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