Ancient Greek Sites and Ancient Greek Ruins

Ancient Greece sites : Editor's Picks

• 1. The Acropolis
  The Acropolis is one of the most recognisable historic sites in the world and remains an inspirational monument to the achievements of Ancient Greek civilisation.
  

• 2. Paestum
  Among the best Greek ruins anywhere in the world, Paestum is a Greco-Roman site in Italy containing the stunning remains of three ancient Greek temples.
  

• 3. Olympia
  Olympia was a city in Ancient Greece from which today’s Olympic Games originate and is now an important archaeological site protected by UNESCO.
  Photo by Erik Daniel Drost (cc)

• 4. Epidaurus
  Epidaurus was a city of Ancient Greece located on the Greek mainland. Its incredible ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  Photo by thebaldwin (cc)

• 5. Valley of the Temples
  The Valley of the Temples is a UNESCO-listed site in Sicily housing the very well-preserved remains of several Ancient Greek temples which rank among the best ancient Greek remains in the world
  Photo by emilio labrador (cc)

• 6. Troy
  Troy is a world-renowned archaeological site, and one of the best-known ancient Greek ruins. Inhabited since the 4th millennium BC, it is believed to the have been the location of the famous Trojan War.
  Photo by Travelling Runes (cc)

• 7. Delphi
  Among the best known of all Ancient Greek sites, Delphi is an Ancient Greek city once considered to have been the centre of the Earth.
  

• 8. Sparta
  The ancient Greek city of Sparta was one of the most famous city-states of the ancient world.
  Photo by davehighbury (cc)

Ancient Greece sites: Site Index

• Acropolis of Rhodes
  The Acropolis of Rhodes is the site of the main remains of what was the city of Rhodes in the Hellenistic period.
  Photo by Shadowgate (cc)

• Aigai
  Aigai in northern Greece, was once capital of the Macedonian kingdom and the site where Alexander the Great was proclaimed king. A number of remains of the ancient town can be seen, including the tomb of Alexander’s father.
  Photo by Rufus210 (cc)

• Amathus
  Amathus is an archaeological Ancient Greek site in Cyprus containing the remains of one of the island’s oldest ancient towns.
  Photo by isawnyu (cc)

• Ancient Agora of Athens
  One of many Ancient Greek sites in Athens, the Ancient Agora was a market, a meeting place and the social, political and commercial hub of the ancient city.
  Photo by Eustaquio Santimano (cc)

• Antalya Museum
  The Antalya Museum contains thousands of ancient and prehistoric artifacts, many from the ancient Greek period.
  Photo by Alaskan Dude (cc)

• Apamea
  Apamea is an ancient site in Syria which boasts a remarkable 1800 metres of dramatic Roman colonnades as well as Ancient Greek ruins.
  Photo by yeowatzup (cc)

• Aphrodisias
  The ancient city of Aphrodisias was named after the Goddess of Love; Aphrodite. Established in what is now modern day Turkey in the 6th century BC, it expanded into the thriving capital of the surrounding region.
  Photo by Ken and Nyetta (cc)

• Arsuf
  The site of Arsuf, also known as Apollonia, contains the remains of a Crusader castle once occupied by the Knights Hospitaller as well as remains from other periods including Ancient Greece.
  Photo by אסף.צ (cc)

• Asklepieion
  Asklepieion is an ancient Greek archaeological site containing the well-preserved ruins of the birthplace of medicine.
  Photo by *clairity* (cc)

• Assos
  The city of Assos was founded by Ancient Greeks from the 7th century BC. The ancient ruined city is crowned by an impressive temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena.
  Photo by Travelling Runes (cc)

• Athens National Archaeological Museum
  Athens National Archaeological Museum is one of the most prominent of its kind in the world and has over 20,000 pieces.
  Photo by jaybergesen (cc)

• Baalbek
  Baalbek is home to the largest ever Roman temple and a range of other magnificent ancient structures, including many from the ancient greek period.
  Photo by isawnyu (cc)

• British Museum
  The British Museum in London is a world-famous museum of history and culture and has an excellent collection of ancient greek artefacts.
  Photo by Dysanovic (cc)

• Butrint
  Butrint is a prehistoric UNESCO World Heritage site in south west Albania which has been occupied by the Greeks, Romans and Byzantines.
  Photo by keepwaddling1 (cc)

• Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
  The Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities contains the most comprehensive and important collection of Ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world as well as some from the Ancient Greek period.
  Photo by leoncillo sabino (cc)

• Capua Archaeological Museum
  Capua Archaeological Museum houses a collection of ancient artefacts and is next to an ancient Mithraeum.
  

• Corinth
  One of the most famous Ancient Greek sites, Corinth was a major city to both the Ancient Greeks and the Ancient Romans and its fascinating ruins are a popular tourist destination.
  Photo by Alun Salt (cc)

• Cumae Archaeological Park
  Cumae Archaeological Park in Pozzuoli houses a series of ancient ruins and artefacts and is thought to have been inhabited as far back as the Iron Age.
  Photo by filologanoga (cc)

• Cyrene
  Cyrene in Lybia is considered to be one of the most impressive Greco-Roman sites in the world and has many ancient Greek ruins.
  Photo by davehighbury (cc)

• Delos
  Delos is a UNESCO listed ancient Greek site and the island on which Apollo was said to have been born.
  Photo by isawnyu (cc)

• Delos Archaeological Museum
  The Delos Archaeological Museum houses finds from the ancient site of Delos.
  Photo by Charles Haynes (cc)

• Delphi Archaeological Museum
  Delphi Archaeological Museum displays artifacts from the Ancient Greek city of Delphi.
  Photo by Peter Long (cc)

• Didyma
  Didyma in Turkey contains the ruins of the temple of Apollo, which was one of the most important oracles of the Hellenic world.
  

• Dion
  Dion is an ancient city in Greece which became the religious centre of the Macedonian kingdom and now contains a number of Greek and Roman-era ruins.
  Photo by carolemadge1 (cc)

• Empuries
  The ruins of a Roman military camp built on the remains of a bustling Greek city, Empuries is the only archaeological site on the Iberian Peninsula that boasts such an ancient history.
  Photo by tristanf (cc)

• Ephesus
  Ephesus in Turkey represents some of the best preserved Ancient Greek ruins in the Mediterranean.
  Photo by Donna and Andrew (cc)

• Florence Archaeological Museum
  Florence Archaeological Museum combines an impressive collection of Etruscan art with Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman artefacts.
  

• Getty Villa
  The Getty Villa is a museum dedicated to the ancient world.
  Photo by The Consortium (cc)

• Heraklea Linkestis
  Heraklea Linkestis is an archaeological site in Bitola in Macedonia which was once an ancient Roman settlement and contains many Ancient Greek ruins.
  

• Hierapolis
  One of many ancient Greek sites in Turkey, Hierapolis was once a thriving, multicultural ancient city and spa, the remains of which can still be seen.
  Photo by Chris. P (cc)

• Histria
  Histria was occupied by the Greeks, Romans and Byzantines and is thought to be the oldest settlement in Romania.
  Photo by amiinsidemyself (cc)

• Istanbul Archaeology Museum
  The Istanbul Archaeology Museum houses around a million artefacts from an impressive range of cultures and periods.
  Photo by ae35unit (cc)

• Jardin des Vestiges
  The Jardin des Vestiges is an archaeological site in Marseilles with ancient Greek and Roman remains.
  Photo by maarjaara (cc)

• Kamiros
  Kamiros was an ancient city on the island of Rhodes, the ruins of which include an acropolis.
  Photo by Shadowgate (cc)

• Kaunos
  Kaunos contains the remains of an ancient Carian city and includes a host of Hellenic, Roman and Byzantine remains – particularly its impressive theatre.
  Photo by Rev Stan (cc)

• Kerameikos
  Of of the lesser known Ancient Greek sites in Athens, Kerameikos was the site of an important ancient burial ground.
  Photo by dynamosquito (cc)

• Knidos
  The picturesque remains of the ancient city of Knidos are a popular tourist attraction, as much for the beautiful coastal views as for the archaic ruins.
  Photo by silverman68 (cc)

• Kos Ancient Agora
  The Kos Ancient Agora contains a series of ancient Greek ruins dating from the fourth century BC to the sixth century AD.
  Photo by bazylek100 [away] (cc)

• Kourion
  Kourion is an impressive archaeological site in Cyprus containing mostly Ancient Roman and Byzantine ruins.
  

• Laodikeia
  Laodikeia was an Ancient Greek then Roman city, which is now represented by a set of ruins.
  Photo by Ian W Scott (cc)

• Leukaspis
  Leukaspis was a thriving Greco-Roman port and city founded in the second century BC. Today, it has been excavated as the Marina el-Alamein Archaeological Site.
  

• Marseille History Museum
  The Marseille History Museum chronicles the city’s history since Ancient Greek times.
  

• Marseille Roman Docks Museum
  The Roman Docks Museum has a collection of artefacts from Marseille’s thriving ancient port.
  

• Miletus
  Miletus was an important ancient Greek then Roman city, which still has an impressive theatre, but relatively few other ruins.
  Photo by Miia Ranta (cc)

• Museo del Sannio di Benevento
  Museo del Sannio is an historical museum in Benevento which displays ancient and medieval artefacts from the local area.
  

• Mycenae
  Mycenae is a well-preserved Ancient Greek archaeological site in the Peloponnese which formed the centre of the Mycenaean civilisation.
  Photo by *clairity* (cc)

• Myra
  Myra has one of the best-preserved collections of ancient ruins, and is a perfect place to experience an illustrious period of Greek and Roman history being brought back to life.
  Photo by erinc salor (cc)

• Naples National Archeological Museum
  The Naples National Archaeological Museum holds comprehensive collections from the Greek, Roman and Egyptian eras.
  Photo by virtusincertus (cc)

• Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
  Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is a world-class museum of art containing a myriad of ancient works in Copenhagen.
  

• Olympia Archaeological Museum
  Olympia Archaeological Museum is a museum exhibiting artifacts from the ancient city of Olympia.
  

• Palazzo Nuovo
  The Palazzo Nuovo is an archaeological museum of Ancient Greek and Roman art. Part of the Musei Capitolini.
  

• Pasargadae
  Pasargadae was the first capital of the Persian Empire, the UNESCO-listed ruins of which are located in Iran.
  

• Pella
  Pella in Greece was the capital of ancient Macedonia and the birthplace of Alexander the Great.
  

• Pergamum
  Pergamum was a thriving ancient Greek then Roman city, home to famous sites such as its Asclepion, theatre and library.
  

• Perge
  Perge is a Turkish archaeological site containing mostly Roman ruins, but has a history dating back to Ancient Greece.
  Photo by pavdw (cc)

• Perperikon
  Perperikon was an important Thracian sanctuary turned Roman town then medieval fortress.
  

• Phaselis
  Phaselis is an exquisite ancient site, where the ruins lie scattered amongst pine trees and the beautiful Mediterranean coast.
  Photo by Dave Lonsdale (cc)

• Priene
  Priene is a quiet, picturesque ancient Greek city in Turkey which boasts some amazing historical remains without the crowds of the nearby sites.
  

• Rhodes Archaeological Museum
  The Rhodes Archaeological Museum displays mostly Classical and Hellenistic as well as some Archaic artifacts.
  

• Sagalassos
  Sagalassos is an active archaeological site in southwest Turkey which contains mostly Hellenistic and Ancient Roman ruins, some of them very well preserved.
  

• San Lorenzo Maggiore
  The San Lorenzo Maggiore ruins in Naples are the underground remains of a Greek colony then Roman city.
  

• Segesta
  Segesta contains the famous fifth century BC incomplete, but very well-preserved, Temple of Segesta.
  

• Selinunte
  Selinunte is an Ancient Greek archaeological site in Sicily containing the ruins of an acropolis and five temples.
  

• Side Ruins and Museum
  Impressive ruins and a fascinating museum, Side hosts a wealth of Graeco-Roman remains and the impressive amphitheatre is a particular highlight.
  Photo by Tobias Lindman (cc)

• Stari Grad Plain
  The Stari Grad Plain is a prime example of ancient Greek agricultural practices and organisation.
  

• Stobi
  Stobi in Macedonia was an ancient settlement of Paeonia before becoming a Roman city.
  

• Syntagma Metro Station
  Syntagma Metro Station in Athens contains a wonderful display of ancient artefacts which were uncovered during the station’s construction.
  

• Syracuse Archaeological Site
  The Syracuse Archaeological Site contains the impressive remains of an ancient city dating as far back as the eighth century BC.
  

• Taormina Amphitheatre
  Taormina Amphitheatre was first built by the Ancient Greeks in the third century BC and reconstructed by the Romans.
  

• Taxila
  Taxila was the ancient Gandhāran capital city and its incredible ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  

• Temple of Hephaestus
  The Temple of Hephaestus is an imposing ancient Greek temple in the Athenian Agora.
  

• Temple of Horus
  The Temple of Horus is a vast and incredibly well-preserved monument to one of Ancient Egypt’s most important deities.
  

• Temple of Olympian Zeus
  The Temple of Olympian Zeus is one of the most impressive ancient temples in Greece.
  

• Temple of Poseidon - Sounio
  The Temple of Poseidon of Sounio is a picturesque ruin of a fifth century BC Greek temple dedicated to the deity of the sea.
  

• The Acropolis Museum
  The Acropolis Museum is a museum of Ancient Greece and general Athenian history.
  

• The Agora Museum - Athens
  The Agora Museum displays artefacts from the Ancient Agora of Athens and is housed within the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos.
  

• The Altes Museum
  The Altes Museum in Berlin contains a collection of Ancient Greek and Roman artifacts.
  

• The Choragic Monument of Lysicrates
  Lysicrates’ monument to commemorate first prize in a dramatic performance that he had sponsored around 335 BCE.
  

• The Erechtheion
  The Erechtheion is a well preserved ancient temple in the Acropolis complex.
  

• The Hermitage
  The Hermitage is a world renowned museum in St Petersburg which includes a vast array of global exhibits ranging from ancient artefacts and archaeological finds to modern history.
  

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a world renowned museum exhibiting works spanning eight thousand years.
  

• The Neues Museum
  The Neues Museum in Berlin has a vast collection including Prehistoric, Ancient Egyptian, Roman and Greek works.
  

• The Parthenon
  The Parthenon is probably the most famous surviving site from Ancient Greece and is a monument to Classical Greek civilisation.
  

• The Pergamon Museum
  The Pergamon Museum in Berlin displays ancient exhibitions and those of Muslim art.
  

• The Propylaia
  The Propylaia was the grand entranceway to the Acropolis.
  

• The Serapeum
  The Serapeum was a magnificent ancient temple and library complex in Alexandria of which little remains today.
  

• Theatre of Dionysus
  The Theatre of Dionysus was one of the most important theatres in Ancient Greece.
  

• Thebes
  Thebes was an ancient Mycenaean and Greek city eventually destroyed by Alexander the Great.
  

• Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum
  Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum focuses on ancient Macedonia via five comprehensive exhibits.
  

• Tombs of the Kings - Paphos
  The Tombs of the Kings is a Hellenistic necropolis in Paphos in Cyprus containing a series of eight well-preserved tombs.
  

• Umm Qais
  Umm Qais, also spelt Umm Qays, houses the remains of Gadara, one of the Decapolis cities.
  

• Underground Library of Alexandria
  The underground library of Alexandria once formed part of the city’s famous Great Library and can be found under the ruins of the Serapeum.
  

• Velia Archaeological Site
  The Velia Archaeological Site contains Greek, Roman and medieval ruins of the city initially founded as Elea.
  Photo by hanjeanwat (cc)

• Vergina Museum
  The Royal Tombs of Vergina Museum is a fascinating underground vault containing the tomb of Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great.
  Photo by Dimboukas (cc)

• Zeugma
  The remains of this important Roman city are under excavation in Turkey. Though not open to the public, many finds from the site can be seen in the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum.
  Photo by adam_jones (cc)