Greece is the ultimate destination for those who appreciate the historical and cultural heritage of classical antiquity. Filled with archaeological sites and ancient relics, it provides the opportunity to everyone to take a journey through time and get to know the way of life of the ancient Greeks. This article presents the best archaeological sites that one can see and experience during his visit in Greece.
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Table of Contents
15 Historical Places to Visit in Greece
1. Acropolis of Athens
Undoubtedly, the most famous monument in Greece is the Acropolis of Athens. The Acropolis is an ancient citadel located on rocky, elevated ground in the center of the city of Athens, containing the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance. There is evidence that the hill was inhabited as early as the fourth millennium B.C.
However, it was Pericles, in the second half of the fifth century B.C. that coordinated the construction of the site’s most important buildings, among them, being the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechteion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Today the site is an official cultural UNESCO World Heritage site.
2. Delphi
Delphi was a sacred precinct that was considered by the ancient Greeks as the center of the world, marked by a stone monument called the omphalos (navel). From the 8th century BC, the site served as the seat of Pythia, the major oracle that was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient world, being international in character.
The site was built on the south-western slope of Mount Parnassus and its management was in the hands of an amphictyony, a committee of persons chosen mainly from Central Greece. The fact that every important ancient Greek city-state built various monuments on the site proves that Delphi had a significant influence in ancient Greece.
Check out: A day trip from Athens to Delphi.
3. Meteora
Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece which serves as the building place of one of the largest and most steeply built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, being second in importance only to Mount Athos.
Considered as one of the most important historical sites in Greece, Meteora hosts six monasteries built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders, with the earliest traces of their history being dated back to the 11th century, when the first hermits settled in the area. Some of the most important religious sites in Meteora are the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, the Holy Monastery of Varlaam, the Holy Monastery of Rousanou, and the Monastery of Holy Trinity.
Check out my guide to Meteora Monasteries.
4. Mycenae
Mycenae is one of the most important and famous Greek historic sites. It is located in the north-east Peloponnese, and it was one of the major centers of Greek civilization during the second millennium BC, with its military dominating much of southern Greece, Crete, and the Cyclades. Mycenae was probably built between 1350 and 1200 BC, during the peak of the Mycenaean civilization. Some of the most important monuments found on the site are the Cyclopean walls, the Lion gate, chamber tombs, and the palace ruins.
Check out my guide to Mycenae, Greece.
5. Epidaurus
Epidaurus was a small city-state in ancient Greece located on the Argolid Peninsula at the Saronic Gulf. The archaeological site today comprises a series of ancient monuments spread over two terraces and surrounded by a preserved natural landscape. Among the many great monuments, there is the Sanctuary of Asklepios, the temple of Artemis, the Tholos, the Enkoimeterion, and the Propylaia, all illustrating the significance and the power of the healing gods of the Hellenic and Roman worlds. The theater of Epidaurus is considered an architectural masterpiece that is still in use today.
Check out my guide to Epidaurus Greece.
6. Dion
Dion is one of the most interesting historical places in Greece. It is located at the foot of Mount Olympus and it dates to the 5th century BC. The city was sacred to the ancient Macedonians, who used to worship the Olympian gods there, especially Zeus, who was thought to reside on the top of the mountain.
If you visit the Archaeological Park of Dion you will see many springs, villas, a Roman theater, the ruins of a Christian basilica, public baths, and many sanctuaries, such as the Sanctuary of Demeter, of Zeus Hypsistos, and of Isis.
7. Vergina
Vergina is located in northern Greece and is best known as the site of ancient Aigai, the first capital of ancient Macedon and its elite royal center. Here, Phillip II was assassinated in 336 BC, and his son Alexander was proclaimed king.
In Vergina, there is an archaeological museum, one of the most important in Greece, and a well archaeological site, which contains an extensive royal palace. One of the most important findings here is the tomb of Philip II, which unlike many other royal tombs in the site, has not been looted. Aigai has also been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
8. Ancient Olympia
Undoubtedly, one of the most famous historical sites in Greece is the archaeological site of ancient Olympia, on the Peloponnese peninsula. The site was the birthplace of the Olympic Games, which were the greatest athletic contests in antiquity, held every four years between 776 BC and 393 AD.
Furthermore, the place was a major Panhellenic religious sanctuary of ancient Greece, primarily dedicated to Zeus, which drew visitors from all over the Greek world and help shape a Panhellenic identity between ancient Greeks.
The archaeological site holds the ruins of many ancient buildings, such as the Temple of Zeus, and other important works of arts, such as the famous Hermes of Praxiteles and the statue of Nike of Paionios.
9. Pella
Pella is an ancient city located in central Macedonia and it is best known as the historical capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedon. During the 4th century BC, under Phillip II and Alexander the city became a metropolis with a spectacular complex of palaces and rich private houses. The city also boasted the biggest agora in the ancient world.
At the site, you can see the remains of many types of buildings, paved streets, and private houses built in Doric and Ionic style. There are also the remains of the city’s brick walls, sophisticated sewer systems, and the sanctuaries of Athena, Poseidon, Herakles, and Aphrodite, among others.
Check out my guide to Pella, Greece.
10. Ancient Messene
Messene was an ancient Greek city-state located in the Peloponnese. It was founded by Epaminondas in 369 BC, over the ruins of Ithome, an ancient city originally built by Achaean Greeks. After the battle of Leuctra and the first Theban invasion of the Peloponnese, Epaminondas invited all the people that had gone into exile from the area after the long wars and servitude under Sparta, to resettle the city.
Today, the ancient site has attracted significant historical attention. Many public buildings have been excavated in the area. Among them, the Asklepieion complex, a small theater, the Bouleuterion, and a part of the wall. There you can also see the remains of the Temple of Artemis Limniatis and the Sanctuary of Zeus Ithomatas.
11. Archaeological site of Philippi
The archaeological site of Philippi is located on the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Philippi. The city was originally established by Thasians colonists, but Philip II of Macedon renamed it in 356BC. The site comprises of the city ruins that saw its final days in Roman and Early Christian times.
The city became a place of pilgrimage because according to the New Testament it had been visited by the Apostle Paul in 50 AD. The remains of the walled city lie at the foot of an acropolis in north-eastern Greece, on the ancient route linking Europe and Asia, known as the Via Egnatia. Notable remaining monuments include a Greek theater, a Roman forum, an Octagon church, and two basilicas.
Check out my guide to the nearby city of Kavala.
12. Delos
Delos is a small island in the Aegean Sea that belongs to the Cyclades group. During ancient times, the island became the place where one of the most important sanctuaries in Greece was built, the sanctuary of the twin Olympian gods Apollo and Artemis. It gained great significance after the 8th century BC when the island became a popular place of pilgrimage for people from all around Greece.
Furthermore, the island was important because it was there that the treasury of the Athenian League was safeguarded until 454 BC when it was transferred to Athens. That is why the alliance was also named the Delian League.
13. Knossos
Knossos was one of the most famous and important cities of ancient Greece and the capital of Minoan Crete. The settlement was inhabited for several thousand years and was abandoned after its destruction in 1375 BC. The palace of Knossos served as the religious and political center of the Minoan civilization and culture.
The site was excavated in 1900 by Arthur Evans, a British archaeologist, who also restored the large parts of the palace that are visible today. The complexity of the structure and its grandeur justifies the association of the city with the mythological labyrinth and does not fail to impress every visitor even today.
Check out the best things to do in Heraklion, Crete.
14. Acropolis of Lindos in Rhodes
Lindos was an ancient city on the island of Rhodes, founded by the Dorians during the 10th century BC. By the 8th century, BC Lindos was a major trading center. The most significant part of the city, and of the archaeological site today, is the acropolis of Lindos. This is a natural citadel that was fortified successively by the Greeks, the Romans, and the Ottomans. The acropolis offers great views of the surrounding harbors and coastline. The ruins of many ancient buildings survive to this day, such as the Temple of Athena Lindia, the Propylaea of the Sanctuary, and the Hellenistic Stoa.
Check out the best things to do in Lindos.
15. Akrotiri in Fira
Akrotiri was an ancient settlement on the island of Thira (present-day Santorini). The first ancient building there dates back to 4000 BC when Akrotiri became an important community primarily due to its important geographical location, positioned on the trade route between Europe and the Middle East. It was destroyed and covered in ash in 1627 BC when the volcano of the island erupted. However, thanks to the volcanic ash, the remains of paved streets, walls, and high-quality pottery still survive to this day. Many believe that Akrotiri served as the inspiration for Plato’s story of Atlantis.
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