Greece holidays

This is a country that loves food and uses fresh, local ingredients to produce delicious dishes. Holidaying in Greece, you’ll discover flavourful salads, grilled meats, seafood and pastries. Whether you’re staying on one of the idyllic islands or on the mainland, there’s so much here for every taste. If Greece has a national dish, then it must be moussaka. Found all over the country but with local twists, this lasagne-like hotpot is simply delicious. Layers of aubergine, meat and potatoes are slow cooked to perfection and topped with a creamy bechamel sauce. A must-try on your Greek holiday.

Dolmades are another staple across Greece. Tender grape leaves are stuffed with rice and herbs to make a mouth-watering meat-free appetiser. Dolmades can be eaten as a snack or as part of a main meal and they go really well with a glass or two of cold Assyrtiko, a white wine native to Santorini. For an after-the-pub feast, nothing beats souvlaki. These tender cubes of marinated meat are cooked on wooden skewers and are perfect after a night on the town. You’ll find them wrapped in pita bread and served with fries – the ultimate street food.

At nearly 14,000 miles, Greece has one of the longest coastlines in the world. There are over 500 Blue Flag-awarded beaches, made up of everything from pebbles to soft white sand. You’ll find clear azure water everywhere you look, and untouched bays to lay down your towel. For a beach of unparalleled beauty, head to Elafonisi in Crete. Regularly heading up lists of the world’s best beaches, this amazing pink-hued stretch of sand has to be seen to be believed. A place of romance for newlyweds and an exciting day out for families

Navagio, or Shipwreck Beach in Zante is one of the most photographed in all of Greece. This beautiful crescent-shaped cove is backed by towering limestone cliffs, and can only be reached by boat. Home to a shipwrecked fishing vessel, the whole scene is like something from a movie. Vai Beach in Crete is not just lined with palm trees – there a whole forest of them here! Home to the biggest palm grove in Europe, this amazing beach completes the tropical vibe with bleach-blonde sand and stunning clear water. There’s even a bar where you can sip on a colourful cocktail as the sun goes down.

Greece is home to some of the world’s most iconic ancient buildings. With hilltop fortresses designed to repel attacks and temples built to honour the gods, this is a land of fascinating history and endless wonder. We recommend these must-see historical hotspots on your next Greek holiday.

Athens: There’s enough ancient history here to spend a lifetime over. Just be sure to visit the Parthenon, built in the 5th century B.C to honour the goddess Athena, and take in the stunning views of the city below. When you’re back at street-level, don’t miss out on the Agora, the centre of public life in ancient Athens.

Delphi: This 4th century B.C settlement was once home to the Oracle of Delphi, a mystical priestess called upon to predict the future of the ancient world. You can see the remains of the Temple of Apollo, where she practised her fortune-telling, along with a theatre, treasury and stadium.

Olympia: The Olympic Games began here in 776 B.C to honour the god Zeus. The remains of the racetrack and stadium remain a big draw, along with the Temple of Hera, where the Olympic torch is lit to this day. Don’t forget to stop at the Archaeological Museum – one of the best in Greece.

With thousands of Greek islands to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to begin! Your best bet when you want to island hop is to keep it all close together. Choose islands that are linked by short ferry rides to keep travel times down and plan your accommodation in advance. Below we’ve put together a route that takes in three beautiful islands.

Corfu: With its interesting Old Town full of venetian architecture and tree-lined arcades, there’s no better place to start you island hopping adventure. You’ll find world-class beaches, ancient monasteries and a nightlife that can be as laid-back or full-on as you wish.

Paxos: From the port in Corfu Town, take the ferry to the tiny island of Paxos. The journey should take about an hour, with the first ferry leaving at 7.30 am. The water here ranges from deep blue to emerald green and is perfectly clear – don’t forget to bring your snorkel. The island’s vineyards are said to produce the best wine in Greece, so be sure to indulge before heading to your next destination.

Antipaxos: Just 15 minutes from Paxos by ferry , Antipaxos is perfect for a return day trip. The water here is exceptionally clear and blue, more like the Caribbean than Europe. There are a number of tavernas behind the main beach for barbeques and refreshments. You can also hire sunbeds and parasols for a chilled-out day on the sand.