Vacation Rentals in Greece
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Travel destination Greece.
You can choose from 258 vacation rentals and holiday rentals.
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Destination
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(56)
Aegina Island (2), Alonissos (2), Andros (1), Kalymnos (2), Kos (1), Lesvos (1), Mykonos (11), Naxos (6), Paros (8), Rhodes (2), Santorini (9), Sifnos (3), Skiathos (5), Thassos (1), Tinos Island (2)
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(4)
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(55)
Aimilianós (2), Ermioni (7), Ilías (1), Kalamata (4), Kalo nero (8), Kándia (1), Karavostásion (2), Koroni (1), Kyparissía (1), Mani (3), Monemvasía (14), Nafplion (3), Tolón (2), Xiropígadhon (3)
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Overview of Greece |
| Size |
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131,944 sq km (51,458 sq mi) |
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| Population |
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10.3 million |
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| Language |
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Greek (Ellenika). People connected with tourism and the younger generation will speak
English, German, Italian or French. |
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| Time Zone |
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2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+2 GMT). |
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| Electricity |
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220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used. |
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| Clothing |
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Lightweight clothing for summer months, including a hat and sunglasses. Light sweaters are needed
for evenings. Rainproof jacket is recommended for autumn. The winter can be quite cold, especially in
the northern mainland, warm clothing is advisable. |
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| Religion |
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98% Greek Orthodox, 1.3% Muslim, 0.7% other. |
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| Currency |
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Euro (EUR)
Currency Converter |
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Location of Greece
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Greece is located at the southern extremity of the Balkan Peninsula which constitutes mainland Greece, and is
surrounded by more than 1400 islands, of which 169 are inhabited. The greek islands are divided into 6 groups:
the Cyclades, the Ionian Islands, the Dodecanese, the islands of the North-Eastern Aegean, the Sporades and the
Saronic Gulf islands. Crete and Evia, the two largest islandsof Greece don't belong to any island group.
To the north, Greece borders Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria, and to the east it borders Turkey.
Roughly four-fifths of Greece is mountainous, with most land lying over 1500 m (4920 ft) above sea level.
The total coastline is around 13,676 km. |
Climate in Greece
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Greece has a warm Mediterranean climate. Maximum temperatures on the islands hover around 30°C (87°F) in summer,
but the heat is often tempered by the northerly wind known as the meltemi. Winter temperatures can be
severe in the mountains, and even Athens can get viciously cold. In the winter months, temperatures are often below
10°C (50°F), which is fine for touring, but usually too cold to swim or lie on the beach. Greece has fairly little
rain year-round. |
Best Time to Travel to Greece
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Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Greece. The weather is pleasantly warm in most places, but
not too hot; beaches and ancient sites are relatively uncrowded; public transport operates on close to full
schedules; and accommodation is cheaper and easier to find than in the mid-June to end of August high season.
Winter is pretty much a dead loss outside the major cities as most of the tourist infrastructure goes
into hibernation from the middle of October till the beginning of April. This is slowly changing, however;
on the most touristy islands, a few restaurants, hotels and bars remain open year-round. |
Events in Greece
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Greece has a lot to offer to its visitors. Scenic landscapes, archeological sites, hundreds of fascinating
islands, amazing sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, white washed villages, warm hospitality, delicious cuisine and a
passionate history… The cradle of the Western civilisation awaits its visitors with many historic sites
including Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi and the Parthenon in Athens and numerous museums, archeological sites
located all over Greece, enabling to relive history and the unique ancient civilization in our days.
The Greek year dotted with religious and cultural festivals and events. Gynaikratia in January is a
day of role reversal in villages in northern Greece. Women spend the day in kafeneia (cafés) and
other social centres where men usually congregate, while the men stay at home to do housework.
The carnival season begins in Greece in February and features fancy dress, feasting, traditional
dancing and general merrymaking. Easter is the most significant festival in Greece, with candle-lit
processions, feasting and fireworks displays. Emphasis is placed on the Resurrection rather than on the
Crucifixion, so it is a joyous occasion. There are numerous summer festivals across the country, the
most famous being the Hellenic Festival (mid-June to late September), which hosts drama and music
in ancient theatres. In June the Rally Acropolis (drivers from throughout the world take part in
auto race competition) takes place in Athens. October International Marathon, (retracing the
original marathon route taken by a young warrior in 490 BC to announce the Athenian victory over the
invading Persians) in Athens. |
Society in Greece
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Visitors to Greece will find the Greeks to be well aware of a strong historical and cultural heritage.
Traditions and customs differ throughout Greece, but overall a strong sense of unity prevails.
The Greek Orthodox Church has a strong traditional influence on the Greek way of life, especially in more rural areas.
The throwing back of the head is a negative gesture. Dress is generally casual. Smoking is prohibited on public
transport and in public buildings.
Tipping: 12-15% is usual. The service charge is included in the bill in greek restaurants.
If you feel that the food or service was particularly good, then it is common to leave a small amount more. |
Food in Greece
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People tend to love or hate Greek food. Unusual spicing, lamb, olive oil, fish and feta cheese are
common ingredients. Greece has a wide variety of restaurants, ranging from elegant to quaint.
Estiatorion are the more expensive conventional restaurants; tavernas are informal,
traditional Greek family-run establishments; psistaria offer mostly grilled meats; and psarotaverna specialize in seafood dishes.
Throughout Greece you can taste everywhere tsatsiki garlic-yogurt spread, moussaka
aubergine casserole with minced lamb, cinnamon, red wine and olive oil, kebabs and avgolemono
chicken broth with rice, eggs, salt and lemon juice souvlakia lamb kebabs marinated in garlic,
spanakopita spinach pie and tiropita cheese pie. As a desert, you shouldn't miss baklavas
filo pastry filled with almonds, topped with honey, vanilla and sugar or loukoumades honey-drenched
pastry puffs. Most meals are ended off with a strong, thick cup of Greek coffee and sometimes fresh fruit,
such as, figs, apples, oranges or melons.
Greek wines vary widely in taste and quality. Retsina acquires the flavor of resin from the casks in which
it's stored, is an unique taste. Mavrodaphne is extremely sweet. The anise-flavored liqueur,
ouzo, is often drunk with water and ice. Their brandy, Metaxa is well-known worldwide. |
Visa for Greece
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Required by all except the following:
- nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, USA for a period
of up to three months
- nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Iceland,
Israel, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand,
Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, St Kitts & Nevis, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic,
Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela for a period of up to three months
- those continuing their
journey to a third country within 48 hours provided holding tickets with reserved seats and other documents
for their onward journey except: nationals of Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia,
Ghana, India, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria and Turkey who always need a visa,
even if transiting by the same aircraft. |
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