Europe

Greece

Greece is known for the Acropolis in Athens, whitewashed island villages and Meteora's monasteries on rock pillars, a trip that mixes history, sea and mountains.

Start with the essentials Where to stay Plan a trip to Greece

Greece is a country in southeastern Europe, mostly on the Balkan peninsula, with thousands of islands in the Aegean and Ionian seas. Athens, its capital and largest city, is where most trips begin. The city has the Acropolis, and Piraeus, its port, is a main departure point for ferries to the islands. About 80% of the country is mountains or hills, so the mainland is as varied as the coast.

Greece is known for its layers of history. The Minoan civilization flourished on Crete from about 3100 BC to 1100 BC, and Mycenae was a major Bronze Age center on the mainland. Athens is considered the birthplace of democracy, and the first recorded Olympic Games are dated to 776 BC. For a trip that mixes ruins, beaches and mountain villages, plan at least two weeks to cover Athens, one mainland area and a couple of islands. The warm season runs from April to early October, and the hottest spells, mainly in lowland areas, usually come in July and August.

Five things to know before Greece

Expect EES registration at the Schengen border
Visitors from outside the EU give fingerprints and a photo at their first Schengen entry, which replaces passport stamps. Ferries from Italy stay inside Schengen, so there is no passport check. EES explained
Book island ferries ahead for July and August
Popular routes and fast boats sell out in peak weeks. Book online, and leave a spare day before an international flight in case strong winds cancel sailings.
Buy Acropolis tickets online with a time slot
The Acropolis uses timed entry, and the first slots of the day are the coolest and calmest. Book before you go in summer. Athens
Visit Santorini outside cruise hours
Cruise passengers crowd Fira and Oia in the middle of the day, especially in summer. Stay a night, or come in May, June or September. Santorini
Plan midday breaks in the summer heat
Athens often passes 35 °C in July and August, and heat waves can close the Acropolis at midday. See sites early and rest in the afternoon.

Greece travel guides

Practical guides from writers who live there.

Athens

The Acropolis, museums and where to stay.

Read the guide Santorini

Caldera views, beaches and avoiding cruise crowds.

Read the guide Crete

Beaches, gorges and a week of driving.

Read the guide Mykonos

Beaches, nightlife and the quieter side of the island.

Read the guide Meteora

Monasteries on the rocks, opening days and trails.

Read the guide Best time to visit

Sea temperatures, crowds and ferry season by month.

Read the guide

Top places to visit in Greece

See all attractions in Greece

Beach · LindosPallas BeachArrive early if you need parking; spaces can be difficult to find later.

Museum · PargaParagaea Old Olive Oil Factory

Landmark · CreteThe House of NapoleonGo before 15:30, as the house can close early.

Museum · CreteArolithos Traditional Cretan VillageA rental car can make trips to nearby attractions easier.

Destinations in Greece

CityRhodes TownExplore

IslandIkariaExplore

a night view of a town with a mountain in the background

CityFiraExplore

a white building with blue shutters next to a body of water

IslandSkopelosExplore

aerial view of city near body of water during daytime

IslandHydraExplore

a large body of water surrounded by mountains

IslandRhodesExplore

An aerial view of Parga and Panagia Island in the Ionian Sea, Greece

CityNafplioExplore

IslandKarpathosExplore

Where to stay in Greece

Neighborhood first, hotel second.

All stay guides

A large body of water with a tower in the middle of it

HaniaWhere to stay in Hania: five bases from the old town to Kalyves

ZakynthosWhere to stay in Zakynthos: five bases from the Town to Alykes

Itineraries

5 daysCorfu in 5 days: old town, north, west and south by carA five-day Corfu itinerary: the old town and fortresses, the north coast and Old Perithia, the west cliffs, the south and a boat or Albania day, with drive times and what to book.

a group of people standing in front of a castle

4 daysRhodes in 4 days: Old Town, Lindos, the west coast and SymiA four-day Rhodes plan: medieval Old Town on day one, Lindos and east-coast beaches on day two, the west and Kamiros on day three, then Symi or Prasonisi.

5 daysKefallonia in 5 days: Myrtos, caves, the north and Ithaca by carA five-day Kefallonia itinerary by car: Argostoli and the lighthouse, the caves near Sami, Myrtos, Assos and Fiskardo, the south and Mount Ainos, and a day on Ithaca, with drive times.

What a day costs in Greece

Per person, in EUR

Work out your trip

Budget€59a day≈ $66 · per person

Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.

Bed a night: €25
Food: €25
Transport: €4
Sights: €5

Mid-range€120a day≈ $134 · per person

A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.

Bed a night: €45
Food: €45
Transport: €10
Sights: €20

Comfort€245a day≈ $273 · per person

A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.

Bed a night: €80
Food: €80
Transport: €35
Sights: €50

Checked Oct 3, 2026 by Elena PetrovaA source for every line on the trip cost page. Flights not included. Rates By Exchange Rate APIWork out your trip

When to go

Rainy days

Best

JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Mild, rainy
FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Almond blossom
MarchPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Cool, spring
AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Warm, spring
MayClear5 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Warm, swim starts
JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Hot, beach season
JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh34°Low24°Hot, meltemi
AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh33°Low24°Hottest, busiest
SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low20°Warm sea
OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Warm, quieter
NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Mild, rainy
DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Mild, wet

Average daily high and low in Athens, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to GreecePut the places you like in Greece on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Right now in Greece

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 17°
Humidity: 92%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 60%

Athens

10:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today19°13°60%Monday: Rain. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 60%.
Tue21°15°98%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 98%.
Wed21°11°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu17°10°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri15°8°3%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 3%.
Sat15°7°5%Saturday: Fog. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
Sun16°6°5%Sunday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 5%.

Updated 07:46 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Greece

Big events, festivals and concert tours

Events calendar

Christmas market with people and festive lights

NovemberSalzburg ChristkindlmarktNov 19, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027

a crowd of people walking down a street at night

NovemberNuremberg ChristkindlesmarktNov 27 – Dec 24, 2026

NovemberStrasbourg Christmas marketNov 27 – Dec 24, 2026

Festivals by month

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
JunAthens Epidaurus FestivalAthens
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Before you go to Greece

eSIM for GreeceEU roaming and eSIM optionsRead the guide Travel insuranceCover for ferries and beachesRead the guide Money in GreeceEuro, cards and cashRead the guide Best time to visit GreeceMonth by monthRead the guide

Rules for Greece, checked

Non-EU visitors register fingerprints and a photo in the EES; fully operational since 10 April 2026, passports are no longer stampedChecked Oct 3, 2026 · Read more

Stories from Greece

All stories

A large body of water with a mountain in the background

AlternativesSantorini alternatives: Greek islands that still feel like islandsKatarina Novak · Oct 3, 2026

Greece FAQ

Do I need a visa for Greece?

Not for short stays on most Western passports: US, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens get 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen area. You register in the EES at the border. ETIAS is currently not in operation. UK advice says Greece will not collect fingerprints or photos from UK travelers.

Which Greek island is best for a first trip?

Crete for beaches, food and space over a week; Santorini for the views; Naxos or Paros for easier beaches and lower prices. Many first trips pair Athens with one or two islands on the same ferry line.

How many days do I need in Athens?

Two days covers the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum and the old neighborhoods of Plaka and Monastiraki.

Is there a cruise passenger fee in Greece?

Yes. Cruise passengers pay a per-person fee at Greek ports, highest at Santorini and Mykonos in peak season. The cruise line usually adds it to your fare.

When is the best time to visit Greece?

May, June, September and early October. July and August bring the hottest weather, the highest prices and the biggest crowds on the islands.