Greece Things to Do

If you’re looking for some uninterrupted time with your sweetheart, soaking up the beauty of the Greek Isles without the hassle of crowds, salespeople, and traffic, an uninhabited or partially uninhabited island is great way to go. Of the more than 6,000 Greek islands in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, only a few hundred are actually inhabited.

If you’re in the mood for wine while traveling through the Hellenic Republic, has no fear, you are not fated to sip retsina for the entirety of your journey. While a trip to Greece wouldn’t be complete without a glass of the aforementioned 2,000-year-old wine, your options extend beyond its resinous flavor (and terrible hangovers).

A good place to begin your search for the true flavor of Greek wine is the annual Dionysia Festival that takes place…

Simultaneously one of the most intimidating and rewarding destinations in all of the Mediterranean, Athens is one place where it really pays for tourists to do a little advance research (particularly if your visit is going to be a brief one). Wander into the City of the Violet Crown (or City of Angry Greeks, as it is known by others) without plotting your course ahead of time, and you’re likely to end up overheated, worn out, ticked off, and light in the wallet. Happily, the number of opportunities for rewarding sightseeing and exposure to history, culture, and entertainment is staggeringly numerous.

One of the absolutely spectacular adventures in pursuing Greece’s vast and historical landmarks, the monasteries atop the rock-towers of Meteora is sure to impress. Located in Thessaly in central Greece, a hike to the top of the rock-towers gets you to some of the most important Orthodox structures in the country, the 24 monasteries of the Meteora.

Paros is an island for all seasons and all tastes, being authentic, traditional and intact in most of its parts. Being a typical Cycladian island, it gets very dry in summer, so for lovers of botany it is ideal to go in spring or autumn time (March, April, May or October, November). But for lovers of crystal, clear, blue waters and sunny virgin beaches, June and July are ideal. August is THE vacation month of the Greeks, so it gets very busy. No matter when you go you should try out these four great itineraries.

Sure, Athens is home to the Acropolis and many other exciting and significant sites and attractions, but let’s be honest: It’s hot (particularly during the high season), it’s dirty, and it’s expensive. I typically advise first time visitors to Greece to hit the Acropolis (at least once), and then hurry to other more enjoyable destinations on the mainland, or, even better, for Piraeus, and the many magnificent islands and island chains beyond.