The 16 Must-Visit Ancient Sites in Greece for History Lovers

High on top of a hill overlooking Athens stands the proud remnants of four of the most well-known ruins preserved from the ancient world. The iconic Parthenon, Propylaea, Erechtheion and the temple of Athena Nike make up the Acropolis of ancient Athens. The word “Acropolis” refers to the highest point of the city; to reach these impressive structures you must ascend a slope up a steep bluff. After passing through the Propylaea (the monumental gateway), guests can walk the hilltop and take in the great marble facades that have stood here for over two thousand years.

Dive into one of the most wondrous ancient places in the world, where heaven and earth once met. Delphi was known as the prime place of worship for Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, as well as a place of worship for many other gods and goddesses. It was also the location where the oracle of Delphi was filled with the spirit of Apollo. Today, numerous ruins from the city remain, including the Temple of Apollo, treasuries, the theatre and athletic structures, including the stadium that held the athletic Pythian Games, when competitors gathered from all over Greece to compete.

The ancient city of Corinth is located on a narrow stretch of land joining the mainland of Greece and the Peloponnese. Before being sacked by the Romans in 146 BC, the city was one of Greece’s major establishments, flourishing with commerce resulting from its tactical location. Under the Romans, the city continued to prosper, which explains why the most interesting ruins to view here are of Roman build. When visiting, check out the Temple of Aphrodite, the Temple of Apollo and the Roman forum. There is also a sacred spring with a secret passage nearby, leading to a small shrine.

Known for the masterful acoustics of its well-preserved theatre, Epidaurus was a small city blessed with a mild climate, fertile land and several natural springs. Within the city stood the Temple of Asclepius, a god famed for having extraordinary powers of healing. Consequently, pilgrims travelled to Epidaurus from all over, bringing dedications that funded numerous art and construction projects. Because of the excellent condition of the theatre, it is perhaps the favourite structure to visit while at Epidaurus. The acoustics allow guests to hear clearly from anywhere in the stands, which makes the ruin a fascinating place to visit. Today, the theatre at Epidaurus is still used for live music concerts and performances during the summer.

Knossos, the capital of Minoan Crete, is the largest archaeological site in Crete. It houses the ruins of an expansive palace that is supposedly the location of the fabled labyrinth from the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. It’s considered to be one of Europe’s oldest cities, and the site is home to numerous intricate murals and art works, including the Royal Chambers, porticoes and irrigation drains.

The ancient city of Mycenae, once the home of Agamemnon, the king who united the Greek city states and proceeded to demolish the city of Troy, is perhaps one of the most important and awe-inspiring sites of ancient Greece. During the Bronze Age, Mycenae dominated the culture of the area – not surprising when considering the impressive structures that remain today. The world-famous Lion Gate still stands, constructed from large stones stacked upon one another, along with a cylindrical-shaped tomb that is often considered to be the burial place of Agamemnon’s father, Atreus.

Olympia, a sanctuary dedicated to the worship of Zeus, the king of the gods, was the location of the Pan-Hellenic Games, held every four years. These games are considered to be the first Olympics, which has made the site quite popular. Within the Temple of Zeus was a statue of the deity that stood an impressive 12m (39ft) tall – it was thought of as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, the site contains a myriad of ruins, including the thermai (ancient baths), the Heroon (monument of the unknown hero) and various temples.

The ancient city of Aigai, near Vergina, Greece, was known as the first capital of the Macedonian Kingdom. Today, Aigai, which comes from the Greek word for goats, is known as the burial site of the Macedonian King Philip II – father of Alexander the Great. It is an incredibly large burial site, featuring more than 300 tombs that are lavishly decorated and stand above ground. Aigai is also known as the city where Alexander the Great, the conqueror of much of the Mediterranean and Asia Minor, was proclaimed king.

As the great rival of Athens in ancient Greece, Sparta prided itself on the iron-hearted warrior culture that remained the backbone of their civilisation. The archaeological site of Sparta today is more widespread and scattered than many of the ancient cities of Greece. As this is also the fabled home of Menelaus, the brother of Agamemnon, one of the more well-preserved and studied ruins is called the Menelaion. Despite its sparse culture as far as art and impressive buildings go, the Spartan ruins still have an acropolis and city which includes a theatre.

Arguably the second-most famous archaeological site in Greece is the ancient Agora, located just below the Acropolis, in Athens. In Greek, the word “agora” refers to a gathering or market place, which is basically what this collection of ruins represents. Located in the centre of the city, the Agora remained in use for nearly 5,000 years, undergoing many new constructions and demolitions. Now, archaeologists work to explore the site in reference to ancient Athens, and visitors can enjoy the rebuilt Stoa of Attalos, a long colonnaded building that extends along the edge of the site, plus learn about the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus.

A Unesco World Heritage Site, Meteora is the largest archaeological centre in Greece in terms of the area it covers. The looming sandstone cliffs are astonishing enough, but these are somehow topped by a complex of Byzantine monasteries teetering on narrow stone pillars and overlooking the vast green valley below. Considered the ideal place to achieve isolation in early Christian times, the first monastery here was established in the 14th century, and only six of the initial 24 are still active today.

Most tourists flock to Santorini for the world-famous sunsets and romantic restaurants, but the holiday island is also home to the Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri. A vital Minoan port town, it was covered in volcanic ash in the 17th century BC and excavations did not begin until 1867. It is now referred to as the Greek Pompei, and treasures including frescoes, buildings and artefacts have been unearthed there, with excavations continuing to this day.

Climb the headland above Lindos in Rhodes to reach the dramatic Acropolis that towers over the sea below. The remains of the citadel are surrounded by battlements and include the ruins of a theatre, a 14th-century Castle of the Knights of St John and the Temple of Athena Lindia which dates back to the 4th century BC. Go early to avoid tour groups and get the sweeping views over the coastline to yourself.

During the classical period, this rocky outcrop, encircled by cypress trees, served as the foundation for a court called the Areopagus; its primary function was to try cases of homicide, corruption and religious matters. The council was one of the most important city-state institutions and an aristocratic judicial body, effectively making it the earliest predecessor of the higher court of modern Greece. Take the stairs up for panoramic city views. Recommended by Gabi Ancarola.

The original ivory-and-gold statue of the goddess Athena, which was the main focal point of the Parthenon, was lost at some point after 165BCE (an account last places it in Constantinople in the 10th century). Depicted as victorious in combat and holding a shield, the sculpture was considered the best piece of work by the ancient master sculptor Phidias. It has, however, served as the blueprint for numerous replicas dating back to the Roman era – one of which makes its home in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Recommended by Gabi Ancarola.

Right in the middle of the city, the 16 surviving columns of this landmark are just a glimpse of what would have been the largest temple in ancient Athens, if not the world at the time – and quite rightly, as it was dedicated to the king of the gods, Zeus. The construction began in the sixth century BCE, and it took several rulers and more than 600 years to complete. Unfortunately, it was severely damaged less than a century after its completion, as it was pillaged during a barbarian invasion. Recommended by Gabi Ancarola.