Greece

Overview

Visit Greece describes a Mediterranean country with long sunshine, mild temperatures and limited rainfall, but with strong variation between the mainland, the mountains and the islands. Summers are hot and dry and can be cooled by seasonal winds, while winters are generally mild on the plains and coasts and colder and snowy in the mountains. Athens International Airport is the main international gateway, and island travel usually relies on ferries and domestic flights.

Climate: Mediterranean with long sunshine and limited rainfall; hot dry summers cooled by seasonal winds, mild coastal winters, colder and snowy mountains.

Plan 8–14 days to see Greece without rushing. Shorter trips work best from a single base; longer trips justify a second region.

Plan & book

Flights, stays and activities for Greece will be bookable here soon. For now, check how Greece fits your budget and dates with the trip finder.

Why go to Greece

• Rated 10/10 for beach (editorial score)
• Rated 10/10 for culture (editorial score)
• Rated 9/10 for food (editorial score)
• Mid-range for daily spending
• Works best on trips of 8–14 days

Travel-style scores

• Beach10/10
• Nature7/10
• Food9/10
• Nightlife8/10
• Culture10/10
• Adventure6/10
• Romance9/10
• Family7/10
• Backpacking8/10
• Luxury8/10

These are WhereWeGo editorial scores — our own calibration of what Greece is good for, not an external measurement.

Budget

Typical independent-travel estimates, excluding international flights. Planning estimates, not quotes.

Guidance, not guarantees. The Cyclades — Santorini and Mykonos in particular — can run materially higher in peak summer than the mainland or the larger islands off-season.

Flights are not included. We only show flight prices once they come from a live fare source.

Practical information

Language

Greek; English is commonly available in tourism areas

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Power

Type C/F, 230V

Safety

Generally safe for visitors; take normal precautions and extra care with scooters

Tipping

Not obligatory; rounding up or around 5–10% for good service is common

Entry

Greece is in the Schengen area. Entry rules depend on nationality — verify current official requirements before booking.

Where to go in Greece

Pick a city or region to see when to go, how long to stay and what it is good for.

Athens

City

Ancient sites and a lively modern food scene.

Explore Athens

Crete

Island

Big enough for gorges, beaches and towns.

Explore Crete

Santorini

Island

Caldera views; best outside high summer.

Explore Santorini

Naxos

Island

Family beaches and mountain villages.

Explore Naxos

Corfu

Island

Green Ionian island with Venetian old town.

Explore Corfu

Rhodes

Island

Medieval walled town plus long beaches.

Explore Rhodes

When to go to Greece

Highlighted months balance weather, crowds and price for most travellers.

Suggested itineraries

• Athens + two Cyclades

  10 days

  History first, then ferries.

  Route: Athens → Naxos → Paros

• Crete road trip

  9 days

  West-to-east across one island.

  Route: Chania → Rethymno → Heraklion

Getting around Greece

• Ferries are the backbone of island travel, with main mainland ports at Piraeus and Rafina
• Domestic flights shorten the longer island hops
• Buses and rental cars cover the mainland; scooters and small cars suit most islands

Major airports

• ATH · Athens

  Athens International — the country's main international gateway

• HER · Crete

  Heraklion

• JTR · Santorini

  Santorini Airport

• CFU · Corfu

  Corfu Airport

• RHO · Rhodes

  Rhodes Airport

Greece guides

• Best time to visit

  Best time to visit Greece

  When to go to Greece: the months that balance weather, crowds and price, plus what each season actually feels like.

• Trip costs

  How much does a trip to Greece cost?

  A structured breakdown of flights, lodging, transport and food for a 14-day trip to Greece at three budget levels.

• Where to go

  Where to go in Greece

  Matching Greece's regions and cities to trip types — first-timers, beach weeks, food trips and family holidays.

• Budget guide

  Greece on a budget

  How to travel Greece cheaply without gutting the trip — daily numbers, cheaper months and where the savings actually are.

• Itinerary

  14 days in Greece: itinerary

  A realistic 14-day route through Greece with sensible stop lengths, travel days and costs.

• Seasonal guide

  Greece in April

  What Greece is like in April: weather, crowds, prices and the trips that work best that month.