Holidays in Greece are whatever you want them to be: lazy, do-nothing breaks of sun, sea and sand (more likely shingle) followed by evenings in the local taverna; a jam-packed itinerary of island-hopping, exploring archaeological sites and museums; frenetic partying on islands such as Ios and Mykonos. Walkers love the Dodecanese and for sailing holidays the Greek islands are hard to beat, so take your pick. The Greeks are well-known for their love of children, so it’s the ideal destination for family holidays.
Island-hopping by ferry or hydrofoil
Family holidays on the beach
Exploring ancient ruins
Walking holidays in the Dodecanese
Sailing holidays
Travelling before Easter – the tourist season starts, the hotels and restaurants open and the ferries and hydrofoils run frequently.
July or August without pre-booked accommodation.
EU citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days
The tourist police are your first port of call if you’ve had anything stolen or feel that you have been ripped off
Greece has the harshest drug laws in Europe and anyone found in possession of even the tiniest quantity of marijuana is likely to be jailed
Temperatures can reach 40°C/104°F in July and August, accompanied by the meltemi; a strong northerly wind affecting mainly the eastern coast of the mainland and the Aegean Islands, particularly the Cyclades. Mid-October is when the rainy season starts and the weather turns cold and wet until February.
Flights to Athens, on the mainland, take approx three and a half hours from the UK. Flights to Rhodes, in the Dodecanese, take around four hours.
The major international car hire firms are generally well represented, though some of the smaller islands may have just one local outlet. Car hire in Greece costs more than elsewhere, but using a local firm can halve the price. Book and pay before you leave home for the best deal with a multinational. No cars allowed on ferries without prior written authorisation from the hire company. Driving standards can be very poor.