We often think about how lucky we are to live in a country full of unique archaeological sites! In every corner of Greece, no matter where you live, there is a fascinating ancient monument within walking distance. There you can gain a clear picture of the past, admire buildings that were built many thousands of years ago and experience the history of our country dialectically.
You will definitely feel awe, emotion and pride for our ancestors. You will also remember the recent past, when you were a little child and visited similar places with your parents. You may have been bored at times, but now you appreciate and reminisce about those moments!
There are undoubtedly many such places in our country, scattered all over the country. We visited the most important ones, in our opinion, and present them to you in this article.
1. Acropolis of Athens
What can one say about one of the most famous monuments in the world! The sacred rock of the Acropolis and the monuments located there constitute an offering of the ancient Greeks to humanity. The Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena, the sanctuary of Asclepius, the theater of Dionysus bring the Golden Age of Pericles to life before your eyes!
Combine it with a visit to the Acropolis Museum, which is now ranked on the list of the best museums in the world!
2. Delphi
The navel of the Earth with the most important oracle of ancient times! Legend has it that Zeus released two eagles, one to the West and one to the East, and they met at Delphi. The archaeological site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There you will see the Temple of Apollo, the Ancient Theater of Delphi, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Sacred Way, the Dome of Athena Pronaia, etc.
After wandering around the archaeological site, don't forget to visit the Archaeological Museum of Delphi. This is one of the most important museums in Greece, where a multitude of exceptional architectural sculptures, statues and works are exhibited, most notably the Sphinx, the statues of Cleovis and Vitton, the Daughters of Ionia and of course the Iniochos.
Combine it with a walk in Galaxidi and Amfissa.
3. Minoan Palace of Knossos
It is located a short distance from Heraklion and is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. The palace fascinates and impresses with its imposing volume and the floors it had in antiquity. Myths related to King Minos, the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, the abduction of Europa, Icarus and Daedalus are associated with the area! The Minoan civilization shone for many centuries here.
Combine it with a tour of the prefecture Heraklion.
4. Dodona
In Epirus, there is another important archaeological site that you should visit, that of ancient Dodona. In addition to the well-known ancient theater, parts of the oracle, the stadium, the acropolis, the walls, five temples, etc. are still preserved. The site is imposing and the route you will follow is full of inscriptions, which provide a lot of historical information and explain the findings there.
Combine it with a trip to Parga and the Sivota.
5. Mycenae
Half an hour from Nafplio lies the “Golden Mycenae” as mentioned by Homer, the mythical kingdom of Agamemnon, inhabited since 2500 BC! It is essential to visit at least once in your life one of the most brilliant centers of Greek prehistory and admire the Cyclopean walls, the Lion Gate, the vaulted tombs of Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, the Treasury of Atreus, the burial circle, the Mycenaean Palace and the particularly important archaeological museum. The history of Mycenae will captivate you!
6. Epidaurus
The archaeological site may be known for its world-famous ancient theater, but in the past there was something much greater here! The Asclepius. The most important therapeutic center of the entire Greek and Roman world… The area undoubtedly has an energy that may be due to the excellent microclimate, the flora, but also to the thermal waters that existed in the past. When you walk through the archaeological site, you will feel an incredible calm and serenity. The Tholos, the Guesthouse, the Restaurant, the Stadium, the Baths, the Avaton, the Asclepius are just some of the monuments you must see.
Combine it with a stay in the beautiful Nafplio.
7. Prehistoric settlement at Akrotiri, Santorini
There, the “Pompeii of the Aegean” and a civilization that was lost to the fury of nature will be revealed before you. The Minoan eruption (the second largest ever recorded) covered the city and the entire island with volcanic ash, protecting the buildings and their contents. You will encounter four-story buildings, beds, amphorae and even cooking utensils. The space will captivate you!
See here everything worth doing in Santorini.
8. Dion
It was the sacred city of the Macedonians with Philip and Alexander the Great celebrating their victories here with games in honor of Olympian Zeus and the Muses. At the archaeological site of Dion you will find perhaps the most beautiful archaeological park in the country with two ancient theaters, temples, baths, villas, paved streets, mosaics, etc. The area is idyllic amidst towering trees, streams with ducks, butterflies and dragonflies dancing around you. You will need quite a bit of time to tour it but you will be compensated. You will not forget to visit the archaeological museum located nearby where you will also see the largest ancient mosaic in Greece and the one-of-a-kind musical aerophone instrument!
Combine it with a tour of the Pieria.
9. Vergina
It is located on the site of Aigai, which was the capital of ancient Macedonia, and became world famous in 1977, when excavations revealed the burial places of the Macedonian kings. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the most important find being the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great! The museum houses a large number of offerings, many of which are made of gold, such as the famous urn with the cremated bones of Philip II, which bears the sixteen-pointed sun (or star), symbol of the Macedonian dynasty, as well as wreaths made of oak leaves and fruits.
10. Delos
“This is not an island; it is the sun itself, half submerged in the waters of the sea!” wrote M. Karagatsis. Delos is an open-air museum that you should not neglect to visit! In antiquity, it was one of the most important religious centers as light was born there, that is, Apollo-Helios, the god of light! It is worth climbing to the highest hill of the island and admiring the view of the surrounding islands.
Combine it with a few days of carefree relaxation in Mykonos.
11. Olympia
The place where the Olympic Games were born! The place where the gold and ivory statue of Zeus was located, a work by Phidias that went down in history as one of the seven wonders of the world. You will feel a shiver run through you when you pass the entrance of the stadium, while the complex of buildings that has survived reveals how important the place was for the ancient Greeks. A visit to the Olympia Museum is also essential, which has very important exhibits such as the Hermes of Praxiteles, the Victory of Paeonios, Zeus with Ganymede, the helmet of Miltiades, etc.
12. Sounio
It is definitely one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world! Monuments built with such a view and next to the sea are perhaps counted on the fingers. The temple of Poseidon fascinates you and the energy of the place captivates you. After Santorini, many claim that here you will see one of the most beautiful sunsets.
How many of these archaeological sites have you visited?
