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Steeped in history, rich culture & incredible famous Greek Landmarks to admire, makes Greece one of my all-time favourite destinations to travel to. 

From the very first time that I saw the Acropolis in Athens, visited the Temple of Zeus, and ogled at the Ancient Agora, I was simply entranced by the fascinating history of this beautiful country. That’s beside the delicious food, tasty Greek drinks, whitewashed Greek Isles and the insanely stunning beaches!

In this post, I’ll be covering 11 of the most famous landmarks in Greece that you’ll want to include on your itinerary for the next time you visit Greece! 

So, whether you decide to island-hop in Greece, planning a romantic Greek honeymoon, or want to explore the wonders of Chania or Santorini, you’ll no doubt want to make time to visit these famous Greece landmarks too!

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Pssst…Before you jet off to idyllic Greece, be sure you have all your essentials packed by reading our European packing guide. 

Top Athens, Greece Landmarks

Athens dates back over two thousand years. And as the capital city, it’s chock-a-block full of impressive sites you should visit.

1) The Acropolis – The Most Famous Landmarks of Greece

The Athenian Acropolis dates back to the 8th century BCE. For many, this is a bucket list item that you must visit at least once in a lifetime. Be sure to add this famous landmark in Greece to your Athens travel itinerary.

The Acropolis is actually a fortified complex of multiple iconic and beautiful buildings. There has been an acropolis on this site for over 3000 years. Although its primary purpose was to serve as a place of refuge during wars (much like a castle), it was also an important place of worship for the ancient Athenians.

The Parthenon is the most splendid and famous building on the Acropolis. It was built in the 5th century BCE to honour the goddess Athena, after whom the city below is named. Because Ancient Athens was first to practise western democracy, the Parthenon has become a symbol of western civilisation and democracy. 

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Parthenon is one of the major landmarks in Greece. You can explore on your own, or take a guided tour to learn more about its rich history.

2) Temple of Olympian Zeus

As king of their Pantheon, the Athenians made sure to build Zeus a stunning temple in their city. This one took a few centuries to be completed and had Roman help from Emperor Hadrian. 

The temple is a famous ancient Greek monument because it’s one of the largest ever built in the ancient world. Initially, there were an impressive 104 columns. Although only 15 remain standing, they give you a good sense of the temple’s scale.  

3) Ancient Agora – Greece, Famous Landmarks

As far as historical places in Greece go, the agora, or marketplace, was the heart of ancient Athens. It was a cultural, economic and political centre where Athenians gathered in the course of everyday life. Several fabulous ancient Greek monuments remain on the site.

The Temple of Hephaestus is the most intact ancient temple in all of Greece. Building work finished in 415 BCE. The temple was for the worship of Hephaistos, the god of the forge. You’ll appreciate the beauty of the surrounding lush greenery so don’t miss it — it really is one of the most breathtaking landmarks in Greece.

More Ancient Greek Landmarks

The country has plenty of Ancient Greece landmarks to show for its illustrious past. You’ll find an archaeological site on basically every island and major city but here are the most extraordinary.

4) Delphi Archaeological Site

There are few archaeological sites in Greece that still manage to evoke in modern visitors the mystery and sacredness they would’ve in the ancient pilgrims. Delphi is widely agreed to be the best of these. 

People came from all over the Greek world to seek advice from the Greek god of the sun. In the Temple of Apollo, the oracle, a priestess, would deliver the god’s wisdom in cryptic messages.

This was a method of decision-making not only for ordinary people but also for states. King Croesus of Lydia famously attacked the Persian empire after hearing from the oracle that he would destroy a great kingdom if he did — the defeated empire, though, was his own.

5) Mycenae

Explore Mycenae, and you’ll see that this citadel is one of Greece’s older archaeological sites. The Lion Gate at the entrance is one of the most famous Greek landmarks.

Mycenae was once home to King Agamemnon, the man who launched a thousand ships to pursue Helen of Troy, thus starting the Trojan War. 

No one knows if Agamemnon actually existed, but there’s plenty of evidence in the archaeological museum that Mycenae really was the home of a fierce, efficient warrior society. This includes the celebrated “Mask of Agamemnon”. The original is in Athens’ National Archeological Museum but you can see a copy in Mycenae.

6) Palace of Knossos

If you can tear yourself away from Crete’s beautiful beaches, head to this Minoan palace. Here, you’ll find bright artwork and ingenious inventions. 

The Palace of Knossos was more than a royal home. It was also an economic centre for the Minoan civilisation. Here, archaeologists found evidence of Linear B, the oldest form of Greek language ever discovered. The Minoans also built Europe’s first toilet, complete with a sophisticated sewage system. 

Tourists love the palace for its frescoes. They are colourful and full of movement; the sense of joy and grace they exude is catching. Look for the pretty Dolphin Fresco on your guided tour.

More Monuments in Greece

These Greece landmarks show that the country has so much more than its ancient history to offer.

7) Meteora

The monasteries at Meteora are amongst the most famous buildings in Greece. That’s thanks to the jaw-dropping position they occupy atop tall mountain cliffs. 

Meteora is in central Greece; a region tourists visit specifically to admire these monasteries. The monks arrived here in the 11th century, seeking solitude with God and fleeing persecution in other areas. 

The monasteries guard an incredible collection of Greek art and other treasures. In addition to its striking beauty, this is an ideal place to learn about the Greek Orthodox Church’s role in the country’s history and culture. It’s also a perfect day trip from Athens.

8) Vikos Gorge

Another of Greece’s famous landmarks is Vikos Gorge, in the northern region of Epiros.  It is only the second deepest gorge globally, with the mountains on either side rising to 1040 meters. 

Most people visit Vikos Gorge to take part in the many sporting activities the landscape offers. It’s a great place to go mountain biking or rock climbing. However, hiking Vikos Gorge is the best way to get the most out of this Greek monument. 

You can admire the Stone Forest, a natural formation of tall rocks, and stop by several Zagorian villages with their pretty stone facades. There are also several historical sites, such as the 18th-century bridges that dot the area.

9) Mount Olympus

As the home of the Greek gods, Mount Olympus is suitably beautiful. It’s the highest mountain in the country. The peak is often snow-capped or hidden in the clouds, giving it a mystical, serene atmosphere. 

Mount Olympos is also well-known for its rich natural heritage. There are over 1700 plant species and 108 kinds of birds to look out for. At the foot of the mountain is Dion, where Alexander the Great made sacrifices to the gods.

It takes three days to summit the mountain, but you can follow several other shorter trails. 

10) Mystras

Mystras, in the southern Peloponnese region, takes you back in time to when the Byzantine empire ruled. Then, this was the capital city of the semi-autonomous Byzantine principality. Its artistic, spiritual and intellectual output left behind one of the most beautiful historical landmarks in Greece.

Be sure to admire the Monastery of Perivleptos, which the monks built into the rockface. You’ll find vivid, intact frescoes both at this monastery and the Convent Pantanassa. 

11) Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights – Landmarks Greece

The Knights of St John ruled Rhodes in the 14th century and began work on the extraordinary fortified palace that you see today. The castle is the crown jewel of any Rhodes tour and one of the top Greece landmarks you’ll find on this Greek island. 

There are some pretty impressive staterooms, such as the Grand Reception Hall and the voluminous ballroom. Look out for the striking Medusa Mosaic and Graeco-Roman statues in the courtyards.