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Top Things To Do
Birdwatching
There are 11 wetlands of international importance in Greece, and over 190 ‘important bird areas'. The most impressive include the Nestos Delta in Thrace and the Prespa Lakes in Macedonia. Expect to see herons, storks, pelicans and eagles. Caving Greece is home to some 6,000 karst caves, the majority in Crete. Over 20 show caves are open for guided tours, the largest and most impressive being Perama, which is filled with stalagmites and stalactites Discover the Cyclades Visit Santorini's whitewashed towns of Ia and Thira, built on a cliff overlooking the caldera, a circular depression in the sea created when a volcanic eruption blew the centre out of the island around 1600 BC. Expect stunning sunsets, black sand beaches, boutique hotels and gourmet cuisine. Mykonos, known for its glamorous, hedonistic nightlife, attracts celebrities and fashionistas in equal measure as well as a notable gay community. Hellenic Festival Do not miss the Hellenic Festival (www.greekfestival.gr), Jun-Sep, which sees music, dance and theatre performances held in the second-century AD Odeion of Herodes in Athens, as well as classical Greek dramas in the fourth-century BC amphitheatre in Epidaurus. Hit the beach Greece and its islands boast many magnificent beaches. The world-renowned Paradise beach at Mykonos is stunning despite the crowds; the surroundings at Balos in Chania, Crete, will take your breath away; the same can be said of Red Beach on Santorini. Sailing Set sail from the ancient fortified port of Pythagoreion. There are endless sailing opportunities in Greece, but few can match the quintessentially Greek charm of Pythagoreion, with boats of all sizes looked down upon by the Eupalinian aqueduct. Watersports The shallow, fast-flowing rivers of mainland Greece offer excellent facilities for water-based adventure sports such as rafting, kayaking and canoeing. Sea-kayaking and scuba diving are also becoming popular on the islands. Greece has numerous thermal springs, spas and hydrotherapy centres to help sooth any aches and pains. |
