Let´s face it, most people flock to the 227 inhabited islands of Hellas because of their thousands of gorgeous beaches. But many also offer history buffs plenty to admire, and there are a number which are also worth visiting for their historical marvels alone, dating back millennia. Here are the five most important ones:
Corfu: Showcasing a Plethora of Eras
The most important of the Ionian Islands on the western side of the country was one of its earliest vacation stars, and remains one of its best islands for beaches, which number more than a hundred, from castaway coves to full-service extravaganza. But Kerkyra is one of Greece´s historical troves, with a legacy dating at least as far back as the 7th century BCE (although much of what we see today is rooted in the Middle Ages). The narrow cobbled streets and charming squares of the eponymous capital are a delight to wander, and its Old Town (above) is packed with historic palazzos and churches as well as interesting museums devoted among other things to archaeology and Byzantine history. It´s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the most notable landmarks including the Old Fortress (aka the Citadel, also shown above), occupying a promontory apart from the main town and largely built in the early 15th century during the Ionian Islands´ rule by the Republic of Venice (1363-1797), and the New Fortress, built beginning in 1572 to defend against incursions by the Ottoman Turks (though most of the buildings left here today were built by the British during their own "protectorate" rule of Corfu in 1815-63). Visitors also enjoy visiting Achilleion, ten minutes outside town in the village of Gastouri, a neoclassical palace built in 1890 as a summer retreat for the Austro-Hungarian empress Elisabeth (better known as Sissi).
Out in the countryside outside Corfu town, meanwhile, are sites from the island´s ancient Greek, Byzantine, and Venetian past. Just south town, the ruins of Paleopolis marks the site of ancient Kerkyra, founded by settlers from the city of Corinth in the 8th century BCE, including sections of fortifications, public buildings, and sanctuaries. Within the same grounds stands Mon Repos Palace, built in 1826 during the British protectorate as a neoclassical villa for the High Commissioner (and incidentally, the birthplace in 1921 of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh); the surrounding parkland contains archaeological remains integrated into landscaped gardens, blending ancient and modern history. Near Mon Repos, the walls and foundations of the Kardaki Temple are a rare surviving example of an Archaic Doric temple dating to around 500 BCE; dedicated it´s thought to either Apollo or Poseidon and demonstrating Corfu’s importance as a maritime power in classical antiquity.
Other notable sites well worth a visit include a pair of defensive fortresses on the north coast: the well preserved Angelokastro, perched dramatically above the sea near the town of Paleokastritsa, and the imposing Kassiopi Castle on the north coast, both built during the Byzantine rule of the 13th century; nearby you´ll also find the Greek Orthodox Paleokastritsa Monastery, dating back to 1225 and still in operation today. And yet another Byzantine fortress, in the southwest near Lake Korission, Gardiki Castle sits on flat terrain, with well preserved walls and a distinctive decagonal (10-sided) layout. You can also have a look at the remains of the Venetian shipyard (Arsenale) in Gouvia, just north of Corfu Town, constructed in 1716 immediately after successfully repelling a major Ottoman siege. And finally, on the slopes of Mount Pantokrator at the island´s northeast corner, Corfu´s oldest village Palia (Old) Perithia, was once a thriving Venetian-era settlement with various churches and stone houses, finally abandoned for good in the 1960s but now around 40 percent restored.
Crete: A Beautiful Blend of Nature and Ancient History
Even more packed with beaches than Corfu - more than 400 - Greece´s largest island also boasts diverse landscapes (including the breathtaking Samaria Gorge) and some of the most ancient history of all the Greek islands. That´s because 3,000 to 5,000 years ago it was the heartland of the Bronze-Age Minoan civilization - regarded as Europe´s first - and a number of UNESCO World Heritage Minoan sites can be visited today. The most famous is Knossos (above), on the outskirts of the capital Heraklion. Europe´s first city was founded around 1900 BCE, and this five-acre complex still has the remnants of colorful frescos labyrinthine architecture (in fact, it´s connected with the classical Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, in which a labyrinth plays a central role; a fraction of the palace has been (controversially) reconstructed. You can also visit other Minoan palaces on Crete: Phaistos, Malia, and Zakros, as well as the settlement of Hagia Triada near Phaistos, which among other things features an impressive royal villa.
Other ancient sites on the island include Gortyn, Crete´s capital when it was Creta et Cyrenaica, a province of republican then imperial Rome (67 BCE-267 CE); Aptera, near the city of Chania, with copact ruins from various periods, including the Roman and Byzantine; and Lissos, a Hellenic coastal settlement known in ancient times for its healing thermal baths.
The island's lively modern capital - especially its Old Town - also has quite a bit to offer history buffs, such as the Heraklion Archaeological Museum with the world´s largest collection of Minoan artifacts; the Historical Museum of Crete covering what came after the Minoans; the 16th-century Koules Fortress, Venetian Loggia, harbor, and fortified walls, dating back to the centuries when it like Corfu was ruled by the "Serenissima" Republic of Venice; the city´s oldest church Agios Titos (founded in 961), and a pair of Greek Orthodoz cathedrals, St. Catherine of Sinai (also founded in the 10th century) and 19th-century Agios Minas, one of Greece´s largest.
Delos: Small but Striking
Though uninhabited, this tiny isle (just 1⅓ square miles) reached via ferry ride of 20 to 40 minutes (depending on sea conditions) from Mykonos was a sacred sanctuary and pan-Hellenic pilgrimage destination for millennia. Among other distinctions, it was the headquarters of the Delian League, the confederacy of Greek city-states formed in 478 BCE; held to be the birthplace of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis; and became a significant trading port during the late Hellenic and Roman eras. Today it´s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where visitors can see the ruins of various temples, streets, an amphitheater (above), and various other structures (there´s even a Samaritan synagogue) which hint at its ancient greatness.
Rhodes: A Medieval Marvel
I the Dodecanes, one of Greece’s most historically significant islands is famous for its medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As the former home of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the island boasts a rich past and well-preserved architecture. Visitors can stroll through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, visit the Palace of the Grand Master, and relax on the island’s beautiful beaches. The island’s mix of history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant nightlife make it a must-visit destination in Greece. (For more info, click here.)
Santorini: History and Romance
One of the must-visit destinations in Greece is Santorini, known for its iconic whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, and stunning sunsets. This island, formed by a volcanic eruption, boasts dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear waters, making it a perfect getaway for romance and relaxation. Visitors can explore the charming villages of Oia and Fira, take a boat tour to the volcanic caldera, or indulge in local wines at one of the island’s many vineyards.
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