The very best places to visit in Greece.

Published 06 September 2021

Picture-perfect Greece is famous for clear seas, great beaches and fun nightlife... This is also a land of ancient gods, awash with natural beauty and packed with stunning places to visit. From citadels to fishing ports, we have a few suggestions to make your Greek charter truly unique.



Mainland Greece

When you visit the temple ruins, you tread the paths of the ancient Greek pilgrims
When you visit the temple ruins, you tread the paths of the ancient Greek pilgrims

Though world famous for its thousands of island jewels, many of the best places to go in Greece reside on the mainland. Hike to the top of mountains, trace ancient pathways and seek adventure in the footsteps of the gods.


Athens

Athens, Greece’s capital city, once sat at the heart of the ancient Greek kingdom. A generous scattering of 5th Century B.C. landmarks still populate the terrain, including the Temple of Hephaestus and the Ancient Agora. Proud marble columns soar to the sky, while, to the south, the shores are now known as the Athenian Riviera. The birthplace of theatre, Athens remains dramatic to its core.

Sailing into Piraeus port, the gateway to ancient Athens
Sailing into Piraeus port, the gateway to ancient Athens

The Acropolis

The Acropolis of Athens is a rocky, hilltop citadel topped with ancient buildings. The striking UNESCO World Heritage Site is widely considered to be the most complete ancient Greek monumental complex still in existence. Once a home to kings, it stands testament to the strength of the former fortified city.

The Parthenon temple and Acropolis citadel dominate the Athens skyline
The Parthenon temple and Acropolis citadel dominate the Athens skyline

The Parthenon

One of the many landmarks that sit atop the Athenian Acropolis is the colonnaded Parthenon temple. A one-time symbol of power and wealth, the temple is best viewed today from afar by night when its floodlit glow lights up the Athens skyline.

Nafplio

Meet the locals on your stroll through town!
Meet the locals on your stroll through town!

The small, historic town is home to the Archaeological Museum, which houses a collection of prehistoric artefacts, including an international exhibit of kaleidoscopic prayer beads, or Komboloi, which Nafplio is famous for producing.

Arvanitia Promenade

Take an afternoon stroll along Nafplio’s Arvanitia Promenade, which links the pretty fishing harbour to the square of Arvanitia. Crazy pathing lines the waterfront walk, which is sandwiched between the Argolic Gulf and Acronafplia, Nafplio’s oldest castle. Keep an eye out for a small church midway, which is a favourite resting point with the locals.

Nafpilo nestles between the hillside and the sea
Nafpilo nestles between the hillside and the sea

Palamidi Fortress

Built by remarkably quickly between 1711-14 during Venetian occupation, the Nafplio fortress is a stunning piece of architecture that can be seen from far and wide. It’s a steep, stepped climb by foot or a short car trip, to the 216m high hilltop. Be sure to visit the chapel of Agios Andreas perched there.

Take an evening hike up to the fortress
Take an evening hike up to the fortress

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a port in the Gulf of the Aegean Sea, and showcases Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history. Once a fought-over gateway to the North Aegean islands, the Sporades, the Cyclades and Crete, today Thessaloniki is known as the hippest city in Greece with a great foodie scene and golden beaches.

Greek pie is a popular street food
Greek pie is a popular street food

Church of Agios Dimitrios

Dedicated in name to St Agios Demetrius, the Christian-Roman martyr and the patron saint of Thessaloniki, the Church of Agios Dimitrios is a beautifully preserved monument that sits in the city centre. Holding religious, historical and artistic importance to the local inhabitants, it is also a fine example of Byzantine architecture.

There has been a church on this site since 324 AD
There has been a church on this site since 324 AD

The White Tower

Once called the Lion Tower and later, the Tower of Blood, this waterfront landmark has served as a fort, a garrison and even a prison. Today, the White Tower of Thessaloniki – renamed in 1891 after it was symbolically painted white to represent a clean slate – is a museum dedicated to the area’s rich history. It’s height also makes it a popular rendezvous spot for locals.

Once painted white, the tower is now natural stone
Once painted white, the tower is now natural stone

Parga

Instagram-perfect pics at every turn
Instagram-perfect pics at every turn


The seaside town of Parga in Greece lies on the Ionian coast flanked by Preveza and Igoumenitsa. Its bustling streets are lined with lively bars, restaurants and shops, and is an ideal charter location from which to explore both mainland Greece and the islands – both Paxi and Antipaxos are just a short cruise away.

Bars and restaurants line the harbourside
Bars and restaurants line the harbourside

Castle of Parga

The castle of Parga is perched high up on a hilly peninsula, overlooking the town below. The medieval ruin sits within a 11th Century citadel complex and was built to protect Parga from pirates and Ottomans. Partly destroyed over the years, it has been rebuilt four times, most recently in the 16th Century by the Venetians.

The castle overlooks Parga harbour
The castle overlooks Parga harbour

Delphi

This site of Greek myths and legends
This site of Greek myths and legends

Ancient Greeks thought that Delphi was was the centre of the world. Built in 8th Century B.C. it was a religious sanctuary dedicated to the Greek god Apollo and the oracle Delphi. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it lies between two towering rocks of Mount Parnassus, known as the Phaidriades (Shining) Rocks, with vistas that sprawl into the distance.

The Temple of Apollo

Apollo was the Greek god of music, harmony, light, healing, and oracles, and the dedicated Temple of Apollo at Delphi held a position of great power. Take your time to explore the considerable site, including an impressive amphitheatre tucked into the rock above it. The nearby Sphinx of the Naxians is also worth a visit.

The Treasury is still standing strong
The Treasury is still standing strong

The Treasury of Athenians

Built entirely from Parian marble, the Treasury of Athenians was constructed to hold dedications and offerings made by the citizens of Athens to the god Apollo. A stunning example of Doric architecture, it lines the original processional route, still accessible today, which was used to reach the Temple of Apollo.

Penteli

Lying to the north of central Athens, Penteli is world-renowned for its ancient quarries and the crystalline structure of its golden-hued marble that was used to build the Parthenon. Today, the quarry is protected by law and only used to obtain material for the Acropolis Restoration Project.

A monastery lies hidden in the caves
A monastery lies hidden in the caves

Penteli Cave

Penteli Cave (or Davelis Cave) on the pyramid-shaped Mount Penteli is rumoured to have sheltered various beings over the ages, from monks and thieves to goat-footed gods. Its Byzantine chapels built into the cave’s entrance are a marvel, but the steeply descending grotto is now better known for ‘otherworldly’ goings on, such as water dripping upwards, ghostly voices and electronic blackouts.

Penteli Cave is famously spooky
Penteli Cave is famously spooky

Rododafni Castle

The Castle of Rododafni is the palace and castle of Sophie de Marbois-Lebrun, Duchess of Plaisance. Designed by Greek architect Stamatios Kleanthis and completed in 1861, it sits on the slopes of Mount Penteli.

Meteora

Switch on your step-counter before you go!
Switch on your step-counter before you go!

The Meteora mountain is a gravity-defying rock formation that points vertically to the sky and plays host to the most precipitously built Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greek history. Meteora means ‘suspended in air’. It’s possible to reach the top on foot (though not many do) and rewards the brave with far-reaching views.

Monasteries perch on these rock formations
Monasteries perch on these rock formations

Hike the Meteora Monasteries

The mountain-top Meteora Monasteries are famed for their precarious positions, the hardest to reach being the Holy Trinity Monastery, with over 140 steps to climb. It sits at the very top and you may recognise it from James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only. For those who would like to visit but can’t quite reach the dizzy heights of the summit, Rousanou, Varlaam and Saint Nicolaos offer similarly spectacular experiences for fewer steps.


Greek Islands

The islands are famously enchanting, with so much to explore and discover
The islands are famously enchanting, with so much to explore and discover

There are 6,000 Greek islands and islets scattered across the sea, many of which are considered to be the most beautiful places in Greece. From horse-shoe shaped bays to rust-coloured sand, each one brings something different to a yacht charter itinerary - and only 200 or so are inhabited.



Lindos

The once cosy fishing village of Lindos is now a firmly established town on the Greek island of Rhodes with an invitingly laidback and carefree ambience. Take a wander through its narrow paths lined with archetypal, white-washed buildings before making time to snorkel its impossibly blue waters.


Aim to arrive at the Acropolis at sunset
Aim to arrive at the Acropolis at sunset

Lindos Acropolis

The clifftop Acropolis is a natural citadel for which Lindos is best known for. Featuring 4th Century gates and reliefs from circa 280 B.C., it is located on the edge of a cliff and is best visited in early evening when the crowds are gone and the sunsets put on a real show.

St Paul's Bay, with the Acropolis on one side and church on the other
St Paul's Bay, with the Acropolis on one side and church on the other

St Paul’s Bay

Heart-shaped St Paul's Bay in Lindos is a picturesque spot at which to while away a few hours, drinking in the beauty of Rhodes while surrounded by megalithic ruins. Take a dive from the high up on the rocks into the big blue or cool off in the shade of the one-roomed church.

Assos

Assos' Venetian heritage can still be seen
Assos' Venetian heritage can still be seen

The traditional fishing village of Assos, on the idyllic island of Kefalonia, is a jewel in the Ionian Sea. Arguably one of Greece’s most picturesque settings, it was once a remote Venetian outpost accessible only by a steep mule trail – which those with energy to burn can still enjoy by foot.

A picture-perfect village with a relaxed vibe
A picture-perfect village with a relaxed vibe

Explore the fishing village

There’s no better way to immerse in the heritage of this horse-shoe shaped harbour than by spending the day on the water in a fishing boat, reeling in a freshly-caught red mullet. After lunch, wander the streets of the secluded village or swim across to the secret beach, only accessible by sea.

Bring home the catch of the day!
Bring home the catch of the day!

Samos

Located north of Patmos, just off the coast of western Turkey, Samos was the birthplace of famed mathematician Pythagoras and philosopher Epicurus. It’s also known for producing sweet Muscat wine, nicknamed by the locals as Samos Nectar.

From muscat grape to glass - Samos Nectar
From muscat grape to glass - Samos Nectar

Heraion of Samos

A large sanctuary dedicated to the beautiful goddess Hera, queen of the Olympian gods, the Heraion of Samos was once filled with spectacular sculptures in her honour. The remains can still be seen today, along with Pythagoreion, an ancient-fortified port.

Once filled with statues in honour of Hera
Once filled with statues in honour of Hera

Tunnel of Eupalinos

The Tunnel of Eupalinos was a spectacular tunnel-aqueduct dating back to the 6th Century BC. Stretching an incredible 1,036 m through the mountainside, it delivered fresh water to the ancient city of Samos.


Charter in Greece

Greece is a popular destination for Burgess charters because our captains know all the best places to eat, play and relax. Give us a call for the yachts available to take you sailing in these azure waters - and we will create your perfect itinerary too.

Get ready for your next Greek adventure with Burgess.

To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for sale and yachts for charter, please contact a Burgess broker. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: London, Monaco, New York, Miami, Singapore or all other locations.

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