Must See Greece

Top 5 Greece!

A few weeks ago we wrote a top 3 destinations guide for Greece. That was the teaser. Now let’s wet your greek appetite some more…

There is a saying in history that is “The Glory that was Greece”. At the present time, Greece has evolved from being the origin of democracy and the origin of the Olympic Games to a melting pot of culture, arts and music. Let us explore the hidden treasures of Greece and why it continues to attract tourists and locals year round.

Island Hopping

For anyone who wants to go on an exotic beach excursion, Greece owns a few of the world’s premier island resorts. There are several groups of islands that are located within the Grecian peninsula. The Ionian group of islands; Dodecanese islands; Peloponnese cluster of islands, Cyclades islands, Saronic islands, and the Aegean islands.

Crete is the biggest island and it’s famous particularly to teenagers and young adults who like to party and socialize. With its vibrant nightlife full of bars, night cafés, clubs, and shops, Crete is alive with adrenaline, food, sex, & alcohol. The most famous resort is the Agios Nikolaos. The beach resort features water sports along with the numerous shops and nightlife.

To witness the Loggerhead turtles as they embark on an exodus to the sea after hatching from their eggs, Zakynthos or Zante Island is the place to go. There are historical ruins to visit, and Vai Beach is a “must see beach” on the travel list. Let’s not forget Rhodes. A trip with the family or newlywed is nicely spent when visiting the beaches of Kremasti and Lxia on this famous isle.

History in Athens

The city of Athens is the largest city of Greece and is the epicenter of ancient philosophers by the likes of Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates. In this modern day and age, Athens is a melting pot of the old and new. The well renowned Syntagma Square boasts numerous coffee shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, & posh hotels built around massive fountain pools.

On the ancient side, the famous Acropolis where the old city sits, is the home of the “postcard worthy” Parthenon, the ancient Temple of the Goddess Athena, the Erechtheion (where you can see the four maiden statues perched as one of the columns), and the Temple of Propylea and Nike.

Mount Olympus

Sitting between the border of Thessaly and Macedonia, Mount Olympus stands around 100 kilometers at a distance from Greece’s second biggest city- Thessaloniki. The highest mountain in Greece is composed of 52 mountain peaks of which Mytikas is the highest at 9,570 feet above sea level.

The mountain is the home of the world’s largest biological reserve and Greece’s National Park. Endless opportunities abound for the hikers, nature lovers, & outdoor enthusiasts here.

Captivating Ruins

When you are in Greece, never miss a trip to the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. The ornate building welcomes you with its lion gate and its cylinder-shaped tomb beams which protect one of the famous mythological Greek Gods: Poseidon, God of the Sea.

Also visit the Temple of Zeus and Temple of Poseidon at the Acropolis. There is the Theatre of the “god of wine and merrymaking”, Dionysus, The Temple of Apollo located in Delphi, and the Palace of Knossos in Crete.

Gastronomic Delight

Greek cuisine is some of the healthiest and sumptuous food in the world. Olive oil and olives are constantly mixed in any Greek recipe. Olives are mostly cultivated on the island of Crete and more specifically in Kalamata. A taste of Greek salad is a must along with Souvlaki (skewered meat) and Gyros (roasted meat). They will satiate your appetite.

Finish it off with Baklava, the most popular Greek dessert made with phyllo dough, honey, walnuts, and pistachios. This sweet delight is to die for!

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Well there you have it! Our top 5 things to do in Greece. Be sure to come Greece island hopping with our travel club for solo travelers!