Greece Holidays

Things To Do on Greece Holidays

With its huge smattering of islands and vast expanse of mainland, Greece holidays can vary from beachside breaks to cultural expeditions to two weeks of island-hopping; you can even book a day-trip to the neighbouring gem of Turkey if you fancy a change of scenery.

A fantastic country for families, couples and party people, if you like resorts that aren’t overly-developed but offer enough activities to keep you entertained from dawn ‘til dusk, holidays in Greece will see you all smiles.

For those who like the beach to be at the centre of their trip, there'll be no problem finding a blue-flag beauty to meet your needs on any of the Greek islands, but the crystal clear waters and feather-soft sands don’t just lend themselves to sun-worshippers, and if you’ve ever fancied an underwater adventure, there are plenty of opportunities to give snorkelling and scuba-diving a go.

You’ll find other lively pursuits centred around the volcanic landscape - perfect for mountaineering, horse-riding, canoeing or rafting - and if that’s whet your appetite for being at one with nature, Greece has a mass of wetlands set to rival Menorca and the Algarve for their bird watching credentials, with Prespa Lakes and Nestos Delta the most famed.

For more man-made attractions, history heroes will love Olympia – the site of the first ever Olympic games; the Acropolis in Athens, and the sacred city of Dion which lies at the foot of Mount Olympus. Or, if you’re a sucker for Greek mythology, add a trip to the Temple of Zeus to your agenda, or journey to Delphi – set high up on the cliff-side, the village is said to have been the navel of the Greek Gods. Even the islands lay claim to tales of mythology, with Knossos Royal Palace in Crete heralded as the place that King Minos’ wife gave birth to the legendary Minotaur – born part-man, part-bull.

Culture

Customs and traditions are still taken seriously in Greece, although you might have to travel off the beaten track to experience them as the main resorts are geared up to cater for tourists rather than traditions. One thing that does remain unchanged is the nation’s superstitions. From knives to black cats to blessing the bread, don’t be surprised if things aren’t what you're used to! Not to be confused with paganism, though, the majority of inhabitants remain devout Christians.

Most Greek national holidays take place towards the start of the year, but art and music festivals continue throughout the summer so you might be lucky enough to experience a slice of Greek culture firsthand on holidays in Greece.

If not, you can always immerse yourself in the food – something else that’s at the heart of the countries customs. Made up of fresh fruit, vegetables, olive oil and a bounty of dairy products, meat and fish, signature dishes include Greek salads laden with feta cheese, moussaka, Mezedes (similar to Tapas), a fish dish called Burdeta and lobster or shrimp based dishes. You’ll also get the customary helpings of fresh olives, pitta and dips, and for drinks, make sure you choose one of their fine local wines, or for a punchy pick-me-up, a shot of Raki.

Nightlife

Faliraki in Rhodes, Laganas in Zante, Kavos in Corfu, Kos Town and the island of Mykanos (see our clubbing holiday guide) are all hubs suited for the late-night tourist. With bars, clubs, pubs and world-famous DJ’s stopping off at several of the hot-spots, if you want to sleep all day and rave all night, you won’t be disappointed.