You are here: Home | Europe | Greece

Greece Travel Guide

Greece is one of the most beautiful and most visited countries in the whole Mediterranean. The landscape is characterized by white houses, brilliant blue roofs, and stunning beaches. The Mediterranean climate makes Greece the perfect holiday destination at almost any time of the year. On your visit, you will enjoy the rich history, cultural traditions, and exquisite cuisine of Greece. In this guide to Greece, we will share our best tips for visiting this wonderfully unique country.

Things to do in Greece

While Greece is highly acclaimed for its dazzling coastline, it may surprise you to know that two-thirds of Greece is covered in mountains. Depending on the areas of Greece you choose to visit, a different holiday will be waiting for you. Visit ancient ruins, explore natural wonders, or relax on the famous white sandy beaches. 

Here are our top five things to do in Greece:

• Acropolis of Athens: The crown jewel of the Greek civilization, completed in 5 BC. Home to the Parthenon
• Meteora: Towering ancient boulders that are a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site. Atop these rock formations are Eastern Orthodox monasteries
• Mount Olympus: Climb the tallest mountain in Greece and experience the mountain of the Gods. Two-day hike with an overnight stop at Refuge A
• Temple of Hera: Originally built in 590 BC, reconstructed in 4th century CE. See the altar where the Olympic flame is lit every year
• Delphi: Ancient Greek sanctuary dedicated to the god Apollo

Places to Visit in Greece

Where should you go on your visit to Greece? There really isn't a wrong decision, as there are so many incredible places to visit in Greece. You can choose to visit one of the historic cities in Greece or you can visit the impressive islands of Greece. 

Historic Cities

• Athens is the capital of Greece, where you can visit the ancient Acropolis that watches over the city from above. Check out the top five things to do in Athens.
• Thessaloniki is an ancient city located on the coast with medieval walls.
• Corinth is home to one of the most majestic works of ancient engineering, ll Corinth canal.
• Patras is one of the most important cities in Greece, with one of the most influential ports in the Mediterranean.
• Kalamata is the typical holiday town with its endless long sea and nightlife.

Greek Islands

The Greek Archipelago includes 6,000 islands dotting the Aegean and Ionian Sea and only 227 of these are inhabited. The largest island in Greece is Crete, known for its white-sand beaches and the birthplace of Zeus, according to Greek mythology. If you are looking for accommodations, check out our blog post on where to stay in Crete.

The most popular island group is the Cyclades archipelago, which is most famous for Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, and Naxos. 

• Mykonos is one of the best-known islands for its reputation as a party island, but also its beautiful beaches.
• Santorini is one of the most unique islands of the whole archipelago, with its town built on the mouth of the now extinct volcano and its white houses.
• Paros is a perfect island for those looking for fun and relaxation, with its lovely beaches and very elegant nightlife. Naxos is the most pristine of the whole archipelago and is perfect for those who love nature.

In the Ionian Sea you will find the Ionian Islands, the largest of which are Corfu, Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos:

• Corfu is one of the archipelago's cheapest islands, very easy to reach from Italy with direct ferries.
• Kefalonia is perfect for families who want to enjoy the beauty of the beaches and relaxation.
• Ithaca is famous in history thanks to Homer, and it is also one of the most beautiful islands of the archipelago, with its white beaches and fine sand.
• Zante is most appreciated by young people for its typically wild nightlife.

Best Time to Visit Greece

As Greece is in the southern part of Europe, it enjoys a decidedly warm-mild climate. The best time to enjoy its beautiful coasts goes from spring to early autumn. If, on the other hand, you want to take a cultural holiday, every moment of the year is the right one.

Greece's high season is during the months of July and August, so if you are thinking of visiting in this period, it is advisable to book months in advance in order to have reasonable prices and more choices. Be aware that July and August are also the hottest months of the year. 

If you want to visit outside of summer, then prices are definitely more reasonable and there is almost always availability.