Greece
In Greece, a common itinerary is sightseeing ancient ruins in Athens, then taking a ferry from Piraeus to the islands. Island cities like Heraklion require different transport than the mainland.
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Athens
Greece's capital and largest city, and the center of the Attica region. Traces of settlement dating back to the 11th–7th centuries BC remain, making it a historic city with roughly 3,400 years of history.
45 sights 9 guides Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (ATH)
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is Greece's second-largest city after Athens. As the hub of northern Greece, it has long held a status rivaling that of Athens, giving it a rich and storied history.
45 sights 9 guides Thessaloniki Airport "Makedonia" (SKG)
Heraklion
Heraklion is the largest city on the Greek island of Crete and the capital of the Crete region. It also ranks as the fourth-largest city in all of Greece.
25 sights 9 guides Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" (HER)
Patras
Patras is Greece's third-largest city, set on a hillside overlooking the Gulf of Patras in the northern Peloponnese. Located about 200 km west of Athens, it serves as a gateway for exploring the peninsula.
24 sights 9 guides Araxos Airport (GPA)
Piraeus
Piraeus lies just southwest of central Athens, making it convenient to combine with visits to landmarks like the Acropolis and the Parthenon. It's part of the greater Athens metropolitan area.
45 sights 9 guides Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (ATH)
Top sights in Greece
Temples & religious sites
Parthenon
A marble temple atop the Acropolis hill in Athens, dedicated to the goddess Athena in the 5th century BC. It is regarded as the pinnacle of ancient Greek architecture and a must-see when visiting Athens.
Heritage & monuments
Acropolis of Athens
An ancient citadel on a rocky hill overlooking Athens, home to the Parthenon and other landmark ruins. Combining history and architecture, it's usually the first stop on any trip to Athens.
Heritage & monuments
Knossos
Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete, known as the center of Minoan civilization. Regarded as one of Europe's oldest urban settlements, it appeals to travelers interested in ancient history.
Temples & religious sites
Erechtheion
The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple on the Acropolis hill in Athens, built to honor the goddess Athena. It's well known for its elaborate Ionic columns and worth visiting alongside the site's other landmarks.
Temples & religious sites
Daphni Monastery
A Middle Byzantine-style monastery located in Daphni, near Athens, Greece. It holds great value for its surviving 11th-century mosaics, though restoration work is currently underway following earthquake damage.
Temples & religious sites
Temple of Athena Nike
This temple on the Athenian Acropolis was dedicated to Athena Nike, the goddess of victory. It offers a look at the early Ionic architecture found on the Acropolis.
Museums & galleries
National Archaeological Museum of Athens
The National Archaeological Museum in Athens is Greece's largest archaeological museum, housing artifacts spanning from the Neolithic era to the Byzantine period. Highlights include Mycenaean gold masks and statues among its many treasures.
Temples & religious sites
Temple of Olympian Zeus
A temple east of the Acropolis in Athens, dedicated to Zeus, the king of the gods. Construction began in the 6th century BC and was completed under Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, making it one of the largest temples in the ancient Roman Empire.
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