20 Unusual Things to be Seen in Greece

Greece is a nation of myth, culture, and spectacular landscapes that are just waiting to be discovered. It is more than simply ancient ruins and gorgeous beaches. From seeing hidden jewels in Athens to island hopping in the Aegean, our tours provide exceptional experiences that surpass the norm. There is something for everyone, regardless of your interests in history, adventure, or cuisine. Begin your next trip to Greece right now!

Once a dark street in the Psyrri district in Athens, Pittaki Street is known for its unique light arrangement which gives the street an eerie and magical aspect. Created thanks to a non-profit association called Imagine The City and a group of volunteers, including creative lighting studio Beforelight, the lights illuminate this one sad-looking alley bordered by empty stores. The second highlight of Pittaki Street is that at the end of the street, you will feel like you’ve entered a fairytale haven at Little Kook, a charming café which has invaded the street with its colorful and theme-inspired decoration. Grab a side outside, although you should also take a peek inside and revel in a delicious homemade cake.

While everyone is familiar with the volcanic island of Santorini and its beautiful caldera, few know about the volcanic island of Nisyros. Located in the Dodecanese group, between Kos and Tilos, Nisyros is a tranquil island home to a dormant volcano where the huge Stefanos crater is open to the public. Located at the heart of the island, this impressive crater is the largest of the craters on the island and you can even see steam erupting from it. While the bottom of the crater is fenced off, you can still feel a burning sensation while walking inside the crater if you are wearing flip flops or thin-sole shoes. An impressive and thrilling experience, the crater is definitely a must-see when visiting the island.

If you are into anything abandoned and deserted, you should visit the train cemetery on the outskirts of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city. The “graveyard”, located in the suburb Nea Ionia, counts over a thousand rusty trains and lends itself perfectly to a photoshoot. In use since 1980s, the cemetery serves as the repository of the decommissioned train of the Hellenic Railways Organisation and is accessible via buses 51, 54 and 54A from the train station (stop after the highway E90).

Near Agia Marina’s bay in Crete, visitors can stumble across the petrified forest of Agia Marina in the cape of Malia in the region of Lakonia. Unique in Greece, these petrified palm trees are the result of volcanic and seismic activity and geological disturbances. It is believed that the sea level rose and covered the trees, then calcified and petrified due to the calcium carbonate content in the seawater. When the sea level dropped, marine organisms remained stuck on the trunks and were also fossilised.

You’ve probably heard of the Oracle of Delphi, in central Greece, but few have heard about the oracle of the Dead, the necromanteion, an ancient temple consecrated to Hades, the god of the Underworld, Hades, and his wife, goddess Persephone. These temples where necromancy was practiced to receive prophecies, were built in locations thought to be entrances to the Underworld. One such place is the necromanteion of Ephyra, located in Epirus, on the banks of the river Acheron. Discovered by archaeologist Sotirios Dakaris in the 1960s, the necromanteion of Ephyra includes a few underground chambers and though the authenticity of the site has been disputed, a visit to the necromanteion is still an interesting experience.

The underrated island of Lemnos (or Limnos) in the Northeastern Aegean Sea is home to splendid nature, beautiful beaches and charming little villages. In mythology, Lemnos is known to be the place where god Hephaestus’ forge was located, after he was hurled off Olympus by Zeus. Home to Miocene volcanos now dormant, the island features spectacular volcanic rock formations made of petrified lava which froze, forming bizarre shapes. These rocks, that locals call Falakro (bald), or Fragokefala, are located in the northern part of the island, near Poliochni, by the beach near Propouli.

Located near Nea Chalkidona, a little town in northern Greece near Thessaloniki, a field containing half-buried tombstones lies forgotten. These Celtic-styled tombstones are the testimony of the presence of Bogomils, members of a Christian cult in Greece, persecuted by the Christians as well as the Ottomans when they settled in the region. The small community disappeared in the 15th-century and the graveyard is all there is left from their time in Greece.

Amateur and professional photographers, curious minds and lovers of all things desolate, this one is for you. Gavros is an entire abandoned village located on the road connecting Kastoria to the Prespa lakes. The reason why locals deserted it and relocate nearby is not really known, but this is a chance to discover the local architectural style of the region.

In Messinia, Peloponnese, in the small town of Agrilia, or Agrili, known for its beautiful sunsets, is also home to a fairytale castle. Yes, you read it right. Though a little tacky, the castle was built by Harry Fournarakis, a Greek-American doctor who came back to his parents’ homeland after making a fortune as a surgeon across the Atlantic. The concrete and plaster building features all the characteristics of a medieval castle, including a drawbridge. Blended fairytales and Greek mythology, the castle is home to huge statues in its courtyard, including one of goddess Athena, god Poseidon and one of a sitting horse. Though the castle now lies abandoned, visitors can still freely enjoy the outside of the building. Fournarakis (or Fournier) is also responsible for the construction of a replica of the Eiffel Tower in the nearby town of Filiatra.

The island of Chios is known for its beautiful beaches, quaint villages and its cultivation of mastic, an odorant teardrop-shaped resin from trees growing in a specific region of the island. But one particular village worth seeing is Pyrgi. A medieval village known for its famous black and white geometrical design decorated the facades of all its buildings, Pyrgi is definitely an Instagram-worthy destination. Known as xysta, the geometrical pattern is reminiscent of the sgraffito style. Furthermore, the village has maintained its medieval character, with narrow streets, with vaults and arches. Make sure your camera has enough battery because you are bound to take a lot of photos there.

In the beautiful region of Epirus, northwest Greece, lies the Acheron River, in an area of stunning beauty. Blessed with clear water, the river is located near the village of Gliki and, according to Greek mythology, it was one of the five rivers of Hades, the underworld. The river passes through picture-perfect gorges and rugged precipices, creating a magnificent landscape you will want to get lost in forever.

Did you know that the small island of Kimolos, near Milos, is home to out-of-this world geological formations? Lacals call one of its most spectacular Skiadi and is in the shape of a stone mushroom. This unique formation is located in the middle of a valley and is a marvellous sight. It doesn’t hurt that the island is also beautiful.

Epirus is an underrated region, home to little-known gems. One of them is the Drakolimni (Dragon lakes), which are mountain lakes. Legend has it that two of these lakes were home to two dragons, who hated each other. While this may only be a legend, it doesn’t undermine the beauty of the area, with topaz waters surrounded by green meadows. The sight is even more spectacular in winter, when the snow hits the mountains. Look out for the Alpine newt, which flourishes in these ecosystems. Looking like a tiny dragon, these little creatures are dark brown and are covered with reddish spots on their abdomen.

The exotic cluster of the Lihadonisia is located in northwest Evian Gulf, across the coastal town Kamena Vourla, in central Greece. Created as a result of volcanic activity, the Lihadonisia form a forgotten paradise with blue waters and golden sandy beaches. Totally inhabited, today they are protected areas. A day trip to these little hidden gems is truly an experience you won’t easily forget.

Located in Messinia, Voidokilia beach is one of the most beautiful in Greece, and probably in the whole of Europe. Its most specific feature is the curve of the bay, which makes it look like an ox’s belly, hence its name. With white, fine sand, turquoise waters and a protected status, Voidokilia is a beach you should definitely put on your bucket list.

Located in Pyrgos Diros, near Gytheio, the Diros caves, Alepotrypa, Katafigi and Glyfada are another hidden secret. While the central cave ends in a beautiful underground river, the caves are thought to be some of the earliest inhabited sites in Greece, as many artefacts were found there. The caves are known for their beauty and also for the fact that they remain largely unexplored.

Have you ever seen a stone forest? If you haven’t, then it is time to come to Greece and visit Epirus. You will find an impressive karstic field called the Stone Forest (Petrino Dasos). Located at an altitude of 1,500 metres, the forest is near the picturesque village of Monodendri.

The cave of Melissani is located near Karavomilos on the island of Kefalonia. Its unique characteristic is a beautiful lacustrine cave, which was created by a mechanical and chemical process of rock dissolution, when water enters through the rocks, eroding them and creating hollows. Discovered in 1951 by speleontologist Giannis Petrochilos, the lake has strong mythological importance. A place of worship to Pan and the nymph Melissani, the lake features a tiny islet, where the sanctuary of Pan was discovered. The lake can be reached through an underground tunnel by boat.

The region of Florina in northern Greece is home to a magical world of natural beauty created by a series of glaciers and seismic phenomena. The area is home to two lakes, the Great and Small Prespa, lying at 850 meters above sea level. Blessed with a rich fauna and flora, the Prespa lakes region is also known to be a fantastic destination for birdwatching enthusiasts.

Thirty-five kilometers away from Kalamata, the beautiful region of Polylimnio is probably one of Greece’s best kept secret. The region is known for its complex of 15 lakes and waterfalls, where the discerning visitors will discover small gorges, lush vegetation and refreshing lakes. To reach this verdant biotope, a medium strenous hike is necessary but once you get there, your efforts will soon be rewarded by a unique view.

From its well-known historical landmarks to its lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path treasures, Greece is full of surprises. These trips provide something different for every tourist, whether they choose to visit enigmatic caverns, magnificent monasteries, or bustling local marketplaces. Make lifelong memories while exploring the part of Greece that most tourists overlook. Now is the time to begin organizing your journey!