Greece Travel Guide: Athens, Crete and the Islands

Greece combines historic cities, archaeological sites, mainland landscapes and islands with distinct characters. The first planning choice is whether to stay on the mainland, choose one island or build a multi-stop route. For a short holiday, one main base often makes the trip simpler and leaves more time to enjoy it.

Choose the kind of Greece trip you want

Athens and the mainland

Athens suits a city break focused on ancient history, museums, food and neighbourhoods. Give major sights enough time and check official opening details before your visit. If you want to see more of the mainland, plan transport and overnight stays rather than treating long journeys as easy day trips. A city stay and a coastal or countryside stay can feel like very different holidays.

Crete

Crete is a large island with towns, beaches, countryside and historic sites. Distances can be longer than they appear on a map, so choose a base based on the places you most want to see. If you want to explore widely, compare car hire with buses, organised excursions and taxis. A single base may suit a relaxed stay; a longer visit may make a second base worthwhile.

Rhodes

Rhodes combines a historic town with beach and resort areas. Decide whether you want to spend most of your time near the old town, by the sea or on day trips around the island. Check the distance between your accommodation and the places you plan to visit, and compare local transport before booking a remote stay.

Corfu and the Ionian islands

Corfu offers a mix of historic streets, coastal scenery and village areas. Other Ionian islands have their own character and transport patterns. If you are renting a car, check road conditions, parking and rental terms, and avoid planning too many stops in one day.

The Cyclades

Santorini, Naxos and other Cycladic islands can be part of an island-focused trip, but each stop adds a transfer to your itinerary. Check ferry routes and timetables for your dates, and leave a buffer if separate tickets are involved. The best island depends on whether you want scenery, beaches, village life, nightlife or a slower pace.

When to go

Summer is a popular time for beaches and island holidays, but it can also be busy and hot. Spring and autumn may suit sightseeing and walking, though some seasonal services operate differently outside peak months. Weather and opening schedules vary by location. Check current local information before planning outdoor activities, and build in shade, water and rest when conditions are warm.

How long should you spend?

For a few days, focus on Athens or one island. With a week, consider Athens plus one island, or stay on one larger island and explore at a comfortable pace. For island-hopping, allow enough nights at each stop to make the ferry journey worthwhile. A longer holiday gives you more options, but it is still helpful to limit the number of hotel changes.

A flexible first-trip itinerary

1. Days 1–2: arrive in Athens, settle in and visit the sights that matter most to you.
2. Days 3–6: travel to one island and use it as your base for beaches, villages or local excursions.
3. Day 7: return with enough time before your international departure, especially if the trips are booked separately.

This is only a sample. If you prefer slower travel, spend the whole week on one island. If you are interested in history, give Athens and mainland sites more time. Check route schedules before deciding how many places to include.

Island-hopping without the stress

• Check the ferry route and schedule for the exact date, not just a general route map.
• Confirm where the port is and how you will reach your accommodation.
• Leave time between separate bookings in case a connection changes.
• Check luggage rules and whether tickets need to be collected or shown digitally.
• Have a backup plan for a disrupted connection and keep booking contacts available.
• Do not choose an island only because it is near another one; compare actual travel time and frequency.

Getting around

On the mainland, compare trains, buses, domestic flights and car hire according to your route. Islands may rely on buses, taxis, rental vehicles or organised trips, and service levels can change by season. If you plan to drive, check licence rules, insurance, deposits, fuel terms and pickup arrangements. For city stays, a car may add parking costs without saving time.

For airport and port transfers, confirm the pickup point, luggage space, waiting time and what happens if your arrival is delayed. See our transfer guide and car hire advice.

Where to stay

Choose accommodation around the activities and transport you expect to use. On an island, a low-priced room far from the main town may require extra transfers or a rental vehicle. In Athens, compare neighbourhood, transport access and the walking distance to your plans. Check what is included, cancellation terms, taxes and any extra fees. Read our hotel comparison guide before booking.

Before you travel

Entry rules depend on your passport and circumstances. If you are travelling from the UK, check the latest GOV.UK Greece entry requirements and full Greece travel advice. For official destination information, visit Visit Greece. Recheck ferry and flight schedules, local guidance and booking terms close to departure.

Pick an island route that fits your time

Athens and one island: spend the first part of the trip in Athens, then choose one island with a route that suits your travel dates. This gives you a mix of city and island time without changing hotels repeatedly. Check how you will get from the airport to the port or station and leave a sensible gap before your next connection.

One larger island: stay on Crete or another island where your chosen sights are reachable from a practical base. Consider whether a second base would cut down on long journeys or simply add more check-ins. If you plan to hire a car, check the pickup time, rental rules, parking and driving distance before booking day trips.

Two nearby islands: choose destinations only after confirming the actual ferry schedule. Routes can vary by date and season. A map may show islands close together while the available sailing is less convenient, so build the itinerary around the current timetable rather than assumptions.

Plan activities around the conditions

For archaeological sites, museums and popular experiences, check official opening hours, ticket availability and visitor guidance. If you are planning outdoor activities, look at the route difficulty, shade, water access and local weather advice. Leave time for meals and rest, particularly on a hot day. Avoid placing a long walk, a ferry crossing and a fixed-time evening activity into one tight schedule.

Travellers with mobility needs should check the exact accommodation, transport and attraction access with providers. Island terrain, steps and uneven surfaces vary from place to place. Ask specific questions about entrances, lifts, walking distances and accessible transport before you pay.

Accommodation and transfers

Compare the full journey to your hotel, not only the flight or ferry. Check the port or airport arrival point, onward transfer, luggage space and late-night options. A low accommodation price can be less convenient if the property is far from the bus route or town centre. Review check-in rules and cancellation terms, especially when connecting services are booked separately.

Greece trip checklist

• Choose mainland, one island or a small number of stops.
• Compare actual transport times before booking accommodation.
• Keep buffer time between separately booked flights and ferries.
• Check what is open and how to get around for your travel dates.
• Review current entry rules and travel advice for your passport.
• Book with a clear understanding of cancellation and disruption terms.

Continue planning with our Portugal guide, Spain guide, activities page and travel blog.

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