When you think of Greece, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Probably the hot summer and the sandy beaches of a Greek island, some philosophical quotes, ouzo and the extraordinary nightlife. Well, Greece is much more than that!
If you plan a vacation in Greece, you’ll find yourself among cultural and historical monuments and beautiful natural landscapes. Every part of this small country can offer you unique experiences and unforgettable memories.
So what is Greece famous for? In this blog post, you’ll learn the best facts that’ll help you understand Greece. Especially if you’re a travel blogger and are used to taking amazing photos and creating videos, you’ll love it.
Without further ado, let us dive deeper into it!
At A Glance
What Is Greece Known For
Nafplio, Greece
1. The Birthplace of Democracy
Democracy was first introduced in ancient Greece, more specifically in Athens. The political system was invented around 500 BC, just a few years before the glorious Golden Age of Pericles in 480 BC. The word “democracy” literally means “power of the people.”
As a political system, democracy was different from what people know today. Its main feature was that all free citizens of Athens, with the exception of women and slaves, were active members of the community and participated in the decisions that affected the city.
The demographic system was a major cultural change. It changed the power of the people over politics and turned away from dictatorship. When you visit Athens, you can go to the “Pnyx”, the place where ancient Greeks gathered to vote on local issues.
2. Philosophers
Philosophy was another great thing developed in ancient Greece. People like Socrates began to search and try to explain various matters beyond mythology and religion in the 6th century. Philosophers began to develop theories about ethics, politics, religion and more.
There were several ancient philosophers who were born and acted in ancient Greece, such as Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch and others that even in their time were famous people in Greece. Alexander the Great had a famous philosopher as a teacher: Aristotle.
Philosophers used logic and science as well as observation and evidence to explain minor and major fundamental concerns. Today, you can visit the Plato’s Academy Museum in Athens and learn more about the great Greek philosophers and their thinking.
3. The Greek Pantheon and Mythology
One of the most famous things regarding Greece is the ancient Greek gods and mythology. The 12 Olympian gods and goddesses were part of a great cultural religion that developed around myths and legends. From the popular story of Odysseus in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey to the beginning of the ancient world, mythology sought to explain every aspect of life.
The ancient Greeks were extremely religious, and this is evident everywhere in Greece. Large, sprawling temples in the most amazing and remote locations throughout Greece testify to their loyalty and devotion.
The Greek gods actually looked a lot like humans because, according to myths, they felt the full range of human emotions such as jealousy and hatred. These emotions influenced their actions, just like normal humans.
4. The Delicious Greek Food
For many travellers, Greek food is one of the best things Greece has given to the world. Famous specialities such as souvlaki (pork), mistakes, and pastitsio are known worldwide. Here is a bucket list of the 30 most delicious dishes you should try in Greece. Greek cuisine is based on the healthy Mediterranean diet, which includes olive oil, fresh fruits, and vegetables as the most important ingredients.
The great thing about Greek cuisine is that you can try different variations of the same dishes depending on the place you visit. This is what makes Greek cuisine so diverse and delicious. When you visit Greece, you should try to taste different dishes in local taverns, away from the big tourist centres. Greeks are “foodies,” and you can feel it everywhere in the country. Try wines, ouzo and of course desserts like baklava and galaktoboureko.
5. The Ancient Olympic Games
Greece gave the world another great global institution: the Olympic Games. In 776 BC, the Greeks held the first Olympic Games in ancient Olympia in the Peloponnese. Today we know various myths concerning the origins of the Olympic Games, but one thing is certain: they were invented to honour the mighty Zeus.
Like today, they were held every four years in Olympia, and people from all over Greece travelled for days to watch them and a select few to compete. Although the Olympics were the most important religious event in ancient Greece, they were banned by the Roman Emperor Theodosius in 393 AD because they were considered pagan at the time.
It was not until 1896 that the modern Olympic Games, as we know them today, were established in Athens. In Athens, you can visit the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games were held, and in Olympia, you can walk through the ruins of the ancient games.
6. The Greek Language
Does all this sound Greek to you? Well, the Greek language can sometimes sound familiar. That’s because many words are derived from the Greek language. Words like psychology, philosophy, history are just a few of them. We first learn about the ancient Greek language in the epics of Homer, the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Later, in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, it developed into “Koine or Demotic (common) Greek”. The “Koine” became the official language in the Byzantine era, and in 1830, the language changed again, transforming into the modern Greek that people speak today.
Today, like many other countries, Greeks speak different dialects depending on where they live. The most widespread dialects in Greece are Cretan and Pontic Greek.
7. Sparta and the 300
The sworn enemy of ancient Athens was Sparta, famous for its military strength. Sparta was a major power in the ancient world. Spartans were prepared from an early age to become soldiers and defend their homeland. Remarkably, women were also educated like men, learning martial arts, music and poetry.
Eventually, the role of women was to become mothers and raise the new generations of Spartans. Nevertheless, men respected women for the role they played in society. Leonidas and the 300, as told in the movie, was a Spartan king who went out to defend Sparta against the Persians. The Persian soldiers numbered thousands and the Spartans only 300, but they sacrificed themselves for Sparta. If you visit the small city of Sparta today, you’ll see the archaeological museum and the archaeological site.
8. Best Nightlife is Known in Greece
If you’re looking for endless fun nights, lots of drinks and music, Greece is the best place for you. Nightlife in Greece starts after 8pm and can last until 6am in the morning, especially in summer.
There are not many places in Europe that can be compared to the fantastic Greek nightlife. Depending on your taste, you have numerous options for a drink. From live music stages to “bouzoukia” with live Greek music to nightclubs – you decide where to go.
You’ll definitely find a place to enjoy yourself with your family or friends. Explore your options, depending on the location. In the bigger cities like the capital Athens or Thessaloniki in the north, you definitely have the most options.
9. Greek Islands
Zakynthos Blue Caves, Greece
When you think of Greece, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is having a vacation on the beautiful Greek islands. Scattered across the Aegean and Ionian Seas, the Greek islands offer you the opportunity to relax, enjoy the hot sun and crystal clear blue waters.
The largest island in the country is Crete, where the great prehistoric Minoan civilisation was located. The Cyclades, in the heart of the Aegean Sea, offers you unique landscapes to take a photo of and great nightlife, like cosmopolitan Mykonos and the volcanic island of Santorini. These are but some of the famous islands in Greece.
In any case, the Greek islands are famous not only for their stunning beaches but also for their cultural features and great history.
Don’t hesitate to take a tour with a local tour guide and get to know the locals.
10. Athens and the Acropolis
Athens, Greece
Athens is the capital, the largest city and one of the most famous places in Greece. If you’re wondering which famous landmark is found in Greece, the most famous Greek monument is located in the heart of this city, and it could be none other than the Parthenon. This UNESCO World Heritage landmark is a universal symbol of ancient Greek civilisation and the classical spirit.
The Acropolis was the most sacred place in Athens. Most buildings were temples. It also included statues that honoured the Greek pantheon. The most famous and best-preserved temples are the Parthenon and the Erechtheion.
On the Acropolis, you can still see the sacred ancient olive tree that, according to legend, the goddess Athena gave to the Athenians, so they would name the city after her. Athens is the ultimate destination if you love the fusion of ancient Greece with modern culture.
11. Meteora
Perhaps Greece is mostly known for its ancient past, but the mediaeval history of this place is great, and the best example is the Holy Monasteries in Meteora. They’re located in a unique rocky landscape on the Greek mainland. The combination of the spectacular landscape and the monastic architecture will inspire you to discover the Greek Orthodox religion.
The monasteries are full of icons and murals from the Byzantine period. They’re built on a rock complex, and if you want to visit it, you’ll have to climb more than 100 steps, which is definitely worth it.
12. The Palace of Knossos
Last but not least, there’s the world-renowned palace of Knossos on Crete. About 2500 years before Christ, a powerful civilisation arose on the island of Crete and ruled there. This great civilisation consists of myths, mythological creatures such as the Minotaur, heroes like King Minos and mysterious culture, many aspects of which remain unclear to this day.
The palace covers over 150,000 square feet. Today, thanks to the restoration, the palace is well preserved, and you can have a look at the mysterious culture, get an idea of how everyday life used to be and of course, explore the art with murals and pottery.
If you want to know more, visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, which will amaze you with its artefacts.
Greece is a country that may be small but rich in culture and history. If you’re planning a visit to this amazing place, you should explore the traditions and modern life as much as possible. It’ll definitely compensate you and reward you with unforgettable, lifelong memories.
All you need to bring with you is some vlogging gear and document your adventures!
