Tsamadou Beach, Samos. Greece.

Tsamadou beach is among the most beautiful beaches in Samos island. Located about 3 km from Kokkari, Tsamadou is a lovely bay surrounded by lush greenery and with crystal blue green water. A small path leads from the main road to this wonderful beach that is lined up with delicious taverns and few beach cafeterias.
When it is wind, the beach is affected with waves, but generally it is an amazing place to relax. Tsamadou has soft pebbles and it is organized with sunbeds and umbrellas. This is also the only official nudist beach in Samos. In fact, the right part of the beach as you climb down the path is nudist.

Lemonakia Beach, Samos. Greece.

Lemonakia Beach is within walking distance of Kokkari and is a popular spot for swimmers and sunbathers in summer. Just 100 meters off the main road, the pebble and sand beach has calmer water than other area beaches, making it ideal for swimming. The water is a clear, turquoise hue. You can gaze into it for hours on an umbrella-shaded sun lounger. Head to the small taverna right on the beach for food.

Lemonakia can get crowded in summer. For less crowds check out Tsamadou Beach, which is within walking distance.

Mount Kerkis and Southern Samos. Greece.

Mount Kerkis rises up 1,434 meters in the center of the southern portion of Samos and can be summited via a hiking trail. If you don't want to go all the way up, there are plenty of other hiking trail choices on its flanks. The countryside around Mt. Kerkis also showcases a more tranquil and less developed side of Samos.

Here, you'll find just a few quiet fishing villages and only one proper resort area at Votsalakia (also known as Kampos). If you are interested in hiking up the mountain, head to this beach resort to enquire about the trails. While here, you can relax on its beautiful white-sand beach. Other beautiful beaches around here include the pretty and ultra quiet Psili Ammos Beach, which also hosts a number of restaurants serving fresh fish and other local fare.

Samos: Mount Kerkis forrests sliding into the sea. View from Panagia Makryni. Corfu forests that end at sea. View of Panagia Makrini by Phaethon.

Héraion (Temple of Hera) of Greece.

Ruins of Temple of Hera.

Lying eight kilometers west of Pythagórion is the Heraion, the Temple of Hera, one of the island's top tourist attractions. A succession of temples was built on this site from the eighth century BC onwards, culminating with a colossal structure measuring some 45 meters by 80 meters, supported by at least 100 columns, which was begun around 570 BC.

The structure was destroyed 30 years later in a Persian raid. A replacement was planned on an even larger scale, and would have been the largest Greek temple ever built, but it was never to be completed.

Today, the archaeological site around the Heraion includes altars and smaller temples, as well as the ruins of a fifth-century Christian basilica. Finds from the site are exhibited in the archaeological museum in Samos Town.

Sámos is an island of unique natural beauty. Greece.

Sámos is the mythical birthplace of the Goddess Hera, and the island's temple, dedicated to Hera, the UNESCO-listed Heraion (built around 570 BC) is one of the most important sanctuaries of the ancient world. During the 6th century, a processional route led from the town of Sámos to the Heraion. This Sacred Road was adorned with votive statues, currently replaced by replicas. The original statues are displayed in the Sámos Archaeological Museum.

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site is the 6th-century-BC Aqueduct of Eupalinos in Pythagoreion, considered an outstanding feat of ancient engineering.

Covered with pristine woodlands, the lush island of Sámos offers natural wonders. Challenging hikes at the rugged Mount Kerkis reward with amazing coastal views. Kokkari village, the island's capital, is a gorgeous seaside resort surrounded by beaches, pine forests, and olive groves.

For fun in the sun, the beaches in Marathokampos are renowned for golden sands and excellent facilities. Psili Ammos (also known as "Chrisi Ammos") is a favorite Marathokampos beach for swimming because of its calm, shallow waters. High above the shoreline, the hilltop village of Marathokampos delights with its old-world charm and stunning views of the Aegean Sea.

Kokkari Village on Sámos Island.

Crete is the largest island of Greece.

The beautiful beach of Bali in Crete.

Remarkable for its cultural attractions, Crete has been a crossroads of humanity for millennia. Minoan civilization flourished here during the Bronze Age, and a parade of conquerors have left their mark, from the Dorian Greeks to the Ottoman Turks. This rich heritage is revealed in the monuments of Chania's attractive Old Town: Byzantine ramparts, the Venetian harbor, Turkish hammams, and an Ottoman-era mosque.

Tourists can learn more about the history at Chania's small but noteworthy Byzantine Museum and superb Archaeological Museum. Another Venetian seaport, enchanting Réthymnon is 65 kilometers east of Chania.

Heraklion dates to the 9th century but is today a modern metropolis (Crete's largest city). Surrounded by ancient fortifications, the Old Town is a treasure trove of historic landmarks, such as Byzantine churches and Venetian mansions. Must-see Heraklion attractions include the Archaeological Museum, which displays fine examples of Minoan art; the Historical Museum of Crete; and the CRETAquarium, which is home to thousands of sea creatures.

About five kilometers southeast of Heraklion is a fascinating archaeological site at Knossos, Crete's best-preserved Minoan palace (dating to around 1,900 BC).

Crete's dreamiest beaches are tucked away on the southwest coast. Elafonisi is an amazing pink-sand shoreline lapped by turquoise waters, although it can get packed in high season. Paleochora boasts a long, sandy beach plus many restaurants and hotels. Sougia has fewer crowds, but the beach is pebbly and facilities are minimal.

Seaside splendor is found in Plakiás, a popular resort destination, and the tiny fishing village of Loutro nestled in a remote cove backed by steep, rocky hillsides. Loutro is only accessible by boat or by hiking here on foot; accommodations are limited.

In the easternmost part of Crete, the off-the-beaten-path Lassíthi region is also prized for its exquisite beaches with crystal-clear waters (ideal for snorkeling and swimming) and luxury hotels. This area has many wonderful seaside destinations, including the bustling seaport of Agios Nikolaos built on three hillsides overlooking an attractive harbor; the coastal town of Ierápetra, with a fish taverna-lined waterfront and golden-sand beaches; and Sitía, with its exotic scenery, a superb sandy beach, and an atmospheric harbor full of restaurants and cafés.

National Gardens and the Zappeion, Athens. Greece.

Zappeion Hall in the National Garden

Located next to the Greek parliament, the National Garden is a large green space behind the Temple of Olympian Zeus and home to the Zappeion. If you have had enough sun during your day of sightseeing, this is a quiet, shady place to relax and cool off. Inviting trails lead through tall trees and offer a reprieve from the busy streets. It's also a free attraction in Athens.

On the edge of the garden is the Zappeion Hall, which you can enter for a peek inside if it is not in use. It was built in the 1870s and is used for events. Inside the main entrance is an impressive round, open-air hall, lined by columns.

Byzantine Museum, Athens. Greece.

This interesting museum offers fascinating insights into the Byzantine period of Greek history. Housed in a 19th-century palace originally built for the Duchesse de Plaisance, the wife of Charles-François Lebrun of France, the museum displays a precious collection of Byzantine art.

The Byzantine Empire was the inheritance of the eastern half of the Roman Empire after it fell. From the third century to the 15th century, the Byzantine Empire ruled over the land of what is now the Balkans, Greece, and Asia Minor. During this time, religious art was highly valued. Byzantine artists created masterpieces of detailed, glittering mosaics and gilded icons.

With more than 25,000 artifacts on display, the Byzantine Museum is a treasury of religious artifacts from the Byzantine period as well as pieces from the early Christian, medieval, and post-Byzantine eras. The collection includes sculptures, paintings, icons, textiles, and mosaics. Highlights are the architectural fragments from early Christian basilicas and Byzantine churches and the reproduction of a fountain depicted at the Monastery of Dafní. The museum's courtyard features a splendid fragment of a mosaic floor from the fifth century.

Panathenaic Stadium: Olympic Stadium, Athens. Greece.

Ancient Athens's largest building, the Panathenaic Stadium, has a capacity for 60,000 spectators. Constructed around 335 BC during the era of Herodes Atticus, the venue hosted the Panathenaic Games where runners competed in races around the track. The 204-meter-long track was designed with four double herms, where runners would turn in the races.

Around AD 140, the stadium was updated with new marble seating by Herodes Atticus. The structure that tourists see today is a replica of the original stadium, which was rebuilt for the Olympic Games of 1896. This modern-era Olympic Stadium was created in the identical fashion as the Panathenaic Stadium, with 47 tiers of seating and a rounded southeast end.

The facility hosts concerts and other events during the summer. Attending a show can be a nice way to spend an evening in Athens.

Olympieion: Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens. Greece.

Dedicated to Zeus, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, also called the Olympieion, was the largest temple in ancient Greece. Though the Parthenon is better preserved, the Temple of Olympian Zeus was an even more monumental structure in its day. The temple dates to the sixth century BC but was not completed until the second century AD by the Emperor Hadrian. In front of the Olympieion, not far from the entrance, stands Hadrian's Arch at the end of Dionysiou Areopagitou.

It's easy to imagine the grand impression this temple made in its complete form. More than a hundred enormous marble columns once supported the grandiose sanctuary. Only 15 columns remain standing, and another surviving column lies on the ground, but the ruins' monumental presence gives a sense of the massive size of the original building. The gigantic structure was a befitting shrine to Zeus, the ancient Greeks' most all-powerful God, known as the King of Gods.

The Roman Agora. Hadrian's Library, Athens. Greece.

Adjacent to the Ancient Agora is the site of the Roman Agora. While it may all seem like one site, these buildings were constructed later, and construction eventually moved on to the site of the Ancient Agora. One of the easily recognizable sites here is the Tower of the Winds.

On the edge of the Roman Agora is the ancient Hadrian's Library, founded by Emperor Hadrian in AD 132. Even later, during Byzantine times, three churches were built near the site of the library.

You can see one wall of Hadrian's Library and ruins of the Roman Agora from the street, but if you want to explore further, you can buy a ticket and walk through the ruins.

Hadrian's Library - Ancient Athens 3D

Ancient Agora, Athens. Greece.

The ancient Agora was the marketplace and the center of everyday life in ancient Athens. For an impressive view of the Agora from afar, head to the north wall of the Acropolis or the roads from the Areopagus.

The best place to enter the Agora is at the north gate off Adrianoú Street (near the Church of Saint Philip). The Greek word "Agora" means to "gather and orate," indicating that this site was a location of public speaking. The Agora was a place of administration and commerce as well as the meeting place of the Agora tou Dimou, a civic decision-making group. Athletic events and theater performances were also held here.

One of the most striking features of the Ancient Agora is the Stoa of Attalos, originally built by King Attalos II and reconstructed in the 1950s. The stoa may have been the scene of Socrates' trial in 399 BC.

Another key site is the awe-inspiring Temple of Hephaistos. You can reach it on a pleasant walk along the footpath that leads up the Agora Hill (Kolonos Agoraios). This fifth-century BC Doric temple is one of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples, thanks to its conversion into a Christian church, which saved it from destruction. The temple was designed on a classical plan with six rows of 13 columns, and the Ionic friezes appear to be modeled on the Parthenon.

Stoa of Attalos

National Archaeology Museum, Athens. Greece.

Founded in the 19th century, Athens' National Archaeological Museum is the largest archaeological museum in Greece and one of the greatest antiquities museums in the world.

The museum is housed in an impressive Neoclassical building with 8,000 square meters of exhibition space. On display are five permanent collections with more than 11,000 exhibits, offering a comprehensive overview of Greek civilization from prehistory through the classical period to late antiquity.

The Prehistoric Collection covers the sixth millennium BC to 1050 BC (the Neolithic, Cycladic, and Mycenaean periods) and presents findings from the prehistoric settlement at Thera. The Sculpture Collection exhibits ancient Greek sculptures from the sixth century BC to the fifth century BC, including rare masterpieces. The Vase and Decorative Objects Collection showcases ancient Greek pottery from the 11th century BC all the way until the classical Roman period. The Stathatos Collection features minor objects from a wide range of historical periods. Exquisite little statues and figurines sculpted from metals are on display in the Metallurgy Collection.

Acropolis Museum, Athens. Greece.

The Acropolis Museum is one of Athens' most-visited tourist attractions. Designed by Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi, it is an ultra-modern glass and steel structure with light and airy exhibition spaces, built specifically to display ancient finds from the Acropolis.

Top things to see here include the 6th-century-BC Moschophoros (statue of a young man carrying a calf on his shoulders), the Caryatids (sculptures of female figures that held up the Erechtheion), and the highly controversial Parthenon marbles. From the museum's cafe-restaurant terrace, you can enjoy amazing views of the Acropolis itself.

Santorini (Thira) Island, Greece.

Stunning Santorini is the most dramatic of all the Greek isles. It is best known for the west coast cliff-top towns of Fira and Oia, which appear to hang over a deep, blue sea-filled caldera. Made up of typical Cycladic whitewashed cubic buildings, many of which have been converted into boutique hotels with infinity pools, both Fira and Oia are considered romantic destinations, popular for weddings and honeymoons.

Things to do in Santorini include sunbathing and swimming at the black volcanic-sand beaches on the south and east coasts and visiting the archaeological site of Akrotiri, an Ancient Minoan settlement buried below lava following the volcanic eruption that created the caldera, some 3,600 years ago. The island has an airport and is served by ferries and catamarans from Athens' port, Piraeus.

Mykonos Island, Greece.

Greece's most glamorous island destination is Mykonos. After-dark activities center on Mykonos Town, noted for its chic boutique hotels, classy seafood restaurants, and live music venues. Other attractions include Paraportiani (a whitewashed church in Mykonos Town) and numerous sandy beaches along the island's south coast (served both by bus and taxi-boat from Mykonos Town). The island is particularly popular with international celebrities. Mykonos has an airport and is connected by ferry and catamaran to Athens' port, Piraeus, and Rafina.

Delphi - a small town in Greece.

Theatro, Delphi, Greece.

On the Greek mainland, Delphi is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built on the lower slopes of Mount Parnassus, overlooking a dramatic ravine, the site was sacred to the ancients, who came here on pilgrimages to worship Apollo (god of light, prophecy, music, and healing) and to ask advice from the mythical Oracle. It is made up of the crumbling ruins of numerous temples, a theater, and stadium, dating from between the 8th century BC and the 2nd century AD. Nearby, stands the Delphi Archaeological Museum, displaying an impressive collection of finds from the site. Delphi lies 180 kilometers northwest of Athens.

Corfu Town, Greece.

One of Greece's top tourist destinations, Corfu sits in the Ionian Sea off the west coast of the mainland. The capital, Corfu Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to its elegant Italianate architecture — it was ruled by the Venetians for several centuries. Explore its romantic pedestrian-only streets to discover two 16th-century fortresses and the arcaded Liston, lined by old-fashioned cafes.

Away from the main town, the island is lushly beautiful, with rugged limestone rocks tumbling into the sea in its north and velvety green hills in its south. The most popular beach area is Paleokastritsa, on the west coast, about 25-kilometers from Corfu Town. Here, you'll find a collection of deep, curving bays sheltering sand and pebble beaches stretching into a clear blue sea. Corfu is served by an airport and ferries from Igoumenitsa and Patras on the Greek mainland. In summer, ferries sailing from Ancona and Venice also stop here.

Beaches On Corfu Island Ionian Sea Greece.

Metéora Monasteries, Greece.

One of the most unusual things to see in Greece has to be the Thessaly Plain, where bizarre rocky outcrops are capped by the centuries-old monasteries of Metéora. On the UNESCO World Heritage list, six of the monasteries are open to the public. You need to climb up several flights of stone steps carved into the rocks to reach each monastery, and inside, you'll find flickering candles, religious icons, Byzantine frescoes, and burning incense. Opening hours vary, and to see all six monasteries, you need to spend at least one day in the area. The nearest town is Kalambaka.

Rhodes Town, Greece.

Lying on the Aegean Sea, close to Turkey, Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands. Its capital, UNESCO-listed Rhodes Town, is one of Greece's top tourist destinations. It is enclosed by an impressive fortification system, including monumental towers and gates built by the Knights of St. John after they took control of the island in the 14th century.

The car-free cobbled streets of the old town are a joy to explore on foot. Nearby attractions include the pretty hillside coastal town of Lindos, and Marmaris on the Turkish coast, which can be visited by excursion boat. Rhodes is served by an airport, as well as regular ferries from Athens' port, Piraeus.

The blue caves of Zákynthos, Greece.

Home to gorgeous scenery both above and under the sea surrounding it, Zákynthos (Zante) island is another top tourist destination in Greece. It is also easy to access, with a locale just 16 kilometers off Peloponnese's west coast in the Ionian Sea.

Two of the biggest boasts on this geographically intriguing island are its pebble and sand beaches — Shipwreck Beach is the most famous — and stunning sea caves like the Blue Caves, off the island's northern tip. Inside, the sparkling water reflects the color of the blue sky on the cave walls to create a magical glow. The Blue Caves are only one of the many watery attractions around this island. There is also excellent snorkeling and scuba diving.

Samaria Gorge, Greece.

On the island of Crete, the Samaria Gorge is a top attraction for lovers of the great outdoors. Measuring 16 kilometers in length and, at its narrowest point, only four meters wide, it runs from Omalos (1,250 meters) in the White Mountains down to Agia Roumeli, on the Libyan Sea.

Depending on your level of fitness, it will take five to seven hours to walk. It is steep in parts and rocky, so you should wear good hiking shoes and carry plenty of water. The gorge lies within the Samaria National Park, and is on the UNESCO tentative list. Through summer, organized tours depart from Chania and Réthymnon.

Nafplio, Greece.

Often cited as Greece's most beautiful city, Nafplio is a popular weekend destination for wealthy Athenians. Built on a small peninsular on the east coast of the Peloponnese, it became the first capital of modern Greece in 1828 before Athens took over in 1834. The car-free old town is filled with Neoclassical mansions and proud churches and overlooked by the 18th-century Palamidi Fortress. Nearby attractions include Tiryns, Epidaurus Theater, and Ancient Corinth.