The Acropolis at golden hour, whitewashed villages above a blue sea, long lunches by the water. A place that has been welcoming travelers for thousands of years.
By the Global Escapes travel team · Updated
Ancient history around every corner, an easy rhythm to the days, and hosts who treat you like family by the second evening.
A first trip usually starts with a few days in Athens for the Acropolis and the city’s food scene, then heads out by ferry or a short flight to the Cyclades. Mykonos and Santorini are the classic pair, with Paros or Naxos as a slower, more local-feeling stop in between.
With a little more time, the mainland opens up: the Venetian streets of Nafplio and the ancient sites of the Peloponnese, the oracle at Delphi, the cliff-top monasteries of Meteora. Crete could fill a trip on its own, and green, gracious Corfu is an hour’s flight from Athens.
Early summer and early fall are the sweet spots: warm sea, long days and a little more breathing room. Midsummer is glorious and lively, and winter belongs to Athens and the mainland.
Peak season Shoulder season Low season
Approximate average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches.
April brings wildflowers and green hillsides, and Greek Orthodox Easter, the country’s biggest celebration, usually falls in April or early May. Island hotels open through April and May, the sea is still cool, and it’s a lovely time for Athens, Crete and the Peloponnese.
June through August is beach season, with long sunny days and warm water. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, and the dry north wind called the meltemi often blows through the Cyclades. We book the best island hotels well ahead.
September is a favorite: the sea is at its warmest, the summer rush eases, and the vineyards are harvesting. Early October is still lovely for swimming. Many island hotels close by late October, so we plan fall island trips with that in mind.
The islands go quiet and many hotels close, but Athens is in full swing, with uncrowded museums and festive streets in December. It’s a good season for the mainland, Crete and a city-and-history trip, with rain mostly falling from November to February.
The places our travelers love most, and what each one does best.
The Acropolis and its superb museum, the old lanes of Plaka, rooftop dinners facing the Parthenon, and an easy sunset drive to the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion.
Best for History, food, first and last nights
Cliff-top villages on the rim of a flooded volcano, with caldera-view suites, Bronze Age ruins at Akrotiri and crisp Assyrtiko wines from vineyards grown low against the wind.
Best for Honeymoons, views, wine
Whitewashed lanes, the windmills above Little Venice, stylish beach clubs and late dinners, plus a short boat ride to the sacred island of Delos.
Best for Beaches, nightlife, design hotels
Greece’s largest island: the Minoan palace at Knossos, Chania’s Venetian harbor, mountain gorges, wonderful food and polished resorts around Elounda.
Best for Families, food, a longer stay
The Cyclades at a gentler pace. Long sandy beaches and mountain villages on Naxos, and the pretty harbor town of Naoussa on Paros, with Antiparos a few minutes away.
Best for Families, beaches, island villages
Graceful Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece, with Mycenae, the ancient theater at Epidaurus and Olympia within reach, and beautiful resorts on the southwest coast.
Best for History, road trips, golf
Monasteries perched on towering rock pillars, paired with Delphi, the ancient oracle’s mountainside sanctuary. Two of Greece’s most memorable sights on one mainland journey.
Best for Second-timers, photographers
The green Ionian side of Greece: a Venetian old town, olive groves rolling down to coves, and an elegant, unhurried feel about an hour’s flight from Athens.
Best for Couples, multigenerational trips
Island-hopping by sea
Seeing the Greek islands from the water means unpacking once and waking up somewhere new. Small luxury ships from Silversea, Azamara, Explora Journeys and Regent Seven Seas sail the Aegean, often pairing Santorini and Mykonos with smaller islands, and some voyages add an overnight in port so you can stay ashore for dinner.
For a more private take, a crewed yacht charter lets you set the pace: a swim stop in a quiet cove, lunch at a harbor taverna, and an evening anchored off a village of your choosing. We match the boat and the crew to your group, and plan a few nights in Athens before or after.
Explore ocean and luxury cruisesThe small things that make a big difference once you land.
Fast ferries link the Cyclades all summer, with fuller schedules from May to October. Strong winds can delay sailings, so we leave a cushion before your flight home and book flights where they save real time.
Many island hotels and restaurants open around April or May and close by late October. Athens, Crete and the Peloponnese welcome visitors year-round.
The Acropolis uses timed-entry tickets. We book an early or late slot to skip the midday heat, and a private guide brings the stories to life.
Cards are widely accepted, and U.S. bank cards work at Greek ATMs. Keep a few euros for taxis and small tavernas. Rounding up or leaving 5 to 10 percent at restaurants is appreciated.
Meteora’s monasteries and many churches ask visitors to cover shoulders and knees. A light scarf or wrap in your day bag makes it easy.
For caldera-view rooms in Santorini or July and August on any island, the best hotels fill many months ahead. Spring and fall trips have a little more flexibility.
No. With a U.S. passport you can visit Greece and the rest of Europe’s Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your departure date. Europe’s Entry/Exit System now records non-EU travelers’ fingerprints and a photo at the border, and a separate online travel authorization, ETIAS, is expected to follow, so check current requirements before you travel. We’ll keep you posted.
For a 10 to 14 day trip, two or three islands plus a couple of nights in Athens is the sweet spot. Three or four nights on each island gives you time for a beach day, a boat day and a long dinner without feeling rushed.
Usually a mix. Fast ferries are the easiest way to hop around the Cyclades, while short flights from Athens make sense for Santorini, Mykonos, Crete and Corfu. We look at your route and book whichever saves the most time and stress.
From June into early October, with the warmest water in August and September. May and late October can be lovely for a quick, refreshing dip on a sunny afternoon.
Yes, and it’s a wonderful way to do it. Silversea, Azamara, Explora Journeys and Regent Seven Seas all sail the Greek islands, and a crewed private yacht is another option for families or friends traveling together. We often pair a sailing with a few nights in Athens.
Both. Santorini and Mykonos are classic honeymoon islands, while Crete, Naxos and Paros are relaxed and easy with children, with sandy beaches and plenty to explore. Greek hospitality makes every age feel welcome.
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