Planning a holiday to Greece?
Planning a holiday to Greece? Read some guides to the best regions, with expert advice on the islands, including Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete and Corfu, and the mainland, including the Peloponnese and Northern Greece.
A helpful library of guides & brochures provided by the Greek National Tourism Organization
The lesser-visited Northeast Aegean islands centre on Mytilini Lesbos, where anise-flavoured ouzo comes from, and Chios, with its medieval villages and mastic trees. The biggest Greek island, Crete, stands on its own, rising proudly from the Libyan Sea and facing towards North Africa. Its main entry points are Heraklion and Chania. The only islands that are not accessible by boat from Piraeus are the lush green Ionian islands, with most people’s favourite being Corfu. The Ionians tend to be favoured by British holiday makers (and Italians in August), and cover a broad spectrum from the budget to the luxury markets. They also have some outstanding beaches.
Wherever you go, you are more or less guaranteed warm, sunny days and balmy nights from June through to September. Like other Mediterranean countries, Greece sees its peak tourist season in the hottest months, July and August. If you want to avoid the crowds, and the heat, try to visit in June or September, when the sea is warm enough to swim, the hotels and restaurants open for business, but the locals not too fazed by the onslaught of holiday makers.
Jane Foster