Are you wondering which holiday destination suits you? Save yourself hours of googling and poring over endless travel guides! We have compiled a list of 11 compelling reasons to take you to a holiday in Greece. We firmly believe that your next trip will take you to beautiful Hellas!
No matter what type of holiday you are, whether beach lover, partygoer, active holidaymaker or peace seeker. In Greece everyone can simply spend their own personal dream holiday in Europe.
We have been traveling Greece for over 15 years and from the first minute, the magical country on the Mediterranean Sea immediately captivated. Here are our 11 reasons why you too will be thrilled by Hellas!
- #1 Greece’s diversity between mountains and sea
- #2 In Greece, the sun never stops shining
- #3 Greece is only a three-hour flight away
- #4 Unlimited bathing fun on beautiful beaches
- #5 The Greek attitude to life is contagious
- #6 Greece’s history at your fingertips
- #7 Greek Wine & Udo Jürgens
- #8 Greece as a safe holiday destination
- #9 The Mediterranean diet as a fountain of youth
- #10 A cheap holiday in Greece
- #11 Greece touches your soul
#1 Greece’s diversity between mountains and sea
Greece has more islands than any other country in the European Union. There are said to be about 3,000 large and small islands, of which over 130 are inhabited. This means that the country manages about 80 percent of all islands in the Mediterranean. Perfect for an extensive Greece Island Hopping
🗺️ 12 Islands with maps
🏖️ Beautiful beaches & swimming spots
🏛️ All top sights & attractions
🔍 Our best planning tips
🍽️ Accommodation, tavernas & cafés
But did you know that Greece is not a pure island state? Quite the opposite! Around 80 percent of Greece’s area even consists of mountains. After all, the Olympus, the highest mountain in the country, in all its glory 2,917 meters. This puts it just under 50 meters below the Zugspitze in Germany.
There are even very well-developed ski resorts in Greece (e.g. Pelion), where you can ski and snowboard at a real bargain price compared to Austria & Co. In addition to the popular Peloponnese Peninsula and Halkidiki there are countless regions on the Greek mainland that are still very untouched and waiting to be discovered!
Especially Central and Northern Greece with the regions Epirus and Macedonia, Thessalian scores with lush nature and has a high biological diversity. There are said to be over 5,000 different plant species in Greece. Did you know that Greece is the country with the most indigenous herbs and medicinal plants in the world after Madagascar?
#2 In Greece, the sun never stops shining
The Greek islands are considered to be sunniest region in all of Europe. Rhodes With 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, it even has the most sunny days of all European holiday destinations. Berlin, on the other hand, only manages 1,600 hours of sunshine. Among the top 10 sunniest places in Europe are also Corfu and Crete. Closely followed by many other Greek islands.
That Weather in Greece is therefore perfect for a summer holiday! No more worrying about whether the booked holiday will fall through. A holiday in Greece means pure sunshine in the summer months! From mid-June to mid-September, almost no drop of rain falls in the Greek islands. It can sometimes look completely different on the North Sea and Baltic Sea in August…
#3 Greece is only a three-hour flight away
Greece is closer than you think. Even if it is almost 2,000 kilometers by land that will take you from your holiday destination Greece , you can reach most Greek destinations by plane in less than three hours. Almost every major Greek island has an airport.
The shortest flights to Greece start from Munich to the island of Corfu and to Patras on the Peloponnese. In just over two hours, you’ll be in the blue and white paradise. By car, it takes five hours from Munich to Lake Garda in northern Italy alone. It takes 3 hours and 20 minutes to get from Hamburg to Rhodes by plane. By the way, this is the longest direct flight to Greece.
More than ten airports in Germany offer direct flights to Greece Whether Hamburg or Munich, Düsseldorf or Dresden. In every region in Germany there is the possibility to start your holiday in Greece in a completely uncomplicated way. More information on the topic can be found in our article Flights to Greece.
#4 Unlimited bathing fun on beautiful beaches
With 13,700 kilometers of coastline, Greece has the second longest coastline in Europe after Norway. That’s almost as much as New Zealand (15,000 kilometers) and almost twice as much as the coastline of Italy (7,600 kilometers).
In the case of Greece holiday on Mykonos, Corfu & Co. you can expect beautiful bays, picturesque beaches and turquoise blue sea. The best example of this are the Beaches of Karpathos. But not only the Greek Islands enchant with paradisiacal beaches.
The Greek mainland can also be described as truly Caribbean. It is not without reason that the region in the west of the country around Syvota and Parga, the Greek Caribbean. There, along the Ionian Sea, one turquoise-blue bay follows the other.
And what about the quality of the beaches and the sea itself? Good news! Greece also ranks second in Europe in terms of bathing quality. More than 500 organized beaches of Greece are regularly awarded the “Blue Flag” seal of approval. And the trend is rising! Did we mention that there are hardly any dangerous animals such as sharks or poisonous jellyfish in the seas of Greece?
#5 The Greek attitude to life is contagious
That Greek attitude to life is unique, you just have to experience it yourself! The first time you have a Greece Holidays, you will soon realize that there are worlds between Germany and Hellas.
It is the mentality and the way the Greeks live their lives and their everyday lives. True to the motto: “Live today as if it were your last day.” The Greeks attach great importance to family, friendship and conviviality.
“Of all the peoples, the Greeks dreamed the dream of life most beautifully.”
The hospitality of the Greeks is second to none. The word “foreigner” does not exist in Greece, everyone is welcome. You don’t judge someone by their appearance, but by their inner values. Sitting in the tavern with sweatpants or baggy sweaters? No one in Greece is bothered by this.
Extensive celebrations and being together every evening with enough wine and singing are fixed components in Greece. However, the focus is always on the simple and happy life. We call it deceleration for the soul. That’s exactly what you need on vacation, isn’t it?
Greece ABC: You can find even more interesting facts about the country and its people and useful information for your holiday in Greece in our Greece Profile
#6 Greece’s history at your fingertips
History is not everyone’s cup of tea, we agree! With dusty facts and dry figures from back then, you can hardly impress anyone these days. In Greece, however, it is something different. The history of Greece is directly linked to Europe and is omnipresent throughout Greece.
After all, it is said that Greece, especially Athens, is the cradle of democracy. Be it the imposing Athens Acropolis in the heart of the capital, the mysterious oracle of Delphi the birthplace of the Olympic Games in Olympia and the many other ancient places on the mainland. Hardly any other country is as closely linked to its history as Greece.
Thousands of years have passed and the mighty temples and places of worship are still present, attracting millions of people year after year. The Greeks have been able to preserve many cultural customs and traditions over the centuries. In the Meteora Monasteries and Athos, monks have been living day in and day out according to strict customs for over 1,000 years.
The Greeks are proud of their identity and embody this with body and soul. That’s what makes a holiday in Greece so authentic. And to the Sirtaki song every dance grouch swings his legs! But did you know that in addition to the well-known Sirtaki, there are 4,000 other traditional dances in Greece gives?
#7 Greek Wine & Udo Jürgens
“Greek wine, is like the blood of the earth” sings Udo Jürgens (German singer) in his hit from the 70s. The Viticulture in Greece has been anchored since ancient times. More than 2,000 years ago, people were amazed at the abundance of different grape varieties throughout Europe. Today, wine is still produced in very rural regions for personal consumption in the same way as hundreds of years ago.
Nevertheless, many people continue to have prejudices against the good drop from Hellas. “Too sweet, heavily treated, causes headaches and has no taste” we often get as an answer. But the old days when people thought of Greek wine exclusively as Samos, Imiglykos or Retsina are over.
What very few people know: The Greek wine culture has developed enormously in recent years. Many Greek wines are now among the world’s top wines.
Even on Samos no longer only sweet wine is pressed. The Vin Santo Wine from Santorini is one of the most expensive wines in Europe and many a wine from the Paros lets the French rave.
The red wine cultivation, which used to be very common, is gradually giving way to white grape varieties. Malagouzia and Assyrtiko, the trend varieties of recent years, are already making many a Riesling look old in terms of taste. Udo Jürgens described his hit “Greek Wine” as a hit at the time.
He already knew before it was released that the song would be a success! And if you are on holiday in Greece in a cozy tavern watching the sunset with a glass Greek wine then you will realize that it doesn’t take much to be happy.
#8 Greece as a safe holiday destination
We have been traveling Greece for over 15 years and have always felt safe. Several times we have accidentally left our rental car open including navigation system, laptop and smartphone or forgotten the credit card in a tavern. However, nothing has ever been lost.
On small, unknown islands, the locals leave the key from the front door right away. Sometimes mobile phones and wallets lie all alone on bistro tables. No local would interfere with that.
Holidays in Greece are safe, you don’t have to worry about your safety or that of your family. The Greek islands in particular are considered a true paradise on earth. Children play peacefully in the streets until late at night. There is dancing and laughter until the early hours of the morning, without having to worry about anything.
No one would hurt a hair of the neighbor as long as the neighbor did not violate his honor. Crime, especially against tourists, is foreign to the Greeks. Mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s property is a matter of honor.
Many celebrities also appreciate this peaceful coexistence. Stars such as Lindsay Lohan, Christiano Ronaldo or top model Alessandra Ambrosio spend their holidays in Greece every year.
Of course, in large cities like Athens, Thessaloniki or Patras. As in most major European cities, you should take care of your valuables here. Nevertheless, Greece is considered one of the safest countries in all over Europe!
#9 The Mediterranean diet as a fountain of youth
By the Greek food do you immediately think of souvlaki, gyros and co.? You think in Greece there is only meat on the plate? Then unfortunately we have to disappoint you or if you are a vegetarian or vegan, we have positive news for you!
Of course, many meat dishes are advertised in the taverns and restaurants, but the Typical Greek cuisine is far more versatile. In fact, it is so extraordinarily versatile that it is considered the true fountain of youth of the Greeks.
The secret recipe is Mediterranean diet, also Mediterranean diet called. In principle, this type of diet includes traditional Greek cuisine, which was originally largely low in meat. Plenty of vegetables, salads of all kinds, legumes, goat’s cheese, freshly caught fish with local herbs and lots of olive oil are on the plate.
Nutrition experts believe that this diet is the healthiest in the world. Traditionally, meals are served in the form of small appetizers (mezedes). In addition to fried aubergines, tomatoes, zucchini and potatoes, delicious tzatziki, skordalia (garlic dip) or fava (pea puree) are served.
Fish is a must for the Greeks, ideally freshly caught every day. If necessary, there is baked cheese (Haloumi or Saganaki) and if you like it, a piece of grilled chicken or kid to go with it.
The typical Greek cuisine paired with one or two glasses of Greek red wine is said to promise a long life. After all, the people in Greece especially old. On some remote islands such as Ikaria 100-year-olds are not uncommon.
Whether it’s the wine or the food, not even the ancient Greeks themselves know. But you can always try it out on your next vacation in Greece!
#10 A cheap holiday in Greece
Greece has been one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe for many years. Before the introduction of the euro, you could go on holiday in Greece like a king with the currency of the time, the drachma. With the euro, of course, this has changed.
Nevertheless, Greece is a cheap holiday region compared to many other European destinations. The decisive factor is exactly where you spend your holiday. Especially in less touristy regions such as northern Greece and on unknown Greek islands, you can save a lot of money in terms of accommodation and food. Most of the time it is more relaxed here and you can still enjoy some lonely bays undisturbed.
The price differences are enormous, especially on the individual islands. In the summer months, for example, on the popular Greek island Mykonos accommodation prices of over 200 euros per night are not uncommon. A main course in a tavern in Mykonos costs at least 20 euros upwards.
The situation is different on the neighboring islands, which are not even 20 kilometers away, like Syros and Tinos. The islands have remained largely untouched by tourism to this day. So you don’t even pay 70 euros per night and in a tavern you can get a main course for half the price.
Greece is cheaper than a holiday in Spain
If you compare the accommodation prices with other European countries such as Spain or Italy, you will find that Greece is also ahead here.
For example, a study by the Greek tourism company INSETE has shown that, compared to Spain, an adequate Greece vacation only half costs. In 2018, a holidaymaker in Greece spent an average of about 520 euros on his trip.
In Spain, on the other hand, it was 920 euros per holidaymaker in the same year. So you can get the warming sun, the calming sea and the Mediterranean way of life at a better price in Greece.
#11 Greece touches your soul
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Greece? Exactly! Blue and White Colors! Gleaming blue-and-white churches, whitewashed alleys and cubic houses with blue shutters. Many people immediately have the typical postcard motif of Santorini in their heads.
It is the unique architectural style and aesthetic architecture that are unparalleled in the world. It is the colors of the country, the national flag with the cross, that we unconsciously associate with Greece.
The blue represents the sea and the sky. The white for purity and independence of Greece. And the cross symbolizes the religious tradition and the Orthodox faith of the country.
The colors are reflected in many parts of the country. Anyone who has ever walked through the alleys of Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos or Patmos strolling, you feel this magical aura, a feeling as if you could touch the sky.
Former astrophysicist Stephan Hawking put it in a nutshell:
»Greece gives you a feeling of being next to paradise.«
We can only agree with that. Welcome to paradise. Welcome to Hellas!
If you have acquired a taste for it, then we have even more inspiration for your Greece vacation here:
- The Top 20 Things to Do in Greece
- The 15 most popular Greek islands
- Regions and destinations of Greece
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