Greece’s most underrated ancient sites outside of Athens

·

If you’re planning a trip to Greece, Athens is likely at the top of your list, thanks to its renowned museums. However, travel expert Rick Steves suggests that by only visiting Athens, you might miss out on some of Greece’s most underrated ancient sites.

According to islands.com, he recommends three must-visit spots, all within three hours of Athens.

Mycenae and the Theater at Epidavros

For fans of Homer’s “Iliad” and classic Greek plays, Mycenae is a treasure. Mycenae is a fortress city atop a hill, the center of a powerful civilization that dominated the Greek world between 1600 and 1200 BCE, a thousand years before Athens’ Golden Age. Just an hour and a half by car from Athens, Mycenae boasts several significant attractions.

Less than a two-hour drive from Athens and under an hour from Mycenae, you’ll find Epidavros (Epidaurus), home to a spectacular 4th-century BCE amphitheater. Once holding up to 14,000 people, the theater is renowned for its incredible acoustics.

Photo: Jeff Stapleton

Exploring the Ruins of Delphi

About 2.5 hours from Athens lies Delphi, once home to the Oracle of Delphi, also known as the Pythia. This ancient prophetess foretold the futures of those who sought her counsel. By the sixth century BCE, Delphi had become so influential that no great leader would make a major decision without consulting the oracle. As Steves explains, Delphi essentially became the database of the ancient world, filled with the secrets and truths of various states and leaders.

By exploring these ancient sites beyond Athens, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Greece’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Source: islands.com

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

18-year-old admits assault of police officer during volleyball clash

An 18-year-old confessed to assaulting a police officer during a volleyball match between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos in Rentis, Piraeus.

Man arrested in St Clair home over Kevin Kourtis murder

A man was arrested and taken to Riverstone Police Station over allegations he was involved in the stabbing death of Kevin Kourtis.

Greece raises priorities for digital technology investments

The government plans to offer incentives for investments in digital technology as it seeks to accelerate the country’s transition to the digital era, Development and Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis said on Monday while addressing the Digital Economy Forum 2019 in Athens, themed “Leading Greece to Growth”.