Lonely Planet presents the 10 experiences one should *not* miss during their first visit to Greece, a flattering article riding the heightened international attention of late — some negative — focusing on the east Mediterranean country.

Attempting to answer the eternal question, “how to approach this wide-ranging country with enough islands to suit everyone’s taste, and antiquities dotting the landscape,” LP expert Alexis Averbuck lists 10 things you simply must do or see while in Greece.

Ancient Athens
A visit to the Acropolis is “an absolute must,” according to the author, who adds the ultra-modern and vast New Acropolis Museum below the actual monument itself. He says of the latter: “It beautifully protects the site’s artefacts while placing them in context.” The article also mentions the Ancient Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenian (Panathinaiko) Stadium, still in use today and all within walking distance in Athens.

Monastiraki and Plaka

The Monastiraki Flea Market is full of shops and kiosks that offer souvenirs, street clothes, leather goods, jewelry and burnished antiques.

Coffee culture

Order a Greek coffee, either plain (sketo), with some sugar (metrio) or sweet (glyko), and enjoy people-watching in the sun.

Santorini (Thira)

Gorgeous Santorini “lives up to the postcard-perfect photos you’ve seen.”

Mykonos and Delos

Mykonos is the isle of 24-hour parties, while uninhabited Delos, a small islet off Mykonos, is home to one of Greece’s most treasured ancient sites.

Island hopping in the Cyclades

The famous islands draw visitors from far and wide every year.

Hydra

If time is short, head straight from greater Athens to tiny Hydra via hydrofoil, as it is the thoroughly cosmopolitan off all the Saronic Gulf isles.

Festivals

Throughout the year festivals dot the Greek calendar.

The long lunch

“You haven’t lived the Greek life, and certainly not had a full summer experience, until you’ve partaken in the ‘long lunch’ with seafood and ouzo.”

Beaches

What would a trip to Greece be without some serious beach time, the author asks