Greece or Hellas, is a country of incredible history & tradition, the cradle of democracy in the western civilization, and the birthplace of numerous philosophers, mathematicians, and artists. Nowadays, most people associate Greece with its beautiful beaches and elaborate ancient temples.
The country’s rich history, culture and coastline have made it one of the world’s favourite tourist destinations. The country’s unique light, the endless blue color of Greece and the islands have made Greece synonymous with summer holidays.
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit is Greece is in Spring and early Summer (from April to June) or in Autumn (from September to early November). This way, you’ll avoid the summer high season, with its inflated prices, lots of tourists and high temperatures.
The climate of Greece is Mediterranean with Summers that are usually hot and dry, and the Winters that can be quiet cold and wet. Summers in Greece are usually very hot, the hottest months are July and August. The wettest and the coldest months are December and January.
What is Greece famous for?
Greece is famous for being the birthplace of democracy, the creation of the Olympic Games, and for its unique and historical architecture. Some examples include the Acropolis in Athens, the Sanctuary of Delphi, and the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.
Some important facts about Greece
History: Greece is a country with a very rich history from the Bronze age, to the Classical, Roman, and Ottoman periods.
Language: The modern Greek language is a descendant of the Ancient Greek language and is affiliated to the part of the Greek or Hellenic branch of Indo-European.
Ancient Myth: The Greek mythology is a sum of fables told by the ancient Greeks to intrigue the imagination of people. Most of these Ancient Greek myths survive till our days because they have been included in the works of famous ancient writers and historians.
Architecture: The architecture in Greece has gone through many phases: from the Doric and Ionic style of the temples in Classical times, to the Byzantine style of the churches and the Neoclassical style of recent years.
Traditions & Customs: Most traditions and festivals in Greece and Greek Islands have a religious character. So many panigiris (religious festivals) are organized in the country, which are a strong element of the Greek culture and take place all year round, especially in the summer. The most famous cultural event is the Athens Epidaurus Greek Festival.
Music: Music in Greece has a long history dating from ancient times, during which poetry, dancing, and music were inseparable and played an important part in ancient Greek everyday life and culture.
Food & Drink: Food is an important part of Greek culture. Greek cuisine is famous for its good quality products and the amazing taste of its food and wines. Some of the famous dishes include Fasolada, Moussaka and my personal favorite, Spinach Pie.
Café Shops: Going out for a coffee is a special thing for the Greeks, a strong part of their culture. Kafenions are traditional type of cafeterias in Greece. Mostly old men go there to drink their traditional Greek coffee, chat and play cards.
Athens is the capital city of Greece with a population estimated to be around 5 million. Famous all over the world as the birthplace of democracy, Athens is also considered as the historical capital of Europe!
Where to stay in Athens
Hotels in Athens are spread in many neighborhoods. There are hotels both in the city center and also along the coastline. If you only have few days to spare, I suggest to stay in the city center area, close to a metro station, or book accommodations that are just walking distance away from the most important ancient sites.
The most convenient places to stay in Athens would be Syntagma Square, Plaka, Acropolis, Koukaki, Monastiraki or Thission.
Where to eat and drink in Athens
Eat and drink in Athens is a favorite pastime for both tourists and locals. Whether you’d like to taste traditional Greek cuisine in local grills and taverns, or you prefer international and gourmet dishes, you will definitely find what you crave. Athens restaurants are found in every corner.
The most upscale restaurants in Athens are situated in Kolonaki. If you’d like to dine with a panoramic view, you’ll find many Athens restaurants that have roof terraces with breathtaking view to the Acropolis and other archaeological sites in Plaka, Thissio and Monastiraki neighborhoods.
The best things to do in Athens
Thanks to its long history and rich culture, sightseeing is one of the best things to do in Athens! The Acropolis of Athens, Herodes Atticus Theatre, the temple of Poseidon, the Roman Agora, the Hellenic Parliament and the Neoclassical Trilogy are among the best Athens attractions.
1. The Acropolis
The Sacred Rock, the Acropolis of Athens, is thought to be the symbol of the ancient Greek culture. It is also considered to be one of the most significant ancient monuments in Europe. Both the Acropolis and the Parthenon, the imposing temple that was dedicated to the goddess Athena, are visible from almost every spot in Athens.
2. The Parthenon
This monument is the symbol of the Ancient Greek civilization – it was dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of the city. Created between 447 and 432 B.C., the Parthenon is located on the top of the Acropolis Hill.
3. The Erectheion
This Temple is located in the most sacred part of the whole sacred hill. The temple was a part of Pericles project and is located on the northern side of the Parthenon. It is an amazing example of the Ionic architecture, composed of three different dimensions basic parts which are the main temple, the northern and the southern porches.
4. The Roman Agora
The Roman Agora is located to the north of the Acropolis and to the east of the Ancient Agora. The original Agora was encroached upon and obstructed by a series of Roman buildings, including the famous Odeon of Agrippa, which was built around 15 B.C.
The Gate of Athena Archegetis is situated west side of the Roman Agora, and it is considered to be the second most prominent remain in the site after the Tower of the Winds. Constructed in 11 B.C. by donations from Julius Caesar and Augustus, the gate was made of an architrave standing on four Doric columns and a base, all of Pentelic marble.
5. Plaka
Located in the shadow of the Acropolis, Plaka is like a village within the city, it’s one of my favorite places in Athens! Also known as the “neighborhood of the gods,” Plaka is the oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods in Athens.
Plaka is the old historic neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture. It was developed mostly around the ruins of Ancient Agora in an area that has been continuously inhabited since antiquity.
Plaka is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists around the year, and is under strict zoning and conservation regulations. This is the only neighborhood in Athens where all utilities (water, power, telephone, internet, etc) lie underground in custom-made tunneling.
6. Anafiotika
Anafiotika (“Little Anafi”), is an autonomous neighborhood within the neighborhood of Plaka. It lies in the northern east side of the Acropolis hill.
There are no stores, cafés or souvenir shops, just small whitewashed houses. Its white cubic houses were built by the Cycladic people.
The neighborhood was built to resemble the architecture of the Cyclades islands with stark white-washed cubic houses built of stone, flat roofs and brightly painted shutters and doors, so you get the feel of being in an island village.
Wandering among these houses will make you feel as though you’ve been transported to a Greek island. Squeezing through these narrow streets, paved with white cobblestones, Anafiotika is a tranquil oasis isolated from the bustling, popular Plaka below. It is quiet and isolated, but it’s well worth the visit.
7. Mount Lycabettus
The best place to see the sunset in Athens is from the top of Mount Lycabettus. Standing at 300 meters (908 feet) above sea level, Lycabettus Hill is the highest point in the city and provides a wide-open view of the Attica peninsula. I recommend taking a taxi or an uber up there.
The best way to get to the top is by walking, hiking or just simply taking the Lycabettus Funicular. The cable car climbs the hill from a lower terminus at Kolonaki. The funicular station can be found at the intersection of Aristippou and Plutarchiou Streets.
Visit the Greek Islands
Traveling to Greece and the islands have become a must do activity. Located in the center of the country, Athens is the capital of Greece but also a transportation hub for most Greek islands. Athens has three main ports that serve ferries to the Greek islands: Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrio.
While Piraeus is the largest and the busiest port serving daily Greek ferries to to the most popular island groups including the Cyclades, Dodecanese, Saronic, Ionian, and North Aegean islands, and Crete, some travelers prefer the more peaceful ports of Rafina and Lavrio that offer quicker routes for some islands (Mykonos, Andros, Tinos, Naxos).
Greece has more than 6,000 islands in total, scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, of which 227 are inhabited. The most popular island group is certainly the Cyclades islands on the Aegean sea. Sandy beaches, turquoise waters, picturesque villages and whitewashed houses are just some of the elements that make the Cyclades so special.
The best beaches in Europe are definitely here!
⦁ Best for First-Timers: Athens • Santorini • Mykonos • Paros • Naxos
⦁ Best for Beaches: Mykonos • Naxos • Ios • Paros • Koufonisia • Rhodes
⦁ Best for Families: Naxos • Paros • Rhodes • Hydra • Nafplion • Crete
⦁ Best for Couples: Santorini • Milos • Hydra • Spetses • Rhodes
The ideal climate, safe waters and small distances between ports have made the Greek islands extremely popular among Greeks and foreign visitors alike.
The Cyclades islands is arguably the most popular Greek island group in Greece. Including wildly popular islands, such as Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos, Milos, and Paros, the Cyclades is visited by millions of tourists every year!
Among others, the Cyclades island group is famous for its picturesque villages, idyllic beaches, and breathtaking landscapes.
Located relatively close to Athens, the Cyclades islands can be easily reached by ferry or by plane. The Cyclades is an ideal summer destination for all types of travelers, from couples to groups of friends and families.
Mykonos is a Greek island, part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. Due to the very strong winds that usually blow on the island, Mykonos has been nicknamed as “The Island of the Winds”. Tourism is a major industry and Mykonos is known for its vibrant nightlife.
Often described as the “Ibiza of Greece”, Mykonos is considered the most cosmopolitan destination in Greece. The island is famous for its amazing beaches, the picturesque villages, the vivid nightlife, and its gay-friendly attitude. Mykonos holiday is an experience of a lifetime and there’s a whole heap of amazing things to do in Mykonos. Chora, the main town is where the heart of the island beats!
The best things to do in Mykonos
1. Stroll around Chora
One of the absolute best things to do in Mykonos is a visit to Mykonos Town. Also known as Chora, it is the capital of the island and one of the most worth visiting old towns of the Cyclades!
Strolling around Chora, you can find picturesque churches, charming, whitewashed houses, cute little boutiques, souvenir shops, museums and art galleries, as well as local restaurants and laid-back bars. Walking around the cobblestone alleyways of the main town captures everything magical about Mykonos.
2. Visit Little Venice
Just around the corner from Chora is Little Venice. Little Venice is a bustling part of Mykonos Town that’s found directly overlooking the waterfront. The houses here are built over the water – reminiscent of the canals in Venice.
Little Venice is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Mykonos. It’s a very popular place; there are fantastic bars and restaurants, the colorful houses are uniquely situated right by the blue sea, providing one of the best views in Mykonos. A unique Venetian ambience, which can hardly be experienced anywhere else in Greece.
