Discover Greece

The Land of Myths

A land of myths, legends, beautiful coasts, and ancient remnants of its golden age and earlier civilizations, Greece is far more than holiday islands, ouzo, and sculptures. As one of the world’s top travel destinations, its mainland and islands shimmer in the summer sun and echo to the sound of traditional Greek music. Crammed with attractions and things to do, Greece is a major destination for travel aficionados from all over the world.

Its premier attractions are world famous for their association with the Minoan, Mycenaean, and Ancient Greek periods, immortalized in the works of great poets, playwrights, and philosophers almost 2,000 years ago. Exploring Knossos on Crete, Mycenae in the Peloponnese, and the treasures of Athens are all-time favorites for visitors. The country’s not all ancient ruins, however, and modern draws such as great beaches, fun water sports, adventure and outdoor activities, along with waterside tavernas, all have their place in the perfect Greek getaway.
The Greek people are among the world’s most welcoming, friendly and helpful, dispensing their renowned hospitality to all with open arms and hearts. Whether you’re staying you’ll be immersed in the community in no time.

There’s a huge choice of destinations spread across the mainland and the Greek islands, catering for every style of vacation, from beach-hopping to history buffs. Travel between the islands is easy by ferry boat from the mainland ports, and most historic sites are centered in the immediate area of a prominent center of town.

Greece is an excellent choice to live either if you’d like to buy a property or time sharing vacation. Greece is also the best worldwide choice to invest as now there are a lot of big opportunities.

Tourism In Greece

Tourism in Greece traces its roots to the ancient times. Cultural exchange took place between the Greek colonies of Magna Graeca and the young Roman Republic before Rome’s rise to dominance of the Western Mediterranean. When Greece was annexed by the Roman Empire centuries later, the cultural exchange that started between the two civilizations triggered as a result a large number of Romans visiting the famous centers of Greek philosophy and science, such as Athens, Corinth and Thebes, partly because Greece had become a province of the Roman Empire and Greeks were granted Roman citizenship.

Greece attracts more than 17.5 million people each year. Greece has been an attraction for international visitors since antiquity for its rich and long history, Mediterranean coastline and beaches.
Tourism in modern-day Greece started to flourish in the 1960s and 1970s, in what became known as mass tourism. During that time, large-scale construction projects for hotels and other such facilities were undertaken and the country saw an increase in international tourists over the years. International events such as the 2004 Summer Olympic Games and the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, both held in Athens, greatly helped to boost tourism in the country, while large-scale nationally-funded cultural infrastructure such as the New Acropolis Museum also contributed to the flow of tourists in the country.

Places to Visit

Athens

Athens, having been inhabited since the Neolithic age, is considered Europe’s historical capital. During its long, everlasting and fascinating history the city reached its zenith in the 5th century B.C with the Golden Age of Pericles and Acropolis, when its values and civilization acquired a universal significance and glory. Political thought, theatre, the arts, philosophy, science, architecture, among other forms of intellectual thought, reached an epic acme, in a period of intellectual consummation unique in world history. Therefore, Athens constituted the cradle of western civilization. A host of Greek words and ideas, such as democracy, harmony, music, mathematics, art, gastronomy, architecture, logic, Eros, euphoria and many others, enriched a multitude of languages, and inspired civilizations. Today, it offers visitors a unique experience. You get an uplifting, embracing feeling in the brilliant light of the Attica sky, surveying the charming landscape in the environs of the city (the indented coastline, beaches and mountains), and enjoying the modern infrastructure of the city and unique verve of the Athenians. Year-round visitors are fascinated by Athens, one of the most attractive and charming capitals of Europe.

Mykonos

Welcome to Greece’s most famous cosmopolitan island, a whitewashed paradise in the heart of the Cyclades. Discover a fascinating world where glamour meets simplicity. On Mykonos celebrities, college students and families mingle together to celebrate the Greek summer. Whether you are an entertainment junkie out for a real good time, or a visitor who wishes to explore the island’s history and tradition, Mykonos will certainly meet your expectations. A magical island so attractive that no one can visit just once!

Crete

Crete simply has it all! Crete is the largest island in Greece, and the fifth largest one in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, the visitor can admire the remnants of the Minoan civilization, explore glorious beaches, impressive mountainscapes, fertile valleys and steep gorges, and become part of the island’s rich gastronomic culture. Crete is, after all, a small universe teeming with beauties and treasures that you will probably need a lifetime to uncover!

Paros

Unrivalled natural beauty, beaches with crystal clear waters, unrivalled Byzantine footpaths connecting traditional villages and breathtaking landscapes make Paros, located at the heart of the Cyclades, one of the best loved holiday destinations in Greece. On Paros Island, you can spend leisure hours doing sports and activities on the beaches and the mountainside. Water sports are very popular on Paros, as is walking and trekking though areas of natural beauty. It is also a favorite destination for windsurfers from all over the world. The wonderful beaches in Paros, in combination with the excellent wind conditions, make windsurfing a unique experience. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, you can try your hand at windsurfing, as many Paros beaches have windsurfing facilities and schools.

Santorini

Santorini is considered to be the most sought after place for a romantic getaway in Greece, since there are not many places in the world where you can enjoy exquisitely clear waters while perched on the rim of a massive active volcano in the middle of the sea! The island has a growing reputation as a “wedding destination” for couples from all over the world. A trip to Santorini with the other half is a dream for anyone who has seen at least one photo of the island’s famous Caldera and exchanging kisses beneath Oia’s famous sunset is the ultimate romantic experience!

Corfu

Corfu was the place in Greece where the Venetians, the French and the British used to live in the past. With the passage of time the island may have changed, but we can still feel the spirit of a distant glorious past. Its rich multi-cultural heritage, its historic monuments, its stunning natural landscape, its crystal clear seas, and its excellent weather all year round explain why Corfu is one of the most cosmopolitan Mediterranean destinations weaving a powerful spell on its visitors.

Rhodes

Rhodes, the island of the Knights and the capital of the Dodecanese, an island which is ideal not only for those who want to relax but also for those looking for an action-packed holiday! With its bright green hills, rich green valleys and uninterrupted line of golden beaches, Rhodes is truly a blessed place. Add in the excellent facilities for tourism, the island’s special blend of cosmopolitan and traditional, and numerous cultural and archaeological sites and you’ve got the perfect holiday destination. Thanks to its strategic position, Rhodes has been important since ancient times. The ancient city of Rhodes, the construction of which began in 407 BC, was designed according to the city planning system devised by the greatest city planner of antiquity, Hippodamus of Miletus. Rhodes soon developed into one of the most important seafaring and trading centres in the Eastern Mediterranean. When it became a province of the Roman, and later the Byzantine Empire, it initially lost its ancient glory. But in 1309 the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem conquered Rhodes. They built strong fortifications to protect the island, turning it into an important administrative centre and a thriving multinational medieval city. In 1523 Rhodes was conquered by the Ottoman Turks, and the Greeks had to settle outside the city walls. During the Ottoman occupation, new buildings were erected within the Old Town, mainly mosques and baths. In 1912 Rhodes and the rest of the Dodecanese, were seized by the Italians. The new rulers embellished the city with magnificent buildings, wide roads and squares. The Palace of the Grand Master was rebuilt and the Street of the Knights was reconstructed in order to regain its medieval purity. It was not until 1948 that Rhodes officially became part of Greece. In 1988 the Medieval City of Rhodes was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Mainland

Although most tourists head first to the Greek islands, the mainland of Greece also offers amazing places to visit. As the mainland has been the center of development and warfare since the antiquity, it constituted the main region where the ancient Greek civilization flourished. Other regions of Greece also developed, including Crete in the Minoan times, Macedonia in the post-classical times and Epirus in the Hellenistic period, but Sterea and Peloponnese kept their leading roles all through the historical course of Greece. That is why there are so many important archaeological places and ancient temples in the mainland: the Acropolis in Athens, Ancient Epidaurus, Mycenae and Olympia in Peloponnese, Delphi in Sterea, Ancient Dodoni in Epirus, Dion and Ancient Philippi in Macedonia. Although these are not as popular destinations as the Greek islands, they provide interesting sightseeing and they can be easily accessed with tours from Athens or other large cities. Apart from these archaeological sites, the Greek mainland also has beautiful beach places and impressive nature. The most tourist developed places in the mainland are Halkidiki, Pieria, Parga and various towns of Peloponnese. It provides gorgeous nature to hike in spring, sightseeing to explore off the beaten track and even ski centers for the wintertime.