10 Reasons to visit Greece

If you are anything like us, you are always daydreaming of your next vacation. Traveling is the best way to spend your time after all, isn’t it?  Maybe you’ve been wondering where to go on vacation. Perhaps you are unsure which country to visit. Well, we have the answer for you, Greece! 

Greece has traditionally been a top travel destination. According to the Greek Ministry of Tourism 34 million people visited Greece in 2019. Ancient ruins, breathtaking scenery, inviting swimming waters, friendly locals and amazing food are some of the key characteristics of your vacation in Greece. Here are our top 10 reasons why Greece should be your next travel destination.

1. The delicious food

As you’ve probably heard before, Greek cuisine is amazing, and it’s 100% true. There are 3 main categories to Greek food, the first being seafood. Since Greece is a peninsula, mostly surrounded by water, fresh, daily caught fish and seafood is very common. Dishes include varying types of grilled fish, like chipoures or sea bream, and sardines. Calamari, squid, octopus, crab, lobster, oysters and even sea urchin are among the seafood served at seaside restaurants called tavernes.  Secondly, Greek fast food is unlike American fast food. Greek fast food consists of two things, a souvlaki and a pita. Souvlakia are grilled pieces of meat, usually chicken or pork, on a skewer. A pita is a souvlaki, fries, tomatoes, and onions and the traditional tzatziki sauce wrapped up in pita bread.  Finally, traditional Greek food is really healthy and tasty. Most meals are accompanied by feta cheese and a salad, and some common foods are chicken baked in the oven with potatoes, pastitsio which is the delicious Greek version of oven lasagna, moussaka, an oven bake with layers of eggplant, meat sauce topped with a creamy white sauce, and many vegetable dishes.  And of course, in Greece, you can find pizzas and burgers, if you wish to stay to more familiar tastes.

2. Beautiful Scenery

Greece is one of the most scenic and beautiful places in the world, with its gorgeous beaches and enticing clear blue waters, as well as its rocky mountains and centuries old olive trees. Greece has it all. No matter what your vacation preference is, Greece will have the right terrain to offer. From hiking through mountains and ravines that mythical creatures used to call home to basking on a beach in the glorious Greek sun. 

All shades of blue and white will feast your eyes when wandering through the small streets of the Aegean islands. Buildings with creamy white walls and red terracotta roofs complete the aesthetic look of Greece in the mainland. No matter which part of country you decide to visit, Greece will not disappoint you. 

3. The History 

Greece is one of the most historical places on Earth. The earliest signs of civilization in Greece have been dated to 270,000 BC. Since then, a continuous timeline has produced thousands of years of history. Prehistoric, Classical, Hellenistic, Byzantine, Modern are some of the general eras that Greece’s history is divided in. All of them have many accomplishments to show that are the foundation of Western civilization. Philosophy, architecture, science, mathematics, theater, democracy, literature, astronomy among other areas of study can call Greece their home. Ruins and traits of thousands of years of history are densely scattered throughout Greece. UNESCO has identified 18 World Heritage sites in Greece , all of which are worth visiting, the most famous being the Parthenon and the Acropolis in Athens. Fun Fact: Did you know that the Parthenon has no right angles in it? The Roman architect Vitruvius, who studied the monument, speculated that the Parthenon was built this way because from far away, straight lines appeared to be sagging, so the Greek architects added subtle distortions to the line of the marble so it would look perfect from every angle or distance. 

4. The Fabulous Weather 

Greece has warm, sunny weather most of the year. Last year, Greece had 300 sunny days. In the summer, Greece can get very hot, up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s very important to apply sunscreen and drink liquids to stay hydrated! What a great excuse to enjoy a cold drink by the sea. The sun of Greece is amazing for sunbathing, so make sure to flaunt that bronzed skin to your friends when you get back home. Also, Greece has very little humidity, so there are no hot, humid days in the summer. The heat is dry so even though it may be extremely hot, it doesn’t feel that way.  Overall, Greece has great weather all year round.

5. The Culture

Greek culture is unique and fun.  There are many holidays you might experience and not even know about it. For example, name days happen almost every day of the year, and while they are not national holidays, they’re like mini holidays. You will hear the local church’s bells ringing and inviting you to the religious celebration.  

Every region in Greece has its own local festival that celebrates something unique from their land. The greatest number of those festivals happen during the summer. When you happen to come across a local festival make sure to spend time among the locals. You’ll get to enjoy not just delicious food and drinks but also listen to live folk music and watch groups of people dancing in their traditional costumes. What a treat!

6. Shopping

Shopping in Greece is a truly unique experience. The range of products and stores is massive, and you can find all sorts of trinkets and souvenirs to take home with you. One really interesting item you can find is custom handmade Greek jewelry. It’s so beautiful and unique! You’ll be sure to find whatever you’re looking for, and something special you can bring home to remember your trip. 

7. Greece is Affordable

Greece has always been an affordable country, with the cost of living lower than countries such as the US or other European countries. Hotels and restaurants are usually a lot cheaper as well, and many hotels are smaller, family operated where you get to experience the famous Greek hospitality firsthand.

8. The Hospitality 

Greeks are very hospitable people, and are generally very kind to strangers and tourists, and often treat them as honored guests. This tradition goes all the way back to Ancient Greece and its mythology, when Ancient Greeks thought any guest could be a god in disguise, waiting to test your hospitality and kindness. While the belief in the Ancient Greek Gods has vanished, the hospitable manner and tradition remains. Also, most Greeks speak English as well, and English is a requirement for most customer service jobs, so don’t worry about communication!

9. Flexibility in Vacation Options

As a vacation destination, Greece has extremely flexible options, with opportunities for any type of travel! If you and your family want to spend time together in a luxury resort, Greece has it. If you love history and are dying to see some ancient ruins and archeological sites, Greece has it. Do you just want to have a great relaxing (or even lazy) vacation? Greece has it. Any type of vacation you want, it’s most likely possible in Greece, with great prices and Greece’s exceptional hospitality. 

10. Outdoor Activities and Sports

Do you love sports and outdoor activities? Well, Greece is the place for you. You can climb some of the many mountains in the country or play volleyball on a beach. You can participate in many water sports, like kayaking, canoeing, parasailing, water skiing, and water polo in Greece. Other fun sports such as paragliding, tennis, and soccer can be played in Greece as well. Or, if you just want to exercise your legs, you can wander through breathtaking cities like Athens or Thessaloniki. 

Greece has too many reasons to visit it, but these are our top 10. You can plan your dream vacation in Greece, in the beautiful landscapes, breathtaking sunsets, delicious food, and exciting opportunities. Honestly, Greece is just an amazing place to visit. Sea to it that it happens 😉 !