7 Best Places to Visit in Greece

Greece pairs ancient ruins with island-hopping in the Aegean and Ionian seas — a country you can spend a week on one island or two weeks moving between the mainland and the Cyclades. These seven destinations cover the best-known ancient sites and islands.

1. Acropolis of Athens

The Acropolis is the ancient citadel that towers over central Athens, crowned by the Parthenon, a 5th-century BC temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most visited archaeological site in Greece. The adjacent Acropolis Museum displays the sculptures and artifacts recovered from the hill.

2. Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic island in the Cyclades, shaped by a massive eruption around 1600 BC that left behind a dramatic caldera. Whitewashed, blue-domed villages like Oia and Fira sit along the caldera's rim, and the sunset views from Oia are among the most photographed in Greece.

3. Mykonos

Mykonos is known for its whitewashed alleys, the row of 16th-century windmills overlooking the sea, and the waterfront district of Little Venice, where houses hang directly over the water. It's also one of the Cyclades' liveliest islands, with beach clubs and nightlife alongside its historic core.

4. Meteora

Meteora, in the Thessaly region, is a cluster of Eastern Orthodox monasteries built directly on top of tall sandstone rock pillars, some dating back to the 14th century. The monasteries were built high up for protection from raids, and six of the original monasteries are still active today. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site combining natural and cultural significance.

5. Delphi

Delphi sits on the slopes of Mount Parnassus and was considered the center of the world in ancient Greek mythology, home to the Oracle of Apollo. The archaeological site includes the Temple of Apollo, an ancient theater, and a stadium, with sweeping views down the valley toward the Gulf of Corinth. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

6. Crete and Knossos

Crete is the largest Greek island, home to the Palace of Knossos near Heraklion — the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization, one of Europe's oldest advanced societies. Beyond the ruins, Crete's size means beach towns, mountain villages, and the Samaria Gorge are all within reach on a single trip.

7. Rhodes Old Town

Rhodes Old Town, in the Dodecanese, is a medieval walled city built by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century, centered on the Palace of the Grand Master. Its cobbled streets and fortifications are among the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, and it's listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Staying connected while you travel

Greece's mobile networks (Cosmote, Vodafone, Nova) cover the mainland and the major islands well, though signal can thin out in remote mountain areas around Meteora or on smaller islands. An eSIM lets you land with data already active instead of hunting for airport Wi-Fi — compare current Greece eSIM plans below.

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For more on how eSIMs work before your trip, see our beginner's guide to eSIMs. You can also browse the full list of Greece eSIM plans sorted by price.