Greece Travel Guide
Known for its plethora of archaeological sites, whitewashed villages, fabulous beaches, mouth-watering cuisine, and welcoming atmosphere, Greece - the birthplace of democracy - ranks among the world’s premier-league travel destinations. The sun-kissed Mediterranean country is made up of a mountainous mainland and 6,000 idyllic islands and islets dotting the blue Aegean and Ionian Seas - though only 227 of them are inhabited. With so many things to do in Greece, you’ll never be left wanting.
So, get ready for an unforgettable journey through Greece with our travel guide. Discover more about:
Best Time to Visit
Mainland Greece and the Greek islands are blessed with a Mediterranean climate, characterized by rainy, mild winters and dry, hot summers:
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Summer (mid-June through mid-September): The summer months in Greece coincide with high season, a time when you’re likely to experience sweltering heat, skyrocketing room rates, and hordes of mainly European tourists. In summer, expect sunny days and very hot weather, with temperatures usually reaching 30 to 35°C (86 to 95 °F), but sometimes even 40°C (104°C) and more.
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Late spring & early autumn (April through mid-June, mid-September through October): Late spring and early autumn are known as shoulder seasons in Greece. Mid-September and October represent the best time for a visit to the country, since the weather is still great, the tourist crowds have left, the sea temperature is at its warmest, and the hotel rates descend back into a reasonable range. The spring months of April and May, before the summer rush comes, are also a great time to visit.
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Late autumn, winter, & early spring (November through March): Winters are fairly mild in Greece, so you won’t have to worry about frigid temperatures, although rain is common and snow falls in the mountains. The upside of visiting Greece in winter is that you don’t have to worry about bumping elbows with countless tourists, and airfare and hotel rates are at their lowest. However, keep in mind that many hotels, restaurants, and attractions are closed during this time.
How to Get There
Greece receives numerous international flights via its main airport, Athens International Airport. This is the preferred point of entry in Greece when you want to visit Athens, explore the eastern part of the Peloponnese Peninsula, or tour the whole country. Although Athens International Airport is the main gateway, it’s often easier to fly directly to/from one of the Greek islands. The most popular Greek islands are connected by direct flights to Europe’s larger cities in the summer high season.
Map of Greece
Besides flying, it’s also possible to reach Greece by car or boat. Many people coming from Europe and Scandinavia drive or take a train to one of Italy’s coastal cities (e.g., Venice), where they can catch a ferry to Greece. The cruise industry in Greece has also exploded, with many international cruise companies now offering a stopover in Athens or one of the Greek islands during their Mediterranean Sea itineraries.
Travel Requirements
Before traveling to Greece, it is essential to know the entry requirements for your country. Requirements for entry into Greece differ from country to country, so it is crucial to check with your government and the nearest Greek embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.
- Citizens of the European Union are required to present a valid ID for entry into Greece.
- Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, and almost all non-E.U. countries are required to have a valid passport valid for at least 90 days beyond the intended date of departure.
- For stays longer than 90 days, all non-E.U. citizens will need a visa.
Getting Around
Getting around Greece and its islands is quite easy, with several modes of transportation available:
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Ferries: Ferries are the most common, cheapest, and most scenic way for inter-island travel. The ferry service connects Athens (Piraeus) to several Greek islands, as well as the Italian mainland. There is also ferry service between many of the islands and the Turkish Riviera. In summer, ferries run frequently, but their schedule is reduced during shoulder season and drastically cut back in the winter season.
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Domestic flights: Domestic flights between the mainland and the islands are relatively expensive but can save you a lot of travel time. Olympic Air, Aegean Air, Ryanair, and Sky Express offer domestic flights in Greece.
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Driving: While driving in Greece can be an adventure due to poor road conditions, mountainous terrain, and reckless driving, it’s the best way to explore the country at your own pace. Car-rental agencies are available throughout Greece, at airports, and most larger towns on the islands. However, do bear in mind that Greece has one of the highest fatal accident rates in Europe, especially on the mainland.
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Buses: If you’re traveling on a budget, consider taking the bus for overland transport. Greece has an extensive long-distance bus service, with bus services on major routes being inexpensive, efficient, and frequent, although very crowded.
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Scooters/Motorbikes: Renting a scooter or motorbike is a popular way to explore the stunning landscapes of the Greek islands.
Inspiration, Highlights, & Travel Tips
There are so many reasons why you should put Greece on top of your bucket list. Here are just a few of them:
- Athens: Explore the Acropolis and immerse yourself in ancient history.
- Peloponnese Peninsula: Stay at Amanzoe, Europe’s most stunning resort.
- Crete: Hike the Samaria Gorge, visit Knossos Palace, and explore Elounda Bay.
- Mykonos: Relax on the beaches, visit Mykonos Town, and party till dawn.
- Santorini: Be awe-inspired by terrific views, explore Oia village, and watch the sunset.
- Rhodes: Explore Rhodes town, relax on the beaches, and visit Lindos village.
- Visit the spectacular sandstones of Meteora.
For more in-depth information and travel inspiration, check out our articles on the top 10 best things to do in Greece, top 10 most fabulous luxury hotels and lodges in Greece, top 10 most stunningly beautiful hotels in Santorini, tips and tricks for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel, and tips and tricks for buying the cheapest plane tickets.
Suggested Itineraries
It’s impossible to suggest just one itinerary for Greece, but based on our frequent holidays in Greece, we can propose a schedule that covers the country’s highlights in two weeks:
- Day 1 & 2: Explore Athens (recommended hotel: Hotel Grande Bretagne).
- Day 3, 4 & 5: Take a ferry (or plane) to Mykonos and explore the island (recommended hotel: Kivotos Mykonos).
- Day 6, 7 & 8: Take a ferry to Santorini and explore the island (recommended hotel: Canaves Oia Luxury Suites).
- Day 9, 10, 11 & 12: Take a ferry to Crete and explore the eastern part of the island.
- Day 13, 14, 15 & 16: Fly back to Athens and stay at Amanzoe, Europe’s most exclusive resort.
If you have more time, we suggest you also explore one or more of the country’s other islands, such as Naxos, Corfu, Zakynthos, Skopelos, and Rhodes. For the planning of your own travel itinerary in Greece, we highly recommend the excellent itineraries provided by Frommers, The Lonely Planet, and Rough Guides.
Recommended Luxury Hotels (+ Reviews)
For those seeking luxury accommodations in Greece, we have compiled lists of the top 10 most fabulous luxury hotels and lodges in Greece, as well as the top 10 most stunningly beautiful hotels in Santorini. You can find these lists, along with our detailed reviews of hotels in Greece, on our website.
Review: Cavo Tagoo Mykonos (Greece)
Review: Nobu Hotel Santorini (Greece)
Review: Four Seasons Hotel Astir Palace (Athens, Greece)
Review: Lesante Cape Resort & Villas, Zakynthos (Greece)
Review: Andronis Arcadia Hotel (Santorini, Greece)
Review: Calilo Resort, Ios Island (Greece)
Review: Myconian Imperial Resort (Mykonos, Greece)
Review: Aeonic Suites & Spa Mykonos (Greece)
Review: Grecotel Mykonos Blu (Mykonos, Greece)
Review: Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas (Crete, Greece)
Review: Abaton Island Resort & Spa (Crete, Greece)
Review: Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas (Crete, Greece)
Review: FABULOUS Canaves Epitome Santorini (Greece)
Review of Cavo Tagoo Hotel in Mykonos (Greece)
Review of Grace Santorini (Greece)
Review: Canaves Oia Suites, Santorini (Greece)
Review: Kivotos Mykonos Hotel (Greece)
Review: PHENOMENAL Amanzoe (Peloponnese, Greece)
Review: Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens
Review: Mystique, Santorini (Greece)
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