In this part of our guide to holidays in Greece we focus on the basic tourist information that visitors should know…
Greece is located in Southern Europe and has extensive coastlines and islands in the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas. It offers a myriad of experiences, landscapes and activities and is famous for its beaches, reliable sunny summer weather, nightlife, historical sites and natural beauty.
These features attract more than 15 million visitors each year, making this southern European country one of the world’s top 20 tourist destinations. While 90% of its tourists come from other European countries, in recent years there have been growing numbers of visitors from other parts of the world too.
The most popular destinations include the capital, Athens, and the islands, especially Crete, Rhodes and Corfu. Some areas are very tourist orientated, but people seeking a quieter experience can still find places free from mass tourism.
The vast majority of visitors arrive during tourism season, which is April through October, with the peak of the season being July through to August. Outside of this time, most of the country’s tourist infrastructure goes into hibernation, particularly on the islands.
The majority of scheduled international flights go via Athens and Thessaloníki. But in the tourism season, charter and low-budget flights flying from numerous European cities arrive daily at a range of popular island destinations and smaller mainland cities.
A valid passport is necessary to enter Greece. Citizens of some non-EU countries may also need to obtain a visa, but citizens of the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can stay as long as 90 days without needing a visa.
The country’s rates of theft and violence against visitors are relatively low and travelers are neither required nor advised to have immunization vaccinations prior to entering Greece.
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