Why take cheap flights to Greece? A plate of meze, a glass of wine and a view of the Aegean Sea is reason enough for some. For culture vultures, there's the idea of the Parthenon in Athens, Delphi (on the slopes of Mount Parnassus) or Olympia with its temples of Zeus and Hera. The beaches will be the No. 1 drawcard for sun worshippers and the under-discovered ski resorts are heaven for savvy skiers during the Greek winter.
Greece lies at the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. The 2,000-plus islands that make up the country are dotted around the shimmering waters of the Aegean, Ionian and Mediterranean seas and the Sea of Crete.
There are several chains including the Argo Saronic Gulf Islands (close to Athens), the Cyclades, the Dodecanese (includes Kos and Patmos), Ionian Islands (Corfu, Zante, Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaka, Kefalonia and Kythira) and the Sporades (which includes Alonissos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Peristera and Skyros). The Cyclades are the most famous. There are 39 in total, 24 inhabited, and the most famous are Santorini and Mykonos.
Athens is capital, a modern city, bustling and frenetic, but you'll spy ancient columns between the streets and when you look up from the New Acropolis Museum you'll see the Parthenon, standing sentry above the city where it has for thousands of years.
Back to top
Greece has a mix of climates - Mediterranean, Alpine and Temperate. The most popular tourist destinations such as Mykonos and Santorini in the Cyclades, Rhodes and Kos (in the Dodecanese), Crete, Eastern Peloponessus and parts of the Sterea Ellada region (Central Greece) have a Mediterranean climate. Summer days are long with about 11 hours of sunshine and hot - temperatures range between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius. Meltemi, seasonal winds, cool the hottest days. Winters are mild. For example, temperatures in Athens in January and February are about 10 degrees.
Back to top
Peak Season:
July and August are, in general, peak season throughout Greece. The beaches are thronged with families and the famous monuments with tour groups. Easter and Christmas are also very busy times. Winter (November to March) is peak season for skiers.
Off Season:
The low season on the islands is November to March. If you visit during this time you may find that your choice of activities is limited. Some hotels and restaurants will shut up shop, some ferry services may be suspended, some tourist attractions may close. Winter, however, is high season for skiing.
Shoulder Season:
If you time your cheap flights to Greece for May or September you'll enjoy good weather and fewer fellow tourists. You'll also save on the price of accommodation.
Back to top
There are 15 international airports in Greece. Travellers taking cheap flights to Greece can get to the islands very easily or from the islands back to Athens. Olympic Airlines, Sky Express, Athens Airways and Aegean Airlines are the airlines that fly domestically.
The islands are all well connected by hydrofoils, ferries and passenger boats.
Renting cars and mopeds is relatively inexpensive.
Taxis are reasonably priced by European standards. Licensed taxis are metred, but in some tourist areas you may have to agree a fare with the driver in advance.
The rail network covers much of the mainland and links Greece with Central Europe and Turkey. There are express, regular and high-speed train services running daily. Hellenic Railways Organisation runs the rails. There are also tourist trains that chug through areas of outstanding natural beauty. These include Diakofto-Kalavryta (the Peloponnese), Pelion (Pilio) (Thessaly - Central Greece) and Nestos (Eastern Macedonia).
There are intercity coach services on the mainland, but on the islands buses are the best way of getting about. Even the tiniest towns are linked to the bus network. KTEL runs the inter-urban busses throughout Greece.
Athens's public transport network is excellent, with Metro, tram and buses-trolleybuses.
Back to top
- The "big five" Greek Islands are Rhodes, Corfu, Crete, Kefalonia and Kos. To avoid the crowds on Rhodes, forgo Faliraki and visit Rhodes Town instead where is plenty to do and see. The Old Town is Europe's oldest inhabited medieval town, Unesco's top Greek World Heritage site. Medieval buildings, mosques, Byzantine and Gothic churches stand amid the restaurants and shops.
- To escape the bustle of Corfu, head north to Kassiopi.
- On Crete, go towards the Elounda Peninsula.
- Assos, on Kefalonia, is quieter than Fiskardo.
- For a quieter Kos, quit Kardamena and go to Kamari in the west or Tingaki in the north.
- Marine parks near Alonissos and Zakynthos give shelter to two protected species - the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus-Monachus) and the Mediterranean green loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta).
- Mycenae is the home of Agememnon, the ancient king, who commanded the Greeks during the Trojan war. The ruins of the ancient city of Mycenae are in the northeastern Peloponnesus. They were considered a myth until Heinrich Schliemann unearthed six tombs with 16 skeletons covered in gold and jewels inside the walls of the citadel. Agamemnon's mask is one of the most famous artifacts unearthed there. It is on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
Back to top
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) (website: www.aia.gr) is situated 33km south east of Athens city centre.
Mykonos Island National Airport (JMK) (website: www.hcaa-eleng.gr) is located 4km from Mykonos.
Santorini National Airport (JTR) (website: www.hcaa-eleng.gr) is on Santorini, less than 10km southeast of Fira, the capital.
Heraklion International (HER) (website: www.hcaa-eleng.gr) is on Crete, about 5km from Heraklion, the main city.
Chania International Airport (CHQ) (website: www.hcaa-eleng.gr) is on Crete. Kos International Airport (KGS) is on Kos.
Rhodes International Airport (RHO) (website: www.hcaa-eleng.gr) is on Rhodes, about 15km southwest of Rhodes, the capital.
Samos International Airport (SMI) (website: www.hcaa-eleng.gr) is on Samos.
Skiathos Island National Airport (JSI) The airport is on Skiathos, about 2km from the centre of the city.
Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) (website: www.thessalonikiairport.gr) The airport is on Thessaloniki. It is 14km from the city centre.
Corfu International Airport (CFU) (website: www.hcaa-eleng.gr) is on Corfu.
Kefalonia International Airport (EFL) (website: www.hcaa-eleng.gr) is on Kefalonia
Karpathos National Airport (AOC) (website: www.hcaa-eleng.gr) is on Karpathos.
Lemnos International Airport (LXS) (website: www.hcaa-eleng.gr) is on Lemnos
Chios National Airport (JKH) (website: www.hcaa-eleng.gr) is 3km from the centre of the city on Chios Island.
Back to top
Australians require a passport valid at least three months beyond period of intended stay. A tourist visa is not required for a stay of up to three months provided coming for tourism.
Back to top
The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. Non-EEA travellers to Greece must hold visible means of support. It is also recommended for non-EEA members to hold return/onward tickets. If arriving with a one-way ticket, passengers may be asked for proof of sufficient funds for the return/onward journey. Passports, other than EEA passports, must be valid for at least three months after period of stay. Visitors requiring a visa are also required to have medical insurance.
Back to top
