Why Greece?
Greece is the land of sun and fun: breathtaking beaches and sunsets, superb food and affordable holiday package deals ensure Greece remains one of the number one tourist destinations in the world. Combine superb weather and landscapes with spectacular castles, temples, monasteries and museums and no wonder you have a holiday destination which is the number one choice for millions of European holiday makers every year.
Where in Greece?
Popular Greek island destinations include Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Crete, Lesbos, Corfu, Naxos, Kos, Paros, Ios, Hydra and Kefallonia. The mainland peninsulas such as the Peloponnese are also a very attractive holiday destination. In total there are over 2,000 islands in Greece, the largest being Crete and there are over 16,000 km of coastline, much of it golden sandy beaches and idyllic coves which means you can be spoilt for choice. Not any more though: read our guide to Greece below for even more great ideas, tips and recommendations on the best places to visit and attractions to see.
Traditional Greece food dishes tend to be made from scratch and, while rather simple, they are fool with flavour. Be sure to try the famous "papas arrugadas," a favourite Greece food, it means "wrinkled potatoes,".
Things to do in Greece
- Ferry rides
- Snorkelling
- Dance music clubbing
- Explore ancient history
- Motorbike tours
- Walking and trekking
- Dance to bouzouki music
- Plate smashing
- Eco tours
Greece Island Holidays
More than 100 of the Greek islands are inhabited and hopping from one to another is the perfect beach holiday. Why not enjoy a rambling island-hopping adventure, travelling from one Greek hotspot to another? Remember, everything from partying, quiet contemplation and all things in between is catered for on these stunning islands.
Kos
Kos, part of the Dodecanese group of islands in the Aegean Sea, is about 60km long. The flat plains of Kos have made cycling a popular tourist attraction and there are thousands available for hire. The main resorts, such as Kos Town, are lively and there is a surplus of beautiful beaches, restaurants, clubs, resorts and classical ruins to explore.
Samos
Beautiful beaches combine with small pretty villages built on mountains slopes creating a near perfect holiday environment. The island of Samos, known as the Isle of the Blessed, is the eighth biggest Greek island and lies in the heart of the Aegean. Shaped like a peninsula, it has the highest mountain in the Aegean, Mount Kerkis, and a landscape of pine forests, pleasant hills, valleys, olive groves and vineyards
Santorini
Romantic island Santorini has been a popular honeymoon destination over the years, due to its spectacular sunsets and breathtaking coastline formed by spectacular ancient lava flows. Santorini is a stunning volcanic island which rises from the Aegean Sea. Santorini’s picturesque cliff-side towns offer some of the most charming examples of Greek architecture. A popular honeymoon destination; why not lose yourself in its myriad, honeycombed steps and charming little churches?
Lesbos
One of the largest of all the Greek islands, Lesbos is a paradise for nature lovers. Located near the Turkish coast, Lesbos offers numerous secluded beaches, fascinating villages and interesting towns to explore. The island includes a rich variety of flora and fauna and a number of hot water springs. Lesbos, or Lesvos, is a great island for those wishing a quiet retreat and the good news is that hotel package, flights and accommodation deals are available at cheap prices.
Crete
Crete is a massive, popular Greek island, the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea. Notable tourist attractions in Crete include prestigious archaeological sites such as Knossos palace; as well as lots of idyllic mountain villages, clean sandy beaches, coves and bays; as well as clubs, bars, restaurants and more. Crete, with its fair share of beauty spots is one of the most popular island holiday destinations in Europe, and benefits from sunshine all year round. Its size enables choice, big enough to discover quiet corners to unwind in and popular enough to find lively resorts to party in.
Mykonos
The 24 hour party island is also one of the most attractive of the Greek islands. Mykonos, made famous in the film Shirley Valentine, is a small island known for its windmill landmarks and covered with pretty whitewashed houses. Mykonos is a good example of Cycladic architecture set around a picturesque fishing marina, and a charming maze of alleyways and twisting streets. Delos Island, one of Greece's most famous archaeological sites, is 2km away and reachable via boat trip.
Popular Greek Tourist Attractions
- The Acropolis and Parthenon - Athens
- The National Archaeological Museum – Athens
- The Minoan Palace, Knossos - Crete
- The Agora - Ancient Athens
- National Archaeological Museum - Athens
- Daphni Monastery – Athens
- Samaria Gorge - Crete
- Akrotiri ancient site – Santorini
- Thira Ancient Ruins - Santorini
- National Gardens - Athens
- Byzantine Museum - Athens
Greek Mainland Holidays
Athens
One of the sunniest cities in Europe with a typical Mediterranean climate throughout the year and an amazing surfeit of ancient ruins, clubs, restaurants, galleries, bars and cafes, Athens is a popular holiday destination. Cheap flights to Athens ensure it is also a popular starting point for many Greek island holidays and Greek mainland holiday tours. From the port of Piraeus, near Athens, visitors can catch a ferry boat to a wide selection of Greek islands, especially the nearby Cyclades islands.
Greece Mainland
While most people head straight for the Greek islands mainland Greece is equally beautiful and fun and has some stunning coastlines to enjoy. The Greek peninsulas offer everything that the islands do but are less developed and for eco tourists and those seeking peace and quiet you will find delightful tranquillity, lots of wildlife and superb landscapes.
Greece is a mountainous country, and this can be seen in almost all parts of Greece, with dramatic mountains dominating the skyline, including snowcaps in the height of summer. It is also a country that is virtually surrounded by sea and beautiful beaches. Mainland Greece is a wonderful combination of sea, sunshine and mountains, with stunning natural sights all over the country.
Mainland Greece can be broken down into small groups, which comprise Athens, the Peloponnese, Thessaly and Central Greece, Epirus and Macedonia and Thrace in the north.
The Peloponnese, in the south of Greece, is a very beautiful and popular destination for many holiday makers, including many Greeks.
Recommended Greek Holiday
Corfu
One of the more beautiful Greek islands, Corfu benefits from spectacular coastline looking out over the Ionian Sea. Known as the Green Island, Corfu is famous for its millions of olive trees and pretty rolling countryside. There are also picturesque villages and mouth watering sunsets to marvel at. Corfu lies very close to the coast of Albania, less than two miles away at one point, and is also at the mouth of the Adriatic.
Must See Corfu
- Corfu Town – ancient port town
- Glyfada - breathtaking beach
- Gouvia – impressive main marina
- Agios Gordios - attractive beachside village
- Kavos - popular party resort
- Moraitika - small unspoilt village
- Paleokastritsa - very pretty village
- Sidari - popular resort
Greece Flights Guide
Looking for good deals on your next Greek holiday? It’s easy to find cheap flights to Greece online and find hundreds of attractive Greek holiday deals. It’s also easy to find late deals and compare prices on flight packages and holidays to Greece. What’s more it’s possible to fly to Greece from all major UK airports so there is plenty of choice. Remember, you can book package deals or fly to Athens or one of the major islands and then plan your island hop. Ferries operate all year round and come in all shapes and sizes.
Greece Fact File
Greece is located in southern Europe and borders the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Greece lies between Albania and Turkey. The Capital City is Athens. The main religion is Greek Orthodox. Currency: Euro.
Greek Eco Tours
Drinking ouzo, swimming in the warm med, relaxing under olive trees and visiting Minoan palaces is a must, but Greece is more than just beaches and ruins and hearty food and drink: there is a world of Greek ecology to explore with amazing fauna and unusual geological landscapes making it perfect for eco travellers or those seeking peace and quiet as well as spectacular natural beauty. Especially, inland on the islands and throughout mainland Greece a world of Lakes, mountains and volcanoes is all waiting to be savoured. Do not hesitate to book your cheap Greece holiday today and you could be enjoying all these attractions and more.
