Published: 17 June 2026
As far as history is concerned, in Europe, Greece is the forerunner of our current civilisation. Whilst Rome is rightly lauded for bringing enlightenment to many parts of the continent, Greece in her heyday had colonies everywhere from Valencia province in Spain, to Crimea. Its explorers ventured as far north as the Arctic and deep into the east of Asia, establishing a much greater understanding and knowledge of the world than any other that came before it. Whilst it may be an old country the best places to visit in Greece are teeming with energy that belies its age.
Today, Greece still bears many important relics, ruins and monuments to its ancient age of discovery and progress, as well as boasting the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean to explore. The landmass is rugged, made up of steep hills and mountains, with much of the hinterland remaining uninhabited, as has been the way for thousands of years. Its cities are among the oldest in the world, and teem with curiosity, wisdom, and intrigue.
Attica
Attica is quite underexplored thanks to the overwhelmingly popular presence of Athens within the region. However, it boasts coastal towns as beautiful as anywhere else in Greece, pine-covered hills and ancient sanctuaries like Cape Sounion. Here lies one of Greece’s greatest treasures, the Temple of Poseidon. This 5th-century BC ruin of crumbled columns is now a far cry from the awe-inspiring structure it would have been in its heyday, yet much still is left to impress. Standing atop 70-metre cliffs with expansive views out to sea, it’s as worthy a site for worshipping the god of the sea as there could be.
Meanwhile, Athens is worth visiting not only as a historical centre, but as a place where Greece’s past and present collide. Its heritage is undeniable, with layers of classical, Roman, Byzantine and modern history compressed into a relatively small area for a city with such an enormous reputation. Beyond the Acropolis, the Parthenon and its other archaeological sites, Athens is defined by the buzz of neighbourhood life. Areas such as Plaka, Exarchia and Piraeus reveal contrasting social identities, from the more tourist-oriented historic quarters to packed-out tavernas brimming with locals. As far as the best places to visit in Greece go, Attica has so much more to offer.
The Peloponnese Peninsula
Since the construction of the Corinthian Canal, the Peloponnese is now technically an island, but this leaf-shaped landmass is the key to some of Greece’s most intact ancient sites. Argolis, known as “the thumb”, is the first tendril of the peninsula and contains the key historical sites of Nafplio, Mycenae and Epidaurus, the latter known for its incredible 4th century BC theatre. The Mani region houses the enchanting Caves of Diros, arguably Greece's most important natural site and speculated to be the entrance to the Underworld of Greek Mythology. Arcadia is rugged and mountainous, and one of the country’s most romantic landscapes, whilst Messenia is known for its beautiful beaches and coastal scenery.
Whilst the Peloponnese is by far one of the best places to visit in Greece for scenery alone, the most famous part of this region is Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. A common misconception is that the region is located at the foot of Mount Olympus, which is situated in Northern Greece, but they are two distinctly different locations. Olympia contains some of the most incredible treasures in Greece, including temples built to honour Zeus and Hera, and the original Olympic stadium, complete with a 200 metre racetrack and marble starting blocks. A far cry from today’s game’s more toned-down and modernised apparel.
Crete
The largest of the Greek Islands has a culture and identity of its own, similar, but distinctly independent. Historically, Crete resisted outside control, from Venetian rule to Ottoman occupation, and it is now a celebrated part of island life that the communities here managed to keep their tradition. However, Architecture in the cities of Chania and Heraklion reflects the different periods of occupation on the island. Chania boasts an Egyptian-style lighthouse and a Venetian harbour, whilst Heraklion is known for the incredible Palace of Knossos, the legendary home of King Minos and the Minotaur’s labyrinth.
Crete is known for its dramatic scenery, including several mountain ranges that glisten with snow for the first few months of every year, and a cluster of cave networks and canyons shrouded in myth and legend. Mount Ida, the island’s tallest mountain, is one of the rumoured birthplaces of the god Zeus, as is the Dikteon Cave located within the eponymous mountain range. The Samaria Gorge is one of Europe’s longest canyons, whilst the pink-toned sands formed from crushed seashells at Elafonissi beach lagoon are often ranked as among the most beautiful in the world.
Epirus
Mountainous, remote and sparsely populated, Epirus represents a side of Greece largely absent from popular depictions of the country. The most western part of Greece's landscape is dramatic and inward-facing. Deep gorges and high mountains limited historical accessibility and preserved more aspects of local culture. Cuisine here is heavier and more rustic than elsewhere in Greece, reflecting colder winters caused by the harsher climate. The region is home to the Vikos Gorge, one of the world’s deepest canyons, and the Tzoumerka area, famous for its white water rafting.
Aside from containing some of the best places to visit in Greece for hiking and thrill-seeking, there is a deeper, more romantic side to Epirus. The Zagorochoria is a network of 46 picturesque stone villages, all connected by carved footpaths and bridges, and recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The ancient theatre at Dodoni is shrouded in myths and legends. Ioannina, the region’s capital, is located on the shores of a beautiful lake and contains many historical sites.
Macedonia
Northern Greece offers something of a bridge between the Balkans and the Mediterranean. However, it is impossible to talk about the northernmost reaches of this country without focusing specifically on perhaps its most historically important region. As the birthplace of Alexander the Great, Macedonia and its ancient Empire reshaped the balance of power not only in Europe, but across Asia and North Africa, with its influence expanding as far east as India some two and a half thousand years ago.
Needless to say, there is an abundance of historical sites to venture around. From Pella’s prominent archaeological museum to the Royal Tombs at Vergina of Alexander’s father, Philip II, this region breathes antiquity. Thessaloniki, the region’s largest city, has long been a crossroads of cultures, shaped by Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman influence. The waterfalls of Edessa boast some of the highest and most spectacular in Greece, whilst the thermal springs at Pozar at the foot of Mount Voras, offer a naturally occurring hot and cold bathing experience. It’s a region bursting at the seams with possibilities for immersion and adventure.
