Cities to Visit for History (& Delicious Eats) in Greece!
Things to Eat Anywhere:
Greek Salad, Moussaka, Souvlaki, Dolamas, Gyro, Tzatziki, Lokmas, and of course a few more items!
The key to eating well in each new city is asking locals for recommendations. They’ll tell you the one thing you must try there (i.e. a specific Baklava or special Greek cheese native to that region).
Athens
Of course, any trip to Greece would not be complete without a day or two in Athens! You have to check out the Acropolis, and its’ accompanying museum.
#protipBudget an entire morning for this, it is well worth it! Be sure to also stop by the National Archaeological Museum to see the treasures of Greece and Stygmata Square to see the changing of the guard on the hour. The Olympic Stadium is another must visit, but I recommend walking by and taking pictures outside. Unless you have a passion for the Olympics, it is not worth the money to walk inside as you can see most of it from the outside.
Budget an entire morning for this, it is well worth it! Be sure to also stop by the National Archaeological Museum to see the treasures of Greece and Stygmata Square to see the changing of the guard on the hour. The Olympic Stadium is another must visit, but I recommend walking by and taking pictures outside. Unless you have a passion for the Olympics, it is not worth the money to walk inside as you can see most of it from the outside.
For food in Athens, be sure to try the Greek classics listed above. Each restaurant has a specialty and be sure to find restaurants off the main street that still appear busy – those are usually the best places to sit and enjoy a meal.
Delphi
Delphi is not a hotspot for food, but the museum and archeological site make it well worth the visit. The incredible views from the temple along the cliffs alone make the trip worth it. #protip Climb all the way up to the stadium, it is very cool and provides a stunning overlook on the way up. Be sure to spend a few hours here before venturing into one of the nearby towns for a late lunch!
Arachova
This is one of my favorite villages in Greece. It is a ski village with beautiful views, churches to explore, and unique boutique finds. Only a few minutes from Delphi, it makes the perfect stop on your trip. A few hours is plenty, but be sure to stop in a local restaurant, trying their local cheeses. They have some incredible offerings at the smaller restaurants towards the top of the hill the town is set on.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki has a special place in my heart as it is where I spent a semester studying abroad. The city has so many delicious offerings, but my favorite is the Thessaloniki triangle. Linked is an article that features my favorite spot to get a Trigano of Panorama, or Thessaloniki Triangles.
Beyond just enjoying the food, Thessaloniki has so many incredible places to explore. You have to begin on the boardwalk where the center of attention is the White Tower. #protip If you get the opportunity to enter it, go up the tower as it provides not only panoramic views at the top, but a history of the city in a museum that spans the levels of the tower. The Upper City, Ani Poli, provides incredible sunset views and the old historic wall. Finding a restaurant that provides those sunset views while eating dinner in the upper city is an experience that you cannot leave Thessaloniki without. There are also a number of incredible churches, museums, and monuments to check out such as the Arch of Galerius during your visit. Check out this website under exploring the city to get a walking map customized to your interests.
Vergina
Again, while this may not be somewhere you head for the best food, Vergina houses world class history. It is the gravesite of Phillip II, Alexander the Great’s father. With it being only a short drive from Thessaloniki, Vergina makes the perfect half day exurcision to see such incredible history in action.
Meteora
When visiting the monasteries at Meteora, it quickly topped the list of places I have traveled. The stunning views mixed with the history of the monasteries were an unforgettable combination. Some of the monasteries are still functioning with gift shops run by those who still live there. The chapels are covered in color, and while they do not allow pictures, it is something I will never forget. #protip Wear a skirt! You will be forced to wear a wrap if you do not wear a skirt as a women or long pants as a gentleman.
Kerkini Lake
Have you ever seen a wild flamingo? Neither had I until I had the experience to explore Kerkini Lake. If you get the chance book a tour of the lake, you should. It has some of the most diverse wildlife in the Balkans.
Santorini
The key to exploring Santorini is knowing that the island has many parts. Oía is on one end of the island, and it is home to the classic picturesque blue dome picture you find on Instagram everywhere. #protip It is easiest to get a picture after the sun goes down. Fira is the city on the other end of the island. It is much busier and is home to stairs with donkeys that live in every tourists imagination. There is an incredible 5 mile hike between the two cities which I highly recommend. However, start on Fira side and walk towards Oía, it is a more downhill route which I learned the hard way.
Santorini is also home to some incredible ruins. They do have tours in English which provide an overview of the site which I found incredibly helpful. After the ruins, you can walk down the hill to the waterfront restaurants, #protip try the domatokeftedes (tomato fritters), and pay 10 euros to ride a beach hopping boat which you can get on and off all day to see all the islands.
Nafplion
Nafplion is a town on the water in Southern Greece. It is part of the Peloponnese peninsula which is about three hours from Athens. This incredible town provides views from all angles; be sure to climb the “1000” steps to the fortress to get the best view. It also provides proximity to some incredible historic sights such as Mycenae. #protip Hop in a taxi to get to these locations as they already have a predetermined cost with time built in to see the sight. While you are here, be sure to find your way down the quieter streets that have amazing restaurants. If you find yourself there on a Sunday afternoon, expect a wait to sit down. There are often significantly more locals than tourists frequenting the best spots. Be sure to also check out the incredible local boutiques, such as Gonidou Hand Woven, while you are exploring the city.
Epidaurus
Epidaurus has some of the most incredible ruins and history Greece has to offer. One of its’ more spectacular items is the theatre which can seat upwards of 14,000 people in 34 original rows and 21 Roman extension rows. The coolest part of visiting is going all the way up to the top and listening to people speak from the center stage, performance area. Their voices carry crystal clear up the fifty plus rows to let you enjoy the performance even in the worst seats. There is also a monument to Asclepius who was a god of healing in ancient times. Not only can see you all this history, but it is very close to Nafplion making it another great day trip.
While these are some of my favorite places I had the opportunity to visit, there are countless other locations not mentioned here because I did not visit or they did not make the list. There are so many incredible places to see and eat your way through!
But, make sure Greece is on your list of places to travel next!