Here, every traveler can find their own "idyll." Fantastic beaches awarded the Blue Flag beckon you to bask in the sun and plunge into the turquoise sea. Diverse historical attractions lift the veil of centuries-old secrets for lovers of antiquity. Unruly waves are always ready to compete with extreme sports enthusiasts. Quiet villages are an excellent option for a peaceful family vacation, and picturesque islands will appeal to romantics.
One of the popular types of recreation in Greece is pilgrimage tourism. The abundance of monasteries, churches, and temples, whose age is measured in centuries, testifies to the religious significance of these places for Orthodox pilgrims from around the world. Every year, thousands of people flock to ancient holy sites to imbibe their spirit, ask for something cherished, and strengthen their faith. But even if the purpose of the vacation is not this, visiting many of them will be interesting for every guest of the country.
Christian Shrines of Greece
It is very difficult to single out the most important religious attractions in a country that stood at the origins of European Christianity. Among the most famous and most visited are the hovering monasteries of Meteora: a combination of extraordinary natural beauty and human power. Giant rocks rise straight to the clouds, and their peaks seem to be adorned with caps of monasteries – from here it's a stone's throw to the heavens! The amazing views take your breath away, and the power of prayer in such an extraordinary place brings peace.
Thessaloniki, which is called the city of a thousand churches, is one of the most important points of pilgrimage tourism in Greece. From here begins a route that follows in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. Also located here are the Basilica of Saint Demetrius, the Church of Hagia Sophia, and other shrines known to believers from different corners of Greece and beyond.
Mount Athos – a State within a State
Undoubtedly, the most important place in Greece, where thousands of pilgrims from all over the world flock every year, is the Athos Peninsula. Here is located the only monastic republic in the world – 20 monasteries that have lived by their own laws for more than a thousand years. The atmosphere of unceasing prayer brings peace and instills hope.
Visiting the monasteries is the only way to visit Athos, but it is only accessible to men. An ancient ban on women staying on the peninsula of the Holy Mountain is in effect: in the "Earthly Lot of the Mother of God," only the Mother of God rules. Men need a special permit – diamonitirion – which is issued at the representative office of the Holy Mountain.
Women have access to cruises along the shores of Athos; during the sea voyage, you can admire the monasteries from the deck, as well as pray before the great icons that the monks specially bring to the cruise ships.