Greece
Mainland Greece and its islands cover an unusual range in one country: Athens for ancient history, the Peloponnese for castles and beaches without island prices, Meteora for dramatic monasteries, and the Cyclades for the postcard island experience. The trade-off is that popular spots are genuinely crowded and expensive from June to August.
Quick facts
- Region
- Southern Europe
- Recommended trip length
- 7–14 days
- Best months
- May, Jun, Sept
- Climate
- Warm, Mild
- Crowd level
- High
- Travel difficulty
- Easy
- Value for money
- 63
- Public transport
- 55
Who it suits
- History and food lovers
- Beach travellers wanting islands or coastline
- Romantic getaways
Who it may not suit
- Budget travellers visiting in peak summer
- Anyone who dislikes crowds at major sights
Estimated budget
Per person, per day — excluding flights.
Budget
€45–€65/day
Comfortable
€80–€115/day
Premium
€150–€220/day
Estimated from manually maintained destination data. Flights and accommodation prices may differ. Estimates last reviewed 2025-06-01.
What this destination is good for
- History90
- Beaches90
- Food85
- Romance75
- Relaxation70
- Nature60
- Nightlife55
- City life55
- Family55
- Road trips55
- Adventure40
- Multi-country30
Main strengths
- Unmatched density of ancient history
- Excellent, consistent food culture
- Genuinely stunning coastline and islands
- Good flight connectivity from most of Europe
Honest downsides
- Extremely crowded and expensive in July–August
- Popular islands book out months ahead in peak season
- Ferry schedules can be disrupted by weather
Essential places
- Acropolis, Athens
- Meteora monasteries
- Nafplio and the Peloponnese
- Santorini or Naxos
Worth adding if you have time
- Delphi
- Mycenae
- Milos
Transport guidance
- Public transport is limited — a rental car makes a meaningful difference here.
- A rental car is optional — most essential places are reachable without one.
Suggested itineraries
Combine with nearby destinations
Albania
The Balkans' most underrated coastline, backed by dramatic mountains and some of Europe's lowest prices.
North Macedonia
Lake Ohrid's old churches and a laid-back capital, among the cheapest and least crowded trips in Europe.