You may not realize just how much Greece has to offer as a vacation destination. Greece is more than just a haven for archaeologists looking for clues from one of the world’s first civilizations. However, there can be a lot of pleasure found in traveling to this land to see some of the oldest works of art and culture in the world. Many families are finding that Greece is the perfect vacation spot because it has something for everyone. In particular, the beautiful Greek islands hold many historical treasures that may be of interest to you when you take a Greek vacation.

Most of us can find Greece on a map of Eastern Europe, between the Ionian Sea and Aegean Sea of the Mediterranean region. And, we’ve heard much about early Greek culture. Greece has been a long-running civilization. In particular, the Greek islands of the Aegean Sea have existed under a wide variety of peoples. The natural result of this is a surprising level of religious, cultural, social, and architectural diversity. Likewise, the historical artifacts bear out this rich diversity.

No trip to Greece is complete without seeing the Greek olive orchards. You should also see the vast grapevines, forests, and mountain ranges that stretch across Greece. There is something for everyone in Greece, but if you only have a short time for your vacation, the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea are a must see. These islands around Greece are among the more popular tourist destinations, so there are plenty of established tours available.

The famous churches that are characterized by blue domes are found in the Cycladic Islands. Characteristic pure white housing can also be seen on the island of Paros. In the small city of Nafplio of the Argolis prefecture, you can see housing that is still built today in the style of old. If you are looking for culture more impacted by the Ottoman, check out Kozáni or Grevená. But if you’re like most tourists on a time budget, you’ll probably want to spend the bulk of your time visiting some of the real hot spots in the Aegean Sea.

Greek Island Hot Spots for Tourists

1Chios

Chios is thought to be the birthplace of the famous poet Homer. This island was once famous for its pine trees and snakes. Chios is also the home of a variety of religious ruins. This island has quite a bit of historical variety because it was ruled by a variety of nations over the centuries.

2Ikaria

Ikaria, holding a name from Greek mythology, is widely appreciated for its long history. Archaeologists have traced items of civilization on this island back to thousands of years.

3Kalymnos

Kalymnos is a mostly barren island, except for its tasty citrus crops. Instead, it is the sponge fishing done around this island that makes it famous. Kalymnos has historically prospered as a trading port.

4Kastelorizo

One of the easternmost Greek islands, Kastelorizo is a mountainous, limestone island. When you visit this island, you can see castle ruins and religious building ruins. For a relaxing tour, you can take a cave boat tour.

5Lesbos

While Lesbos was long a cultural center in Greece, it is the writings of Sappho that bring this island so much acclaim and tourism today. The modern word “lesbian” is said to have its roots in the homosexual poetry of Sappho. Lesbian tourists from around the world flock to this island. The island is also famous for its petrified forest and numerous olive groves.

6Patmos

Among Christians, Patmos is a very popular place to visit. At the time of the Bible writer John, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, Patmos was a place of imprisonment. John identifies Patmos as his location when he was writing the book of Revelation. Today, Patmos, with a population of well under 5,000 people, remains a major historical site, with tourists often outnumbering residents.

7Rhodes

The Colossus of Rhodes is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was destroyed by one of the largest known earthquakes in history. The island of Rhodes has been devastated by several major earthquakes, but spaced centuries apart. Rhodes is the largest of the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. You can see a wide variety of ancient architecture and ruins from a variety of periods when you visit Rhodes.

8Samos

Samos is typically Mediterranean, being made up mostly of vineyards and groves for growing grapes, olives, nuts, and citrus. If you’re a wine and olive enthusiast, make sure to include Samos in your Greek island vacation. Samos is known for its rich history of thought and culture, and in particular its early democracy. Samos was the home of such great thinkers as Pythagoras and Aristarchus. It was a strategic location for a navy, and at various points was controlled by various nations for use as a naval port. The result for modern tourists is a rich history to explore.

9Symi

Symi is another of the Greek islands that has been under the control of a variety of nations. It was a strategic location for naval warfare and trade. In fact, for many centuries Symi was one of the wealthiest of the islands because of its rich trade. This is significant because the population of Symi has less than 3,000 permanent residents. Today, Symi isn’t so important in trade, but it is a beautiful place to visit with a rich set of ruins and histories from various conquering nations.

10Santorini

Santorini is one of the most breathtaking Places on the planet. You will be enchanted as soon as you step foot on this beautiful island. Fram the jagged cliffs formed from a volcanic crater, the caldera, plunged into the beautiful Aegean sea, to the whitewashed buildings stark against the blue sky, there isn’t anything on this island that doesn’t charm.

Der Beitrag Top 10 Beautiful Greek Islands erschien zuerst auf Realmag.

Besides the iconic Athen with its plethora of incredible historical sites, the Hellenic Republic
has a delightful array of cities with some nestled among rocky hills with others overlooking the beautiful waters that surround the country. Both on the mainland and on the numerous islands, you can explore the beauty of nature on countless hiking trails.

If you love long walks on natural sandy beaches with turquoise blue water or even water sports enthusiasts will get their money’s worth on Greece’s coast. Wind conditions and water quality are often ideal conditions for kitesurfers and divers and the warm weather attracts couples for a romantic walk by the sea in the sunset.

Here are the 15 best cities in Greece, located in the most breathtaking and impressive environments.

15Piraeus

Piraeus is the largest port in the Mediterranean, just 10 kilometers from the center of Athens. The port, with its many endless quays, is the center of the Greek maritime trade and the basis for its large merchant navy.

Actually, Piraeus resembles more a gigantic industrial area and is therefore not very worth seeing. Only the cafes, restaurants and bars of the smaller adjacent ports Zea Marina and Mikrolimano are regularly filled with people who’ve disembarked from cruise ships for the day.

Nevertheless, more than 20 million travelers pass through Piraeus every year, because the port is also the hub of the Aegean ferry network and it is best to get by boat to one of the innumerable beautiful Greek islands.

14Larissa

The university town of Larissa, located about 350 km north of Athens on mainland Greece, is the capital of Thessaly. The city is located in the very fertile plain of the river Pineios and is over 8000 years old.

Therefore, you will ind here many historical ruins of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empire. The ancient theater and the remains of the Neolithic Acropolis are also very impressive.

However, the months of July and August are less suitable for city breaks or adventure holidays in Greece. The weather is dry in the summer months and the thermometer often rises even over 40 ° C.

13Ioannina

Ioannina is on the shores of Lake Pamvotis with its charming old town an ideal place for a stopover. Its historic minarets, the fortress and the old walls invite you to wander around.

There are a number of great day trips in Ioannina’s surroundings, such as the monasteries on Nissi Island or the amazing caves of Perama.

Again, it should be noted that especially in the summer can be very hot in Greece and that it draws people more to the sea.

12Kalambaka

Not far from Ioannina is the Greek city of Kalambaka with its amazing Meteora battlements. Worth seeing is also a beautiful tenth-century church, but Meteora is the main attraction and houses twenty-four monasteries on the rocky peaks.

The area around Kalambaka invites to hiking, many small waterfalls and old bridges as well as caves and hiking trails characterize this fascinating landscape.

11Kalamata

The idyllic Kalamata, in ancient Pharai, is a beautiful coastal town on the Peloponnese peninsula on southern Messinian Bay.

In the picturesque old town visitors will find an impressive cathedral as well as a fortress and some beautiful museums. Many visitors use Kalamata as a base to visit other places in Messenia.

10Corfu

The city of Corfu is the capital of the eponymous Greek island and municipality of Corfu. It is located on the east coast on a sloping northwest promontory opposite the Italian „boot heel“ and has an international airfield.

The port city on the Ionian Sea attracts its visitors with its beautiful Venetian architecture and a wealth of ancient churches. The narrow streets of the old town make Corfu a beautiful picturesque place.

Worth seeing are also the forts Angelokastro and Gardiki, which were built on the tops of the surrounding hills.

9Kavala

Kavala is a port city in Northern Greece and also known as the „Blue City“ or the „Mecca of Tobacco“. Byzantines, Ottomans, Jews, merchants, tobacco workers, refugees and intellectuals have been living here for centuries, as reflected in the various districts of the old town.

Panagia, the old town of Kavala, will delight you with the Acropolis and the old lighthouse. Always impressive are the turquoise waters of the picturesque beaches, not far from archaeological art treasures and architectural wonders of the centuries.

Also, this port is used by many travelers as a springboard to the neighboring islands in the Aegean Sea.

8Rethymno

Rethymnon reminds a bit of Venice, but is located in the middle of Crete and is the third largest city of the island. In the Greek port city, Venetian and Ottoman heritage has been concisely preserved in the cityscape and makes especially the old town one of the most popular destinations.

At the foot of the old town you will find at the promenade the most beautiful restaurants and bars overlooking the sea and the harbor. And with luck, you can watch the most romantic sunsets from here.

7Patras

Patras is the Greek carnival city, a fun, playful fun metropolis. Although many travelers use the port city on the northern tip of Pelepones only as a gateway to the Greek islands, Patras has much more to offer.

In the picturesque old town you will find diverse squares and footpaths through narrow streets, archways past traditional houses. Here it is worthwhile to visit one of the countless, lively pubs, cafes and restaurants with a subsequent walk on the lively harbor mile.

The castle of Patras, the old conservatory, the Pantokratoras church and the Roman amphitheater are especially recommended destinations.

6Rhodes

The capital of the eponymous island of Rhodes was built in the fifth century BC. Built in the 6th century. With the Acropolis of Lindos, the ruins of the ancient cities of Kamiros and Lalysos and the Butterfly Valley, it offers a number of attractions for culture lovers.

Framed by the ancient walls, Medieval Rhodes Old Town is simply heavenly to explore and beautifully lit at night. Rhodes also offers many entertainment options. Numerous gourmet restaurants, quaint tavernas, cafés, bars and clubs are to be found above all at the marina and the promenade of Mandraki.

5Heraklion

If you travel to Crete, you may also plan a trip to the capital of the island. Heraklion is very diverse and with its many platies and pedestrian areas a very lively city.

In the city there are a number of excellent museums and one of the largest aquariums in Europe. Just beyond the city limits you will find the glorious Knossos, one of the most important sights in all of Greece, with its palace of King Minos and the myth of the Minotaur.

The Venetian harbor and its ramparts are also ideal for a nostalgic walk through history.

4Nafplio

Nafplio is in every sense an amazing port city, surrounded by fortresses, neoclassical buildings and an old town with expansive squares.
Especially the historic streets and the picturesque harbor are very popular with tourists and Athenians.

It used to be called the „Naples of the East“ by the Venetians and was the first capital of Greece.

3Chania

Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, Venetians, Ottomans left their mark in Chania and made this corner of Crete, with its architecture from the different eras, a multicultural place. A walk along the harbor will take you to the Venetian Lighthouse, the Armory, Kum Kapi Castle and Halepa. Numerous bars and restaurants as well as a number of cultural highlights lure the guests into the vibrant nightlife.

Outside the town in the west are the well-known beaches of Agia Marina, Stalos and Platanias. If you do not dare to venture further, you will be rewarded on the exotic beaches of Balos and Falassarna with a wonderful view of turquoise waters. In southern Chania, the world-famous gorge of Samaria invites to a hike.

2Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and the economic and cultural center of the entire Greek region of Macedonia.

On the Gulf of Thessaloniki, the port city can look back on more than three years of history. It is a wonderful place to take a historical journey back in time.

Thessaloniki is a significant, modern university and cultural city. The old warehouses on the harbor with their museums, restaurants and bars are a cultural center for students and tourists.

It is also worthwhile to rent a boat-bar in the evening. This small excursion boats revolves around the Thermaic Gulf, a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the nightlife of the city.

1Athen

Athens is the center of European history and modern culture. With its endless beaches, the Greek capital offers easy access to the beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf.

The whole city is an open-air museum full of exciting discoveries. The Acropolis, the Parthenon and the new Acropolis Museum and the Plaka district are just a few of the most famous sights.

The culinary possibilities in the city are overwhelming. In and around Athens there are ouzeries and mezedopolia, taverns, kitchens, beer halls, wine bars, cafes and restaurants serving traditional Greek cuisine and live music. Near the beach, the waterfront taverns serve fresh seafood with ouzo and wine. Even a visit to one of the luxurious restaurants with a terrace directly overlooking the Acropolis is a lasting experience.

Der Beitrag 15 Best Cities to Visit in Greece erschien zuerst auf Realmag.