Greece Holidays

Getting to Greece

Scheduled flights from Germany to Greece usually fly to Athens and Thessaloniki. After your arrival in Athens, you can easily take metro line 3 to the city centre or one of the shuttle buses. In Thessaloniki, the airport is about 10km south of the centre and is connected by buses that run around the clock. In summer, the many island airports are often more important - charter flights take off for package holidaymakers to Mediterranean destinations. Rhodes, Zakynthos, Kos, Corfu and Heraklion on Crete are particularly busy. These transport hubs usually offer shuttle buses. In addition, many of the hotels organise shuttles between the airport and the respective seaside resort.

Getting around in Greece

If you want to use your holiday in Greece to explore, it is best to hire a car locally. Major motorways connect mainland cities such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Volos and Corinth. These roads are subject to tolls and cost about €3.20 per car for the 60km between Eleusis and Corinth, for example. Further costs are incurred for the Athens city motorway as well as for the motorway to the airport, the Rio Andirrio Bridge and the tunnel from Preveza to Aktio. Alternatively, you can use the inexpensive intercity buses for your journey. Given the long coastline. Ferries and ships play an excellent role in Greece. Piraeus and Rafina, Patras and Igoumenitsa are among the most important ports on the mainland. Fast catamarans usually take you and your vehicle across the water to one of the islets. It is recommended to be at the check-in early and to secure your ticket already online. In Athens, you can travel comfortably by metro and suburban train. In addition, the city operates a whole range of tram and bus routes. You can usually buy tickets in advance at the kiosk.

When is the best time to travel to Greece?

The beach season in Greece starts at the beginning of June and lasts until September. You can expect a hot, Mediterranean climate with temperatures well above 30°C. Highs of 40°C can even be reached. The water is around 25°C in July, August and September. You can look forward to up to 13 hours of sunshine a day during this time. You can start a hiking holiday as early as April. The spring and autumn days are better suited for extensive outdoor tours due to the milder climate. Temperatures in these seasons average around 20°C to 23°C during the day. For sailing trips, you can use the months from April to October, but you should pay attention to the current weather warnings. City sightseeing is possible all year round, while skiers and snowboarders prefer to travel to the Greek mountain areas between December and March.

What else do I need to know?

Greek is the official language, but in the larger seaside resorts and towns English is also spoken in the service area, and sometimes even German. 97% of the population profess Orthodox Christianity. When visiting churches, you should choose appropriate clothing and keep your shoulders and knees covered. As the socket types C and F are used in Greece, you do not need an adapter.

No holiday to Greece would be complete without visiting the iconic Acropolis in Athens, which offers remarkable views over the Greek capital. Visit the historic Plaka district, the Panathenaic Stadium, and explore some of the most important ancient artefacts from Ancient Greece at the Acropolis Museum. Don't forget to see the magnificent Meteora, one of the most striking landmarks in Greece and one of several to be categorised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery complex overlooks towering sandstone pillars and has long been an inspiration for artists and photographers due to its dramatic natural scenery.

The picturesque island of Mykonos is particularly popular with couples and features a diverse club scene and many luxurious modern resorts. The island has been inhabited for at least 5,000 years and is home to numerous pristine sandy coves and beautifully preserved coastal towns. Another popular holiday destination is Santorini, which is renowned for its stunning panoramic views and features an active volcano, although don't worry too much, because the most recent major eruption took place around 3,600 years ago.

On the photogenic Adriatic coast is the charming Ionian island of Kefalonia, which is best known for its dramatic Myrtos Beach and Melissani Cave, and is home to numerous upmarket hotel resorts. Another popular location for Greece holidays is the beautiful mountainous island of Crete, which is famous for its Venetian port Chania and turquoise lagoon of Balos. Many holidaymakers also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of medieval Rhodes and the breathtaking island of Skiathos, featuring one of the most enchanting ports in the Aegean Sea.

There are myriad reasons to go on a Greek island holiday, not least because there’s an island for everyone. Watersports fans should try the windy isles of Lefkada, Paros and Naxos, or take a boating or diving trip from dreamy Corfu. Don your hiking boots on Hydra, traverse lush Kefalonia or Corfu, or explore Crete’s gorges. Party-lovers should head for Zakynthos (Zante), Rhodes (particularly Faliraki), or Mykonos for a more refined but nonetheless fun night out. Crete, Rhodes and Kos are all bursting with antiquities, while Mykonos has a true gem on the tiny island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Santorini’s pristine Cycladic architecture also makes it a superb sightseeing spot. If you’re seeking gorgeous beaches and fabulous swimming, any Greek island should tick your boxes. Standout gems include Corfu’s crystalline coastline, with day trips to nearby Paxos and Antipaxos, or the lesser-known but unspoilt isles of Lekada and Ithaca. The best island for couples would be by far Kythira, where the goddess of love was born according to greek mythology.