Greece
Athens' Acropolis has watched over the city for nearly 2,500 years, Santorini's caldera is one of the Mediterranean's great views, and Meteora's monasteries perch on pillars of rock in Thessaly. Between them lie scores of inhabited islands, mountain villages and tavernas serving grilled fish by the sea. Book island ferries early if travelling in August.
Overview
Greece splits neatly into mainland and islands, and most first trips combine both. Two or three days in Athens cover the Acropolis and the superb museums before a ferry from Piraeus heads into the Cyclades – Naxos, Paros and Milos as well as Santorini and Mykonos. Crete deserves a week of its own for Minoan Knossos, the Samaria Gorge and Chania's Venetian harbour. Mainland road trips loop from Athens to Delphi and Meteora, or around the Peloponnese, where Nafplio, Mycenae, Olympia and the Mani peninsula reward a car.
Summer brings heat, crowds and high prices, especially on Santorini and Mykonos in July and August, when cruise passengers pack the lanes of Oia. The shoulder seasons are the sweet spot: wildflowers in spring, warm seas from June, quieter beaches in late September. Away from the famous islands Greece remains good value, with family-run tavernas, simple rooms and cheap buses. Life runs late – dinner at 10pm is normal – and many island hotels and restaurants close from November to March, which catches out winter visitors.
Map of Greece
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Acropolis, Athens
The Parthenon and its companions crown a limestone rock above the city, built in the 5th century BC. Arrive at opening time with a pre-booked timed ticket, then see the originals in the Acropolis Museum.
- 2Nature
Santorini's caldera
The flooded crater of a Bronze Age eruption, ringed by whitewashed villages on cliffs some 300 metres high. Hike the clifftop path from Fira to Oia, visit prehistoric Akrotiri, and watch sunset away from Oia's crush.
- 3Sacred site
Meteora
Six working monasteries sit atop sandstone pillars above Kalambaka, some reached by steps cut into the rock. Go early, check which are open that day and dress modestly; wraps are lent at the entrances.
- 4History
Delphi
The ancient Greeks' navel of the world: Apollo's sanctuary spills down the slopes of Mount Parnassus, with temple, theatre and stadium above an olive-filled valley. The museum holds the bronze Charioteer.
- 5Adventure
Samaria Gorge, Crete
One of Europe's longest gorges, walked downhill for about 16 kilometres from the White Mountains to the Libyan Sea at Agia Roumeli, then out by ferry. Open roughly May to October, weather permitting.
Biggest cities
Athens
Beyond the Acropolis, Athens rewards wandering: the Acropolis Museum, Plaka and Anafiotika, the Central Market, Exarcheia's cafés and the National Archaeological Museum, home of the Antikythera mechanism.
Thessaloniki
Greece's second city has a celebrated food scene, UNESCO-listed Byzantine churches, the White Tower and a long seafront promenade that fills at sunset.
Patras
Mostly a ferry port for Italy, Patras comes alive during its carnival, Greece's largest, and has a Roman odeon and a hilltop castle above the old town.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
Holiday regions in Greece
These areas have their own season and weather — see their guides for sea temperatures, resorts and flights.
When to go to Greece
Best time: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Average climate in Athens
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarPatras Carnival
Greece's largest carnival builds over several weeks to a final weekend of satirical floats, costumed parades and the burning of the Carnival King on the waterfront.
- Apr–MayOrthodox Easter
Greece's biggest festival: candlelit processions on Good Friday, midnight services and fireworks on Saturday, then lamb on the spit on Sunday. Corfu and Patmos are famous for it.
- Jun–AugAthens Epidaurus Festival
Summer seasons of drama, music and dance in Athens, with ancient Greek tragedy staged under the stars in the 4th-century BC theatre at Epidaurus.
How much does Greece cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Moussaka
Layers of aubergine, spiced minced lamb or beef and a thick béchamel crust, baked and served warm rather than hot; every taverna has its own version.
Souvlaki
Grilled pork or chicken skewers, often wrapped in pitta with tomato, onion, tzatziki and chips; the cheapest good meal in Greece.
Horiatiki
The real Greek salad: tomato, cucumber, onion, green pepper, olives and a slab of feta, dressed with oregano and olive oil, and no lettuce.
Getting around
Ferries are the backbone: book on operators' websites or aggregators such as Ferryhopper, and expect strong summer winds to cancel smaller boats now and then. Aegean and Sky Express fly to the larger islands. On the mainland, KTEL buses reach almost every town, while trains cover only a few routes such as Athens–Thessaloniki. Hire a car for Crete and the Peloponnese. In cities, the FreeNow and Uber apps book licensed taxis.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF230V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
- Calling 999 from a UK mobile in Greece will automatically transfer you to the Greek emergency services.
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +30
- Time zone
- UTC+2 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Round up or leave 5–10 per cent in tavernas if service was good; leave coins for café staff and round up taxi fares.
- Etiquette
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches and monasteries. The open-palm 'moutza' gesture is a serious insult, and a slight upward nod of the head means 'no'.
- Main airports
- Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), Athens; Heraklion International Airport Nikos Kazantzakis (HER), Heraklion; Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia (SKG), Thessaloniki
Visas & entry for Greece
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Greece, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel: as a tourist; to visit family or friends; to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events; for short-term studies or training.
The requirements for working in Greece are different. If you are a touring creative, see details about the Uniform (Schengen) visa.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Bat Lyssavirus
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Greece
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Wed 28 Oct 2026 | Ohi Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Glorifying Mother of God |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Wed 6 Jan 2027 | Epiphany |
| Mon 15 Mar 2027 | Green Monday |
| Thu 25 Mar 2027 | Independence Day |
| Fri 30 Apr 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Mon 3 May 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Tue 4 May 2027 | Labour Day (observed) |
| Mon 21 Jun 2027 | Pentecost Monday |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Dormition of the Mother of God |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Greek
| English | Greek | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Γεια σας | YAH-sas |
| Thank you | Ευχαριστώ | ef-hah-ree-STOH |
| Please | Παρακαλώ | pah-rah-kah-LOH |
| Excuse me | Συγγνώμη | seeg-NOH-mee |
| How much is this? | Πόσο κάνει; | POH-soh KAH-nee |
Know before you go
- Book August ferries and island rooms months ahead, and leave a buffer day before your flight home, as strong summer winds can delay or cancel sailings.
- Buy timed Acropolis tickets online and arrive at opening; during heatwaves the site may close in the hottest part of the afternoon.
- Old plumbing means used toilet paper goes in the bin, not the bowl, almost everywhere. On smaller islands, drink bottled or filtered water rather than the tap.
Greece travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Greece?
The best time to visit Greece is generally Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Peak months are April, May, June, September and October. Average highs in Athens range from 13°C to 33°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Greece cost per day?
Roughly £50 a day on a tight budget, £110 mid-range and £240+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Greece?
Euro (EUR).
What plug type does Greece use?
Type C and F sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Greece?
Traffic drives on the right in Greece, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Greece?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Greece?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Greece, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Greece before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Greece?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Bat Lyssavirus sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
