Greece Holiday: 11 important tips for your trip

Greece, a land full of wonder and beauty, where the morning sun with its golden rays brings to life the ruins of bygone eras, where between the rolling hills of the olive groves and the mythical mountains lies a divine aura and the fresh breeze of the Aegean Sea awakens the spirits of everyone.

»A vacation in Greece is enough to dream of this place of longing for a lifetime.«

Since 2009 we have been visiting Hellas, as it is colloquially called, and we are still fascinated by this country. The hospitality of the people is incomparable, the Greek Islands unique and the vastness of ancient Greece hidden under every stone. Those seeking peace and quiet and adventure seekers will find a true paradise in Greece.

Join us on a journey to a country that reveals its special magic at every moment and makes the heart beat faster with enthusiasm. In this article, we introduce you to the fascinating country on the Mediterranean as a holiday destination and tell you why a Holidays in Greece worthwhile for you:

#1 Greece Profile: Currency, Location & Co.

Greece is a member of the EU, has the common currency EURO (€) and is located on the edge of Europe in the southeast of the Balkan island directly on the Mediterranean Sea. From Berlin to Athens it is 1,800 km as the crow flies, by car it is about 2,400 km and 24 hours driving time. You can reach Greece in three hours by plane. Enclosed you will find the most important facts about Greece:

• Location: Southeastern Europe (Balkan Peninsula)
• Population: approx. 10.4 million (Source: Statsita)
• Area: 132,000 km²
• National language: Modern Greek since 1976
• Currency: EURO € since 2002, before that drachma
• Time zone: CET +1, one hour ahead of Germany
• Capital: Athens
• Highest mountain: Mount Olympus 2,917 m

#2 Where is the most beautiful place in Greece?

For many holidaymakers, the Island of Santorini is the most beautiful place in Greece, and rightly so, the Cycladic island with its white houses and deep blue sea offers everything that makes up the typical catalogue picture of Greece. However, you have to expect a large number of visitors here all year round, not for those seeking peace and quiet.

For us personally, the Greek islands are among the most beautiful holiday destinations in Europe. Among them is the already mentioned popular island of Santorini, but also unknown ones Islands such as Hydra and Patmos, which literally leave the visitor speechless as soon as they enter. But Greece has far more beautiful spots to offer than islands.

The country even has numerous mountains with peaks up to 3,000 meters high, so there is a lot to experience between the mountains and the sea. Personally, we have already seen some places in Greece off the beaten track, which we consider to be among the most beautiful corners of Europe. But of course, that’s always in the eye of the beholder.

Here is a small selection of our personal Favorite places in Greece:

• Dodecanese Islands (including Patmos, Karpathos, Nisyros)
• Cyclades Islands (including Andros, Amorgos, Naxos)
• North Aegean islands (including Chios, Ikaria, Lesbos)
• Arcadia on the Peloponnese Peninsula
• Zagori in Epirus
• Pelion in Thessaly
• Lake Prespa in Western Macedonia

#3 How much does a week’s vacation in Greece cost?

Is Greece expensive? As everywhere else in the world, prices in Greece have risen in recent years due to the crisis. In Hellas, which is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe along with France, Spain and Italy, this trend is particularly noticeable in summer.

From our own experience, we know that you can still go on vacation cheaply in Greece. The price range between a non-touristy place and a real tourist hotspot of Greece is extreme, in some cases price increases of up to 200 percent are possible in all areas.

Due to the strong competition, there is a lot of competition in Greece, especially in the low season attractive offers. In addition, many activities such as beach trips, city tours or visits to historical sites are free or cheap. And in the Greek taverns you can still eat well and cheaply, e.g. the prices for a portion of tzatziki in 2019 were 3 to 5 € and today it is 3.50 to 6 €.

Anyone who wants Greece Holidays off the beaten track is rewarded with a high degree of authenticity and is also easy on your wallet. The only downside: Most of the time, you have to take a short ferry ride after the outbound flight or drive a few kilometers on the mainland by rental car.

Enclosed are two calculation examples with current figures for a week’s holiday in Greece in June for two people:

1. Non-touristic place (e.g. Kalymnos island)

• Return flight to neighboring island of Kos incl. luggage: approx. 300 €
• Ferry ride round trip from Kos (one way 40 min): approx. 40 €
• Comfortable apartment with double bed: approx. 750 €
• 7 x breakfast in the café á 20 €: approx. 150 €
• 7 x dinners in the tavern á 40 €: approx. 300 €
• 5 days rental car á 40 €: approx. 200 €

→ Cost of a week in Greece non-touristy place*: approx. € 1,740 for two people2. Tourist hotspot (e.g. Santorini Island)

• Return flight to Santorini Island incl. luggage: approx. 300 €
• Comfortable apartment with double bed: approx. 1,200 €
• 7 x breakfast in the café á 30 €: approx. 210 €
• 7x dinner in the restaurant á 60 €: 420 €
• 5 days rental car á 50 €: approx. 250 €

→ Cost of a week in Greece tourist hotspot*: approx. 2,380 € for two people

*The stated cost for a week’s holiday in Greece does not include entrance fees to museums and leisure facilities, any lunches, any taxi rides or shopping and souvenirs. These are examples and may vary depending on the time and location of your trip.

Which is cheaper Mallorca or Greece (Crete)?

Greece is cheaper than Mallorca! In June, you will hardly find a solid 4-star hotel in Mallorca for less than €100 per night. On the largest Greek island of Crete, there are already 4-star hotels starting at €80 per night during the same period. Anyone can easily research this for themselves. Hotel portals like Booking.com* allow you to find your cheap holiday. We have enclosed the two comparisons for you:

➲ To offers in Crete (Booking.com)*

➲ To offers in Mallorca (Booking.com)*

How much do you tip in Greece?

In Greece, it is customary to leave a tip of about 10% of the invoice amount. If you liked it and got good service, you can reward the innkeeper and staff with a tip. Often the bill is rounded up to the next higher even amount or at least 1 € is given, e.g. invoice 7.20 € to 8 € or 17.80 € to 20 €.

By the way, it is not uncommon in Greece that you get all the change back after paying the bill. Here you simply leave the desired tip amount on the table or put it in the envelope. In Greek cafés, there is sometimes even a small glass on the table as a tip.

#4 Where are the most beautiful beaches in Greece?

With a coastline of almost 14,000 kilometres, Greece has many beautiful beaches, including Elafonisi Beach in Crete, Myrtos Beach on Kefalonia and Sarakiniko Beach on Milos. From powdery white sandy beaches to beaches with colorful pebbles to black volcanic beaches, there is almost every conceivable beach variant.

The renowned travel publisher Lonely Planet selects the 100 best beaches in the world every year (To the report on kleinezeitung.at), there are five dream beaches in Greece alone. But also the coasts around the Greek mainland, e.g. at Parga Epirus, in the Peloponnese and on the Halkidiki peninsula, offer many beautiful bays.

Here is a selection of the most beautiful beaches in Greece:

• Navagio Beach, Zakynthos
• Voidokilia Beach, Peloponnese
• Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia
• Porto Katsiki Beach, Lefkada
• Elafonisi, Crete
• Balos, Crete
• Sarakiniko, Milos
• Plaka Beach, Naxos
• Seychelles Beach, Ikaria
• Milos Beach, Lefkada
• Apella Beach, Karpathos
• Possidi Beach, Halkidiki

#5 Top 15 things to do in Greece

From ancient sites to picturesque villages to enchanting bays, Greece offers everything an explorer’s heart desires. Top sights include the Acropolis of Athens with its picturesque old town and the picture-book island of Santorini with its unique landscape.

Enclosed is a selection of the most popular sights of Greece:

1. Acropolis of Athens
2. Old Town of Athens
3. Santorini Island
4. Elafonisi in Crete
5. Knossos Palace in Crete
6. Lindos in Rhodes
7. Shipwreck Zakynthos
8. Meteora Monasteries
9. Little Venice on Mykonos
10. Chania in Crete
11. Old Town of Rhodes
12. Ancient Olympia
13. Temple of Poseidon Sounion
14. Oracle of Delphi
15. Theatre of Epidaurus

#6 For whom is a Greece vacation suitable?

In our opinion, Greece is suitable for every holiday! In recent years, the country has become one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations, surviving several crises and reinventing itself again and again without losing its authenticity. France, Italy and Spain are great holiday destinations, but Greece will delight you.

In addition, the Greeks are very child-loving people. As a family, we have personally had only positive experiences when traveling with our little daughter, be it in the restaurant, in the hotel or in the shop next door. But couples or singles of all ages also feel comfortable right away. Get inspired by Greece:

Greece Holidays between mountains and sea

Greece has around 3,000 islands, of which about 120 are inhabited. However, about 80% of the country’s area consists of mountains with peaks up to almost 3,000 m altitude, including the Mount Olympus. Hiking in the mountains in one day and then jumping into the crystal clear sea – that’s no problem in Greece.

Sunshine guarantee in Greece

Thanks to its mild climate, Greece is one of the sunniest holiday destinations in Europe! Islands such as Rhodes and Crete have 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. From May to September, the islands are covered in blue skies and bright sunshine for weeks.

Fantastic beaches in Greece

Almost 14,000 kilometres of coastline offer holidaymakers numerous picturesque beaches and turquoise bays with the best water quality. The annual awarding of the seal of approval “Blue Flag” for Greek beaches testifies to this.

The unique mentality of the Greeks

Siga Siga – Literally translated, this means: Always take it easy. The serenity and joy of life of the Greeks is contagious. True to the motto “Live today as if it were your last day”, they enjoy life.

Experience history in Greece up close

Rarely is European history as tangible as in Greece. On a Greece Tour you will find ancient sites, Byzantine monasteries and Venetian fortresses in many places. The Capital Athens including the Acropolis is still considered the cradle of democracy.

Mediterranean diet – food for a long life

Even though souvlaki and gyros are ubiquitous in many places, the original Greek cuisine is predominantly vegetarian and, according to scientists, very healthy! Whether Crete Diet or Mediterranean diet, which is typical Greek cuisine is a healthy treat.

Greece truly touches the soul

Greece is a country of spirituality. The bright light, the characteristic white houses and Greek churches with its blue domes and ancient living traditions make Greece a country that touches the soul.

#7 When is the best time to travel to Greece?

The best time to travel to Greece is the classic peak travel season or holiday season from the beginning of May to the end of October. During these months, warm temperatures prevail and the weather shows itself on the Greek islands and in the coastal regions (e.g. Peloponnese) from its most beautiful side. Rain and cool temperatures are rather rare in Hellas during this time and for weeks there is not a cloud in the sky.

Which Greek island is the warmest?

The island of Rhodes is on average the warmest place in Greece. The village of Lindos in the east of Rhodes is considered the mildest place in the country with an average temperature of 21.4 degrees, according to the Greek weather service. Even in winter, temperatures here don’t drop below 10 degrees, not to mention the many hours of sunshine (3,000 per year). Rhodes therefore rightly bears the nickname of the sunny island of the Aegean.

When is Greece cheapest?

In the low season from April to mid-June and from mid-September to early November, you can spend a cheap holiday in Greece. Greece is most expensive in the high season in July and August. The travel time in combination with demand therefore has a decisive influence on how expensive your Greece vacation is.

You can save money in Greece if you travel individually. From my own experience, a holiday apartment or a self-catering apartment is usually cheaper than a hotel stay with the same (catering) standard. If you don’t want to miss out on a hotel, you should take a closer look at last-minute offers and early bird specials from Holidaycheck*, among others:

➲ To last minute offers from TUI*

➲ To package tour offers (Holidaycheck)*

#8 What are the most popular islands in Greece?

The most popular islands are Crete, Rhodes and Santorini. Greece has over 3,000 Greek islands, ranging from tiny uninhabited rocky islands to sparsely populated islands to bustling large islands like Crete. The lion’s share of the tourist business is concentrated on the 10 most popular islands. The other islands are more individual destinations and insider tips.

The 20 most popular islands of Greece are:

1. Crete
2. Rhodes
3. Santorini
4. Corfu
5. Zakynthos
6. Kos
7. Mykonos
8. Cephalonia
9. Naxos
10. Skiathos
11. Paros
12. Lefkada
13. Milos
14. Thasos
15. Samos
16. Karpathos
17. Lesvos
18. Ios
19. Syros
20. Tinos

Where is it more beautiful Rhodes or Crete?

We are often asked which island is more beautiful: Rhodes or Crete. On both islands you can enjoy a nice Greece holiday and each island has its peculiarities and peculiarities.

Individualists will probably feel more comfortable in Crete. The island is six times larger than Rhodes, offers more variety between mountains and sea and many corners to discover on your own.

For holidaymakers who come to Greece for the first time we would rather recommend Rhodes. The infrastructure is well developed and you can reach many sights in a relatively short time. You can easily immerse yourself in Greek life and not be overwhelmed by countless sights. Both islands offer beautiful beaches and bays and are therefore also ideal for a beach holiday.

#9 Which islands of Greece are considered insider tips?

In general, we can say from our own experience: The more difficult a Greek island is to reach, the more likely it is to be considered insider tip of Greece. This includes almost all Greek islands without an airport and with sufficient distance to the mainland. What is considered an insider tip for international tourism may have long been known to Greece connoisseurs.

The journey by ferry, which takes several hours, costs many holidaymakers valuable time and ultimately money. Individualists with a thirst for adventure and enough patience will find their quiet places of longing here. In summer, when the Greeks go on holiday, even these mostly small islands can experience a rush of visitors.

Here is a selection of the Greek Islands that are considered an insider tip:

• Antiparos
• Anafi
• Arki
• Aegina
• Halki
• Kasos
• Kastellorizo
• Lesser Cyclades
• Kythira
• Patmos
• Pserimos
• Samothrace
• Sikinos
• Telendos
• Tilos

Which Greek island is right for me?

In Greece, there is a suitable island for almost every type of holiday. There are hiking islands, classic bathing islands, islands with culture and nightlife, but also islands that simply radiate tranquility. Each Greek island is a world of its own. From our own experience, we know that even islands that are only a few kilometers apart can be fundamentally different.

#10 Greece hotels: How do I find good accommodation?

Greece offers a huge selection of accommodation of all kinds, from simple rooms in the middle of the village to chic holiday villas in the hinterland to luxury hotels right by the sea. For every type of holiday, there is a suitable accommodation in Greece, you are virtually spoilt for choice. But watch out: There are big price differences between high and low season.

On our travels, we have already slept in beds in spring that cost five times as much in summer. Especially in May and October you can do one or the other thing bargains for Greece. In Crete, the competition among hotels is the most intense, which is reflected in a very good price-performance ratio.

On Booking.com* accommodation can be compared in the best possible way. The hotel reviews are trustworthy, as they can only be submitted after an overnight stay. With large Greek hotels, however, it is always worth taking a look at their homepage, it is not uncommon to find time-limited offers, some of which are below the prices of the hotel portals.

In these posts we have given you popular hotels in Greece composed:

• Corfu: Best hotels in Corfu
• Kos: Best hotels in Kos
• Crete: Best Hotels in Crete
• Mykonos: Best hotels in Mykonos
• Rhodes: Best hotels in Rhodes
• Santorini: Best hotels in Santorini
• Zakynthos: Best hotels in Zakynthos

#11 Our experiences & tips for your holiday in Greece

After all these years and many trips to Greece, we never got bored. Our first holiday together took us to the island of Kos, a very popular Greek bathing island, which we still like to visit today and also people who still want to have never been to Greece, gladly recommend. You feel at home here right away.

In Hellas, too, time does not stand still, of course many are changing Destinations in Greece. Where there used to be a lonely fishing village, there is now a vibrant holiday resort. Greece also has to face current challenges such as environmental protection and resource management, and a lot is being invested in the future, especially on the Greek islands.

Once you have caught the Greek fever, you always want to go back. So far, we have only heard from a few that they did not like it on vacation in Greece. In the meantime, we have turned our personal love for Greece into a profession and offer Greece experts with 15 years of experience also offers help to undecided holidaymakers with holiday planning.

If you want to know more about Greece and its diverse destinations, we invite you to visit our Greece Blog to browse. By the way: Many things we discovered in Greece have not yet made it onto the blog. Interested parties can contact us on Follow Instagram and travel with us to this fascinating country. See you soon, or as the Greeks say: Ta leme!

Greece Vacation Youtube Video

The filmmaker Robert Polasek has made a very nice video that shows the different facets of Greece. Have fun watching this clip:

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