Greece welcomed 33 million tourists annually, a record year. The Greek islands received 60% of all visits, with Santorini and Mykonos seeing occupancy rates above 90% in July–August. Mid-range travelers typically spend €65–130/day per day in Greece, with hotels available from €50/night.
Whether you're planning your first visit or returning to explore deeper, our guides cover everything — where to stay, what to eat, how to get around without overpaying, and when to go. Every recommendation comes from real visits, not press trips.
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What to experience
The Acropolis at dawn, sailing the Cyclades between whitewashed villages, Santorini sunsets and Crete's Minoan palaces. Greece defined Western civilisation and still captivates.
Don't try to do too many islands — each ferry hop takes half a day. A focused trip (Athens + 2-3 islands) is better than rushing through six. The classic route: Athens (2 nights) → Mykonos (3 nights) → Santorini (3 nights) by ferry.
Greece has some of Europe's best hiking, especially on Crete (E4 trail, Samaria Gorge) and Santorini (Fira to Oia coastal path, 2 hours). The Peloponnese and northern Greece (Thessaloniki, Meteora) offer the best value and fewest crowds. Thessaloniki has Greece's best food scene and none of the tourist saturation of the islands.
Find the right neighbourhood
Athens' Monastiraki for Acropolis views. Santorini's Oia for iconic caldera sunsets. Crete for authentic Greek village life and empty beaches.
Cave hotels carved into the Santorini caldera cliff are the iconic experience. For caldera views from your terrace, budget €200+/night. Imerovigli has better value than Oia for the same views.
Airport transfers & transport
Athens airport is 33km from city centre. The X95 express bus (€6.20) runs every 15 min to Syntagma Square. Metro Line 3 takes 40 min and costs €11.50 including 90-min unlimited transfers.
Ferries to the Cyclades leave from Piraeus port (45-min metro from Athens centre). Book Hellenic Seaways or Blue Star Ferries for best value. Travel June-September requires booking at least a week ahead. Use Ferryhopper or Ferryscanner.
Everything you need to know about Greece
Absolutely — Greece remains one of the world's great travel destinations. The combination of ancient history, exceptional food, and some of the most beautiful coastlines on earth is hard to match. Visiting outside July–August significantly reduces both crowds and costs.
Greece uses the Euro (EUR) as part of the Eurozone. ATMs are widely available on the mainland and major islands.
EU and Schengen citizens travel freely to Greece. Citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia can visit for up to 90 days within 180 days under Schengen rules without a visa.
May–June and September–October are the sweet spots — warm enough to swim, uncrowded, and with lower hotel prices than peak summer.
Naxos and Paros offer better value than Santorini or Mykonos with beautiful beaches and authentic village life. Crete is the largest island and offers the most variety.