Visit Greece, Greece tourism

Greece

Geography
Greece is situated in southeast Europe on the Mediterranean. The mainland consists of the following regions: Central Greece, Peloponnese, Thessaly (east/central), Epirus (west), Macedonia (north/northwest) and Thrace (northwest). Euboea, the second-largest of the Greek islands, lying to the east of the central region, is also considered to be part of the mainland region. The Peloponnese peninsula is separated from the northern mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth.

The northern mainland is dissected by high mountains (such as the Pindus) that extend southwards towards a landscape of fertile plains, pine-forested uplands and craggy, scrub-covered foothills. The islands account for one-fifth of the land area of the country. The majority are thickly clustered in the Aegean between the Greek and Turkish coasts. The Ionian Islands are the exception; they are scattered along the west coast in the Ionian Sea.

The Aegean archipelago includes the Dodecanese, lying off the Turkish coast, of which Rhodes is the best known; the Northeast Aegean group, including Chios, Ikaria, Lemnos, Lesvos and Samos; the Sporades, off the central mainland; and the Cyclades, comprising 39 islands (of which only 24 are inhabited).For the purposes of clarity, information on Where to Go within Greece has been divided into mainland Greece, in the first part of the section (with five regional sections plus Athens), and the Greek islands, in the latter part of the section (with six island groups plus Crete). These do not necessarily reflect administrative boundaries.
Note: (a) Following an initiative by the Greek government, opening hours and fees for major museums and archaeological sites are now uniform throughout the country.

Archaeological sites with adjoining museums charge a single admission fee, allowing entry to both at no extra cost. Visitors have access to these attractions Tues-Sun 0830-1500. (b) Tourist police in the main tourist destinations are trained to assist visitors with accommodation, maps, timetables, details of places to visit and special events. All wear flag badges denoting which language(s) they speak. English and German are fairly common. Do not hesitate to ask them for help.

Mapa de Grecia

Partenón, Atenas - Grecia

Nafplio

An ideal base for exploring the ancient sites of the northeast Peloponnese, from 1824 to 1834, Nafplio was the capital of the newly formed state of Greece, before this role was passed to Athens. Considered by many as one of the country’s loveliest towns, the historic center is made up of narrow winding streets with Neo-classical and Ottoman-style buildings. Seafood restaurants line the seafront, looking out to the tiny fortified island of Bourdzi. High above the town stands Palamidi, a Venetian fortress. Close by lies the beautiful Karathona Bay, with a wide sand beach, backed by eucalyptus trees. Just north of Nafplio stands Tiryns (Tirintha), the ruins of an ancient fortress made up of massive limestone blocks, dating back to the 13th century BC.

Mycenae

North of Nafplio lies the ancient fortified city of Mycenae. The fortress is entered through the Lion Gate, named after the two magnificent lions (now unfortunately headless) carved into the rock above the doorway. Within the walls, excavations have uncovered the palace complex, while close by on the hill of Panagitsa, the Treasury of Atreus (an underground tomb, 36m (118ft) long and 6m (20ft) wide) is considered the most impressive example of Mycenaean architecture.

Corinth

North of Mycenae lies Corinth. The modern city, despite its beautiful location, is unremarkable, having been destroyed by an earthquake in 1858, rebuilt but destroyed again in 1928. However, 8km (5 miles) away, on the northern slopes of Akrokorinthos Hill, are the ruins of Ancient Corinth (Arhea Korinthos), where the remains of the Temple of Apollo are still to be seen. On the hilltop stands Acrocorinth (Akrokorinthos), with a medieval fortress built upon an ancient site. From the highest point, once the Temple of Afrodite, one can enjoy a magnificent panorama.

Epidaurus

East of Nafplio stands the impressive open-air Epidaurus Theater, dating back to the fourth century BC. The acoustics are perfect, and there is seating for 14,000. From July to August, each weekend, the Epidaurus Festival offers performances of ancient Greek dramas in this magical setting.

East of Epidaurus, jutting out from the Peloponnese peninsula, lies Methana, an important spa town since ancient times, with sulphuric waters and modernized hydrotherapy installations.

Patras

Patras is a thriving commercial and industrial port, and the third most important town in Greece. From here, daily ferry services connect the country to Italy and the Ionian islands. Southwest of Patras, at Kyllini there are mineral springs, hydropathic installations, new hotels and a public beach. The stretch of coast south of Kyllini as far as Kiparissia offers plenty of good beaches and seaside resorts. East of Patras, one can travel through the deep Vouraikos Gorge, taking a spectacular train journey from Diakofto to Kalavrita.

Olympia

Olympia, the original site of the Olympic Games, which begun in 776 BC, and the site where the Olympic Flame is still lit today, can be reached by train or by the mountain road from Kalavrita, or along the coast, via Patras and Pyrgos. The site is a mass of marble inscriptions, restored temples and civic buildings, including the Temple of Zeus, which once housed the colossal gold and ivory statue of Zeus, one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Ancient World’ (later taken to Constantinople and destroyed in a fire). There is also a good Archaeological Museum on the site, and a Museum of the Olympic Games located in the modern town of Olympia. Southeast of Olympia at Bassae (Vasses) is the well-preserved monumental Temple of Apollo Epicurius, dating back to the fourth century BC.

Pilos

Northeast of Pilos, at Mystra, lie the ruins of a fortified Byzantine city, once inhabited by 42,000 citizens but now home to just a small number of nuns. In the lower town, which was the religious center, stand the 13th-century frescoed Cathedral and several interesting churches and monasteries. In the Upper Town, where the aristocrats lived, stand numerous palazzi (palaces), notably the Palace of the Despots, built between the 13th and 15th centuries. The site is crowned by the ruins of a hilltop Kastro (Castle). East of Mytras lies Sparta. Now a provincial town with parks, broad avenues and a pleasant atmosphere, it was once a powerful city-state, notorious in ancient history for the austerity of its regime.

Mystras

Lefkas, joined by a narrow strip of land to the Greek mainland, is a green and fertile island which is surrounded by many islets. Excursions, involving some mountain climbing, can be made in the center of Lefkas, near the Stavrota Mountain. There is good swimming and fishing in the villages of Agios Nikitas on the northwestern coast, Ligia on the southeastern coast or Vassiliki (which is also popular with windsurfers) on the southwe

La Acropolis - Atenas, Grecia

Monemvassia

Built into a rocky promontory overlooking the sea, almost on the southeastern tip of the Peloponnese, stands the spectacular medieval fortified town of Monemvassia. Made up of cobbled alleys and old stone houses, the town is crowned by a hilltop Citadel and the Byzantine church of St Sophia, both of which offer splendid views of the town and gulf below.

Thessaly

The fertile plain of Thessaly in Central Greece is surrounded by high mountains: the Pindus Range to the west, Olimpus (Olimbos) to the north, Ossa, Pelion (Pilio) and Othris to the east, and Trimfrestos to the south. The River Pinios, flowing down from the western slopes of the Pindus, cuts Thessaly in two and passes through the Valley of Tempi to meet the sea.

The region’s capital, Larissa, is an important industrial center and traffic node (road and rail), with good shopping and nightlife and plentiful cafes. The main port, Volos, situated on Pagasiticos Bay, is largely modern, due to repeated destruction by earthquakes. However, there is a pleasant seafront with cafes and restaurants, and frequent ferry services for the Sporades (see the information on the Greek islands). Close by, on the slopes of Mount Pelion, stand the pretty villages of Makrinitsa and Vizitsa, noted for their traditional architecture, and the winter sports center of Hania.
Mount Olympus, home of Zeus and the immortal gods and land of the Centaurs, is Greece’s highest mountain, standing 2917m (9570ft). Walking tours depart from the village of Litohoro, where one finds hostels, hotels and tavernas.

To the west, above the Pinios Valley and the town of Kalambaka, just as the Pindus Range begins to form, stand the incredible cliff-top monasteries of the Meteora. Perched upon bizarre vertical rock formations of up to 300m (984ft) high, a total of 24 monasteries, some with beautiful Byzantine frescoes, were founded here during the 15th-century. Several are open to the public (accessed by a series of steep steps carved into the rocks), notably Megalo Meteoro and Varlaam Monastery.

Epirus

Lying between the Ionic Sea and Thessaly, in the northwest corner of the Greek peninsula, Epirus is the most mountainous region in Greece. Due to its isolation, locals here have retained many of their traditions: costumes, dances and handicrafts.

The chief settlement, Ioannina, overlooking Ioannina Lake, reached its peak during the 18th century under the Ottomans when it was an important administrative center and home to the notorious Ali Pascia, Istanbul’s local representative at that time. The town has conserved a marked eastern atmosphere, thanks to a bazaar and several mosques, notably Aslan Pacha Mosque, which now houses the Museum of Popular Art.

North of town lies the spectacular Perama Cave, filled with stalactites, stalagmites and running waters. Further north still, one enters the mountainous area of Zagoria, noted for its dense pine forests, wildlife (wolves and bears) and picturesque stone villages. Here, contained within the Vikos-Aoos National Park lies the dramatic Vikos Gorge, a canyon formed by the River Aoos, popular with hikers.
South of Ioannina lie the archaeological remains of Dodoni, notably the well-conserved theater dating back to the third century BC, where open-air performances are held during summer. On the coast, built around a bay, the pretty town of Parga is backed by pine woods, olive groves and orchards. Here one finds a 16th-century Venetian fortress, whitewashed houses, hotels and an excellent sandy beach.

Macedonia

Bordering onto Albania, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of) and Bulgaria, Macedonia stands slightly apart from the rest of the country; its scenery and climate have more in common with the adjoining Balkans, the mountains being bitterly cold in winter. Though little known by foreign tourists, this is still a particularly beautiful part of Greece, rich in historical monuments and archaeological sites. The region’s capital, Thessaloniki, is the second-largest city in Greece. A modern industrial port, partly protected by impressive city walls, it is home to the superb Archaeological Museum, housing the ‘Treasures of Ancient Macedonia’. On the seafront, the imposing 16th-century White Tower, built by the Ottomans as part of the city’s defense system, houses an excellent Byzantine Art Collection. Churches of note include the fourth-century Rotonda (also known as St George’s), Agios Dimitrios with its seventh-century mosaics, and the eighth-century Agia Sofia, converted into a mosque during Ottoman rule.

Grecia, Islas Griegas

Thrace

Going east from Macedonia, the towns and villages become more oriental in style. Xanthi is an attractive small town clinging to the hilly sides of the Remma Valley. Southwest of Xanthi is Avdira. Nearby Lagos, built on the narrow strip of land in the lagoon, is rich in wildfowl. One of the best northern beaches is 8km (5 miles) east of Fanari. The main road dips down to the coast before going inland again to Komotini, further east, then follows the coast via Nea Hili to Alexandroupolis, which has an archaeological museum of local finds. North from here is Soufli, famous for its silks. East from here lies the River Evros, marking the natural boundary with Turkey.

Saronic Islands

Lying south of Athens and to the east of the Peloponnese, these islands are within easy reach of the capital, with regular ferry and hydrofoil services running from the port of Piraeus. Aegina, Hydra, Poros, Salamis and Spetses are the most popular islands, with Hydra as the indisputable highlight.

Salamis

(Perama, 1 nautical mile.) Closest to the mainland, Salamis (Salamina) can be reached from both Piraeus and Perama. There are reasonable sandy beaches at Iliakti, Kanakia, Moulki and Peristeria, though the island’s natural beauty is somewhat spoilt by the proximity of heavy industry. The island has good roads and a network of bus and taxi services.

Aegina

(Piraeus, 17.5 nautical miles.) Famed for pistachios and ceramics, Aegina (Egina) makes a perfect daytrip from Athens, thanks to its excellent beaches, clear seas and proximity to Piraeus. Boats arrive at the main port, Aegina Town. East from here, on top of a wooded hill offering panoramic views, stands the Temple of Aphaia made up of 22 Doric columns erected in the fifth century BC. On the coast, below the temple, Agia Marina is the island’s most popular resort, thanks to its long sandy beach. South of Aegina Town lies Perdika, a pretty fishing village with a good sandy beach and boat trips running to the small wooded islands of Angistri and Moni. Aegina is relatively flat. Bicycles are available for hire, and it is possible to take a ride in a horsedrawn carriage. The island is also served by buses and taxis.

Poros

(Piraeus, 35 nautical miles.) Poros is a thickly wooded island separated from the Peloponnese by a very narrow channel. Regular boats cross the channel from Galatas, on the Peloponnese mainland. There is also a service from Piraeus. The island was formed through the union of two smaller islands, Kalavria and Sphaeria. The chief settlement, Poros Town, is known for its white buildings with blue woodwork, typical of Greek island architecture. Close by lie the remains of the Sanctuary of Poseidon, built in the sixth century BC. The best sand beaches lie at Askeli and Neorio.

Hydra

(Piraeus, 42 nautical miles.) A barren, rocky, car-free island, Hydra (Idra) is popular with artists and jet-setters, primarily for the beauty of its chief settlement and port, Hydra Town. Built into the hill overlooking the harbor, Hydra Town is a labyrinth of steep cobbled streets, filled with chic bars, restaurants and art galleries. 500m (1640ft) above town stands a monastery, offering fantastic views out over the sea. There are a number of small hotels and private rooms to rent, though visitors should make reservations well in advance as Hydra is extremely busy through high season. Being so rocky, there are few good beaches, but it is possible to swim south of town at Kaminia, Molos and Vlichos, and north of town at Mandraki.

Spetses

(Piraeus, 35 nautical miles.) Located at the southern extremity of the Saronic Gulf, Spetses has long been a popular holiday retreat for wealthy Athenians, who are attracted here by good beaches, beautiful pine woods and fresh air. Cars are forbidden, except to residents. Bicycles are available for rent, and the island is served by buses and taxis. There are plenty of good hotels and entertainment facilities in the chief settlement, Spetses Town. The best beaches lie at Agia Anangiri and Agia Pasaskevi.

Ionian Islands

Located off the west coast of mainland Greece, the seven Ionian Islands (Cephalonia, Corfu, Ithaki, Kythira, Lefkada, Paxi and Zakinthos) are comparatively isolated from one another. Consequently, through the centuries each one has developed its own identity. The most popular islands are Cephalonia, Corfu and Kythira. Ferry connections to each destination are given within their relative section.

Corfu

(Igoumenitsa, 18 nautical miles.) The northernmost island of western Greece, Corfu is the best-known, busiest and most cosmopolitan of the Ionian islands. Although its natural beauty has led to rampant commercialization along parts of the coast, visitors who arrive during spring or autumn will still find idyllic beaches, romantic landscapes