Unique “Greek” Destinations & Trips
Photo: By Georgios Karabelas
[ 1 ] BEST REGION NEAR ATHENS
The Mythical Peloponnese
Kyparissi Villages
If you need to avoid the … paparazzi, this is the place. A beautiful, amazing, relaxing location. Kyparissi is the kind of destination that if you discover yourself, you’ll only let your closest friends know because you are afraid of spoiling it.
Kyparissi was an ancient sanctuary of Asclepius (god of medicine). At some point in its history, the people of this lush valley of olive trees, pine, and carob left the coast and moved to a higher point where the village was hidden from the sea and the pirates who raided the coast.
Related tours that include or can include this destination:
☼ 5-Day Tour of the Mythical Peloponnese
☼ The Ultimate 7-Day Greek Experience
Monemvasia Castle Town
The castle town of Monemvasia: the “stone ship” of the Greek poet Yiannis Ritsos: the cross-road of civilizations throughout the centuries. Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, the Pope, the pirates, and Ottomans have all left indelible marks of their domination on this magic rock. 
Castles and walls, old mansions, narrow cobblestone pavements, churches, old short arches, arcs, escutcheons, marble imperial thrones, Byzantine icons are giving the impression of an imaginary town untouched by the passing of time. Entering the castle through its unique entrance where the town of Monemvasia took its name from, a journey to the past begins, from the 6th century when the castle was initially inhabited, until nowadays.
Related tours that include or can include this destination:
☼ 5-Day Tour of the Mythical Peloponnese
☼ The Ultimate 7-Day Greek Experience
Mani Peninsula
Where to start?
Areopoli, Limeni, Oitylo and of cource Limeni village because of its unique sunset and amazing views during the day. Great swim in beautiful shades of blue, maybe with the company of the two sea turtles. There is a lot more like Gerolimenas, Vatheia and Cape Tainaron!
You can visit Diros Caves which you explore with a boat and a guide.
By Jean Housen – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79064924
By Ntasos – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62806934
Related tours that include or can include this destination:
☼ 5-Day Tour of the Mythical Peloponnese
☼ The Ultimate 7-Day Greek Experience
Caves in the Peloponnese
All three caves are located in the Peloponnese region and can be included in most tours. The Diros Caves you explore with a boat and a guide while the other two you walk through them with a guide leading the way. All three are very easy and safe to explore and they have amazing formations of stalagmites and stalactites!
[1] Diros Caves (Mani area)
By Koppi2 at de.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15892818
[2] The Cave of Lakes (Arcadia area)
[3] Kapsia Caves (Arcadia area)
Related tours that include or can include this destination:
☼ 5-Day Tour of the Mythical Peloponnese
☼ The Ultimate 7-Day Greek Experience
Kardamyli Village
It’s easy to see why Kardamyli was one of the seven cities offered to Achilles by Agamemnon. Amazing beauty all around! This tiny village has one of the prettiest settings in the Peloponnese, located between the amazing blue of the Messinian Gulf and the Taÿgetos Mountain range.
Patrick and Joan Leigh Fermor loved and admired Greece and decided to build their home in Kardamyli where they lived for the rest of their lives. In 1996, they donated their “house” to the Benaki Museum (a must-visit while in Athens) which is now open to the public with scheduled visits and guided tours.
The surrounding mountain villages have wonderful nooks and crannies to explore, with ancient churches and excellent tavernas. Of course, Kardamyli is only the beginning of the Mani peninsula to follow and amaze the visitor!
Related tours that include or can include this destination:
☼ 5-Day Tour of the Mythical Peloponnese
☼ The Ultimate 7-Day Greek Experience
Nestor’s Palace
Pylos (Italian: Navarino), is a large bay and a town on the west coast of the Peloponnese, in the district of Messenia. Occupied as early as the Middle Bronze Age, the site is dominated by a monumental structure, known as Nestor’s palace, which is the best preserved of the existing Mycenean palaces. Built in the Late Bronze Age (1300 B.C.), the palace consists of 105 ground floor apartments. The most important compartments of the palace are the big “throne room”, with its circular heath, a room with a clay bath tube, and stores with numerous storage jars. The walls of the palace were decorated with beautiful frescos.
Related tours that include or can include this destination:
☼ 5-Day Tour of the Mythical Peloponnese
☼ The Ultimate 7-Day Greek Experience
Castle of Methoni
The castle of Methoni lies at the southernmost point of the west coast of the Peloponnese, in a place that had been fortified since the 7th century BC. Until 1204 AD it was used as a fort by the Byzantines, while in 1209 AD the Venetians, according to the treaty of Sapienza, became the rulers of the area. During the first era of Venetian occupation (1209-1500), Methoni was established as a financial center and commercial port and the town reached its peak. It was then that the magnificent castle was erected with its massive fortification walls, one of the most distinctive defensive structures of medieval Venetian architecture.
In 1500 the Sultan Bayezid II (1447-1512) seized the castle of Methoni, initiating a period of turbulent history and prolonged decline in the region. By 1685 the Venetian force under Francesco Morosini (1618-1694) reconquered Peloponnese, but the Ottomans came back in 1715; this time their dominance was complete and would remain unchallenged until the early 19th century Greek War of Independence. Methoni became the seat of the Pasha of Western Messenia until 1828 when it was liberated by the Moreas expedition force led by General Nicolas Maison.
Today, the castle is in an excellent state of preservation, while considerable remains of the medieval town still survive within its area: the Byzantine church of St. Sofia, the 1833 church of the Transformation, erected by the French liberating force (1828-1833), the Turkish baths, along with ruins of urban buildings.
Between 1500 and 1573, on the rocky islet to the south of the castle, the Ottomans built Bourtzi (meaning tower); this was an octagonal fort aimed to reinforce the defensive system of the area, but it also served as a prison and torture chamber. [Source: Greek Travel Pages]
Related tours that include or can include this destination:
☼ 5-Day Tour of the Mythical Peloponnese
☼ The Ultimate 7-Day Greek Experience
Ancient Messene
This is not to be confused with Ancient Mycenae near Nafplio town! This is Ancient Messene; probably the best and very much unknown site in Greece. It’s the size and the so many still-standing “ruins” that make the Messene so unique. Still not easy to access if you are planning day tours from Athens like a typical tourist! You can easily included in any Peloponnese multi-day tour.
Not far is another must-visit. The amazing temple of Epikourios Apollo.
By Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany – The Temple of Apollo Epikourios at Bassae, Arcadia, Greece, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37881045
By Edward Dodwell – From Byzantine Museum of Athens, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68757570
Related tours that include or can include this destination:
☼ 5-Day Tour of the Mythical Peloponnese
☼ The Ultimate 7-Day Greek Experience
Arcadia Villages
[1] Dimitsana Village
The most popular destination for the Greeks!
[2] Stemnitsa
The jewelress’ village!
[3] Lousios Gorge
Cliff-hanging Monasteries
Laggadia
The stone-builders’ village!
Related tours that include or can include this destination:
☼ Cliff-hanging Monasteries, Mountain Villages of Peloponnese, Lousios Gorge & River: Day Tour
☼ Cave of Lakes, Ancient Corinth & Canal, Odontotos Rack Railway Day Tour
☼ 5-Day Tour of the Mythical Peloponnese
☼ The Ultimate 7-Day Greek Experience
[ 2 ] AUTHENTIC UNIQUE & BEAUTIFUL
Central & North Greece
Syrrako Village
Once you pass the stone gate and go up the paved street that leads into the village, you will forget the difficult trip. The stone-builders of the village made the buildings look like pieces of art. Syrrako was built sometime around the 15th century A.D. and preserves the traditional architecture of the Epirus region. Stone multi-storey houses, slate roofs, stone-paved streets, carved fountains with running water and the absence of motor vehicles, all contribute in maintaining the traditional color in tact. Syrrako has been designated as preserved settlement. Both Syrrako & Kalarrytes (next in the list) villages belong to the Tzoumerka area which is a place unexplored by many. It has treasures that have not yet been discovered and are waiting patiently.
Related tours that include or can include this destination:
Kalarrites Village
Stone houses are built according to the traditional Epirotic architecture in a magical location under gorgeous imposing mountains. Kalarrites has been famous from the period of Turkish domination for the incomparable art of its silversmiths.
Related tours that include or can include this destination:
Zagorochoria Villages
The landscapes the visitor encounters in Zagorochoria (villages of Zagori area), the uniqueness of nature, the characteristic local architecture and the local traditional tastes are the experiences that will stay in your memory.
(1) Dikorfo
The beauty of the villages of Zagorochoria lies in their uniformity. Dikorfo is such a village where the local slate prevails in all the constructions, creating this impressive outcome. 
An untouched piece of land, with small beautiful guesthouses and tavernas. What else can you ask for?
(2) Dilofo “The Kingdom of Stone”
(3) Tsepelovo
(4) Aristi
The roads towards Vikos gorge leads initially to the village and a bit further down to the observatory from where you can enjoy the impressive gorge. There are no words to describe this view. Apart from the other sights, you can also see the path that goes down into the gorge. Do not hesitate, go down to the springs of Voidomatis and admire the greatness of nature.
(5) Papigo
[Photo: Ziegler175]Some say that Megalo Papigo has become touristic and that it has lost its authenticity. However, despite what others say, once you start strolling in the paved alleys you will feel the coziness of a “neat and tidy “ village, your eyes will catch numerous beautiful pictures and your feet will want to walk through all the alleys. The same goes for Mikro Papigo as well, although the view of the natural towers of Astraka is more direct, something that makes it even more unforgettable. Between the two Papigos you will meet an unexpected surprise, Kolibithres or Rogovo Ovires. These beautiful, natural pools are formed when the metallic doors that have been put there, hold the water between the nicely shaped rocks. The view is great as well as the dive. From Mikro Papigo you can take the path that leads to the shelter of Astraka and to the trail up until the Dragonlake. Megalo Papiggo is built on 980 altitudes, 60 km away from Ioannina, the road up to there is generally good but there are 15 consecutive 180 degrees turns that need a bit of caution.
(6) Monodendri
Related tours that include or can include this destination:
Vovousa Village
Related tours that include or can include this destination:
Metsovo Town
Metsovo is the jewel of the Epirus region.
Yes, it is a long way away from Athens but it is also a dream come true for any Greek if they can visit it! However, for the visitor to Greece, there are stepping stones like Delphi and Meteora.
This beautiful mountain town combines breathtaking views & nature, plus top-class wine tourism. Even though the year’s average temperature does not exceed 10° C (50°F), this great destination remains lively all year round thanks to its local people who have helped maintain the local culture and capitalize on the natural beauty.
The town and surroundings captures the visitor with the spectacular colors and its unique images. It is built in 1,200 m altitude in an impressive green landscape, and you will admire its museums, the mansions made of stone, the monasteries, the cobbled roads, and enjoy your food or coffee in the central square that is surrounded by restaurants and pretty cafes.
Dion Archeological Park
Dion stands in the northern foothills of Mount Olympus, and exercises complete control over the narrow defile leading from Macedonia to Thessaly region.
The three-floor museum is a 10-minute walk west of the archaeological park and is packed with votive statues from the sanctuaries at Ancient Dion, plus grave monuments and a large collection of coins.
The park has an area of 150 hectares, of which nearly 50 hectares belong to the urban area and 50 hectares to the sanctuaries. In the former urban area residential buildings, a market square, public buildings, churches, bathhouses, shops, workshops, and toilets have been found. The sanctuaries, the theaters, and the cemetery are located outside the city.
Archeological Site of Vergina
Vergina in the foothills of Mt. Pieria was the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia, called Aigai. The site of the Royal Tombs under a modern roof hosts the main excavation, as well as an exhibition of the major finds from the burials. It is protected by UNESCO as world cultural heritage and comprises a unique discovery of an enormous universal impact.
Known as the tomb of Philip II of Macedonia, Vergina is one of the most beautiful sites in Greece.
Vergina is composed of three points of interest: the Macedonian tomb located 50 m on the left, after having crossed the modern Vergina village and taken the direction of the palace on the right; the palace and the theatre of Aegean at the end of this junction; and finally, the royal tombs that we will reach on our way back to the village.
