Greece
Top sights and places to visit in Greece combine ancient history, whitewashed islands, and Mediterranean beaches. The capital Athens is home to the Acropolis and the Parthenon, while the islands of Santorini, Crete, Rhodes and the Ionian Sea offer stunning beaches, historic sites, and traditional villages.
General information
Greece, in south-eastern Europe, is the birthplace of Western civilisation — the cradle of democracy, philosophy, theatre and the Olympic Games — and one of the continent's most beloved holiday destinations. Ancient ruins bake under a brilliant sun, while some six thousand islands scatter across the turquoise Aegean and Ionian seas, ringed by whitewashed villages and dazzling beaches. Mainland mountains, mythology and a generous food culture complete the picture. Athens is the capital, Greek is the language (with English common in tourist areas), and the mix of history, sea and hospitality makes Greece endlessly appealing.
Transport and how to get there
The main gateway is Athens International Airport (ATH), with Thessaloniki (SKG) in the north and seasonal airports on popular islands like Santorini, Mykonos, Crete and Rhodes. The classic way to island-hop is by ferry from the port of Piraeus near Athens, ranging from slow car ferries to fast catamarans. On the mainland, buses (KTEL) and a limited rail network connect the cities, while a car helps for exploring the countryside and ancient sites.
Prices
Greece is moderately priced and often good value, though the famous islands get expensive in peak summer. Expect roughly 70-160 EUR per night for a mid-range hotel (much more on Santorini or Mykonos in August), with hostels and simple rooms far less. A casual taverna meal runs around 12-22 EUR, a Greek coffee or frappe 2-3 EUR and a glass of wine 3-5 EUR. Ferries vary widely by route and speed, and major sites such as the Acropolis cost around 20 EUR (less in winter). Prices are approximate and vary by season.
Main attractions
Athens is crowned by the Acropolis and its Parthenon, with the superb Acropolis Museum below. The islands are the dream: sunset-famous Santorini with its caldera villages, glamorous Mykonos, and large, varied Crete with the Minoan palace of Knossos. On the mainland, the ancient oracle site of Delphi and the cliff-top monasteries of Meteora astonish, while Rhodes, Corfu and the Peloponnese add more history and coast. Everywhere, blue seas, warm hospitality and long lazy meals define the Greek experience.