Greece is washed by five seas at once: the Aegean, Thracian, Ionian, Mediterranean and Cretan. The country is made up of three distinct regions: western Greece, the Peloponnese and the islands. In Greece you can see the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
about country
An ideal country for tourism, with a huge range of holiday options and a storied history, it attracts travelers from all over the world. Cultural treasures, archaeological sites, ruins and shrines symbolize this country. The Greek islands will delight lovers of nature, sandy beaches, deserted bays and diving. Greece has all the possibilities for a unique trip.
Note! To visit Greece means to discover 14 tourist regions with different characteristics and features, a country with an extremely rich history and magnificent landscapes. No country in the world offers such a wide choice of destinations.
Greece, in addition to the mainland, consists of many islands that you can discover every time you are in Greece. The country includes about 1,400 islands. Not all of them are inhabited and suitable for tourism, but tourists have a very large choice. The islands of Greece are scattered in the waters of the Ionian, Aegean and Mediterranean seas. The most popular and famous islands are Rhodes, Santorini, Crete, Corfu, Mykonos, Zakynthos, as well as the Chalkidiki peninsula. Each island is unique in its own way, with its own flavor and character.
The Peloponnese is the largest of the Greek peninsulas, located in the southern part of the country and connected to the mainland by a small isthmus near Corinth. Located between the Ionian and Aegean seas.
There are only two large cities in Greece: Athens and Thessaloniki, the rest of the settlements are small towns and villages. The choice of hotels and accommodation of different levels and pricing policies is huge.
History of Greece
The ancient buildings in the country testify to the last few thousand years. The civilization of Europe first arose in Crete. This island preserves the remains of the Minoan era (2600 BC), before the Mycenaean and then Greek civilization was introduced around 800 BC.
Temples everywhere bear witness to the worship of various gods. Their walls recall many wars against the Persian, and then Byzantine and Ottoman invaders, the war against Sparta and the conquests of Alexander the Great. Orthodoxy added spice to the architecture of later churches with their convex roofs.
Attractions. Wealth of historical remnants
This country is full of traces of the Bronze Age: tools, weapons or vases in Crete, Mycenae and Thessaloniki.
A treasury of shrines, temples and theaters dating back to the Greek Golden Age (5th century BC)
In addition to the Acropolis of Athens, several other archaeological sites (Olympia, Delphi) are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In Mystras, traces of the Byzantine occupation have left amazing medieval ruins. The islands of Delos, Rhodes and Corfu are worth visiting.
It is also a country of monasteries, both on the islands and on land, with the famous Meteora monasteries, built by monks, atop inaccessible rocky peaks.
The birthplace of Homer and Socrates, this land became the source of philosophy, sculpture and theatrical art.
In addition, Greece has several national parks around Mount Olympus, Parnassus and Ainos, which are located on the island of Kefalonia. Another amazing place is the Vikos gorges, one of the deepest canyons in Europe!
Features of holiday in Greek
In addition to a rich cultural and historical heritage, this is a Mediterranean country in which it is good to live, relax, and stroll through the alleys of whitewashed villages with characteristic blue roofs.
You can travel around Greece, enjoying the landscapes, architecture and cuisine, all year round: the temperature in winter in many areas does not drop below 10-15 degrees. Everywhere the climate is mild, rainy in winter, hot in summer. Therefore, spring and autumn are the most favorable periods for a pleasant holiday.
Additional Information! In spring, you can see millions of flowers decorating the gentle hills and slopes. Olive trees and grapevines ripen slowly in the summer heat.
The beach season begins in the second half of May and lasts until November. For a holiday at sea, it is best to choose May, June and September – the weather at this time is the most comfortable. In July and August the air can warm up to 35-40 degrees.
The Greeks are sociable and cheerful people, big fans of noisy parties, football, music and dancing. Friendly and hospitable residents will leave pleasant memories of your stay in the country. The official language here is Greek. Most local residents speak English and German, there are also many Russian speakers.
Tourists here can relax in the evenings in numerous bars and discos. During the summer months, most festivals take place outdoors. Performances of classical concerts and operas are numerous throughout the country.
In addition to vegetables and fruits, fish, meat dishes and seafood dominate in Greek cuisine. The food is healthy, and they often offer a tomato and onion salad seasoned with olive oil as an appetizer. There are many fish dishes, meat – most often lamb or chicken, prepared in the form of dumplings, shish kebab or stew.
Beach holidays in Greece
A favorable holiday stay in Greece is on the beach, where you can enjoy the warmth and sea.
Note! For those who choose Greece for a beach holiday, they are greeted by clear seas and well-groomed beaches. More than 400 of them have the highest award for ecology and safety – the Blue Flag.
At the height of the season, the sun shines here almost every day, and the clear sea is bright blue. There are many islands with secluded beaches, including Navagio Beach in Zakynthos. The Aegean Sea is one of the saltiest in the world, and it is very easy to float there.
Transfer
Several airports serve Greece from most European airports. During the season, most of them provide daily connections to Athens. There are many regular flights by plane.
Main Greek airports on the continent:
- Athens;
- Thessaloniki;
- Kalamata.
On islands:
- Chania and Heraklion on Crete;
- Corfu and Zakynthos in the Ionian Sea;
- Santorini and Mykonos in the Cyclades; Rhodes and Kos in the Dodecanese.
Greece borders Turkey and Bulgaria, as well as Albania and North Macedonia. On the Greek mainland, the road network is very well developed and allows access to the country’s most remote villages. For the shortest routes, you can choose a car; for the longest routes, you can count on domestic flights.
For those planning to travel to the Greek islands, many companies offer ferry trips several times a day during the summer. Most of them stop working during the low season.
Very few cities are served by trains. Bus stations are often located outside cities. On long trips, the bus often stops for about a quarter of an hour near a tavern so that you can eat and rest.
Tips and recommendations from experienced tourists and travelers
Greece is a safe country. There is little risk of crime here, except in very touristy areas where minimal caution is required (as in any other very busy place). The names of some shops are written in Greek and English.
Greece uses the euro. It is one of many European countries that use this common currency. Euro banknotes and coins are legal tender throughout the country.
In Greece it offers souvenirs for every taste. The tourist will be able to find more or less exact copies of vases or ancient sculptures.
In monasteries and holy places, the entrance is closely monitored. You are not allowed to enter the church wearing shorts or miniskirts. Dresses cover the shoulders.
Greeks are concerned about their historical heritage and photographing a temple can cost a lot of money. The police immediately respond to the slightest violation.
To make a call, you can buy prepaid calling cards. These cards are sold in kiosks and small shops.
Greece is the beauty and diversity of landscapes, mild climate, coastline of beaches and thousands of paradise islands. An additional bonus is healthy cuisine, developed tourist infrastructure.
