The 15 most important archaeological sites in Greece

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Among the archaeological sites in Greece, the acropolis is undoubtedly the best known. Located on a hill Athens , its location corresponds to the center of the political, cultural, religious and social life of ancient Athens.

The ruined buildings are very numerous and the most known of them is the Parthenon. Despite an exceptional state of conservation until the seventeenth century, this temple dedicated to Athena is now partly destroyed.

The "tourist" acropolis is wider than the ancient acropolis. It usually includes monuments adjacent to the hill, such as the superb theatre of Dionysos and the Hephastéion, a temple dedicated to the god Hephastos. It may be the best preserved temple in Greece.

Temples, religious sites and amphitheatre

Bassae, Delphes and the monuments of Thessaloniki are classified as UNESCO World Heritage.

Temple of Apollo Epikourios in Bassae

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Photo credit: Shutterstock – Joaquin Ossorio Castillo

Conservation condition: ★★★

Public knowledge: ★★★

Historical influence: ★★★

This archaeological site in Greece is the first of the country 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.

The archaeologists studied him a lot. For art lovers and historians, its character is unique in its kind. If you’re an architectural enthusiast, don’t hesitate to take a tour of this country Peloponnese .

Delphs

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View of Delphs and the sanctuary of Athena - Photo credit: Shutterstock – trabantos & peterlazzarino

Conservation condition: ★★★

Public knowledge: ★★★★★

Historical influence: ★★★★

Delphi is the most important archaeological site in Greece linked to religion. He is famous for his pythia, the official name of Delphes’ oracle. In the classical era, pythia is consulted before any important decision because it is supposed to be wise and especially to know the future.

Today Delphes is a remarkable site for its conservation as well as its situation in the middle of the mountain. In addition to seeing ruins of 2,500 years old, the landscapes are splendid.

Byzantine and Christian monuments Thessaloniki

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View of the White Tower of Thessaloniki and the church of Saint-Paul l’Apôtre - Photo credit: Shutterstock – Anastasios71 & Anna Fevraleva

Conservation condition: ★★★★

Public knowledge: ★★★

Historical influence : ★★★★

Although it has all the characteristics, this archaeological site in Greece is not a strict one. It is nevertheless the most beautiful testimony of a preserved Byzantine architecture. The oldest monuments date back to the 4th century, the most recent of the 14th century.

The city of Thessaloniki has many churches, two monasteries and its ramparts. Their permanent use, even under the Ottoman Empire, allowed the exceptional conservation of these monuments.

Born

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Temple of Zeus - Photo credit: Shutterstock – Constantinos Iliopoulos

Conservation condition: ★★

Public knowledge: ★★

Historical influence : ★★

Quite confidential, this archaeological site in Greece is known to specialists for hosting the Nemen games. Indeed, the Olympic games are not the only ones played by the ancient Greeks!

The archaeologists have revived the old stadium, which is the most important monument of Nemea. The opportunity to try at 100 meters!

Cities and cities

Apart from Corinth, all archaeological sites in Greece of this paragraph are classified as UNESCO World Heritage.

Corinth

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Ruins of the Old Corinth in the Peloponnese - Photo credit: Shutterstock – Oleksii Liebiediev

Conservation condition: ★★

Public knowledge: ★★★

Historical influence: ★★★

Corinth is one of the most famous city-state of ancient Greece. For centuries, it is one of the most important artistic centres in the region. Purists speak of Corinthian art or order, from columns to particular style.

This archaeological site in Greece is unfortunately not very well preserved. There are many remains, however, such as those of a fountain, temples and theatre.

Epidaure

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Temple of Asklepios & Antique Theatre Epidaurus - Photo credit: Shutterstock – Oleksii Liebiediev

Conservation condition: ★★★

Public knowledge: ★★

Historical influence : ★★

Corresponding to the ancient city of Epidaure, this archaeological site in Greece is famous for its theatre and the sanctuary of Asclépios, the name of the god doctor. In ancient Greece, this sanctuary is a bit the capital of Greek medicine. Many renowned doctors stayed there.

The other remarkable monument of the city is its theatre. The state of preservation of the bleachers is absolutely remarkable and the theatre is always used today!

Medieval town of Rhodes

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Acropolis of Lindos & Grand Masters Palace, Rhodes - Photo credit: Shutterstock – Katvic & John_Walker

Conservation condition: ★★★★★

Public knowledge: ★★★

Historical influence : ★★★★

The richness of ancient Greece sometimes forgets that Greece has a medieval history. The island of Rhodes is the perfect example! After being driven out Jerusalem , Acre and Cyprus In a century, the Order of Hospitallers took refuge in Rhodes. The city is transformed into a fortified city, which the order has preserved more than two centuries.

Today, this part of the city is almost intact. It is a unique testimony of the Franco architecture of the time and from far the best preserved.

Mystras (Mistra)

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Ruins of Mystras & Palais du Despot - Photo credit: Shutterstock – stepko & Leonid Andronov

Conservation condition: ★★★★★

Public knowledge: ★★★

Historical influence : ★★★★

If this archaeological site of Greece is close to Sparte, it is unrelated to the old town of Leonidas. Mystras is one of the best preserved Byzantine cities in the world. Founded in 1249 by the Francs, the wonder of Morée, former name of the region of Peloponnese, is quickly conquered by the Byzantines.

Today, there are mostly ruins, a testimony of the glorious past of the great Byzantine city of the region. Orthodox churches and monastery are the best preserved monuments. At the top of the hill are the ruins of the castle of the Francs.

The archaeological complexes

Apart from Cape Sounion and Knossos, all of these sites are classified as UNESCO World Heritage.

Olympie

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The archaeological site of the ancient Olympie - Photo credit: Shutterstock – Georgios Kritsotakis

Conservation condition: ★★★

Public knowledge: ★★★★★

Historical influence: ★★★★

Famous around the world, Olympie is the birthplace of the Olympic Games. It was on this archaeological site in Greece that the gathering of athletes practicing different disciplines was born each representing its city-state.

Olympie is also plunging into a city in Greece in the classical era. If no building is still standing, Olympie’s site is worth a lot. The giant statue of Zeus, the ancient wonder of the world, has, on the other hand, completely disappeared.

Cap Sounion

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Conservation condition: ★★

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.

What makes the beauty of this site is above all its frame. Built at the top of a cliff, the places are magical and allow to admire the sunset!

Mycenes " Tyrinth "

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Conservation condition: ★★★

Public knowledge: ★

Historical influence : ★★

Mycenes and Tyrinth are two archaeological sites in Greece 15km away. If they are quoted together, it is that their history is common and Unesco has classified them together. Both are built by the Mycenic civilization and date more than 3,200 years.

They are therefore unique because no other Christian site is as well preserved in Greece. Mycenes is famous for its Lionnes Gate. As for Tyrinthe, if the general frame is more beautiful, the city is less well preserved.

Aigai

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Conservation condition: ★★

Public knowledge: ★★

Historical influence : ★★★★

This archaeological site in Greece is more recent than the majority cited in our article. It dates from the Macedonian era, around the second century before our era.

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. His main historical interest is the discovery of the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. This discovery was decisive in the knowledge of the kingdom of Macedonia.

Knossos

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Conservation condition: ★★★

Public knowledge: ★

Historical influence : ★★

This archaeological site in Greece represents one of the oldest cities in Greece. Knossos dates from the Bronze Age and is a testimony of the Minoan civilization.

Today, Knossos is best known for its palace, which remains important remains. The majority of the visit turns around the palace, the rest of the city being unfortunately poorly preserved.

Delos

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Conservation condition: ★★★

Public knowledge: ★

Historical influence : ★★

Delos is an archaeological site in Greece different from others. Indeed, it is an island! Delos is an unusual island for archaeology enthusiasts. There are many remains in the north of the island.

The most famous monument is the Lions Terrace, lined lion statues. There are also frescoes and mosaics, as well as vestiges of temples and theatre.

For our rating system, we used the following criteria:
– State of conservation: based on its date of construction and renovations, in which state is currently located the site;
– Public knowledge: the notoriety of the archaeological site for non-initiates;
- Historical influence: the historical importance of the site and its influence on the following civilizations.