5 Best places to visit in Greece
Greece is famous for its sunny beaches to ancient ruins to unique cuisine and everything in between. It is one of the top travel destinations in the world, and with so many places to visit, it is easy to see why. In this article, we’ll look at the five overlooked beauties in Greece for you to consider while planning your next trip.
5. Cape Sounion
Cape Sounion is located at the southernmost point of the Attica Peninsula and is known for the ruins of an ancient temple built in the honor of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. The remains are situated at the top of the headland and are surrounded on three of its sides by the ocean. It is a common day trip for tourists who are staying in Athens and is well-loved for its sunset over the sea when viewed from the ruins.
4. Thessaloniki
Greece’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki is also the capital city of the Macedonian region of the country. It is known for its social events, lively nightlife and energizing festivals, making it considered to be the cultural capital of the nation. The city consists of a commercial district and a historic city center, bringing both old and new attractions to be seen by tourists. Everything from colorful food markets to Turkish baths to White Tower and the Byzantine walls is situated here, with art galleries and museums in between making it impossible to ever be bored when visiting the city.
3. Zagori
Zagori boasts natural beauty, including two national parks and one-of-a-kind geology that makes it stand out. Zagori is located in Northwestern Greece and has rugged mountains and dense forests that are lined with rivers and sprinkled with cute traditional villages that feature iconic stone houses that date as far back as the 18th century. The best way to enjoy the location is to hike one of the many paths that connect the villages, and among those paths, the most accessible and rewarding is thought to be Vikos Gorge.
2. Halkidiki
Halkidiki is a beach-laden, trident-like peninsula that is located near Thessaloniki. Three separate peninsulas make up this area, including Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos. Kassandra is the closest to Thessaloniki and has more to do, while Sithonia is quieter and boasts clear waters, hidden coves and places to camp. They are both popular with Eastern European and Greek tourists alike.
1. Peloponnese
Peloponnese is shaped like a big leaf and was once known as Morea which means mulberry leaf. It can be found in the southernmost area of not just Greece but also Europe. Peloponnese is a peninsula which connects to the mainland by way of the Rio-Antirrio bridge. The area has classic Greek temples, Byzantine churches, Venetian fortresses and Mycenaean palaces, showing off plenty of history. Found in these ancient ruins is Olympia, the location of the first Olympic Games that were held in Zeus’ honor.
Why We Love Greece (And You Should, Too!) ?
With so many beautiful places to explore, it’s no wonder why Greece is such a popular travel destination. When you’re trying to determine where next to go on vacation, consider some of the above locations.
