5 best places to visit in greece
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5 Best Places to Visit in Greece in 2024

Greece, the cradle of Western civilization and democracy’s birthplace, attracts travelers with its unique blend of artistic beauty and historic charm. The comfortable weather, delectable local cuisine, ancient architectural wonders, and sprawling beaches have put Greece right in the line of vision of the world tourism enthusiasts.

In this travel-based article, we will give you a comprehensive idea about why these places are considered to be gems of Greece. The descriptions will be summed up with a few practical details you might find useful while touring the marvelous country of Greece.

Don’t just stop and stare! Take an in-depth look at these Greek tourist attractions:

1. Temple of Apollo, Delphi

The Temple of Apollo at Delphi is one of the most important religious sanctuaries in Greece. Legend has it that the first temple in Delphi formed the image of Apollo was constructed by Agamedes and Trofonios, great architects both, with the help of Apollo. Later, the Alkmaeonids of Athens made a temple in the Doric peristyle with 21 columns in total.

The sculptures sang the tales of Greek mythic tradition, celebrating Apollo and Athena in particular through the east and west pediments, respectively. After an earthquake and the Third Sacred War, the temple was reconstructed. Today it forms an imposing structure that inspires awe and wonders in all tourists.

Address: Delphi 330 54, Greece

Open days and timings: It is open days between 8.30 am and 7 pm (except on Greek national holidays, December 26, Christmas, and New Year’s Day).

Entry fee details: 12 euros is the standard admission rate. EU and Greek senior citizens can request reduced fee charges. There is an exception between 1st November and 31st March—admission fees are waived off on the first Sunday of these months.

Total time needed to explore this place: An entire day can be spent exploring the sacred site of the Temple of Apollo.

Nearest tube/metro/bus station: It is a three-hour-long car journey from Athens to the Temple of Apollo through mountain roads and national highways. If you are not fond of car travel, you can opt for the buses that come to Delphi from Athens Long-Distance Bus Terminal B, Aghia Di Dimitriou Aplon Street. The time required is almost the same as that taken with car travel.

2. Acropolis Museum, Athens

The legacy of this museum is as old as history itself—the first museum having been built in 1874 with a partial expansion in the 1950s era. The Greeks while creating this museum were motivated by the United Kingdom’s remark that they had no place where the Greeks could display the Parthenon Marbles. Bernand Tschumi, a Swiss architect, brought the dream of an impressive gallery to life through the glass-and-steel framework that elegantly displays the archaeological treasures. The statues of Caryatids and Moschophoros are constant tourist attractions.

Address: Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athina 117 42, Greece

Open days and timings: The timings during the summer season are as follows: Mondays (8 am to 4 pm), Fridays (8 am to 10 pm), and between Tuesdays and Sundays (8 am to 8 pm). On the other hand, the winter season timings are as follows: between Mondays and Thursdays (9 am to 5 pm), Saturdays and Sundays (9 am to 8 pm), and Fridays (9 am to 10 pm).

Entry fee details: Adults have to shell out 20 euros during the summer season (between 1 April and 31 October) and 10 euros during the winter season (between 1 November and 31 March). Students, however, have to pay only 10 euros during the summer and 5 euros during winter and children under the age of 18 are allowed to enter free of cost.

Total time needed to explore this place: You will take approximately one and a half hours to explore the Acropolis Museum.

Nearest mode of tube/metro/bus station: The museum is situated near the red line of the Acropolis metro station. You can take the metro from Athens International Airport to this museum. Alternatively, buses are also available from Exit 4 and 5 while taxis are dispatched to the museum from Exit 3 of the airport.

3. Panagia Paraportiani, Mykonos

The Paraportiani Church (whose name can literally be translated to “standing next to the door of the entrance” was once right adjacent to the Castle. The serene white-hued church’s construction began in 1425 and was completed only in the 17th century. The four churches that are dedicated to Saint Sozon, Saint Eustathios, Saint Anastasia and Saints Anargyroi form the base on top of which is perched the fifth church. This unique, architectural feature and religious decorations are note-worthy for any aspiring tourist.

Address: Mikonos 846 00, Greece

Open days and timings: It is open every day (24 × 7)

Entry fee details: Entry is free

Total time needed to explore this place: You need to spare one hour at least to visit this place.

Nearest mode of tube/metro/bus station: You can reach this church by taking a car from Chora town. However, we recommend taking a casual stroll from the Kastro sea to reach the church. The scenic beauty of the pathways will make your walk worth it.

4. Monasteries of Meteora

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of monasteries of Meteora has one of the most remarkable histories of all tourist destinations in Greece. The story conveys how some monks, searching for quiet and peace, started living atop rock pillars in Meteora in the 9th century.

The end of the 14th century saw the creation of more than twenty monasteries in the area, though only six of them are still intact in the modern age. Walking into any one of the monasteries is akin to a trip to a past time when Byzantine frescoes, burning candles, and religious iconography was popular.

Address: Kalabaka 422 00, Greece

Open days and timings: The list of monasteries in Meteora and their timings are as follows:

St. Stephen’s Nunnery (closed on Mondays): 9.00 to 13.30 and 15.30 to 17.30 (summer months); 9.30 to 13.00 and 15.00 to 17.00 (winter months)

Roussanou Monastery (closed on Wednesdays): 9.00 to 17.00 (summer months); 09.00 to 14.00 (winter months)

Varlaam Monastery (closed on Fridays): 9.00 to 16.00 (summer months); 09.00 to 15.00 (winter months)

Great Meteoron Monastery (closed on Tuesdays): 9.00 to 15.00 (summer months); 09.00 to 14.00 (winter months)

Holy Trinity Monastery (closed on Thursdays): 9.00 to 17.00 (summer months); 10.00 to 16.00 (winter months)

St. Nikolaos Anapafsas Monastery (closed on Fridays): 8.00 to 16.00 (summer months); 9.00 to 16.00 (winter months)

Entry fee details: You have to pay an entry fee of three euros in each monastery.

Total time needed to explore this place: If you are in a rush, you can easily explore two or four (at most) monasteries in a day. But we would strongly suggest making this a two-day plan to visit all the monasteries at your leisure.

Nearest mode of tube/metro/bus station: You can rent a car from Athens or Thessaloniki and use GPS to reach Meteora. Alternatively, trains from Athens and other major Greek cities also reach Kalampaka, the town closest to Meteora. If you choose to travel by bus, you’ll have to reach Trikala first and then change buses to arrive at Kalampaka. From Kalampaka, hiking or taking a taxi are both viable options to reach the monasteries.

5. Red Beach, Santorini

The Akrotiri ancient site hides the popular Red Beach—you just have to go underneath the stunning bright red cliff wall to witness this wonder. Due to its volcanic history, you can see sands of different colors here, including white, black and red. This, in addition to the picturesque beauty of the landscape and crystal-clear water, make it a sight worth seeing. If you want to secure a great spot for the contrast of the aqua blue colored water and red rocks, you have to visit the beach a little early in the day.

Address: Red Beach, Akrotiri, Santorini

Open days and timings: All the days of the week from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm. We would advise you to complete your beach trip before it gets dark in the evening, as it is considered unsafe during that time.

Entry fee details: No charges are levied either for entering the Red Beach or using the parking facilities.

Total time needed to explore this place: A day at Red Beach is adequate for soaking in the sun.

Nearest mode of tube/metro/bus station: Is arriving in style all that you care about? The Catamaran Cruise is the most glamorous and convenient way to reach Red Beach. You can also hire a car or avail bus service from Santorini or Fira to reach this beach. In the mood for a walk? You can walk here from Akrotiri.

Are you ready to embark on your Greek adventure by exploring the places we have listed above? Which of these places did you love the most? Let us know!

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FAQs

Where should I go first time in Greece?

Some popular destinations for first-time visitors include the capital city of Athens, the islands of Santorini and Mykonos, and the ancient city of Delphi.

Which Greek island is worth visiting?

Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and Rhodes are the must-visit islands in Greece.

What’s the prettiest city in Greece?

Santorini is one of the most visited honeymoon destination as well as one of the prettiest cities to visit in Greece.

Is Santorini prettier than Mykonos?

Santorini is much prettier than Mykonos because of the breathtaking views, many activities, and availability of hotel food and services.

Is 7 days too long in Santorini?

7 days is a perfect amount of time to explore the beauty of Santorini. As per your personal choice, you can start the trip in the beginning of the weekend or end the trip in the weekend.

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