Greece

With beautiful Mediterranean coastline at the south and the mainland littered with evidence of ancient civilisations, Greece is dramatic, philosophical and hospitable for all travellers. Whether it’s apartments, hotels, resorts, villas, houses, suites, rooms, studios, dorms or campsites you’re after for your trip to either mainland Greece or the Greek islands, there are plenty available at a range of prices.

For travel during the summer months, you will need to book ahead but the transient nature of travellers to Greece’s island destinations means that quality accommodation can be available all year round.

Since Greece is surrounded by three seas, the Aegean, the Ionian and the Mediterranean, the beach and the islands are incredibly popular destinations for travellers. Due to the popularity of the most well-known islands, Mykonos, Santorini and Paros, cheap package deals from Athens can be the best way to travel to all three.

Whether you book cheap flights to Athens, pick up a travel deal to come by sea from Italy or drive from the north, Greece can be a cheap holiday whatever the season.

Due to the Olympic Games in 2004, Athens has a plethora of accommodation and tours on offer for tourists, while the rest of the accommodation focuses on the coast or islands.

Athens

From the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the theatre of Dionysus, the ancient Agora, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus can give tourists an archaeological tour of ancient Greece.

Run the track of the Kalimarmaro stadium, originally constructed to host the Panathenaic games while in modern times the stadium was rebuilt to host the first modern Olympics in 1896.

With approximately 4 million people living in Athens, it can be crowded. Visitors come to explore the 28 museums, walk through the Acropolis, shop or dine in the old village of Plaka and bask at the gold artefacts from Mycenae in the National Archaeological Museum.

Cheap hotels and hostels are available in the city of Athens, particularly surrounding the Plaka, and are therefore central to the ancient sights, shopping, cultural dining and nightlife. There are also cheap villas and resorts on the beaches just a short drive away from the city centre.

Greek Islands

Mykonos remains the most popular island destination and therefore has the widest variety and largest number of accommodation for tourists. Some resorts offer travel deals between islands and activities in the seas just off the island. The organised beaches on the South of the island are considered the best in Greece for their white sand and crystal clear water.

Santorini is related to the mythology of Atlantis and today is the remains of a submerged volcano, which causes the long beaches here to be covered in black sand or red rocks. Tourists still travel in crowds to stay here despite the knowledge that the volcano is still considered active.

Paros is popular for its traditional villages, whitewashed cubic houses, narrow paved alleys which contrast with the lovely chapels and exciting nightlife of the island. If you want to party on the beach, learn to windsurf or sit on a sun bed under an umbrella, Paros is the island destination for you.

Island hopping between the Cyclades Islands of Santorini, Mykonos and Paros is made easier by the hotels that offer packages and transportation and the frequent ferries between docks.