Grecia
Welcome to Greece, the land where myth merges with reality and where every stone seems to whisper the secrets of a glorious past
Updated 7 July 2026
Grecia
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Grecia now
The story
The story of Grecia
A millennial journey through history
The history of Greece is a monumental fresco spanning over four thousand years of civilization. It all began with the enigmatic Minoan culture in Crete and Mycenaean culture in the Peloponnese, civilizations of warriors and merchants that laid the foundations of Greek myth. The Classical era, in the 5th century BC, saw the flourishing of Athens and Sparta, bringing art, philosophy, and politics to their peak. This was followed by the conquests of Alexander the Great, who spread Hellenism to the borders of India, and subsequently Roman domination, which, despite militarily conquering Greece, remained culturally subjugated by it. The long Byzantine period transformed the country into the heart of the Eastern Roman Empire, bequeathing splendid monasteries and Orthodox churches. After centuries of Ottoman rule, the War of Independence in 1821 marked the birth of the modern state, a proud nation that has preserved its millennial identity through the challenges of the twentieth century up to the present day.
The Acropolis of Athens: the heart of democracy
Dominating the capital's skyline, the Acropolis is not just a monumental complex, but the universal symbol of classical civilization. Built atop a rocky outcrop, this 'high city' houses the Parthenon, the temple dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos, an absolute masterpiece of Doric architecture designed by Ictinus and Callicrates under the supervision of Phidias. What makes the Acropolis special is the perfection of its proportions and the subtle optical corrections that give the buildings an apparent lightness despite the mass of Pentelic marble. Walking among the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion with its famous Caryatids, one perceives the ambition of an era that sought to celebrate man and his capacity for dialogue with the divine. The site also offers breathtaking views spanning from the surrounding hills to the port of Piraeus, recalling the indissoluble link between the city and the sea.
Delphi: the navel of the ancient world
Perched on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, the site of Delphi was considered by the ancients to be the exact center of the Earth. Here stood the Panhellenic sanctuary of Apollo, where the Pythia, the oracular priestess, delivered her prophecies that influenced the destinies of kings and city-states. The charm of Delphi lies in the perfect harmony between the architectural structures and the wild, rugged natural landscape of Phocis. Ascending along the Sacred Way, one encounters the 'treasuries', small buildings erected by various cities to house offerings to the god, until reaching the Temple of Apollo and the magnificently preserved theater. Even higher up is the stadium, where the Pythian Games were celebrated. Visiting Delphi today means immersing oneself in a sacred and mysterious atmosphere, where the silence of the mountain is broken only by the wind blowing through the ruins, evoking the profound spirituality that animated this place.
The suspended monasteries of Meteora
In the plain of Thessaly, gigantic sandstone towers rise towards the sky, hosting on their summits the monasteries of Meteora, whose name literally means 'suspended in the air'. These religious complexes, built starting from the 14th century by hermit monks seeking isolation and protection, represent an incredible challenge to engineering and gravity. Originally accessible only by rope ladders or winches, today six of the surviving monasteries can be visited thanks to staircases carved into the rock. Inside, the walls are decorated with Byzantine frescoes of extraordinary beauty and dramatic intensity. The combination of the bizarre geological formation of the rocks, born from marine sediments millions of years ago, and the spiritual work of man creates a mystical and surreal landscape, especially at sunset, when the stone is tinged with golden and purplish hues, making this place one of the most evocative in the entire Hellenic peninsula.
Knossos and the myth of the Minotaur
On the island of Crete, the Palace of Knossos represents the highest expression of Minoan civilization, Europe's first great advanced culture. Unearthed and partially reconstructed by archaeologist Arthur Evans at the beginning of the 20th century, the site appears as an intricate labyrinth of rooms, corridors, storerooms, and courtyards that develop around a central area. Here the legend of King Minos, Ariadne, and the fierce Minotaur comes to life among the red columns and vibrant frescoes depicting dolphins, bull-leaping, and processions. Knossos amazes with the modernity of its hydraulic systems and the absence of defensive walls, a sign of a peaceful society based on maritime trade. Exploring these ruins means taking a leap back in time of over three thousand years, discovering a refined and joyful culture that profoundly influenced the development of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Olympia: where the athletic ideal was born
Located in a lush valley of the Peloponnese, at the confluence of the Alpheus and Kladeos rivers, Olympia is the place where the first Olympic Games began in 776 BC. The site was a sanctuary dedicated to Zeus, whose chryselephantine statue, a work by Phidias, was counted among the seven wonders of the ancient world. Today, walking among the remains of the Altis (the sacred precinct), one can admire the foundations of the Temple of Zeus, Phidias' workshop, and the Gymnasium where athletes trained. The most exciting moment is entering the stadium through the cryptoporticus: the dirt track, devoid of stone stands, still preserves the marble starting blocks. Every four years, in this place, wars were suspended to allow the games to take place, celebrating an ideal of physical and moral excellence that still inspires the modern Olympic movement today.
The Islands: archipelagos of light and wind
The Greek island landscape is a kaleidoscope of diversity. The Cyclades, with their white cubic houses and the blue domes of Santorini and Mykonos, embody the collective imagination of summer Greece, beaten by the sun and wind. The Ionian Islands, like Corfu and Zakynthos, instead show a greener and more lush face, with Venetian architectural influences that recall the long connection with Italy. The Dodecanese, with Rhodes and Patmos, preserves imposing medieval fortresses and an oriental flavor due to its proximity to the Turkish coasts. Each island has its own soul: from the fine sandy beaches of the Sporades to the wild cliffs of Amorgos, up to the continental grandeur of Crete, a true micro-cosmos with snow-capped mountains and deep gorges. Navigating among these emerged lands means discovering bays accessible only by sea and villages where time seems to have stood still, offering a regenerating refuge away from daily chaos.
Traditions and flavors of the Hellenic diet
Greek cuisine is a celebration of land and sea products, based on simple but high-quality ingredients. Extra virgin olive oil is the undisputed protagonist, accompanying iconic dishes such as Greek salad (horiatiki) with juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, and feta. Local gastronomy is best expressed in slow cooking, as in moussaka or kleftiko (baked lamb), but also in the fresh flavors of tzatziki and freshly grilled fish. The ritual of a meal in Greece is a moment of prolonged socializing, often accompanied by a glass of ouzo or indigenous wines like Santorini's Assyrtiko or Retsina. Popular traditions are also abundant, from dances like sirtaki to religious festivals (panigiria) that enliven village squares with live music and collective dances, testifying to a visceral connection with their cultural roots.
- Admire the sunset from Oia in Santorini, as the sun disappears into the volcanic crater.
- Hike through the Samariá Gorge in Crete, one of Europe's longest canyons.
- Explore the medieval city of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Attend a Greek tragedy in the ancient theater of Epidaurus, famous for its perfect acoustics.
- Get lost in the alleys of Plaka in Athens, the city's oldest district at the foot of the Acropolis.
- Relax on the white beaches of Elafonissi, famous for their pink-hued sand.
When to go and how to experience Greece
The best time to visit Greece depends on the type of experience desired. Spring (April-June) is ideal for trekking and archaeological visits, with mild temperatures and nature in full bloom. Summer (July-August) is the season for the sea and entertainment, but it can be very hot and crowded at the main sites; during this period, it is advisable to retreat to lesser-known islands or enjoy the cooler morning hours. Autumn (September-October) offers still warm days and a sea perfect for swimming, with fewer tourists and lower prices. To experience Greece authentically, avoid frantic rhythms: adopt the local habit of an afternoon siesta and enjoy dinners that start late and end at midnight under the starry sky, letting curiosity and slowness guide you.
FAQ
Qual è il modo migliore per spostarsi tra le isole?
Serve la patente internazionale per noleggiare un'auto?
È possibile visitare i siti archeologici gratuitamente?
L'acqua del rubinetto è potabile?
Quanto tempo occorre per visitare Atene?
Getting there
- Atene Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)
- Salonicco Makedonia (SKG)
- Heraklion (HER)
- Santorini (JTR)
- Linea ferroviaria principale Atene-Salonicco
- Autostrada E75 che attraversa il paese da nord a sud; collegamenti via traghetto dai porti italiani di Ancona, Bari, Brindisi e Venezia verso Igoumenitsa e Patrasso.
- Per le isole minori, prenotate i traghetti con anticipo durante l'alta stagione per assicurarvi il posto, specialmente se viaggiate con un veicolo.
Perfect for
Un paradiso per gli amanti della storia con siti UNESCO, templi millenari e musei di rilevanza mondiale ad ogni angolo.
Migliaia di spiagge diverse, dalle calette rocciose alle distese di sabbia dorata, bagnate da acque cristalline.
Ideale per il trekking sul Monte Olimpo, il windsurf nelle Cicladi e la vela tra le isole Ionie.
Un viaggio nei sapori mediterranei tra mercati locali, taverne tradizionali e vini pregiati da vitigni millenari.
To see
What to see in Grecia
Routes · Trovido Route
