Greece has something for everyone. This European jewel has scenic beach towns, rich, flavorful cuisine and plenty of cultural attractions.
Its cities have modern sections but are ultimately testaments to the country's history. Plan at least a week to see Greece's highlights, but don't be surprised if you want to stay forever.
Athens
Start your trip in Greece's capital city, Athens. You'll need at least two days to explore the city and visit all the historical sights that make the city famous. Visit the Acropolis first thing. This ancient city sits atop a high, flat piece of rock and is home to a number of crumbling buildings that date back thousands of years. Elsewhere in Athens, you'll find museums and cafes and, if you venture outside of the touristy areas such as the neighborhood known as the Plaka, you'll find pockets where different groups of immigrants have settled.
Cyclades Islands
Take a boat south off the coast of Greece to visit the Cyclades, a group of islands in the Aegean Sea. These islands are popular among tourists for their beaches, sea views and the beauty of the sun-bleached white buildings perched along the hillsides. Mykonos and Santorini are two of the most popular islands, though there are about a dozen other islands nearby if you prefer to go off the beaten track a bit. Spend two or three days relaxing in the Cyclades.
Olympia and Delphi
Once you take a ferry back to the mainland, drive or take a bus to the southwestern coast of Greece, to Olympia. As the name suggests, this city was the site of the first Olympic games; the first event is believed to have been held around 776 B.C. Spend a day wandering through the ruins of this site and visiting the Olympia museum. Drive north and take a ferry across the Corinth Gulf and visit Delphi, home to the shrine known as the Oracle. Dating back to around 1400 B.C., the shrine attracted Greeks anxious to receive their prophesies from a priestess. Plan to spend at least a day in Delphi.
Thessaloniki
If you have time left on your trip, head north. Set up camp in Thessaloniki, the second-largest city in Greece; it will take about five hours to drive from Delphi. Thessaloniki is a seaside city, so you'll be able to relax and enjoy the view, or you might take advantage of the city's culture and visit its museums and nightclubs. Another advantage of Thessaloniki is its proximity to Greece's tallest mountain, Mount Olympus. A 1 1/2 hour bus ride will take you to the mountain, which you can hike for some exercise and to enjoy soaring views of Greece.
Mykonos
Famous for its picturesque location in the middle of the Aegean Sea, great beaches and active nightlife, the Greek Isle of Mykonos attracts visitors from all corners of the globe. The island displays the contrast of white Cycladic architecture with the deep blues of the ocean. If your visit to Greece includes a stay on Mykonos, take in the historical sites that represent ancient Greek civilization.
As you approach Mykonos by air or sea, its famous windmills stand out on the skyline. Mykonos has 16 windmills that were responsible for grinding the agricultural yields of the island so the produce could be shipped elsewhere. The windmills, which are primarily found in Chora and Alevkantra, are no longer operations but remain a historic of the islands rich agricultural past. The majority of the windmill have been restored and renovated with the most famous of them, such as the Boris Windmill, turned into museums.
Although Mykonos has more than 250 churches, many of which you can visit, the Church of Panagia Paraportiani is the islands most famous and most photographed church. The asymmetrical Church of Panagia Paraportiani is composed of four smaller churches with the main dome church built on top. The entire structure was built gradually, with the first structure dating somewhere in the late 1400s to the early 1500s. The other churches were not added until the 16th and 17th centuries.
Santorini
Santorini (also known as Thera) is one of approximately 6,000 Greek islands. It is located in the Aegean Sea in southwestern Europe. The island is popular with tourists for its natural beauty, its warm, sheltered waters and its enduring ancient culture. The volcanic island is of great archeological interest as the site of one of the biggest volcanic explosions in recorded history. A well-developed tourism industry means visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation, travel, activities and excursions. Visitors of any ages and interests will find as much or as little activity as they desire on Santorini.
One of the biggest attractions of Santorini is the beautiful scenery dotted with typical Greek architecture. The island is half of an ancient live volcano, the sheer cliffs of which flank a sheltered lagoon.
The cliffs reach up to 1,000 feet high and slope gently down to the Aegean Sea. The small villages and towns of Santorini are picturesquely perched on cliff tops and feature terraces of distinctive white stone buildings topped with gleaming domes. There are some popular red sand and black sand beaches on Santorini in addition to many fine white sand beaches. Visitors will want to sample the local island specialty: a sweet, strong wine called Vinsanto. It is made from sun dried grapes picked from very old vines that thrive in the island’s fertile volcanic soil.