Holidays in Greece: where is the best place to relax, where to go with children. Where is the best place to relax in Greece in August Greece in early June where the sea is warm
Greece is simply a great country for a holiday with children, which has a lot of advantages: customer-oriented hotels, clean beaches, interesting sights, friendly people. Holidays in Greece are designed for any person: from young to old. You need to relax here - at least try it once in your life. I assure you, you will really like it and you will want to come back here again.
Now we will look together at all the options for where to go on vacation in Greece: where is the best place to relax and choose an excellent resort. Recently, prices in Greece have dropped, plus many hotels allow children under 10 years of age to stay for free. This year's summer season promises to be one of the cheapest among popular destinations.
A visa to the republic is one of the easiest and quite simple to obtain. However, do not forget that if the child is over 12 years old and this is his first visa, they must undergo fingerprinting. A younger child can simply take a photo.
What season, what time of year is it better to vacation in Greece?
The climate of Greece varies between regions, especially in May and October.
Thus, the Mediterranean climate zone includes:
- Crete;
- Rhodes;
- Glyfada;
- Peloponnese;
- Zankinth.
Winters are always warm and damp, summers are dry and hot. It is coldest in January - the temperature drops to plus 10 degrees, the hottest is in August - up to 33°. The swimming season begins at the end of May and lasts until the beginning of November.
Mid-June - July, as well as early September, when it is not so hot, are recommended for swimming with children. The weather in August is characterized by strong winds that slightly reduce the heat, so you can safely come to the above-mentioned resorts with adult children.
The temperate climate zone is located in the northeast of the country. This:
- Thasos;
- Chalkidiki;
- Thessaloniki;
- Katerina.
Winters here are cool and rainy, and summers are warm and dry. The coldest month - January - has up to 8 degrees of heat during the day, and August - up to +30. May in these places is good for excursions, but very cool for swimming - it can rain for up to two weeks, and the air temperature rarely reaches 24 degrees, and the sea temperature - up to 18°. So with kids it’s better to wait until July-August, when the sea warms up to a comfortable 25 degrees. We remind you that even August nights are quite cool and rarely reach 21°C.
Which resort is better to choose in Greece? Family itineraries in Greece
The hospitable and warm country offers many resorts, conditionally divided into the mainland, including the Peloponnese and Halkidiki, and the island. Where is the best and safest place to relax?
Everywhere! The good thing about Greece is that everyone can find their own holiday here.
Routes around mainland Greece: the best resorts for holidays and with children
Halkidiki
The peninsula is located in the northeast and is shaped like a trident and can be easily recognized on the map. It has three “fingers” - Sithonia, Kassandra and Athos. Tourists choose these places for the warm, shallow sea, white sandy beaches, and numerous attractions. Both regions are very popular with parents, which is why they rank first among travel destinations.
For organized infrastructure, you should go to Kassandra, where you can find quiet hotels oriented towards children's entertainment, 45 km from Thessaloniki. Moreover, shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs are within walking distance.
For silence, sparse crowds and greenery, people go to Sithonia, ideal for secluded walks on the beach, swimming in numerous coves and walks through olive groves and pine forests. There are more than a hundred large hotel complexes and small mini-hotels suitable for permission.
Hotels on Mount Athos are located around Ouranoupoli and Nea Kallikratia. There were numerous taverns, shops, cafes, clubs and sand and pebble beaches scattered there. Most of the region is closed to visitors, as it belongs to a monastic state. There are 20 active monasteries there and visitors must take permission. Women are not allowed into the forbidden area.
Peloponnese
The second peninsula with wide sandy beaches, inexpensive resorts, and various educational ancient attractions. Good for children.
Pieria
A resort located near Olympus, on the Aegean coast. Most of the territory belongs to a national park with extraordinary nature, many clean beaches and cultural attractions. For those who want peace, the cozy town of Platamonas is perfect.
The region will be of more interest to everyone who wants a cultural holiday; For family tourists, the small resort village of Lagonissi, located 40 km from Athens, is recommended. This is where the famous golden beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea, crystal warm water, lemon and olive groves are located.
Evia is located 80 km from Athens and is connected to the mainland by a bridge. It is convenient to travel throughout Central Greece. The island is interesting for its healing pine air, walks between centuries-old trees, lack of wind on the beaches, mountain gorges with healing springs. Basically, hotels, like all infrastructure, are located in the south of Evia. The island is quite expensive for a holiday.
Routes around island Greece: the best resorts for holidays and with children
Crete
The very first island that, perhaps, everyone will name. It is good for its gentle pricing policy and incredible opportunities for recreation with children of all ages. All regions of the island are different from each other. So Chania is the greenest and most beautiful part of the island, famous for its mixture of cultures, beautiful parks and original shopping. There are very few tourists here, so the resort is very suitable for family travelers. Rethymnon is a crowded resort with two highest mountains. Lasithi will be of interest for its sunny weather, and Heraklio will have the most developed infrastructure with a huge number of museums and nightclubs.
Zakynthos
Your child will definitely enjoy swimming with Caretta turtles. You can also go on a cruise from the island to all the neighboring islands with a stop in the famous Navagio Bay. By the way, prices here are quite affordable, and you can even find 2* hotels.
Corfu
Hotel chain Cyprotel-Almyros-Natura 4*
Although the island located in the Ionian Sea is considered a Mecca for club life, even here you can find a quiet family hotel. To relax with children, it is better to go to the north of the island - to Benitses with officially clean beaches and Dassia with well-developed infrastructure, which is important when coming to relax with children. Despite the status “for the rich,” you can have a great rest here in the Cyprotel Almyros Natura 4* hotel chain for 79 thousand rubles for 10 days.
Kos
The island's territory is quite small and there are few hotels on it. True, even here you will find inexpensive beach hotels. As for entertainment, although Kos is famous for its Lido water amusement park near the town of Mastichari, there is not much to do here. By the way, did you know that Kos is one of the most environmentally friendly areas of Greece? The disadvantages include the noise of some resorts, for example Kardamena, and frequent strong winds on the sea coast.
Rhodes
Beaches in Greece: where there are good sandy beaches and calm seas in Greece
For a safe stay for children, you will need beaches with a gentle slope into the sea, without rocks and waves, and for a comfortable stay, the beach must have developed infrastructure.
In Athens, the best sandy beach is Asteria, with a gently sloping shore and excellent infrastructure.
The top three cleanest beaches and calm seas are headed by Chalkidiki. Each one has changing cabins, sun loungers and showers. Nea Potidea and Hanioti are recommended.
In Paralia, the beaches are municipal, however, they are equipped with everything necessary, and for a fee you can use a sun lounger or umbrella.
The Peloponnese has a sandy shore; the exception of Loutrak is small pebbles.
The island of Crete is famous for its equipped sandy beaches. However, even here you should carefully choose a hotel - Agia Pelagia has a sandy beach with large pebbles.
The distinctive features of Rhodes are shallow water and perfectly clean sand. On each beach there are cabins, showers and sun loungers.
Carefully choose a place for swimming on the island of Corfu. So there are completely sandy beaches - Dassia and Agios Gordios and completely pebble beaches - Kassiopi. And Kontokali is a mixture of yellow sand and small pebbles. However, the latter is very convenient for bathing babies and has received the Blue Flag.
The island of Kos is famous for its very warm sea and small waves, through which children love to jump.
Healthy:
Prices for tour packages for holidays in Greece
You can fly to Greece inexpensively. So finding an all-inclusive tour for two for 25 thousand rubles is as easy as shelling pears. A holiday with a child will undoubtedly be a little more expensive - in the summer of 2018, a trip to Greece will cost at least 40 thousand rubles with a flight from Moscow. Flights from St. Petersburg and other cities in the European part of Russia will traditionally cost 5-10 thousand more.
Features of holidays with children in Greece
Hotel SUN-BEACH-RESORT-4* (one of the best)
It is very difficult to choose a Greek resort, because the country is divided into island and mainland parts with hundreds of hotels. The more you read, the more difficult the choice.
Holidays are especially complicated if you are traveling with children under three years old, as they will require special conditions:
- The hotel must be located on the first coastline;
- There should be a clean sandy beach or with very small pebbles;
- Convenient entrance to the sea;
- Distance to the airport (preferably no further than 40 km);
- Services provided by the hotel (cribs, meals, animation, gaming clubs).
Having chosen a suitable hotel, you can not worry about the kids and calmly let them splash around in the warm water. Plus, children will enjoy building sand castles.
For children under 12 years old, they choose “all inclusive”; as a rule, these are 5* and 4* hotels. How to save 30% by simply booking your room in advance. Good inexpensive options are offered in Rhodes, Crete, in the Loutraki area, and Halkidiki.
Let's summarize - where is the best place to go on holiday in Greece:
The choice of where to go on holiday with children in Greece is very rich. However, the most recommended low-cost family resorts are the Halkidiki peninsula and the Peloponnese coast. Among the islands you should take a closer look at Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Kos.
In Greece with the whole family
Greece is the cradle of all European civilization. It attracts millions of tourists every year from all over the world with its gentle sun, clean beaches and warm sea. This is a country that amazes with the presence of historical monuments, so excursion tourism is very developed here. The climatic conditions of Greece allow you to relax on its beaches all year round.
O. Milos, Greece
The country is washed by four seas: Mediterranean, Aegean, Cretan and Ionian. There are three climatic zones on its territory: Alpine, Mediterranean and temperate. It is the Mediterranean climate that contributes to the development of beach tourism: summers are hot and winters are warm. The number of sunny days per year is 300 days. The hottest months are July and August. The alpine climate is common in the mountainous regions of the country. Winters in the temperate climate zone are relatively cold, and summers are hot but humid.
Greece has all the conditions for a comfortable holiday of various types. All that remains is to decide what you would like to get from the trip. The beach season in Greece lasts from April to October. In the north and center the season is shorter, starting in May and lasting until September. May is the best time to travel to Crete and Rhodes.
O. Rhodes, Greece
Rhodes is one of the most popular and sunniest islands. The sun shines here 310 days a year. According to legend, Zeus raised the island from the depths of the sea and gave it to Helios. The island has a lot of greenery and cozy sandy beaches with crystal clear water where you can swim and sunbathe. In addition, the island will be of interest to history buffs and simply curious tourists, as there are a large number of archaeological sites and monuments on its territory. The main city of the island is Rhodes. It harmoniously combines the features of an ultra-modern metropolis and numerous architectural monuments with winding ancient streets.
View of the city of Rhodes
Crete is the largest island of Greece. Its length is 260 km. The tourism infrastructure here is very developed, so you can find accommodation of any class and for every taste. The island has both expensive penthouses and villas on the coastal area, as well as cozy inexpensive apartments. The island has five airports, so getting to it is easy. Balos Bay attracts many tourists with its amazing beauty. Nature here has been preserved in its original form; this is where three seas merge. Elafonisos beach is very popular among vacationers, thanks to the shallow, surprisingly clean sea and beaches with pinkish sand.
Balos Bay, o. Crete
In Crete, three ridges form a mountainous area that stretches across the entire island. In this part of the island you can only travel by jeep due to the lack of roads. A trip through this territory will provide an opportunity to communicate with the indigenous people and get to know better the life and traditions of the descendants of the great Hellenes. Crete has a lot of historical architectural monuments, including the well-known labyrinth of the Minotaur. There are many secrets and legends associated with the island, this is one of the reasons why the island is so popular among tourists.
The beaches of the Kalamaki resort on the island of Zakynthos are attractive to tourists for their numerous sand dunes - “ammoculums”. In spring, the sand is covered with sea lilies, the scent of which can be heard even far out to sea.
O. Zakynthos
Fans of beach holidays with excursions and families with children will have a good time relaxing in Halkidiki. Olive and pine groves grow on this peninsula. The cleanliness of the water and beaches of this area is confirmed by the Blue Flags of the European Union. Halkidiki has the appearance of Poseidon's trident crashing into the Aegean Sea. The two fingers of the trident represent places that are best suited for families with children. Prices at these resorts are relatively low; almost the cheapest hotels in Greece are located here. At the same time, the level of service and comfort is quite high. There is a very picturesque coastline with comfortable beaches and clean water. Basically, there are three and four star hotels on the peninsula; five star hotels are less common.
Chalkidiki Peninsula
There are monasteries on the third finger of Poseidon's trident. This place, with its holiness and positive energy, attracts numerous tourists who want to be saturated with the positive energy of these holy places. Here is the sacred Mount Athos, which is not only a holy place, but also a unique museum. It stores ancient icons, church utensils, manuscripts, frescoes, etc.
Katerini is one of the cheapest resorts in Greece. This town with a well-developed tourist infrastructure is located in the north of the country. The service, despite the low prices, is at a fairly high level. The resort is surrounded by beautiful nature with good beaches.
Monastery on Mount Athos
For lovers of winter holidays, Greece has ski resorts. The largest and most popular of them is Parnassus, which is located in the very center of the country, 180 km from Athens. The resort got its name from the mountain peak, which, according to Greek myths, was the abode of the muses. The resort has 20 ski slopes with a total length of 14 km. The trails vary in difficulty and are distinguished by colors: red, black and blue.
The cheapest among the islands is Kos. If you choose a cheaper resort on the mainland, then you should pay attention to small seaside towns that are not very popular with tourists.
Are you going to Greece? We advise which resorts in Greece are best to relax in 2019 and which ones are suitable for young people, children and the elderly. Reviews and recommendations from tourists, as well as information about where the weather is comfortable from April to October.
Best holiday resorts:
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The best resorts in Greece according to tourist reviews
In Greece you can relax on the mainland or on the islands. The greatest popularity Tourists enjoy the capital of Greece Athens, the city of Thessaloniki, the resorts of the Halkidiki and Peloponnese peninsulas, the islands of Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Zakynthos and Santorini.
The legendary island - the birthplace of Zeus - is, according to reviews, one of the best places to relax in Greece in 2019. This is the largest and most developed island in terms of infrastructure. The most popular holiday destinations are Elounda, Rethymno, Chania, Agios Nikolaos, and Hersonissos. Crete attracts with its unique mountain landscape, abundance of attractions and many cozy villages and towns.
Island Corfu is not much inferior in popularity to Crete. It is a green island with golden beaches, quiet coves and rocky shores. Rhodes is slightly smaller than Crete in size, but there is more greenery and there are thermal springs. Sandy beaches in Faliraki and Kallithea, pebble or sand-pebble beaches in Ixia, Ialyssos and Lindos.
Peninsula Halkidiki It is distinguished by sandy beaches and lush vegetation of pine forests. This is the northern part of Greece, and the resort area is located on three peninsulas: Kassandra, Sithonia and Agios Oros.
(Photo © cecilevanmeensel / pixabay.com)
Where you can have an inexpensive holiday in Greece in 2019
The most prestigious is considered a holiday on the Greek island of Mykonos. Here the nightlife practically never ceases, and luxury hotels offer the highest level of service. This island has long been chosen by golden youth, show business stars and politicians. It is expensive to vacation in Thessaloniki, Corfu and.
In northern Greece, according to reviews, inexpensive You can relax in the resort of Katerini, where there is good infrastructure and good beaches. From the islands until recently Kos was considered the best for a budget holiday: beautiful parks, small pebble and sandy beaches with golden and white sand. However, due to the influx of migrants, it is rapidly losing its former attractiveness in the eyes of tourists.
Did you know that trips to Greece can be purchased from only 20 thousand rubles (for example, a 7-night tour for two from Moscow)? Last minute tours at low prices you can search on services and - they compare offers from 120 tour operators and therefore are able to find the ideal option. You can buy a ticket online, which is very convenient.
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Cultural and excursion holidays in Greece
Before your trip, you should carefully consider your leisure time and decide where it is best to relax in Greece in order to combine a beach and cultural holiday. Tourists love to visit the ancient temple complex - the Acropolis of Athens. Judging by the reviews, the trip is not for everyone: it’s a very high climb up the mountain, it’s incredibly hot in the summer, since the area is open, there’s nowhere to take pictures - there are crowds of tourists. But this is a unique opportunity to touch antiquity.
It is convenient to combine a beach holiday in the resorts of the Peloponnese Peninsula with excursions: you can visit Olympia - the birthplace of the Olympic Games, the Nafplion fortress, and see the ruins of Mycenae and Ancient Corinth.
The second most popular excursion destination is the monastery complex in Meteora and climbing Mount Olympus. These excursions are quite tiring, but they bring a lot of pleasure and new impressions.
Greece is the cradle of Orthodoxy, so there are a lot of holy places and Orthodox churches. Men can visit the monastery on Mount Athos, although they must first obtain permission.
In Crete, tourists visit the famous Knossos Palace (the labyrinth of the Minotaur), the city of Venetian architecture Chania, and the Cave of Zeus. The pink sand beach and the palm-lined Vai beach are very popular. In addition, from Crete it is convenient to visit the neighboring island of Santorini, whose cities of Oia and Fira are considered the most romantic places in Greece. You can get there by ferry in just a couple of hours.
Zakynthos is interesting for its natural attractions; on the island you can visit the famous turtle beach of Navagio. It is considered the capital of medieval chivalry; there are many preserved buildings reminiscent of the heroic era. In Corfu, tourists love to explore the Achilleion palace complex.
Where to stay in Greece? You can find a good hotel for yourself on the well-known Roomguru service; it will select the most profitable options among many booking systems. We recommend looking for an apartment, room or villa on Airbnb - there are a lot of interesting and beautiful accommodations there.
(Photo © Pexels / pixabay.com)
Where is the best place to go on vacation with children in Greece?
Judging by the reviews of vacationers, the most popular among couples are the resorts of Halkidiki (Kassandra, Sithonia), Peloponnese (Tolo), as well as Crete (Chania, Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos), Corfu and Rhodes (Faliraki). There are good sandy beaches everywhere, and there are special family-type hotels with playgrounds and other entertainment for children. Crete has an Aquarium and a Dinosaur Park.
If you are going on vacation with small children, it is better to choose a hotel located on the first line. Make sure that the beach is sandy and the entrance to the sea is gentle (read tourist reviews about the hotel and beach you are interested in).
The best resorts in Greece for young people
Young people prefer to relax in Crete, Rhodes, Zakynthos, Mykonos, and the Chalkidiki peninsula. Water sports lovers choose Rhodes or Zakynthos. It's good to swim underwater, windsurf, or go out to the open sea on a boat. Romantic people prefer to admire the unique landscapes of Santorini.
In Crete, Hersonissos is considered the most youthful resort. There are many clubs and discos, affordable hotels and water activities. Chania in Crete is a bohemian place where you can see an unforgettable show, attend a concert or live performance. Dive centers are open and a water park is open.
Resorts in Greece for seniors
It is best for older people to relax in Greece in such quiet resorts as Thessaloniki, Rethymnon (in Crete) and Loutraki. In Loutraki you can combine a beach holiday with mineral water treatment. In addition, it is very convenient to visit the main attractions of Greece, the city is only 80 km from Athens.
(Photo © Theophilos / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Where is the best place to holiday in Greece from April to October?
Greece is washed by three seas and has a Mediterranean subtropical climate. Winters in Greece are rainy, summers are hot and dry, and springs are mild and warm. It is very comfortable to relax in the fall. It is better for children and the elderly to vacation in Greece at the end of May, June or September. If your priority is an excursion vacation, then you need to go in April or October.
The beach season officially opens in April. It is warmest in the south - Crete, Rhodes and other islands are already receiving their first tourists. During the day +25°C, sea water +19°C, you can swim, but it’s not as comfortable as in May. The season here lasts until mid-October.
May Greece is already hot like summer. During the day +24...+28°С, the water warms up to +22°С. IN June The air temperature is gradually approaching +33°C, but for now it is still possible to combine a beach and sightseeing holiday. At this time, you can best relax on the islands and in Northern Greece.
(Photo © jarmoluk / pixabay.com)
The ideal weather for a holiday in Greece is September. There is no such heat as in summer, the sea is warm +24°C, the temperature is usually no higher than +33°C. Until the middle of the month it is comfortable to relax in any part of the country; closer to October it is better to go to the southern islands, where it is dry and warm until mid-October. The rains begin closer to November.
Read about how to inexpensively get to Greece from Finland.
Introductory image source: © ragingwire / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
The beginning of summer opens the season of mass vacations, and many people most often imagine vacations on the sea coast as a good vacation. Greece has many advantages in this regard. From this article of the Tour Calendar you will learn why Greece attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists in June.
Weather in Greece in June
First of all, the country delights its guests with amazing June weather; at this time, summer is in full swing in Greece. June is one of the most comfortable summer months in terms of climate. The level of solar activity is not maximum, but quite decent, the temperature has jumped up significantly. So, we advise all those who have diseases of the cardiovascular system or who are tired of the obsessive heat to plan their vacation for the first month of summer, if possible. However, it is in June that the afternoon siesta appears in the daily routine of local residents, since by midday the sun becomes very aggressive. Sunburn, headaches, heat or sunstroke - all this is quite possible in June, so try to hide from the sun during the hottest hours. Well, if you plan to go on an excursion, stock up on a hat, drinking water and sun cream. It must be said that the temperature regime in Greece is not uniform. The highest indicators are found in the capital, southern regions and a number of islands. So, in Athens during the day they record mainly +30..+31°C, but on some days the street thermometer shows +33..+34°C.
Halkidiki Crete Santorini Athens Thessaloniki Rhodes Corfu Heraklion Kos
Fortunately, thanks to the breezes, this heat is noticeably softened. In addition, due to minimal precipitation, with an average of about 2 rainy days, humidity is within normal limits. Therefore, high temperatures are tolerated here much more easily than in our climate. The evenings are pleasantly cool: with the onset of darkness, the mercury drops to +20..+21°C. A thin sweater or jacket will be enough for walks under the starry sky. In the Peloponnese and the island - from +20°C to +30°C. Air heating is also increasing in the northern part of continental Greece. For example, Thessaloniki is greeted with daytime temperatures of +28..+29°C. However, when visiting this city, you should stock up on warm clothes for the dark part of the day: after sunset the air cools down to +16..+17°C. It is also necessary to take an umbrella with you, since at the beginning of summer precipitation results in one rainy week here. As for the islands of the Ionian and Aegean Seas, during the day they are around +28°C everywhere. True, in the eastern regions the nights are not so chilly: if after sunset it is at least +19°C, then at - +15..+16°C. Another good thing about the first summer month is the Mediterranean nature, which has not yet had time to waste its spring beauty. Some islands continue to be buried in flowers, many have retained lush emerald vegetation, but by August it will burn out and wither in places.
What to do in Greece in June?
In June, cultural and educational recreation loses ground a little, giving way to beach bliss. The beginning of summer brings with it relatively high temperatures, which makes prolonged exposure to direct sunlight not very comfortable. The main source of vivid impressions are sea cruises along the picturesque islands to enjoy the stunning beauty of natural landscapes and the special atmosphere of the open sea. Tourists who have booked a trip for this month will also be able to witness numerous holidays and, if desired, take an active part in them.
Beach holiday
The June weather creates all the necessary conditions for a wonderful beach holiday. The rains have practically disappeared, the sun, which has gained momentum, warms the water to temperatures acceptable for swimming. Finally, those who cannot boast of enviable training will be able to open the swimming season.
When choosing a resort, pay attention not only to the cost of tours, but also to the fact that the water temperature along the coasts is not the same. Forecasters note the highest indicators off the coast of Crete, Rhodes, the Peloponnese Peninsula and Athens - about +22°C. , located in the Ionian Sea, is suitable for those who enjoy slightly invigorating water - +21°C. When sunbathing, be careful when interacting with the sun. The main thing in this matter is not to overdo it, otherwise burns cannot be avoided. Although this is not the peak season, finding a secluded place at the resorts will be very difficult, with the exception of unpromoted natural areas, where peace and tranquility reigns all year round. The season is finally waking up from its winter slumber and a lively atmosphere is returning to the beaches. Owners of souvenir shops, bars, and water activities are urgently expanding their activities. So everything is fine with infrastructure and entertainment this month - they are present in full. The Greek coast is clearly divided between personality types. Couples with children prefer to stay in Halkidiki.
Parents' peace of mind will be ensured by the presence of attractions, dietary meals in hotels, the absence of noisy discos and decent animation. Childless couples seeking solitude often visit respectable Corfu. Young people and energetic travelers have a special love for Rhodes. It is also a habitat for fans of windsurfing and kiteboarding. Partygoers tend to gather in Ios and Mykonos. In general, set your priorities, listen to your desires and choose the best place for your vacation.
Entertainment and excursions
In June, tourists are faced with an abyss of opportunities for an intense and unforgettable pastime. Excursion leisure, just the opposite of beach leisure, is slowing down, and yet, not a single visit to this cradle of ancient civilization can be complete without visiting at least the iconic sights.
Of course, each region, city, resort has its own calling card. So, in Athens and Lindos there is the Acropolis, in Crete there is the archaeological reserve of Knossos with the Castello Palace, in Corfu there is the Cathedral of St. Spyridon, and in Rhodes - the Old Town with a fortress. Greece is not only an open-air museum, but also crystal clear turquoise waters and breathtaking landscapes. Walking by the sea helps diversify your leisure time perfectly. Typically, the tour price includes lunch of traditional dishes and live music. Some programs include fishing, diving or snorkeling.
Those who are afraid of diving can be offered a good alternative - riding a boat with a transparent bottom, through which you can see all the diversity of the underwater world. If you are relaxing with your children, be sure to visit one of the nearby water parks. Evenings can be spent hanging out at discos, tasting delicious national cuisine, or watching folklore shows. Hospitable Greeks will not let you get bored.
Holidays and festivals
June in the Greek cultural calendar is a kind of starting point for a series of significant events. If you happen to be in Athens, you can visit the grandiose multi-genre festival “Hellenic festival”, taking place on two stages at once - the Theater of Herodes Atticus and the ancient Theater of Epidaurus. The capital also hosts several music concerts where world-famous stars perform. In the Peloponnese, or more precisely in Messinia, this month is notable for the annual Aegean golf competition. The grandeur of the event is evidenced by the fact that participants come to the tournament from different parts of the world. Crete, according to the good old tradition, opens the Cultural Festival in June. Something similar is expected in Gythio and Patras. June 21 is International Music Day.
On the Summer Solstice, the whole country celebrates the Feast of St. John on a grand scale. On the night of June 23-24, ritual bonfires are lit everywhere, in which wreaths woven on May 1 are burned. People's festivities are held around the fire and sporting competitions take place. The largest religious holiday, Pentecost, also falls in June. In Greece it is declared a holiday. On this day, many believers make a pilgrimage to Orthodox shrines.
What are the prices for holidays in Greece in June?
If in May tour operators recommended Greece as a budget holiday destination, then in June, when charter flights are packed to capacity and hotels have no shortage of guests, the destination becomes very expensive: on average, prices rise by 15%-20% compared to . At the same time, June is definitely cheaper compared to subsequent months, so if you have a great desire to be on the shores of Hellas, you need to go. It is likely that you will be able to save some money if you try to book a trip in March-April. You should also understand that the pricing policies of Greek resorts are not the same. Tourists shell out quite a tidy sum for their stay in Loutraki, Mykonos and Santorini. You will have to spend a lot of money in Rhodes, Lesvos and Samos. The best option for a traveler with an average income is the Peloponnese, Hydra, Corfu, Euboea and Kos.
June in Greece is great for those who love clear, moderately hot weather, but at the same time are not ready to settle for a cold sea. It rains extremely rarely, so unpleasant weather surprises are excluded. Tour-Calendar is confident that the June holidays in Greece will give you a lot of colorful impressions, charge you with positive emotions, and you will remember the warmth and hospitality of this olive country for a long time!
Millions of tourists flock to alluring, sunny and hospitable Greece for a vacation, hoping that this particular vacation will be unforgettable and unique. Indeed, the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of Greece, its excellent wines and Mediterranean cuisine, excellent beaches and clear sea water, a rich excursion and entertainment program - all this allows you to get great pleasure from visiting this country.
The best places in Greece for beach lovers
To the question that worries many tourists: “Where is the best place to relax in Greece?” It’s hardly possible to give a definite answer, because everyone expects something different from their vacation. But among the many resorts of continental and island Greece, there are places that are ideal for one type of holiday or another. In this enchanting country, beach lovers have a huge selection of beaches for every taste and color(in the most literal sense of the word).
Since many islands of the Greek archipelago are of volcanic origin, you can find sand of the most varied colors on them - white, red and even black!
Every year, hundreds of beaches in Greece receive the international quality mark “Blue Flag”, which is awarded to places that meet 30 strict criteria (cleanliness, organization, safety of vacationers, infrastructure development, environmental aspects, etc.).
Lassithi holds the palm in terms of the number of Blue Flags– the eastern region of the island of Crete, famous for the beauty of its coastline. There is almost year-round clear weather, a large number of comfortable sandy and pebble beaches, surrounded by amazing cypress and fir forests.
The beaches of Crete in general are the best choice for those who value a comfortable, calm, measured holiday, for those who do not care about ephemeral things, such as the elitism of the resort, a big name and other shiny tinsel.
Holidays in Kefalonia
This island, the largest in territory in the Ionian archipelago, has several famous beaches (Lourdas, Makris, Gialos, Skala, Spartia, Poros, etc.).
Two beaches are the most popular among vacationers: Xi - because of its red sand and Myrtos - because of the pristine purity of the beach, separated from civilization and surrounded by picturesque rocks.
Myrtos is rightfully one of the ten best European beaches, but if you suddenly want to admire other beaches or attractions of Kefalonia, then with a rented car (for 20-40 € per day) you can easily get to any part of the island.
The beaches of Greece are municipal, so use of a sun lounger and umbrella is a paid service(from 3€). Often, hotels even charge a fee for a sun lounger near the pool (from 2 €), but most often the price of this service includes a free drink. The problem of paid sun loungers can also be solved by purchasing a pair of mats and an umbrella, which will cost about 12 €.
The best places in Greece for shopping lovers
It is unlikely that anyone will dispute that Greece can be classified as one of the countries that are ideal for shopaholic tourists.
In fact, in Greece offers great shopping opportunities: Countless large shopping centers and small shops, a wide range of goods offered, combined with reasonable prices. Moreover, twice a year (in summer and winter) seasonal discounts begin in all stores, turning shopping into real shopping therapy!
Shopping in Athens
During the sales season, people come to the capital of Greece to shop, both from all over the country and from abroad. Here you can stroll through the boutiques of famous world brands and visit Greek folklore shops in search of original souvenirs.
The most popular streets and areas of Athens for shopping lovers
- Kolonaki- a fashionable and luxurious area, the heart of which is Tsakalof Street (one of the most expensive in the world). In addition to shops of famous world and Greek brands, there are also art galleries, antique and furniture stores;
- Ermu is a famous pedestrian street that attracts thousands of shoppers. Here you can only buy clothes, shoes and interior items;
- Monastiraki- a street starting from the beautiful cathedral on the square. Metropolios. There are souvenir shops, jewelry and fur shops here.
And on Sunday mornings, tourists love to stroll through the flea market to experience the flavor of Greek trade.
Shopping in Thessaloniki
In the northern capital of Greece, in addition to ancient archaeological and historical monuments, there are a huge number of shops that are indispensable attributes of modern hectic life.
The main shopping areas are located in the city center and along the embankment, these are the streets: Timiski, Metropolis, Aristotelous, Agia Sofia, Palaeon Patron Germanou, etc.
For lovers of national characteristics it will be interesting to visit Thessaloniki's largest market - Modiano, where you can perfectly observe the rhythm of life of the city and its inhabitants, as well as see various fruits, spices, seafood, cheese, honey - everything that is present in abundance in the cuisine of Greece.
And so that your vacation is not overshadowed by inclement weather, we advise you to read the article before your trip. We plan our trip correctly and enjoy every day of a wonderful vacation.
Kastoria: going for furs
Holidays in Kastoria will appeal to those who want to combine a vacation with the purchase of a charming fur coat. The highland city of Kastoria, located in the north-west of Greece, is famous for its clean air, saturated with the aromas of pine trees and offers tourists comfortable hotels.
Life in Kastoria begins to burst into full swing during the annual exhibition of fur products, which is one of the largest European events of this kind. Soon, by decision of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the country's first Fur Museum will open in Kastoria, which will further strengthen the glory of the fur capital outside the city.
The winter discount season is from mid-January to the end of February, the summer discount season is from mid-July to the end of August.
Many shops in Greece take long siesta breaks(from 14 to 17 hours), after which they continue to work until 21-22 hours.
The best places in Greece for food lovers
In recent years, the so-called gastronomic travel, during which tourists go to a particular country to taste national food. Traditional dishes of Greece are bright representatives of Mediterranean cuisine, which is famous among gourmets around the world.
Kos
Many food lovers flock to the island of Kos, because here, in addition to tasting local wine, you can try dishes that are found only on Kos. Unique dishes of this island include: “kokinotiri” (cheese cooked in red wine), “yaprakia” (stuffed cabbage rolls in grape leaves), “pitaridia” (homemade noodles), etc.
Crete
On the island of Crete (unlike other areas of Greece), dishes made from grape snails, which are called “kohli” here, are very common. True gourmets recommend trying the dish “kohli boumburistes”, these are very juicy stewed snails cooked in wine vinegar with the addition of rosemary.
In Crete you can also try smoked pork - "apaki" and a special salad served on bread - "dakos", which spread from here to the Cyclades islands.
Fish dishes dominate the menu of establishments, which in Greek are called “psarotavern”, i.e. fish tavern, and meat taverns - “hasapotaverns” specialize more in meat dishes and are very often located near the butcher shop.
Tips in Greece are included in the total bill, but it is considered good practice (especially if you liked the service) to round up the bill amount. In a small cafe it is appropriate to leave up to 1 € above the indicated amount, and in taverns or restaurants from 5 to 10 € (depending on the number of people).
Gastronomic holidays are increasingly gaining popularity among tourists around the world. We bring to your attention two reviews on the topic of Mediterranean cuisine:
– about gastronomic and wine tourism in Israel.
A - about the cuisine of Spain. Very healthy and natural food is. If you are on holiday in the Canary Islands, be sure to try original local dishes. Delicious!
The best places in Greece for winter holiday lovers
Greece in winter is no less beautiful than Greece in summer, and lovers of active recreation find a lot of reasons to visit this country in winter. At this time of year there is not such an influx of tourists, local residents rent out housing at a very reasonable price, and the sight of blossoming almond and citrus trees in February is completely indescribable.
In addition, there are a lot of ski resorts in Greece, where it is so pleasant to spend the New Year or Christmas holidays, receiving a boost of energy and adrenaline.
Parnassus
The ski resort of Parnassus, located two hours' drive from Athens, is a popular holiday destination for the capital's residents, as well as many professional and beginner skiers from various countries.
The ski center was built over 35 years ago on the slope of Mount Parnassus, known from the myths and legends of Ancient Greece. Now there are 20 trails of varying difficulty levels; 14 lifts allow vacationers to climb the mountain without any queues.
Ticket price - from 12 to 20 € per day or 70 € per week, rental of ski equipment - 15 €.
Sat down
This ski center is the oldest in the country - it began operating in 1934. For many years, it was here, on Mount Vermio, that Greek ski athletes held their competitions.
Seli is located an hour's drive from Thessaloniki, but vacationers prefer to stay in nearby mountain villages. In Seli you can get training from qualified instructors; there are as many as 5 training centers here (2 hours of training will cost 5 €).
It is definitely worth visiting the cafe, located at an altitude of 1750 meters, from where, in good weather, wonderful views of the surrounding area open up.
Lift ticket for 1 day – 5€, equipment rental – 9€.
A tourist planning an active holiday should take care of additional insurance that takes into account sports injuries. Regular insurance programs offered by travel agencies are cheaper, but do not cover sports-related injuries!
The best places in Greece for lovers of historical attractions
Greece is an excellent choice for those who are accustomed to combining relaxation with educational excursions. These lands, covered with many legends and myths, still preserve historical and architectural evidence of several great civilizations: the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines.
Rhodes
The history of Rhodes, one of the Greek islands most popular with tourists, goes back over 4 thousand years.
On the island you can see many attractions of different eras, among which the most popular are: the Rhodes Fortress, the Palace of the Grand Master.
It’s simply pleasant to walk around Rhodes along the unique streets that have preserved buildings from the Middle Ages, and for lovers of more ancient architecture and archeology, trips to:
- Kamiros, known as the "Pompeii of Rhodes";
- Ancient Ialyssos, in which Byzantine monasteries have been preserved;
- The village of Trianda, near which you can see the remains of the Temple of Athena.
Corfu
The picturesque island of Corfu, which once bore the name Kerkyra, was so popular with all the conquerors that instead of destroying existing buildings, they built their own palaces and temples on the island.
But now even the most discerning tourist will be amazed when looking at the architectural structures, which were especially influenced by the Venetians, who ruled Kerkyra for four hundred years.
Narrow streets lined with Baroque-style houses are buried in bright colors and lead tourists to a luxurious embankment, which in terms of the number of palaces, colonnades and fountains can compete with some ancient Italian city.
But not only the Venetians left a historical legacy here; in Kanoni, the magnificent Achillo Palace with terraces and a park, built for the Austrian Empress Elizabeth and later bought by Kaiser Wilhelm II, has been preserved.
Anyone who likes to visit museums would do well to remember some dates that will allow you to save on buying a ticket.
- Absolutely You can enter any Greek museum for free on International Tourism Day - September 27, as well as on European Cultural Heritage Days, which are celebrated on the last Saturday and Sunday of September.
- In the period from November to March, many museums organize free days on Sundays; from March to July, admission is free only on the first Sunday of the month, but from July to September there are no free days at all.