What awaits travelers in Greece?
Greece combines the Acropolis in Athens with over 6,000 islands and islets across the Aegean and Ionian Seas, of which around 200 are inhabited. Travelers who want to combine the mainland and islands usually start in Athens and take a ferry or domestic flight from there to Santorini, Mykonos, Crete or Rhodes.
Two large areas define the country: the mainland with Athens, Thessaloniki, Delphi, Meteora and the Peloponnese peninsula, and the island world with the Cyclades around Santorini and Mykonos, the Dodecanese around Rhodes, Crete and the Ionian Islands around Corfu. This page covers Athens and Thessaloniki in detail and the major islands as a supplement.
This page summarizes regions, best time to visit, entry requirements and health information (as of September 2026), plus the advisories from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA for Swiss, German and Austrian nationals.
Sources: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
What kind of destination is Greece?
Greece is the cradle of European antiquity: Athens was the center of classical philosophy and democracy, and Delphi was considered the navel of the ancient world. At the same time it is an island nation whose daily life is shaped by ferry schedules, summer heat and a centuries-old Greek Orthodox tradition.
Politically, Greece is a parliamentary republic with 13 regions; culturally, its history spans the Minoan and Mycenaean Bronze Age, classical antiquity and the Byzantine Empire, through roughly 400 years of Ottoman rule that still shows in architecture, music and cuisine in many places.
The Greek Orthodox Church shapes the calendar of festivals and everyday life: Easter is the most important holiday of the year, often falling one to five weeks apart from the Western Easter date because the Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar for religious holidays.
The daily rhythm is Mediterranean: dinner is often not until after 9 pm, smaller towns have a midday lull in the early afternoon, while the tourist resorts on the islands have a long nightlife in summer.
Sources: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
Which regions of Greece are worth visiting?
Athens is the starting point for most trips, with the Acropolis and the port of Piraeus serving as the gateway to the islands. Thessaloniki in the north is the starting point for Chalkidiki and Meteora; the Cyclades around Santorini and Mykonos, the Dodecanese around Rhodes, Crete and the Ionian Islands around Corfu form the major island worlds.
Athens
Athens has been the capital of the modern Greek state since 1834, but has been continuously inhabited since the Neolithic period. The Acropolis with the Parthenon has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987; below it lies the old town of Plaka with alleys dating from the Ottoman era. From the port of Piraeus, the country's largest ferry port, boats sail to the Saronic Islands, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese and other Aegean destinations.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki, often called the "Bride of the North," was founded in 315 BC and was for centuries one of the most important cities of the Byzantine Empire. The city's paleochristian and Byzantine monuments, including the Hagia Sophia and several early churches, have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988; the roughly 5 km-long waterfront promenade leads to the White Tower, the city's landmark.
Meteora and Delphi
Meteora, about 350 km northwest of Athens, features monasteries perched on narrow sandstone rocks, settled by hermits from the 11th century onward and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. Delphi, about 180 km northwest of Athens on Mount Parnassus, was the most important oracle site of antiquity, a religious center of ancient Greece, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Cyclades: Santorini and Mykonos
Santorini is what remains of a collapsed volcano whose last major eruption around 3,600 years ago destroyed the island's Minoan culture; the towns of Oia and Fira sit on the caldera rim about 300 m above the sea. Mykonos is known for its windmills, white alleys and beach clubs; the crossing from Piraeus takes roughly 2.5 to over 5 hours depending on the type of vessel.
Crete, Rhodes and the Ionian Islands
Crete, the largest Greek island, was the center of Minoan culture, home to the Palace of Knossos near Heraklion. Rhodes in the Dodecanese has the medieval old town of the Knights of St. John, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 and one of the best-preserved knights' towns in Europe. Corfu in the Ionian Sea rounds out the island world with its Venetian-influenced old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007.
Peloponnese
On the Peloponnese peninsula lies Olympia, host of the ancient Olympic Games from 776 BC to 393 AD and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989, along with the ancient theater of Epidaurus and the ruined city of Mycenae with its famous Lion Gate.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Destinations
Regions with their own page
Islands and regions
- Island GroupDodecaneseThe Dodecanese is a group of twelve larger islands plus numerous smaller ones in the far southeastern Aegean, closer to the Turkish coast than to…
- Island GroupIonian IslandsThe Ionian Islands lie off the west coast of Greece between Albania and the Peloponnese and, thanks to their dense vegetation, are considered the…
- IslandCreteAt around 8,340 km², Crete is the largest Greek island and the cradle of Minoan civilization, whose six palatial centres around Knossos have been…
- Island GroupCycladesThe Cyclades are around 30 islands in the central Aegean, named after the circle (Greek «kyklos») they form around the sacred island of Delos.
- Island GroupNorth AegeanThe islands of the North Aegean, above all Lesbos, Chios, Samos and Limnos, lie close to the Turkish coast and far from the major Cyclades routes.
- Island GroupSporadesThe Sporades are a small, densely forested island group in the western Aegean off the coast of Thessaly: Skiathos with its sandy beaches, Skopelos…
When is the best time to visit Greece?
May/June and September/October are best for Athens, Thessaloniki and the islands: warm but not as hot as midsummer, and with more stable ferry service than in winter. In July and August, temperatures on the mainland regularly climb above 33°C, while ferry frequency between the islands is at its highest.
Station data show Athens and Thessaloniki with dry, hot summers and milder, rainier winters, typically Mediterranean. Athens reaches highs of around 33°C in July with almost no rainfall, while Thessaloniki sees noticeably more rain in November and December than in summer.
Athens and Thessaloniki throughout the year
| Athen | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 14 | 15 | 17 | 22 | 26 | 31 | 34 | 34 | 30 | 24 | 20 | 16 |
| Low °C | 7 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 16 | 13 | 9 |
| Rainfall mm | 66 | 58 | 53 | 30 | 21 | 20 | 11 | 8 | 29 | 49 | 69 | 86 |
| Thessaloniki | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 10 | 13 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 28 | 22 | 17 | 12 |
| Low °C | 2 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
| Rainfall mm | 47 | 38 | 48 | 40 | 46 | 38 | 29 | 24 | 47 | 51 | 44 | 64 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station ATHINAI (11 km, 21 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station MAKEDONIA (14 km, 7 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
According to Ferryhopper, significantly more ferries operate between the islands from June to September than in winter, when many routes are thinned out or suspended entirely due to winter storms. Anyone wanting to visit the islands outside the summer season should carefully check connections and alternative routes beforehand.
Greek Orthodox Easter shifts by up to five weeks relative to the Western Easter date and is an important fixed point with its own customs on both the islands and the mainland, when ferries and accommodations are often fully booked.
According to the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA, wildfire risk exists from spring through autumn across large parts of Greece, and in dry summers can lead to evacuations even in tourist areas.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Ferryhopper
What do you need to enter Greece?
Swiss, German and Austrian nationals enter with a valid passport or national ID card; a visa is not required for tourist stays. As EU or EFTA citizens, they are not subject to the general Schengen rule of a maximum of 90 days per 180 days that applies to nationals of many other countries (as of September 2026).
- Switzerland: A passport or national ID card is sufficient; no visa, no fixed limit on length of stay thanks to the agreement on the free movement of persons with the EU.
- Germany and Austria: As EU citizens, a valid ID card or passport is sufficient; no visa, no limit on length of stay.
- Other nationalities: The general Schengen rule of the European Commission applies: visa-free entry for up to 90 days per 180-day period for many nationalities, otherwise a Schengen visa is required. The Greek embassy or representation in the traveler's country of residence is authoritative.
According to the Federal Foreign Office, minors traveling without or with only one parent should carry a letter of consent from the other parent with custodial rights. Air travel always requires a valid travel document; an expired provisional ID card is not accepted.
The information provided by the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office, the BMEIA and the Greek authorities at the time of travel is authoritative.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs
What vaccinations and health precautions are needed for Greece?
No vaccination is required for entry. healthytravel.ch and the CDC recommend keeping routine vaccinations up to date and advise most travelers to get hepatitis A; according to healthytravel.ch, malaria risk exists only in rare, localized cases. West Nile fever occurs every summer, mainly from July to September.
The CDC recommends a hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers, especially those visiting smaller towns, villages or rural areas, as well as up-to-date protection against measles, mumps, rubella and tetanus. Hepatitis B is recommended for unvaccinated travelers under 60; a yellow fever vaccination is neither required nor recommended.
West Nile fever is transmitted by mosquitoes and, according to healthytravel.ch, typically occurs from May to October, peaking between July and September. Mosquito protection day and night is therefore advisable, as is avoiding contact with sick or dead birds.
Tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and TBE occur mainly in rural and wooded areas of the mainland. Medical care in Athens and Thessaloniki meets European standards, while it is more limited on smaller islands; the BMEIA recommends supplementary travel insurance that includes repatriation.
Sources: healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
How safe is Greece for travelers?
According to the BMEIA, travel to Greece is generally considered safe. The Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA cite pickpocketing in Athens, Thessaloniki and Piraeus, occasional demonstrations with isolated violent clashes, and the country's seismically active location as the main risk factors; check the current situation with the Swiss FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA.
According to the Federal Foreign Office, pickpocketing is common mainly on public transport and in busy squares in Athens, Thessaloniki and Piraeus; car break-ins also occur. Demonstrations and strikes are usually announced days in advance but can cause delays to ferries and trains.
According to the FDFA, Greece lies in a seismically active zone; earthquakes and, very rarely, resulting tsunamis are possible. According to the BMEIA, wildfires occur from spring through autumn, spreading widely in dry summers and sometimes leading to evacuations even in tourist areas.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland
How do you get to Greece and travel around the country?
International flights land mainly at Athens "Eleftherios Venizelos" Airport (ATH), which according to FlightConnections serves around 174 nonstop destinations in 54 countries, as well as the smaller Thessaloniki Airport (SKG). Ferries operate between the mainland and the islands from Piraeus and Rafina, along with domestic flights to the major island airports.
| Route | Mode of transport | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Athens – Thessaloniki | Domestic flight | about 55 min |
| Athens – Thessaloniki | Train or car | about 4 to 5 h |
| Piraeus – Mykonos | Ferry | about 2 h 30 min to 5 h |
| Piraeus – Santorini | Ferry | about 5 to 8 h, high-speed ferry from about 5 h |
| Athens – Crete (Heraklion) | Domestic flight | about 50 min |
| Athens – Rhodes | Domestic flight | about 55 min |
| Athens Airport – city center | Metro, bus | about 40 min |
According to FlightConnections, Athens Venizelos connects to 174 destinations in 54 countries; the longest nonstop route is to Dallas-Fort Worth in the USA at around 12 h 55 min, plus nonstop connections to the Middle East (Tel Aviv, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi) and Asia (Beijing, Singapore). There are no direct connections to South America, East Asia or Oceania; travelers from those regions usually connect via a European or Middle Eastern hub.
According to FlightConnections, Thessaloniki (SKG) serves around 97 nonstop destinations in 33 countries, predominantly within Europe plus a few destinations in the Middle East; there are no intercontinental direct flights beyond Europe and the Middle East. The major islands of Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini and Mykonos have their own international airports with seasonal flights to Europe.
Ferries operated by several shipping companies, such as Blue Star Ferries or Seajets, run between the mainland and the islands from the ports of Piraeus and Rafina near Athens, as well as from Thessaloniki for the northern Aegean. Frequency and crossing times vary greatly by season and vessel type; many connections are cancelled entirely in winter.
Sources: FlightConnections · FlightConnections · Ferryhopper
What money do you need in Greece and how do you pay?
The national currency is the euro. Card payment is widely accepted in Athens, Thessaloniki and on the larger islands; on smaller islands and in remote villages, however, not all tavernas and ferry ticket offices accept cards.
The BMEIA advises carrying enough cash for the entire trip, as ATMs and bank counters can occasionally experience shortages and delays; Greek banks typically charge their own fee for withdrawals in addition to the home bank's fee.
Tipping is not mandatory: 5 to 10 percent of the bill is customary in restaurants, while in bars and cafés it's usual to leave the change. On the islands, budget extra cash for ferry tickets, taxi rides and small tavernas that don't accept cards.
Sources: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · ZDFheute
Where is the best place to stay in Greece?
In Athens, most people stay around Plaka, Monastiraki or Koukaki near the Acropolis; in Thessaloniki, along the waterfront promenade or in the upper town of Ano Poli with views over the Thermaic Gulf. Prices vary greatly across the islands: Santorini with caldera views is among the most expensive locations in Greece.
On Santorini, the most sought-after and expensive rooms are those with views of the caldera in Oia and Fira; cheaper options lie away from the crater rim. Mykonos is centered on Mykonos Town (Chora) and the beaches in the south of the island.
On smaller, less touristy islands, simple "domatia" — private guest rooms with local families — are common; they are often arranged only on arrival at the harbor. In the high season from June to September, accommodations on the well-known islands should be booked months in advance.
Sources: visitgreece.gr, Greek National Tourism Organisation · Ferryhopper
What do people eat in Greece?
Greek cuisine thrives on olive oil, vegetables, fish and grilled meat: souvlaki, moussaka and salad with feta are everyday staples everywhere. Many Greeks consider Thessaloniki the country's secret street-food capital, with pastries like bougatsa and a strong coffeehouse culture.
In Athens, classic street food includes souvlaki and gyros eaten by hand, moussaka (a baked dish of eggplant, minced meat and béchamel) and horiatiki, the Greek village salad with feta and olives. Ouzo, the anise spirit, is traditionally accompanied by small appetizers, mezedes.
Thessaloniki is known for bougatsa, a filo pastry filled with custard, cheese or minced meat, and for a particularly diverse street food scene with Ottoman and Sephardic Jewish influences. On the islands, fresh fish, local cheese and wines such as resinated retsina dominate the menu.
Sources: visitgreece.gr, Greek National Tourism Organisation · visitgreece.gr, Greek National Tourism Organisation
What culture and festivals shape Greece?
The Greek Orthodox Church shapes the calendar of festivals: Easter is the most important holiday of the year, with a midnight mass, Easter bonfires and traditional roast lamb on Easter Sunday. Carnival (Apokries) before Orthodox Lent is celebrated especially elaborately in Patras and the Ionian Islands.
Ancient theaters such as the one at Epidaurus in the Peloponnese are used for performances in summer, a direct link to the roughly 2,500-year-old tradition of Greek drama. Musically, rebetiko, a kind of Greek blues from the early 20th century, and the folk sirtaki dance shape the cultural image abroad.
March 25 is a national holiday commemorating the start of the Greek War of Independence in 1821, while October 28 ("Ochi Day") commemorates the rejection of the Italian ultimatum in 1940. Both days are marked with military parades and school processions.
Sources: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
What experiences are worthwhile in Greece?
Highlights include the Acropolis in Athens, the monasteries of Meteora, the oracle site of Delphi, and island-hopping between Santorini, Mykonos and Crete. Hikers will find one of the longest gorges in Europe on Crete with the Samaria Gorge; sailors and divers will find clear water and steady wind in the Cyclades and the Dodecanese.
Cultural highlights
- Acropolis, Athens: the Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
- Meteora: monasteries on sandstone rocks, some still inhabited.
- Delphi: ancient oracle site on Mount Parnassus with a museum.
- Knossos, Crete: the palace complex of Minoan culture near Heraklion.
Active and outdoors
The Samaria Gorge on Crete, at around 16 km, is one of the longest gorges in Europe and a popular day trip in summer. In the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, sailing, diving and windsurfing are common thanks to reliable wind, especially in summer.
Experiencing the islands
Anyone wanting to combine several islands should plan ferry connections as a fixed part of the itinerary: crossings within the Cyclades are often short, while between more distant island groups such as Crete and the Dodecanese they take several hours. Weather-related cancellations in spring and autumn should be given buffer time in planning.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Ferryhopper
How do you travel responsibly in Greece?
Avoiding heavily visited islands such as Santorini or Mykonos in high season and choosing the low season or lesser-known islands instead eases pressure on infrastructure and water supplies, which are often scarce on small islands. Archaeological sites such as the Acropolis or Delphi have visitor management measures whose paths and barriers should be respected.
- Use water on the islands mindfully, as many smaller islands have no freshwater sources of their own and must import or desalinate water.
- Stay on marked paths at archaeological sites and do not take stones or artifacts.
- Consider ferry connections and the off-season as an alternative to overcrowded peak dates on Santorini and Mykonos.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Which countries can be combined with Greece?
Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey border Greece to the north; all four lie outside the Schengen area, or, like Bulgaria, have only recently gained a different status. Ferries across the sea connect to Italy and Turkey, allowing a combination without a land border in the strict sense.
Ferries connect Patras and Igoumenitsa in western Greece with Italian ports such as Ancona, Bari and Venice, a crossing of several hours to just under a day. Turkey is visible from several Greek islands and reachable by short ferry crossings, but lies outside the Schengen area; depending on nationality, entry requires a separate visa or an electronic authorization.
Sources: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
Who is Greece suited for, and who is it less suited for?
Greece suits travelers who want to combine antiquity, island life and beach time and can be flexible with ferry schedules and summer heat. It is less suitable for anyone expecting a tightly scheduled itinerary without weather or strike risk.
Greece is a good fit for history enthusiasts, island hoppers and families who want to mix beach days with cultural excursions. Midsummer is less ideal for travelers who don't tolerate heat above 33°C well; spring or autumn are better suited then, especially for Athens and the southern islands.