15 Fun Things to Do in Greece: Spice Up Your Trip!

Greece, the super favorite of the Mediterranean, gathers hundreds of thousands of Finns on its beaches every year. 

Even the economic ups and downs have not diminished the appeal of the shimmering waters, green nature, and mouth-watering local delicacies. So, Let’s check out the best things to do in Greece.

Located in Southern Europe on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Greece is proud of its history and culture that goes back thousands of years. 

It is also easy for travelers to enjoy the atmosphere of fascinating tales, and it is easy to combine cultural experiences with a relaxing beach vacation.

The capital, Athens, is a popular destination that will take you away in no time with the beautiful Acropolis hill and the ubiquitous fascinating Greek culture. But other Greek travel destinations are great for holidays too: for example, Crete, Rhodes, and Santorini are at the top of the most popular destinations.

If you are planning a trip, here is everything you need to know.

Here Are The Best Things To Do In Greece

1. Trip to the Acropolis

Acropolis Dominating Athens, the capital of Greece, is the Acropolis.

If you are in Greece, this is probably the biggest attraction that should not be missed, and the complex, once famous statue of Athena, made of brilliant marble, was also the goddess of Athens.

Anyone interested in ancient architecture can admire the Doric columns and magnificent temples. The Acropolis is lined with trails that allow you to stroll at your leisure and enjoy the highlight of this monument, the majestic Parthenon.

The Acropolis of Athens was the sacred fortress of ancient Greece. Today, this UNESCO heritage site has become one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations. Our confusion with classical Greece has led to this constant fascination with these ruins.

Numerous monuments, temples, statues, shrines, and theatres are located in this area. The Parthenon is the most famous temple in the complex. The archaeological significance of the temple created in honour of the goddess Athena lies in its precision and elegance.

The Acropolis is one of the best examples of the Doric order. Some claim many of its monuments to be almost perfect pieces and possess characteristics of the golden ratio. 

Our fascination with the Acropolis of Athens is largely due to its creators. It provides a lens on a society that significantly influenced Western civilization.”

1.1 How much does it cost to go to the Acropolis?

2. Climb Mount Olympus

Mount Olympus is one of the most famous mountains in the world, and if you’re a fan of Greek mythology, this is a must-see on your trip.

If you want to climb the mountain, you need to travel to Litochoro, where you can hike part or to the top, depending on your ability and fitness level.

Mount Olympus is known in Greek mythology as the place where Zeus sat on his throne and Hades ruled the Underworld, so when you ascend, you can imagine the legends associated with this mountain range.

Check out the recommended hotels in Greece.

2.1 How difficult is it to climb Mount Olympus?

Olympus is difficult and rated as a Class III climb. You will primarily have to scramble over loose rocks. There is also some exposure, so move cautiously and pay attention to your surroundings. To finish the ascent, you should be in good physical condition.

3. Rhodes: Something for Everyone

Rhodes is one of the most popular travel destinations in Greece. The sunny island is suitable for all travellers: Rhodes attracts beach vacationers and tourists interested in the island’s history. 

There is plenty to do for families with children, young people, and older people. Faliraki is the most popular beach destination on the island and is located about 15 kilometres south of Rhodes town. 

On the other hand, the city of Rhodes has good shopping opportunities, and Iltahuvit and the atmospheric old town – sun worshipers, on the other hand, head to Elli beach.

On Rhodes, you can enjoy the traditional Greek beach scenery. Known as a conventional package travel destination, Rhodes surprises many travellers with its rich cultural heritage and interesting history. 

One place worth visiting is at least the white city of Lindos with its Acropolis ruins. You should also take a trip from Rhodes to the charming neighbouring island of Symi.

The fourth largest Greek island, Rhodes, is called the island of the sun. The nickname can be justified, as Rhodes enjoys up to three hundred sunny days yearly. Rhodes is indeed a good holiday destination for sun worshippers.

In addition to the sun, Rhodes also has other attractions. On the island, you can find, for example, the ancient centre of Lindos and the medieval old town of Rhodes, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

Rhodes’ tourism services are excellent, and, like Crete, there are many hotels and places to visit on the island that are especially suitable for families with children.

4. Admire Santorini’s Architecture

Santorini is also known as the island of Thira and is a paradise for honeymooners who want to escape it all in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Santorini is known for its postcard-good look, lined with traditional Cycladic homes that glow white under the Greek sun and contrast beautifully with the deep blue Sea and churches.

Walking around the island, you can enjoy all the unique architecture here, and since a volcanic crater forms the landscape, you can expect some of the most spectacular views in Greece.

Oia is a village on the beautiful island of Santorini. Oia is famous for its picturesque landscape of white mud houses opening onto the Aegean Sea. The sunset in Oia is indescribable. 

The sunset’s orange, pink, yellow, and red hues, contrasting with the blue domed roofs of the villas, create a serene silence in the city that lasts until the last of the sun disappears into the Sea.

Other Oia activities include:

• Visiting a Byzantine castle’s ruins.
• Hiking the Caldera Trail. 
• Wine tasting at Domaine Sigalas winery.

Oia also has several delicious restaurants serving local Mediterranean cuisine. Dimitris Ammoudi Taverna, Melitini, and Pitogyros are generally popular with locals and tourists.

If you plan to have dinner during sunset, make sure you call the restaurant ahead of time. Most restaurants in Oia accept table reservations, which is important at dinner time.

Santorini is suitable for a romantic vacation.

The island of Santorini, with its whitewashed houses, represents a typical Greek island idyll. The height differences are large on an island formed by a crater, and the steep slopes with staircases give Santorini its atmosphere.

Beautiful Santorini has many romantic places and luxurious accommodations, and it is popular as a honeymoon destination, for example. In terms of price, Santorini is also a bit more expensive.

Santorini’s caldera landscapes make the island special. The most popular destinations are the cities of Oia and Fira.

There are package tours to Santorini from Finland, but you can travel to the island on your own, for example, by boat from the island of Crete – many people combine Santorini as part of a wider tour of the Greek islands.

5. Visit Delphi

Delphi has a claim to being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important tourist attractions in Greece.

Delphi sat on the side of Mount Parnassus and was a popular pilgrimage site in ancient times for those who came here to pay homage to Apollo, the old Greek healer, music, light, and prophecy.

Followers would come here to seek guidance from the Oracle at Delphi, and today you will find temples, an impressive stadium, a theatre, and delightful ancient ruins.

Delphi is located about 180 kilometres from the capital Athens, so this is a good place if you want to get away from the city and explore another area of ​​Greece.

Delphi is rich in an ancient sacred land on the Gulf of Corinth’s edge of Mount Parnassos. 

For countless centuries, this cascading complex of breathtaking ruins and looming peristyles was the veritable religious center of the ancient world; kings and emperors, demagogues and democrats sought it for the predictions of their famous oracles and the auspicious decrees of their Pythian priests.

The site’s highlight is surely the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, which hides the ancient chambers of the sages beneath its hexagonal Doric columns. 

There are also old treasure chambers built by different city-states of the ancient world, as well as a magnificent theatre and a stadium on a mountaintop.

6. Crete

With over 1,000 kilometres of coastline, Crete is unlike any other island in Greece, with its stunning beaches surrounded by mountains rising to over 2,400 meters. 

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean. Its main attractions are the incredible golden sand beaches and turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. 

Still, the island also has significant Minoan archaeological sites, dramatic gorges, charming towns with Venetian harbours and fortresses, and small coastal towns where you can escape to the leisurely pace of life.

The centuries-old port cities of Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos are located on the north coast, the most popular tourist destinations on the island. Crete’s best shopping, nightlife, museums, and cultural attractions can all be found on the north coast.

The remote southern coast, which opens to Africa across the Libyan Sea, has charming seaside villages. This is the best place for travelers seeking a peaceful getaway who want to enjoy a beach vacation.

6.1 What is the best month to visit Crete?

The most common season for travel to Crete is summer. The season runs from June through the end of September. The island experiences between 9 and 12 hours of sunshine daily, with average temperatures between 27.5 °C and 29.5 °C.

7. Explore the Acropolis Museum

One of the most popular attractions in Athens is the Acropolis Museum, which was opened in 2009. 

You will know the building when you see it as it is made of high-end glass and steel and houses some of the most famous artifacts in Greece.

Some of the museum’s signature pieces include the Moschophoros, a statue of a man with a calf on his shoulders, and the Parthenon marbles.

The Acropolis Museum is located in Athens on Acropolis hill. This archaeological museum is a relatively new building. The museum is also known for its cafe, which has a terrace that looks breathtaking over the Acropolis.

It opened in 2009 and has become quite popular among tourists. Its success is large because it exhibits priceless artifacts found on the Acropolis of Athens.

Spanning gallery and the classical Acropolis gallery. The museum has more than 300 exhibits and more than 4,000 artifacts. Its permanent collection includes the Hillside Gallery, Archaic Acropolis Gallery, and Parthenon Gallery, 5th century BC to the 5th century AD. 

It is highly recommended to get a guide when visiting this attraction. Within each gallery are several sub-collections. An exhibition route goes through each exhibition to get to know the museum in various ways. 

With the help of many ancient Greek finds, the museum completes the puzzle of the Acropolis by contextualizing this historical site.

7.1 How long does it take to walk around the Acropolis Museum?

How long does it take to see the museum at the Acropolis? In general, visitors to the museum stay for about 1.5 hours. We advise giving yourself at least 2 hours to explore the museum’s exhibits at your own pace.

8. Plaka

Located below the Acropolis, Plaka is the oldest district of Athens. This colorful neighborhood captures the city’s abundance with its many restaurants and shops. 

It’s also near other top attractions in Athens, making it a great place to stay. Each street offers something unique. Platia Filomenon Eterias, Platia for short, is a small square in Plake with charming cafes and delicious restaurants.

Brettos liquor store is the oldest distillery in Athens. Its bar is known for its large collection of spirits on display. It’s also a good place to try ouzo; an anise liqueur enjoyed throughout the Mediterranean. Wandering the streets of Plaka, you won’t find a dull moment.

8.1 Does Plaka have a beach?

On the western side of the island, 8 km from Naxos Town, Agia Anna beach continues naturally as the 4-kilometer-long seashore of Plaka. It is worth noting that this beach has been ranked as one of Greece’s most beautiful beaches. It is covered in golden sand and has crystal clear blue waters.

9. Visit the Meteora Monasteries

Meteora is known for its monasteries that sit atop towering rock formations. 

The monks living in the area are Eastern Orthodox and fled to Meteora as a result of the attack by the Turkish army. Meteora has six monasteries, although, at one point, there were more than 20, and as a result, this is one of the most spectacular religious sites in Greece.

Meteora is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of ancient boulders and monolithic pillars, as the rock formations offer one of Europe’s most beautiful and scenic landscapes.

9.1 How difficult is the climb to Meteora monasteries?

It will take at least four hours (more if you want to stop in all monasteries) and Medium-level difficulty. Water and monastic-appropriate clothing are essential items to bring. It’s a good idea to keep in mind that because every monastery is closed on one day of the week, you’ll need at least two days in Meteora to see them all.

10. Go to Melissa’s Cave

Located near Karavomilo is Melissani Cave, a fun cave known for its beautiful beauty. The cave is almost 4 kilometres long and was formed when water eroded the soft rocks over centuries.

The cave is home to the equally famous Lake Melissani, an underground body of water discovered in 1951. The cave was dedicated to the Nymph Melissani, who gave it its name in ancient times.

You can go into the cave through the tunnel, go out to the lake, and glide across the turquoise waters in a boat.

11. Admire the Temple of Hephaestus

Temple of Hephaestus, The Temple of Hephaestus, is located in a charming area of ​​Athens.

Like all Greek temples, this one is dedicated to the gods, in this case, Hephaestus, the god of fire, and Athena, the goddess of pottery and ancient crafts.

The temple dates back to 450 BC and sits on the hill of Agoreao Koronos. The Temple of Hephaestus, designed by the same architect who worked on the Pantheon, is known for its beautiful columns and Pentelic and Parian marble decorations.

You will also find friezes and sculptures reminiscent of the building, which is said to be one of the most historically important in Greece.

11.1 Can you go inside the Temple of Hephaestus?

The temple of Hephaestus tickets are included in the Acropolis special ticket, or one can buy the general ticket for the temple of Hephaestus.

12. Admire the Corinth Canal

One of the most amazing feats of engineering in Greece is the Corinth Canal. It took centuries to build and was started by the ancient Roman emperor Nero before finally being stopped under France in the 1800s.

The canal is cut into a part of the rock and stretches to a height of 6 kilometres, the sides of which rise to 90 meters. The channel is still in working order, and you can travel by ship if you are here at the right time.

One of the canal’s other main attractions is the Zulu Bungy Jump, which certainly isn’t for those without head heights, but it’s also a great way to take in the canal in all its majesty.

12.1 Can you swim in the Corinth Canal?

With an average water temperature of 20 degrees Celsius (late spring: 18 degrees, summer: 25 degrees, early fall: 21 degrees), swimming in the Gulf of Corinth is perfect from May to October. Here you can check the Gulf of Corinth’s daily water temperature.

13. Skopelos became Popular with the Hit Movie

Less known to the general public, the popularity of Skopelos exploded in 2008 when Mamma Mia!, based on the music of Abba! The hit movie, charmed by its wonderful landscapes, was largely filmed in these landscapes. The movie came out.

In addition to film scenery, Skopelos offers, among other things, an atmospheric old town. Despite the movie fans flocking to the island, Skopelos is a peaceful island well-suited for families and couples. 

The island’s trump cards are the beautiful beaches with clean water and the dramatic mountainous landscape.

14. Get a Head Start on Mount Athos

Sitting on the Chalcidice peninsula, Athos is a Mount that has long been considered a place of great importance in Greek history.

The Mount is home to 20 monasteries that dot its scenic slopes and is a central point of worship in the Eastern Christian Orthodox faith. The most amazing thing about the monasteries is that they are still fully functional, making them the oldest monastic community today. 

One thing to note is that due to old laws in the area, only men can enter the monastic grounds. The Halkidiki peninsula, which juts out into the Aegean like three curved fingers south of the bustling city of Thessaloniki, has some of the best beaches and resorts in the north.

 The golden, powdery sands of Kalamitsi at the tip of the Sithonia peninsula attract low-key eco-tourists and associated campsites. 

At the same time, Kassandra knows how to party, with seaside cocktail bars and a host of fine chain hotels overlooking the Mediterranean.

Then there is the mysterious Athos – the easternmost peninsula. It is home to some of Greece’s most traditional monastic communities, who strictly adhere to the customs of the Greek Orthodox Church in their monasteries high up in the hills.

15. Enjoy Ancient Corinth

Photo by Sergio García on Unsplash /copyright2020Ancient Corinth is all the more impressive because it sits in a village, emphasizing the contrast between the modern environment and these ancient ruins, a mix of Roman and Greek monuments.

If you’re into your history, it used to be the home of Jason of the Argonauts (who stored the Golden Fleece). Some highlights include the Temple of Apollo, the Peribolos of Apollo, and the Ancient Theater.

There is also a museum where you can learn more about history. Much of the complex is Roman, but one Greek addition is the Doric Temple of Apollo, dating from the 5th century.

Closing Thoughts

The land of Greece is one of ancient mythology, and if you like archaeology, history, art, and philosophy, a trip to this fascinating country should not be missed. 

When you visit Greece, if you genuinely want to experience the unique land, you must see this Olympia archaeological site to ancient Greek history,  go to the west coast to shipwreck beach and check out the above-mentioned places in all modern Greece, central Greece and ancient greeks preservation sites.

Greece is also made up of a series of idyllic islands surrounded by azure seas and covered in exquisite white buildings, and you’ll also find crumbling ruins, museums, and pretty coastal towns.

Greece has a slower pace of life in small villages by the Sea than amazing cities like Athens. It is a mosaic of different experiences and landscapes and one of the world’s largest open-air museums.

So, what are you waiting for? Visit Today.

Last Updated on August 1, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty