Do you want to be a part of a fairytale? Do you want to explore places with magical touch and breathtaking beauty? If yes, then you cannot afford to visit Greece and experience something surreal and divine. This country is considered to be a Mediterranean gem and paradise in real. This place houses historic ruins, pristine beaches, stunning landscapes, and some delicious food. Hence, if you are a foodie and keen to explore a large number of cuisine options to take good care of your taste buds, Greece has a lot to offer. It is to be noted that every island present here is unique and you can try out various fun activities such as diving, surfing, and renting boats/ yachts to elevate your experience and make your trip memorable. Be it a solo trip, romantic vacation, or quality time with family, you can blindly trust this country with your time and money because it has never disappointed any tourist to date.
The number of days required to visit Greece depends primarily on your interests and availability. If you are running short of time and want to explore only the prime location such as Athens (capital city of Greece), you may require 2-3 days. But, if you also want to explore multiple islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and Rhodes, then you cannot wrap up your trip in less than two weeks. Thus, it can be said that a well-rounded trip to Greece will take around 7 to 14 days or even more, depending on your travel preferences and luxury of time.
If you want to enjoy the enchanting Mediterranean climate with the magical Greek sunlight that will drench your soul into the wellness of serenity, Athens is simply perfect for you. This place is the amalgamation of glorious history with modern, urban innovation and the coexistence of great culture with astonishing beauty. You will not only get a wide range of shopping opportunities but also great dining as well as nightlife, along with the warmth of the Athenians. This place has and will always continue to have a special place in everyone's heart who has already visited it.
Athens is quite rich in history and hence, there are more than 40 different museums present in the city. One of the most famous museums of Athens is the Museum of Cycladic Art. The Cyclades is considered to be an archipelago in the Aegean which encompasses over 200 islands, including Santorini and Mykonos. Cycladic sculptors produced here simple yet grand marble figurines, with many female figurines depicted in an upright stance with their arms folded. The museum remains open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, from 10 am to 5 pm. On Thursdays, the timing changes from 10 am to 8 pm. The visiting hour is from 11 am to 5 pm on Sundays and remains closed on Tuesdays. Other significant museums include the National Archaeological Museum, and the Acropolis Museum (which houses the remains of the iconic Acropolis).
A trip to Athens is incomplete without visiting the emblem of the city- the Parthenon (the most famous ancient Greek Temple, dedicated to the goddess Athena, the goddess of wisdom and the protector of the city). Athens derived its name from the goddess.
Crete is considered to be a diverse land and holds the title of being the largest island in Greece with vibrant land packed with ancient ruins, breathtaking and mesmerizing beaches as well as buzzing cities. People mostly come here for the sun, sea and sand. Crete is famous for housing the Palace of Knossos which was once the epicentre of the island's ancient Minoan civilization. The ruins here are packed with fascinating historical features such as vibrant frescoes, crumbling staircases, and soaring columns. Another popular attraction of Crete is Heraklion Archaeological Museum which houses extraordinary collections of ancient Greek artifacts on the planet. Though there are thousands of artifacts present on show, the Minoan collection is simply the finest. It features all manner of pottery, jewelry, and ceremonial pieces.
Elafonisi is a tiny islet comprising of serene beaches reachable on foot from the Cretan mainland. The shallow waters of Elafonisi are breathtakingly turquoise in color and the beach is about a mile long. Another famous beach of this place is the Frangokastello which is quite famous for having a ruined 14th century Venetian castle. You can also explore Spinalonga Island which is a fascinating islet occupying the Gulf of Elounda off the northeastern coast of Crete. The island has a long and storied history that includes a series of invasions, a revolution, and a now-abandoned leper colony.
The largest of the Cyclades islands which have now become a favorite tourist spot, Naxos is famous for its rich heritage, crystal clear waters, charming scenery, local goods, delicious foods, and many more. Naxos is home to a plethora of villages that have been preserved in their original form with traditional settings as well as ambiance. Besides, there are a number of multifaced beaches which can be a perfect treat to your eyes. Moreover, the combination of plentiful water and fertile terrain has gifted Naxos with fresh meat and dairy.
Naxos is synonymous with some of the excellent beaches of Greece such as Agia Anna, Agios Prokopios, Mikri Vigla, Plaka, Alika, and Panermos. Since the island is large in size, the coastline is quite extended and features all types of beaches- starting from sandy to pebbly, from fully organized to secluded.
Situated at the heart of the Aegean Sea, this city belongs to the Cyclades and is considered to be one of the most popular destinations in Greece. This place has gained popularity primarily for its traditional Cycladic architecture and enchanting sandy beaches, accompanied by pristine and transparent waters. Paros offers you a handful of fun activities and the top attractions include Naoussa, Parikia, and Lefkes villages. The best way to enjoy quality time in Paros is by relaxing on the beautiful beaches, dining in fancy restaurants, and kitesurfing at Pounda Bay.
Naoussa is the second largest town of Paros and is the center of nightlife, with a large number of restaurants offering mouth-watering cuisines, especially seafood as well as lavish hotels. If you are looking for top-notch bars, seafood taverns, and excellent shopping centers, Paros is the one for you. Besides, it also offers you some of the most amazing beaches of Athens that offer watersport facilities and sea sports. One of the most unique beaches is the Kolymbithres beach which has shallow and turquoise waters, accompanied by a rocky lunar scenery. Some other popular beaches include Santa Maria, Marcello, Golden, and Paraspos Beach.
Santorini has always been famous for its beautiful sunsets. The sun seems to drop in the sea and the sky ends up reflecting golden colors and bright shine. There is a village called Oia, which is situated on the north side of the island and built on the top of the impressive cliffs, is quite popular among all the villages in Santorini for its stunning view of sunset. Moreover, this city is also known to house volcanic beaches due to their volcanic origin and are distinguished by unique features. The most organized beach in Santorini is the Kamari Black Beach, which offers amazing nightlife and has a special cosmopolitan reputation. Besides, Monolithos, Perissa, and Perivolos beaches occupy the eastern coastal side and remain organized with restaurants, shops, various water sports, and sunbeds.
Tourists prefer visiting the Red Beach which is located on the western side of the island, near Akrotiri village because of its unique feature as it comprises different shades of red colors, along with impressive cliffs and mesmerizing views of the Aegean Sea.
Santorini is also popular for offering water sports activities as well as recreational activities. Be it scuba diving or simply diving sessions in the depths of the volcanic beaches, windsurfing, or hiking, this place has it all. Thus, if you are looking for an adrenaline rush and tickle your hormones, you simply cannot afford to miss visiting this place.
This place has received the title of the "Greek Paradise". It has always been known as the island of the winds and its fame has spread across the world for its cosmopolitan nature. Mykonos received its name after the hero Mykonos, son of Anios, King of Delos, who was the son of God Apollo and the nymph Reo. According to legends, this is the place where the giants slain by Hercules were buried.
The top attractions of this place include the Panagia Paraportiani Church, the Town Hall, and the Castle on the hill overlooking the harbor. Besides, you can also visit the Archaeological Museum, the Folklore Collection of Mykonos, and the Aegean Maritime Museum. During summer, the pedestrian streets of Mykonos are buzzing with life as there are designer clothes and jewelry boutiques, cafes, bars and restaurants to cater to all needs any time of day and night.
The meaning of the word Meteora is "suspended in the air". This city is home to 6 UNESCO World Heritage Site monasteries and nunneries precariously perched atop massive rock pillars. Interestingly, these 6 monasteries are still active sites of worship, while car parks and stairways now replace baskets and ropes, visiting Meteora is like taking a step back in time. Once, it used to comprise 24 monasteries but today, there are 6 still standing and are: St. Nikolaos, Anapafsas, Great Meteoron, Roussanou, Holy Trinity, Varlaam, and St. Stephen's. They all tend to vary in size and have different visiting hours that keep on changing according to season.
The ideal time to visit Greece is from April to June (spring) and September to October (Autumn) because the days are long, and the weather is mild.