Holidays in Greece 2024/2025

The Greek islands certainly have their fair share of stunning beaches but its landscapes are far more diverse than just its golden strips of sand. Every island is blessed with its own distinct natural character, each one as charming as the next.

On Crete, golden beaches skirt its fringes but head inland and you're treated to a mix of snow-dusted mountains, wildflower-speckled hills and sweeping valleys that have been ruled by several different empires, from the Minoans to the Venetians and Byzantines.

As well as its cobalt-blue domes and whitewashed villages, Santorini is famous for its blackened volcanic scenery, best explored by the many hiking trails that weave along its lava cliffs and charcoal-hued rocky interior. It's a peculiar otherworldly landscape that provides pure drama but views of its caldera – it sank into the sea after an eruption about 400 years ago – and the surrounding Aegean Sea are nothing short of breathtaking. The two islets in the centre of the caldera, Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni, are well worth a visit on a boat trip, the latter known for its hot springs.

This probably won't come as a surprise, but Greeks love their food and drink. They're extremely proud of their cuisine and there are plenty of opportunities to try it for yourself on a holiday to Greece. Cretans are known for having one of the healthiest diets in the world, partly thanks to the locals' farm-to-fork philosophy. Many of the fruits, vegetables and herbs that make their way into dishes have been picked by locals from the hillside, while every village has its own recipe for olive oil and cheese. Being an island, fresh seafood caught off the coast features prominently on menus, too.

Santorini's volcanic history has left behind an island blessed with rich, fertile soils that have produced some unique foods that you can't find anywhere else. Vegetables like the Santorini tomato and white aubergine are exclusively grown here and must-try dishes include fava (yellow split-pea purée), ntomatokeftedes (tomato fritters) and apochti (cured pork carpaccio). To wash them all down, you should tap into the island's reputation for fine winemaking. On the face of it, Santorini doesn't look a particularly hospitable place for grape-growing but it's one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world. The grapevines themselves (assyrtiko being the most famous variety) are cleverly manipulated to grow in the shape of a basket so the fruit is protected from strong winds and the baking sun. The results are delicious and you can't leave the island without trying a glass of vinsanto, its iconic dessert wine.

The Mediterranean is one of the best places in the world for a fiery sunset and out of everywhere in this wonderful region, Greece's islands trump the lot. Santorini arguably has the best, especially from the village of Imerovigli, which is located at the highest point of the island. You can watch on as the sun sinks into the Aegean Sea, with pinks, oranges, yellows and crimsons splashed across the sky and sea. Crete and Mykonos also boasts stunning sunsets, which you can witness from your suite's terrace, local beach or your hotel's cocktail bar. Whatever the setting, they'll be special.

There are around 6,000 Greek islands scattered around the Aegean and Ionian seas (both of which are part of the Mediterranean), with only 227 of them inhabited. We sell three of the most beautiful: Crete, Santorini and Mykonos.

The time difference is GMT +2 hours.

Greece can be found in the south-eastern corner of Europe and borders several countries, including Albania, Bulgaria and Turkey. Its islands are scattered all over the Mediterranean Sea, with Crete the southernmost of them all.

Even though Greek is the native language in Greece, most locals can speak English very well. Even though you will easily get by with English, we'd certainly suggest learning so friendly Greek phrases to use during your holiday!

There are direct flights from London to the Greek islands of Crete, Santorini and Mykonos. The average flight time is around four hours.

The currency is the Euro.

Weather-wise, May to September is the best time to visit Greece. We'd recommend travelling outside the peak season in July and August if you can and in May, June or September you can see its islands at their very best with thinner crowds. April and October are the beginning and end of Greece's traditional tourist season and are excellent times to visit: the weather is still warm and places are much quieter. See our full weather guide and chart above.

British passport holders don't need a visa to visit Greece.