Ancient temples, whitewashed islands and long lunches by the sea.
Greece is where much of Western history began, set among mountains and thousands of islands. Athens has the Acropolis and the Parthenon, Delphi clings to a mountainside, and the monasteries of Meteora sit on top of rock pillars. The islands range from Santorini's volcanic caldera to Naxos's beaches and Crete's Minoan palace at Knossos and the Samaria Gorge.
Days follow a gentle rhythm of swimming, tavernas and late dinners of grilled fish, salads and meze. Ferries connect the islands, and buses and hire cars cover the mainland. May, June, September and October are best, with warm seas and fewer crowds; July and August are hot and busy, while winter is quiet and many island hotels close.
Best time to visit Greece
May, June, September, October.
Places to visit in Greece
Athens: The cradle of democracy, where the Parthenon crowns a lively modern capital of tavernas and rooftop terraces.
Santorini: A volcanic island of whitewashed villages clinging to caldera cliffs, famous for its sunsets.
Crete: Greece's largest island, with Minoan palaces, Venetian harbours, dramatic gorges and superb beaches.
Mykonos: A stylish Cycladic island of windmills and whitewashed lanes, known for its beaches and nightlife.
Thessaloniki: Greece's second city, a relaxed seafront place of Byzantine churches, Ottoman heritage and excellent food.
Meteora: Byzantine monasteries built atop giant sandstone pillars rising from the Thessalian plain.
Rhodes: A sunny Dodecanese island with a walled medieval old town built by the Knights of St John.
Corfu: A lush Ionian island whose old town mixes Venetian, French and British influences.
Delphi: The sanctuary of Apollo and seat of the ancient oracle, set on a mountainside above an olive-filled valley.
Nafplio: An elegant seaside town of Venetian mansions and fortresses, and a base for Mycenae and Epidaurus.
Essentials
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Language: Greek; English widely spoken in tourist areas
Plugs: Type C / F, 230 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC+2
Tipping: Round up; 5–10% in tavernas
Getting around: Ferries hop between islands; buses and hire cars on the mainland
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking