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Santorini at sunrise
Greece your way

Tailor-made Greece holidays shaped around your passions

Santorini at sunrise

Home of democracy and philosophy, plate smashing, and gyros, Greece has a long history, whitewashed island towns and a rich cuisine. Our specialists know the country from Athens and the heights of the Acropolis to the traditional villages on the island of Milos, and we can build you a Greece holiday that explores its highlights or delves deep into one facet of its culture.

We can suggest experiences based on your interests, including kayaking below the shadow of the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, dining with a local family in their home in Athens, tracing the footsteps of Alexander the Great in Thessaloniki, and hiking among the sky-scraping monasteries in Meteora. Or, cover more ground on a Greece and Turkey island-hopping cruise, calling in at Greek ports from bougainvillea-drenched Nafplio to Rhodes. Whether you’re looking for a thorough tour of the most significant sites from the classical era or you want to cruise on a private boat around Santorini, we’ll tailor your trip to suit you exactly.

Creating tailor-made tours for over 25 years

Suggested tours for Greece

Share dinner with an Athenian in their own home, explore the sleepy island of Hydra on foot, and take a private tour of the ruins of Epidavros. Our suggested itineraries are a great starting point as you begin to plan your trip to Greece.

Suggested activities for Greece

Sample local delicacies on a walking food tour of Athens, sip rare wines in the vineyards of Santorini, and explore the Acropolis and its museum on a private tour. Whatever interests you, our specialists will suggest experiences designed to enhance your trip to Greece.

  • Milos cooking class
    Typical cuisine, Greece

    Milos cooking class

    Milos

    Milos cooking class

    Learn to cook traditional Greek dishes on the island of Milos where you’ll join a local restaurant chef in choosing ingredients, preparing an array of meze-style dishes, gaining new skills and getting an insider’s guide to Greek cuisine.

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  • Kayak to the sunken city at Epidavros
    Sunken ruins kayaking adventure, Epidavros

    Kayak to the sunken city at Epidavros

    Nafplio

    Kayak to the sunken city at Epidavros

    The cliffs and coves of the Peloponnese coastline and its sunken archaeological ruins are the highlights on this full-day kayaking tour from Nafplio. It includes time to stop, swim, snorkel and rest in inlets and on beaches along the way.

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  • Milos geological tour
    Abandoned sulphur miles, Milos

    Milos geological tour

    Milos

    Milos geological tour

    Explore the wild and haunting scenery of the volcanic island of Milos with an expert guide on a tour that reveals the impact of its unusual geological phenomena on its history and economy over the course of thousands of years.

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Why travel with Audley?

  • 100% tailor-made tours
  • Fully protected travel
  • Established for over 25 years
  • 98% of our clients would recommend us

Best time to visit

Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Greece, including information about climate, events and festivals.

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Useful information for planning your holiday in Greece

What language is spoken in Greece?

The official language of Greece is Greek, which is written using the Greek alphabet. English is widely spoken in the cities and on the more-visited islands, although in smaller towns and rural areas it’s less common to find English speakers. Street signs, as well as signs in the airports and ferry terminals, are mostly written in Greek and English.

What's the currency of Greece?

Greece uses the euro (€), which you can buy easily before you travel. You’ll find ATMs in all cities and larger towns and credit cards are widely accepted. In smaller shops or for small purchases, you might be asked to pay in cash. Banks and exchange bureaus are easy to find but only open for limited hours during the day.

What food and drink should I try in Greece?

In Greece, you should try food such as dolmades (stuffed vine leaves), souvlaki, (grilled skewered meat) and spanakopita (spinach and feta in filo pastry). Greek food ranges from fresh, seasonal salads to rich and hearty dishes such as moussaka (a layered potato or aubergine dish), but it’s common to eat meze — a selection of hot and cold small dishes — to share among your table. 

Freshly caught fish is typical on the islands, while lamb and goat are popular meats. You’ll find a wide variety of olives and plenty of fresh dips such as taramasalata (fish roe dip) and tzatziki (yoghurt, cucumber, and garlic dip).

Sticky, flaky, honey-soaked desserts such as baklava at the end of meals complement fiery Greek digestifs like ouzo and tsipouro. While Greece isn’t traditionally known for its wine, the Nemea region of the Peloponnese and the island of Santorini produce some fine wines.

How much should I tip in Greece?

In Greek restaurants, a tip of 10% is the norm, though check to see if a service charge has already been added to your total. It’s common to tip taxi drivers, hotel porters, and guides. Taxi fares can be rounded up and a couple of euro is usual when tipping a hotel porter in the cities, but a little more is appropriate in places like Santorini if porters are carrying bags up many flights of stairs. Your specialist can advise on appropriate amounts to tip guides.

Where can I find the latest travel advice for Greece?

For the latest travel advice for Greece, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.

What can I experience in Greece?

In Greece, you can explore ancient ruins, cruise around idyllic islands, and laze on hidden beaches. It’s a country that goes way beyond its reputation as a beach destination with a history and culture that offers as much out of season as it does in peak summer.

The vestiges of ancient Greece litter the country from the Acropolis in Athens to the sacred sanctuary in Delphi. You can take a guided tour to bring history to life, kayak to the sunken city at Epidavros, or explore Meteora’s monasteries on an e-bike.

Discover contemporary Greek life on a guided walking tour of Athens’ street art or on a hike to the traditional villages of Naxos. Learn more about Greek food culture at a cooking class on Milos or a visit to a Santorini vineyard, or simply enjoy the turquoise, crystalline waters on one of Greece’s many and varied islands.

Where can I stay in Greece?

Greece offers plenty of choice when it comes to places to stay from whitewashed villas overlooking the Aegean to restored mansions in historic towns and boutique hotels in downtown Athens.

On the mainland, you could choose a serene hideaway in the Peloponnese countryside, a traditional inn overlooking the dramatic rock formations at Meteora, or a 19th-century mansion in central Athens. On the islands, your specialist can help you find the right place to stay whether you’re after an indulgent wellness resort in Santorini, a modern, minimalist hotel on Mykonos, or refined elegance in an understated luxury hotel in Hydra.

For more ideas, take a look at our collection of places to stay in Greece.

Where should I go in Greece?

Greece has so many appealing destinations, it can be difficult to choose where to go, but most visitors tend to head to Athens, Delphi, Mykonos, and Santorini. Athens is crowned by the Acropolis and its renowned Parthenon, which lord over city streets lined with Byzantine churches and Ottoman mansions.

You can dive into Greek mythology at Delphi, explore monasteries that teeter on pinnacles of rock in Meteora, or discover the neo-classical mansions of wealthy sea captains in historic Galaxidi.

The Greek Islands each have their own character and attractions from volcanic Santorini with its plush hotels and excellent restaurants to cosmopolitan Mykonos, or sleepy, traditional Hydra. Speak to your specialist about your interests and they can advise on where’s best to go.

What should I wear in Greece?

In summer in Greece, you should wear light clothing in natural fabrics, and bring plenty of sun protection. In winter, it can be chilly and damp, so you’ll want something warmer. Whenever you visit, it’s important to dress respectfully if you’re visiting religious sites such as the Meteora monasteries. Both men and women will be expected to wear clothes that cover their shoulders and legs. Women arriving in shorts will be given a long wrap skirt to wear on entry.

What's the best way of getting around in Greece?

The best way to get around in Greece is by car and public ferry. On the mainland and on larger islands, renting a car gives you the freedom to explore as you wish. We can also arrange for a private car and driver if you’d prefer not to drive.

If you’re visiting the Greek Islands, you can fly in, or take a ferry to travel between islands. Ferries can be delayed due to bad weather and sea conditions, so a ferry tracking app comes in useful when planning.

How long does it take to fly to Greece from the UK?

It takes around three and a half hours to fly from the UK to Greece.

What's the time zone in Greece?

The time zone in Greece is UTC+2 hours. Daylight Savings Time is observed from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in October.

Do I need a visa to visit Greece, and what do I need to check with my passport?

Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Greece. Enter where you’re travelling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.

Do I need vaccinations to visit Greece?

Your doctor can provide you with vaccine advice for Greece, but also check you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations at home. You can check the suggested vaccinations on the Travel Health Pro website.

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