Greece
Ancient sites on the mainland, island ferries across the Aegean, and mountain villages in between.
How many days do you need in Greece?
Ten days suits a first trip: two or three nights in Athens, then two islands in one group, such as Naxos and Santorini in the Cyclades, joined by ferry. A week covers Athens and a single island well. Two weeks adds the mainland, with Delphi and Meteora by road, or the Peloponnese loop through Nafplio, Mycenae and Olympia. Crete alone can fill a week.
How do you get around Greece?
Ferries carry most island trips. Boats to the Cyclades leave Piraeus all year and Rafina in summer, but from November to March there are far fewer sailings and most high-speed boats are laid up. In July and August the meltemi, a strong north wind, can cancel catamarans for a day or more. On the mainland and on Crete a hire car is the practical choice, and domestic flights link Athens to the larger islands.
When is the best time to visit Greece?
May, June, September and early October are the most comfortable months: the sea is warm, the sites are open long hours and the islands are fully running. July and August bring the most ferries and the most heat, with Athens averaging highs near 33°C, and the Acropolis has closed at midday during heatwaves. From November to March many island hotels and tavernas shut, while Athens, Thessaloniki and the mainland stay open.
Is English widely spoken in Greece?
Yes. Greek is the official language and the Greek alphabet is used on most signs, with Latin transliterations on main roads, at stations and in the tourist towns. The EF English Proficiency Index for 2025 ranks Greece 20th of 123 countries, in its high band, with Athens and Thessaloniki scoring higher still. English is standard in hotels, on ferries and at the major sites.
What currency does Greece use?
The euro. Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere in Athens, Thessaloniki and the larger islands, including most tavernas and shops. Cash machines are easy to find in towns and ports, though a small island may have only one or two. Some cash helps at kiosks, village cafés and remote beaches.
Where do you fly into Greece?
Athens International is the main gateway, with a record 34 million passengers in 2025, and metro line 3 reaches Syntagma in the city centre in about 40 minutes. Heraklion on Crete handled 10 million and Thessaloniki 8 million. In summer, Rhodes, Corfu, Chania, Santorini, Mykonos, Zakynthos and Kefalonia take direct flights from much of Europe, which saves a ferry or a connection through Athens.
