When living in Greece, it feels nice if you can communicate in Greek, even to a minimum level. For example, you could say a nice “Greek wish” to a Greek-speaking friend or acquaintance.  Being able to say a Greek everyday wish, makes you feel part of Greek society.

 

In Greece, every circumstance seems to be an occasion for a wish, a good word. It is a way to express love, joy, sympathy, and much more. In this article, you find a small selection of popular wishes. If you want more, you are welcome to download the free eBook with the link at the end of this article. So let's start!

Καλό μήνα! [Kalo mina] – (Have a) Good month! = 1st of every month.

Καλή εβδομάδα! [Kali evdomada] – (Have a) Good Week! = Every Monday

Καλό σαββατοκύριακο! [Kalo savatokirako] - Enjoy your weekend

Καλή χρονιά! [Kali chronia] – Happy New Year! = 1st of January and for several days before and after …

When Eating Or Drinking

Καλή όρεξη! [kali orexi] - Enjoy your meal!

Γεια μας! [yia mas] - Cheers! (literally: to our health)

Γεια στα χέρια σου! [gia sta xeria sou] - "Bless your hands" (a wish to the person who cooked the nice meal)

New Acquisitions

Even if someone is buying something, people in Greece also use wishes:

 

Με γεια! [Me gia] – With health! = enjoy your new acquisition …. Usually for clothes and shoes. (Also used when you had a haircut!)

Καλορίζικο! [Kaloriziko] – Good luck! = Used when people buy bigger property (houses, shops), or move to another house. From the words ‘good’ and ‘root’ = have good roots!

Sickness

When somebody is not well or sick, it is nice to wish them:

Περαστικά! [Perastika] – Get Well! = May your illness pass quickly!

Σιδερένιος! [Siderenios] – “Iron!” = May you be strong as iron again!

Traveling

For someone traveling or ready to leave, you can wish him the following:

Καλό δρόμο!/ Στο καλό! [Kalo dromo!/Sto kalo!] – Drive (home) safely!

Καλό ταξίδι! [Kalo taksidi] – “Have a nice trip!” = Travel by any means of transport.

Καλή αντάμωση! [Kali antamosi] – “Until we meet again!” = may we meet again.

Καλές διακοπές! [Kales diakopes] – Enjoy your holidays!

Congratulating

A very pleasant and positive wish, you can use many times!

Συγχαρητήρια! [sicharitiria] - Congratulations

Μπράβο![bravo] - Bravo!

Και σε ανώτερα! [ke se anotera] - "To an even more successful/better future"

Interested in more? Then download our free eBook and audio pronounciation guide, by clicking on this link.

Since February 9th was officially declared International Greek Language Day in 2017, the Greek language is getting more and more attention. The principal aim for celebrating International Greek Language Day is to celebrate the vital, fundamental role played by the Greek language in the shaping of Western civilization throughout the centuries

February 9 was selected because it is the official remembrance day of Dionysios Solomos, who died on February 9, 1857. Dionysios Solomos is the Greek national poet famous for writing the Greek national anthem, titled ”Hymn to Liberty” (Ύμνος εις την Ελευθερίαν). This initiative encourages anyone interested in the Greek language and culture to learn our ancient and fascinating language and instigate more initiatives that will spread the Greek language and culture around the world.

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Here are 5 surprising facts about the Greek language you may have never heard of: 

1. The Longest Word In Literature is Greek

According to the Guinness World Records, the longest word ever to appear in literature can be found in Assemblywomen, a comedy written by the Greek playwright Aristophanes.

The word is transliterated as:
lopadotemachoselachogaleokranioleipsanodrimhypotrimmatosilphiokarabomelitokatakechymenokichlepikossypho
phattoperisteralektryonoptekephalliokigklopeleiolagoiosiraiobaphetraganopterygon 

or, in the Greek alphabet:
λοπαδο­τεμαχο­σελαχο­γαλεο­κρανιο­λειψανο­δριμυπο­τριμματο­σιλφιο­καραβομελιτο­κατα­κεχυμενο­κιχλεπικοσσυφοφαττο­περιστεραλεκτρυονοπτο­κεφαλλιο­κιγκλοπελειο­λαγῳοσιραιο­βαφητραγανο­πτερύγων

It is the longest Greek word, with 183 letters and 78 syllables. 

2. Greek Is The Oldest Recorded Living Language

Greek is the oldest recorded living language with written records in Greek spanning over 34 centuries. Greek derives from Proto-Greek, the first form of spoken Greek which dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. The language later evolved into Ancient Greek, which was spoken during the Antiquity, while Modern Greek emerged after the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453.

3. Originally, Greek Was Written From Right To Left

Like modern-day Hebrew and Arabic, Ancient Greek was written from right to left. Subsequently, Greek was written boustrophedon, meaning that lines alternated between right-to-left and left-to-right script. During the 5th century BC, the direction of Greek writing was standardized as left to right, and all the letters adopted a fixed right-facing orientation.

4. The Word ‘Alphabet’ Derives From The 2 First Letters Of The Greek Alphabet

The first two letters of the Greek alphabet are alpha (α) and beta (β). And while the English language uses Latin characters, the word ‘alphabet’ actually refers to Greek letters.

5. An Estimated 12% Of The English Vocabulary Has A Greek Origin

Did you know that almost every English word starting with ph such as philosophy, philanthropy, phobia, and phenomenon, comes from Greek? Greek hugely influenced the English language that is why many technical and scientific terms such as astronomy, biology, and mathematics, originate from Greek.

This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab

Contemporary Greek music has a deep history that expands over 100+ years. This “A Capella compilation”, an idea of the Greek artist Nikolas Raptakis and his friends, includes bits and bobs of many different hit songs, one after the other and brilliantly shows how Greek music has changed over the decades. 

The journey through the history of Greek music starts with rebetiko and the traditional. Rebetiko originated from the music of large, mainly coastal cities of Asia Minor, where big Greek communities lived and prospered during the Ottoman era. It is closely related to nightlife entertainment – ouzeries and tavernas.

Another song by Markos Vamvakaris leads us into the 40s. In the 1950s, rebetiko started changing and giving its place to a new-ish genre, laïkó. Chiotis created the idea of entertainment venues the way people understood them in Greece in the decades to follow. He is also considered one of the best bouzouki players of all times.

Towards the end of the 50s, a new music genre appears in Greece, which is called entechno – orchestral music with elements from Greek folk rhythm and melody. The lyrics of the songs are often poems written by Greek poets, to which significant composers like Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hatzidakis are adding music.

1960-1970-1980

Greek cinema bloomed in the 60s and so did Greek music since many movies had music and dance sequences like modern musicals. It is thus no coincidence that this part of the videos starts with Ipomoni and Tosa Kalokairia, which are both from Greek movies of that time.

The music of that era, especially from the 1970s onwards, carries a lot of optimism, enthusiasm, and some hippie vibes.

To read more and learn some Greek music history please visit: masaresi.com

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When you listen to Greek radio, Greek songs, or you live in Greece, of course, you hear Greek all the time. However, if you do not understand what is said, do not worry - you can still enjoy Greece and Greek life, without speaking Greek! 

But the more you live in Greece, and the more Greek you hear on the streets, in the shops, on the radio, etc., it's only natural to desire to understand and communicate with Greeks, in their native language of course.

So why not trying to communicate in Greek with the locals? Even if you start in Greek and finish the conversation in English, it does not matter. As long you show you try, you will make friends forever.

Of course, nobody tells you it is easy! Understanding Greek or having a normal conversation in Greek always contains grammar structures, slang, a lot of vocabulary, etc. But do not be afraid of making mistakes, it is the best way to learn.

How, when, or where to start learning Greek?

A. Learn with a Greek friend or try lessons with a Greek teacher close to your home or online. You don't need to spend years learning Greek. Instead, you can use simple sentences and limited vocabulary which you use on a daily basis in Greece. The friendly reactions and comments from Greeks, impressed by your effort to learn their language, will motivate you to continue learning more.

B. Try the “Greek Speaking Starter Kit” an online multi-media starter kit, made by the Omilo Greek Language School.  

C. Learn Greek by yourself. Learning a language on your own, without a teacher, is fun, but, keep in mind, that it can be full of difficult moments and delay the entire process by many years.

 

Masaresi.com was founded by Maya Cornelissens-Andreadi, who shares her experience about how “to integrate in Greece and feel like a local”. Masaresi = μας αρέσει = we like it! Discover the “real Greece," while delving into all the aspects of Greek life – from modern lifestyle and culture to history, literature, traditions, and many more.

Explore Greece - Read About Greece - Buy Greek - Learn Greek

Do you like modern and contemporary art? Then for sure, Athens, featuring numerous galleries and fabulous museums where you can enjoy modern art, is the place to be! 

Greece might be known for its ancient Greek culture, statues, ceramics, and temples, but is also a country where you can see a lot of modern art and contemporary architecture, as well as visit museums covering the living artists or those numerous famous Greek names and talented artists of the 20th century. With that said, let’s introduce you to a very known Greek painter and one of Greece’s leading 20th-century artists, Yιannis Moralis, whose paintings can be found in public and private collections in Greece, as well as abroad.

Who Was Yιannis Moralis?

Ηe was born in the town of Arta in 1916, but lived in Preveza from 1922-1927, due to the fact that his father served as Principal at High School of Preveza. He moved to Athens with his parents in 1927. From the age of 15, he studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts, from where he graduated in 1936. The following year he won a scholarship from the Athens Academy and left for Rome.

Moralis would stay in Italy until November 1937 and then moved to Paris where he studied at École Nationale des Beaux-Arts. At the same time, he registered in École des Arts et Metiers, to master mosaic. With the declaration of World War II, however, he returned to Greece hurriedly.

In 1940 he exhibited a series of engravings with the group “Free Artists” in Piraeus. In the same year, he assigned to the army and served his term while participating in the last pre-war Pan-Hellenic Exhibition in Zappeion, where he also received the bronze medal.

In 1954, he began his collaboration with the Theater of Art of Karolos Koun, and later on, he also collaborated with the National Theater. In 1958, together with Yiannis Tsarouchis and sculptor Antonis Soutsos, he represented Greece at the Venice Biennale.

If you want to learn more facts about Yannis Moralis and see pictures from his solo exhibit in the Benaki Museum please visit: masaresi.com

 

Masaresi.com was founded by Maya Cornelissens-Andreadi, who shares her experience about how “to integrate in Greece and feel like a local”. Masaresi = μας αρέσει = we like it! Discover the “real Greece," while delving into all the aspects of Greek life – from modern lifestyle and culture to history, literature, traditions, and many more.

Explore Greece - Read About Greece - Buy Greek - Learn Greek

Would you like to travel to a Cycladic Island soon, but still not so confident due to the corona pandemic? Do not worry! If you’re looking to ‘travel’ from the comfort of your own living room whilst staying safe and practicing your Greek skills, we have the perfect idea for you: why not give the Greek TV series I Aithousa Tou Thronou a try?

This Greek TV series was shot in both Attica (Athens, Lagonisi, and Nea Makri) and the island of Syros, where also the Greek Language and Culture courses of the Omilo school take place. If you're interested in discovering Syros and learning Greek, then click here to learn more about Omilo's language programs in Syros. 

I Aithousa Tou Thronou (en. The Throne Room) is a Greek period drama TV series that was aired between 1998-99 and was based on a novel by the celebrated novelist and academic Tasos Athanasiadis.

It takes place on the Cycladic island of Syros in 1966, right before the Greek military junta ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974. The socio-political circumstances in Greece are heating up, but at the same time, people are characterized by a certain innocence as they cannot imagine how things are going to develop; everything feels very distant but also very close. The series follows closely a group of young people, whose lives intersect and eventually get tangled up with each other’s. It examines the topics of love, life, death, God and religion, the eternal clash between good and evil, people’s wants, and social conventions.

The story is set in motion by the arrival of two very young people at the island of Syros: the first one is Loukas Delogis, the son of a powerful local family who studied in Paris and spent some time in Mount Athos afterward, also known as Agion Oros. It is a mountain and peninsula in north-eastern Greece as well as home to twenty monasteries, so Loukas tried to become a monk there but failed, so he decides to return to his homeplace. The other one is Glauki Arhontidi, a young Greek woman who lives in London and whose father became a hero during the Katochi, i.e. the German and Italian occupation of Greece during WWII where he died fighting with the Greek resistance army.

The cast includes well-known Greek actors Aris Lembesopoulos, Maria Nafpliotou, Myrto Alikaki, Alekos Syssovitis, Alekos Alexandrakis, Nikos Rizos, and many more.

You can watch the series online on various Youtube channels, but you need to search a bit for the 26 episodes You can start watching the first episode here.
  

There are no English subtitles for the time being so it would a good exercise for intermediate or advanced Greek learners

Omilo Greek Language and Culture inspires people from all over the world to learn Greek, while exploring Greece. They offer 1- and 2-week courses for adults that combine beautiful course locations, experienced teachers, and a balanced combination of Greek classes with cultural activities. All these make Omilo a place where people enjoy learning modern Greek and have fun.

Besides the courses, Omilo also creates online publications to help adults expand their language skills through Language Books and eBooks for different language levels.

 

When you think about Greek music, there are probably many names that pop into your head: Dalaras, Mouskouri, Theodorakis, and of course also… Manos Hatzidakis.

Manos Hatzidakis was a composer and has written hundreds of popular Greek songs. He was also one of the first composers, together with Mikis Theodorakis, who introduced the “Entechno music” in the Greek music landscape. One of Hatzidakis’ songs already became internationally known in 1959, when Nana Mouskouri participated in the first Greek Song Festival and won the first prize performing his song ‘Κάπου υπάρχει η αγάπη μου’ (My love must be somewhere out there). The song was also performed by the well-known singer Georges Moustaki.

The love for Greek music is a reason why many adults start learning Greek. It is a great way to learn the lyrics and sing along during concerts. Not only do you learn more about the Greek language, but also about the Greek culture and passion that is described in many songs.

Childhood & youth

Manos H. was born on 23-10-1925 in Xanthi, North Greece. From his childhood, Manos started reading music and playing the piano and the violin. In 1932, he moved to Athens with his family. In 1938 his father was killed in a plane crash. This tragic accident and the outbreak of World War II ruined the family financially.

Work

In 1946 he finished his first project in the film industry, whereas his cooperation with the “Art Theatre“ of K. Koun started in 1954 and would last 15 years. In 1960, Manos Hatzidakis was awarded an Oscar for the song “The children of Piraeus” from J. Dassin’s film “Never on Sunday”. He became the first Greek composer to make a Greek song popular in the rest of the world. Manos Hatzidakis died in Athens on 15-06-1994.

Rebetiko & Entechno

His whole life, Manos Hatzidakis was dedicated to and strongly related to the traditional Greek song. In 1949, in a lecture about “ Rebetico” songs, he supported this genre which was, at that time, either unknown or despised. Later, he created, together with Mikis Theodorakis, the “Entechno”, a very important music stream, in which music has very close ties with Greek poetry. Along with his interest in Greek songs, Manos Hatzidakis was also a composer with personal inspiration. He managed to create a wonderful composition, combining the world of folk music with his new musical horizons.

If you are interested to learn more about Greek entechno music by Chatzidakis, click here: omilo.com

Omilo Greek Language and Culture inspires people from all over the world to learn Greek, while exploring Greece. They offer 1- and 2-week courses for adults that combine beautiful course locations, experienced teachers, and a balanced combination of Greek classes with cultural activities. All these make Omilo a place where people enjoy learning modern Greek and have fun.

Besides the courses, Omilo also creates online publications to help adults expand their language skills through Language Books and eBooks for different language levels.

After a long and extensive remodel, Greece’s most important historical art gallery is now open to the public again, with essentially double the space. The sleek glass-clad site, just across from the Hilton Athens, houses the country’s largest single collection of modern art and sculpture, dating from the post-Byzantine era to the present. For the first time in nearly a decade, visiting art lovers can trace Greece’s artistic progress over the course of its modern history, all under one roof.

With a heady haul of iconic works from great Greek artists such as Yannis Tsarouchis, Konstantinos Parthenis, and Dominikos Theotokopoulos (better known as El Greco), chronologically organized over three gleaming floors, you’ll need hours to take it all in properly. To help you cut to the chase and make your visit more meaningful, we’ve scoured the permanent collection to share some of our favorite highlights. 

Portrait of Mrs. Serpieri by Nikephoros Lytras (1869)

Credit: Thomas Gravanis

The son of a famed marble sculptor from Tinos island, Nikephoros Lytras is himself billed as “the father of modern Greek painting”. His most well-known portrait is Greece’s first royal couple, Otto and Amalia. But it’s this sumptuous, large-scale oil, immortalizing the wife of a prominent industrialist, that planted him on the radar of his peers. The globally renowned Greek artist Takis used to say that “Mrs. Serpieri was the first Greek portrait” (he greatly admired the textural qualities of her wine-colored velvet gown). Lytras’ portrait phase was characterized by a very studied style and lavish gold frames that sometimes cost more than the paintings. It was an affirmation of the affluent new society emerging in Greece who all wanted their portraits painted. As one of the pioneering members of the Munich School of Greek artists championed by King Otto, Lytras was in particularly hot demand.

Collecting the Nets by Konstantinos Volanakis (1871)

Credit: Thomas Gravanis

Greec\ce’s legendary bright light inspires endless artistic expressions. But it wasn’t always ideal when it came to the development of Impressionism in this country: no clouds to create the genre’s trademark luminosity. Konstantinos Volanakis triumphs nonetheless in this dreamy depiction of fishermen pulling the nets at sunrise. The sky is flooded with melancholy light and the rippling sea pulsates with life and variation; demonstrating Volanakis’ firm grasp of Impressionism’s primary lesson: a deep comprehension of the essence of things. This accountant-turned-artist grew into one of Greece’s most important seascape painters, known for his lyrical and atmospheric compositions of momentous naval battles and harbor scenes.

The Betrothal of the Children by Nikolaos Gyzis (1877)

Credit: Thomas Gravanis

Another leading light of the esteemed Munich School of Greek artists who studied in Bavaria, Nikolaos Gyzis opens a poignant window into life under Ottoman rule. The Turks used to take young boys from their families to raise them as Muslims (their sons would often return as young men to fight against their former villages). In a bid to escape this cruel fate, families betrothed their children from the age of 10. Here, in a typical village home, the priest places a ring on a bemused boy’s finger; while the girl appears to shy away from the priest’s entreaties. A relative kitted out in the traditional Greek fustanella kilt, likely one of the fathers, stands by to toast the union from a gourd-like vessel. Notice how remarkably this prized genre painter captures the color and texture of the utensils and fabrics: from the gleam of the copper pot to the rich sheen of the silk garments.

Exodus from Messolonghi by Theodoros Vryzakis (1878)

Credit: Thomas Gravanis

One of the most tragic and recounted episodes of the Greek fight for freedom is meticulously portrayed here by Theodoros Vryzakis (himself orphaned by the Greek War of Independence when his father was hanged by the Turks). On the night of April 10, 1826, the inhabitants of Messolonghi in Western Greece fled a year-long siege to be slain by the waiting enemy. Vryzakis unites heavenly and earthly axes to show an enthroned God in a golden cloud blessing the romanticized Greek fighters; while angels with laurel wreaths prepare to coronate the heroes. Mothers and children lie wounded or dying as armed Turks breach the city walls on a ladder. You can almost hear their cries and feel the uproar and terror. As one of the founders of the Munich School of Greek artists, Vryzakis’ paintings fuelled patriotism among Greeks - and Philhellenes - who believed their cause was rightful and had God’s backing.

Grandma’s Favourite by Georgios Iakovidis (1893)

Credit: Thomas Gravanis

The intimate bond between grandparent and grandchild is one of Greece’s most endearing cultural touchstones. Georgis Iakovidis, among the last great champions of the Munich School, carved out a name for himself as “the painter of childhood”. Many of his works, such as this delightful example, inimitably captured the primal relationship between grandchildren and their elderly grandparents. Here, the bronze fruit plate cements the artist’s mastery of still life techniques; while the infant’s red socks nod to Impressionism. What shines brightest though is Iakovidis’ profound insight into the psychology of the connection between these two diametrically opposed life stages. Fun fact: Iakovidis would later become one of the first directors of the newly-established National Gallery.

On the Terrace by Iakovos Rizos (1897)


Credit: Thomas Gravanis

We might have guessed that Iakovos Rizos studied art in Paris. This luxurious painting, set on the terrace of a neoclassical abode in Plaka, oozes the euphoric spirit of the Belle Epoque and the artistic milieu of the late 19th century. Rizos’ oeuvre of “beautiful, elegant women in palaces or gardens” marks a dramatic gear shift from the predominant themes of war and Hellenism that defined Greek art in previous decades. Here, a winsome sunset cloaks the Acropolis, casting its blushing light over a trio of leisurely protagonists who represent the wealthy bourgeois life. A handsome Cavalry officer recites verse to the evident delight of two stylish Athenian ladies (some say it’s Prince Nikolaos, potential heir to the throne, and known for his romantic pursuits). Rizos may sidestep the Impressionist doctrines employed to great effect by his contemporaries, but the enduring charm of this painting lies more in the wonderful feeling it evokes.

To read this article in full, please visit: thisisathens.org

Whether you've just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! 

 

The Greek word Philoxenia, literally translated as a “friend to a stranger,” is widely perceived to be synonymous with hospitality.

For Greeks, it is much deeper than that. It is an unspoken cultural law that shows generosity and courtesy to strangers.

Greeks are enormously generous when inviting others to their home, or being invited themselves. In villages, it is not uncommon for villagers to show up at the door of a resident foreigner (or even a temporary visitor renting a room) with a sack full of fresh tomatoes, or even a bottle of local olive oil.

Philoxenia today can be as simple as a smile, helping a stranded motorist, buying a meal for a homeless person, or opening your home to friends and family.

This cultural law has its origins in Ancient Greece. The ancient Greek god Zeus is sometimes called Zeus Xenios — as he was also a protector of travelers. He thus embodied the religious obligation to be hospitable to travelers.

The beautiful story written by the Roman poet Ovid in 8 A.D of Zeus and Hermes disguised as poor travelers, narrates the sacred relation between host and guest, embodying the ancient Greek tradition.

The two ancient Greek Gods, the story goes, visited many villages in search of refuge for the night. A poor elderly couple — Baucis and Philemon welcomed them as guests in their home and generously served them food and wine.

After refilling her guests’ cups many times over, Baucis noticed that the wine jug was still full. Philemon then realized the visitors were actually gods and she offered to kill their only goose to feed them. Touched by this gesture, Zeus rewarded their generosity by transforming the humble cottage into a beautiful stone temple.

Zeus also granted the couple their ultimate wish: to be the guardians of the temple, die at the same time, and stay together for eternity as they were turned into trees, guarding each side of the temple’s door.

According to legend, even an event as momentous as the Trojan War began because of a guest’s violation of xenia. The Trojan prince Paris was a guest of King Menelaus of Sparta when he abducted Menelaus’ wife, Helen.

Both the Odyssey and the Iliad are filled with episodes in which xenia is either honored or ignored and the subsequent consequences are notable. For instance, when Odysseus sails to the island of the cyclops, the monster’s treatment of Odysseus and his sailors is a violation of the custom of xenia. The cyclops are punished for the transgression. Odysseus blinds his “host” and escapes. The cyclops episode depicts an abuse of xenia.

In another story, Odysseus’ wife Penelope is forced by custom to entertain an entire household of suitors. The guests not only make unreasonable, burdensome requests that were impolite for guests but they do so with the assumption the host himself is no longer alive. The conclusion of the poem involves Odysseus’s slaughter of the suitors. This violent ending can be seen as retribution for egregious abuse of xenia, or conversely, a violation of its very precepts.



To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com

With its sparkling blue seas, sunny skies, spectacular landscapes, and rich history, Greece, over the years has inspired many filmmakers to choose the country as a backdrop to their movies. From action movies to rom-coms, here are our all-time favorite films set in glorious Greece!




Zorba the Greek (1964)


Stavros Beach in Crete. Credit: @the_pics_of_crete

Starring Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates, this iconic film follows the story of Basil, a wealthy, educated, English gentleman who forms an unlikely friendship with Alexis Zorba, an uneducated, coarse, Greek peasant. Based on a novel by Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis, the film was shot in various locations in Crete, including Chania, Apokrounas, and Akrotiri. Quinn's iconic sirtaki dancing scene was filmed on the beach of Stavros. Mikis Theodorakis composed the film's music, which became legendary. 

Boy on a Dolphin (1957)


The Sophia Loren windmill in Hydra. Credit: @lucydodsworth

Sophia Loren’s English debut happens to also be the first Hollywood movie filmed in Greece. The majority of the film was shot in Hydra, but there were some scenes shot in Athens, Rhodes, and Delos as well. This was the first movie to showcase the stunning beauty of the Greek islands. On the western tip of Hydra Harbour lies Phaedra's Windmill, also known as Sophia Loren's windmill, and right opposite stands a statue of a boy on a dolphin to commemorate this historic cinematic event. 

Mamma Mia! (2008)


Agios Ioannis Church, Skopelos. Credit: @skopelos.gr

Skopelos, Skiathos, and Pelion provided the lovely scenery for the 2008 rom-com-musical blockbuster, starring Mery Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Amanda Seyfried among others. The church of Agios Ioannis in Skopelos, where the wedding scene was filmed, became the reason for many people to visit the small charming island of Sporades. 

Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001)


Antisamos Beach, Kefalonia. Credit: @vibrant_kefalonia

Based on the book ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ by Louis de Bernières, is a romantic drama set during the Italian occupation of Greece during WWII. Starring Penelope Cruz and Nicolas Cage, the film tells the story of a Greek woman who is abandoned by her fiancé and an Italian captain stationed on the island. Exclusively filmed in Kefalonia, particularly in Sami, Antisamos, and Fiscardo, it goes to show how abundant and majestic this Ionian island is. 

The Big Blue (1988) 


Panagia Hozoviotissa, Amorgos. Credit: @giannistsou.1

Starring Jean-Marc Barr and Jean Reno this is a story of the rivalry between two childhood friends, but also an anthem to the endless blue Greek Sea. Directed by Luc Besson, this French film was mostly shot in the Cycladic island of Amorgos, though some scenes were also shot in the neighboring islands of Ios and Mykonos. The movie featured a lot of underwater scenes, wonderfully promoting the Aegean Sea and its seabed.

For Your Eyes Only (1981)


Kanoni, Corfu. Credit: @mykerkyra_com

Starring Roger Moore as Agent 007, the scenic shooting locations of this film will absolutely amaze you. The movie is shot in Corfu island and the tiny islet of Kanoni and in the impressive cliffs of Meteora and the Monastery of Agia Triada in particular.