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Central Greece

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Sunset over the Monasteries of Meteora in Greece.

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Overview

Central Greece holds three utterly unmissable destinations. To the ancient Greeks, Delphi, the most visited, was the centre or 'navel' of the earth. It remains as magical as ever, with its superb archaeological site and magnificent scenery. The Meteora region, at the northwestern edge of the plain of Thessaly, is similarly breathtaking, with towering rocky outcrops topped by teetering monasteries (and rock climbers). And the beautiful Pelion Peninsula, beside the Aegean to the east, is criss-crossed with cobblestone paths that link lush mountain hamlets with beaches to rival the finest islands.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Sunset view of Athenian treasury at the ancient delphi site in Greece

    Sanctuary of Apollo

    Delphi

    Serving as the heart of Ancient Delphi, the hillside Sanctuary of Apollo is where pilgrims would journey to hear prophecies from the god Apollo, voiced…

  • Delphi, Greece - September 21, 2017: The mythical Sphinx of Naxos statue stands on the pedestal in Archaeological museum,Delphi, Greece; Shutterstock ID 1071661235; your: Erin Lenczycki; gl: 65050; netsuite: Digital; full: poi 1071661235

    Delphi Archaeological Museum

    Delphi

    Delphi’s magnificent modern museum, 500m east of town, perfectly complements the ancient site alongside. Which you visit first doesn’t matter, but the…

  • DISTOMO, GREECE - Apr 20, 2019: Hosios Loukas, a historic walled monastery, one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art; Shutterstock ID 1537582967; your: Barbara Di Castro; gl: 65050; netsuite: digital; full: poi 1537582967

    Moni Osios Loukas

    Central Greece

    The monastery of Moni Osios Loukas, a World Heritage site, overlooks a remote valley 23km southeast of Arahova, between the villages of Distomo and…

  • Interiors of the Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Meteora - complex of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, Greece 510164240 Kalambaka, Roussanou Monastery, Orthodox Church, Convent, Cloister, Dawn, Fresco, Scenics, Religion, Ancient, Famous Place, Architecture, Rural Scene, Indoors, Outdoors, People, Meteora, Thessaly, Greece, Tree, Plant, Summer, Cliff, Mountain Range, Mountain, Ceiling, Monastery, Church, holy trinity, Orthodox, UNESCO World Heritage Site

    Moni Agias Triados

    Meteora

    Of all the Meteora monasteries, Moni Agias Triados, which featured in the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only, feels the most remote. A long down-then…

  • Meteora, Greece 909530790

    Moni Agias Varvaras Rousanou

    Meteora

    Dramatically perched atop a steep pinnacle and accessed via a high narrow wooden bridge, Rousanou convent has an intimate atmosphere. Its small community…

  • Picturesque view on Apollo temple

    Ancient Delphi

    Delphi

    Of all Greece's archaeological sites, Ancient Delphi has the most potent spirit of place. Centring on the mountainside Sanctuary of Apollo, home to the…

  • Parnassos National Park

    Parnassos National Park

    Central Greece

    Towering northwards above Delphi and Arahova, Mt Parnassos was sacred to the gods Dionysos and Apollo. The modern Parnassos National Park holds three…

  • Thermopylae

    Thermopylae

    Central Greece

    One of the greatest military feats of antiquity, still legendary 2500 years on, took place at Thermopylae, signposted off the road to Athens 17km…

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