The best ways to spend holiday in Greece

Greece is considered as the cradle of Western civilization – everything that’s important in the culture of the West can be traced back to ancient Hellenic times. It still is one of the most frequently visited countries in the world – only in 2018, it was chosen as a holiday destination by 33 million tourists. Some of them want to feel the history around them, others prefer to lay on one of the numerous heavenly beaches or spend their time in a more active way – whatever the case, in Greece, they can all find what they’re looking for. 33 million people can’t be wrong, right? What are some of the best ways to spend your holiday in Greece?

Mainland Greece

Athens

If you feel like it, you can easily spend all of your vacation time in the capital of Greece. But even if you’re there for the beaches, it’s worth sacrificing a couple of days to at least see the highlights of Athens. It’s the biggest city in the country and the birthplace of democracy where you can walk the ancient sites like Acropolis, Agora or Temple of Olympian Zeus, and see the National Archaeological Museum. It’s perfect for tourists who are not very much into sightseeing – you can simply wander the historic sites of the city and sink into its unique atmosphere.

And when you get tired of the old, Athens still has a lot to offer – colourful streets of Plaka and Monastiraki neighbourhoods to walk around, coffee culture to explore, street art scene to discover. Don’t head directly to the beach.

Lake Vouliagmeni

This one can easily be linked with a trip to Athens, as it’s only 15 miles outside the city, and it’s definitely something you wouldn’t like to miss. It really is a place from a dream – the lake’s waters are constantly replenished by both the sea and the hot springs underneath. That’s why the water is always co clear, warm and full of minerals.

The lake is naturally secluded by nature with rocks and trees, making it one of the biggest geological mysteries in the world of science. But thanks to that, you may do something for yourself without going to any actual spa – instead, you can swim in the most beautiful surroundings and relax.

Delphi

This is one of the most beautiful sites in Greece and an absolute must-see, especially if you’re a history buff. If not, you can still go and be amazed by the views – Delphi is situated high on the side of Mount Parnassus allowing you to look down on the whole valley.

There’s a reason why the Greeks used to consider Delphi as the centre of the world and believed that it was the place of residence of the Oracle who knew everything about the past, the present and the future. Even if you know nothing about ancient history, it can still be an amazing experience to see the Temple of Apollo, the famous Tholos of Delphi, the theatre and the stadium; to walk the Sacred Way just like the most important people of the ancient world. Delphi has become a true tourist place these days but you can go to the nearby town of Arachova to get a glimpse of everyday Greek life.

Islands of Greece

Greece is one of the best places in the world if you’re thinking about a sailing trip. If you’re a passionate sailor, you’ll find yourself in paradise – clear and calm water, beautiful weather and breathtaking landscapes are everything you could wish for.

It will still be easy for you to navigate if you’re not much of a sailor, or you can even find one of the numerous crews that will take you with them. And it’s certainly worth it. Of course, you can spend your whole vacation on only one island but since Greece has so much to offer, it would be a shame.

Ionian Islands – e.g. Kythira

According to Greek mythology, Kythira is the birthplace of Aphrodite and you can easily believe it while seeing its remarkable coastline, old villages and beaches from paradise. It’s a perfect place if you want to truly rest – there are only a few thousands of residents and it’s not so popular among tourists. Kythira is famous for its hiking trails with breathtaking views and great food; you can also learn a lot about oil production there.

Cyclades Islands – e.g. Syros

Syros is not as popular as other Cyclades Islands (Mykonos, Santorini) but it’s only to its advantage. Thanks to that, Syros was able to maintain a true, Greek spirit, so if you really want to feel traditional Greekness, you can’t find a better place. You may actually feel like you’ve gone back in time – whether it’s only several dozens of years while walking around the town, or a couple of thousands years when you visit the fortress on the top of the hill.

So many choices, right? And this is only a glimpse into what Greece has to offer! There’s no time to waste – let’s start vacation planning!

TIP 1: I have to say that I loved Athens. Why? Here’s 4 reasons to visit Athens and why I enjoyed the city. 

TIP 2: But there’s also things you should be careful about when visiting Athens.

How would you like to spend your holiday in Greece? Any other ideas? I guess if you are active on Instagram, then you’d add also Santorini on this list.

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Posted in Europe, Greece, tips Tags: Greece