Things to see and do in Greece

In Greece, every place seems to reflect the magic of the myths that surround it. This also applies to Peloponnese, the peninsula in the south of Greece. It is the birthplace of numerous myths such as that of Pelops.

Pelops is the son of King Tantalus, who plays a trick on the gods to test their omniscience. But he doesn't get away with it ... if you want to find out the rest of the story, plan a Peloponnese vacation! In addition to the myths, numerous sandy beaches, dense forests and blue waters await you here.

When in Greece, don't miss the beautiful island of Corfu and its wonderful old town. Corfu is an example of the combination of Byzantine and Venetian art and architecture, and the old town of the island's capital is a fascinating labyrinth of cobbled streets, dotted with historic buildings and unique stores.

Speaking of stores with local products, wine cellars and a unique atmosphere, the Campiello district is truly incredible: between staircases, stores, hidden courtyards and picturesque cobbled squares, there is also an old Venetian fountain. Sit down comfortably by the fountain and enjoy a picnic of local specialties!

The history of Malvasia is more modern than that of other places in Greece, as it only gained importance in history in the 6th century, at the time of the great migrations of the Slavic population.

It rose in an extremely favorable position, as it was completely protected by the rocks and completely invisible from the sea. There is much to see in Malvasia: There is Elkomenos Christos, a beautiful Greek Orthodox church and of course the old fortified town of Kastros, from where you can enjoy a spectacular view over the rooftops of the town and the sea.

When you think of Olympia, you probably immediately think of one particular thing: the Olympic Games! The first Olympic Games were held here and every four years women dressed as priestesses symbolically light the Olympic flame in front of the ruins of the Temple of Hera.

Olympia was also an extremely important cult city and fortunately there are many ruins today that bear witness to this and can be visited. These include not only the remains of the stadium and the areas where the athletes trained, but also the remains of the Temple of Zeus and the Temple of Hera, where the laurel wreaths that were awarded to the winners of the games were kept.

Among the many Greek islands, the beautiful island of Crete undoubtedly deserves a special place on your list of travel highlights. Crete is the cradle of the Minoan civilization and offers a perfect blend of ancient history, unspoiled nature, spectacular beaches and entertainment.

Vacations on Crete are an ideal choice for those who love history and want to get to know the roots of our civilization, but also for those who like to tan under the setting sun on paradisiacal beaches. At the same time, you don't have to miss out on the hustle and bustle and entertainment on Crete: Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos are the two largest cities on the island and are bursting with sights and activities. You certainly won't be bored on Crete!

Perhaps one of the most beautiful places in the whole world: Meteora means "hanging in the sky" in Greek and indeed, when you look at this incredible town, you wonder if you are not close to heaven.

Meteora is located on the top of impressive sandstone cliffs that actually seem to float in the air. The extraordinary morphology of this place, which consists of four rocky "towers" 400 meters high, is probably due to the erosion that started from the delta of the river. As well as being an extraordinary sight, Meteora is also home to one of the largest collections of monasteries in the whole of Greece and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Attention nature lovers: The Samaria Gorge is one of the most remarkable natural attractions on the island of Crete and promises plenty of adventure. The rocky gorge stretches more than 7.5 miles (12 km) from Omalos, sitting at about 4,100 feet (1,250 m) above sea level, down to the beach of Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea.

To do all this, you need four hours in close contact with untouched nature: you walk through forests, across clearings and streams to the gorge itself and the narrowest and most famous gap of the trail, the iron gates, which are only three meters wide. A truly extraordinary adventure for intrepid travelers!

As in many other places in Greece, two souls coexist on Rhodes, the ancient and the modern. According to myth, the beautiful island of Rhodes was chosen by Apollo as his home and it is said that this is the reason for the 300 days of sunshine per year.

There is plenty to see and do on Rhodes: there are five different castles, two acropolises and an archaeological museum. The perfect destination for anyone interested in ancient history! Nature lovers will also get their money's worth: In the valley between Paradissi and Theologos, there is a kind of paradise on earth with millions of butterflies.

Santorini is an iconic volcanic island in the Cyclades archipelago, and its most beautiful and picturesque village is undoubtedly Oia. Do you know the white houses with the blue dome-shaped roofs, the black beaches and the spectacular sunsets where the scorching sun sinks into the sea?

Numerous Instagrammers fight for the perfect snapshot during their Santorini vacation. Oia is also full of typical restaurants to try, quaint stores and truly unmissable views to photograph. Grab your camera and take the best vacation pictures of your life!

The temple of Epidaurus was an important sanctuary in ancient Greece. It was dedicated to Asclepius, the god who healed the faithful who visited the temple to pay homage to him during the celebrations in his honor.

The foundations of this temple, the single-nave cell and the pedestal on which a statue of the god must have once stood have been preserved. Another part of this incredible archaeological complex is the theater of Epidauros, which fortunately we can still admire, but which is still used for theatrical performances today. It still has the perfect acoustics of the good old ancient times!

The Oracle of Delphi is certainly familiar to everyone! The ancient sacred site was the seat of the oracle of the god Apollo, the most important of all oracles. The sanctuary of the Pythia of Delphi was first built in the 7th century BC and was destroyed and rebuilt several times.

There are many stories and myths about the Oracle of Delphi, perhaps the most famous being the answer Pythia gave to Oedipus. Today, the remains of this incredible institution can be visited. The excavations also include an impressive theater, a stadium and, of course, the remains of the Temple of Apollo.

Off to adventure! The Vikos Gorge is an example of a natural landscape that you wouldn't expect to find in Greece: The surrounding area is characterized by snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear streams and rivers and is nestled in the Pindos North National Park.

The entire region can be explored both for total immersion in truly untouched nature - it is home to many endangered species that have found the perfect place to dwell in their almost pristine state - and history, as there are bridges and traditional villages along the way. The more daring can also descend and cross the canyon!

The town of Mistra is truly fascinating and picturesque - time really seems to have stood still here. It is also ideal for a quiet trip: There are only 1500 inhabitants in the town!

Mistra is famous because it was the last center of Byzantine scholarship. The beautiful churches and monasteries, which you should definitely visit, still bear witness to this today. We particularly recommend the wonderful cathedral of Agios Demetrios, the Perivleptos monastery and the Pantanassa monastery. The latter is still inhabited by nuns who sell handmade lace and embroidery to visitors to the town.

Greece is known for its numerous and beautiful monasteries, where ancient art treasures and paintings can be admired. The monasteries of Daphni, Ossios Loukas and Nea Monì are the best examples of Macedonian art in Greece.

We particularly recommend the Daphni Monastery. The Daphni Monastery is located north of Athens in the forest of the same name and is characterized by beautiful mosaics that are among the most beautiful in the world. Immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere of the place and let yourself be enchanted.

Two of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Crete are undoubtedly Elafonissi and Balos. The former is a spectacular pink beach that rivals the famous pink beach in Bermuda. The pink sand contrasts with the crystal clear blue of the sea and is located in a secluded corner of the island.

The Balos lagoon is another paradise with its white sand and warm blue waters. It is ideal for nature lovers and adventurers, as you have to walk 11 km along a dirt track between goats and bushes to reach it.

The holy Mount Athos is home to the largest and most important group of monasteries in Greece. The first monastery was founded in 963 by St. Athanasius. Today, this mountain, whose highest peak reaches an altitude of 2000 m, is home to 20 Orthodox monasteries and 12 hermitages, as well as artifacts and religious monuments scattered across the small surrounding hills.

It is important to know that only 120 Orthodox pilgrims are allowed on Mount Athos per day. The peninsula can only be reached from the sea and offers a spectacular panorama of lush vegetation in which the Byzantine monasteries and castles are located.

When in Greece, be sure to visit Thessaloniki. Between art, ruins, culture, Byzantine churches, stores and typical restaurants, Thessaloniki is a city where it is impossible to get bored.

The city's landmark is the church of Agios Dimitrios. The Church of St. Sophia is not only reminiscent of the famous Turkish church in Istanbul in its name, but also visually with its white tower, from which you have a truly extraordinary view. The Museum of Byzantine Culture is also not to be missed. The center of life in Thessaloniki is Aristotle Square, an impressive square that stretches all the way to the sea.

Would you like to travel back in time? Then you should definitely visit Hydra, where life follows a leisurely rhythm.

Hydra is an hour and a half south of Athens by boat and is an island where there is no motorization: Goods are transported on the backs of mules. The island is a protected monument and will delight lovers of unspoiled nature with walks and peaceful bathing. Here you can really switch off, leave your smartphone off and forget about modern civilization for a while!

Athens, the capital of Greece, should be on every traveler's bucket list. Here you will find everything your heart desires: from a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site to some of the best vintage stores.

What should definitely be on your list is a visit to the Acropolis. Acropolis means 'highest point of the city' and is the sacred rock of Athens. Another highlight is a visit to the Plaka district. If you walk uphill from Monastiráki Square towards the Acropolis, you will arrive in this beautiful district of Athens. From small alleyways to the best restaurants in Athens, you'll find everything here!

As the main port for the Ionian Islands and gateway to Greek mythological sites such as Delphi and Olympia, atypical Patras deserves the attention of travelers looking to explore off the beaten path.

While you're there, be sure to visit the old town of Patras and the Byzantine-built Kastro, which tower over the city. The Archaeological Museum, which is the second most important after the Athens Museum , is also a must. Patras should be visited as soon as possible before this Greek city becomes an overly popular and overcrowded tourist destination!