Greece: Travel Guide

Greece is best for...

Couples: The gorgeous Greek Islands are ideal for couples where you can visit white-washed structures that complement the stunning blues of the Aegean and Ionian Seas and love blossoms in the midst of fiery sunsets with a slower pace of existence. With stunning scenery, charming fishing towns, great seafood, local wine, and refreshing ocean air, every island has its own personality, attraction, history, and beauty. It's impossible to judge their levels of romance, but these Greek Islands will have you falling head over heels, Mediterranean style.

Families: Greece as a whole is an excellent destination for family filled fun holidays, particularly the Greek islands. With magnificent beaches, warm oceans, an abundance of family activities and a rich heritage dating back thousands of years, it's not hard to see why Greece is one of the world's most popular holiday hotspots.

Night owls: Greece, known for its unique and active nightlife, is a great holiday location for individuals who want to forget about their troubles, let their hair down, and have a good time. With some of the best nightlife in the Mediterranean, the Greek "kefi" (the inhabitants' spirit of joy, passion, and enthusiasm) is bound to provide you with unforgettable experiences. Although it is possible to have a fantastic evening anywhere, the Greeks are famous for their impromptu gatherings, providing a huge selection of possibilities that will suit even the most seasoned 'party animal'.

Getting around Greece

By train: The Athens-Thessaloniki railway line is the most popular in *Greece. The rail network also serves northern and central Greece well. Nonetheless, railroads in Greece are not as popular as suburban KTEL buses, even though the train price is often less expensive. Trains are not the ideal mode of transportation since the infrastructure is outdated and the trains are sluggish.

By buses: The KTEL buses are green and link Athens to other locations on the mainland. Itineraries are consistent, and tickets may be purchased right before the trip. It is the most common mode of transportation on the Greek mainland.

By ferry: Ferries are the most common mode of transportation between Athens and the Greek islands, although there are dozens of flights to the islands, this is the most convenient option. Piraeus is Athens' primary port; however, several ships also depart from Rafina and Lavrion. You will also find ferry services running from Italy (Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, and Venice) to Greece's western ports (Patras, Corfu, and Igoumenitsa) and from Turkey to Greek islands in the Dodecanese and Eastern Aegean.

By car hire: When you are in a given place and need to go around, cars are the best and the most secure mode of transportation. Car rental firms can be found in the most popular areas of Greece and the Greek islands.

travel advice

With Greece home to 15,000km of coast, Europe's longest coastline and more than 28 million visitors every year, Greece is one of the world's most popular holiday hotspots and it isn't hard to see why. With the nation well known for the hundreds of

FCDO website.

Fast facts for Greece

Language: Greek, however other popular languages include English, German, French and Italian, especially in the main tourist areas and hotspots. If you are considering heading off the usual visitor trails, make sure you pack a phrasebook or download a translation app.

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Local time: Greece is +2 hours ahead of UK time

Fly to: All Greek islands have their own airport including:

Corfu
Crete
Kos
Mykonos
Rhodes
Santorini
Skiathos
Transfer times vary from 15-100 minutes

Flight time from the UK: The flight time from the UK to Greece is around 4 and a half hours.

Tourist information: Find further information on various Greece destinations at the official Greece tourism website.

Visa/health: British citizens do not require a visa for Greece holidays for visits up to 90 days in any 180- day period, but you do need a valid passport. Visit the UK government's Greece travel advice for up- to-date visa and health recommendations.

Your Guide to Greece holidays

Food & Drinks
Beaches
We Love
At a Glance

Food & Drinks

Whether you're eating seafood at a seaside table or enjoying modern Greek cuisine beneath the floodlit Acropolis, dining out in Greece is much more than simply the food. Follow the locals' lead and go right to the source, to beach fishing communities for fresh seafood or mountain villages for local meat. Look out for tavernas growing their own vegetables, wine, and oil, and where the fried potatoes are hand-cut, and recipes are handed down from generation to generation. Regional variances are a joy to discover; no two dinners will be the same, and here are just a few clues.

Souvlaki, Greece's favourite street meal, is a must-try.
Don't leave Greece without trying delicious fish and seafood
Make sure you sample juicy Greek grilled meat.

Beaches

A country filled with wonders, ancient landmarks, and delicious food; Greece's best characteristic is unquestionably its beaches. With the Mediterranean boasting hundreds of beaches and secret hideaways scattered across many of the Greek islands to discover, you certainly can't go wrong with any of the Greek beaches. With that said, there are a couple that shine a little brighter than the others.

Navagio Beach, Zakynthos

The island of Zakynthos is noted for its calmer atmosphere, ideal for admiring magnificent locations like Navagio Beach. Navagio Beach (also known as Shipwreck Beach) is a stunning tiny cove bordered by limestone cliffs and filled with white sand. Furthermore, as the name suggests, it comes with the skeletal remnants of an old shipwreck that is still strewn across the shore.
Elafonissi Beach, Crete

Do you want to add some colour to your life? On the Greek island of Crete, make sure you take a visit to Elafonissi Beach. Filled with soft, pastel-pink sands against clear blue waters, it provides the most picturesque setting. As it is part of a designated natural reserve, there are minimal amenities onsite, however, you are truly here for the breath-taking views.

We Love

Greece has always been people's favourite and it is not difficult to understand why. Here we share with you the reasons we love Greece!

Stunning Beaches and Islands - Greece is home to many beautiful beaches and islands with crystal blue waters, sandy beaches, beach cafés, and tavernas. The Greek islands are simply breath-taking, with each island being unique. You will also find a variety of activities such as diving, surfing, and hiring boats/yachts to enhance your experience. Numerous notable films, including Mama Mia and Dancing Queen, were also filmed on these iconic islands.
Rich History- Greece has a fascinating historical history that will captivate you. Did you know, Greece contains over 18 UNESCO World Heritage sites, several of which are archaeological structures? Take the time to tour the Acropolis or visit the open-air museums of Dolos, Parthenon and the Temple of Olympian - Zeus.
Friendly Locals - The people of Greece are amongst some of the kindest on the planet, constantly happy and looking to give you the tastiest traditional Greek meals. Famed for their hospitality, the Greeks believe in living larger than life, which is evident when they meet new people. When you surround yourself with Greeks, they will always ensure that you have a good time.
Great food and drinks - Greek cuisine is predominantly Mediterranean, but also offers a variety of different cuisines to visitors. During the hot summers, everyone enjoys sipping on the famous Greek Coffee (not the conventional hot coffee). They are also well-known for their delectable baked goods and pastries
Gorgeous Landscapes- Apart from the beaches and the Greek islands for which Greece is famous for, there are other more sites in Greece that offer breath-taking scenery. Greece in fact boasts the longest coastline in Europe with many mountains, forests, and lovely villages that add to the country's beauty. If hiking and trekking are your preferred modes of transportation, these mountain settlements will undoubtedly be a lot of fun.

At a Glance

The average flying time from the UK to Mainland Greece is approximately 3 hrs 40 minutes
You can fly from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted directly to Athens.
Time Zone GMT +2
Transfer Times: Between 30 minutes and 150 minutes, depending on the Greek resort.
Greece offers warm weather all year round.