Greece holidays

Sunbathe, cruise the Ionian Sea and snorkel with sea turtles during holidays to Zakynthos. Then explore the wineries and lush valleys of this paradise Greek island.

Welcome to Rhodes, Greece’s fourth-largest island, where archaeological wonders, crystalline water and juicy olives are the order of the day.

The tiny island of Skiathos became the star of the show when Hollywood came to town. Come explore its sandy shores, forest-clad hills and sun-bleached cliffs.

Visit Athens and discover an ancient city that’s surprisingly young at heart. The Greek capital gets the balance between ancient marvels and modernity just right.

Laid-back nightlife and an exploding food scene find a home among the glorious beaches, traditional culture and ancient history in Naxos. Come see how island life was meant to be lived.

Blue-domed churches, cobblestone streets and a thriving taverna scene are the backdrop of this enchanting Greek island. Strike a pose: Paros is ready for its moment.

With its forested landscape, Greece’s ‘Emerald Island’ stands out among its neighbours. But there’s still enough sparkling coastline and fascinating history here to keep you busy for weeks.

Cobbled alleys, Turkish architecture and sandy beaches where you can lose a day staring out at the calm, blue sea — is there a better city in the Greek Islands?

Greece’s largest island brims with sparkling beaches lapped by turquoise waters. Go beyond the coast to explore its fascinating archaeological sites, history museums and secret caves.

Athens’ archaeological sites like the Acropolis and the Roman Agora are some of the best things to see in Greece. But there are dozens more ancient wonders beyond the capital. Visit the Temple of Apollo in Delphi and the Archaeological Site of Olympia in the Peloponnese. For fewer crowds, check out the ruins of the ancient city of Karthaia, located on the island of Kea.

Take your pick of more than 160 inhabited islands, from the more remote Hydra and Symi to the white-domed houses and lively nightlife of Santorini and Mykonos. Movie fan? Soak up the romance of Kefalonia, the island backdrop for the film adaptation of the book ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’. Or have the time of your life on Skopelos and Skiathos, featured in the movie ‘Mamma Mia’.

Greece’s winemaking tradition dates back thousands of years and is still going strong. Crete is one of the country’s oldest wine regions, with dozens of vineyards to visit. And Santorini’s volcanic soil and gusty winds yield some of the country’s most distinctive grapes. Big on Greek mythology? Taste your way through the wine region of Thrace, said to be the birthplace of Dionysus, the god of wine.

Home to the Mediterranean’s longest coastline and hundreds of islands, Greece offers some of Europe’s most popular beach getaways. Navagio Beach, on the island of Zakynthos, is famed for its shipwreck. And Kefalonia’s Myrtos Beach draws crowds with its incredible blue waters. If water sports are your thing, dive among Santorini’s underwater lava formations or spot sea life while snorkelling around Skinaria on Crete.

Greece isn’t just rich in ancient treasures — it’s packed with natural wonders too. Spot pelicans flying over Byzantine churches around the Prespa Lakes and eagles soaring above the Vikos Gorge in Zagori, Greece’s answer to the Grand Canyon. Explore the Blue Caves of Zakynthos or get an eyeful of seals, dolphins and turtles in Alonissos National Marine Park.

Greece is famous for its fresh Mediterranean cuisine. You’ll feast on ‘moussaka’ (layered eggplant and meat casserole) and ‘souvlaki’ (grilled, skewered meat) at traditional tavernas. Tuck into grilled octopus and ‘psarosoupa’ (fish soup) at island restaurants in Greece. Need a cheap bite? Try street food like ‘gyros’ (meat and salad in pita) and ‘spanakopita’ (spinach and feta pie).

Greece has no shortage of cultural treasures. The New Acropolis Museum in Athens is one of the most important museums in Greece, home to artefacts found at the Acropolis. For more ancient wonders, look no further than the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki or the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Craving something different? Try the Eggares Olive Oil Museum on the island of Naxos.

The best time to visit Greece is April, May, September and October. During these months, the weather is still perfectly warm for exploring the outdoors, but there are fewer crowds than during the peak season from June to August. Greece’s low season is the winter. While you may score better deals on flights during that time, know that many of the islands shut down.

Generally, the mainland is more affordable than the islands. But planning a cheap holiday to Greece is doable no matter where you go. Expect to pay 15 euros (€) for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant and about €4 for a local beer or coffee. A short taxi ride will run you around €6.