In the age of social media, where almost everyone is carrying a smart phone with a camera at all times, it is no surprise to see online photos of almost every single place on earth.
Greece, as one of the 10 most visited countries in the world, was recently named the 7th most photographed country by TripAdvisor, which stated that “those who have the opportunity to explore it are fascinated by its epic spiritual past as well as its beauties.”
The Greek mainland and its hundreds of islands have created some of the most popular travelling trends and hashtags on social media, and according to Art Travel, more than 25 million photos of Greece are uploaded every year on all social platforms.
With its endless blue, magnificent views, steep peaks and picturesque villages, Greece composes the perfect backdrop for many photos that adorn the social profiles of travellers from around the world. Surely however, just like in every other country in the world, there are some places in Greece that steal the show and have captured the hearts of international tourists.
Here is a list of the 11 most photographed places in Greece:
With its lunar-like landscape and whitewashed shores, which magically and beautifully contrast with the clear blue waters, Sarakiniko in Milos is one of the most unique beaches in the world.
The island of Lefkada might not be as popular as Santorini or Mykonos because it has fewer touristic luxuries and attractions, but its sandy beaches are hard to beat. Lefkada has also been named by Greeks one for the best island for sea sports, because of its strong winds.
Meteora, with its monasteries perched on giant rocks, is a wonderful place for excursions and photographs. Featuring a history dating back to antiquity, the town of Kalabaka, with its impressive buildings, natural beauty and scenic surrounding villages, is a unique spectacle.
The island of Corfu is a true jewel in the Ionian Sea. While there are many ideal places for photos on the island, the Old Town, with its Venetian architecture, large squares and the narrow streets filled with cafes and restaurants, stands out the most among visitors.
The picturesque little island of Symi has numerous hidden treasures, such as hundred-years old monasteries, neoclassical mansions and a very colourful and famous harbour.
Ladadika, a pedestrian area full of bars and traditional taverns, has been popular among Greeks and tourists from traditional songs and movies, but especially because of its colourful buildings, which create a perfect setting for wonderful photos.
The island of Chios is known for its famous mastic trees, but its most photographed part is the village of Pyrgi. The geometric hand-painted designs, known as “scrapers” (ξυστά), that adorn the facades of the buildings, add an intense architectural beauty to this medieval village, which is unlike anything else tourists will see in Greece.
The largest of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes, is one of the most famous touristic destinations in the world.
The medieval Old Town of the island features buildings from the Hellenistic, Ottoman, Byzantine and Italian periods, including the well-preserved palace of the Grand Master and the old Archaeological Museum of Rhodes.
Little Venice in Mykonos has been characterized by TripAdvisor’s travelers as a “real life painting.” Decorated by a stunning sunset, and surrounded by restaurants, bars, cafes and shops by the sea, it is photographed every year by all the tourists who visit it.
Additionally, the Cavo Tagoo hotel in Mykonos, although it is not a place, it is the most popular luxury hotel in Greece and one of the 5 most photographed hotels in the world. There are currently more than 400,000 posts from Cavo Tagoo visitors on social media at the moment, while the hotel’s social accounts have almost 2 million followers.
The symbol of Greece and the most majestic temple of Athens, the Parthenon at the hill of Acropolis, is one of the biggest touristic attractions in the world and the most photographed monument of the ancient world. The Parthenon, built in honour of Goddess Athena, is also one of the main reasons why tourists choose to visit Athens, as it receives more than 8 million visitors each year.
The fact that Santorini tops this list should come as no surprise, since if someone googles the keyword “Greece” the first set of images they will see, will be from Oia’s famous sunset in Santorini.
Santorini is one of the most photographed and most photogenic islands in the world, and the most visited island in Europe. The white and blue houses are built in an amphitheatrically form on top of the rocks of the island, which fall vertically into the sea, creating one of the most breathtaking and unforgettable landscapes in the world.
All photos from Art Travel except where noted differently.
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