Holidays with beach and culture: 10 archaeological sites with sea views

Beach vacation or a cultural getaway? To help all travelers who don't want to have to choose between one type of vacation or another, below we list interesting selections of archaeological sites located by the sea, which are places full of history and that combine rest and culture in the best possible way. .

1. Tarragona Amphitheater – Catalonia, Spain

Tarragona, the ancient Tarraco, was one of the main cities of the Roman Empire on the Iberian Peninsula. The importance of the archaeological site of Tarraco , which includes several monuments from the 3rd century BC to the 6th century AD, is such that it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. One of the most striking places is the amphitheater . It is a spectacular oval construction on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, in which gladiator fights and wild animal hunts were held.

2. Ampurias Ruins – Catalonia, Spain

The site of Ampurias is a privileged place for history lovers , as the ruins of a Greek city and a Roman city coexist there. The Greek city has numerous places of interest, such as the agora (public square) , the precincts of Aesculapius and Serapis and the floor of a banquet hall with inscriptions in Greek; In the Roman city, the incredible floor mosaics , the forum and the ruins of the basilica and the curia stand out. And as if that weren't enough, the ruins are located south of the Bay of Roses , classified by UNESCO as one of the most beautiful in the world. With 45 km of beaches and 15 km of coves , it is one of the most popular areas on the Costa Brava .

3. Taormina Theater – Sicily, Italy

This Greco-Roman theater is in the Archaeological Park of Naxos and Taormina, and is located on top of a hill , overlooking the Bay of Naxos and the Strait of Messina . Its origins date back to the 3rd century BC, and in its beginnings, during the Hellenistic period, it hosted dramatic and musical performances. Later, in Roman times , the place was adapted to host gladiator fights. Currently, in addition to delighting many tourists from all over the world, the theater also hosts shows and theatrical presentations, as well as prestigious events, such as the Taormina Film Fest.

4. Selinunte Archaeological Park – Sicily, Italy

With 270 hectares , the Selinunte archaeological park is the largest in Europe. One of the highlights is the acropolis , the highest point of ancient Selinunte, located on a plateau by the sea. Its seven Doric temples will delight anyone who loves history and architecture. Temple E, dedicated to Hera or Aphrodite , is one of the best-preserved and frequently hosts theater performances and concerts. Just below the ruins of the acropolis, at the base of Morro Manuzza, is the Acropolis beach . It is one of the most impressive beaches in the region, due to the incredible views it provides.

5. Tulum Ruins – Quintana Roo, Mexico

6. Temple of Poseidon - Cape Sounion, Greece

The Temple of Poseidon, one of the most important works of the Golden Age of Athens, is located at Cape Sounion , about an hour's drive from the Greek capital. This hexastyle temple, that is, it has six columns in front , still preserves 15 of the 34 precious original Doric columns and was built in honor of the sea god. Currently, one of the best times to visit the temple is at dusk , as the sunset is truly magical .

7. Curium Archaeological Site – Limassol, Cyprus

The ancient city-kingdom of Curium, located a short distance from Limassol , is one of the most important archaeological sites in Cyprus. The magnificent Greco-Roman theater, built in the 2nd century BC, is the centerpiece of the site. Currently, it also hosts important outdoor musical and theatrical performances. Other interesting points are the mosaics of the House of Eustolios , the House of Achilles and the House of Gladiators, as well as the ruins of the Roman agora and a Christian basilica.

8. Temple of Apollo - AIDS, Türkiye

The city of Sida, located on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey, is a perfect destination for travelers who want to combine sea and culture during their vacation, as the wonderful beaches of the Turkish Riviera are perfectly complemented by the ruins of the ancient city of Sida. A good example of this is the spectacular Temple of Apollo , built in the 2nd century BC, in honor of the god of music, harmony and light. Although any time of day is a good time to visit, the atmosphere becomes even more magical at sunset.

9. Carthage Archaeological Site – Tunis, Tunisia

In the year 146 BC, Carthage was completely destroyed by the Roman Republic during the Third Punic War , but until then and from the 6th century BC, it was one of the most important commercial centers in the Mediterranean and one of the most prosperous cities of classical antiquity. Today, the ruins of Carthage (situated on a promontory overlooking the sea) are a must-visit in Tunisia, especially for history lovers. One of the most prominent points of the enclosure is the Antonine Baths , which in its time were one of the most important baths in the Roman Empire.

10. Biblo- Keserwan-Jbeil Archaeological Site, Lebanon

Located 40 km from Beirut , the coastal city of Byblos has been continuously inhabited since the Neolithic period. At the archaeological site it is possible to see important remains of the different civilizations that passed through the site.

Some of the highlights are the Crusader -era castle, the Roman theater, the L-shaped temple, the Temple of Obelisks and the royal necropolis, among others. And as if that weren't enough, the history of the place is also associated with the spread of the Phoenician alphabet.

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