Greece has been a popular holiday destination for decades.

Stunning vistas, beautiful beaches, irresistibly blue waters, impressive historical monuments, and delicious food are the reasons Greece is among the best places to visit in Europe. 

Greece indeed is beautiful. And you’ll love it so much you’ll want to return there! No wonder so many travelers return to Greece every few years. Some, even every year!

But, what to do in Greece? What are the best places to visit in Greece?

There’s a lot to see in Greece, and it’s nearly impossible to include all the beautiful places in this article. So, we had to choose a few.

Here’s the list of some favorite places in Greece.

7 best places to visit in Greece

1. Athens

Still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks, Athens is the place to go if you are interested in Greek culture and history.

Once the heart of Ancient Greece, it’s still an important cultural center for Greece, and for the whole of Europe as well. It was the first European Capital of Culture, and almost every year Athens is included in the list of top European destinations. 

Significant landmarks such as the Parthenon and the Acropolis top the lists in every guide and are mentioned in every blog article about Greece. And deservedly so. Iconic temples of the past, they definitely must be on your “must-see” list.

Spend a couple of days sightseeing in Athens, but after that, get yourself to a Greek island.

2. Santorini

Probably one of the most iconic, if not the most iconic, island in all of Greece. Also, it’s one of the most popular destinations in Southern Europe.

Santorini’s coastline is dominated by whitewashed buildings perched high on the cliffs, blue roofs and red rugged cliffs. 

Oia is the most beautiful town in Santorini. The town features whitewashed houses carved into the clifftops and overlooks a caldera filled with water. The town is a popular sunset spot and gets very crowded towards the evening. But nonetheless, it’s beautiful. It’s a place which you definitely should include in your “to see” list.

As the island is so popular, it may get very crowded, especially during the high season. Visit during the shoulder season when Santorini experiences fewer crowds.

But, despite the crowds, Santorini still is one of the best places to visit in Greece.

3. Meteora

Meteora is one of the most unusual things to see in Greece.

Perched atop huge rock formations, these historical monasteries are very important Eastern Orthodox religious sites and are included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. 

Initially, there were 24 monasteries in Meteora. They were built by hermit monks in the 14-16th centuries. And it took them years to construct the monasteries.

Only six monasteries made throughout the centuries.

Kalambaka, a town with a population of 22 000, lies at the foot of the cliffs. It is the gateway to Meteora. As the town was burned by the Nazis during World War II, it is completely rebuilt. While Kalambaka is not the most beautiful town in Greece, it features a few great places of interest.

4. Rhodes

If you have limited time in Greece, and can’t decide on destinations, definitely include a trip to Rhodes!

Rhodes is the fourth largest island in Greece and is a very popular vacation destination. 

Rhodes has it all – beautiful beaches, picturesque villages, dynamic nightlife, well preserved historical monuments and ancient ruins.

But the island’s medieval history and its stunning east coast beaches are the main reasons tourists flock to Rhodes.

Rhodes Old Town, a gem of Rhodes and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is Europe’s one of the most well-preserved medieval cities.  

Lindos and the Acropolis of Lindos are some of the most picturesque parts of the island. The Acropolis of Lindos is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Greece.

The Acropolis of Rhodes is another gem of the island. It’s really old – it dates back to the Hellenistic period of the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC.

5. Mount Olympus and Litochoro

Hiking in Greece? Yes, it’s possible! In fact, hiking to mount Olympus is among the top things to do in Greece. It’s a great experience.

Olympus truly is a unique mountain. It rises almost straight from the Aegean Sea and is known as the home of Zeus and the major Greek gods. Since 1981 Olympus is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

With a height of 2917 meters, it’s the tallest mountain in Greece and the second tallest in Balkans.

To hike up the mountain, head to Litochoro. It’s a lovely little town with a population of 8000 and features the traditional architecture of Macedonia.

Stay the night at the town and at the down head for the mountain. For most people, the Mount Olympus hike takes two days.

6. Mykonos

Known for its party scene, Mykonos is the place to go for young travelers.

Mykonos is the party animal of the Cycladic islands and Greece’s answer to Ibiza, as described by Lonely Planet.

The island’s biggest attraction is its beaches. They’re gorgeous, and there are more than 20 of them.

Picture-perfect capital of the island, Chora, features pretty whitewashed houses with bright blue accents and narrow pedestrian streets. Head there for shopping and amazing dining experience.

7. Zakynthos

Zakynthos is home to one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Greece – Navagio beach with its exposed cove.

Inviting blue waters, white sand and the beautiful imposing cliffs are not the only reasons Navagio beach attracts so many tourists. There’s also an old and rusty shipwreck on the beach. Thus the second name of the beach – Shipwreck beach.

Zakynthos is one of the most popular islands in Greece and home to some of the Greek Islands’ best nightlife (after Mykonos).

Greece travel tips

1. One of the best things to do in Greece is island hopping. Whether you do it on your own (by ferry), or book a cruise, it’s truly an unmissable adventure. 
2. Greek cuisine is amazing. The food is mouth-watering and super filling. For the best dining experience – go where the locals go. The greatest meals travelers have had while traveling in Greece were from local tavernas.
3. As Greece is a popular holiday destination, it may get very crowded, especially during the high season. Visit Greece during the shoulder season when the country experiences fewer crowds.
4. If you travel during the high season, book accommodation and ferry tickets well in advance.
5. Carry cash. Many Greek tavernas, shops, and guesthouses do not accept credit cards, especially on the smaller islands.
6. Greeks are aggressive drivers. If you plan to rent a car, be careful and cautious on the roads. Or even better, use public transport or get a taxi.