7 Places in Greece You Should Visit at Least Once in Your Lifetime

Greece is a country of sun-kissed coastline, pristine lakes, and immaculate settlements. With its relaxed atmosphere and fantastic food, it’s no surprise that Greece is among the world’s most desired tourist destinations.

But what truly distinguishes Greece are its numerous ancient monuments, which bear witness to the country’s intriguing heritage. Greece has multiple attractions, starting with the Temple of Apollo in Delphi and onwards.

Whether you want a beach holiday or one where you get to experience a diverse culture, Greece caters to everyone who visits it.

From those who want to go wild partying to those who wish to stroll to a temple dedicated to the various Greek Gods, Greece has you covered.

7 Unique Places to Visit in Greece

1.  Milos

Milos is a small volcanic Greek territory with a distinct personality. Enjoy your time outdoors, taking in the island’s time-honored rituals, laid-back appeal, and leisurely way of life.

Milos’s most striking feature is its infinitely magnificent coastlines, filled with white rocky outcrops and the vivid blue Aegean Sea. It’s also adjacent to the remaining Cyclades, which makes it an ideal stop for an island-hopping tour in Greece!

There are many things to do in Milos, even if you’re seeking family attractions or areas more suitable for lovers. To go and see as many as possible, take a boat that offers a ride all around the entire coast, at the Adamantas quay.

The sunset scene on the island rivals, if not surpasses, the world-famous sunset you can experience from Oia in Santorini. In Plaka, the Panagia is Korfiatissas church is the place where you should go to experience the most mesmerizing views of the sunset. Utopia bar is another fantastic option. However, space is at a premium, so arrive early to secure a seat.

Milos’ beautiful seaside towns are its real gems! There are modest whitewashed dwellings that are adorned with colorful shutters and boat garages where fishermen put their colorful miniature boats in these charming communities. Many fisherman’s cottages have been converted into charming seaside retreats.

2.  Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest metropolis considered to be one of Europe’s Youth Capitals offers it all. It has a lot to offer including delicious food, a rich cultural legacy, and breathtaking surroundings.

Moreover, with its youthful vitality and a never-ending list of things to do, Thessaloniki distinguishes itself from similar cities across Europe.

Wander on a stroll and you can see everything from ancient heritage excavations to modern cultural events, and choose among the eateries, pastries, boutique stores, and restaurants that abound on the sidewalks of this lively port city.

Before seeing the bougasta, a famous pastry in the region, you will inhale its aroma. At sunrise, the streets are filled with the delicious fragrance of flaky rounds of puff pastry and steaming crème stuffing capped with cardamom and icing sugar.

You’re seldom far away from a bougatsa cafe in Thessaloniki. Make a journey to Bantis, O Anoteron, and Serraikón to experience the famed pastry; each has its own secret sauce that is best appreciated with only a mug of strong Greek coffee.

3.  Naxos

If you’re yearning for adrenaline on your vacation to Greece, Naxos is the location to always be. Whether you like snorkeling, paragliding, riding a bicycle to local villages, or discovering a secluded beachfront to explore all to yourselves, you can indulge in a lot here.

Nevertheless, suppose you prefer a more peaceful vacation. In that case, there is no finer Greek island for unwinding in a magnificent resort town with a martini in hand.

The architectural works of the ancient Greeks tell us the majority of what we understand about them. Naxos’ hillsides have been excavated for eons for the limestone they possess, and artisans and stonemasons on the island continue to create new sculptures that pay homage to the old days.

A marble excursion in Naxos includes a journey to something like a quarry to witness how limestone is mined and instructions regarding how to build your own marbled sculptural masterpiece to send home. Kinidaros village is an excellent location to explore a unique, hands-on experience like no other.

4.  Lefkada

Lefkada, nestled on the Ionian Sea off the western coastline of Greece, is a welcome reprieve from the sea of tourists that plagues almost every other destination in Greece. The main reason behind this is that the island has no airfield. But getting to the island isn’t difficult, and its treasures are spectacular.

This island is known for its rocky slopes covered with primeval forest, olive groves, and untouched Greek settlements. Wonderful blue waves and a gorgeous coastline with stunning beaches combine these highlands and beaches with rocky enclaves and ledges.

In addition to magnificent coastlines and fascinating historical places, Lefkada has impressive streams in the shape of the Dimossari Waterfalls. They’re close to the quaint hamlet of Nidri and, as a result, are also referred to as the Nidri Waterfalls.

There are numerous myths and tales related to Coast Lefkatas, along with the story that Sappho, the famed poet, jumped to her death down the side of the peninsula after being rejected by her beloved.

Aside from the myths, it’s a gorgeous location with beautiful scenery from every angle and the residence of the Doukato Lighthouse residence that has stood since the late 1800s.

5.  Delphi

Greece is well-known for its rich history, mythology, and civilization. Delphi was founded in the Mycenaean period around the conclusion of the late Neolithic Period (1100 BCE). But it finally gained religious prominence around 800 BC.

Delphi was once considered the planet’s center point because, according to Greek mythology, Zeus unleashed two hawks, one from the east and another to the west. Delphi was where they reunited after orbiting the earth.

Delphi is now a little tourist hotspot on the summit of Mount Parnassus, with breathtaking views of the Pleistos Valley and the Adriatic Sea. The historical monuments of the monastery, along with the Tholos of Delphi, the Temple of Apollo, unearthed in 1892, the theatre with a maximum seating of 5,000 people, and the Stadium of Delphi, adjacent to the theatre and where Pythian Games were staged, are the centerpiece of Delphi. This makes Delphi the perfect place to visit if you are a history or myth buff to explore and get amazed and meet people living in that place for millenniums.

6.  Monemvasia

Monemvasia, Greece, is perhaps one of Southern Europe’s most stunning and wonderful holiday spots. Monemvasia has grown in prominence as a romantic vacation location in recent years owing to posts on social media about tiny corridors and medieval structures. The most significant thing to experience in Monemvasia is not your typical Greek vacation. This isn’t the place to unwind in secluded spots or drink the night away.

It is a magnificent castle town in southern Peloponnese. To evade enemy attacks, this settlement was built invisibly from the shore. It is only visible from the water, and only a narrow path links it to the mainland. This is how it got its name: “one passage.”

Monemvasia tends to take on a fairytale appearance in the early dawn light. Because of the nearly deserted streets and milder temperatures, it’s much easier to appreciate the grandeur of all the stone houses and charming cobblestone streets.

Monemvasia looks frozen in time, with practically all of the infrastructure and economy from the Byzantine, Venetian, or Ottoman eras still intact. Monemvasia’s buildings are lovely, painted chiefly in earth tones of ochre and russet and possessing sweeping arches and red-tiled rooftops.

With only a few year-round residents, the bulk now operates as vacation homes, guesthouses, souvenir stores, cafés, or bar restaurants, with only a few serving as year-round dwellings; off-season life in this quaint border town isn’t suitable for everybody. But perfect for those looking to travel off the beaten path.

7.  Kythira

Kythira is located in the southern Peloponnese peninsula. Kythira is midway between the unusual Mani Archipelago and the considerably larger territory of Crete.

Kythira Island is a fantastic haven for calm vacations if you want to escape the tourist hordes, pollution, and wild partying. It is entirely off the tourist trail and less known than other Greek attractions.

In fact, the island is best suited to individuals who prefer exploring unspoiled wild places, unearthing antiquities, old communities, cathedrals, and picturesque villages.

Kythira has an odd aura that can make you immediately fall in love with it. It may be because it is the fabled birthplace of the Greek deity of beauty, Aphrodite. Or, it could simply be due to its breathtaking scenic scenery. Whatever the reasons may be, one thing is for sure: it is unique and will not be found anywhere else in the world!

The most popular activity in Kythira is probably walking about the island, so put on your favorite hiking boots and explore. The island has a plethora of old footpaths that run across the island, both on high terrain and near the coast. They frequently take them to small or deserted villages, picturesque churches, and remote locations.

Final Words

In complement to the famous tourist spots, remember a few of the more unusual places to go when arranging a trip to Greece. The country has plenty to share, from its incredibly picturesque ports to its rich history and culture.

Throughout this article, we have revealed to you the seven spots in Greece that stand out from the crowd. So, when planning your next trip to this magnificent country, keep some of these unusual spots in mind.

Photo: Taiga/Shutterstock

Sponsored Post

Support us!

All your donations will be used to pay the magazine’s journalists and to support the ongoing costs of maintaining the site.