Greece is the home of ancient sites. There are hundreds of them! So we had to make some choices, especially as not all the archaeological sites in Greece are ancient. Discover them for yourself!
When you think of the land of archaeology, many people immediately think of Greece. Not surprisingly, Greece is the country with the most ancient sites. They are everywhere in the country and its islands, and are part of its rich history.
What is less well known is that an archaeological site in Greece is not necessarily synonymous with the ancient classical period. Greece also boasts important Byzantine and medieval remains, whose unique heritage should not be overlooked.
Discover the 15 most important archaeological sites in Greece!
The must-see site
Athens Acropolis
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Sven Hansche
Conservation status: ★★★
Public knowledge: ★★★★★
Historical influence: ★★★★★
Of all the archaeological sites in Greece, the Acropolis is undoubtedly the best known. Situated on a hill inAthens, it was the center of political, cultural, religious and social life in ancient Athens.
There are many ruined buildings, the most famous of which is the Parthenon. Despite its exceptional state of preservation until the 17th century, this temple dedicated to Athena is now partly destroyed.
The « tourist » acropolis is broader than the ancient acropolis. It usually includes monuments adjacent to the hill, such as the superb Theater of Dionysus and the Hephaestheion, a temple dedicated to the god Hephaestus. This is perhaps the best-preserved temple in Greece.
Temples, religious sites and amphitheatres
Bassae, Delphi and the monuments of Thessalonica are listed as Unesco World Heritage sites.
Temple of Apollo Epikourios at Bassae
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Joaquin Ossorio Castillo
Conservation status: ★★★
Public knowledge: ★★★
Historical influence: ★★★
This archaeological site in Greece is the country’s first to be classified by Unesco. It is famous for its temple dedicated to Apollo. The temple has the peculiarity of being in the middle of nowhere, which left it unknown to any human civilization for 1,700 years.
Archaeologists have studied it extensively. For art lovers and historians, its character is unique. If you’re an architecture enthusiast, don’t hesitate to take a tour of this Peloponnesian region.
Delphi
View of Delphi and the sanctuary of Athena – Photo credit: Shutterstock – trabantos & peterlazzarino
Conservation status: ★★★
Public knowledge: ★★★★★
Historical influence: ★★★★★
Delphi is Greece’s most important archaeological site linked to religion. It is famous for its pythia, the official name of the Delphic oracle. In classical times, the pythia was consulted before making important decisions, as she was supposed to be wise and, above all, to know the future.
Today, Delphi is a remarkable site, both for its conservation and its location in the middle of the mountains. As well as 2,500-year-old ruins, the scenery is splendid.
Byzantine and early Christian monuments in Thessaloniki
View of Thessaloniki’s White Tower and the Church of St. Paul the Apostle – Photo credit: Shutterstock – Anastasios71 & Anna Fevraleva
Conservation status : ★★★★
Public knowledge: ★★★
Historical influence: ★★★★
Although it has all the hallmarks, this archaeological site in Greece is not one in the strict sense. Nevertheless, it is the finest testimony to preserved Byzantine architecture. The oldest monuments date from the 4th century, the most recent from the 14th.
The city of Thessalonica boasts numerous churches, two monasteries and city walls. Their permanent use, even under the Ottoman Empire, has ensured the exceptional preservation of these monuments.
Nemea
Temple of Zeus – Photo credit: Shutterstock – Constantinos Iliopoulos
Conservation status: ★★
Public knowledge: ★★
Historical influence: ★★
Although fairly confidential, this archaeological site in Greece is known to specialists for having hosted the Nemean games. In fact, the Olympic Games were not the only games played by the ancient Greeks!
Archaeologists have brought the ancient stadium, Nemea’s most important monument, back to life. Now’s your chance to try your hand at the 100-meter dash!
Towns and cities
With the exception of Corinth, all the archaeological sites in Greece in this paragraph are Unesco World Heritage Sites.
Corinth
Ruins of Ancient Corinth in the Peloponnese – Photo credit: Shutterstock – Oleksii Liebiediev
Conservation status: ★★
Public knowledge: ★★★
Historical influence: ★★★
Corinth is one of the most famous city-states of ancient Greece. For many centuries, it was one of the region’s most important artistic centers. Purists speak of the Corinthian art or order, of columns with a particular style.
Unfortunately, this archaeological site in Greece is not very well preserved. Nevertheless, there are many remains, including a fountain, temples and a theater.
Epidaurus
Temple of Asklepios & Epidaurus Ancient Theater – Photo credit: Shutterstock – Oleksii Liebiediev
Conservation status: ★★★
Public knowledge: ★★
Historical influence: ★★
Corresponding to the ancient city of Epidaurus, this archaeological site in Greece is famous for its theater and the sanctuary of Asclepius, named after the physician god. In ancient Greece, this sanctuary was the capital of Greek medicine. Many famous physicians stayed here.
The town’s other outstanding monument is its theater. The state of preservation of the stands is absolutely remarkable, and the theater is still in use today!
Medieval town of Rhodes
Acropolis of Lindos & Palace of the Grand Masters, Rhodes – Photo credit: Shutterstock – Katvic & John_Walker
Conservation status : ★★★★★
Public knowledge: ★★★
Historical influence: ★★★★
The richness of ancient Greece sometimes makes us forget that Greece has a medieval history. The island of Rhodes is a perfect example! After being driven out of Jerusalem, Acre and Cyprus in the space of a century, the Hospitaller order took refuge in Rhodes. The town was transformed into a fortified city, which the order maintained for over two centuries.
Today, this part of the town is virtually intact. It is a unique testimony to Frankish architecture of the period, and by far the best preserved.
Mystras (Mistra)
Ruins of Mystras & Despot Palace – Photo credit: Shutterstock – stepko & Leonid Andronov
Conservation status : ★★★★★
Public knowledge: ★★★
Historical influence: ★★★★
Although this archaeological site in Greece is very close to Sparta, it has no connection with the ancient city of Leonidas. Mystras is one of the best-preserved Byzantine cities in the world. Founded in 1249 by the Franks, this marvel of Morea, formerly known as the Peloponnese, was quickly conquered by the Byzantines.
Today, most of the ruins bear witness to the glorious past of the region’s great Byzantine city. Orthodox churches and monasteries are the best-preserved monuments. At the very top of the hill are the ruins of the Franks’ castle.
Archaeological complexes
With the exception of Cape Sounion and Knossos, all these sites are listed as Unesco World Heritage Sites.
Olympia
The archaeological site of ancient Olympia – Photo credit: Shutterstock – Georgios Kritsotakis
Conservation status: ★★★
Public knowledge: ★★★★★
Historical influence: ★★★★★
Famous the world over, Olympia is the birthplace of the Olympic Games. This archaeological site in Greece was the birthplace of the gathering of sportsmen and women practicing different disciplines, each representing his or her own city-state.
Olympia is also a city in classical Greece. Although none of the buildings are still standing, the site of Olympia is well worth a visit. The giant statue of Zeus, an ancient wonder of the world, has, however, completely disappeared.
Cape Sounion
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Michael Avory
Conservation status: ★★
Public knowledge: ★★
Historical influence: ★★★
Located south of Athens, Cape Sounion is an archaeological site in Greece famous for its Temple of Poseidon. Only a few columns are still standing.
The beauty of this site lies above all in its setting. Built on top of a cliff, it’s a magical place to watch the sun set!
Mycenae & Tyrinth
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Irina Rogova
Conservation status: ★★★
Public knowledge: ★
Historical influence: ★★
Mycenae and Tyrinth are two archaeological sites in Greece, 15km apart. If they are mentioned together, it’s because they share a common history, and Unesco has classified them together. Both were built by the Mycenaean civilization and date back over 3,200 years.
They are therefore unique, as no other Mycenaean site in Greece is so well preserved. Mycenae is famous for its Lioness Gate. As for Tyrinthe, while the overall setting is more beautiful, the city is less well preserved.
Aigai
Photo credit: Shutterstock – francesco de marco
Conservation status: ★★
Public knowledge: ★★
Historical influence: ★★★★
This archaeological site in Greece is more recent than the majority cited in our article. It dates from the Macedonian period, around the 2nd century BC.
Former capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia, later moved to Pella, Aigai remains the royal capital. As such, it houses the tombs of the kings of Macedonia. Its main historical interest is the discovery of the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. This discovery was decisive in our understanding of the kingdom of Macedonia.
Knossos
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Timofeev Vladimir
Conservation status: ★★★
Public knowledge: ★
Historical influence: ★★
This archaeological site in Greece represents one of the oldest cities in Greece. Knossos dates back to the Bronze Age and bears witness to the Minoan civilization.
Today, Knossos is best known for its palace, of which significant remains remain. Most of the tour revolves around the palace, as the rest of the town is unfortunately poorly preserved.
Délos
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Songquan Deng
Conservation status: ★★★
Public knowledge: ★
Historical influence: ★★
Delos is an archaeological site in Greece unlike any other. It’s an island! Delos is an uninhabited island of exceptional beauty for archaeology enthusiasts. Numerous remains can be found in the north of the island.
The most famous monument is the Terrace of the Lions, with statues of lions lined up in a row. There are also frescoes and mosaics, as well as remains of temples and the theater.
For our rating system, we used the following criteria:
– State of preservation: based on its date of construction and renovations, what condition the site is currently in;
– Public awareness: how well known the archaeological site is to the uninitiated;
– Historical influence: the historical importance of the site and its influence on subsequent civilizations.