697 Best Sights in Greece

A warren of side streets around a tiny square with a fountain is filled with tavernas and crafts stores. The area is frequently referred to, but it rarely appears on street maps; everyone knows where it is: 200 meters from the church of Agia Sofia.

One of the most evocative and recognizable sights of Delos is the 50-meter-long (64-foot-long) Avenue of the Lions. The five marble beasts, which were carved in Naxos, crouch on their haunches, their forelegs stiffly upright, vigilant guardians of the Sacred Lake. They are the survivors of a line of at least nine lions that were erected in the second half of the 7th century BC by the Naxians. One statue, removed in the 17th century, now guards the Arsenal of Venice (though with a refurbished head); the remaining originals are in the Delos Archaeological Museum on the island.

To the north of Agios Nikalaos in the Gulf of Malia are a string of beaches clustered around the town of Sisi. A pretty little inlet with a handful of tavernas, it is a classic Greek summer resort with little else to do but swim and eat. Avlaki and Boufos beaches, separated by a cliff, are the pick of the bunch. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

On the lowest rock—thought an appropriate tribute to male superiority by the early monks (who first refused to have women in the Meteora)—the compact monastery of Ayia Barbara was the only nunnery in the complex centuries ago. With its colorful gardens in and around red- and gray-stone walls, it is a favorite for picture-taking. Set on a large mesa-like rock, the squat building was abandoned in the early 1900s and stood empty until a new order of nuns moved in some years ago and restored it. The monastery is thought to have been founded in 1288 by the monks Nicodemus and Benedict. The main church has well-preserved frescoes dating from the mid-16th century. Most depict gory scenes of martyrdom, but one shows lions licking Daniel's feet during his imprisonment. The nunnery is accessible via steps and a new bridge.

The most spectacularly sited of all the Meteora monasteries, Ayia Triada is shouldered high on a rock pinnacle isolated from surrounding cliffs; it is reached via rock tunnels and 130 stone-hewn steps. Primitive and remote, the monastery will also be strangely familiar: James Bond fans will recognize it from its starring role in the 1981 movie For Your Eyes Only (the famous winch is still in place, and you may be shown it in a tour by the one monk who lives here). According to local legend, the monk Dometius was the first to arrive in 1438; the main church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was built in 1476, and the narthex and frescoes were added more than 200 years later. Look for the fresco with St. Sisois gazing upon the skeleton of Alexander the Great, meant to remind the viewer that power is fleeting. The apse's pseudo-trefoil window and the sawtooth decoration around it lend a measure of grace to the structure. Ayia Triada is fabled for its vistas, with Ayios Stephanos and Kalambaka to the south and Varlaam and Megalo Meteoro to the west. Conveniently, a well-traveled footpath near the entrance (red arrows) descends to Kalambaka, about 3 km (2 miles) away.

Even though Ayios Nikolaos Monastery is the first monastic complex you see and is accessed by a relatively unchallenging path, many travelers hurry on to the large Megalo Meteoro, leaving this one relatively uncrowded. Its katholikon (church), built 1388, faces north rather than the usual east because of the rock's peculiar shape, and the rock's small area precluded the construction of a cloister, so the monks studied in the larger-than-usual narthex. Although the monastery dates from the end of the 15th century, its superb frescoes are from the 16th century and the work of Theophanis Strelitzas. Though conservative, his frescoes are lively and expressive: mountains are stylized, and plants and animals are portrayed geometrically. Especially striking are the treatments of the Temptation and the scourging of Christ.

At the far end of the eastern sector of the Meteora is Ayios Stephanos, the oldest monastery. According to an inscription that was once on the lintel, the rock was inhabited before 1200 and was the hermitage of Jeremiah. After the Byzantine emperor Andronicus Paleologos stayed here in 1333 on his way to conquer Thessaly, he made generous gifts to the monks, which funded the building of a church in 1350. Today Ayios Stephanos is an airy convent, where the nuns spend their time painting Byzantine icons, writing, or studying music; some are involved in the community as doctors and professors. The katholikon has no murals but contains a carved wooden baldachin and an iconostasis depicting the Last Supper. You can also visit the 15th-century frescoed church of Ayios Stephanos as well as a small icon museum.

A permanent bridge has replaced the movable one that once connected the monastery with the hill opposite, making this perhaps the most easily accessible, with a tarmacked road passing not far below the entrance.

As one of the closest organized beaches to Ermoupoli, Azolimnos attracts its share of crowds in the height of summer. The coast is a mixture of small rocks and sand with a picturesque little dock that juts out into the bay and two jetties to dive from. Tamarisk trees offer natural shade, and lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. The small road that backs the beach is lined with various options for food, coffee, drinks, and supplies. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

A key reference point for Athens's culture vultures, this private nonprofit foundation focuses on the visual arts and music, with a special interest in modernism. The driving force behind the imposing cultural center, housed in a Neoclassical building beside the Greek Parliament, is Basil Theocharakis, a prominent businessman who is also an avid and talented painter, and his wife, Marina. Temporary exhibitions, classical concerts, and educational workshops are held here on a regular basis, while Cafe Merlin, the elegant first-floor café, offers a welcome respite from the city's hustle and bustle. On the mezzanine floor you'll also find a lovely café-bistro, and on the ground floor a charming gift shop.

You already know this beach from every postcard stand in Greece. Seemingly transported from the South Seas, an islet sits dramatically amid a shallow lagoon of bright blue-and-turquoise water framed by white sand. Approach by car along the 8-km (5-mile) very rough dirt road (€1 toll per adult) and you will be rewarded by that picture-perfect panorama. Nevertheless, a half-hour descent on foot to the beach itself, and longer return, is the price to pay. Easier on the legs is to take the boat from Kissamos (€37), which includes a stop at the deserted island Venetian fortress of Gramvousa. Like Vai, it can get very busy here; if you are coming by car, aim to arrive in the morning before the boats, or late in the afternoon once the crowds have left. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

Not nearly as unknown as it used to be—though the same could be said for the entire peninsula—Banana Beach's golden sands are still impressive. It is the largest beach on the island, with rocky wooded fringes and clear shallow waters perfect for families. It has a few bars, restaurants, and services. Sun beds occupy a good chunk of the shoreline, but its size means you can always find a quieter corner. Around four bus services a day run here from Zakynthos Town, if you don't want to drive. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers. Best for: swimming.

The closest sand beach to Ia is handy when you don't feel like making the trip to the more famous beaches on the south end of the island. It's not that there's anything wrong about this lovely spot: the strip of black sand and pebbles is rarely crowded and the cliffs provide welcome shade, it is just that the summertime meltemi winds can churn up the surf and sand. Islanders used to grow fruits and vegetables down here, and the name comes from the Turkish word for garden, baxes. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: swimming.

This 17th-century stonework tower, considered one of Naxos's most beautiful Venetian-era monuments, dominates the landscape as you approach the center of the island from Naxos Town. Functioning as the Monastery of the True Cross (Timios Stavros), during the Turkish occupation it served as an illegal school, where children met secretly to learn the Greek language and culture. It was abandoned in 1834 and later bought by the Bassegio family, whence its modern name derives. It has been renovated into a museum and cultural space, and a full calendar of exhibitions, concerts, and events takes place under the aegis of the Naxos Festival.

The graceful Bellonia Tower (Pirgos Bellonia) belonged to the area's ruling Venetian family, and like other fortified houses, it was built as a refuge from pirates and as part of the island's alarm system. The towers were located strategically throughout the island; if there was an attack, a fire would be lit on the nearest tower's roof, setting off a chain reaction from tower to tower and alerting the islanders. Bellonia's thick stone walls, its Lion of St. Mark emblem, and flat roofs with zigzag chimneys are typical of these structures.

The impressive Benaki Museum Annexe is located at one of the busiest and most industrially developed points in the city. The minimalist exterior is covered in smooth pink stone—a kind of beacon of modernity—with creatively designed clean lines on the dusty, loud avenue. Inside, all is high-ceiling atriums, transparent walkway ascents, and multiple levels, a dramatic setting for the museum's temporary exhibitions (many of which are far more avant-garde in character than those housed in the main building).

Though there are many intriguing caves on the island of Alonnisos, the Blue Cave, in the northern part of the island near Agios Dimitrios beach, is the most famous. Boat trips will usually make a stop here, and travelers can swim in the azure water of the cave.

Tucked behind the Old Fortress, this space, which feels a little secret, offers a tranquil escape from the town's hustle and bustle. It's shaded by palms and cypresses, with benches, sea views, and proximity to the waterfront, making it a lovely spot to relax in with a book. It was once part of the palace gardens of the British Lord High Commissioner, and was later used by Venetian nobles for walks and gatherings.

Created by the Focas-Cosmetatos Foundation, the Cephalonica Botanica lies a couple of kilometers south of the city center and offers a peaceful opportunity to study the island’s rarer flora, which is at constant risk from forest fires and development. It has an extensive collection of Mediterranean plants, a 500-meter (1,640-foot) artificial lake, herb gardens, and theme plant areas highlighting uses in medicine, cooking, and floriculture. Like all attractions in town, it shuts early (2 pm), but offers evening openings on Tuesday and Saturday.

Nafplion's pocket-size fortress is a captivating presence on a speck of land in the middle of the harbor. The Venetians completed a single tower in 1473, and they enlarged it with a second tower and bastion when they recaptured Nafplion in 1686. Freedom fighters captured the Bourtzi during the War of Independence in 1822 and used the island to bombard the Turks defending the town. The new Greek government retreated to the island in the unsettled times following the revolution; then, after 1865, the fortress became the residence of the town executioners. Boats such as Odyssey Cruises ( 69720/15296) leave on no fixed schedule from the eastern end of Akti Miaouli on €5 return trips. 

This lovely small castle-compound on Skiathos harbor stands on a pine-covered peninsula that divides the main port. It was built in 1207 by the Venetian Gyzi brothers to protect Skiathos from pirate attacks. Not much remains of the original fortress (also called the castle of St. George), but a cultural center at the site hosts concerts in the summer, as well as art and antiquities exhibitions. There are plenty of spots to sit and absorb the pretty vistas over the busy waterfront.

The first of the island's wineries to open to the public puts on a good show, with a bright, view-filled tasting room surrounded by vineyards. A distinctly Santorini experience is a taste of Kallisti, a version of the Assyrtiko variety, and the exceptional Estate Argyros Vinsanto, an international award winner.

Established by one of the oldest wine-making families in Greece, this state-of-the-art winery marries tradition with innovation, producing more than 100,000 bottles a year. There is a modern tasting room with great views over the vines to the hills beyond, for sampling some of the estate's award-winning offerings. You can even spend the night in the vineyard in one of three beautifully set houses.

One of the few museums in Europe focusing exclusively on Byzantine art displays an outstanding collection of icons, mosaics, tapestries, and sculptural fragments (the latter provides an excellent introduction to the architecture of the period). The permanent collection is divided into two main parts: the first is devoted to Byzantium (4th through 15th century AD) and contains 1,200 artifacts, while the second is entitled "From Byzantium to the Modern Era" and presents 1,500 artworks dating from the 15th to the 21st century.

You'll get some insight into the Venetian occupation and the Christian centuries that preceded it at this small museum housed in the charming 15th-century church of San Salvatore alongside the city walls just behind the Firka. Mosaics, icons, coins, and other artifacts bring to life Cretan civilization as it was after the Roman Empire colonized the island and Christianity took root as early as the 1st century.

The only intact mosque in this part of the Aegean, complete with a slender minaret, dates from the 19th century and houses the Byzantine Museum. The main room has artifacts from the early Christian, Byzantine, and Genoese periods, while the porch and courtyard are dotted with richly inscribed Jewish, Turkish, and Armenian gravestones, including one depicting St. George slaying the dragon. Also on display are column capitals unearthed across the island and some delightful 18th-century Byzantine murals in which three sleeping girls await the miracle of St. Nicholas.

Within the larger citadel is the fortress, called Its Kale by the Turks, where Ali Pasha built his palace; these days the former palace serves the city as the Byzantine Museum. The museum's small collection of artworks, actually almost all post-Byzantine, includes intricate silver manuscript Bible covers, wall murals from mansions, and carved wooden benediction crosses covered in lacy silver, gathered from all over the countryside of Epirus. It's carefully arranged in the front half of the museum with good English translations. The second half of the museum houses an important collection of icons and remarkable iconostases, painted by local masters and salvaged from 16th- and 17th-century monasteries. The most interesting section is devoted to silver works from Ali Pasha's treasury from the seraglio. Within the fortress grounds is a very pleasant little café—why not enjoy some light snacks and desserts as you take in the views of the lush gardens around the Byzantine Museum and the impressive old ruins? Nearby is the Fethiye (Victory) Mosque, which purports to contain Ali Pasha's tomb.

This ornate church dating from the late 15th century houses an outstanding collection of Byzantine religious art. More than 50 icons from the 13th to the 17th centuries hang on the walls. Look for works by the celebrated icon painters Tzanes and Damaskinos; they are perhaps the best-known artists of the Cretan style of icon painting.

Housed within the former barracks of Greece's first president, Ioannis Kapodistrias—itself built atop the remains of a Venetian covered market—this museum looks at medieval life from the 4th century onward across six rooms. It is particularly good at dissecting the decline of the ancient world from the 6th century on, as empires contracted, villages fortified, and the dark ages settled in, backing up its histories with some interesting examples such as the mysterious story of the 50 skeletons found in the caves of Andritsa.

This long, quiet sandy stretch of beach is located off a small path leading from the Antiparos Camping campground and just north of Antiparos Town. The view is peaceful: just the neighboring inlet of Diplos and a turquoise sea. One area is frequented by nudists—it's one of Greece's recognized naturist beaches. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: nudists; solitude; walking.

A highly educational experience as well as an entertaining one, a visit to this living history museum allows you to meet three generations of a noble Corfiot family and their servants. The count and his kin are not flesh and blood but realistic animated figures who occupy an old town house, fitted out with authentic 19th-century furniture and artifacts. A guided tour of the apartment, with intelligent and informative commentary that includes each character's backstory, brings Corfu's urban past to life, some of it rather graphically.