Why do the Percy Jackson books make you want to visit Greece?

Most people probably know that Percy Jackson and the Olympians has something to do with Greece and Greek Mythology, even if they only know that “Olympians” in the title refers to the Olympian gods.

But what exactly does this series have to do with Greek mythology, and why does it make kids want to go to Greece so badly?

Exploring the Percy Jackson Books and Their Connections to Greek Sightseeing

We find out from the first few chapters of the first book in the series, The Lighting Thief, that Latin can be a cool subject. The main character, Percy Jackson, is struggling at a new school, Yancey Academy. We find out he has ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and dyslexia, which make it hard for him to learn the same way as other students. 

Percy tells us about one class that he enjoys more than his other classes, Latin, taught by a Mr. Brunner. Mr. Brunner makes this class exciting, by bringing an ancient Greek sword to class and having competitions where the students race to the board to write answers. 

Later in the book, we find out Mr. Brunner is actually the famous centaur, Chiron, who mentored famous Greek heroes in mythology, including Hercules. Centaurs are one of the most well-known creatures of Greek mythology, often depicted in ancient Greek artwork that can be viewed throughout Greece. 

As the book continues, we discover that Percy is the son of the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon. Poseidon is one of the most important gods of Greek mythology, and was worshiped all over Greece, especially since the country is surrounded by so much water. 

Athens and Attica

The temple of Sounion, an easy day trip from Athens, is the most popular temple to Poseidon in modern times. Surrounded by water, one can imagine ancient worshippers feeling very connected with the god.

Annabeth Chase is another one of the main characters of the series, and a favorite character of many young readers. Her mother is Athena, the patron goddess of Athens and the goddess to whom the largest monument on the Acropolis, the Parthenon, is dedicated. 

The Acropolis is a must-see for a trip to Greece, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. All of our tours give you a chance to experience this ancient marvel.

While the god Zeus is not depicted very favorably in the series, he is still an important character. Father of Thalia Grace, and Jason Grace in the second series, Zeus is also the king of the gods, and interacts with the characters often throughout the series. 

There are many sacred sites to Zeus in Greece that are still popular to visit in modern times, including the temple of Zeus in Athens, Olympia, and the island of Crete, which is thought to be his birthplace.

Other Must-Visit Greek Destinations for Percy Jackson Fans

The fourth book of the Percy Jackson series, The Battle of the Labyrinth, features many parallels with the Greek myth of the Labyrinth. The story goes that King Minos of Crete failed to sacrifice a bull to Poseidon, so Poseidon cursed his wife, Pasiphae, to have a child with the bull. 

This Minotaur was very powerful, so King Minos commissioned the talented inventor, Daedalus, to design an intricate underground labyrinth to keep it trapped. 

Throughout The Battle of the Labyrinth, Percy has dreams about the history of the labyrinth and Daedalus’s life. Fans of the series will love to know that they can visit King Minos’s palace in the city of Heraklion on the island of Crete and see where historians believe the original Labyrinth may have existed.

For dedicated readers of Rick Riordan, the last book in Heroes of Olympus series, The Blood of Olympus, takes place in various cities in Greece where the characters travel to gather ingredients for the Physician’s cure, a potion that can bring someone back to life. 

They first go to the ancient archeological site of Olympia, on a tip from the queen of Olympus, Hera. Percy, Leo, Frank, and Hazel find the goddess Nike in the ruins of the stadium, where the Olympics first began. Olympia was one of the most important sites in Ancient Greece and continues to be a popular tourist destination today.

The characters also travel to Pylos, Sparta, and Epidaurus on the Peloponnese peninsula to gather ingredients and meet Asclepius. Epidaurus is another popular tourist site and was once the healing center of Ancient Greece. People would travel from all over the ancient world to seek healing from Asclepius, the son of Apollo. 

Delos is another city the characters visit in Blood of Olympus, and another city important in mythology. Off the coast of the popular tourist island Mykonos, Delos is thought to be the birthplace of the god and goddess Apollo and Artemis. This 7-day tour takes you on a great tour of this island.

While the characters don’t visit Delphi in Blood of Olympus, the oracle at Camp Half-Blood who the demigods must consult before each quest is called the “oracle of Delphi,” and said to be the same oracle from the ancient site. The oracle is a vital part of every Percy Jackson book, so seeing the ancient site with one of our knowledgeable guides is something surely many Percy Jackson would enjoy.

Wrap Up

In conclusion, there are many Greek cities that are relevant both directly and indirectly to the Percy Jackson series, so it is no wonder that many fans of the books have a strong desire to visit Greece.

Contact Kids Love Greece to book a tour with us today!