Plaka Walk in Athens
Stroll the lanes of Plaka below the Acropolis, with neoclassical houses, tavernas and souvenir shops.
Greece sits at the southern tip of the Balkans in southeastern Europe, where a mountainous mainland meets the Aegean and Ionian seas and thousands of islands. Its history stretches back more than 3,000 years, from the Minoan palaces of Crete to the temples of Classical Athens and the Byzantine monasteries of Meteora.
Today travellers come for the Acropolis and the oracle of Delphi, the whitewashed villages and sunsets of Santorini, the beaches and nightlife of Mykonos, and the beaches, gorges and harbours of Crete. Add warm hospitality, fresh Mediterranean food and easy island hopping, and Greece makes a memorable holiday for couples, families and friends.
Walk among the temples of the Acropolis, the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi and the Minoan palace of Knossos in Crete.
Hop by ferry between the Cyclades, from the volcanic cliffs of Santorini to the windmills of Mykonos and the white rocks of Milos.
Caldera-view hotels, blue-domed churches and famous sunsets make Santorini one of the world's favourite honeymoon islands.
Enjoy moussaka, souvlaki, Greek salad, fresh seafood and local wine, with plenty of vegetarian dishes on every menu.
Swim in clear turquoise water at beaches such as Balos in Crete, Sarakiniko in Milos and the sandy coves of Mykonos.
Santorini's whitewashed villages cling to the rim of a flooded volcanic caldera. Watch the sunset from Oia, walk the cliff path from Fira to Imerovigli, sail to the volcano and see the dramatic cliffs of the Red Beach.
*Santorini is busiest from June to September, and Oia's sunset viewpoints fill up early. April, May and October are quieter.
Mykonos pairs golden beaches and lively beach clubs with a maze-like old town of whitewashed lanes, sunset bars in Little Venice and the landmark windmills of Kato Mili. Boats also run to the ancient sacred island of Delos nearby.
Greece's largest island combines the Minoan palace of Knossos near Heraklion, the Venetian harbour of Chania, the turquoise lagoon of Balos and mountain hikes such as the Samaria Gorge, with excellent Cretan food throughout.
*Crete is a large island; allow at least three to four days to see both Heraklion and Chania.
Stroll the lanes of Plaka below the Acropolis, with neoclassical houses, tavernas and souvenir shops.
Watch the Evzones in traditional uniform change guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square.
Sail across the caldera to walk on the Nea Kameni volcano and swim in the warm springs of Palea Kameni.
Combine two or three islands by ferry, such as Naxos, Paros, Mykonos and Santorini in the Cyclades.
Swim among the smooth white volcanic rocks of Sarakiniko on the island of Milos.
Taste crisp Assyrtiko wines at a Santorini winery, where vines are woven into low baskets to shelter them from the wind.
Visit Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece, with its old town, seafront and hilltop Palamidi fortress.
*Greece offers a rare mix of ancient history, island beaches, great food and romance — perfect for honeymooners, families and groups alike.
Greeks are known for philoxenia, a warm welcome for guests. Join locals for Orthodox Easter, the biggest festival of the year with candlelit midnight services and processions, dance at a summer village panigyri with live music, enjoy an evening of bouzouki music in a taverna and watch traditional dances performed in regional costume.
Greece can be visited all year, but the best months are April to June and September to October, when days are warm, the sea is pleasant for swimming and the sites are less crowded. July and August are hot and busy. From November to March many island hotels close and ferry services are reduced, while Athens, Crete and the mainland stay open for sightseeing.
Greece has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Summer temperatures often reach 30°C to 35°C or more, especially in Athens, while winter days in Athens are usually around 10°C to 15°C, with snow in the northern mountains.
Peak Season: June to September, when the islands are at their liveliest and the sea is warmest.
Off-Peak Season: November to March, a quiet time for Athens, Delphi and Meteora, with fewer crowds and lower hotel rates.
Greek food is built on olive oil, fresh vegetables, herbs, cheese and seafood. Try layered moussaka, gyros and souvlaki wrapped in pita, a classic Greek salad with feta and crisp spanakopita spinach pie, along with tzatziki, grilled octopus and honey-soaked loukoumades. Vegetarians are well served with dishes such as gemista, fasolada and fava, and Athens has a few Indian restaurants.
Athens is the main gateway to Greece, with non-stop and one-stop flights from India. From Athens, ferries and short domestic flights connect the islands, while roads and rail link the mainland sights.
IndiGo flies non-stop from Mumbai and Delhi to Athens in around 7 to 8 hours. One-stop connections via Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and other hubs are available from most major Indian cities.
Greece is part of the Schengen Area, so Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa. Apply well before travel and check current requirements; we assist with visa applications.
Ferries from Piraeus and Rafina serve the islands, and domestic flights reach Santorini, Mykonos and Crete in under an hour. In Athens, the metro links the airport to the city centre, and trains run to Kalambaka for Meteora.
April to June and September to October are ideal, with warm weather, swimmable seas and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy, while winter suits Athens and the mainland sights.
Yes. IndiGo operates non-stop flights to Athens from Mumbai and Delhi. Travellers from other cities can connect via these flights or via Gulf hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.
Yes. Greece is in the Schengen Area, so Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa. Requirements can change, so check them before you travel; we assist with visa applications.
Allow 6 to 7 days for Athens plus Santorini and Mykonos, and 10 days or more to add Crete, Meteora or Delphi.
Ferries connect the islands with Piraeus and Rafina near Athens. High-speed ferries reach Santorini in about 5 hours, and short domestic flights are also available to the larger islands.
Yes. Santorini's caldera-view hotels and sunsets, Mykonos' beaches and the quieter islands make Greece one of the world's most popular honeymoon destinations.
Delphi is about 180 km from Athens and makes an easy day trip. Meteora is about 350 km away, so it is best visited on an overnight trip by road or by train to Kalambaka.
Greek is the official language, and English is widely spoken in hotels and tourist areas. The currency is the euro, and cards are accepted in most places.
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