Holidays in Greece

Holidays in Greece - Destination Profile

Holidays to Greece and its islands have been popular among the British public ever since the 1960's and continue to attract millions of visitors every year. Those taking holidays in Greece are enchanted with all the country has to offer returning year after year to enjoy the fascinating history, superb beaches as well as the glorious climate.

Each of the Greek Island groups provide a different holiday experience, however regardless of what your holiday interests there is a Greek Island or resort to satisfy your requirements.

Fantastic Range of Holiday Destinations in Greece

The Ionian Islands lie off the west coast of Greek mainland, this group of islands receives above average rainfall with mild wet winters and gloriously hot summers. These are ideal conditions for the spectacular verdant green mountainous landscape thickly carpeted in cypress trees, olive groves and wild spring flowers. The stunning beaches make holidays to Greece's Ionian Islands perfect for family beach holidays. Corfu, Kefalonia and Zakynthos are well known Greek holiday destinations but the Ionian Island also has some lesser known gems such as Lefkada, Paxos and Ithaca.

The Cyclade Islands comprise of 39 islands that lie south east of the Greek mainland. Greece holidays to the Cyclades are characterised by bright white sugar cube houses precariously balanced upon dry, arid mountain sides, windmills and tiny churches glistening in the glorious bright sunshine. Olympic Holidays offers holidays to the two most popular Cyclades Islands including Santorini and Mykonos.

The Sporades Islands are situated east of the Greek mainland and comprise of 11 islands of which only 4 are inhabited. Holidays to Greece are renowned for quality beaches and the Islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos have some of the best beaches in Greece.

The Dodecanese Islands are located close to Turkey at the most eastern point of the Aegean Sea. This group of islands is famous for the fascinating history, quaint villages with narrow winding streets, fabulous beaches and an enviable climate. Olympic Holidays offers a great choice of Dodecanese Islands including Rhodes, Kos, Symi, Halki and Kalymnos.

The largest of the Greek Island is Crete where there are multitude of resorts to suit anyone looking for holidays to Greece. If you're in search of holidays in Greece with a lively atmosphere where you can party into the early hours or a relaxing holiday with days lounging on the beach than Crete is the perfect destination.

Holidays to the Greek mainland are often overlooked by many (except by the Greeks!) but holidays to Mainland Greece have everything that the Greek islands do. Holidays to the Peloponnese area of Greece are often described as holidays in 'true Greece'; where you will find the birthplace of the Olympics along with tiny traditional villages and great beaches. Holidays to Parga on Greece's west coast have a very low-key tourist industry, which along with its beauty adds to its appeal. The unspoilt resort of Sivota is just north of Parga and sits in an area of outstanding beauty full of pine forests and olive trees. Halkidiki is a very popular destination located in north east Greece and is perfect for a family holiday guaranteed to keep everyone occupied.

Value Holidays in Greece with Olympic Holidays

Book your holidays to Greece with Olympic Holidays the leading specialist tour operator to Greece and Cyprus with over 40 years expertise in offering quality holidays at great value. As well package holidays to Greece, we offer an excellent range of cheap flights to Greece and hotels in Greece. For great savings on holidays to Greece book online or call our reservations team, lowest price guaranteed!!!

Holidays in Greece - Things to see

Holidays in Greece are perfect for those interested in exploring the rich history and culture. Regardless of which of our Greece holidays you decide upon, the sights of ancient Greece are never far away, please find below just a few places of interest to visit during your Greece holidays:-

Monastery of Kyra Panagia: Located in Alonissos the 16th century post Byzantine monastery sits on top of a hill and overlooks the sea.

Corfu Archaeological Museum: The museum contains a wealth of archaeological finds from Corfu, including many from the Temple of Artemis in Corcyra (the ancient capital) on the peninsula south of modern Corfu Town.

Samaria Gorges: The longest gorge in Europe is in Crete and only second in the world to the Grand Canyon. The gorge cuts through the White Mountains and is teeming with wildlife and there are incredible wildflowers during spring.

Thessaloniki: Not to be missed during holidays in Halkidiki is a visit to Greece's second city. Home to the fascinating Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum with ancient marble statues and gold jewellery originating from Macedonia. The stunning Byzantine churches are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Odysseus Tomb: The tomb is still being excavated and id located outside Poros near Kefalonia. Many locals firmly believe this Mycenaean tomb must have belonged to Odysseus, and that this great king impossibly could have ruled just the small Ithaca.

Hippocrates Plane Tree: Why not picnic at the foot of the oldest tree in Europe. It is located in Kos and stands with extensive support, this is said to be the Tree of Hippocrates where he once taught his students.

Olympia: The birthplace of the Olympics, Olympia is situated in the West Peloponnese. The Games began in 776 B.C until 393 AD and were held every 4 years to honour the Greek god Zeus. There are many different things to see such as The Temple of Hera, the Leonidaion (a luxurious guest house built in 330 BC), Stadium, temple of Zeus, Prytaneion (site of the eternal flame), the Bouleuterion where athletes were registered, the Treasuries and the Gymnasium. Olympia remained buried under several meters of debris and it wasn't until the 18th century that this historical site was rediscovered.

Medieval Rhodes Town: The old town areas of Rhodes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its up keep is of national and international concern. Between the Palace of the Grand Master and the Archaeological Museum, the Street of the Knights, was the main street of administrative and military buildings and functions in the Knights era. The city of Rhodes is dominated, by the medieval castle built in the 14th century by the Knights of St John.

Monastery of Evangalistra: Situated in Skiathos the monastery has some amazing surroundings and is open for the public to visit. Evangelistra also has a small museum with various objects from its history.

Shipwreck at Smugglers Cove: Certainly Zante's most famous landmark.

View further information

Holidays in Greece - Things to do

Golf: Although a relative newcomer on the golf scene, courses are springing up and can be found in Rhodes, Corfu, Crete, Athens and Halkidiki.

Watersports: In almost every resort you will find a range of watersport facilities ranging from para-gliding to windsurfing. Waterskiing is very popular in Greece and there are over 30 waterskiing schools in Greece. A great way to spend the day is to hire a small boat and picnic on isolated beaches only accessible by sea.

Snorkelling and Scuba Diving: Snorkelling is pretty much possible anywhere and is a great way to see the plethora of underwater life made easy by the crystal clear water. However if you want to scuba dive you will have to book with one of the many recognised diving schools as independent scuba diving is forbidden.

Hiking: The stunning scenery makes holidays in Greece a paradise for walking and hiking. Due to the summer heat the best time of year to go walking is April/May when the spring flowers carpet the mountainsides and the sun is a little less intense, or in Sept/Oct.

Holidays in Greece - Eating/Drinking

Holidays to Greece are a veritable paradise for food lovers, speciality dishes include Kleftiko (stew baked slowly in paper to keep the juices in), dolmades (rice and herbs wrapped in vine leaves) and souvlaki (grilled skewers of meat). Try a Greek meze, which is a selection of different Greek dishes in order to taste a little of everything. To compliment your meal the restaurants have a number of delicious local wines varying from area to area, or try a glass of ouzo, Greece's national drink!

The major resorts offer bars and restaurants to suit everyone, from all night discos and international restaurants to little tavernas serving typical Greek fare. Nightlife in the smaller resorts tends to centre round the latter and has a much more traditional feel.

Holidays in Greece - Climate

Max Temp C	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct
Greece	17	21	24	26	27	24	22
London	13	16	20	22	21	19	13
Sunshine Hours	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct
Greece	8	10	12	12	11	9	7
London	5	6	7	6	6	5	3

Greece Holidays - View 5 Day Forecast

Holidays in Greece - Transport

Taxis: Metered and in plentiful supply in the resorts.

Interurban buses: Various Bus companies link all major towns with daily routes at specified intervals

Urban Buses: Operate frequently during daytime and in certain tourist areas, during summer, their timetables are extended till midnight.

Bicycles: Can be hired in most resorts.

Holidays in Greece - Shopping

Whilst on holidays in Greece you will be able to find shops and shopping centres where you can purchase a huge range of items from clothing to jewellery to DVD's. If your looking for mementos of your trip there are many souvenir shops where you can purchase a fantastic selection of local produce including wines, pottery, religious icons and embroidery.

In the major cities and resorts, there is a fantastic selection of shops and places to go where you enjoy shopping all day long. Holidays in Greece are great for shopaholics because many products are cheaper than at home.