The Ultimate Guide to Holidays in Greece

Let Culture Trip be your guide on the Greek adventure of a lifetime
Let Culture Trip be your guide on the Greek adventure of a lifetime | Anna Kurmaeva / Unsplash
Gethin Morgan

Content and CRM Executive

From ancient history and culture to dreamy island getaways full of beach days and foodie treats, Greece is one of the most diverse and desirable destinations imaginable. Here is our guide to going on an epic Greek holiday.

Browse the full itinerary for our eight-day Greek Island Odyssey trip here.

Best time to visit Greece

Without doubt the best time to visit the Greek Islands is summer, when the sun shines brightest on its golden beaches and shimmering Mediterranean waters. May to August offers consistently excellent weather, although do beware of peak season crowds. Book early to keep costs to a minimum. While the weather isn’t terrible in winter, it doesn’t quite offer the full Greek Island experience, so if you’re looking to save on money or avoid too many crowds, try shoulder season months like April and September. Alternatively, book a summer trip on a lesser-known island.

Best Greek Islands to visit

There are a lot of islands across this famous archipelago, but you can generally split them in two – the very famous ones, and the hidden gems. The most well-known and well-visited islands include Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes and Corfu. They all have their own unique identities – Mykonos is atmospheric come nightfall, while Rhodes is most famous for its history – but our favourite is Santorini. It’s probably the most expensive, but nothing says Greece quite like those whitewashed towns, blue-domed churches and endlessly jaw-dropping coastal views, not to mention some of the best sunsets on the planet.

It doesn’t get more glamorous that Santorini

Generally speaking the bigger islands are easier to get to, but more expensive once you’re there. Lesser-known islands offer a far more relaxed way of life during peak season, as well as a more authentic local experience. Hotels and living costs tend to be more affordable, even if getting there in the first place might be a little trickier. Our favourites include Milos, for its charming fishing villages and unique cave formations, and Naxos, for pristine beaches and an incredible food scene. If you’re looking for an island close to Athens, we suggest Serifos.

General tips for travel in Greece

Plan your itinerary well in advance, so you can focus in on the elements of a Greek holiday that interest you the most. Is it the laid-back coastal life and foodie treats? Is it ancient history? How about hiking, boating or swimming? Once you know what you want, you can start planning a route. If there’s one thing you should try to do in Greece, it’s blend multiple destinations together, be it on an island-hopping epic or simply a day trip from Athens to a nearby islet.

Keep hydrated and wear clothes that suit the time of year, type of destination and activity level you plan on having. Carry plenty of cash, especially in rural villages and remote islands. Most importantly, don’t forget to throw yourself into the culture, whether that’s chatting to friendly locals, picking up some Greek phrases or simply diving head first into the country’s incredible cuisine.

The ultimate Greece holiday package – Athens, Milos, Naxos and Santorini

Get the complete Greek experience when you book a place on our comprehensive Greek Island Odyssey trip, which blends the vitality of Athens with island-hopping adventures like no other.

We’ll start in the capital, where you’ll get to experience ancient wonder at the Acropolis and modern life in the lively Keramikos neighbourhood. From there we’ll hop on a ferry to Milos, starting with a guided tour of the main town and some beach time on the chalky-white rock formations of Sarakiniko. We’ll embark on a boat tour of the island, floating gently past brightly coloured fishing villages and epic cave formations, stopping for the occasional dip in calm ocean waters, as well as beach time on Gerakas Beach.

The Acropolis is a must-visit on any trip to Athens

Next up is Naxos, famed for having some of the finest beaches in the Cyclades. You’ll have plenty of time to lounge on the sand, but we’ll also give you a tour of the old town in Chora, take you to the unfinished temple of Portara and explore the gorgeous inland town of Kaloxylos. It’s there that we’ll also stop in at a local family home for a Greek cooking masterclass. Learn how to make authentic local dishes using fresh Naxian potatoes and arseniko cheese, before gorging on your creations in the Greek countryside.

Our final island hop takes us to Santorini, which you can explore at your own pace. Stroll down narrow alleyways, discover secret viewpoints and stunning coastal walks. We’ll regroup for one last incredible Greek dinner, where you’ll watch the stunning Santorini sunset, cocktail in hand. Now that’s the Greek way to do it.

Sold on our Greek Island Odyssey tour? Browse the full itinerary and book your spot on a trip today!

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Winter Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

X
Edit article