Where do Russians vacation in Greece? Holidays in Greece: when and where to go. The best places in Greece for lovers of historical attractions

Greece is simply a great country for a holiday with children, which has a lot of advantages: customer-oriented hotels, clean beaches, interesting sights, friendly people. Holidays in Greece are designed for any person: from young to old. You need to relax here - at least try it once in your life. I assure you, you will really like it and you will want to come back here again.

Now we will look together at all the options for where to go on vacation in Greece: where is the best place to relax and choose an excellent resort. Recently, prices in Greece have dropped, plus many hotels allow children under 10 years of age to stay for free. This year's summer season promises to be one of the cheapest among popular destinations.

A visa to the republic is one of the easiest and it is quite simple to obtain. However, do not forget that if the child is over 12 years old and this is his first visa, they must undergo fingerprinting. A younger child can simply take a photo.

What season, what time of year is it better to vacation in Greece?

The climate of Greece varies between regions, especially in May and October.

Thus, the Mediterranean climate zone includes:

Crete;
Rhodes;
Glyfada;
Peloponnese;
Zankinth.

Winters are always warm and damp, summers are dry and hot. It is coldest in January - the temperature drops to plus 10 degrees, the hottest is in August - up to 33°. The swimming season begins at the end of May and lasts until the beginning of November.

Mid-June – July, as well as early September, when it is not so hot, are recommended for swimming with children. The weather in August is characterized by strong winds that slightly reduce the heat, so you can safely come to the above-mentioned resorts with adult children.

The temperate climate zone is located in the northeast of the country. This:

Thasos;
Chalkidiki;
Thessaloniki;
Katerina.

Winters here are cool and rainy, summer time- warm and dry. The coldest month - January - has up to 8 degrees of heat during the day, and August - up to +30. May in these places is good for excursions, but very cool for swimming - it can rain for up to two weeks, and the air temperature rarely reaches 24 degrees, and the sea temperature - up to 18°. So with kids it’s better to wait until July-August, when the sea warms up to a comfortable 25 degrees. We remind you that even August nights are quite cool and rarely reach 21°C.

Which resort is better to choose in Greece? Family routes in Greece

Hospitable and warm country offers many resorts, conditionally divided into the mainland, including the Peloponnese and Halkidiki, and the island. Where is the best and safest place to relax?

Everywhere! The good thing about Greece is that everyone can find their own holiday here.

Routes around mainland Greece: the best resorts for holidays and with children

Halkidiki

The peninsula is located in the northeast and is shaped like a trident and can be easily recognized on the map. It has three “fingers” - Sithonia, Kassandra and Athos. Tourists choose these places for the warm, shallow sea, white sandy beaches, and numerous attractions. Both regions are very popular with parents, which is why they rank first among travel destinations.

For organized infrastructure, you should go to Kassandra, where you can find quiet hotels oriented towards children's entertainment, 45 km from Thessaloniki. Moreover, in walking distance there are shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

For silence, sparse crowds and greenery, people go to Sithonia, ideal for secluded walks on the beach, swimming in numerous coves and walks through olive groves and pine forests. There are more than a hundred large hotel complexes and small mini-hotels suitable for permission.

Hotels on Mount Athos are located around Ouranoupoli and Nea Kallikratia. There were numerous taverns, shops, cafes, clubs and sand and pebble beaches scattered there. Most of the region is closed to visitors, as it belongs to a monastic state. There are 20 active monasteries and visitors must take permission. Women are not allowed into the forbidden area.

Peloponnese

The second peninsula with wide sandy beaches, inexpensive resorts, various educational ancient attractions. Good for children.

Pieria

A resort located near Olympus, on the Aegean coast. Most of the territory belongs national park With extraordinary nature, has many clean beaches and cultural attractions. For those who want peace, the cozy town of Platamonas is perfect.

The region will be of more interest to everyone cultural recreation; family tourists The small resort village of Lagonissi, located 40 km from Athens, is also recommended. This is where the famous golden beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea, crystal warm water, lemon and olive groves are located.

Evia is located 80 km from Athens and is connected to the mainland by a bridge. It is convenient to travel throughout Central Greece. The island is interesting for its healing pine air, walks between centuries-old trees, lack of wind on the beaches, mountain gorges with healing springs. Basically, hotels, like all infrastructure, are located in the south of Evia. The island is quite expensive for a holiday.

Routes around island Greece: the best resorts for holidays and with children

Crete

The very first island that, perhaps, everyone will name. It is good for its gentle pricing policy and incredible opportunities for recreation with children of all ages. All regions of the island are different from each other. So Chania is the greenest and most beautiful part of the island, famous for its mixture of cultures, beautiful parks and original shopping. There are very few tourists here, so the resort is very suitable for family travelers. Rethymnon is a crowded resort with two the highest mountains. Lasithi will be interested in sunny weather, and Heraklion - the most developed infrastructure With a huge amount museums and nightclubs.

Zakynthos

Your child will definitely enjoy swimming with Caretta turtles. You can also go on a cruise from the island to all neighboring islands with a stop in the famous Navagio Bay. By the way, prices here are quite affordable, and you can even find 2* hotels.

Corfu

Hotel chain Cyprotel-Almyros-Natura 4*

Although the island located in the Ionian Sea is considered a Mecca of club life, even here you can find a quiet family hotel. To relax with children, it is better to go to the north of the island - to Benitses with officially clean beaches and Dassia with well-developed infrastructure, which is important when coming to relax with children. Despite the status “for the rich,” you can have a great rest here in the Cyprotel Almyros Natura 4* hotel chain for 79 thousand rubles for 10 days.

Kos

The territory of the island is quite small and there are few hotels on it. True, even here you will find inexpensive beach hotels. As for entertainment, although Kos is famous for its Lido water amusement park near the town of Mastichari, there is not much to do here. By the way, did you know that Kos is one of the most environmentally friendly areas of Greece? The disadvantages include the noise of some resorts, for example Kardamena, and frequent strong winds on the sea coast.

Rhodes

Beaches in Greece: where there are good sandy beaches and calm seas in Greece

For a safe stay for children, you will need beaches with a gentle slope into the sea, without rocks and waves, and for a comfortable stay, the beach must have developed infrastructure.

In Athens, the best sandy beach is Asteria, with a gently sloping shore and excellent infrastructure.

The top three cleanest beaches and calm seas are headed by Chalkidiki. Each one has changing cabins, sun loungers and showers. Nea Potidea and Hanioti are recommended.

In Paralia, the beaches are municipal, however, they are equipped with everything necessary, and for a fee you can use a sun lounger or umbrella.

The Peloponnese has a sandy shore; the exception of Loutrak is small pebbles.

The island of Crete is famous for its equipped sandy beaches. However, even here you should carefully choose a hotel - Agia Pelagia has Sandy shore with large pebbles.

The distinctive features of Rhodes are shallow water and perfectly clean sand. On each beach there are cabins, showers and sun loungers.

Carefully choose a place for swimming on the island of Corfu. So there are completely sandy beaches - Dassia and Agios Gordios and completely pebble beaches - Kassiopi. And Kontokali is a mixture of yellow sand and small pebbles. However, the latter is very convenient for bathing babies and has received the Blue Flag.

The island of Kos is famous for its very warm sea and small waves that kids love to jump through.

Healthy:

Prices for tour packages for holidays in Greece

You can fly to Greece inexpensively. So finding an all-inclusive tour for two for 25 thousand rubles is as easy as shelling pears. A holiday with a child will undoubtedly be a little more expensive - in the summer of 2018, a trip to Greece will cost at least 40 thousand rubles with a flight from Moscow. Flights from St. Petersburg and other cities in the European part of Russia will traditionally cost 5-10 thousand more.

Features of holidays with children in Greece

Hotel SUN-BEACH-RESORT-4* (one of the best)

It is very difficult to choose a Greek resort, because the country is divided into island and mainland parts with hundreds of hotels. The more you read, the more difficult the choice.

Holidays are especially complicated if you are traveling with children under three years old, as they will require special conditions:

The hotel must be located on the first coastline;
There should be a clean sandy beach or with very small pebbles;
Convenient entrance to the sea;
Distance to the airport (preferably no further than 40 km);
Services provided by the hotel (cribs, meals, animation, gaming clubs).

Having picked up suitable hotel You don’t have to worry about the kids and calmly let them splash around in the warm water. Plus, children will enjoy building sand castles.

For children under 12 years old, they choose “all inclusive”; as a rule, these are 5* and 4* hotels. How to save 30% by simply booking your room in advance. Good inexpensive options offered in Rhodes, Crete, in the Loutraki area, in Halkidiki.

Let’s summarize – where is the best place to go on holiday in Greece:

The choice of where to go on holiday with children in Greece is very rich. However, the most recommended family inexpensive resorts are the Halkidiki peninsula and the Peloponnese coast. Among the islands you should take a closer look at Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Kos.

For an excursion, all the resorts in Greece are amazing; everywhere you will find something to entertain not only yourself, but also everyone vacationing with you. The prices, as you can see for yourself, are adequate. Unforgettable places.

Holidays in Greece are now increasingly popular among our compatriots, so take a closer look at this country. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. What I mean is that it’s already packed, the south of Russia is full of surprises, (especially when the bridge to the peninsula is opened) it will simply be “teeming” with tourists and vacationers, Goa, Thailand and Vietnam are a bit far away.

And in Greece - 33 pleasures for both you and your family. Relax where it's better!

If a visa scares you away from visiting the best resorts in Greece, then look, look to the side, the mountains will refresh your body and improve the health of your entire family.

In this article you will learn about where to go on holiday in Greece in the summer, and you will also find a lot useful information about tours to this country.

A country four seas invites you to relax from the first minutes of arrival at the airport. Beautiful Hellas seems to be created for a relaxing holiday with the family: the white and blue colors in the architecture of the cities and bright flowers on the narrow streets of Greece alternate with colorful bars and taverns where you can taste local wine. Even in the conditions of modern civilization, this ancient state managed to preserve the mysterious atmosphere of antiquity.

Greece not only has wide sandy beaches over 14,000 kilometers long, but also many historical monuments, so it’s good to combine a beach holiday with a rich excursion program here. Add hospitality to this local residents coupled with incredibly tasty cuisine and amazing beautiful nature and get the perfect holiday by the sea.

Wise Greeks know how not only to work, but also to have fun, so it’s quite easy to get to some holiday here or accidentally become a participant in folk festivities. In addition, this is an Orthodox state, so Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians are close local customs and rituals.

It is not surprising that many residents of the post-Soviet space come to this sunny country to get married in a romantic setting with the pleasant sound of the waves instead of the typical Mendelssohn waltz.

All you need to have a cheap holiday in Greece in the summer is to choose your destination and travel dates, and then choose a suitable tour.

Brief information

Interestingly, Greece is located on 2 thousand islands and is surrounded by four seas - the Mediterranean, Aegean, Libyan and Ionian. It is located in the southeast of the Balkan Peninsula, which the indigenous people sometimes call Emos. Among the closest neighbors of this hospitable country are Türkiye, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania.

The largest cities in Greece that you should definitely visit at least for a short time are Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Larissa, Chalkidiki and Patras.

Although state language The country is Greek; many residents, especially those working in the tourism sector, speak English quite well, as well as French and German. The overwhelming majority of the local population professes Orthodoxy.

From the history of the country

Over its long history, Greece managed to be part of the Roman Empire and find itself in the power of Venetian and Turkish rulers. However, in 1831, the land of the Hellenes was finally freed from the shackles of the conquerors, and years later officially became part of the European Union.

Many cities and monuments of Greece today are world cultural heritage and are protected by UNESCO. Among them: the remains of the Temple of Zeus, the Acropolis and Parthenon, Meteora monasteries, ruins ancient city Delphi and much more. If you believe the Greek myths, several thousand years ago the powerful gods of Olympus lived here. Since then, this great country has retained the special mystery of antiquity and harmoniously combined it with the modern state structure.

Tours to Greece

Those who want to get the most out of their vacation, enjoying not only a typical beach and sea holiday, but also a wonderful climate, as well as a rich cultural component, should go to the monastery of the ancient Hellenes. Booking a tour to Greece is not difficult at all: experienced travel agency specialists will help you decide on the departure date and choose the appropriate flight. They will carry out a competent selection of hotels in various parts of the country, and the process of issuing a voucher will take a matter of minutes. By the way, early booking tour will help you save a lot of money.

For lovers of comfort

Many tourists traveling with children choose all-inclusive tours, which are most often offered by five-star hotels in Greece. The advantages of this system include the ability to eat on the hotel premises almost around the clock. Also, the standard Ultra All Inclusive package usually includes unlimited alcohol in the hotel bars and restaurants and Additional services(visit to the spa center, fitness room and sauna).

The Land of Hellas offers many UAI tours to various destinations. For Russian tourists I especially like to relax on the islands of Crete and Rhodes. An inexpensive all-inclusive vacation in Greece is a normal desire. A tour operator will help you organize a trip there; you won’t even need to think about how to book a hotel and buy plane tickets, they will do it all for you, just choose the appropriate type of vacation using the tour search form located just above.

Minimum package

If you are not going to stay in your hotel room for a long time and don’t mind saving a little on comfort, the best option for a tour to Greece may be a minimum package with half board or breakfast alone. In addition, by purchasing such a tour, you will be able to try many local dishes, since you are unlikely to have dinner at the hotel.

By choosing such a package, you get hotel accommodation, air tickets to the desired city, as well as health insurance and transfer. Russian travel agencies also have Special offers, by purchasing which you can fly to Athens or any other city in Greece on a budget.

Prices for holidays in Greece by the sea next year may change due to constant fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, so before your trip we recommend checking the current cost of your trip with tour operators. And if you want to have a cheaper vacation, you can choose a last-minute tour, but for this you need to be ready to leave at any moment.

Best places to stay

Numerous Greek beaches attract tourists with their soft golden sand, and ancient temples and attractions keep many secrets and mysteries. This small country is a whole museum under open air, with which only Italy, Spain and several other Western European states can be compared in terms of the number of monuments and values.

The best beauties of Greece are concentrated in the capital and on the islands, each of which has its own characteristics and rich historical heritage. Holidays in Greece in the summer will be truly unforgettable if you visit one of our recommended places in this warm southern country.

Athens

Traveling to Greece is often associated with the majestic capital of this country - Athens. This city with ancient history spread out on the plains of Attica and surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Parnitha, Imittos and Aigaleo.

This monumental place is the cultural, historical and political-economic center of Greece, where a third of the population of the entire country is concentrated. From ancient times to the present day, Athens has been named after a maritime power, because dozens of ships pass through the famous port of Piraeus every day, and from the Greek capital you can reach the islands by sea.

Athens is shrouded in ancient legends on all sides. In the birthplace of democracy there are hundreds of places that deserve the attention of tourists.

It would be nice to start with the grandiose Acropolis - a real treasure ancient history. Councils of Elders, which represented a judicial body, have long been organized here Ancient Greece and served as the beginning of the development of world democracy. After climbing the Acropolis, take a look at the sacred Parthenon Temple, dedicated to the Olympian goddess Pallas Athena. Despite numerous restorations, this majestic building has retained almost its original appearance to this day.

Another mandatory point of the program is the National Archaeological Museum, where more than 20,000 different exhibits from all over Greece are presented. The highlight of the museum is its unique collection of Greek vases.

Finally, in Athens you should definitely visit the Olympic Stadium, the size of which will amaze your imagination. It can accommodate up to 75,000 people, but it is best to come here on days free from concerts and matches, because then you will be able to take a good look and photograph this architectural masterpiece, which came from the hands of Santiago Calatrava.

In addition, the following equally popular attractions are worthy of travelers' attention:

Numismatics Museum
Champ de Mars
National Park
Houses of Parliament
Syntagma Square
Cape Sounion

If you want to continue your journey, after visiting this pearl of the ancient world, you can take a look at the Greek islands.

Crete

The largest island of the Greek lands is also the fifth largest in the entire Mediterranean Sea. Crete is surrounded by the waters of three seas - Cretan, Ionian and Libyan. In addition to luxurious beaches and cozy sea coves, travelers will find here many Byzantine temples and ancient attractions, including the world-famous labyrinth of the Minotaur from Greek legends.

This place combines ancient civilization with modern infrastructure. The resort villages and towns of Crete have everything you need for a carefree holiday: from shops and markets to hotels and water parks. There are as many as 2 airports with international terminals, so you can fly here directly from many cities around the world. Crete is considered one of Europe's most popular seaside holiday destinations in Greece.

Rhodes

This colorful “pearl of the Mediterranean” is the fourth largest Greek island, which is also washed by Aegean Sea. The city of Rhodes is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its rich history. Here are the most valuable monuments of various times: medieval knightly fortresses and ancient monasteries, in particular, the temple of the goddess Athena.

Fragrant orange orchards and fragrant rose flower beds are interspersed with narrow Greek streets and cobbled embankments. A beach holiday in Greece can be combined with active spending time on the island of Rhodes in the form of diving, surfing and rock climbing.

Corfu

If you're looking for privacy and luxury, this Greek island is a good choice. The island of Corfu with the emerald water of the Ionian Sea is considered one of elite resorts Greece. Luxury deluxe hotels have their own own beaches and vast areas with green spaces.

However, in the island villages you can still experience the delights of traditional village life, tasting real homemade wine and dishes prepared with premium olive oil. Arriving in Corfu, it is worth taking a walk through the private sector among cypress and oak groves, as well as admiring the natural beauty of tangerine orchards and vineyards. By the way, Old City - Old city in Corfu - included in the list of World Heritage Sites cultural heritage UNESCO.

Already in the first hours of your stay on this wonderful island, you will feel the touch of the sun's rays and the light aroma of coniferous trees in the air. One of the seven islands of the Dodecanese archipelago is famous for its pleasant climate without the sultry heat and the cool waters of the Aegean Sea. A beach holiday in Greece on the island of Kos would be incomplete without surfing and other sports. Moreover, the cozy sea bays that decorate the golden beaches of the island seem to be created for this.

On Kos there are a number of monuments of ancient culture, including the plane tree of Hippocrates, the Temple of Asklepion and many others. Moreover, it is convenient geographical position This green corner of nature makes it possible to take an excursion to other islands of the Dodecanese archipelago.

Local kitchen

Do you want to holiday in Greece in 2017? I want to, and therefore I carefully approached the planning, and at the same time I decided to tell you exactly how you need to plan a vacation in Greece, what nuances should be taken into account, how best to choose the time and place for your vacation, so as not to regret your choice even once.

Once upon a time, Greece was a stronghold of culture and even spirituality, which served as a kind of base for the formation of the culture of all of Europe. Now it's good and inexpensive resort area, which attracts vacationers with children from all over the world.

Tourists in Greece enjoy a wonderful climate, an abundance of cultural and historical monuments, as well as a well-developed infrastructure aimed at travelers. Why holidaying with children in Greece is a good decision:

very mild climate - there is enough low level humidity, it is rarely stuffy, and the island is simply surrounded by greenery;
stunning natural landscapes put you in an elevated mood, and stunning beaches and a delightful sea introduce you to an atmosphere of relaxation and fun;
the local population itself is very friendly and hospitable, which makes the holiday simply fabulous;
there is practically no crime in Greece;
unlike Turkey, so beloved by tourists, childhood infectious diseases are rarely found here - it’s really safe to vacation with a child;
as in many popular tourist countries, there are a lot of Russian-speaking employees here - there is no feeling of a language barrier and helplessness;
many hotels offer special conditions for vacationers with children - for example, a special menu;
the cost of the holiday is quite affordable for most families, and many hotels do not require payment for children (almost all hotels do not charge for children under 12 years old, many do not require payment for children under 14-18 years old);
a large amount of excursion material - Greece is simply full historical places that are associated with myths, world history and literature;
Many hotels provide special conditions for children's recreation— at the hotel, a family with a baby will be offered a special crib and high chair, will be provided with a stroller for walks, and will also provide children with the attention of animators;
Almost all hotels are equipped for families with children.

The main thing to do is to choose the right resorts or islands in Greece for your holiday, which can meet any wishes of parents with a small child.

By the way, it should be said separately about “adult” vacations - it is clear that any parent wants to provide their child with the maximum possible comfortable stay, but the Greeks do not forget about their parents - a large number of excursions, good water parks, beaches and swimming pools, as well as bars and discos for everyone who wants to take a little break from parenthood will warmly open their doors to every vacationer.

Choosing a place

Where is the best place to relax in Greece? In fact, you can relax here almost anywhere - it will still be of high quality, sunny, fun and tasty, but, of course, different resorts have their own differences. So, the resorts of Greece can be divided into mainland and island. If you want to relax on the mainland, then welcome to Chalkidiki or the Peloponnesian Peninsula.

If you are wondering where to relax in Greece and see on the map something resembling a trident - this is Chalkidiki.

Each “prong” is a peninsula, Kassandra, Athos and Sithonia. The peninsula is washed by the Aegean Sea. Most often, a trip to Greece on the mainland means trips to Halkidiki. There is not too deep sea, beaches with the purest white sand and a large number of attractions. The Kassandra resort will appeal to those who would like to combine a family holiday with an active nightlife.

Sithonia - a green peninsula where there are not many people and quite quiet. Here you can find tranquil solitude, lazy beach holidays, and plenty of... pine forests and olive groves.

Here time flows completely differently, and you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest, even if it lasts just over a week.

Athos - a popular place in the religious world. Specific, to be precise. The fact is that Holy Athos is located here - it is a monastic city in which there are about 20 operating monasteries of different faiths. It's difficult to get there.

In the central part of Halkidiki there is a town Unknown Callicracy - small hotels, nice beach made of a mixture of sand and pebbles, as well as a large number of shops and clubs.

Another peninsula called Peloponnese More suitable for holidays with children of middle school age - they will be interested in getting to know ancient sights.

There is also a resort on the mainland called Pieria — it stretches along the foot of Olimko. There are more cultural events and activities as well as unique nature(most of the territory is under state protection).

Island resorts

Among the islands, the most popular are Crete, Corfu, Rhodes and Santorini.

Crete boasts a varied excursion program, there are several resort regions, which differ significantly from each other. It makes sense to choose by hotel - good hotel for a holiday with small children will make your vacation simply unforgettable.

Many are also attracted to the islands of Corfu, Zakynthos and Rhodes. The Ionian Sea will allow you to get acquainted with marine life, and it is also worth considering that there is quite a rich club life here.

However, Rhodes in its eastern part is quite calm - here you can enjoy a leisurely holiday on beaches with the purest sea sand, visit an amusement park with your children or visit a huge Aquarium. Rhodes can also boast of the Valley of the Butterflies.

How to decide where to go:

choose the main indicators for yourself - in my case, this is the ability to quickly sea travel and average pricing policy;
weed out those resorts in Greece that are not suitable;
To choose one of the remaining ones for your vacation, look at the photos and compare reviews.

This way you can understand which Greek island is right for you, as well as where to go on holiday in Greece to the mainland resort.

If you are planning to go to Greece and Thessaloniki on your own on vacation, then the airport is located there.

Make your own list of preferences and you will understand where in Greece you will like best.

Choosing a time

You also need to think about when is the best time to vacation in Greece. In Greece, the holiday season never ends, however, in tourism business there is a concept of high season - from May to October, and find inexpensive tour It's quite difficult at this time.

To travel to Greece without going broke, consider two ways to save:

early booking (if you have a vacation planned with strict dates, it is better to start planning a few months in advance);
last minute trips (suitable for that category of tourists who are not tied to dates and can easily get ready for vacation in a couple of days).

in winter

In January and February, all kinds of carnivals take place here - varied entertainment, costumed masquerades and general fun are guaranteed. During this period, many vacationers come to Greece. In winter it makes sense to go to mountain resorts. And many girls go to Greece in winter for shopping in January - the season of big discounts attracts all fashionistas.

In March-April

An excellent period for an introductory trip. Everything is blooming, the sun is not hot and gentle, it is not yet hot and already warm. By the way, vacationers who go to Crete and Rhodes in April swim.

May and June

Great time for a beach holiday. The ambient air is heated to approximately +30, and the water in the sea to +24.

July and August

Traveling with small children, and even more so with infants, should not be planned at this time - these are the hottest months. At this time, a sailing regatta takes place, and if you are lucky, you can get to the wine festival.

September October

The velvet season begins in September and continues throughout October. There are few tourists, but it is still warm, and the water in the sea is at a pleasant temperature, but thanks to the fresh winds, solar activity is much easier to bear. The beach season closes at the end of October.

November December

Vacations in November and December can be recreational or skiing. Around the island of Santorini there are small islands healing springs, almost all hotels have spas and saunas, and you can also enjoy strolling through the autumn fairs.

Visas

So, you have found out when is the best time to vacation in Greece, how and where to vacation on the mainland and islands, and now we will find out how to get a visa for a vacation in Greece with children and whether it is possible to get to Greece without a visa.

In fact, in summer period You can actually get to Greece for a couple of weeks literally without a visa - when traveling by plane or arriving by ferry (for example, from Turkey), polite customs officers will issue a visa right on the spot.

Last year the cost of such a visa was about 30 euros, the duration was up to 15 days. However, if you are traveling to Greece with children, it is better not to risk it and request a visa in advance.

The procedure for obtaining a visa is normal - you need to send everything Required documents and come to the embassy on the appointed day. If you are planning to go on a tourist package, then the registration is usually handled by a representative of the travel company.

Please note that according to the new rules, when traveling with a child (when only one of the parents is traveling), written permission will be required. And if both parents are traveling with the child, but their last names are different, you will need to provide a marriage certificate.

Nuances

If you are planning a beach holiday in Greece, then be sure to take care of protecting your child from sunburn.

Do you want to organize independent holiday at sea in Greece? Look for accommodation in advance because most of the villas that are suitable for family vacation(especially if a child is going on vacation) is booked by travel agencies.

A good campsite is an excellent alternative to a beach holiday, especially since Greece has a whole network of excellent campsites, which is organized by the Greek Tourism Organization.

Can't decide where to go? Choose places where the beach is marked with the Blue Flag for the cleanest shores and waters.

Looking to find a cheap mainland holiday in Greece in the summer? Pay attention to all kinds of festivals - most often they offer inexpensive accommodation and an interesting cultural program.

Of course, every vacationer is free to choose a vacation spot to his taste and spend it the way he likes, but, in my opinion, in the situation with Greece everything happens differently - you choose a country, and it opens its arms to you and offers many options for relax.

– this is not just another tourist trip, but a real journey into the past, an opportunity to touch the living history of this country - the cradle ancient civilization. Moreover, Greece is one of the most beloved countries by tourists. beach holiday. It is located in the southern part of Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula and consists of more than two thousand islands washed by five seas: Mediterranean, Cretan, Ionian, Aegean, Libyan. At the most large islands: Rhodes, Corfu, Kos, Crete, Peloponnese, Halkidiki, Chios, Samos, Mykonos, are the best resorts in Greece.

Rhodes Island- most south island, located next to Turkey, this is a place, since ancient times shrouded in myths, where the sun god Helios lived, and also, this is the birthplace of the seventh wonder of the world - the statue of the Colossus of Rhodes. The island of Rhodes is famous for the abundance of sunny days a year, its Mediterranean climate and numerous forests: coniferous, cypress, plane, and citrus. This island is washed by two seas at once: the Aegean in the west and the Mediterranean in the east, and in its center there are mountains.

Resorts in Greece west coast Rhodes in the Aegean Sea, represented by the cities of Ialyssos and Ixia. If young people like to relax in Ialyssos and active tourists, due to the presence of a constant wave, the Ixia resort is preferred by connoisseurs of luxury holidays. The beaches at these resorts are sand and pebble or large-pebble, the water in the sea is very clean and clear. The largest European Windsurfing Center is located here.

Resorts in Greece east coast Rhodes in the Mediterranean Sea, are represented by the cities of Kallithea, Faliraki, Afandou, Kolymbia. People come here for youth, romantic, beach and family holidays. All the beaches are very wide and sandy, with excellent entry into the sea, there are many interesting entertainment for children and stormy night life, due to the presence of bars, restaurants, taverns, discos.

Kallithea Resort– quiet and secluded, there are mineral springs, there are many coniferous forests around, all the beaches are sandy.

Faliraki resort– famous for its magnificent sandy beaches - the best on the island of Rhodes. There is a very active nightlife and many shops. The city has a Waterpark and Luna Park.

Resort Kolymbia– a young and developing resort in Greece, suitable for a calm and measured holiday. There are hotels here for both luxury and luxury budget holiday, basically all hotels are located in a eucalyptus grove.

Resorts of Greece on the southeast coast of Rhodes, represented by the cities of Lindos, Lardos, Kiotari, Kalathos.

Lindos Resort- the biggest resort center, located fifty kilometers from the capital of Rhodes, famous for its cozy bays and the location of the ancient military fort of the Crusaders, as well as the Acropolis, more ancient than Athenian Acropolis. By the way, this is where the best ceramics on the entire island of Rhodes are made. And nearby is the “Valley of Seven Springs”, where, thanks to numerous springs, flowers are fragrant all year round. People go to Lindos for fun - one of the best resorts Greece.

Resorts Lahanya and Plymiri, are famous for their sandy beaches and the presence of separate four and five star hotels on their territory, offering guests ideal conditions for a relaxing holiday, well-developed infrastructure and highest level service.

Corfu Island- is part of the Ionian Islands and is the second largest Greek island, as well as the greenest and most romantic. The capital of the island of Corfu is Kerkyra. The island of Corfu is very interesting and original, as it combines the great heritage of several cultures: Byzantine, Roman, Venetian. Basically, resorts on the islands of Corfu are located in the eastern tip of the island and in the west.

Resort Agios Spyridon– located on the territory nature reserve, there is an excellent sandy beach, right on which stands the Church of St. Spyridon. The resort is forty kilometers away from the capital of the island.

Nissaki Resort– located twenty-five kilometers from the capital. It is dominated by picturesque bays and small-pebble beaches, above which rise steep cliffs and Mount Pantokrator.

Resorts of Greece on the northern coast of Corfu, delight travelers with the stunning beauty of the landscapes and their fantastic bays. They are represented by the cities of Roda, Sidari, Acharavi, Kassiopi.

Resorts of Greece in central and eastern Corfu- are famous for their lively nightlife and the presence of a lot of entertainment in bars, restaurants, cafes, taverns, which give the cities a special flavor.

Resort Dassia– all enveloped in the greenery of gardens and groves leading down to the local sandy beaches. It is located twelve kilometers from the capital of the island. This is an ideal family holiday destination, although... last years, young people began to come here often, along with amateurs aquatic species sports

Resort Kommeno- a very picturesque place on a private peninsula, considered the most elite area of Corfu. By the way, here is the most pretentious and expensive five-star hotel on the island - Grecotel Corfu Imperial.

Resorts Kanoni, Perama and Benitses– offer tourists a calm and quiet rest, and for active nightlife it is better to go to the youth resorts of Moraitika or Messonghi.

Resort Paleokastritsa– is located twenty-five kilometers from the capital of Corfu and is famous the clearest sea, steep cliffs, greenery and incredibly beautiful bays with sandy beaches. Divers love to relax here.

Kos Island- the third largest in the country, washed by the waters of the Aegean Sea and extremely popular among tourists. There are both sandy and small-pebble beaches. The entire island is covered with green forests and groves. There are many historical attractions and castles. The Greek island of Kos is among the top cheapest beach holiday destinations.

Resorts of Greece in the southern part of Kos island, are represented by the cities of Kardamena and Kamari. There are excellent sandy beaches, very calm sea and clear water. Here in Kefalos Bay is an ideal place for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Psalidi Resort– offers tourists pebble beaches and emerald-colored sea. Ten minutes' drive from this resort are thermal springs. The Turkish resort of Bodrum can be seen in the distance.

Resorts of Greece on the northern coast of Kos, represent the cities of Tigaki, Marmari, Mastichari. They all have excellent sandy beaches. If you like active recreation, windsurfing and wave riding, then pay attention to the Marmari resort, where it is always windy and big waves. But the most popular resorts Greek island Kos are Kardamena and Tigaki. Youth resort towns of Kos - Kardamena, Tigaki, Psalidi.

Crete- leader in the number of vacationers. And no wonder, because it is washed by three seas at once: the Aegean, Ionian, Libyan Sea! A beach holiday on the island of Crete can be combined with an excursion, allowing you to get to know Greece as much as possible, its history, traditions, attractions, exotic nature, gorgeous landscapes and the hospitality of the Greeks. Among other things, it has the longest swimming season in Greece, and the water warms up to twenty-five degrees. The climate of Crete is the mildest and healthiest in Europe, and the sun continues to shine three hundred days a year! Holidays in Crete are recommended for weather-sensitive people, as there is practically no change here Atmosphere pressure, which does not force vacationers to waste valuable time on acclimatization. Holidays on the Greek island of Crete are chosen by both young people and families with children, both newlyweds and elderly people, both lovers of a quiet holiday and extreme sports enthusiasts. Crete is universal and suitable for everyone!

Resorts of the central region of Crete. Heraklion is a developed region where it is located international Airport, as well as the capital of the island, the resort city of the same name, Heraklion. Youth and amateurs active rest, will appreciate such noisy resorts as Stalida, Hersonissos, Malia, thanks to the numerous entertainment in the form of bars, nightclubs, and discos. Local beaches- sand and pebbles, entry into the sea is convenient. When there is wind, high waves rise on the Cretan Sea. For have a relaxing holiday in this region, pay attention to the resorts of Anissaras, Analipsi, Gouves, Kokkini Hani, Ammoudara, Agios Pelagia. A huge plus is that in these cities there are various categories of hotels and inns, including hostels, which allow you to save money on accommodation and spend it on exploring the historical sights of the island of Crete. Families with children often come here, as there is a Water Park nearby.

Lasithi Resort- is located an hour and a half drive from the airport. This is a place for a relaxing and luxury holiday on sandy beaches located in cozy, gently sloping bays with convenient access to the sea. Nearby is the most respectable resort island of Crete - the city of Elounda.

Resort Rethymno– located in the north of the island of Crete. The beach here is sand and pebbles, with a gentle entrance to the sea. The audience that comes to this resort is different: families with children, young people, retirees.

Chania resort- located in the western part of Crete, you will have to travel to it along a serpentine road. But the nature here is simply stunning: dense vegetation, a riot of bright flowers. Local beaches are wide and sandy.

Zakynthos Island– famous for its natural beauty: cliffs, green mountains, olive groves, snow-white beaches and unique underwater world, under a layer of transparent blue water. There are a lot of beautiful secluded bays and bays, mysterious underwater caves and ancient sunken ships. The island of Zakynthos, with a couple of small islands, is included in the territory of the marine natural park-reserve, being natural environment habitats of dolphins, various seabirds, monk seals, snails, caretta-caretta turtles, porcupines, iguanas. The island of Zakynthos is located eighteen kilometers from the Peloponnese peninsula. Resorts are mostly located in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the island. There are many hotels of different categories here. The capital of the Greek island of Zakynthos is the city of Zakynthos, which is the center cultural life islands, rebuilt after the earthquake that occurred in 1953. Music festivals often take place here, cultural programs.

Tsilivi Resort- is located fifteen kilometers from the capital of the island and is famous for its wonderful sandy beaches, which have the Blue Flag award. There is the opportunity to engage in all types of water activities, a lot of attractions, beautiful olive groves and gardens.

Alykanas resort– located eighteen kilometers from the capital, it is a center of attraction for young people and lovers of water sports, extreme and active recreation.

Santorini Island – business card, with its snow-white houses perched on steep cliffs and blue domes of churches, like the Aegean Sea itself. Santorini is the only volcano island in the world that has given shelter to people. It is covered in ancient legends and myths about the sunken Atlantis. Thanks to a volcanic eruption that occurred more than three and a half thousand years ago, nature created amazing local landscapes. Everything here still reminds us of this eruption, including the beaches with black volcanic sand, and unusual colors: red and black, rocks, and incredible-colored water in cozy coves. Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands; more precisely, it is not one island, but a group of five islands connected in a ring around a central lagoon. The beaches of Santorini with red, black and white sand are occupied by numerous tourists who, from May to mid-October, enjoy the warm waters of the clear Aegean Sea. Here are the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises, unusually hospitable locals, delicious Greek cuisine and excellent wine. Santorini Island – extraordinary romantic place, attracting newlyweds or lovers who decided to hold a wedding ceremony in this wonderful corner of the planet.

Oia Resort– a picturesque village, an ideal place to spend time here honeymoon. There are narrow quiet streets, old mills, endless stairs, church domes, and numerous small hotels. And the famous sunsets of the Oia resort are visible only in the western part of the resort, overlooking the Gulf of Ammudi. From the eastern part you can see the stunningly beautiful Gulf of Armenia, where it is pleasant to watch the sunrise.

Fira Resort– the capital of the island of Santorini and an excellent resort located on sheer cliff. It’s very cozy and colorful here, like in a fairy tale. In order to get from the port to the historical center of the city, you need to climb eight hundred steps, but if such an extreme is not for you, then a small gray donkey or a classic funicular will come to your aid.

Chios Island– this Greek resort appeared as beach destination on the Russian tourist market recently, since for many years it was an elite holiday destination for the Greeks themselves. Chios is washed by the waters of the Aegean Sea. There are beautiful beaches, picturesque mountainous hills and clear dark blue seas.

The island of Chios is a “Mecca” for people looking for a calm and quiet holiday, for families with children. There is no noisy nightlife here. A peak tourist season- July and August. Thanks to the perfect climatic conditions, volcanic soils, the island is rich in fruits and honey. The beaches of the Greek island of Chios are most often sandy, but there are pebbles and mixed ones, including black volcanic sand. There are fifty beaches in total.

Limya Resort– the ancient port of Volissos used to be here. Today the settlement is famous for its authentic taverns and the long sand and pebble beach of Managros, as well as the sandy beach of Lefkatia. As for the development of infrastructure, there is almost none here. However, lovers of solitude highly value their holidays in this resort of Chios.

Vrontados Resort- is in very picturesque place, in the middle of fragrant gardens, olive and almond groves. It's very beautiful embankment, a lot of old windmills, narrow streets, and neat houses are simply surrounded by greenery. The resort has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, many attractions and great beaches, attracting many vacationers.

Mykonos Island– here are some of the best Greek resorts offering luxury holidays in the heart of the Cyclades islands. The island is washed by the Aegean Sea. The entire coastline is indented the most beautiful bays with amazing sandy beaches. World celebrities prefer to relax on Mykonos, because here they offer the most expensive and pretentious vacation on the islands, and its vibrant nightlife is famous throughout the world. This island has managed to preserve its pristine nature, the beaches are very clean, and all the resorts are world class. Holiday season Mykonos starts at the end of April and ends in October.

Beaches of Mykonos varied, there are both sandy and pebble.

Paradise Beach, located four kilometers from the capital of the island, it became famous for its unreal parties, because here is the largest night club open air and music is constantly heard. Part of the beach is reserved for nudists, although you can safely sunbathe “topless” on the main beach.

Elia Beach- is the longest on south coast islands. There is white and soft sand, convenient entry into a quiet and calm sea, clear and clean water. A huge plus of relaxing here is the absence of crowds, but there is also a minus - it is difficult to get to: buses rarely run, so we recommend arriving here by boat from Paradise Beach.

Panormos Beach- an ideal place to retire and be in silence. It is located six kilometers from the capital, and can only be reached by taxi or car. This is precisely the secret of his privacy.

Peloponnese Peninsula- washed by the Aegean and Ionian seas. The Greeks themselves love to visit its resorts for their excellent sandy beaches, but there are mixed pebble and sand beaches here.

Larissos resort– famous for the excellent sandy beach of Kalogria, which is located in the protected lagoon of Prokopos, next to the protected forest of Strofilia. The beach stretches for nine kilometers and its width is eighty meters. Here you can practice water sports, learn to windsurf, skydive, and water ski.

If you want to explore the surrounding area, you can rent a car, motorcycle, or bicycle. This beach has a Blue Flag award. Nearby is the wild Gianiskari beach, which is favored by nudists and people seeking solitude. It is famous for its golden sand and is surrounded by beautiful mountains.

Resort Lakopetra – small settlement, with a complex of bungalows, an ideal place for a family holiday with a sand and pebble beach - owner of the Blue Flag. The beach stretches for half a kilometer and is thirty meters wide. The resort area is decorated with palm trees, tamarisk bushes, violets, and lilies. There is a water sports station where vacationers can rent equipment, learn to sail, take windsurfing lessons, rent Mountain bike or a car.

Chalkidiki Peninsula– the most beautiful corner of Greece and the most environmentally friendly tourism center. Pine forests and olive groves grow everywhere here. In its outline, the peninsula is similar to a “trident”, forming the peninsulas of Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos. The resorts of Halkidiki are washed by the Aegean Sea. There are comfortable hotels, excellent beaches, amazing nature and numerous historical attractions, as well as Christian shrines - objects of mass pilgrimage.

Resorts of the Greek Kassandra Peninsula- the most suitable for holidays with small children, as there are a lot of playgrounds, parks, developed infrastructure, sandy beaches and a gentle entrance to the sea. But, nevertheless, it is in the resorts of Kassandra that dynamic life reigns, setting the tone for the entire peninsula. The best Greek resorts Kassandra: Nea Moudania, Kallithea, Pefkochori, Hanioti, Nea Fokea.

Resorts of the Sithonia Peninsula- an ideal place for secluded relaxation, with numerous quiet coves, clean sandy or pebble beaches, surrounded by deciduous or pine forests. There is no such developed tourism infrastructure, like on Cassandra. The most popular coastal resort villages are Agios Nikolaos, Vourvourou, with an ideal beach, Neos Marmaras, Nikiti.

Resorts of the Athos Peninsula– attract lovers of silence and connoisseurs of natural beauty. This is an ideal option for people who have planned and have permission to visit Holy Athos - the only Monastic Republic in the world where only men are allowed to enter. Since the Athos region is located at a distance from Thessaloniki airport, traveling here with a small child will be tiring and impractical.

In conclusion, it is worth saying that Greece is good for everything: a well-developed infrastructure, numerous historical and cultural monuments, a comfortable climate, the hospitality of the locals, amazing beaches, so everyone will find a vacation to their liking here!

We'll tell you where to go for the first time in Greece. We chose three destinations: for active recreation, to lie on the beach and places with cool sights.

Greece only seems small country. In fact, each of its regions is a whole world, filled with ancient monuments, picturesque beaches and places that remain in the memory for a long time. Therefore, when going here for the first time, tourists rightly ask themselves: from which island or part of the mainland should they begin their acquaintance with Hellas? Some prefer a leisurely holiday on the idyllic coast, others do not miss the opportunity to see legendary monuments stories. Let's try to figure out where to go to Greece for the first time.

See the sights of Greece

Nowhere is the atmosphere of Greece's rich past more palpable than in Athens. And at the same time, none of the Greek cities can boast of more rapid development. Megapolis, and once - the center Western civilization, preserved the most iconic landmarks Southern Europe, which many have heard about from school textbooks.

Excursions to the sights of Athens should begin with the Acropolis, the heart of which is the Parthenon and the Temple of Zeus. Not far from the Acropolis is the Agora - the center of life in ancient Athens with its Temple of Hephaestus.

The capital of Greece is rich in museums. It is difficult to choose one of them to visit - the collections on display are so interesting. But among the most impressive are the Benaki Museum, the Acropolis Museum and the Cyclades Museum.

Even the districts of Athens are attractions with a special atmosphere. For example, Monastiraki with the same name flea market or picturesque Plaka, whose buildings stand on the foundations of ancient structures. There is also Anafiotika - an area whose architecture is more reminiscent of the Cyclades islands.

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If you want to get closer to ancient Greek sights, you can settle in the Peloponnese. This is a great starting point for organized excursions, and for independent travel. The most legendary places in Greece are concentrated in the Peloponnese: archaeological park Mycenae, the once powerful Epidaurus, the ruins of Tiryns, Delphi with its sanctuaries and Olympia, to which the world owes its appearance Olympic Games.

In the North of Greece lies the Thessaly region, which amateurs cannot pass by. excursion holidays. It is famous not only for its excellent landscapes, but also for its rich history. Here the most popular object to visit is Olympus - the highest mountain range country covered in legends. Today it has been turned into a National Park. Nearby is Meteora, one of the iconic and most important religious sites in Greece. The monasteries, which rise on the rocks and seem to float in the air, receive a flow of believers and tourists all year round.

Relax on the beach in Greece

Greece has been recognized for many years in a row the best country Europe in terms of the number of clean and picturesque beaches. There is no doubt about it: every summer the number of people who want to lie down on the Greek coast and forget about the bustle of big cities only grows.

On the mainland best beaches boasts the Halkidiki peninsula. Its coastline stretches for almost 500 kilometers, so everyone can choose appropriate place for relax. On the Kassandra Peninsula, the palm is given to the beaches of Sani for their immaculately clean sand. By the way, the best and most comfortable hotels are concentrated here. A large and long beach will delight guests of the Afitos resort. It stretches for almost 4 km and will appeal to anyone looking for a calm coastline. The Sithonia Peninsula is the leader in number cleanest beaches. Vourvourou, Porto Carras, Porto Koufo, Toroni and Akti Elias are distinguished by their beauty. The advantage of a beach holiday in Halkidiki is its proximity to developed resort villages and any infrastructure.

Going to Greece for the first time, many tourists bet on its islands. You can start exploring Greek beaches in Zakynthos. It is famous for its turquoise bays and protected places. Tourist brochures feature pictures of Navajo Bay, with its small but impressive beach. Laganas Beach is much larger in size (9 km). Its shallow sea and soft sand allow you to relax comfortably with children. For a relaxing beach holiday, you need to go to the Gerakas coast. There is a sandy beach, green landscapes and no crowds even at high season.

It’s hard to go wrong when choosing Kefalonia for a beach holiday. No wonder they call it an island Blue flags. The beaches here are crowded and empty, sandy and pebbly, but they are united by impeccable cleanliness turquoise sea. In Kefalonia, it is worth relaxing on Myrtos beach, included in the ranking of the best in Greece. It is shaped like a crescent moon, and surrounded by white rocks with lush greenery. Among the others famous beaches islands - Xi with dark orange sand and well-equipped Antisamos with large white pebbles.

Active holiday in Greece

There is no better place in Greece for an active holiday than Crete. The island seems to be created for those who are not used to sitting still and prefer any type of activity. There are many leisure options, but the most popular ones are:

Trekking through the gorges. The best way to explore Crete is on foot. The island has both well-explored routes and those accessible only to professionals. You can start with a hike through the gorges of Samaria, Imbros and Aradena;

Mountain biking. Mountainous Crete is a haven for lovers of mountain bike tours. You can plan your trip yourself or use the services of special agencies. For beginners there are short routes up to 30 km, for experienced tourists- up to 100 km;

Canyoning. This is an option for those who are in search of new sensations. Canyon descents mountain rivers, high cliffs, breathtaking landscapes - all this will leave indelible impression;

Family Fun. Since Crete is popular for family holidays, you can spend active time in any of the island’s four water parks.

Greece is one of Europe's most underrated windsurfing destinations. But at the same time one of the most promising. An example of this is Paros, which annually hosts major competitions. During the summer, this island has a stable wind, which creates ideal conditions for windsurfing. From time to time it weakens, and then Paros is the best choice for beginners in this sport. The most popular places for skiing - the beaches of Santa Maria and Golden Beach.

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