UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece

Visitors in Greece can enjoy inspiring trips into artistic, cultural, historical, and folkloric traditions approaching seventeen magnificent Greek monuments that are included on the “World Heritage List” by UNESCO for being vivid representations of human creative genius. Fifteen of these Greek sites, which have had a universal impact on mankind’s common heritage, are inscribed on the list for meeting “cultural” criteria, with the remaining two (Meteora and Mount Athos) satisfying “natural” criteria as well.
Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae (inscribed: 1986)
Located in the mountainous region of Arcadia in Peloponnese, near Andritsaina, the temple of Apollo Epicurius which was dedicated to the god of healing and the sun was build in the second half of the 5th century BC combining architectural elements of both the Archaic and Doric style along with other daring artistic features.
Acropolis (inscribed: 1987)
The Acropolis of Athens and its monuments (the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, the entrance to the Acropolis, and the temple of Athena Nike) were built as a part of Athenian statesman Pericles’ ambitious plan, under the guidance of the Greek sculptor, painter and architect Pheidias. The construction took place during the second half of the 5th century BC, after Athens managed to win over the Persians introducing the significance of arts and democracy to the rest of the world.
Archaeological Site of Delphi (inscribed: 1987)
This magical place in Delphi was constructed in the 6th century BC charged with unique magnitude. It is considered to be the place where the oracle of Apollo spoke. Visiting the “navel of the world” in the sacred slopes of Delphi you can explore the temple of Apollo, the ancient theater, the stadium, the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, the Castalian Spring, and other various ancient treasuries.
Meteora (inscribed: 1988)
These monasteries of unique artistic significance seem like they are “suspended in the air,” above the Peneas Valley and the town of Kalambaka on the Thessalian plain. Monks settled in Meteora from the 11th century onwards turning the site into a place of meditation, prayer and retreat.
Mount Athos (inscribed: 1988)
Mount Athos in Northern Greece consists of 20 monasteries under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople that are presently inhabited by 1,400 monks. The “Holy Mountain” remains an Orthodox spiritual center since 1054 and an autonomous polity within the Hellenic Republic since Byzantine times, it is of great artistic importance with a huge influence on Orthodox art’s evolution, while its entrance is forbidden to women and children.
Medieval City of Rhodes (inscribed: 1988)
The Medieval City of Rhodes owns its haunting and mysterious vibe to the famous Order of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem that occupied the island from 1309 to 1523. The Upper Town hosts several Gothic period elements while the Lower Town’s Gothic odd beauty is supplemented with public baths, mosques, and other Ottoman period’s interesting creations.
Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessaloniki (1988)

The city of Thessaloniki in Macedonia was founded in 315 BC and for several centuries it had been the second most important city of the Byzantine Empire and a significant base for the spread of Christian religion during the Middle Ages. The city is decorated with impressive Christian buildings that were mainly constructed from the 4th to the 15th century, with many of them being listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus (inscribed: 1988)
The sanctuary of the much-worshiped God of Medicine, Asklepios, which was built in the early fourth century BC, can be found in the hinterland of Epidaurus. The world-famous healing center of the Greek and Roman world consists of several ancient Greek architecture’s masterpieces, such as the temple of Asklepios, the Tholos and the Theater.
Archaeological Site of Mystras (inscribed: 1989)
The Archaeological Site of Mystras, located on Mount Taygetus, near ancient Sparta in Peloponnese, is a relic townscape, which was developed around a fortress that was built during the 13th century BC by the prince of Achaea, William of Villehardouin. During its long history, Mystras city was conquered by Byzantines, Turks and Venetians, while it was finally abandoned in the 1830s.
Archaeological Site of Olympia (inscribed: 1989)
Visiting the site of Olympia, situated in a valley of the Peloponnese peninsula, you can admire the place were god Zeus was worshipped during the 10th century BC. In the sanctuary, also known as the Altis, you can see various of the ancient Greek world’s magnificent temples, as well as some of the remains of sports structures that were erected for the first Olympic Games in 776 BC.
Delos (inscribed: 1990)
The tiny island of Delos in Cyclades, where according to the Greek myth god Apollo was born, consists not only of a significant mythological place but an important archaeological and historical site, as well. Because Delos still bears traces from all the different civilizations that were developed from the 3rd millennium BC to the Paleochristian period in the Aegean World.
Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios (inscribed: 1990)

The 11th-century Byzantine monastery of Daphni, 11 km northwest of central Athens, the historic walled settlement near the town of Distomo, in Boeotia, and the well known for its mosaics sacred place on the Provateio Mountain, 15 km from Chios town, are among the finest examples of “Macedonian Renaissance” art in Greece.
Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos (inscribed: 1992)

The archaeological remains that can be found on the northeast coast of the Aegean island of Samos mainly consist of the fortified site of Pythagoreion and the Heraion, a classical temple of the Samian Hera.
Archaeological Site of Aigai/Vergina (inscribed: 1996)

In the city of Aigai, which was discovered during the 19^th century near Vergina in northern Greece, visitors can admire important remains, such as the monumental palace and the burial ground that hosts more than 300 tumuli. King Philip II may have been buried in this area, according to several sources.
Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns (inscribed: 1999)

The grandiose ruins of the two greatest cities of the Mycenaean civilization, that dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century B.C. playing a significant role in the classical Greek culture’s evolution, can be found at the archaeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns.
The Historic Center with the Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Patmos (inscribed: 1999)
The island of Patmos in the Dodecanese seems to be the place where Saint John the Theologian wrote his Gospel and the Apocalypse. This is a a place of Greek orthodox learning and pilgrimage full of religious and secular buildings.
Old Town of Corfu (inscribed: 2007)
The Old Town of Corfu, on the Island of Corfu dates back to the 8th century BC. The three forts of the town were designed by talented Venetian engineers, and were used for four centuries to defend the maritime trading interests of the Republic of Venice against the Ottoman Empire.