Crete. Mykonos is a ruggedly beautiful island with quaint ports and famous beaches. The volcanic cliffs of Santorini are a natural wonder and make the island Greece’s major honeymoon destination. Crete is the largest of the Greek islands offering quaint fishing ports and historic Venetian-style towns. Visit the famous Minoan sites of Knossos and Phaistas or hike through stunning mountain ranges and gorges.
In Depth
Athens is the capital and the largest city in Greece with a population of 3.7 million. The ancient city of the Acropolis is perched high above the modern city. The largest temple of the Acropolis is the Parthenon which was originally dedicated to the goddess of the city, Athena. The temple of Athena is also a highlight. The site of the Ancient Agora is a green space in the city with a magnificent view of the Acropolis. The major museums showcasing Greece’s antiquity are the National Archaeological Museum and the New Acropolis Museum.
The archaeological site of Delphi located near the modern village of the same name was the site of the most important oracle of the god Apollo in ancient times. The oracle of Delphi was thought to be the centre of the universe.
With a continuous history of 3000 years, Thessaloniki is a city that holds relics from many different civilisations. This means you can find many museums including the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Byzantine Culture.