Photos that will make you want to visit Greece
By Chloe Pantazi, INSIDER From Business Insider
Greece has it all.
Majestic ruins, gorgeous beaches with translucent water, and cobblestone streets winding past colorful houses.
Whether you’re visiting the mainland or the islands, there is no shortage of things to see, do, and eat.
From a monastery built in the mountains to a volcano you can literally climb inside, these photos represent just a few examples of what makes Greece worth visiting.
When you think of Greece, the Parthenon is probably the first picture that comes to mind. A visit to Athens to see the remnants of Greece’s Acropolis is an absolute must.
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Nearby, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, an amphitheater that was built in the second century, is a stunning relic of the past. Music and theater performances are still held at the venue.
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Source: GR Reporter
While in Athens, make a stop at its Central Market to experience the “agora” (marketplace), an integral part of Greek culture. It’s a place for locals to stock up on fresh fish, meat, and fruit, and catch up on gossip.
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Athens isn’t the only place with gorgeous ruins. In Olympia, you can visit the site of the ancient Olympic Games, which date back to 776 B.C.
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Source: Penn Museum
To see an entire region of beautiful old architecture, head to the Mani in Greece’s Peloponnese, where stone houses are staggered across a hilly landscape.
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Or marvel at what’s left of the ancient city of Sparta, in Laconia on Greece’s Peloponnese.
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And for a mixture of crumbling and modern architecture, the port city of Thessaloniki is a fun place to visit. It has a picturesque waterfront, loads of restaurants and bars, and a thriving student population.
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Each of the Greek islands has its own distinct character. One of the most popular islands, Santorini, is known for its idyllic tiers of white-washed houses and phenomenal ocean views.
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The town of Oia, on Santorini, has become particularly famous. It has a reputation as the ultimate place to go to watch the sun set. It’s also the dreamy backdrop to Alexis Bledel’s summer romance in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.”
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The Greek islands have appeared in other movies, too. Kefalonia was used as the location for “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin,” based on the book by Louis de Bernières.
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They’re also home to spectacular beaches. Zakynthos’ Navagio Beach — sometimes called Shipwreck Cove thanks to the rusty ship sitting on its shore — is certainly a unique place to sunbathe.
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Rhodes’ Agios Pavlos Beach has some incredible views of the ruins in the ancient town of Lindos.
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Crete’s Elafonissi Beach is considered one of the best coastal stretches in Europe. Constantin Stanciu/Shutterstock Source: Business Insider
