Discover 
Greece

Flights

There are no direct flights from Australia to Greece, so every route runs through a major hub. Emirates via Dubai is the most common choice for Australian travellers, with one flight a day and a total journey time of around 22-24 hours including the layover. Qatar Airways via Doha and Singapore Airlines via Singapore (connecting onward with partner carriers) are the other standard options, and all three offer competitive premium-cabin fares into Athens (ATH).

From Sydney or Melbourne, budget roughly a full day of travel door to door. From Perth, routing via Asia or the Gulf trims the connection time slightly compared to the east coast.

Getting Around Greece

• Ferries: The backbone of any island-hopping itinerary. High-speed ferries connect Athens' port of Piraeus to the Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros) in 2-5 hours, with slower conventional ferries also available at lower cost. Book popular routes in summer well in advance.

• Domestic Flights: Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air connect Athens to the larger islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes) in 40-50 minutes, useful for travellers short on time or combining several islands in one trip.

• Rental Car: Essential for exploring Crete, the Peloponnese and rural mainland Greece at your own pace. Roads are generally good; driving in central Athens is best avoided.

• Athens Metro: Clean, fast and connects the airport directly to the city centre and the main archaeological sites in around 40 minutes.

Shoulder season: May, June and September

The sweet spot for most travellers. Warm, sunny days without peak-season heat or crowds, all islands and restaurants open, and accommodation prices well below August's peak. Widely considered the best all-round time to visit.

Summer: Late June to August

Peak season, and peak everything else too. Temperatures sit in the high 20s to low 30s with little to no rain, island life is at its liveliest, but prices, crowds and heat all peak alongside it, particularly from mid-July through August.

Autumn: October

Still warm enough for beach days on islands like Crete, which holds its weather longer than most, with thinner crowds and easing prices. A strong alternative to the May/June shoulder.

Winter: November to April

Many islands quieten significantly, with some tavernas and hotels closing for the season. Athens, Crete and the mainland stay fully open year-round and make for a quieter, more local experience.

Athens

• The Acropolis and Parthenon: Non-negotiable, and best visited at opening time to beat both the crowds and the heat.

• Plaka and Monastiraki: Athens' old town, all cobblestone lanes, tavernas and rooftop bars with Acropolis views.

• The Acropolis Museum: One of the finest modern museums in Europe, purpose-built to house the Parthenon marbles.

• Day trip to Cape Sounion: The Temple of Poseidon at sunset, an hour from the city, is one of Greece's most underrated views.

The Cyclades

• Santorini: The caldera views from Oia and Fira are the image most people have of Greece, best experienced at sunset with a glass of local Assyrtiko wine. Stay a night or two in Imerovigli for the same views with fewer crowds.

• Mykonos: Windmills, Little Venice and some of the Mediterranean's best beach clubs, alongside a genuinely charming old town once the day-trippers clear out.

• Naxos: The largest and most overlooked Cycladic island, with mountain villages, ancient ruins and beaches that rival Mykonos without the crowds.

• Paros: A quieter, increasingly fashionable alternative with excellent beaches and the pretty fishing village of Naoussa.

Crete

• Chania's Old Town: A beautifully preserved Venetian harbour town, widely considered one of Greece's prettiest.

• The Samaria Gorge: One of Europe's longest gorges, a full-day hike through dramatic White Mountains scenery.

• Elafonissi Beach: Pink-tinged sand and shallow turquoise water on Crete's remote southwest coast.

The Peloponnese & Mainland

• Meteora: Monasteries perched atop sheer rock pillars, one of the most extraordinary sights in Greece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Nafplio: A beautifully preserved Venetian-era town and one of the Peloponnese's most charming bases.

• Delphi: The ancient sanctuary of the Oracle, dramatically set on the slopes of Mount Parnassus.

Santorini

• Canaves Ena: An 18-suite boutique hotel built into historic wine caves, recently renovated, with architecture that nods to the island's heritage.

• Grace Hotel Santorini: Suites and villas with private plunge pools in Imerovigli, among the best caldera views on the island.

Mykonos

• Four Seasons Hotel Mykonos: The island's newest benchmark for luxury service.

• Kalesma Mykonos: An ultra-luxury hideaway above Ornos Bay with Cycladic charm and genuine privacy.

Athens

• Hotel Grande Bretagne: A neoclassical landmark overlooking Syntagma Square, Athens' most storied address.

• THE DOLLI: A historic-centre hotel with Acropolis views from its rooftop pool and restaurant.

• Four Seasons Astir Palace: Beachfront glamour on the Athens Riviera in Glyfada.

Excluding flights and accommodation, budget around $100-150 per person per day for a mid-range trip covering food, ferries, sights and incidentals. A backpacker can hold daily costs near $100-125; a luxury traveller in high-end hotels and restaurants should budget $250 or more per day.

For a full two-week holiday from Australia including flights, expect roughly $4,000pp on a shoestring, $5,500-$7,000pp mid-range, and $9,000pp or more for a comfortable, well-appointed trip.

Return economy flights from Sydney or Melbourne typically run $1,800-$2,300 in the November-March low season, $2,300-$2,900 in the May/June and September shoulders, and $3,000-$3,800 across July and August.

Tips: Book inter-island ferries in advance for July and August travel, when popular routes sell out. Taverna lunches are noticeably cheaper than dinner menus at the same restaurant. A rental car is often cheaper than taxis for exploring Crete or the Peloponnese over several days.