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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It takes around nine hours to fly from the East Coast of the US to Athens in Greece, and around 14 and a half hours from the West Coast.

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.

Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Greece. Enter where you’re traveling 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.

• Entry requirements travel tool

Your doctor can provide you with immunization 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 .