It’s no coincidence that the rugged terrain of central Greece was the setting for heroic struggles among the gods and mortals. Journeys to this region provide glimpses of the essential character of the Greek people, along with plenty of outdoor adventures and unforgettable landscapes. The ruins at Delphi, where Alexander the Great sought the advice
Crete is more like a small country than another Greek island. It’s not just Greece’s largest island, but arguably the most fascinating and diverse. Crete’s remarkable history is evident across the island, from the ruins of Minoan palaces, Venetian fortresses, old mosques and Byzantine monasteries to the cave that is the legendary birthplace of Zeus.
The region of Thessaly occupies much of east-central Greece between the Pindos Mountains and the Aegean Sea, bordered by Sterea Ellada to the south and Macedonia to the north. It boasts two of Greece’s most extraordinary natural phenomena: the monastery – capped rock forests of Meteora, and the lush Pelion Peninsula, home to restored pensions
It’s hard not to fall for the Ionian Islands, an archipelago that sweeps down the west coast of mainland Greece and includes Corfu, Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaki, Kefallonia and Zakynthos. Discovering these islands is a tantalising odyssey. Their natural beauty embraces the visitor – the vast olive groves, intriguing mountainscapes and iridescent waters of the Ionian
Time moves more slowly in Epirus, preoccupied as it is with the lofty, brooding Pindos Mountains that make up its inland mass. For thousands of years, these mountains have safeguarded civilisations and confounded invaders. Part of this towering expanse, centred around the stunning 12km-long Vikos Gorge – said to be the world’s deepest – is
Framed by leafy mountains in the north and west, a winding river in the east, and a long Aegean Sea coast in the south, Thrace (thraaa- kih) is one of Greece’s most striking but least-visited areas, a diverse hinterland of marshes and forests concealing rare birds, an ancient dominion coloured by sunflowers, tobacco and wheat
If you’re going to splurge anywhere in Northern Greece, Thessaloniki (thess-ah-lo-nee-kih) is the place to do it. Greece’s second city, and its cultural capital, Thessaloniki (also called Salonica) lets you indulge in fine food, sinful sweets, ultra-chic shopping, an energetic nightlife and more concerts, parties, art shows and events than you can keep track of.
The biggest and most diverse region in Greece, Macedonia (mah-keh-do-nee-ah) also boasts the country’s second city, stylish Thessaloniki. It’s a place with both natural beauty and a deep history, and the two are often intertwined. Mt Olympus, Greece’s highest peak (2918m), is both the fabled refuge of the ancient Greek gods and an excellent hiking destination,
Modern Corinth (ko-rin-thoss), located 6km west of the Corinth Canal, is the administrative capital of Corinthia prefecture. The town was built here after the old town was destroyed by an earthquake in 1858. The new town was wrecked by another, equally violent and damaging, earthquake in 1928 and badly damaged again in 1981. The rather
The Peloponnese (pel-o-pon-ih-sos) is the stuff that legends are made of. Numerous myths were born and borne out here – it is where many a Greek god or hero strutted their stuff (and aired their bodies). Today this region is far from a fable. It boasts historical sites, with classical temples, Mycenaean palaces, Byzantine cities,
Piraeus is the main port of Greece and one of the Mediterranean’s major ports. The city is the hub of the Aegean ferry network, centre of Greece’s maritime export-import and transit trade, and base for its large merchant navy. While Piraeus was a separate city, nowadays it virtually melds imperceptibly into the expanded sprawl of
In a canyon, in 340 BC, an Argos architect Polykleitos the Younger, built, according to Pausanias, the theatre of Epidaurus. Among all the ancient theatres, Epidaurus theatre is the most beautiful and best preserved. Destined for the fun of the patients of Asklipieio, it had a capacity of 13.000 spectators. It was divided into two
Santorini is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast of Greece’s mainland. It is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago which bears the same name and is the remnant of a volcanic caldera. It forms the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an area
The Aegean Sea (Greek: Αιγαίο Πέλαγος) is an elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea located between the Greek and Anatolian peninsulas, i.e., between the mainlands of Greece and Turkey. In the north, it is connected to the Marmara Sea and Black Sea by the Dardanelles and Bosphorus. The Aegean Islands are within the sea and
The Cyclades ( Greek: Κυκλάδες) are an island group in the Aegean Sea, southeast of mainland Greece and a former administrative prefecture of Greece. They are one of the island groups which constitute the Aegean archipelago. The name refers to the islands around (κυκλάς) the sacred island of Delos. The Cyclades is where the native
The site of Delphi is located in upper central Greece, on multiple plateaux/terraces along the slope of Mount Parnassus, and includes the Sanctuary of Apollo, the site of the ancient Oracle. This semicircular spur is known as Phaedriades, and overlooks the Pleistos Valley. Delphi is both an archaeological site and a modern town in Greece
Aegina is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece in the Saronic Gulf, 27 km (17 mi) from Athens. Tradition derives the name from Aegina the mother of the hero Aeacus, who was born on the island and became its king. During ancient times Aegina was a rival of Athens, the great sea power of
Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. Dominates the Attica region and is one of the world’s oldest cities. With its recorded history spanning around 3,400 years. Classical Athens, as a landlocked location was a powerful city-state that emerged in conjunction with the seagoing development of the port of Piraeus. A centre for
Attica (Greek: Ἀττική) is a historical region that encompasses the city of Athens, the capital of Greece. The historical region is centered on the Attic peninsula, which projects into the Aegean Sea. The modern administrative region of Attica is more extensive than the historical region and includes the Saronic Islands, Cythera, and the municipality of
Greece & the Greek Islands are known for ancient civilization, amazing landscapes and high developed tourism. Beloved by people, Greece is so rich in culture and beauty that it never seems to be completely explored, no matter how many times you visit it. This is the reasons that brought it in the list with the