As the cradle of Western Civilization, Greece should be on the top of every ‘countries-to-go-to’ list of any traveler, tourist, or simply anyone wanting to experience the life and ways of a country rich in history, culture, and cuisine. Its incredible ancient history which, in essence, is the birthplace of the democracy most countries enjoy today, delivers more and goes above and beyond in the multitude of experiences it can give for people seeking to have an adventure, a learning experience, or both.
Here are the top five places you should see in the wonderful land of Greece:
Athens
In the simplest sense, the history that Athens holds is beyond comprehension, both in the figurative sense and the literal sense, with the latter being due to how vast it really is. This city’s influence and culture stretches beyond its border as this is where the idea and the flourishing of democracy began. Moreover, Athens is also credited as the founder of Western Civilization, truly proving that the country extends within the bounds of and withstands the test of time.
It’s debatable but the city of Athens is deemed as the best city to visit in the land of the Greek. Given that Athens is overflowing with the culture of Greece along with its historical, arhitectural, and cultural marvels such as the Parthenon and the Temple of Zeus, the city should definitely be the first destination you head to or perhaps the final spot you’ll head to, if you like to save the best for last.
And of course, when you head to Athens, don’t forget to explore the areas of the Plaka district, a suburb of Athens, located just below the Acropolis. Let this place be the center of most of your collated experiences, pictures, and memories as you watch, shop, and eat, as you stroll among the cobble-paved streets and see all the shops and restaurants with all their specialties for your taking, may it be by purchasing, eating, or by taking photographs.
Santorini
With its turquoise waters and spectacular views, the island of Santorini proves its ‘world-renowned’ status as you walk the diamond of the Aegean, slowly being drawn in further and further into the beauty of the island, from nature to architecture.
As the most scenic of all the islands of Greece, the picturesque Santorini is the type of destination you should ‘see to believe,’ as any verba, textual, or photographic proof will not suffice to augment the awe that has been cemented to the hearts of those that have visited this island. From dipping in its gorgeous waters to walking around the beautiful villages, Santorini is sure to become a memory, more than just a place you’ve been to once you get there. You’d want to relive every single moment of dining in the restaurants, exploring the volcanic beaches, and taking sight of the whitewashed houses of Santorini.
Knossos
As a relic of the bronze age of humanity’s long history, Knossos, only being a short drive or bus ride from the Cretan capital Heraklion, is home to the Minoan ruins of the mighty Minoan civilization which had full control and dominance of the region over 5,000 years ago. These ruins are one of the best, if not the best, preserved relics of the bronze age in the entirety of Greece and are definitely an incredible sight tourists should see.
Apart from the ruins, the charming mosaics and masterful pottery adorn Knossos, along with the hall of kings which is the location of the legend between the Minotaur and the Labyrinth. The ruins of Knossos may be visited by going to the island of Crete, which is also home to numerous sights and destinations.
Meteora
This place could be seen as one of the most unique places in Greece, along with the entirety of Europe.
Meteora, situated north of Greece, is the home of the world’s most scenic and alluring Orthodox churches. These monasteries, the Meteora Monasteries, have been designated as one of the few UNESCO world heritage sites, but UNESCO gave Meteora a double status, providing two different world heritage status to this place: one for art and one for nature.
With the Orthodox monasteries built in the 14th and 16th centuries, the monastery sits atop, at high altitude, reaching for the skies, the heavens, as this land is home to the people who live in the sky that remains to worship God with full and unshaken passion throughout the passage of time.
Olympia
Another place in Greece that has etched its mark on the history of the Greek and all of Western Civilization is Olympia, the birthplace and origin of the Olympic Games that have thundered its influence, power, and ways throughout Greek culture, heritage, and history.
With the place situated in the hallowed Valley of the Gods, taking sight of the ancient stadium and training grounds of the Olympians is still quite possible, making it a scenic place to both learn history and take photographs for both aesthetic and educational purposes. If it weren’t for Olympia and the period where it peaked with its influence and roared with cheers and cries, Greece would have lost quite a huge chunk of its rich history. And during its peak, it was the place to be, not Athens, as everything happened here.
At present time, UNESCO has accredited Olympia for its well-preserved monuments and temples, along with the stadium and training grounds. The hallowed-out monuments are dedications meant for the great gods like Zeus and Hera. All of this sits in the hills of the Peloponnese, making the Valley of the Gods an even more awe-inspiring destination for travelers.
Apart from just Olympia, the valley also promises hikers and bikers an incredible mountain experience as its landscape is also run through by the Alfos River Valley, making the entire location a sight to behold, enjoy, and, of course, take pictures of. All of this, from the history, the heritage, to the nature, makes Olympia a great destination for tourists heading to Greece.
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