Introduction
Greece is a beautiful country with shimmering waters, charming villages, stunning landscapes, rich culture and a ton of amazing places to visit. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for their next holiday in a gorgeous setting.
If you’re planning a break in this exquisite country, you’re likely looking for some of the top things to do in Greece. Luckily enough, we have everything you need to know below. Whether you’d like to spend your time uncovering ancient history, exploring the pretty islands, marvelling over natural beauty or indulging in mouthwatering cuisine, Greece has something for everyone.
Keep reading to learn more about some of the best things to do in Greece, helping you plan your next break here with ease.
The Best Things to Do in Greece - Ancient History and Archaeological Sites
Greece is a treasure trove of ancient history and unique archaeological sites, great for visitors who want to step back in time. Browse some of the best historical attractions and get ready to embark on your next unforgettable adventure here.
Scour Ancient Athens
Ancient Athens is undoubtedly one of the best things to see in Greece, especially for history buffs. Here you will discover a place brimming with ancient ruins and impressive culture at every twist and turn. Spend your time exploring fascinating museums or strolling through the quaint winding streets.
If you’re heading to Athens for the Acropolis, you’ll find it situated in the centre of Athens. This offers visitors the opportunity to explore an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site alongside one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Uncover ancient architecture alongside an interesting museum to learn more about the history here.
Visit the Birthplace of the First Olympic Games
When looking for some of the most unique experiences in Greece a trip to ancient Olympia is sure to impress. After you have seen all that Athens has to offer, embark on the 3-and-a-half-hour drive to Peloponnese to discover the birthplace of the Olympic games.
The site dates back to 776 BCE and provides visitors with the chance to experience ancient ruins including a stadium and training arenas. Be sure to stop off at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia after exploring the grounds, a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the past this impressive site holds.
Uncover the Archaeological Island of Delos
Exploring the archaeological island of Delos is the perfect place to go for those wondering what to do in Greece. This is known for being the mythical birthplace of Apollo and provides a key religious and cultural centre.
When exploring Delos, visitors can marvel at the ancient ruins, temples, monuments, quaint homes, and historic markets. The island is currently uninhabited and can only be visited during the day. If you’re planning to embark on an island-hopping excursion, a stop at Delos is an excellent attraction to add to your itinerary.
The Best Things to Do in Greece - Greek Islands and Coastal Experiences
Greece is well known for its beautiful islands and exceptional coastal experiences, providing an excellent destination for those seeking a little serenity. Check out some of the best places to visit when planning to lounge on the sandy shores around this outstanding country.
Go Island Hopping in Greece
One of the best things to do in Greece is an island hopping adventure. There are plenty of beautiful isles to explore here, each of which has something unique to offer. Whether you’re visiting with family, friends or your partner, you’re sure to find a Greek Island for all itineraries.
Some of the favoured islands to explore in Greece include Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Corfu, Zakynthos, Rhodes, plus many more. These fabulous destinations provide visitors with a fantastic blend of jaw-dropping landscapes, pretty towns and villages, exciting attractions and activities for all types of travellers. We recommend checking out each of the islands in detail to help determine the best spot for you.
Witness the Beauty Surrounding Corfu’s Old Town
Corfu’s Old Town comes as one of the top things to see in Greece for its historical significance, intriguing museums, beautiful architecture and impressive archaeological ruins. The town dates back to the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries allowing visitors to learn more about the country’s past while exploring this beautiful place.
After you have spent some time wandering around Corfu’s Old Town, be sure to head to the hilltop palace where you can enjoy exceptional views over the town. Whether you’re visiting Greece with the whole family, on a solo adventure or a romantic retreat with your partner, this beautiful spot has something for all.
Lounge on Crete's Beaches
No trip to Greece is complete without visiting some of the pristine beaches here and with so many scattered throughout the country, you’ll be spoilt for choice. However, one noteworthy destination is the stunning island of Crete.
Crete’s beaches are great for an array of holiday itineraries with options to visit secluded locations, bustling shores and family-friendly destinations. Elafonisi Beach is an excellent choice for those looking for picturesque surroundings and crystal clear waters, great for those planning to spend some time unwinding in utter serenity.
If you’d prefer to explore some of the livelier shores in Crete you’ll want to head to Falassarna Beach on the western side of the island. Here you’ll discover some excellent amenities and great watersport activities, perfect for families looking for somewhere to spend the day together.
With so many incredible beaches to choose from in Crete, you’re sure to find something for all. Plus with options to enjoy swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing in a beautiful setting, the sandy shores of the island are a must-visit for many.
Embark on a Tour to the Blue Caves of Zakynthos
The blue caves of Zakynthos provide one of the best attractions in Greece for all types of visitors. Here you will encounter endless natural beauty and a unique experience, great for those looking for a special excursion during their time on the island.
With their striking blue colour, impressive rock formations and peaceful aura, the caves in Zakynthos allow for both relaxing and interesting activity in Greece. For the best experience, we recommend visiting the caves in the morning. Simply hop on a boat tour which are available across the island and get ready to enjoy an unforgettable adventure with the whole family.
The Best Things to Do in Greece - Natural Wonders and Outdoor Adventures
Visitors pursuing fun things to do in Greece will love the variety of natural wonders and outdoor adventures on offer here. With so many incredible hiking trails and impressive towns and villages, you’re sure to find an array of exciting excursions when getting out and active in this gorgeous country.
Go Hiking in the Dragon Lakes
Greece’s Dragon Lakes allow visitors to experience stunning natural scenery, privacy and seclusion and impressive mountain peaks at every twist and turn. If you’re looking to spend your time exploring some of the outstanding landscapes here, this is an excellent place to do just that.
Some of the favoured Dragon Lakes in Greece include Tymfi, Gistova, Verlinga, Flenga and Smolikas. You’ll find these natural wonders positioned at the top of the Greek peaks, allowing for exceptional hiking adventures and impressive terrains along the way.
Visitors pursuing some of the best outdoor activities in Greece won’t be disappointed by a trip to the renowned Dragon Lakes.
Explore the Villages of Zagorohoria
The Villages of Zagorohoria offer some of the best places to see in Greece and for good reason. With around 46 mountain villages nestled away in the region, there are more than enough fantastic places to explore throughout Zagori.
Uncover ancient monasteries, marvel over beautiful churches or embark on some of the exceptional outdoor activities here including rafting, trekking, climbing and horse riding. With unmatched wildlife, rich cultural experiences and the opportunity to explore another of Greece’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, a trip to the villages of Zagorohoria is sure to impress.
Marvel over the Stone Spires of Meteora
A trip to the spires of Meteora allows visitors to encounter surreal landscapes and towering rock pinnacles alongside ancient monasteries and much more. The site dates back to the 14th century blending historical features with impressive architecture, great for those looking for unique adventures in Greece.
As the name Meteora translates to ‘suspended in air’ visitors can spend their time here marvelling over the dramatic position of the monasteries, alongside a wonderful climb with lots to see along the way. If you’re looking for somewhere to experience spiritual heritage, jaw-dropping scenery and unmatched architecture, a trip to the stone spires of Meteora won’t disappoint.
The Best Things to Do in Greece - Culture and Food
There’s no way we could write a list of some of the best things to do in Greece without mentioning the mouthwatering cuisine. Visitors hoping to indulge in some of the tasty plates are sure to be impressed by the endless options scattered around the country. However, to help get you started, we’ve included some of the best foodie experiences below.
Sample Greek Food
Sampling Greek cuisine is a must when visiting Greece and with so many tasty options to choose from, you’re sure to find something for an array of tastes and preferences. The food here is fresh and flavourful, often combining ingredients such as olives, feta cheese and olive oil.
Some of the favoured dishes in Greece include fresh fish, seasoned vegetables, Greek salads, moussaka, souvlaki, tzatziki, plus many more. If you’re looking for fresh produce and hearty meals, you’ll find this here in abundance. Plus, many of the eateries in Greece are also surrounded by exceptional natural beauty, providing the perfect place to indulge in mouthwatering cuisine while soaking up the exceptional landscapes encompassing this stunning destination.
Go Wine Tasting in the Peloponnese
After you have sampled some of the incredible cuisine in Greece, you might find yourself looking to experience some of the wine varieties on offer here. Luckily enough, there are some amazing wine-tasting options throughout the country.
The Peloponnese in particular is a great choice for those looking to immerse themselves in the viticulture encompassing Greece. You’ll find some of the best wine tasting in the southern part of the country offering an array of grapes to try.
There are also some great wine festivals in the Peloponnese, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the traditions and cultures surrounding wine-making in Greece. Get ready to learn more about the different wines here, all while sampling some of the grapes for yourself.
Experience Greece's Cafe Culture
When exploring some of the favoured towns and villages in Greece, you’ll soon come to realise that the cafe culture here is a big part of their way of life. With a ton of quaint cafes to stop at and enjoy a cup of coffee, we recommend planning some time to experience this during your trip.
The cafes in Greece provide a social environment for locals and tourists alike to meet new people or catch up with friends. Plus, they also offer a fantastic way to sit back in a beautiful setting while watching the world go by.
Choose from a selection of coffee options, tasty pastries and more when visiting the cafes throughout Greece. This is also an excellent place to stop off after a busy day seeing the endless attractions here.
Summary
With so many incredible places to see and things to do throughout Greece, it comes as no surprise that the country continues to attract people throughout the year. Whether you’re visiting with family, friends or your partner, you’re sure to find something here for an array of travel itineraries. We hope that after reading this article you can now plan your break here with all of the top attractions and activities in mind.
If you’re ready to plan a trip to Greece, Olympic Holidays can assist in planning an unforgettable break to many of the favoured destinations across the country. Take a look at our Greece holidays page or check out our latest holiday deals.