Greece: Continental or island, discover Greece from every angle

☀️ When should you visit Greece?

Spring (mid-April to mid-June) is an ideal time to discover Greece: the climate is pleasant and the number of visitors is reasonable, even on the most touristy islands. The same applies to the off-season, from mid-September to October, when the sea is warmer but the days are shorter. Summer is the high season, when the weather is hot every day and the beaches are crowded, especially on the islands (but less so in Athens). The atmosphere is at its best. August represents a tourist peak, as Greeks take their holidays, and in winter the big Greek cities continue to live, while the countryside and islands doze off until spring.

👉 What are the formalities for entering Greece?

None, apart from remembering to bring your identity card or passport: Greece is a European Union country and part of the Schengen area.

How long can I stay in Greece?

Thanks to direct flights, it's perfectly possible to go to Greece for a week, or even for an extended weekend of visits to Athens. If you plan to combine Athens and several islands, it's best to extend your stay by 10 days to 2 weeks. The country, with its countless islands, is a very varied destination where you can easily travel for a month without getting bored.

⏰ Time difference with Greece

There's always a 1-hour difference between France and Greece: when it's 12pm in France, it's 1pm in Athens.

👉 Why go to Greece?

Greece combines many attractions, and has a strong tradition of hospitality, the famous philoxenia. You'll always feel welcome, even in the most popular destinations, and the delicious cuisine is a perfect complement.

A great cultural destination thanks to its ancient remains and museums, Greece also enjoys plenty of sunshine from April until late October. The country's various regions and archipelagos are far from homogenous: a trip to Crete, the Cyclades or Epirus will be a different experience every time.

🍴 Greece: what to eat (and drink)?

Greek cuisine is renowned, and rightly so: you can feast anywhere in Greece! The dishes are simple, often using local produce. It's worth noting that there's no hesitation in sharing starters in the form of mezzes, as well as all the dishes served at the table, Greek-style.

The menu specialities vary from region to region. Starters include Greek salad with feta, tzatziki, aubergine caviar, vine leaves and tarama, while main courses include moussaka, stuffed vegetables, souvlaki (kebabs), lamb chops, grilled fish, squid and octopus. In a really good restaurant, the dessert is on the house, watermelon, honey yoghurt or halva.

Greek wines are gaining in reputation, and you can never go without one of the house whites, served in jugs and by the kilo! Ouzo, strong and aniseed-flavoured, goes very well with seafood and small fried dishes.

🎁 What to bring back?

There are countless souvenirs to bring back from Greece, especially in the most touristy destinations such as Athens or Santorini (t-shirts, bags, sandals, pottery, jewellery, magnets, etc, etc...). Typical crafts include komboloi, the little rosaries that the elders handle all day long.

Local products are the most interesting to bring back: olive oil of course, but also Greek wine, ouzo, Greek coffee, aromatic herbs, etc....

🚌 Transport in Greece

In general, hiring a car, or even a scooter on the smaller islands, is the most practical way of getting around Greece. However, an excellent bus network (KTEL) serves the whole country and the islands well. Each locality has its own network. Trains are an option, mainly on the main Athens-Thessaloniki line.

Many connections are made by boat, particularly to the islands: there is generally a choice between the more expensive fast boats and the slower, cheaper ferries. Alternatively, there are many domestic flights to mainland and island Greece.

👉 Safety

Greece is a very safe country. In Athens, you'll need to be wary of pickpockets, around tourist sites and in the metro.