Ancient and Modern Greece - The Very Best Art and Culture

Greece is a bucket list destination for many reasons: the ancient monuments, epic mythology, and magnificent beaches. While glorious Greece is bursting with historic ruins and ancient sites, did you know the country is also a center for innovative modern art and culture in the region? Here's where to experience some of the best of both ancient and contemporary art and culture when you visit Greece.

Acropolis of Athens

Most of the buildings on the Acropolis in Athens were constructed at the direction of Pericles in the fifth century BC.

One of the most recognized historical sites globally, the Acropolis is a must-not-miss attraction for visitors to Greece. The word "acropolis" means "high city," and the Acropolis in Athens is the best-known monument of its kind and well worth a visit.

Perched atop a glittering limestone hill, the Acropolis is a campus of ancient, cultural buildings. The most famous, the Parthenon, was built as a temple honoring the goddess Athena. Nearby stands the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, an open-air stone theater that dates to 161 AD. Each summer, this venue comes to life with musicals and productions of classical Greek shows.

The Acropolis Museum

Though ultra-modern, the Acropolis Museum's design elements draw from surrounding ancient ruins.

The Acropolis Museum is a superb, modern glass and steel structure whose every design element draws from its ancient neighbors. Widely regarded as one of the world's best museums, its 90,000 square feet are devoted to the artifacts found in and around the Acropolis.

The building sits over an excavated neighborhood, which is open to the public. Visitors can get close to the ancient streets, villas, baths, and even the intricate plumbing grid!

Pro tip: Start your tour at the Parthenon Gallery on the top floor and work your way down for the best experience. The museum has a popular cafe overlooking the city.

Delphi

Rebuilt several times over centuries, the existing Temple of Apollo was completed in 330 BC.

Located just outside of Athens on Mount Parnassus, Delphi was a sacred precinct and a pilgrimage site honoring Apollo, the Greek god of light. The main walking path through Delphi, the Sacred Way, leads to the ruins of the Temple of Apollo.

Just up the hill, the 4th-century Delphi Theater holds five thousand spectators and was once home to the Pythian Games, a series of musical and athletic competitions honoring Apollo.

The Archaeological Museum of Delphi sits between the ancient ruins and modern town and houses famed art and collectibles recovered from Delphi archaeological sits. Make sure to visit the Sphinx of the Naxians, one of the earliest known portrayals of the mythical creature.

Mycenae

Ancient Mycenaeans believed that Cycolps built the walls at Mycenae because the stones are so large.

Mycenae may ring a bell if you read Homer's the Iliad or the Odyssey in high school English class. It was the land King Agamemnon reigned when he led the battle against Troy. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors can view the Cyclopean Walls, the Lion Gate, and the Museum of Mycenae.

Hephaestus Temple

Hephaestus Temple fared better than the Parthenon, which was used as an arsenal and hit by a shell in 1687.

Greece's best-preserved temple sits atop the Agoreao Koronos Hill in Athens. Its Doric architecture features massive columns, and sculptures and friezes depict stories from mythology, including Hercules and the Trojan War.

Dating to 450 BC, Hephaestus Temple is comparable in age to the Parthenon yet stands largely intact. It was dedicated to Hephaestus, the god of fire, and Athena, patroness of potters and crafts.

Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil

The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil shares the importance of the olive to the history of the region.

Once you've explored all the ancient ruins and historical sites you can handle, enjoy a refreshing change of pace with a visit to the Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in Sparta.

Visitors step through the history of olives and olive oil, learning the economic, religious, and cultural significance of these products in the Mediterranean.

View 60,000-year-old fossilized olive leaves, read the first written words about the olive and explore the evolution of technology used to produce olive oil.

The National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens

The National Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens showcases a renowned collection of contemporary Greek and international art in various mediums, including industrial designs and installations.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

The park at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is one of Athens' few green spaces.

A newcomer to Athens' architectural and cultural scene, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in the district of Kallithea is home to the Greek National Opera and the National Library of Greece.

The elegant, glass-fronted building sits on a 43-acre hilltop park, providing the city with much-needed green space and spectacular views of the Acropolis.

Conceived as a community space, the SNFCC offers year-round recreational, educational, and cultural activities, including ice skating during the winter months.

Romantso

Romantso is a cultural center and hub for creativity and the arts set in a former printing plant. The vibrant venue hosts concerts, theater, art shows, and other events.

If you're ready to explore what's old and what's new in Greece, contact us today! We can help you plan that vacation you've been dreaming of.