Surrounded by crystal blue waters all around, Greece has 2000 islands among which only 160 are inhabited. It has everything that a traveller could ask for, starting from history and culture, huge mountains, golden beaches and ancient ruins. Along with the history, the culture in music, food and festivals is strongly held up high here. One can delve into the ancient times with splendours like Acropolis and Parthenon.

The best times to visit Greece is during spring and fall as the weather is extremely pleasant, accompanied by beautiful wildflowers growing all over the place. You can escape the summer heat as well as the damp winters. Most festivals take place during this time, making it even more favourable. The beaches are best visited during spring while people can go to the mountains in the month of October for a cooler feeling.

Greek cuisine is an amalgamation of traditional food along with foreign influences. Italian and Turkish cuisine have a major impact on Greek food. The traditional diet is Mediterranean with lots of vegetables, herbs, and grains. Being a marine nation, seafood is a major part of their diet. It is also a major consumer of lamb, beef, pork and chicken. The staple in Greek cooking is olive oil. The most popular dishes are kebabs, souvlaki, honey pastries and baklava. Famous alcoholic beverages include ouzo and resin flavoured wine.

Since Greece had one of the most ancient civilisations in the world, it is one of the best places to buy antiques. There are many stores in Athens and other cities which sell exquisite antiques like statuettes, engravings, carvings, glass, ceramics and different other treasures. One needs the permission of the government to export antiques from Byzantine and Hellenic ages. There are a lot of fake ones around, don’t fall for the trap. One can also get Greek Jewellery, Skyrian pottery, mystic amulets and onyx ashtrays from Greece. Shoes, wine, rugs and dry fruits are few other things to buy.

Greek, the official and primary language of Greece is spoken by the majority of the country’s population. English is the dominant foreign language spoken in the business world of Greece and also taught in the schools.

1. SANTORINI

Santorini is one of the most spectacular islands in Greece. It is a part of the Cyclades islands and sits in the Aegean Sea, halfway between Athens and Crete. The crescent-shaped island is famous for its iconic white houses, blue dome churches and windmills. It is the most photographed island in the world. The highlights of Santorini are its hikes, beaches, sunset views, hot springs and clifftop wineries.

The best things to do in Santorini are hiking the caldera, wine tours, luxury sunset cruises of the caldera, swimming in the hot springs, and visiting the charming villages of Pyrgos and Emporio. The beaches of Santorini are made up of volcanic rocks and pebbles, unlike the white sandy beaches of other islands in Greece. However, the red and black sand beaches are still picturesque and peaceful. Santorini is one of the most sought-after places for a romantic honeymoon in Greece, and rightly so.

Places to visit in Santorini: Akrotiri Archaeological Site, Oia (popular for its stunning sunsets), Kamari Beach, Ancient Thera, Amoudi Beach, Pyrgos, Perissa town, Santorini volcano, Three bells of Fira (Catholic Church of Dormition)

2. ATHENS

Athens is the capital, as well as the largest city of Greece. With its history of about 7000 years, it is one of the world’s oldest cities, and an amalgamation of historic and the modern world can be seen throughout. It is the birthplace of democracy, arts, science and western civilization and is known for its nightlife and shopping.

The Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Athen’s most treasured and famous landmark. Within this citadel lies a cluster of still-standing regal structures, all displaying the classic ancient Greek style of architecture that tell stories of the city and its people at the peak of its glory. The numerous historical attractions like the Parthenon, Acropolis, and Ancient Agora make it a fascinating place to visit. Even today, Athens bursts with culture and colour, retaining its vibrance. Also, Athens is full of galleries and museums due to its history.

The main centre of Athens is Syntagma Square, surrounded by the main neighbourhoods like Plaka, Monastiraki, Thissio and Kolonaki. These areas are home to many beautiful neoclassical buildings, trendy cafes, shops and quiet streets. Athens is where the main international airport of the country is located. It also connects the nearby Cycladic and other islands to the mainland by regular ferries. So, every tourist visiting Greece always lands in Athens. With an efficient transport system, exploring Athens is not a hassle at all. A journey through this city is like an unforgettable journey through time.

Places to visit in Athens: Acropolis, The Parthenon, Acropolis museum, Ancient Agora, Temple of Hephaestus, Syntagma Square, National Archaeological Museum, Hadrian’s Library, The temple or columns of Olympian Zeus

3. MYKONOS

Mykonos is one of the most beautiful and visited islands in Greece. It is a part of the Cyclades group and is known for its sandy beaches and party atmosphere. With whitewashed buildings and turquoise water, it is the most cosmopolitan island in the country.

It is known as the island of the winds due to the strong winds blowing on the island most of the year. Mykonos is famous among art lovers, as it offers one of the best nightlife in Europe. The beaches in the north part of the island are more secluded, while the southern beaches are all about parties. Mykonos is also great for watersports like jet-ski, windsurfing, parasailing and skiing. The icon and the most photographed spot here is the Kato Mili Windmills.

Mykonos has two main parts: Chora, the capital and port town of the city and Ano Mera, a small village in the centre of the island. Delos is a small uninhabited island close to Mykonos. A UNESCO world heritage area, it houses many archaeological sites. It is also the birthplace of Apollo and is often visited as a day trip from Mykonos.

Places to visit in Mykonos: Mykonos Windmills, Little Venice, Island of Delos, Matogianni Street, Paraportiani Church, Paradise Beach, Psarou Beach, Agios Stefanos Beach, Platys Gialos village, Ano Mera village

4. CRETE

Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea, 160km from the Greek mainland, separating the Aegean from the Libyan Sea. Crete is popular for its stunning beaches, wild natural beauty, mouthwatering cuisine and rich history.

Crete has a varied landscape consisting of mountains, beautiful gorges, rivers, and lakes. It is home to some of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean, with endless kilometres of golden coastline. The island also has some of the famous archaeological sites of Greece, 15th-century monasteries, regal palaces and fascinating museums. In addition, it is the ideal destination for sports and adventure activities like canyoning, hiking and scuba diving.

Places to visit in Crete: Heraklion Archeological Museum, Knossos city, Elafonissi Beach, Samaria gorge national park, Arkadi Monastery, Balos Beach and Lagoon, Falassarna beach, Frangokastello seaside village, Archaeological Site of Phaistos, Matala Beach, Lake Voulismeni, Lychnostatis Open Air Museum, Lake Kournas

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