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The imposing columns of an ancient temple against a blue Grecian sky.

Holidays to Greece can be a luxury retreat for all kinds of travellers. Whether you associate the country with Ancient history, captivating mythology or Mamma Mia, Greece has something that appeals to holiday goers from every walk of life! The Greek islands provide a romantic retreat whilst the Greek mainland is littered with fascinating archaeological sites, expansive olive groves and glorious beaches. From party weeks with friends, to luxurious one-on-one time with a special someone, or fun for the whole family. Whatever your craving, a holiday to Greece is probably the answer!

Table of Contents:

How to get to Greece

Greece has 15 international airports making holidays to Greece easily accessible.  The largest and best connected airports if you intend to explore the mainland are probably:

Direct flights from the U.K. to Greece take 3 hours and 45 minutes on average and are available from:

  • London (year round)
  • Manchester (year round)
  • Bristol (seasonally)
  • Birmingham (seasonally)
  • Edinburgh (seasonally)

The simple journey is probably partly why Greece was one of the top 10 travel destinations from the U.K. in 2019.

When is the Best Time to Visit Greece?

The best time to go on holiday to Greece depends on your desired activities once you arrive! The summer season stretches from April to October and holidays to Greece anytime within this period are pleasant. 

  • July and August are best for sunbathers and sea swimmers as temperatures are in the 30°s. 
  • May or September is best for walking and exploring the country’s top sites as it is still sunny but the heat isn’t stifling. 
  • Late January and February is best for experiencing festival celebrations as this is when the city-wide street parties of Patras Carnival take place. 

How to Travel Around Greece

With so many amazing attractions on offer, you may not want to spend your holiday to Greece in just one spot. Depending on your need, there are a few options available. For short journeys within an area, taxis are readily available and well priced compared to other areas in Europe. For longer journeys, contrary to what you might expect, it is better to travel by bus than by train. Whilst trains tend to be more expensive and also slow due to the old age of the infrastructure, the bus network is extensive, frequent and reliable. Provided by KTEL, their big green buses can take you virtually anywhere in the country. Internal flights and ferries are also available if you are interested in visiting Greece’s beautiful islands.

a herd of goats trotting down a road whilst driving during holidays to Greece

7 Destinations to Visit on Holidays to Greece

Greece is home to countless things to see and do and it can be quite overwhelming to know where to begin. To help you out, here are seven of our favourite places to go on a holiday to Greece:

a landscape of Athens with the ruins of an ancient Greek theatre in the foreground and green forests, the city and the sea in the distance.

Athens

Holidays to Greece aren’t complete without a visit to the nation’s capital of Athens. This gorgeous city is steeped in history yet still vibrant and full of modern life. Rooftop bars, sweet squares, and bustling markets all make Athens a great place to holiday in Greece. Add to that all the ancient and classical landmarks and you are pretty much guaranteed a great time! 

Athenian Riviera 

Located about an hour from the capital, the Athenian Riviera is a 50km stretch of gorgeous coastline dotted with welcoming waterfront towns. Thanks to its connections to Athens, this is the perfect place to go if you’d like your holiday to Greece to be a mix and match of city exploration and beach relaxation. Spend your days unwinding in pristine bays and your evenings indulging at the many stylish seafood restaurants. You can also check out Sounio and the Temple of Poseidon here: an amazing structure overlooking the sea which dates all the way back to 440 BC.

Halkidiki

Halkidiki is one of the most beautiful places to go on holidays to Greece. It is a coastal area located in the northern Greek region of Macedonia. Halkidiki is made up of three peninsulas, Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos, all of which spill out into the Aegean Sea. Kassandra is young and buzzy whilst Sithonia is much calmer and Athos is a monastic community with restricted access. If you are looking for an easy holiday, Kassandra is a great spot to look for a luxury Greek villa 90 minutes from the airport. The entire Halkidiki area is famed for its pristine white sand beaches, sparkling turquoise waters and luscious nature.

The Peloponnese

The Peloponnese peninsula is located in the Ionian Sea in south west Greece and is technically a large island though it’s rarely referred to as such. It used to be connected to the mainland at Corinth, but now only man made bridges connect The Peloponnese to mainland Greece. It is one of the best places to visit on holidays to Greece because it is home to both cultural riches and shimmering seasides. Two of the most spectacular archeological sites to see in Peloponnese are the home of mythological King Agamemnon at Mycenae, and the Cradle of the Olympic Games at Olympia. You’ll also be able to discover secluded beaches, picturesque coves and striking views. 

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in the country and is a fabulous place to have as a base during your holiday to Greece. It is well connected so you can go on day trips to other sites in northern Greece such as Mount Olympus, the waterfalls of Edessa, and the Pozar Thermal Baths. That’s not to say that Thessaloniki isn’t lovely in its own right. Here you’ll find a bustling beach promenade, suave restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. How dreamy!

Ermioni

The words sweet, charming and delightful come to mind when thinking of Ermioni! This adorable seaside town has been built up around a central port. It is a small area with a relaxed atmosphere, good restaurants and plenty of stunning beaches all within walking distance. Ermioni is especially great for family holidays to Greece as it is safe and has lots of convenient entertainment. If you are travelling with little ones, these family friendly Greek Islands might also be of interest.

Delphi

If ancient culture is at the heart of your holiday to Greece, then you have to visit Delphi. The archeological site of Delphi is known as the navel of the earth since it was believed that Zeus released two eagles one to the east and one to the west and they met here. The famous sites include The temple of Apollo, an ancient stadium and the Archaeological Museum. The area is also shrouded in lush nature and home to breathtaking views. If you are travelling around, make sure to spend one day of your Greek holiday here. For more ancient wonders, check out these top Greek islands for history.

The above areas all have lots of splendid accommodation options for you to choose from. Whether you want to be fully looked after in an all inclusive resort or left in peace in a private luxury Greek Villa, your vision of holiday bliss won’t be hard to find. 

Satisfy Your Virtual Wanderlust

There’s far too much to Greece to cover it all in one post. We’ve mostly spoken about the mainland here but if you’re craving more, why not check out our guide to some of the Greek Islands. Keep up to date with all of Virtual Wanderlust’s travel articles by following us on Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.

Jay

Jay is the owner of Wine, Travel and Song - a blog to share many eclectic adventures in taste, sight & sound

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