From the ancient ruins of Athens to the turquoise waters of the Cyclades, Greece offers a captivating blend of history, mythology and Mediterranean charm.
Greece combines an exceptional historical heritage with idyllic island landscapes, vibrant culture and gastronomy that ranks among the Mediterranean’s finest.
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November
In november, the climate in Greece is undefined. The weather is generally undefined, with maximum temperatures around 17°C and about 10 rainy days. The sea reaches 18°C. Tourist crowds are low.
In May, Crete enjoys 23 to 24°C in the afternoon, 2 to 4 days of rain across the month and a sea that warms from about 17°C to 21°C. Samaria Gorge (15 km, €10) opens depending on the state of the trail: on 19 May in 2026. The boats to Balos (€40 + €1 tax) are running again, and Knossos and Spinalonga (€20) are open. Car hire costs around €30 to €55 a day.
In April, Heraklion sees around 20°C in the afternoon and 13°C at night, 24 mm of rain over 6 days and a sea at 17 to 18°C. Spinalonga reopens on 1 April (€20), but the Samaria Gorge stays closed until May. Orthodox Easter falls on 2 May in 2027 and 16 April in 2028: the Epitaphios on Friday evening, “Christos Anesti” at midnight on Saturday, lamb on Sunday.
Piraeus is linked to Heraklion up to 5 times a day in summer (Minoan Lines, ANEK Superfast, Seajets) and to Chania (Souda port) 1 to 2 times a day, taking 8 to 9.5 hours overnight or around 7h50 on a Seajets fast boat. Tickets from €33, a double cabin roughly €100 to €170 per person, a car about €100 to €300. Sitia and Kissamos: only 2 sailings a week.
Three civil airports today: Heraklion (HER, 5 km from the centre, about 10 million passengers in 2025), Chania (CHQ, 14 km, almost 4 million) and Sitia (JSH, domestic flights). City bus into Heraklion from €1.30, KTEL bus to Chania for €2.50, taxis around €15 to €35. The new Kastelli airport (3,200 m runway, about 15 million passengers) is aiming for 2028 and will replace Heraklion.
Between Ano Zakros and the sea, the Valley of the Dead takes 1.5 to 3 hours to walk down depending on where you start, on a waymarked stretch of the E4 with no technical difficulty (100 to 150 m of descent within the gorge). At the bottom: the Minoan palace of Zakros (€10, €5 concessions), the pebble beach and the tavernas of Kato Zakros. Sitia is about 38 km away, Agios Nikolaos almost 2 hours by road, and you get back on foot, by taxi or by bus depending on the day.
Richtis Gorge is a waymarked trail of about 3 km, running from the Lachanas bridge near Exo Mouliana down to a pebble beach, with 350 m of height difference. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the waterfall (15 to 20 m depending on the source) and 3 to 4 hours for the full return hike. Small cash entry fee, about 15 km from Sitia and 50 km from Agios Nikolaos.
Crete stretches for 260 km: Chania and Heraklion are about 2 hrs 30 apart by road, Kissamos and Sitia more than 5 hours. One base is enough for a week, two beyond 10 days. Expect around €70 to €120 a night in summer for a simple room, €120 to €250 for somewhere with charm, plus a tax of €2 to €15 a night from April to October. Region by region: who it suits, pros and limits.
From November to March, Heraklion sees highs of 20°C in November, then 15 to 17°C, 6 to 10 rainy days a month and a sea that drops to 16°C. Knossos and the Heraklion museum (€20 each) stay open with reduced hours, Spinalonga and Samaria close, the climate tax falls to €0.50 to €4 a night and flights often go via Athens (a 50-minute domestic flight).
A protected village of 197 people (2021 census) set at 320 m in a valley of olive groves, Fourni lies about 11 km from Elounda, 17 km from Agios Nikolaos, 7 km from Neapoli and 52 km from Heraklion airport. Tavernas, kafeneia, a dozen churches and monasteries nearby and cooler nights than on the coast: a quiet base for Spinalonga and Mirabello Bay, as long as you have a car.
Flights from €150 (June) to €400 (August) per person from Paris, a small car for €30 to €90 a day, fuel at €2.20 a litre, a climate tax of €2 to €15 a night, Knossos and the Heraklion museum at €20 each: here is the 2026 Crete budget item by item, with three traveller profiles and a 7-day trip for two costed at about €2,600 in June, €3,650 in August and €2,500 in October.
In 7 days, half the island: the west (Chania, Balos, Elafonisi, Loutro) or the centre and east (Knossos, Spinalonga, Lassithi). In 10 days, 4 bases from Chania to Elounda. In 14 days, 286 km from west to east as far as Sitia, with 3 nights in Lassithi. Day-by-day tables with distances and driving times, entry fees from €3 to €20, Samaria at €10 from May to October.
In 1960, 686 men from 11 Cretan villages joined the Seven Countries Study: 25 years later, their coronary death rate was the lowest of all 16 cohorts (25 per 1,000, against 268 in eastern Finland). This guide covers PDO olive oil from Sitia and Kolymvari, 12 dishes and where they come from, raki (38 to 45% alcohol, no aniseed), the kazanemata from October to December, tipping and the markets.
Greece is far more than a beach destination. Cradle of Western civilisation, it offers a unique blend of ancient heritage, Mediterranean landscapes and generous gastronomy. Every island, every village holds a millennia-old story woven into a vibrant, warm contemporary culture.
Whether you are passionate about archaeology, a lover of paradise beaches or simply an epicurean seeking authentic flavours, Greece will seduce you with the diversity of its experiences. The country has over 6,000 islands and islets, of which around 200 are inhabited: each with its own character.
Visa & formalities
A trip to Greece can take a thousand different forms depending on your desires. Here are the stages that make up a memorable itinerary, from major archaeological sites to the secret beaches of the Cyclades.
Santorini is undoubtedly the most iconic image of Greece: white houses with blue domes perched on the edge of a volcanic caldera, facing a legendary sunset. But the Cyclades archipelago is far more than this postcard. Naxos charms with its endless beaches and mountain villages, Paros with its laid-back atmosphere and Milos with its spectacular rock formations.
To avoid the summer crowds, visit in May-June or September-October. You will enjoy exceptional light, pleasant temperatures and lower prices on accommodation and ferries.
The Greek capital deserves far more than a simple stopover before the islands. The Acropolis and the Parthenon have dominated the city for 2,500 years, but Athens is also a vibrant metropolis where street art rubs shoulders with ancient ruins. The neighbourhood of Pláka, with its cobbled lanes and tavernas, offers an immersion in traditional Greece, while Exárcheia and Psyrrí reveal the alternative, creative face of the city.
Tip: Acropolis combo ticket
Greece’s largest island, Crete is a world unto itself. The Samaria Gorge (16 km of spectacular hiking), the pink sands of Elafonissi, the Balos lagoon and the ruins of the Palace of Knossos make for an extraordinarily varied trip. Cretan cuisine, recognised as one of the healthiest in the world thanks to the Cretan Mediterranean diet, is reason enough to visit the island.
Often overlooked in favour of the islands, the Peloponnese is a treasure for lovers of history and nature. Olympia (birthplace of the Olympic Games), Mycenae (the Lion Gate), Epidaurus (a theatre with perfect acoustics) and the charming town of Nafplio dot this peninsula of unmatched archaeological richness. The wild coastline of Laconia and the stone villages of the Mani offer an authentic Greece, far from mass tourism.
The ferry network is the most pleasant and practical way to travel between the islands. Companies Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets and Hellenic Seaways run regular services, especially in high season. Book in advance for popular routes like Piraeus-Santorini or Mykonos-Naxos.
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Greece remains an affordable destination compared to other Southern European countries, even though prices have risen in recent years on the most popular islands. An average budget of €80 to €120 per day per person is realistic for a comfortable trip, including accommodation, meals and activities.
| Category | Budget | Comfort | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation / night | €30-50 | €70-150 | €200+ |
| Meals / day | €15-25 | €30-50 | €60+ |
| Inter-island transport | €20-40 | €40-70 | €100+ (speed boat) |
| Sites & activities / day | €10-15 | €20-40 | €50+ |
| Total / day / person | €75-130 | €160-310 | €410+ |
Budget tip
Greek cuisine is a celebration of simplicity and quality ingredients. Olive oil, feta, sun-ripened tomatoes, aromatic herbs and freshly caught fish form the basis of a gastronomy inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage list. Every meal in Greece is a moment of sharing: you order together, you pick from dishes placed in the centre of the table.
Greece is an ideal destination for families. Greeks adore children, and most restaurants and hotels are family-friendly. The shallow beaches of the Cyclades and Crete are perfect for little ones, while teenagers will enjoy watersports and interactive archaeological visits.
Opt for islands like Naxos or Paros for a family stay: accessible sandy beaches, quiet villages and well-developed tourist infrastructure without the frenzy of Mykonos or Santorini in high summer.
While the Cyclades monopolise attention, Greece hides equally fascinating archipelagos. The Ionian Islands (Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada) offer lush vegetation and Venetian influences. The Dodecanese (Rhodes, Kos, Patmos) combine stunning beaches with the heritage of the Knights of St John. As for the Sporades (Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos), they offer pine forests tumbling into emerald waters: the setting of the film Mamma Mia!
Our recommendation
If Greece appeals to you, you will probably enjoy our guides on other Mediterranean jewels: Italy and its Renaissance treasures, Malta and its megalithic temples, or France and the Côte d’Azur. For a more radical change of scenery, explore Thailand or Japan.
May-June and September-October offer ideal weather (25-28°C), fewer tourists and more affordable prices. July and August are very hot (33°C+) with heavy crowds on popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos.
Allow at least 10 days to combine Athens (2-3 days) and 2-3 Cycladic islands. To include Crete or the Peloponnese, plan 2-3 weeks. A 7-day trip works well for a single island or the mainland highlights.
EU and Schengen-area citizens only need a valid ID card or passport. Canadian and American citizens can stay up to 90 days without a visa. Greece is part of the Schengen Area.
Ferries are the most common and economical way. Companies like Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets and Hellenic Seaways run regular routes. Domestic flights with Aegean Airlines also connect major islands.
Budget 80-120 EUR per day per person for a comfortable trip (mid-range accommodation, taverna meals, activities). The most popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos are 30-50% more expensive than lesser-known ones.
Absolutely. Greeks love children and the infrastructure is very family-friendly. Islands like Naxos or Paros have sandy beaches with shallow waters, quiet villages and relaxed pace: ideal for families.
Folegandros, Amorgos, Sifnos, Karpathos and the Dodecanese islands (Astypalea, Tilos) remain relatively unspoiled while offering stunning landscapes and authentic local culture.
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