There are few countries in the world that can boast landmarks covering such a long period of history. Greece’s World Heritage Sites are not measured in centuries, but in millennia.
The oldest of the World Heritage Sites in Greece, Mycenae, was founded as early as the 15th century BC, and is still in a relatively impressive condition. Some of the country’s other archaeological sites, such as the Acropolis in Athens and the city of Olympia, instantly transport you back to the Classical World.
For many visitors to Greece, it’s these ancient monuments – along with the islands – that appear to define the country. But there are many other layers of its story that are just as interesting and are also represented in the World Heritage Sites of Greece.
The long period of Byzantine rule in the region can be discovered in monasteries and churches, including a particularly spectacular collection in Thessaloniki. The medieval era is well documented in the architecture of Mystras and Rhodes. And the historic centre of Chorá tells the story of Orthodox Christianity in the nation over many centuries.
While I personally think Greece has some incredible nature, especially in the mountains of the Peloponnese and further north near the border, there are no natural World Heritage Sites in Greece. (There are two mixed ones – Meteora and Mount Athos – but they’re best known for their cultural elements.)
It’s a shame, because inscribing some natural sites would show how much variety there is here beyond the beaches.
Still, at least the range of cultural landmarks demonstrates to visitors how much depth there is to the history and why I think it’s worth going out of your way to see some of these excellent Greek World Heritage Sites.
So, let’s now have a look at each of them and I’ll share my tips on which are the best World Heritage Sites in Greece to visit.
Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns
Well before the Ancient Greeks built many of the magnificent temples that we associate with the country’s history, other great civilisations ruled the lands here. One of the most important was the Mycenaean civilisation, which reached its peak between the 16th and 12th centuries BC.
Two of the main settlements of the this kingdom now make up a World Heritage Site – Mycenae and Tiryns, both of which transport you back to a world of myths and legends that have been told through ancient texts.
Mycenae was the birthplace of the legendary hero Perseus,…
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