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Holidays in Greece

Greece Main Guide | Places to visit | Things to do

Area: 131,940 sq km, of which 1,140 sq km is water.

Climate: temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers.

Terrain: Mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands.

Population: 10,647,529

Languages: Greek 99% (official), English and French.

Currency: Euro

Time Zone: GMT +3 hours

International Dialing Code: 30

Electricity Supply: 220V, 50Hz

Holidays in Greece

From its Southern European location, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey, Greece and its surrounding islands offer volcanic red, black and white sanded beaches with crystal clear waters, all bathed in the Mediterranean sun. The Western Ionian islands of Corfu, Kefallonia and Zakynthos , Crete to the South and the Aegean Islands of Kos, Lesvos and Chios to the east all offer a unique experience. Greek culture itself has a rich history of mythology and ancient architecture, from Mount Olympus in the North, home of the highest Greek Gods to capital city Athens, brimming with its ancient buildings and monuments.

History of Greece

To many ancient Greece was the cradle of Western civilisation , made up of small city states inhabited by people with a shared language and religious beliefs. On a cultural side the Greeks invented the Olympic games and created countless monuments, sculptures and paintings in celebration of life and their gods, but they were also well known for their achievements in philosophy and medicine. In 1829 Greece won independence from the Ottoman Empire and over the next 100 years gradually added neighboring islands and territories. During WW2 Greece was invaded first by Italy and then Germany, with the ensuing civil war ending in 1949. In 1974 elections abolished the monarchy, and Greece joined the EU in 1981.

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Places to visit

Malia and Stalis

Two of the more popular resorts on the island of Crete, Malia and Stalis are situated along exquisite sandy beaches, surrounded by orange groves and watermills. The resorts are popular amongst younger tourists because of the superb nightlife they offer, but also with families wanting to enjoy a break on picturesque Mediterranean beaches. The beach areas are packed with restaurants, clubs, bars and even waterparks to keep you cool during the hot summer.

Hersonissos

Hersonissos is located on the North coast of Crete. The main city consists of several small villages and the main tourist destinations of Port Hersonissos, Anissaras and Old Hersonissos. Described as one of the more cosmopolitan destinations on Crete, Hersonissos has many late 20 th century restaurants, bars, clubs and hotels on the site of the ancient port, now the harbour area, which provide a healthy nightlife for younger visitors. An extensive and varied coastline provides every opportunity to enjoy the warm crystal clear waters and hot sandy beaches. Shopping is a popular pastime, with stores selling designer label clothing and original Greek jewellery open from 7am until 10pm seven days a week.

Aghios Nikolaos

Situated on the North East coast of Crete, Aghios Nikolaos is at the head of an olive grove passage carved through the mountains. Still a working port, Aghios Nikolaos provides a wealth of choice when it comes to hotels, bars and restaurants, complemented by a healthy nightlife. While its pebbled beaches are lapped up by the Mediterranean sea Aghios Nikolaos is not a quiet resort. Home to many boutiques and a weekly market it manages to cater for everyone.

Kavos

One of the loudest resorts on Corfu, Kavos is located in the South and has an impressive range of bars and clubs. The fast paced nightlife proves very popular with the younger tourist, whereas the five miles of sandy beaches and shallow warm water provide a safe haven for children swimming. Plenty of markets and souvenir shops provide a break from the beach.

Ipsos

Located in the North East of Corfu, Ipsos and the surrounding resorts cater almost exclusively to the young British market with their British style pubs, restaurants, clubs and bars. A narrow, shingle beach curves round the bay and is home to excellent watersports facilities, including water-skiing, paragliding and wind surfing, all under a baking Mediterranean sun.

Sidari

Situated on the North coast of Corfu, one of the islands fastest growing resorts Sidari has plenty of hotel and apartment accommodation on offer. Mainly catering for families, Sidari is made up from two villages and three sandstone cove filled beaches, rising into green hills and dipping into the clear Ioanian sea. A wide variety of water-sports activities are on offer, including water skiing, banana rides, paragliding, ringos and scuba diving. Further enhancing its reputation as a family resort many local bars and restaurants cater for children.

Paleokastritsa

The large resort of Paleokastritsa is located on the West coast of Corfu, an island to the North West of mainland Greece. Paleokastritsa is made up from six bays with sandy beaches, surrounded by green forests and olive trees rising into the hills above. A variety of different water-sports are available in the cool blue waters. Paleokastritsa is well known for its fresh lobster, caught from the West Ioanian sea and served up in the many tavernas scattered around the town. Rich with culture, A monastery dating from 1228 can be found about a mile from the beach and a medieval castle, Angelokastro, is situated on a hilltop overlooking the area.

Things to do

Beaches In Greece

Check out the Corfu, Lesvos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini and Sifnos Beaches for some of Greece’s best beaches.

Shopping In Greece

Shopping in Greece can be a memorable experience. Greek craftsmen are well known for producing fantastic jewelery. Gold, Diamonds and Opels are all used to create designs blending ancient and modern Greece. Good places to buy jewelery include Lalaounis in Mykonos, Kerkyra, Heraklion and Thesaloniki and Zolotas in Athens, Mykonos, Kerkyra and Rhodes. Leather is a popular trade too, tradesmen selling everything from sandals to handbags can be found all around Greece. Many antique stores also exist, with sculptors making copies of ancient statues, the best of which can be found in the Plaka area of Athens. Statues must have a government approved stamp citing them as copies, otherwise they could be confiscated at customs.

Sport In Greece

The Greek international football team were famously crowned European Champions after beating Portugal in the Euro 2004 finals and also hosted the 2004 Olympics. From watching a football match, fishing, diving and sailing in the warm clear waters around Greece, or hiking through the picturesque hills and mountains, Greece has something for you.

Culture In Greece

Greek culture is amongst the richest and most historic in the world, whether it be archeology, mythology, history or language. You’re never far from a real archeological masterpiece in Greece, The Acropolis in Athens, the working archeological site of Akrotiri in Santorini, The Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi, the third century theatre Epidaurus in Peloponnese and the archeological sites of Lesvos are only a few of the magnificent sites spread across the mainland and the islands.

Food In Greece

Greek food is a wonderful mix of oriental and European dishes, cooked using different methods. There are many places to eat out in Greece, with most tourist resorts offering European (British, French) dishes alongside more localised Greek dishes. Greek food is very much seasonal and prepared around different times of the year, such as Easter, Christmas and New Year.