The Olympic Games were spawned in ancient Greece, along with democracy and the fundamentals of philosophy, science and mathematics. The Greek civilisation is renowned for contributing many of the cultural building blocks that western civilisation is founded on.

Modern Greece is better known as a great holiday destination, rather than a centre of learning and culture. Today the country attracts visitors by the thousands by offering simple pleasures: delicious food and wine at reasonable prices, beautiful beaches and sunshine, quaint villages, a seemingly endless lacework of coastline, and little islands full of scenic surprises.

The country exudes traditional charm, particularly on its ever-popular islands, which cling to their traditional architecture and way of life despite being often over-run with tourists. Black-clad women still deliver vegetables to island tavernas on panniered donkeys, while bronzed, weatherbeaten fishermen sit in the sun, drink thick coffee, and play dominoes or backgammon. The tourist infrastructure has intruded in many respects, but the timeless aspect of whitewashed buildings clustered on hillsides around narrow pebbled alleys has been retained. The myriad islands in the Aegean Sea are easily accessible from Piraeus, the historic harbour of Greece's mainland capital, Athens, by ferry or hydrofoil, offering a unique chance for 'island-hopping'. Many of the larger islands also have airports with connections to Athens or seasonally with major European cities.

On the mainland, the city of Athens in the south is sprawling, overcrowded and polluted but nevertheless enthrals visitors, while Thessaloniki in the north is vibrant and modern with a Byzantine flavour. Athens is dominated by its major landmark, the Parthenon; the remains of other wonders of the ancient Greek classical world are to be found mainly on the Peloponnese Peninsula, south of Corinth, the gateway to a veritable treasure trove of history.

Greece and Greeks welcome with open arms the thousands of visitors that flock to admire their national assets every year - no one leaves without having been warmed, both by the sun and the hospitality.

Kos Archaeological Museum

Address: Plateia Eleftherias

Admission: EUR3 (adults), EUR2 (concessions). Free entry for children under 19 years of age. Tuesday to Sunday 8:30am-3pm.

Telephone: +30 22420 28326

Acropolis

Address: Dionysiou Areopagitou Street Athens

Admission: EUR12 for adults, under 19s free. Other concessions available. Daily 8:30am-8pm (April to October); 8:30am-3pm (November to March).

Telephone: (01) 923 8175

Ancient Agora

Address: Athens

Admission: EUR4 for adults), under 19s free. Free with a valid Acropolis ticket. Daily 8am-7pm in summer, 8:30am-6pm in winter.

Telephone: (01) 321 0185

National Archaeological Museum

Address: Patission 44 Street Athens

Admission: EUR7 (adults); EUR3 (concessions). From November to March, Sundays are free. Tuesday to Sunday 8am-7pm. Monday 1:30am-8pm.

Telephone: +30 210 8217724

Piraeus

Address: Athens

Admission: The museum opens Tuesday to Saturday 9am-2pm.

Plaka

Address: Athens

Kolonaki/Lykavittos Hill

Address: Athens

Admission: The funicular runs Friday to Wednesday 8:45am-midnight, and Thursday 10:30am-midnight

Syntagma Square

Address: Athens

Cape Sounion

Address: Athens

Monastery of Daphni

Address: Athinon Avenue, Daphni Athens

Admission: EUR3. From November to March, Sundays are free. Daily 8am-2:30pm.

Marathon

Address: 114 Plataion Street Athens

Delphi

Address: Athens

Admission: EUR6 (concessions EUR3) Monday and Tuesday 8:30am-3pm; Saturday and Sunday 8am-8pm.

Telephone: +30 226 508 2313

Saronic Islands

Address: Athens

Olympia

Address: Peloponnese Peninsula

Admission: EUR6 (adults), EUR3 concessions; EUR9 ticket for museum and site (concessions EUR5) Monday 10:30am-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday 8:30am-5pm.

Telephone: +30 26240 22 529

Ancient Corinth

Address: Peloponnese Peninsula

Admission: Full admission EUR6, concessions EUR3 Museum, 8:45am-5pm (winter); 8:45am-7pm (summer).

Telephone: 274 103 1207 (Museum)

Mycenae

Address: Peloponnese Peninsula

Admission: EUR8 (Concessions EUR4), free for under 19s Summer 8:30am-8pm; Winter 8:30am-5pm.

Telephone: 275 107 6585

Epidaurus

Address: Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus, Asklepieion. Peloponnese Peninsula

Admission: EUR6, concessions EUR3. Free on Sundays between November and March Monday 11am-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday 7:30am-5pm

Telephone: 275 302 2009

Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum

Address: Manoli Andronikou 6, Thessaloniki Thessaloniki

Admission: EUR6 (adults), EUR3 (concessions). Free for under 19s. May through October: Tuesday to Sunday 8am-8pm, and Monday 1:30pm-8pm. November through April: Tuesday to Sunday 8:30am-3pm, and Monday 10:30am-5pm.

Telephone: 023 108 30538

Roman Forum

Address: Thessaloniki

The White Tower

Address: Thessaloniki

Admission: Tuesday to Sunday 8:30am-3pm.

Telephone: (031) 267 832

Churches of Thessaloniki

Address: Thessaloniki

Mount Athos

Address: Thessaloniki

Telephone: (210) 368 1000 (Athens); or (031) 270 092 (Thessaloniki)

Vergina

Address: 38 miles (61km) west of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki

Mount Olympus

Address: Thessaloniki

Corfu Archaeological Museum

Address: 1 Armeni Vraila Corfu

Admission: EUR3 (adults), EUR2 for students from countries outside EU. Special ticketing package for the Archaeological Museum, the Old Fortress, the Church of Antivouniotissa and the Museum of Asian Art: EUR8 (reduced EUR4) Tuesday to Sunday 8:30am-3pm.

Telephone: (0661) 30680

Museum of Asian Art

Address: Palea Anactora, Spianada Corfu

Admission: EUR3; concessions EUR2. Tuesday to Sunday 8:30am-3pm.

Telephone: +30 26610 30443

Kanoni

Address: Corfu

Achilleion

Address: 6 miles (10km) from Corfu Town, in Gastouri village. Corfu

Admission: Monday to Friday, 8am-7pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8am-2:30pm.

Telephone: 266 105 6245

The Palace of Knossos

Address: Knosos, Iraklio Crete

Admission: EUR6 (Concessions EUR3), free for under 19s. Daily 8:30am-8pm (April to October); weekdays 8:30am-5pm, weekends 8:30am-3pm (October to March).

Telephone: +30 2810 231940

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Address: Xanthoudidou Street, just off Plateia Eleftherias Crete

Admission: EUR4 (Concessions EUR2), free for under 19s. Daily 8:30am-8pm in summer; 8:30am-3pm in winter.

Telephone: (2810) 279 086

Historical Museum of Crete

Address: 7 Lysimahou Kalokerinou Crete

Admission: EUR5 (adults), EUR3 (concessions) April to October, Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm; November to March, Monday to Saturday 9am-3:30pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays.

Telephone: (2810) 283 219

Monastery of Arkádhi

Address: 14 miles (23km) south of Rethymnon Crete

Admission: EUR1.45 (museum) Daily 8am-1:30pm and 3:30pm-8pm.

Gortyna

Address: Aghioi Deka Crete

Admission: EUR4, under 19s free. Daily 8pm-7:30pm

Telephone: 289 203 1144

Phaistos

Address: 38 miles (61km) south of Heraklion Crete

Admission: November to March 8:30am-3pm; April to October, Monday 1pm-7pm, Tuesday to Friday 8am-7:30pm.

The Samaria Gorge

Address: Crete

Admission: EUR5 to enter the park; free for children under 15; EUR2.50 for students. The gorge is open 6am-3pm, generally from May to October (depending on weather conditions).

Acropolis of Rhodes

Address: Rhodes

Admission: Free The open-air site is permanently open.

Telephone: 224 102 5500

Karpathos

Address: Rhodes

Patmos

Address: Kos

Benaki Museum

Address: 1 Koumbari Street & Vas. Sofias Avenue Athens

Admission: EUR7; concessions available. Free on Thursdays. Separate admission to the Museum of Islamic Art. 9am-5pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; closes midnight on Thursdays and 3pm on Sundays.

Telephone: 210 367 1000

Koutouki Cave

Address: Athens

Admission: EUR2 Daily 9am-4:30pm.

Attica Zoological Gardens

Address: Gallous Street, Spata Athens

Admission: EUR15 (adults); EUR11 (children) Children under 3 are free. Concessions available. Open daily 9am to sunset.

Telephone: (210) 663 4724

National Gardens

Address: Amalius Avenue Athens

Admission: Gardens open daily. Children's Library open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30am to 3pm. Closed in August.

Goulandris Museum of Natural History

Address: Levidou Street 13 Athens

Admission: EUR5 (adults) EUR3 (children). Concessions available Open Monday to Saturday 9am–2:30pm. Sundays 10am-2:30pm. Closed public holidays.

Telephone: (210) 801 5870

Allou Fun Park

Address: Agios Ioannis Rentis Athens

Admission: Open Monday to Friday 5pm-1am; Saturday and Sunday 10am-2am.

Telephone: (210) 425 6999

Hellenic Children's Museum

Address: 4 Kidathineon Athens

Admission: Free Open Tuesday to Friday 10am-2pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am-3pm. Closed on Mondays.

Telephone: (210) 331 29956

Aqualand Water Park

Address: Aqualand Village, 49100 Agios Ioannis Corfu

Admission: EUR25 (adults); EUR17 (children 5-12). Discounted admission after 3pm. Open May to October daily. May, June, September and October 10am–6pm; July and August 10am–7pm.

Telephone: +30(26610)58583

Corfu Horse Riding

Address: Corfu

Admission: Open all year round. Summer: Daily 10am–12pm and 5pm–7pm. Closed Sundays. Winter: Fridays and Saturdays

Telephone: +30 26630 23090

Kalypso Star

Address: Old port, Corfu town Corfu

Admission: EUR15 (adults); EUR8 (children) In high season, trips leave daily on the hour 10am-6pm, plus they make a 10pm night trip. Call for the off-season schedule

Telephone: +30 26710 46525

Aegean Maritime Museum

Address: Enoplon Dynameon, Mykonos Town Mykonos

Admission: EUR3 April to October 10:30am-1pm and 6:30pm-9pm. November to March 8:30am-3pm.

Telephone: +30 210 8125547

Delos

Address: Mykonos

Mykonos Windmills

Address: Mykonos

Lido Water Park

Address: Mastichari Crete

Telephone: +30 22420 59241

Kos Horse Riding

Address: Kos

Telephone: +30 22420 41908

Knights Castle

Address: Kos

Crete Aquarium

Address: Filikis Etirias 7, Limani Hersonissou Crete

Admission: EUR6 (adults); EUR4 (children) Open 1 April to 31 October daily 10am–6pm. Last entry 5:15pm.

Telephone: +30 28970 29125

Limnoupolis Water Park

Address: Chania Crete

Admission: EUR13. Children under 5 free. Open daily 10am–6pm.

Telephone: +30 28210 33246

Star Beach Water Park

Address: Hersonissos Corfu

Admission: Free

Eftalou Thermal Baths

Address: Lesvos

Petrified Forest of Sigri

Address: Sigri, 57 miles (92km) from Mytilene Lesvos

Donkey trekking

Address: Michaelis' Donkey farm, Petra 81109 Lesvos

Admission: Day trek: EUR26 (adult); EUR16 (children). Sunset-trek: EUR30 (adult); EUR20 (children)

Telephone: +30 22530 41891

Filerimos Hill

Address: 9 miles (15km) from Rhodes town Rhodes

Rhodes Old Town

Address: Rhodes

Rhodes Beaches

Address: Rhodes

Petaloudes - Valley of the Butterflies

Address: 20 minutes from Rhodes airport, near Kalamonas village. Rhodes

Faliraki Beach

Address: On the north-east of the island, about 7.5 miles (12km) from Rhodes town. Rhodes

Marine Aquarium

Address: Cos Street, Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes Rhodes

Admission: Open daily except 1 January, 25 December and Greek Easter Sunday.

Telephone: +30 22410 27308

Samos Beaches

Address: Samos

Temple of Hera

Address: 4 miles (7km) south-west of Pythagorio Samos

Admission: EUR3 Tuesday to Sunday 8:30am-3pm.

Pythagoras Cave

Address: Mt Kerkes, 2 miles (3km) from Kambos Marathokambou Samos

Ancient Theatre of Pythagorio

Address: Samos

Potami Waterfalls

Address: 2 miles (3km) from Karlovassi Samos

Psili Ammos Beach

Address: 35 miles (56km) south-west of Vathy Samos

Lykourgos Castle

Address: South-west of Pythagorio Samos

Santorini Water Park

Address: Perissa Santorini

Admission: EUR6 (adult) and EUR3 (child), free after 7pm. 10am-12am, pool and slides till 7pm.

Telephone: +30 22860 83311

Submarine Ride

Address: Vlihada Santorini

Admission: Daily from May to October. Tours depart hourly between 10am and 1pm, 2:30pm and 6:30pm.

Telephone: +30 210 923 3006 (Great Blue Santorini Maritime Co.)

Santorini Beaches

Address: Santorini

Skopelos Beaches

Address: Skopelos

Folklore Museum of Skopelos

Address: Skopelos Town Skopelos

Admission: EUR3 (adult), free for children under 12

Telephone: +30 24240 23494

National Marine Park

Address: North Sporades (Alonissos) Skopelos

Telephone: +30 24240 66378

Prinos Streetmarket

Address: Prinos, on the west coast. Thassos

Admission: Monday mornings

Museum Theologos

Address: Theologos Thassos

Admission: EUR3 (adult), free for children under 16 10am-8pm

Thassos Beaches

Address: Thassos

Zante Beaches

Address: Zakynthos

Smugglers Cove Shipwreck

Address: Navagio Beach Zakynthos

Blue Caves

Address: Volimes Zakynthos

Byzantine Museum

Address: Solomos Square, Zante town Zakynthos

Admission: EUR3, under 18s free Tuesday to Sunday; 8am-3pm. Closed Mondays.

Telephone: +30 26 9504 2714

Marathonisi Island

Address: Laganas Bay, across the beach from Keri village. Zakynthos

Nymphes

Address: Corfu

Sparta

Address: Peloponnese Peninsula

Santorini Wineries

Address: Santorini

Admission: Most wineries are open for tours during the summer months

Museum of Pre-Historic Thira

Address: 847 00 Fira, Santorini Santorini

Admission: EUR3 May through October, 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday.

Telephone: +30 22860 23077

Myrtos Beach

Address: Cephalonia

Melissani and Drogarati Caves

Address: Cephalonia

Ithaca

Address: Cephalonia

Aegina

Address: Saronic Gulf Islands

Hydra

Address: Saronic Gulf Islands

Poros

Address: Saronic Gulf Islands

Spetses

Address: Saronic Gulf Islands

Cruising the Greek islands

48 The Restaurant

Address: 48 Armatolon Klefton Athens

Food Type: Local

Alatsi

Address: 13 Vrasida Athens

Food Type: Mediterranean

Daphne's

Address: Lysikratous 4 Athens

Food Type: Local

Chez Lucien

Address: 32 Troon Street, Ano Petralona Athens

Food Type: French

Spondi

Address: Athens

Food Type: International

Taverna Tou Psirri

Address: 12 Aiskilou Street Athens

Food Type: Mediterranean

Giouvetsakia

Address: 144 Adrianou and Thespidos Streets Athens

Food Type: Mediterranean

O Glikis

Address: Corner of Geronda and Eperidou Streets Athens

Food Type: International

Vlassis

Address: 8 Paster Street, Ampelokipi Athens

Food Type: Mediterranean

Varoulko

Address: 80 Piraios Street Athens

Food Type: Seafood

Oroscopo

Address: 42-44 Antinoros street Athens

Food Type: International

Salt & Pepper

Address: Main Road, Fira Santorini

Food Type: Local

Pirouni

Address: On the path to Imerovigli, Firostefani Santorini

Food Type: Local

Cyclades Tavern

Address: Perissa Shopping Center, Perissa Santorini

Food Type: Local

Liver Bird Cafe

Address: Atlantis Shopping Centre, Apollonos Street, Kamari Santorini

Food Type: British