Historical Places in Greece You Cannot Miss

The Acropolis is one of the most recognizable historic sites in the world and remains an inspirational monument to the achievements of Ancient Greek civilization. Standing tall above the Greek city of Athens, the Acropolis contains several buildings and monuments from Greek Antiquity, including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Today, the Acropolis is an extremely popular historic site and caters to a multitude of tourists every year.

Akrotiri is a beautifully preserved ancient site in Santorini, famed for its incredible frescos and its connection with the Minoans. Generally considered to have been linked with Knossos, Akrotiri has another claim to fame: it is often identified as the lost city of Atlantis. The stunning ruins of Akrotiri now stand testament to the sophisticated urban settlement which once existed there. The buildings are largely multi-story, with many containing vivid frescoes on various themes.

Mystras sits atop a hill overlooking the city of Sparta. Around 1248-1249, William II of Villehardouin, a prince of Achaea who had taken part in the Fourth Crusade, decided to build a stronghold there as a defense from the Byzantines. Probably abandoned in 1832, Mystras is today an important archaeological site listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. During its time as an active city, many churches, palaces, houses, and other structures were considered to be some of the best architectural gems of their times, known as the so-called “wonders of Morea.”

The Temple of Hephaestus is an imposing ancient Greek temple in the Athenian Agora, dedicated to the Greek deity of fire, blacksmiths, and sculpture. Built in the fifth century BC, the Temple of Hephaestus was later incorporated into the Church of Agios Georgios, which accounts for its excellent state of preservation. It stands as one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Greece.

Mycenae is an important archaeological site in Greece. Between 1600 BC and 1100 BC, it was the city at the center of the Mycenaean civilization. Believed to have been inhabited since Neolithic times, Mycenae flourished into a fortified city and was ruled at one time by the famous King Agamemnon. Today, Mycenae contains several well-preserved sites, including the Lion’s Gate, the North Gate, and the Tomb of Agamemnon, a remarkable thirteenth-century BC tomb carved into Mycenae’s hills.

The Grandmasters Palace in Rhodes was the palace of the Knights Hospitaller of St John. Dating to the fourteenth century, the Palace served as the base of this famous Christian and military order until Rhodes was captured by the Ottomans in 1522. Today, this medieval castle operates as a museum of works mostly from the early Christian period up to the Ottoman conquest.

Meteora is an incredible set of monasteries perched high atop Greek mountains in an area of extraordinary natural beauty. The sites on which the Meteora monasteries were built are believed to have first been inhabited by a group of monks who lived their lives in seclusion during the eleventh century. However, many of the Meteora monasteries seen today date back to the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth centuries. The most important of the Meteora monasteries is the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, which was built in the mid-fourteenth century and is now a museum.

Delphi is an archaeological site in mainland Greece, comprising the well-preserved ruins of one of the most important cities in Ancient Greece. Many of the sites at Delphi date back to the fifth century BC, although many have been reconstructed and some altered by the Romans. The most iconic site at Delphi is the Tholos, constructed around 380 BC, a once circular building with six Doric columns, three of which stand today. Delphi reveals much of its past through incredible ruins, demonstrating a balance between religion, politics, and leisure activities, particularly sports.

Best Time: April to October

Knossos was an important ancient site found on the outskirts of the modern city of Heraklion in Crete. It is believed that Knossos was first established as a place of settlement in Neolithic times around 7000 BC and then continuously inhabited until the Ancient Roman period. Excavated and vastly reconstructed in the nineteenth century by archaeologist Arthur Evans, Knossos has revealed a wealth of ancient treasures. The most famous of these is the Knossos Palace, also known as the Labyrinth due to its incredible maze of passageways and rooms.

Known For : Temple of Zeus Temple of Hera Ancient Stadium of Olympia

Olympia was a vibrant Ancient Greek city where, in 776 BC, the first Olympic Games were held in honor of the Greek deity Zeus. The games at Olympia were a national event, attracting participants and spectators from around the country. Today, visitors can see the remains of this impressive stadium, training areas, and temples of Hera and Zeus. The attached Archaeological Museum houses a wealth of excavated treasures, providing insight into the grandeur of the ancient Olympic Games and the site's historical significance.

Best Time: April to June and September to October

14 Olympia Attractions