Uncover the best secrets of this Mediterranean paradise – explore the culture, history, and attractions, from Athens to stunning coastlines and ancient ruins.
- Birthplace of democracy
- Ancient cities existence is the oldest in Europe
- History of philosophers, gods, mythology, superstitions, and archaeology
- Extreme diversity
Welcome to my blog about Greece! This blog is the perfect place to learn about the culture, history, and attractions of this beautiful country. With its stunning coastline, white-washed villages, and ancient ruins, Greece is a paradise for travelers who are looking to explore the diverse landscape of the Mediterranean. From its vibrant capital city of Athens to its many islands, Greece offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a history lesson, a beach vacation, or a culinary adventure, Greece has it all. So come along and discover why Greece is a popular destination for so many travelers!
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What is Greece Famous For?
Most visited tourist destination in the world, because of so many numerous prodigies, phenomena, and marvels in this most visited tourist destination. Did you know that Greece has over 250 sunny days a year and on some islands 300, which is a perfect backdrop for a picture-perfect vacation?
| I’m always impressed by the insightful and creative writing of twoguysabroad, a travel blogger. They make their journeys come alive and it is most certainly worth an interesting and informative read on Greece. |
1. Islands, Beaches, and Coastline
How many islands there actually are, is debatable, with a theory of between 2000 and 6000, with only 227 being inhabitable.
Island Hopping
So if you are planning to go island hopping, plan your tour carefully with different tour operators. Most planned trips will go to the most popular well-known islands, which are busy, crowded and even though stunning, can be rather irritating due to the masses.
Define your Reason
Ask yourself, why do you want to visit? To go see or to get a peaceful relaxing vacation and engage in what the island has to offer in its fullness? The best times to relish the sun and waters are from April to October.
3 Reasons to Visit Santorini Island
Santorini Island, on the southern side of the Aegean sea, has often been regarded as the most stunning and impressive place in the world, also known as Thira or Thera, therefore it is the most visited tourist destination in Greece. It has its own international airport or you can get there via ferry from Athens.
1. Birth of the Island
Today you can take a tour by boat or even jet ski out to the rumbling volcano, as this island was given birth by a volcano and is part of the Cycladic group of islands. Striking Cycladic architecture in the villages built on the edges of huge cliffs, whitewashed exteriors with blue accents that deflect the sun and the whiteness created by a limewash act as a natural disinfectant.
2. Beaches
If you love chasing beaches, as I do, the black and red beaches of Santorini are spectacular!
3. Historical Sites
Minoan Akrotiri, is the most important ancient site to visit, which is a town that was totally covered by volcanic ash in 1,500 BC included in your viewing are museums and churches that will enthral the historical lover.
Mykonos Island
Mykonos is the island you should go to if visiting the Greek Islands for the first time.
Delightful restaurants, beaches and so many luxurious hotels such as the Mykonos Riviera Hotel & Spa, which is a smaller luxury hotel. Make sure when you book your hotel, you are booking a hotel that suits your lifestyle.
If you do not appreciate major vivid nightlife and raucous youngsters, understanding the hotel’s location and the audience will add to the pleasure of your vacation. Some of the beaches such as Paradise and Super Paradise will thump music throughout the night.
Milos Island – not as touristy
Milos Island has one of the most gorgeous beaches but is not as touristy as Mykonos and Santorini. You are able to get some time out, especially if you love to chase beaches all over the world. The volcanic landscape is something to behold!
Award for Best Island
According to “Travel & Leisure”2021, Milos was awarded the best island in the world. You must visit Adamas, a divine village in Milos, soaking in history, architecture and museums, including the church of Agia Triada and Agios Charalampos. I just love the eateries, overlooking the turquoise waters, thereafter hiking around and exploring to engulf the pleasures of the island.
Quieter Islands to Visit
Tinos, Kasos Island, Skinari Beach Ithaca, Skopelos (where “Mamma Mia” was filmed) and Halki Island (the island of Peace and Friendship) are the quieter islands, which I personally value, incorporating villages that are more traditional but have a beyond personal appeal and service resulting in the feeling that you are understanding the true culture of the inhabitants.
Pleasures of Quieter Islands
Marble crafts, Greek cuisine, quieter beaches with turquoise waters tidiness and cleanliness, divine walks that are magnificent but you do not feel as if you are being run over, including divine hotels that are affordable, with luxury service and more lounge nightlife.
2. Philosophy
Greece is known as the birthplace of philosophy which influenced thought and shaped philosophy in the Western world.
Philosophy is “the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline.” – dictionary of Oxford languages.
| Thales Of Miletus | was the first Greek philosopher, who concentrated on scientific thought, though that didn’t have the influence of the gods. He is regarded as the father of science. Born around 624 BC. Famous quote by Thales “Nothing is more active than thought, for it travels over the universe, and nothing is stronger than a necessity for all must submit to it.” “Time is the wisest of all things that are; for it brings everything to light.” |
| Pythagoras | believed mathematics offered a harmonious and rational way of explaining the workings of the cosmos. Born around 570 BC. He discovered the complex relationships between numbers in the form of proportions and ratios. His study of geometry still influences architecture and mathematics today. A famous quote by Pythagoras “most men and women, by birth or nature, lack the means to advance in wealth or power, but all have the ability to advance in knowledge.” |
| Protagoras | his doctrines can be divided into 3 things. 1. the study of the correct use of words 2. the notion that knowledge is relative to the knower 3. the claim that we cannot know anything about the gods. Born around 490 BC. The most famous quote defining: Man is the measure of all things. “Of all things the measure is Man, of the things that are, that they are, and of the things that are not, that they are not” |
| Socrates | argued that good and evil were absolute and that only through pursuing knowledge can we learn the difference. He believed that ignorance was the ultimate evil. Born around 469 BC. One of his most famous quotes: “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” |
| Plato | real things (Forms) don’t change, and restricted change to the realm of appearances—the physical world. Plato’s most famous philosophy was the Theory of Change. Born in 427 BC. A super famous quote; “Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” |
| Aristotle | unlike Plato, he believed the world was made up of individuals (substances) occurring in fixed natural kinds (species). Biology was the backbone of philosophy. His main ideas help one to flourish. Born in 384 BC. He gave lessons to Alexandra the Great and two future kings Ptolemy and Cassander. One of his most famous quotes: “Those who educate children well are more to be honoured than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well.” |
| Epicurus | started the school of Philosophy called The Garden. He believed the ultimate goal in life was to achieve “ataraxia,” which is tranquillity. An ethical philosopher. He saw pleasure as the ultimate example of good, while the pain was the leading example of evil. Born in 341 BC. A famous quote: “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” |
| Diogenes | was the founder of the Cynic School. His methods were very different from other philosophers. He believed we should live according to our natural animal state. Born in 412 BC. He was best known for holding a lantern (or candle) to the faces of the citizens of Athens claiming he was searching for an honest man. His motto was: “Time is the most valuable thing that a man can spend.” |
| Zeno Of Citium | believed you need to accept what is not under your control. We can then dedicate our attention to things that we do have control over. He was the first of the Stoic Greek Philosophers. Born in 334 BC. A famous quote: “Man conquers the world by conquering himself.” |
3. Medicine
Hippocrates, also known as Hippocrates II, was born in 460 BC and is traditionally regarded as the father of medicine. He was the first physician that did not believe that illness was sent by the gods to punish us, but a condition caused by other physical illness-creating elements, such as a bad diet, or lack of exercise.
Have you heard of the Hippocratic Oath, which is still used today? This came from Hippocrates and set the foundation for a physician’s ethics and practices.
4. Democracy – “the people rule”
Democracy originated in Greece in the middle of the 5th century BCE, where likewise all voting took place by men, not women, furthermore, trial by a jury also originated at that time. Cleisthenes of Athens, a statesman was regarded as the founder of Athenian democracy, correspondingly he was the chief magistrate of that time.
5. The Olympic Games
Renowned Olympic Games were born in Athens and held as early as 776 BC, equally the term “Olympiad” was used in the time frame between the games, which is every 4 years between August 6 and September 19, during a religious festival honouring Zeus. They were revived in the 19-century and still continue today.
| First Olympian Champian The first Olympian champion was a cook named Coroebus. He won the first 192 m “stades” (192-meter footrace). | Founder of the Games As the legend goes Hercules and the mortal woman Alcmene, founded the games. The Athens Marathon, known as the king of running races also finishes at the Panathenaic Stadium. |
6. The Greek Pantheon – Olympians 12 great gods
The Greek Pantheon was ruled by 12 great gods known as the Olympians in the light of these gods commanded worship from all their subjects. Each god had a specific function, for example, Athena was the goddess of wisdom and virtuous war.
Names of Different Gods
Names of the gods are Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athene, Hephaistos, Ares, Aphrodite, Apollon, Artemis, Hermes and Dionysos, by the same token I am sure you have heard of some of these mythological gods. The Olympian is one of the most famous and influential mythologies in the world.
7. Cartography – Map Making
Anaximander, a Greek philosopher, drew a map of the then-known world, equally important he also discussed the causes of meteorological phenomena, such as wind, lightning and rain.
8. Alexander the Great – king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon
Alexander the Great’s, military strategies and manoeuvres are still studied in military academies today, similarily he had his first victory at the age of 18 and in 15 years of subjugation and he never lost a battle.
Alexander’s Horse
His horse Bucephalus, was his partner in battle and even though the grooms could groom him, this magnificent black horse with a star on his forehead, was only ridden by Alexander himself and even named a city he conquered after his horse. From the age of 13, he studied under Aristotle and afterwards sort out Diogenes the Cynic. In 323 B.C, he died mysteriously at the age of 32.
9. Theatre and Music
Open-air Theatres
Most of the ancient open-air theatres in Greece were built in Athens on a mountain slope, additionally, these structures can still be seen today. To discover all the theatres in Greece, a good read is the UNESCO site Ancient Greek Theatres.
Music as an Art
In ancient Greece, the art of music was a gift of the gods to men, for this reason, all aspects of their lives revolved around music, from weddings, funerals, births, relaxation, warfare, competition and religion. From a very young age, children were educated in music and as a consequence, music still plays a very important part in their lives, including dances.
12 Freaky Facts of Do’s and Don’ts while in Greece
- Don’t do a ‘moutza’. Very insulting to the Greeks and could get you thrown in jail. This is when you thrust your palm on your hand outwards. Giving them the “moutza” shows them that they are inferior, vilification and scornful. Very insulting to the Greeks.
- Don’t take pictures of anything to do with the military. This is illegal. You could be regarded as a spy!
- If you see a zebra crossing, pretend it is not there as crossing over will not be taken seriously by the drivers.
- The OK hand sign can be regarded as vulgar, and you will be telling the recipient they are homosexual.
- A thumbs-up is great in the West, but in Greece, it is equivalent to giving someone the middle finger.
- Holding up the little finger and index finger together, you are telling the Greek that their spouse is cheating on them
- If you are grateful for something, signal “yes” first, then hold your hand over your heart.
- Beckoning someone to join you, extend your arms with your palms facing downwards, then open and close your fists with your fingers moving up and down.
- Don’t eat or drink on the metro! They do not appreciate mess and crumbs!
- Throwing paper in the toilets is a no-no. The sewage systems cannot take it.
- Drink bottled water and don’t drink from the tap.
- When visiting churches or monasteries, don’t underdress. This is frowned upon.
Best Cities on Greek Mainland to Visit
| Why do people flock to Greece, the conclusion being beautiful weather, and implausible beaches, to explore the history and eat the cuisine? Although the capital and other larger cities will give you the desire to soak up the history, the smaller cities, towns and villages should not be missed, because there are so many different cities and towns and a detailed description of each can be found on Best Greek Mainland Destinations. I will mention only a few I recommend. |
Athens – the capital of Greece
Athens is the oldest city in the whole of Europe so you can only imagine what history has built up over the last 3400 years. Put on your good walking shoes and relish ancient antiquity and narration.
As Athens is the transportation hub to the Greek Islands, spending at least 3 days as a true tourist is a must. View the Acropolis Museum, Archaeological Museum, Temple of Poseidon, Acropolis, and Plaka area.
Thessaloniki
Although Thessaloniki is the second-largest city, personally it does enthrall me, but traveling by bus or train from Athens to the city, is enchanting and it gives you a chance to appreciate the scenery. (This is my subjective opinion). Others whom I have spoken to loved it! If you are interested in Byzantine history, this is the place to visit, especially the Byzantine castle that peers out over the city.
Nafpaktos
Nafpaktos is virtually untouched by tourists. The old port is the center of this town and restaurants, traditional bars, shops, and cafes are in close proximity with lighting mystifying the old harbor and suspension bridge at night.
Things to Do and See
The Venetian Castle which has been well-preserved stares down in pride at the town below, alongside Psani Beach and Gribovo Beach are two well-worth beaches to visit and are divided by the port.
Worthwhile Hotels
Hotels that match the size of the town, but are perfect for a personal feel can be examined at booking.com. Which one do you prefer, especially the Ilion Hotel which is positioned inside the Venetian Castle with spectacular views?
Kalavryta
Kalavryta is a town in contrast to what you will be visiting in Greece. A breathtaking, mountainous winter destination incorporating a ski center on the slopes of Mount Helmos, for the skiing enthusiast.
Gorge of Vouraikos
The Gorge of Vouraikos, which is part of Chelmos-Vouraikos National Park, is hikers‘ and waterfall lovers’ dream utopia with the intention to explore awe-inspiring forests and caves and if a birder, relish in the hundreds of different species of birds. This secret destination is a must when visiting Greece, which can be visited by taking the Rack Railway.
A Town of Historical Importance
Kalavryta has great historical importance, as one of the cruelest massacres took in Kalavryta during World War II as everything and all males were destroyed by the Germans except a school building, which housed the women and children and resulted in today, being a museum.
Impressive Bridges in Greece
If you delight in pursuing bridges whenever you visit a new country, the bridges in Greece are pretty impressive, incorporating modern and ancient! Bridges tell you a great deal about a country and like Greece, if it is mountainous, you will find many bridges. Tripadvisor even advises you on which bridges you should visit.
Ancient Greek Deities and their Temples
Greek mythology and the foundation of gods and goddesses can be visited in Greece, by visiting the temples that were erected so the human race could come into contact with the celestial gods.
Temples were erected in magnificence and reverence, so they could last forever, and illustrated and depicted in art and sculptures which can be viewed in museums all over Greece.
Read through the Temples of the Greek Gods and decide which gods you would like to visit. A super book to ponder over prior to visiting Greece is Greek Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook.
What Traditional Greek Foods should you Attempt?
“To eat and drink without a friend is to devour like the lion and the wolf” – Epicurus
Eating and socializing in unison is very important to the Greeks, encompassing a diet is primarily Meditteranean, resulting in healthy bodies. Philosophically they believe a healthy body and heart help create a healthy mind, but they do not neglect the flavour and are known to have some of the tastiest dishes in the world!
1. Olive oil and olives
Olives are fruit, stem way back in ancient Greece and it is said that the whole of Greek civilization was established upon the branches of this humble tree. Olive wood in ancient times was used to make tools and used for architecture, and another key point was also used for the cure of more than 60 different ailments such as stomach aches, ear problems and skin conditions.
2. Feta cheese
Feta is the famous Greek cheese and when you eat it in Greece you eat the true Greek feta! It is stored in barrels of brine for two months before it goes out to supermarkets, with the best recipe being the most delicious pudding of feta cheese and honey.
3. Ouzo
Ouzo is a clear, high-alcoholic drink that is normally accompanied by mezedes, which are small dishes, bite-size. There are many different types of ouzo, depending on the area you are visiting spiced with herbs during its distillation.
4. Souvlaki
Souvlaki means “small spit” and is so very tasty. It is meat, such as pork, lamb, chicken, or beef, roasted over a fire in small pits that can be served as skewers or in a pita wrap with a selection of different vegetables, salads, and condiments, and a healthy meal that is divine. A larger spit does a “gyro” which is meat wrapped around and sliced off as needed.
5. Tzatziki
Tzatziki is a simple dip, made with Greek yoghurt, fresh herbs (usually mint or dill) drained cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and salt and served chilled and refreshing as a sauce, dip or spread.
6. Moussaka
A rich tomato meat sauce layered with eggplant topped with a thick layer of béchamel sauce. Potatoes can be used in place of eggplant, incidentally, in Greece, you will taste different versions of this appetizing dish.
7. Greek Salad
The correct name is Choriatiki salad surely eaten in every restaurant either as an appetizer or side salad. It comprises lettuce, cucumber, tomato, olives and of course feta cheese.
It’s all Greek to me!
There are so many other delectable Greek dishes that you will become so totally hooked on. What I love to do before going to visit a new country, is try a few of the recipes at home first most certainly I am by no means an excellent chef at all, but by cooking them you learn a new appreciation and have some fun too. Try these easy recipes. You can purchase this book from Amazon.
You love Greece I am sure, so plan your trip and let us know how it goes. You can send messages in the comments section and others will know what to experience too.
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