Greece Destination Guide - The Cradle of Western Civilisation

Greece, located in southern Europe, is the southernmost country on the Balkan Peninsula. It is home to over 2,000 islands and has the longest coastline in the Mediterranean, and the 11th longest in the world. Despite its extensive coastline, 80% of Greece is mountainous. Mythical Mount Olympus is the highest peak in Greece, standing at almost 3,000 m. These geographical features forced the ancient Greeks to focus their expansion towards the sea. A mighty maritime nation, Greeks settled many colonies throughout the Mediterranean. They established trade connections with Africa and Asia and created some of the earliest naval charts and maps known today. Ancient Greeks were spread across various independent city-states, known as polis. The most prominent and most influential were the city-states of Athens and Sparta. Often referred to as the cradle of Western civilisation, ancient Greece is home to some of the most brilliant political, philosophical, architectural, cultural and military minds in all of human history.

Unwind on your dream Greek holiday

Greece is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, attracting millions of tourists each year. You can enjoy a warm Mediterranean climate, breathtaking coastlines and beautiful islands. Greek islands like Santorini or Mykonos are world-renowned for their natural beauty, touted as some of the most beautiful islands in the world. Sailing enthusiasts from around the world flock to these islands wanting to explore them. The Greek capital of Athens is home to some breathtaking ancient architecture. The city is dominated by the imposing Parthenon, sitting on the Acropolis of Athens. There are 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece, illustrating the historical and cultural significance of this Mediterranean country.     

Soak up the beautiful weather in Greece

Greece has a Mediterranean climate, featuring mild winters and hot and dry summers. The climate in Greece is influenced by its mountainous interior, which shapes the weather on the coast. Areas to the west of The Pindus mountain tend to be wetter than those lying to the east of the range. Average summer temperatures on the coast exceed 30 °C. The mix of low rainfall and high temperatures create ideal conditions for a perfect summer holiday.  

Take advantage of the many things to do in Greece

It is impossible to remain indifferent when visiting the mythical country of Greece. Visiting the landmarks and museums in the capital city of Athens will open your eyes to all the impressive feats of the ancient Greeks. Exploring their rich history will make you understand why Greece is considered to be the cradle of Western civilisation. Travelling across the country, you will happen upon archaeological sites, monuments and shrines dedicated to the Greek gods. Thousands of stunning islands scattered across the beautiful blue sea will enthral anyone looking for a perfect summer vacation. 

Some of Greece's most famous destinations include:

Athens

The capital of Greece and one of the oldest and most famous cities in the world. This ancient and magnificent city boasts a long and significant history and is considered a cultural capital of the world. Visit the Acropolis or some of the many museums in the city to truly understand the significance of Greek heritage. Athens is also an ideal spot to experience traditional Greek cuisine with many authentic restaurants and taverns scattered across the city.

Meteora

The Meteora is an impressive rock formation located in central Greece, near the town of Kalambaka. Visiting here you will find six, out of the original twenty-four, monasteries, built on impressive natural pillars and huge boulders that tower over the local area. Meteora is one of the largest complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in the world and is a marvel of engineering and construction. The site is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List.  

Santorini

The world-famous island of Santorini is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago, which bears the same name and was heavily shaped by volcanic activity. Santorini is the site of the Minoan eruption, considered to be one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history, which occurred some 3,600 years ago. Today, Santorini is world-famous for its colourful architecture, volcanic rocks and beautiful sea, attracting tourists and sailing enthusiasts from all over the world.  

Crete

The Greek island of Crete is a mythical place, with a rich history and spectacular natural beauty. Crete sits in the Aegean Sea and is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean with a 1,000 km long coastline. The island boasts rich cultural heritage, due to the Minoans, considered to be Europe's first advanced civilisation, who ruled the island from 2700 to 1420 BC. The palace of Knossos, a Bronze Age settlement and ancient Minoan city, lies in Heraklion in Crete and is definitely one of the places definitely worth visiting while on the island. Sailing enthusiasts will appreciate beautiful coves and bays, sheltering some spectacular beaches.

Thessaloniki

Greek city of Thessaloniki is located 520 km north of Athens and is the second-largest city in Greece. The city sits on the Thermaic Gulf, in the northwestern part of the Aegean Sea. It was founded in the 4th century BC, making it an old city with a rich history. An important city in the Roman period, Thessaloniki was the wealthiest and the second largest city of the Byzantine Empire. Here you can explore impressive archaeological sites and landmarks, from the Roman and Byzantine era. Thessaloniki is also home to the Aristotle University, the largest university both in Greece and the Balkans. 

Mykonos

The island of Mykonos sits in the southern part of the Aegean Sea and is a part of the Cyclades island group. It is a very popular among tourists, known for its vibrant nightlife. The island has a rich selection of exciting nightclubs and quality restaurants. Also known as the "island of winds", it has dozens of windmills located throughout the island. Due to those winds, Mykonos is a popular sailing destination, attracting sailing enthusiasts from all over the world.

Delphi

Delphi is the ancient sanctuary of enormous significance to ancient Greeks and an extensive archaeological site sitting on the southwestern slope of Mount Parnassus. Delphi was considered to be the centre of the world by the ancient Greeks. Various monuments built there through the ages tell us of the importance of this mythical place to the Greeks. Today, the site is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and attracts huge crowds of visitors.

Relax at one of the best beaches in Greece

Greece is famous for its spectacular sandy beaches, often located in the most beautiful coves.

Super Paradise Beach - Mykonos

Located on the island of Mykonos, the Super Paradise Beach is an aptly named beach situated in a broad sandy bay. Swimming and diving in the stunning turquoise sea is a guaranteed way to fall in love with this place. 

Glyfada Beach - Corfu

Glyfada beach lies on the western coast of the island of Corfu, located in the Ionian sea. The beach is well suited to families looking for a fun day out at the beach. You can enjoy water sports, sunbathing and the local restaurants. As the sun sets, Glyfada attracts younger crowds and becomes a hotspot for beach parties hosted at local beach bars. 

Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) - Zakynthos

This surreal beach, located on the Ionian island of Zakynthos, looks like something out of a Hollywood movie. Remains of the beached ship in a secluded cove, surrounded by sharp cliffs and turquoise sea, paint an unforgettable picture. The name of the beach, Navagio, means shipwreck in Greek and tells the story of the MV Panagiotis. A ship that was smuggling cigarettes ran aground due to mechanical failure and foul weather in 1980. Today, this beach attracts thousands of curious tourists eager to snap a selfie. 

Elafonisi beach - Crete

Although Elafonisi Beach is located on Greece's biggest island, Crete, this pristine beach looks like it should be somewhere in the Caribbean. Fine, milky white sand tinted pink at the shoreline thanks to millions of tiny seashells and crystal clear blue sea create a beautiful sight. Elfaonisi is actually an island divided from the mainland by a shallow lagoon and a sandbar, perfect for an unforgettable day under the sun. 

Myrtos Beach - Kefalonia

Another spectacular-looking sandy beach, Myrtos sits on the Ionian island of Kefalonia. Tall cliffs engulf white shores that touch the spectacular blue sea. The beach is a popular all-day destination for families and groups of friends, some staying late to witness a most beautiful sunset.

Red Beach - Santorini

Red Beach is located on the southern coast of the charming Greek island of Santorini and is undoubtedly the most famous beach on the island. Here you will find a unique combination of colours, dominated by red volcanic rocks. Enjoy a day exploring this otherworldly landscape and its beauty.