The Most Beautiful Places in Greece

Ah, Greece, the land of one of the greatest and most glorious ancient civilizations of all. With its fascinating history, its scenic coastlines, and its elegant ruins that reminiscent its glorious past, how could anyone not help but be drawn to it like a moth to a mesmerizing dancing flame. There is so much to see within its historical shores but for now, let us look at ten of the most popular places in Greece.

Athenian Acropolis and the Parthenon

On a tall rock in the midst of modern-day Athens stands the Acropolis of Athens, a beautiful citadel that is perhaps the best illustration of the power and sophistication of the ancient Greek civilization. Twenty-one archaeological structures still remain in or at the base of the Acropolis today. At its center is the Parthenon, the intricately designed Doric temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. With its elegant avenues and beautiful sacred structures, the Acropolis is one historical site that should not be missed.

The Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion, a popular summer haven for the Athenians, is home to the Temple of Poseidon, one of the most powerful Olympians in Greek mythology. The temple stands near a cliff, looking out to the Aegean Sea, and offers a romantic view of the sunset. Only a few columns of the once great temple remain today; still, tourists visit this site where ancient mariners and communities offered prayers and left gifts to the god of the sea to gain his favor.

Santorini

Near the southeastern tip of Greece is the beautiful volcanic archipelago of Santorini, a tourist destination famous for its different colored beaches and warm waters. Santorini also boasts charming towns, and several wineries. Several of its islands are inhabited by villages and each island offers a different experience for tourists – the island of Oia, for example, has the most beautiful sunsets, the island of Perissa has the best beaches, and Fira, the largest island, has a beautiful Grecian village perched on a cliff.

The Ruins of Delphi

The oracle of Apollo is perhaps the most famous oracle in the world. Naturally, people flock the oracle’s ancient site and home, Delphi. In ancient times, Delphi was very significant to the Greeks because it was the site of the omphalos, a stone that supposedly marked the center of the universe. Today, tourists visit Delphi to see the mysterious Sanctuary of Athena with the Tholos and the remnants of the Sanctuary of Apollo, the most sacred site to the ancient Greeks.

Mykonos

Mykonos is where people go to party. The island is known for its dance clubs, bars, and vibrant nightlife. Mykonos has more to offer visitors, however. Its towns boast museums, little local shops and boutiques, quaint cafes, and restaurants that serve delicious food. On the western side of town sits the Mykonos Windmills and the lovely Byzantine church of Panagia Paraportiani and 30 minutes away from town is the archaeological island of Delos, Artemis and Apollo’s birthplace.

Crete

Once the center of the Minoan civilization, Crete today is perhaps the most beautiful place in the Greek islands. With its various landscapes, ancient Minoan and Roman ruins, a sunken city (Olous) where mermaids supposedly live, sandy beaches, ancient Neolithic tombs (Zarkos Gorge), the cave (Ideon Andron) where the infant Zeus was supposedly hidden from his murdering father, and the supposed tree where Zeus and Europa made love for the first time; Crete is truly a romantic and picturesque place to visit.

Mycenae

Mycenae is one of the most famous ancient kingdoms in Greece due in large part to its role in the legendary Trojan War. It was King Agamemnon of Mycenae who led the Greeks to wage war against the city of Troy for the kidnap of Helen, Queen of Sparta. Today, people visit ruins of the once great Mycenaean acropolis, the royal tombs that lay just outside the acropolis, the famous Lion Gate that serves as entrance to the city, and the Treasury of Atreus or the Tomb of Agamemnon.

Knossos, the Minoan Palace

Knossos is the largest archaeological site in the city of Crete and was once the administrative center of the Minoan civilization in Greece. It is said to be the inspiration for the story of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur. Much of Knossos today is a reconstruction of the ancient city that would have been wrecked when the Mycenaeans took over.

Corinth

Corinth was one of the major and flourishing cities in the ancient Greek civilization. It was where Alexander the Great officially agreed to lead the Greeks into battle with the Persians. Today, tourists visit Corinth to see the ruins of the temples of Apollo, Aphrodite, and Octavia as well as the Acrocorinth, the Pelrene Fountain, and the Asklepielon. Corinth is considered a sacred site in Greece.

Rhodes

This Greek island in the Aegean Sea was historically famous for the 107-foot the statue of Titan Helios, known to the world as the Colossus of Rhodes, that stood at the city’s entrance. The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The famous statue is long gone, completely destroyed by an earthquake around 224 BC but tourists flock in this historical island for its acropoleis, ancient towns, castles, and monasteries.

Top 10 Attractions in Egypt

Egypt is such a fascinating country to visit owing to the fact that it was once the site of one of the greatest ancient civilizations in history. The country boasts many interesting ruins that demonstrate the great power of the ancient Egyptians. Moreover, the country is also a thriving state that offers many modern tourists destinations in Egypt like museums, resorts, and marketplaces.

The Pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza

Located about 15 miles away from Cairo, the Giza Necropolis is possibly the most popular and most visited destination in Egypt. Among the three largest pyramids of Giza is the Great Pyramid, which is the oldest and largest pyramid in Egypt and the last surviving wonder of the ancient world. Inside access is granted but even to just stand next to one of these pyramids is an awe-inspiring experience. On the eastern side of this vast necropolis stands the Great Sphinx of Giza, the largest monolith statue in the world.

Abu Simbel

The Abu Simbel rock temples were constructed from 1244 BCE to 1224 BCE to celebrate Pharaoh Ramesses II’s victory over the Hittite Empire. The Great Temple, considered the grandest and most beautiful in Egypt, boasts a façade of four 20-meter statues of Ramesses himself; while the Small Temple boasts an entrance bordered by the statues of the Pharaoh and his queen Nefertari. Inside both temples are collections of hieroglyphics, statues, reliefs, and murals depicting Egyptian worship.

The Temples of Karnak

Karnak, located near the city of Luxor, is one of the largest early religious sites in the world. It has four main “precincts” but only the largest precinct, the Precinct of Amun-Re, is available to the public. Among its many features are the Ancient Cult Terrace, which is inscribed with Nile Level texts; the corridors of Sphinxes; the Temple of Ramesses III; the Great Hypostyle Hall; and the Obelisks of Thutmose III and Hatshepsut.

Valley of the Kings

West of the Nile near Luxor (modern Thebes) is a valley of tombs of Pharaohs and privileged nobles from the 18th – 20th century dynasties. There are at least 63 tombs in the Valley of the Kings; the most popular of which is King Tutankhamen’s tomb, notable because the great treasures within were intact when it was discovered.

Luxor Temple

The Luxor Temple is a massive Egyptian temple situated east of the Nile River. Dedicated chiefly to the creation god, Amun; the temple houses remarkable pylons (gateways), impressive stone statues, obelisks, and the Avenue of the Sphinxes.

Siwa Oasis

An epitome of a true oasis, this isolated town near the Egyptian-Libyan border east of Cairo boasts beautiful gardens and orchards of olives, bathing places, springs, and lakes. Famous for its nearby ancient ruins, this settlement has played small parts throughout history: it was a necropolis in 26th century Egypt, home to the oracle of Amun who allegedly proclaimed Alexander the Great as the rightful Pharaoh of Egypt, was used as a place of banishment by the Romans, and held several small battles during both world wars.

The City of Peace

Sharm el-Sheikh is known as the city of peace only because of the many peace conferences the city held in the past. The real attention-drawers of the city are its beautiful beaches, clear and calm waters, thriving coral reefs, and diverse aquatic life. Watersports enthusiasts and beach lovers visit this city to scuba dive, snorkel and just enjoy the beauty of nature.

Alexandria

Home of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Royal Library of Alexandria; Alexandria was and still is one of Egypt’s thriving cities. Both the lighthouse and the library are long gone but the city still houses several ruins and holds within its walls so much history as Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Persians made their own marks there. Today, Alexandria is Egypt’s major seaport and a chief resort city in the Mediterranean.

Aswan

Aswan (ancient Swenet) was Egypt’s first town. That fact alone is reason enough to visit this city in the Nile. Aswan today is a busy Egyptian market city but because of the many ancient ruins around it, it is also a major tourist destination. Historical sites and landmarks like the Tombs of the Nobles, the Philae Temple, the Elephantine Island (modern Yebu), and the Unfinished Obelisk draw many tourists in.

Museums

Museums can be dull to most people but because of this country’s ancient past, Egyptian museums are an adventure in their own right. The two museums that one should not miss when visiting in Egypt are the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo, which is home to the remains of many Pharaohs and many of the treasures found in King Tut’s tomb; and the Nubian Museum in Aswan.