Greece is commonly referred to as the cradle of Western civilization. The sheer number of ancient and famous Greek landmarks, and natural landmarks in Greece are too many to cover in a trip. These are spread all over Greece mainland and some are located across Greek islands. We were fortunate to visit many of the famous Greek landmarks during our 2-week Greece trip.
This post covers 25 Greek landmarks, most are ancient landmarks, and a few natural landmarks.
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Famous Greek Landmarks
Greek Landmarks in Athens
Athens is one of the oldest living cities in the world, so it is bound to have several famous Greek landmarks.
Acropolis, Athens
Acropolis of Athens is the most famous landmark in all of Greece. The Acropolis is a striking ancient Greek monumental complex still existing in our times. Settlements at the site of the Acropolis of Athens can be traced back to the 4th Century BCE. Even if you are visiting Athens for one day, Acropolis is a must-visit attraction.
Acropolis site has many monuments to visit, the most famous of them being the Parthenon. The Parthenon was a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. There is another temple dedicated to the goddess Athena Nike, the bringer of success in battle. On the southwest slope of the Acropolis lies an open-air theatre, known as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
It is best to book tickets online to this popular attraction, this is especially true for spring and summer months where crowds are more. Or take a guided tour where you get much more historical and cultural information.
The Ancient Agora, Athens
The Ancient Agora is an impressive site at the foothill of the Acropolis site. In Ancient Greece, this used to be the center of the city of Athens and served as a gathering place for the city folks. The Agora was established in the 6th century BCE and grew over a period of several centuries. The administration of the city was also located here. It housed shops, temples, the Bouleuterion, where the 500-member city council sat.
The Temple of Hephaistos is one of the oldest buildings on the Ancient Agora that has remained almost intact. And what was interesting to see also was the remains of the Panathenaic Way. The road started in Kerameikos in Ancient Greece, went through the Ancient Agora and ended at the Acropolis site.
If you are spending 2-3 days in Athens, it is best to book a combo ticket for Acropolis and 6 other sites in Athens. The pricing for the combo ticket is good. The updated combo ticket covers entry to Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Panathenaic Stadium.
Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens
The Olympieion or the Temple of Olympian Zeus was the largest temple in Athens. It was dedicated to the god Zeus. The temple, built in the second quarter of the 5th century BC, was the model of the classical Greek temple of the Doric order.
The Temple suffered damage over time due to both neglect and natural disasters. While only 16 of the original 104 columns of the temple are still standing, this ancient Greek landmark is one of the most common associated with Athens. This site takes about an hour to explore. To the north of Zeus Temple site stands Hadrian’s Arch, which was once the main gate of the city.
Ancient Greek landmarks on the mainland
Delphi
The ancient Greeks considered the centre of the world to be in Delphi. This place in the 6th century B.C. was the religious centre and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world. The site blends beautifully with the hilly landscape around it. It is one of the most important UNESCO World Heritage sites in Greece after the Athens Acropolis.
This was an ancient religious sanctuary dedicated to the Greek God Apollo. The sanctuary was home to the Oracle of Delphi and the priestess Pythia, who was famed throughout the ancient world for divining the future.
You can discover the wonders of Delphi on a guided tour from Athens where transfer is arranged to and from Athens. Or you can rent a car and drive down to Delphi. Either buy just the Delphi entry tickets (entry to Museum included) or opt to take a 1.5 hr guided tour there. This is what we did on our Greece mainland itinerary, drove from Athens to explore Delphi and then moved onto Meteora.
Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion
This enigmatic temple has stood watching out over the sea for nearly 2500 years, and was an important sanctuary dedicated to Poseidon in Ancient Greece. It is one of the most popular day trips from Athens.
The Temple of Sounion is an ancient Greek landmark and a temple dedicated to the God Poseidon. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the “master of the sea”. This Temple is open daily, all year round except for major public holidays, from 9:30 am until sunset. The last admission is 20 minutes before sunset. En route to this temple, you can make a stop at the ancient Theatre of Thorikos, the oldest preserved theatre in the world. Admire the surrounding views of the area, including the historic ancient silver mines of the region.
You can rent a car in Athens and reach Sounion in an hour. If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can take a KTEL Bus or a subway to Sounion. Or book a day tour from Athens.
Epidaurus Archeological site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Epidaurus is a popular spot that offers visitors the chance to explore its rich history, architecture, and natural beauty. Epidaurus Theatre is the best preserved one in all of Greece. If you climb up to the top, you can still hear the person below (talking in normal tone) clearly. The ancient Greeks definitely knew a lot about sound waves!
But there is much more to see beyond the famous theatre. The site of Epidaurus is very big, built around the Sanctuary of Medicine God Asklepios. According to ancient Greek mythology, Epidaurus was the birthplace of Asklepios, the healing god, and son of Apollo. You can rent a car and drive to this area by yourself or consider a day tour from Athens. A day tour to Peloponnese region usually covers Epidaurus, Mycenae, Cornith Canal, and Nafplio.
Archeological site of Mycenae
Mycenae, considered to be the greatest and richest kingdom of the later Bronze Age around 1350 B.C. Much before Ancient Greeks consolidated their power at Athens, the Mycenaeans were a great empire that ruled the region. And between 16th and 12th century BC, their civilisation spread to all known areas in the Mediterranean region.
We walked around the archaeological park, passed through the great Lionesses Gate, explored the King’s Agamemnon Tomb as well as the Tomb of Clytemnestra. Our day tour to Peloponnese region covered the archeological sites of covers Epidaurus, Mycenae, a quick stop at Cornith Canal, and lunch at Nafplio.
Cornith Canal
The Corinth Canal is an artificial canal in Greece that connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland. This canal has created an international maritime hub that transformed navigation in southern Europe. Construction of the modern Corinth Canal was started in 1882 and completed by 1893. The canal is 6.4 km long (4 miles).
For any traveler to Peloponnese, I’d say stopping at the Corinth canal is a must. It is the only bigger canal in the world you can visit so easily and free. Our day tour to Peloponnese region covered the archeological sites of covers Epidaurus, Mycenae, a quick stop at Cornith Canal, and lunch at Nafplio.
Archeological site of Olympia
Olympia is a small town in Elis on the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece. The site was a major Panhellenic religious sanctuary of ancient Greece. The Olympic Games took place here every four years from 776 BC to 393 AD. The site was also a place of worship dedicated to the Greek god Zeus from about the 10th century BC. In addition to temples, there are the remains of all the sports structures erected for the Olympic Games.
You can rent a car and drive down to Elis, pre-book your entry ticket to this ancient Greek landmark. Alternative is to take this private day tour from Athens for upto 4 persons.
White Tower, Thessaloniki
The White Tower is known for its historical significance and iconic status in Thessaloniki. It is famous for its rich history as a defensive fortress, garrison, and prison during the Ottoman Empire. The White Tower was built in the 15th century after the fall of Thessaloniki to the Ottomans. At its location there had been an older tower belonging to Thessaloniki’s Byzantine fortifications, where the eastern wall met the sea wall.
Take this day tour to explore the White Tower and go all the way through the historical center of Thessaloniki.
Landmarks on Greek Islands
Knossos Palace, Crete
Knossos is a Bronze Age archaeological site in Crete. The site was a major centre of the Minoan civilization and is known for its association with the Greek myth of Theseus and the minotaur. Knossos Palace stands out in historical records not merely as a royal residence but as a vibrant epicentre for administration, trade, and culture. One of the best places to visit in Crete.
This famous landmark in Greece is a must-visit attraction for your Crete itinerary. It is situated 5 km south of Heraklion. You can book the tickets online and there is a self-guided audio tour as part of that. But I recommend taking a private guided tour to Knossos Palace. We did that and the guide informed us about the Minoan civilisation, the important of Knossos and its impact in ancient Greece. You can also book a guided tour of Knossos Palace along with the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion, with hotel transfers from Chania / Rethymno.
Windmills, Mykonos
The Mykonos windmills are an iconic feature of the Greek island of the Mykonos. Even if you are visiting Mykonos for one day, this attraction near the old town can be easily visited.
These windmills were erected by the Venetians in the 16th century and primarily used for grinding the agricultural products meant to be transported to places outside Mykonos. With the advent of modernity, windmills are no longer operational, but they continue to be a symbol of Mykonos’ past. At one point, 16 of them were erected, and now 7 of them remain in a row. Now they are a famous photo stop!
Do meander around the Chora town and the colourful section within it that is named Little Venice. Little Venice comes alive in the evenings with plenty of trendy bars, cafes and fine dining restaurants.
Delos
Delos is a Greek island and archaeological site in the Aegean Sea’s Cyclades archipelago, near Mykonos. The mythological birthplace of Apollo, it was a major religious center and port during the 1st millennium B.C. The island’s ruins encompass Doric temples, markets, an amphitheater, houses with mosaics and the iconic Terrace of the Lions statues. The Archaeological Museum displays statues excavated from the site.
The easiest way to visit the ruins of Delos is to take a day tour from Mykonos. See sights like the house of Dionysus, the Colossus of the Naxians, and the Temple of Apollo. Step back in time as you stroll through the ruins of a market.
Blue Domes, Santorini
Santorini blue domes are some of the most iconic and instantly recognizable feature that adorn the Aegean Sea. There are several churches with blue domes in the villages of Oia, Fira and Firostefani. However, the Anastasi Church and the Agios Spyridon in Oia boasts one of the most famous blue domes of Santorini. Its bright blue dome contrasts well with pristine white walls and bell towers. This church offers panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and the neighboring Cyclades islands.
Anastasi Church was constructed in 1865 and is dedicated to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Agios Spyridon, which was built in 1867 and boasts a matching blue dome and blue bell tower. The pretty village of Oia is a must-visit on any Santorini itinerary. You can take a private guided tour for the same.
Archeological site of Akrotiri, Santorini
Akrotiri is the site of a Cycladic Bronze Age settlement on the volcanic Greek island of Santorini. The name comes from the nearby village of Akrotiri. This area was engulfed by volcanic ash around 1627 BC during a catastrophic eruption, which served as a natural time capsule that preserved its structures and artefacts quite well.
The extensive ruins of this Bronze Age settlement have been enclosed within a substantial structure. With walkways that enable visitors to walk among the excavated section of the Minoan port town, covered in volcanic ash in the 16th century. One of the best-preserved ancient settlements in the Aegean, the Akrotiri site was inhabited by the Minoans from Crete around 3000 BC. You can explore the archaeological site of Akrotiri on a private guided walking tour.
Grand Master Palace, Rhodes
The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, also known as the Kastello, is a medieval castle in the city of Rhodes. It is one of the few examples of Gothic architecture in Greece. The palace was originally built in the late 7th century as a Byzantine citadel. After the Knights Hospitaller occupied Rhodes and some other Greek islands in 1309, they converted the fortress into their administrative centre and the palace of their Grand Master.
In the apartments of the first floor, you can admire the ancient mosaic floors installed there by the Italians. Apart from the spectacular mosaics, there are also antique columns and capitals, medieval furniture, mirrors and paintings, candelabra and other objects complementing the decoration of the imposing edifice.
You can take this walking tour where you get to see the main highlights of the Rhodes Old City, including the Jewish Quarter, Ippokratous Square, the Street of the Knights, Grand Master Palace, Archeological Museum, and Fortifications of the Palace. If you want to visit the Palace by yourself, you can just pre-book your entry ticket.
Lindos Acropolis, Rhodes
The Acropolis of Lindos is an ancient archaeological site located in the village of Lindos on Rhodes Island. It is known for its rich history, dating back to the 10th century BC, and its stunning views of the surrounding coastline. The history of the Lindos Acropolis begins in the Neolithic period, around 4,000 years ago. The archaeological site includes some of the most important monuments in the ancient city, such as the Temple of Athena Polias, Zeus Polieus and the Temple of Apollo.
The Acropolis of Lindos stands dominantly on a high cliff at 116 m height overlooking the sea, framed by massive castle walls. You can take this round-trip bus tour from Rhodes to explore Lindos.
Corfu Old Town
The roots of the Old Town of Corfu date back to the 8th century BCE. Located at the entrance to the Adriatic Sea, the town was important in view of the defence of the maritime interests of the Republic of Venice against the Ottoman Empire. The Venetian engineers constructed 3 forts in the town. The Old Town buildings are mostly from the Venetian period and from the 19th century.
The UNESCO world heritage site, with its fortresses, palaces, labyrinthine streets, and unique geography, contributes to its distinct charm and makes the old town a focal point for visitors to the island. You can wander through the enchanting lanes of Corfu’s Old Town on this guided walking tour.
Natural Landmarks in Greece
Shipwreck Beach, Zakynthos
Navagio Beach, or Shipwreck Beach, is an exposed cove, sometimes referred to as Smugglers Cove, on the coast of Zakynthos, in the Ionian Islands of Greece. Known for its iconic bright turquoise waters and the gigantic cliffs that surround this magnificent bay, the seashore is renowned. It can be spotted in plenty of postcards and souvenirs of Greece!
The cove is famed for the wreck of MV Panagiotis which ran aground in 1980. Its legendary appearance is enhanced by the rumours that the ship was carrying contraband and was abandoned by the crew during a bad storm to escape the pursuing navy. You can explore the beauty of the Shipwreck beach via this day tour.
Messilani Cave, Kefalonia
Situated just outside Sami, the Cave of Melissani in Kefalonia is one of the significant natural landmarks in Greece. And with good reason, a lake lies inside the cave, with trees and forests surrounding it. Myth has it that the cave was named after the nymph Melissanthi who committed suicide because God Pan did not reciprocate her love.
The cave is B-shaped, with two chambers or halls separated by an island in the center. The first chamber is sun-lit while the second is dark and has many stalactites covered with algae and moss. The depth of the lake is 20 to 30 meters. When the sun is right overhead at noon, the sunlight hitting the turquoise-blue waters creates a magical illusion and the whole Cave of Melissani suddenly feels lit with blue light. You can take this tour from Argostoli to Melissani Lake and the pristine Myrtos Beach.
Meteora
Meteora literally translates to ‘suspended’. And if you visit the surreal landscape of this area, you can understand why. This was the most enchanting mountainous landscape that featured on our Greece Itinerary. Meteora is also a haven for adventure lovers. You can find hiking trails all over this landscape for all difficulties. Plus there is rock climbing for both beginners and pros, and cycling.
On top of these monoliths, with immense difficulty, monks with the help of local population built about 24 monasteries and hermitages in the 14th and 15th century. There were priests living in most of them, a couple were built for nuns. 6 of these monasteries are active today. Others have been destroyed or abandoned.
Hiking is the most popular activity in Meteora and there are trails here for all age levels and difficulty. We did an easy hiking tour on our trip to Meteora.
Mount Olympus, Thessaly
Mount Olympus is an extensive massif near the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea, located on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia. This mountain range has 52 peaks and deep gorges. In Greek mythology, Mount Olympus was regarded as the abode of the gods and the site of the throne of Zeus. The name Olympus was used for several other mountains as well as hills, villages, and mythical personages in Greece and Asia Minor.
In modern times, Mount Olympus stands as a symbol of Greece’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and outdoor recreation. Tourists flock to the region to explore its pristine landscapes, hike its rugged trails, and immerse themselves in its rich history and mythology.
You can take this day tour from Thessaloniki to trek through Mount Olympus national park, explore ancient Dion, and swim at Agia Kori’s stream.
Samaria Gorge, Crete
Samaria National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the White Mountains of Crete. The Samaria Gorge is the acknowledged natural site and symbol of the island of Crete. It holds a unique and distinguished position in Cretan, Greek and Mediterranean history. The Length of the gorge is about 13 kilometers long. It width varies, from 150 meters at its widest point, to 3 meters at its narrowest.
Samaria Gorge Passes through forests of cypresses and pines, between vertical cliffs, and past the deserted village of Samaria. The path of the Samaria Gorge from the north to the south entrance is 13 km long. Samaria Gorge hike is one of the fantastic hikes in Greece. The logistics of managing the Samaria Gorge hike by myself were too complicated and I had booked a tour for this fantastic hike.
You set out from Xyloskalo, on the edge of the Omalos Plateau, cross the Cretan countryside vertically, and end up at the village of Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea. The Samaria Gorge has already been subject to National Park protection status for 50 years. Since its designation as a National park in 1962, people from all over the world have crossed the Gorge.
Petrified Forest, Lesvos
The Petrified Forest of Lesvos is one of most important natural heritage monuments in the world. The forest was formed from the fossilized remains of plants and trees, which can be found in many localities on the western part of Lesvos Island. The forest consists of hundreds of fossilized trunks, standing or downed, which are scattered over an area of 15,000 hectares. To protect and promote the wonders of this ancient forest, the Greek state declared the area a Protected Natural Monument in 1985.
You can get more information on tickets and tours at Lesvos Geopark.
Lake Orestiada, Kastoria
Lake Orestiada or Lake of Kastoria is a lake in the Kastoria regional unit of Macedonia, northwestern Greece. It spreads out in a natural basin, surrounded by mountains and is the remnant of a huge ancient Miocene lake that reached an area of 164 square kilometres and at a depth of 50 meters.
Around the lake are reedbeds, shrubs, agricultural areas and riparian forest, contributing to its rich avifauna. Some of the birds use the lake as an intermediate stop during the migration period, while others stay all year. You can take a day tour from Thessaloniki to enjoy the cities of Kastoria and Siatista. I you are already in Kastoria, you can bike, or kayak around its beautiful lake.
Planning a trip to Greece? Check out –
Itinerary Suggestions: Greece 2 week Itinerary, Greece mainland itinerary, Greece with kids: A 10-day Itinerary
Greece mainland places: Athens in 3 days, Athens Day Trips, Complete Guide to Meteora
Greek islands: Crete Greece Itinerary, 3 days in Santorini, One day in Mykonos, Beautiful Greek islands for a family holiday, Santorini vs Crete, Santorini vs Mykonos
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Man, what a list! Definitely sounds like we need to go back. That amphitheater looks amazing.
The landmarks and ancient ruins are too many to be covered in one trip.
My sister recently visited the Chora Town, and she could not stop sending me photos from there. It reminded me of Hoi An a lot.
As much as Chora is lovely, the sheer number of ancient ruins all over Greek islands and the mainland is incredible.
What a great list! So many beautiful architectural landmarks. I’ve only been to the White Tower and the veiw from there is spectacular.
Sorry if I commented twice but I really enjoyed this article. Ive been to several of these and never heard of the canal! I still hope to visit Meteora and Corfu.
You will love the landscape and the monasteries of Meteora.
I visited the Cave of Melissani in Kefalonia in the spring. It was a fascinating natural Greek landmark. I couldn’t believe how there was a lake inside this dark cave!
Lucky you!
Fascinating! I love Greece. Have visited many of the landmarks you mention on the mainland but would like to see more of those on the islands. I did visit the Temple of Aphaia on Aegina, which was lovely. Maybe you can add it to your list for next time!
Aegina is on my ls, both for the ancient monuments ad for natural beauty.
Greece is a wonderful country. It has many natural and man-made wonders to visit. I am lucky I have visited many of them like yourself.