Greece is an incredible country with more than just ancient ruins and coastal views on offer. It’s a cultural haven full of fun things to do, stunning countryside, good wine, and some of the best food you’ll ever eat. Not to mention, when it comes to low-cost European countries, Greece is at the top.
When I started writing this post of the best things to do in Greece, all my memories of visiting the country came flooding back to me, and with each word I wrote, the more nostalgic I became.
Greece is part of Europe and is known to be one of the major players in developing the Western world as we know it. It’s the birthplace of democracy and helped introduce philosophy and literature to the world. Plus, Greece had some of the first scientific and mathematical breakthroughs.
Not only has it developed the modern world into what it is today, Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic games.
Mycenae Ruins
Evidence of life in Greece goes back as far as 270,000 BC, with life through all three of the stone ages (Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic) found in Greece.
The history makes up a good portion of typical things to do in Greece. but in recent years the number of more modern activities in Greece is being realized, which is great!
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If you’re looking for things to do that include (and go beyond) the ancient history of this illustrious country, here are the 61 things to do in Greece that you won’t want to miss.
1. Go Sea Kayaking
Embrace the calm seas of Greece by hopping into a kayak and exploring the coastline. There are many places to check out in Greece where you can enjoy kayaking, but the Pelion coast is stunning.
Sea kayaking day trips usually include things like cliff jumping, walks, swimming, beverages, and snacks. Pelion secrets is one of the best companies to go sea kayaking with and they offer two packages, a short 2-hour paddle for €20 ($23USD) per person or a longer 4-hour adventure for €30 ($35USD).
2. Athens central Market
The Athens central Market offers more than just a traditional flea market. The central Market offers a wide array of meats, fish, fruits and a few small local restaurants.
If you’re staying in a hostel or are on a budget, the central Market is a terrific place to grab some food to cook yourself or to stock up on some snacks for all of the places in Greece you’re going to go!
?Click here for the location of the central Market on Google Maps.
3. Renting a Car
It doesn’t matter how many remarkable items are on this list, renting a automobile and having the freedom to explore on your own definitely tops this list of things to do in Greece. Driving in Greece is easy (watch out for narrow roads and goats!), people are friendly and the sights are plentiful.
Hire a automobile on each island you check out and enjoy seeing the sights at your own pace. We highly recommend doing so on Crete, Zakynthos, Corfu, Kefalonia, Lesvos, Chios and in Santorini, hire a scooter. Driving (and parking) in Athens is a bit crazy, it’s best to stick to public transportation.
See Also: The ultimate Greece travel Guide
4. check Out The Graffiti in Athens
This is one of those activities in Greece that you probably won’t find on other lists, but is well worth your time. illegal graffiti isn’t amazing and no one should deface a building without some sort of consent from the owner. In recent years Athens has seen an explosion of graffiti, some legal and some illegal.
Athens tries to give street artists a space to practice their art via urban Act. urban Act is a group that attempts to promote, organize, and help implement public murals with the permission of all parties.
These murals are a way to get people talking about art while giving the city a colourful landscape that allows individuals to gather for exhibitions and festivals. checking out the street art is one of the top things to do in Athens.
Waking through central Athens you’ll see plenty of murals along the walls, painting a story of the terrific city. one of Greece’s famous street artists, INO, once said in a new York Times article, “if you want to learn about a city, look at its walls.”
This was one of my favourite things to do in Greece because the walls were bright and colourful and as an art lover, I found it incredible.
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5. See The Tourlitis Lighthouse
Tourlitis Lighthouse looks like it came straight off the pages of a fairytale. It was first built in 1897 but was sadly destroyed in WWII. luckily an oil tycoon rebuilt the lighthouse for his daughter in 1990.
The lighthouse is perched on top of a lonely piece of rock and is incredibly unique and beautiful. It’s located just off the coast of the port city, Andros.
?Click here for the location of Tourlitis Lighthouse on Google Maps.
6. Rocks of Lemnos
Lemnos is an island off the mainland of Greece and is home to some very unique volcanic rocks. The rocks spiral on the cliffside, forming spherical formations that jut out of the ground. It’s very reminiscent of the Moeraki Boulders in new Zealand and is one of the more unique things to do in Greece that not many other people tend to do.
7. explore Delphi
Delphi is one of Greece’s most famous ancient sanctuaries and was home to one of the most important people in ancient Greece, the Oracle. The Oracle of Delphi, almost known as Pythia, was the High Priestess at the temple of Apollo and was consulted on many large decisions that were made in the ancient world.
Pythia was largely credited for her prophecies which were said to be inspired by the god Apollo himself.
Delphi is home to quite a few very famous ancient pieces and places in Greece that tourists flock to, but it’s still worth a visit! some of these places include the temple of Apollo, the Treasury of Athens, an ancient stadium, an ancient theatre, and the Hippodrome – an arena style area where chariot races took place.
Entry to Delphi is €12 ($14USD). Click here for the location.
8. hit The Slopes
When you think about things to do in Greece, you probably don’t think of skiing or snowboarding. but there are actually quite a few hills in the country where people can enjoy a day out in the snow. mount Parnassos is the largest ski and snowboard resort in Greece and sits at an altitude of 2,260 metres.
The resort has 23 different runs and is open usually from December until May, depending on the weather. A single adult day lift ticket costs €25 ($29USD).
?Click here for the location of mount Parnassos on Google Maps.
9. Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia
Listed in the book of 100 places to check out before You Die, you don’t want to miss the stunning water of Myrtos Beach. The colour of the water is out of this world! The beach is somewhat pebbly, but it doesn’t matter, it’s a terrific place to check out and is definitely one of the best beaches in Greece. check out our 5 day travel guide to Kefalonia for more.
10. Archaeological museum of Delphi
The Delphi Archaeological museum is located just outside of the ancient site of Delphi and deserves its own spot on this list of things to do in Greece because of all its very important artifacts.
The museum is home to a substantial majority of the ancient artifacts there were unearthed during the excavations of Delphi. The exhibitions in the museum covers thousands of years of Greek life ranging from the Mycenaean era to the Greco-Roman era.
Entry to the museum is included with the cost of entry to Delphi. However, you can enter the museum for free on the first Sunday of each month from November 1st – March 31st. If you choose to go in for free you’ll want to arrive really early because long line-ups tend to form.
See Also: When is the best Time To check out Greece?
11. eat Baklava
Baklava desires its own spot on this list of things to do in Greece because it is a classic dessert that is now loved across the globe. made from layers of a very thin dough with chopped nuts that are held together with syrup or honey, this sweet treat is a must-eat.
The best place in Athens to grab yourself some Baklava is the 41-year-old Belle Vue pastry shop that is run by two Greek families in Nea Smyrni.
12. check out Kalokerinos Taverna
Kalokerinos Taverna is one of the oldest tavernas in Athens and is arguably one of the best activities in Greece for tourists who are looking to embrace the culture. It’s located in the heart of one of Athens most historical neighbourhoods, Plaka.
The taverna features a live Greek show with traditional dancing alongside classic Mediterranean food. get ready to smash some plates, laugh, dance, and eat your heart out! prices at the taverna can vary depending on what you order but on average you can expect to pay €40 ($46USD) per person.
13. check out Arahova
Arahova is a small village nestled at the foot of Mt. Parnassos and is the go-to village for those hoping to embrace the Greek countryside. Its breathing landscapes are perfect if you’re looking to just kick back, relax, and take in the fresh air. Arahova is also one of the places in Greece known for its bustling nightlife.
Take a walk down the village’s cobblestone streets and enjoy some of the incredible Byzantine churches and well-preserved frescos.
?Click here for the location of Arahova on Google Maps.
14. check out The Plaka District
The Plaka district is one of the oldest sections of Athens and is one of the best places in Greece to find souvenirs. Plaka is home to a bunch of restaurants, shops, and cafes – making it a terrific place to spend an afternoon or evening.
Located near the base of the Acropolis, chilling out in the Plaka district is one of the best things to do in Greece.
15. See the Blooming spring Flowers
Springtime in Greece lasts about two months (April and May) and somewhere around 5,000 different varieties of flowers bloom. the most stunning (in my opinion) being the red poppies that grow on the mountainsides of Greece. one of the best places to see these poppies is Peloponnese.
Honestly, it wasn’t on my original list of things to do in Greece but after seeing my first bright red flower I couldn’t get enough and started hunting them down. Their bright pop of coloured combined with the sweeping vistas was enough to get me hooked on spring blooms.
Temperatures in Greece are not as high in April and may as in the summer, but the perk is that prices do tend to be a bit lower because it’s shoulder season. If you are on a budget, spring is a terrific time to visit.
16. Elafonisi Beach
After being active in Greece, you may just want to find a beach and kick back. Elafonisi beach is located in the west of the island of Crete and is home to stunning pink and white sand and amazing turquoise blue water. Waters can be shallow in parts making it a terrific place for families with small children.
?Click here for the location of Elafonisi on Google Maps.
17. check out a Greek Winery
Greece is home to plenty of wine regions that are spread out across the country and because of the various regions in Greece the flavours can be very unique and different.
It’s hard to say what wine region is the best because it completely depends on your personal taste and preference. There are wineries located in northern Greece, the Aegean Islands, central Greece and in southern Greece.
Check out the wineries in Kefalonia, Santorini, Crete and beyond.
18. check out Mycenae
Mycenae was once a major city in ancient Greece and even became the inspiration for the name of the Mycenaean era which was between 1600 BC and 1100BC.
Now an archaeological site, Mycenae is a popular place in Greece for tourists and welcomes thousands each year. Its main gate, the Lion Gate, is one of its most famous sites and is the only known monumental sculpture of the Greek Bronze Age that still remains.
The gate marks the entrance of Mycenae and depicts two resting lions that are thought to be a symbol of power. It is also thought that at one point the lions had golden heads that were stolen after Mycenae fell. The walls of this fortified military city are made of substantial limestone slabs and were said to be placed there by a Cyclops, giving them the very accurate name, The Cyclopean Walls.
The entrance fee to Mycenae is very reasonable at €12 ($14USD) and is about an hour drive from Athens. Click here for directions.
19. The Windmills of Lasithi Plateau
These signature white windmills are iconic in the area and are made up of stone bodies with white cloth sails. They were first built to help with irrigation in the area for the local crops. At their peak about 10,000 windmills existed, today, however, there are only 5,000 adorning the region.
Don’t miss the Lasithi Plateau on your trip to Crete. Renting