Top 10 Things to Do in Greece

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This charming little museum occupies one of the original houses used by the German excavators (imagine them warming up by the large fireplace). Photographs and journals document the history of the excavations from 1766, when antiquarian Richard Chandler identified the site, to the present. Look for the 19th-century photograph showing the unearthing of the Temple of Zeus. The photo was taken as the structure was emerging from beneath 5m (16 ft.) of soil. Some of the shovels and whisk brooms used are on display.

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The museum, which opened in 2004, occupies the handsome neoclassical building that served as the site's original archaeological museum. The path to the museum is steep; it is sometimes possible to get permission to drive up and drop off passengers by the museum's entrance. The collection is superb; the text (Greek, English, German) posted on exhibits is extensive. Each of the 12 galleries has a theme, including "The Beginning of the Games," "Zeus and his Cults," "The Events," and Games at other ancient sites (Nemea, Isthmia, Delphi). Exhibits document the growth of the Games from a sprint on 1 day to 5 days of events for hundreds of athletes from around the Greek world. In wrestling, breaking fingers was forbidden, eye-gouging was permitted. In each event, there was only one winner: There were no runners-up at Olympia. Displays include massive chariot wheels, delicate musical instruments, statues of lithe athletes, and all manner of athletic gear.

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When you head back to town, try to set aside half an hour to visit this museum, which is signposted on the main drag. Not many tourists come here, and the guards are often glad to show visitors around. Displays include victors' medals, commemorative stamps, and photos of winning athletes, such as former king Constantine of Greece and the great African-American athlete Jesse Owens. There's also a photo of the bust of the founder of the modern Olympics, Baron de Coubertin. (The bust itself stands just off the main road east of the ancient site and marks the spot where de Coubertin's heart is buried.)

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In front of the Parliament building in Syntagma Square, the "Evzones," an elite section of of the Greek regular army, stand guard in front of a symbolic tomb representing those who died for Greece in battle.
Dressed in their red caps and fustanellas (traditional mountain costume worn by the irregular fighters in the Greek Revolution) they make an impressive sight against the marble tomb. The ceremony to change posts takes place each hour. They work with the same partner for their entire length of service to perfect their slow, choreographed movements together.

On the half hour, you can catch them in a similar "dance" while they're permitted to stretch. Beyond that, you shouldn't see them so much as swat a fly.

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Step in to what was once the 'agora" or marketplace of ancient Athens. This wasn't only a commercial center, but also where important political, religious and administrative transactions took place side by side. The Stoa of Attalos, an impressive two-story building built from Pentelic marble and limestone was donated by Attalos II, King of Pergamon in the 2nd century BC. Of note are the Doric and Ionic colonnades. The building was reconstructed in the mid 1950s and now displays objects unearthed during excavations. The archeological finds are housed within the Museum of the Ancient Agora. Just south of the Stoa of Attalos is the 11th century church of Agii Apostoli or the Holy Apostles, a beautiful example of Byzantine architecture. The exquisitely preserved 5th century BC Temple of Hephaistos, also know as Thission will definitely catch you eye. Continue to the Roman Agora and Tower of the Winds. The Keramikos Cemetery is a 7 minute walk south of the Ancient Agora along pedestrianized Ermou street in the direction of Gazi. Either the Monastiraki or Thissio metro stops bring you closest to the Ancient Agora's entrance.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best view of the Parthenon! The second floor cafe is the perfect place to sit under a shady veranda and have a drink or light meal, all while gazing at one of the ancient world's greatest structures. The food highlights Greek products and the museum is proud of the low prices on the menu.

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The New Acropolis Museum was conceived in 1979 in an overall effort to persuade the British Museum to return the famous marbles of the Parthenon. After changing decisions on locations and architects, on top of the discovery of an ancient settlement on the winning site, the museum was completed in June of 2009. It is considered one of the top ten museums of Europe and is unique in that all of its contents are specific to the site of the sacred rock of the Acropolis. How to deal with the ancient ruins underneath? Prop it up on columns and lay down a clear floor, giving visual access throughout the museum.

A must see.

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Quite possibly the most famous symbol of Athens, if not all of Greece, the Acropolis crowns the city and provides a romantic focal point amidst the modern-day noise and mess. The word "Acropolis" comes from "Acro" meaning "High" and "polis" meaning city.

History

The Acropolis as we know it was masterminded by Pericles in the fifth century BC after the original Acropolis was burned to the ground by the Persian army. The sacred rock was dedicated to the goddess Athena since Neolithic times, but was also used as a gathering place during times of danger due to its strategic positioning. The rebuilt grouping of temples, framed by the Propylaea, or gateway, was intended to be a testament to human achievement and unique in the world in their beauty. They include the demure Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheum or Erechtheion, hallmarked by the Porch of Caryatids (maidens) and the queen of them all, the Parthenon. The Parthenon and the Propylaea were completed first, in under ten years. The temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheum were built after the death of Pericles.

In the centuries that followed, the sacred rock was used as a church, a fortress, a mosque, an arsenal, and pillaged... read more

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Almost everyone who was anyone in the ancient world sent gifts to Delphi. The remains of those dedications and of the sculpture that adorned the splendid buildings are some of the finest works that survive from classical antiquity. The star of the museum, with much of a room to himself, is the famous 5th-century-B.C. Charioteer of Delphi, a larger-than-life bronze figure that was originally part of a group that included a four-horse chariot. The wealthy Sicilian city of Gela dedicated this near-monumental work to honor its tyrant Polyzalos and his chariot victory here. It's an irresistible statue: Don't miss the handsome youth's delicate eyelashes shading wide enamel-and-stone eyes, or the realistic veins that stand out in his hands and feet. The graceful charioteer makes earlier statues on view here, such as the kouroi (monumental youths) Kleobis and Biton, look like stolid muscle-bound hulks. That's not far from the truth: According to Herodotus, the lads pulled their mother's cart to the Temple of Hera after the oxen fell ill. As they reached the temple, the boys collapsed -- earning both good deaths and immortal fame.

Although the charioteer is the star of the collection, he's in...

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The Sanctuary of Apollo is immediately beyond and just above the museum. The less-well-known Sanctuary of Athena on the lower slopes of Parnassus is a 10-minute walk past the museum. The Castalian Spring is between the two sanctuaries. If you can't visit everything, spend your time at the Sanctuary of Apollo, stroll to the Castalian Spring, and then cross the Delphi-Arachova Road to take a peek down at the Sanctuary of Athena. When you see hatless visitors in sling-back sandals huffing and puffing here, you'll be glad to have good shoes, a sun hat, and a bottle of water.

As you enter the Sanctuary of Apollo, you'll be on the marble Sacred Way, walked by visitors for thousands of years. The road runs uphill past the remains of Roman stoas and a number of Greek treasuries, including the restored Athenian treasury. Cities built these small, temple-like buildings at Delphi for several reasons: to impress their neighbors and to store riches and works of art dedicated to Apollo. Take a close look at the treasury walls: You'll see countless inscriptions. The Greeks were never shy about using the walls of their buildings as bulletin boards.

So many recent visitors were bent on adding their...

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The road that leads steeply uphill through the village of Delphi ends at the handsome stone-and-brick Sikelianos home, now a museum commemorating the work of the eccentric Greek poet Sikelianos and his equally eccentric American wife, Eva Palmer. The couple's attempts to revive the Pythian Games were not long-lived, but their staging of Greek tragedies in Delphi's theater in the 1930s had lasting effects, as all who have seen plays performed here or at the theater at Epidaurus know. Few tourists visit this elegant home, which has spectacular views from most windows, a fine collection of Sikelianos-designed costumes, and the nicest bathroom in town. A pleasant place to spend an hour.