If you’re planning a trip to Greece, Athens is likely at the top of your list, thanks to its renowned museums. However, travel expert Rick Steves suggests that by only visiting Athens, you might miss out on some of Greece’s most underrated ancient sites.
According to islands.com, he recommends three must-visit spots, all within three hours of Athens.
Mycenae and the Theater at Epidavros
For fans of Homer’s “Iliad” and classic Greek plays, Mycenae is a treasure. Mycenae is a fortress city atop a hill, the center of a powerful civilization that dominated the Greek world between 1600 and 1200 BCE, a thousand years before Athens’ Golden Age. Just an hour and a half by car from Athens, Mycenae boasts several significant attractions.
Less than a two-hour drive from Athens and under an hour from Mycenae, you’ll find Epidavros (Epidaurus), home to a spectacular 4th-century BCE amphitheater. Once holding up to 14,000 people, the theater is renowned for its incredible acoustics.
Exploring the Ruins of Delphi
About 2.5 hours from Athens lies Delphi, once home to the Oracle of Delphi, also known as the Pythia. This ancient prophetess foretold the futures of those who sought her counsel. By the sixth century BCE, Delphi had become so influential that no great leader would make a major decision without consulting the oracle. As Steves explains, Delphi essentially became the database of the ancient world, filled with the secrets and truths of various states and leaders.
By exploring these ancient sites beyond Athens, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Greece’s rich history and cultural heritage.