Greece travel guide
Greece travel guide: Athens, the islands, and the route between
Greece delivers Europe's deepest classical heritage paired with the Mediterranean's most photogenic island geography. Athens is the cradle; Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and 200+ inhabited islands extend the trip into something singular.
Destinations we cover in Greece
Country overview
Greece is mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild wet winters. ETIAS required for visa-free travelers from mid-2025. Ferry network connects most major islands; domestic flights via Athens are the time-saver.
- Language
- Greek (with its own alphabet). English widely spoken in tourism, especially Athens and the major islands.
- Currency
- Euro (EUR). All cards accepted; small bills useful for tavernas and ferry tickets.
- Best time to visit
- April-June and September-October are the sweet spots. July-August is hot and tourist-crushed (especially Santorini); winter is mild but most islands shut down.
- Trip highlights
- Athens' Acropolis + Plaka taverna evenings, Greek island hopping (Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Naxos), classical antiquity at Delphi + Olympia + Meteora.
Greece travel guide: regions, islands & when to go
Greece is Athens, mainland antiquity, and a constellation of islands. The essentials:
- Athens: the Acropolis and ancient sites — 2-3 days before the islands.
- The Cyclades: the iconic blue-and-white isles — Santorini and Mykonos (famous, pricey), Naxos, Paros and Milos (better value).
- The Ionian: greener, Italian-flavored islands like Corfu and Kefalonia.
- Crete: the largest island — beaches, mountains, Minoan ruins and great food.
- Mainland: Delphi, Meteora's clifftop monasteries, the Peloponnese.
When & how
May-June and September are ideal (warm, swimmable, fewer crowds than July-August). Island-hop by ferry from Piraeus; book ahead in peak summer. Budget mid-range around $120-200/day. See the cost index.
Greece Travel Guide FAQ
What is the best Greek island to visit?
Santorini and Mykonos for icons; Naxos, Paros and Milos for value and authenticity.
When is the best time to visit Greece?
May-June and September — warm and swimmable without the peak-summer crowds.
Best time to visit Greece (real climate data)
Best months: April, May, June, September, October, November.
Greece’s warmest month is July (avg 34°C / 92°F), the coolest is January (low 5°C / 42°F). The wettest is December (110 mm) and the driest is July.
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 climate normals (2019–2023). See the full month-by-month weather →