Holidays Spain or Greece. The main selection criterion. How to choose the right place and time to relax with children

Both Spain and Greece - great countries for a beach holiday. The warm sea and golden coast will help you relax, take a break from the cold and restore your health. However, depending on the country you choose, you will have different landscapes behind you.

The best greek beaches are located on islands, of which there are more than 200. The most popular - Crete, Rhodes, Corfu - do not have large coastal cities. All island life is confined to villages. Small settlements located along the coastlines offer tourists a calm and serene holiday. The latter is also facilitated by the special attitude of the local residents: they will always come to your aid and help you choose the most delicious wine and meat.

Another thing - coastline Spain. Also very popular here island holiday. However, the Canaries, the Balearics, and Mallorca do not consist of villages, but of medieval towns. Here you can easily get lost in the narrow streets, literally saturated with the historical spirit.

Thus, when choosing between Greece and Spain, decide which is closer to you. If you want to spend your vacation as close to nature as possible, go to Greece. A more urban welcome awaits you in Spain.

Entertainment and nightlife

Comparing Spain and Greece in terms of historical attractions is a futile exercise. Both countries have many cultural treasures and excursion places. More interesting and important to choose from are the opportunities to have fun and truly have fun.

Spain is most famous for its holidays, various festivals, exhibitions and street events. In the same country there is more developed night life: many clubs, restaurants, bars are open almost 24 hours a day. Ibiza is especially popular and world famous.

In Greece, combine beach and night rest it will be much more difficult. Basically, cultural life is concentrated near major cities. However, it can also be found on islands, such as Crete. The resort of Malia is especially popular among young people.

Children's question

Reviews from family travelers are clear: in Spain, children's infrastructure is much better developed than in Greece. Numerous playgrounds, parks and attractions will make your child’s vacation unforgettable. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about your baby’s rest: the recommended age limit is set at the playgrounds.

In Greece, children are treated with love. However, there are far fewer opportunities for entertainment, and the venues are minimalist. Standard set: a small slide, a swing and a simple carousel.

Thus, if your child likes to spend time actively and is delighted with large play complexes, Spain will be the best choice for a holiday. If your child is inclined to enjoy not active games, but picking in the sand or studying vegetation, feel free to choose Greece. Both you and your child will be welcome in both countries: restaurants will always offer a special menu and a highchair for children.

Tip 2: Where to relax with children: Spain, Greece, Italy?

The long-awaited holiday season is beginning, and many people are wondering where is the best place to spend their holidays with children. I want it to summer holidays the child will remember for a long time, and there will be enough bright and colorful impressions for the whole year. According to tourists' reviews, the countries most suitable for family vacation, are fabulous Greece, hospitable Italy and bright, bewitching Spain.

Why is Greece so attractive to tourists with children?

There are many family hotels in Greece, which can save vacationers from many problems and misunderstandings that arise during their vacation. Coastal cities, such as the Peloponnese and Halkidiki, attract tourists with golden sand, clean, well-groomed beaches and, of course, incredibly transparent, azure sea.

There are many family beaches in Greece, which have all the conditions for both children and their parents to feel comfortable. Another undeniable advantage is the complete absence of crime. Parents can be calm about the health of the child, since Greece can boast of a complete absence, which cannot be said about Turkey and Egypt.

By visiting Rhodes, Lesvos, Crete, parents and their children will be able to touch the secrets and mysteries of ancient Hellas. On the island of Corfu there is a whole family complex. Visitors will find a variety of entertainment - water parks, restaurants, attractions, children's SPA. A separate menu can be ordered for children.

The best time to go on vacation with children is the Velvet season. It lasts from the beginning of September to the end of October. Warm, gentle sea, moderate heat, an abundance of exotic fruits.

Italy is a wonderful country with five seas

The air in Italy is enriched with iodine, which will be very beneficial for the child’s health. You can relax here all year round. In Italy, the most famous place for families with children is Emilia-Romagna. This beautiful region of Italy is located along the Adriatic coast. The shore is ideal for swimming, the bottom is shallow and sandy. Here you can find a lot of beautiful shells and small crabs that kids like so much.

The hotels have all the conditions for entertainment and relaxation: children's playgrounds, colorful slides, trampolines. In the evening, the sky lights up with fireworks and salutes. The area of Rimini - Riccione - Milano Marittima is famous for its attractions and water parks, which are in no way inferior to Disneyland in Paris.

Resorts in Spain

When vacationing with children in Spain, you can rest assured: the Spaniards treat both their own and other people’s children with trepidation. Spain attracts tourists with children primarily for its mild climate and golden beaches. Most hotels have a European level of service. The most popular resort is the Costa Dorada, which has a huge number of tourist centers.

La Pineda will amaze small and adult spectators with an enchanting dolphin show and slide rides in a fabulous water park. Children who are interested in sports can visit a modern sports complex, while parents can relax in coastal cafes and restaurants.

If you decide to spend your vacation on the beaches sunny Spain, but at the same time you are looking for the most cheap option holiday, then you need to know some nuances in order to make your stay in this country as comfortable as possible minimum costs. Plan your vacation in advance: start booking plane tickets, choosing a resort and hotel, and try to calculate all possible expenses several months before the long-awaited vacation.

Air travel. The cheapest flights nowadays are considered charter flights. Prices to Spain vary from 9,000 rubles per person in both directions. During the period of discounts and various promotions, you can manage to purchase a ticket for 2,000 rubles one way.

Accommodation. Also, a few months before your intended vacation, book a hotel for your stay. The cheapest are considered family hotels. Prices range from 7 to 15 euros per day. At the same time, breakfast and Internet use are usually included in your stay. 2-3 star hotels cost 40-80 euros per day, boarding costs 20-25 euros, camping 7-10 euros.

Resorts and recreation. The cheapest resorts and recreation centers in Spain are located in the Costa Bravo, Costa Dorado and Costa del Sol. Most economically advantageous island considered the island of Tonerife. And Mallorca, oddly enough, is the place where the cheapest apartments and houses are. There you can easily rent housing for the entire duration of your vacation for no more than 1,000 euros per month. You should not settle in the main cities of the country, such as Madrid and Barcelona. They are noisy enough quiet rest, a large concentration is concentrated here, and there is also no sea. It is better to settle on the coast and go on an excursion to the city that interests you.

Moving around the country. If you have a license, then it is quite possible to rent a car. But this is not the cheapest travel option, because the price per day of rental will be 100-500 euros. You will also incur additional costs in the event of an accident. A ticket for a bus or train costs an average of 1.5-2 euros. For lovers active rest There is a moped or bicycle rental service, the cost of which varies from 5 euros per day.

Nutrition. Cafes and restaurants in Spain for every budget. In street cafes you can have a good meal for 50-100 euros with the whole family. But such a lunch or dinner can hit your pocket if you still want to relax more economically. Therefore, it will be much cheaper to eat in a bistro, a canteen, or in small cafes that run local residents, and other city eateries. Also, at every step there are shops, supermarkets, markets where you can buy any food, if you have the opportunity to cook yourself. It is worth noting that drinking water in Spain is very expensive. Therefore, bottled water should be purchased in large quantities at once, it will be much cheaper.

Plan in advance the most important moments of your vacation, calculate all the expected expenses, think about what you can save on without harming yourself, and then your vacation will be much cheaper and at the same time no less comfortable.

How to choose the right place and time to relax with children

Having a child will in no way prevent parents from having a good, complete holiday in Greece and will not spoil their impressions of this wonderful country. It is only necessary to take into account several important circumstances in advance.

Firstly, it is better for you to choose a beach holiday option, preferably one with a gentle entry into the water - if the child is small or does not know how to swim well. The largest number of such beaches is on the Peloponnesian Peninsula, in Halkidiki. There are such beaches on popular islands Crete, Corfu, Rhodes. Read in advance

Prices for tours to Greece and Spain
To avoid confusion and at the same time promote major tour operators(where would they be without our support!), let's look at the minimum cost of the tour, which starts 9 days from today. Then we have time to get both visas, both Spanish and Greek. And another option will be for the hottest dates, mid-August.
Departure July 13, 2012. Tour for 14 nights. 2 adults. Tour operator "-TezTur".
Hotel Mari Kristin 3* (Crete, Hersonissos resort). Half board. 1692 euros.
I must say, not bad. Yes, this is the simplest hotel without territory, but the sea is not far, the area is good. Agree, a little less than 850 euros per person for 2 weeks, and even with meals, this is an option.
Hotel Fragata 2* (Costa de Maresme, Calella resort). Half board. 1984 euros.
This option is also not the worst. The hotel is simple but close to the beach. Close to Barcelona. And still up to 1000 euros per person with meals. In addition, I would not pay special attention to the stated number of stars. The indicated Greek 3* are no better than the indicated Spanish 2*.
Departure August 15, 2012. Tour for 14 nights. 2 adults. Tour operator "-TezTur".
Surprise surprise! There are still cheaper options for mid-August than for July.
Hotel Nikolas Villas 3* (Crete, Agia Pelagia resort). All inclusive. 1468 euros.
Have you still not bought a tour to Greece for August 15? In vain. I don’t remember such prices over the past 5-7 years. Even if you eat at the hotel every other day, it is still profitable.
Hotel Calella Park 3* (Costa de Maresme, Calella resort). Half board. 1686 euros.
Good price too.
As you can see, the cost of tours to Spain differs greatly, but not fundamentally. That is, the price of the tour should not be the main factor influencing the choice of holiday destination.
When choosing between Spain and Greece, decide in advance what you want to get from your vacation. If this is a visit historical places, then to Greece you need to fly to the mainland (preferably closer to the capital), but in Spain they are everywhere. If these are beaches, then it’s delicious, but I didn’t like the Greek lino.
If you are flying on holiday to relax, not to think about anything, to enjoy the fact that everything is inclusive, then this method is available in both countries, but in Greece it is more common.
If you will be traveling around the country a lot, it is better to choose Spain, because... Life in different parts of it differs more significantly.
In both Spain and Greece, local residents speak excellent English, and hotel staff often speak Russian. In both countries, hotels are more like city hotels, even if they have swimming pools, animation, and many bars. The fact is that land in Europe is expensive, so you rarely find hotels with a huge area, as, for example, in Egypt and Turkey.
By the way, in Greece the beaches marked blue flags, less than in Spain: approximately 30–40 percent (depending on the year).
Restaurants (cuisine) are more varied in Turkey (I don’t compare, of course, with hotels like Ozkaymak Marino. In Greece or Spain, which is better, for example, for an evening with barbecue by the pool you had to pay extra, this was on top of, so to speak, the program. European the cuisine is more restrained, although not inferior in quality. Booze is more accessible in Turkey (especially on all.ink, of course), although this does not apply to good wine; in Spain there are excellent wines, an amazing selection and inexpensive. In Greece, wine is much more expensive. somehow it doesn’t lend itself to copious libations. The animation in Turkey is more lively and cheerful. If done well (as in Eldorador Palmariva), this is a whole show - it’s not worth the task of making everyone laugh. For those who want to have a blast on vacation. clearly a disadvantage, for those who need more professional and meaningful programs - an advantage.
Excursions and travel. In Turkey, as you know, there is practically nothing to see; all life is spent in the hotel. Spain offers excellent, informative excursions, with one caveat: you can’t take them on your own. For example, we didn’t dare to rent a car. Traffic is very busy, especially in major cities, the distances are decent, but I don’t want to strain myself. By train or regular bus, also has its downsides. In Greece we were absolutely delighted. On the island great amount historical places, and well preserved ones at that.
The city of Rhodes – ancient and medieval buildings, and not separate houses, A the whole city where people live! Lindus is a city that controlled much of the Mediterranean trade and navigation even before our era, and where the magnificent mountain-top Acropolis remains. There are many monasteries located in most picturesque places. Natural parks(Valley of the Butterflies, Rodini Park), places where surfers hang out (Prasonisi) - all this is completely accessible.
On the first day, we simply bought a guidebook in Russian, then either took a car or bicycles to travel around the island, or took a taxi to Rhodes and walked around the city. By the way, the car is very inexpensive (30-35 euros) with full insurance. When they gave us a car (we didn’t rent it at a hotel, it’s more expensive and there is incomplete insurance), they said: “When you arrive, if the office is closed, park it and throw the keys into the hole in the door.” - “What if we broke it?” - “Well, she’s insured, don’t worry.” The feeling of freedom and independence is what completely distinguished the holiday in Greece.
Religion. For an Orthodox person, a holiday in Greece is especially close. I mentioned our trips to monasteries. This provided very good spiritual food. The monasteries are very small, home-like, or something. On Sundays we went to services in a neighboring village. Having learned that we were from Russia, they greeted us very warmly, left us for a meal and gave us some treats. Naturally, this is impossible neither in Catholic Spain nor in Muslim Turkey.
The result of our comparisons is subjectively the following: if you want to have a blast, drink beer and cheap Greece or Spain, which is better than wine, without any special cultural excursion load and relatively inexpensive, the best choice– Türkiye. If needed quality rest with a good cultural program and no desire to travel on your own - Spain and Greece are about the same. If good is important The cultural program and travel – definitely Greece (I repeat once again that we are talking about the island of Rhodes, which is quite unique).

I asked myself this question in May, when I wanted warmth, sun and a gentle sea. Of course, I would like to visit both countries, but in many ways they are similar. Although I’ll say right away that it will be more expensive financially.

Islands of Greece

We started from Greece and took sea tour. A comfortable liner, which is better than any hotel, moves from one island to another at night, and in the morning we are already in a new place. The islands are not alike. Each island has its own highlight. - this is history, - this is entertainment, and the island is captivating with its landscapes. There are Orthodox churches on every island, so for a Russian person the culture is very clear.

Greek cuisine is seafood, squid, octopus, fish. Wine and each island also has its own beer. Prices in restaurants are not bad, they are approximately comparable to Turkey.

Spain

But the trip to Spain was more active; I had to move around a lot. The flight itself lasts longer, and inside large cities there are a lot of objects that you need to look at at least once in your life. Buses, metro and taxis - the pace is much higher. Catholic churches are a completely different culture for us, so when you choose, the advantage of Spain will be completely new impressions after visiting the churches. Start exploring Spain with Barcelona and Madrid. Small Spanish seaside towns are very similar to Greek ones. If you don’t miss the sea, then visit the towns and you will find yourself in the Middle Ages, it will be interesting for both children and adults.

The cuisine of Spain is also rich in seafood, but This is also a paradise for meat lovers. Hams of any preparation, for any gourmet.

So where is it better to relax: in Spain or Greece?

When choosing between tours to Greece and Spain, let’s list the pros and cons:
1.Greece is cheaper, hotels and transport are more economical.
2. Greece for lovers of a relaxing holiday, Spain for lovers of an active holiday. For older people this is Spain, for young people.
3. Since the weather is almost the same, then For sea holiday This is Spain for shopping and entertainment.
4. Differences in religion make educational Spain, for pilgrimage trips this is Greece.
5. The kitchen is very similar, but vegetarians and fish lovers go to Greece, and to eat anything and everything go to Spain.

If you have never been anywhere before and cannot decide - Greece or Spain, start with Turkey, especially when it comes to holidays for parents with children. This is the simplest and cheap way get acquainted with the Mediterranean climate, cuisine, culture.

There are many countries in Europe where there is a sea and you can enjoy relaxing on the beach. But it is Spain and Greece that attract the most attention from tourists. But why? – after all, these countries are completely different, even in pricing policy. A holiday in Spain is much more expensive, but in Greece you can relax cheaper, but the level is the same. The beaches of the countries are also different. If on the shores of Greece they are small and cozy. The coasts of Spain are huge, sandy and you can organize competitions on them, there is a lot of space. In general, you can compare these countries for a long time and endlessly, and the choice is always up to those who pay. Let's find out better where it's warmer in May in Greece or Spain to start your new season beach holiday.

Spain and Greece are countries where there are almost more resorts than cities. Every city that is located on the seashore is a resort that the whole world knows. In both countries beach season starts in May, but tourists appear here in early spring. So where is it better to fly in May, where it’s warm and you can swim? Let's talk about everything in order.

If we compare average temperature in countries, then Spain will be warmer. In May, the weather on its territory is warm with temperatures up to +25 across the country. In Greece it is also warm, but the temperature is slightly lower, about +22 degrees. at the same time, in Spain there is not much rain at the end of spring. And in Greece, rain is a frequent visitor, especially on the mainland. The only exceptions are resorts and islands, where it is sunny and there are many tourists.

The hottest place in Spain in May is Seville. The daytime temperature easily exceeds +26, and at the peak of the heat during the day it reaches +33.

The nights are cool, no higher than +15 degrees. but the sea is a little behind the air temperature and is in no hurry to warm up. This month it is only +19, and the bravest and most impatient tourists swim in it. There is little rain, only 2-3 days with precipitation. So the only thing stopping you from walking around the city is the sun.

The first capital of Greece, the city of Nafplion, is the hottest place in the country in May. Daytime temperatures exceed +25 degrees, and nights are quite cool, no higher than +11.

There may also be 2-3 rainy days, and the sea is still cool for swimming and does not exceed +19 degrees. The city of Nafplion is considered the most picturesque city Greece rightfully deserves this title. People come here not so much for the beaches, but for excursions and sightseeing. Excursion groups travel from almost any resort to Nafplio every day.

As you can see, the hottest cities in Spain and Greece in May are not the most famous resorts. But there are still a lot of tourists here.

The Spanish island of Mallorca is one of the most famous places in the world. More than five million tourists come to the island every year, but not in May. At the end of spring it is warm, sunny and there is no rain, but there is also a cold sea. And the sea is the only thing for which you can fly thousands of kilometers. In Mallorca in the spring the sea is no higher than +18 degrees, although the air is warmed up to normal levels of +25. The only good thing is that there is no precipitation. Therefore, you can sunbathe on the beach every day, because the sun shines here for 12 hours and 40 minutes.

Ibiza also boasts dry May weather. But it’s cooler here than in Mallorca and rarely rises above +22 degrees. and the sea is even cooler, about +17. But the nights are hot, +19, and beach discos are already in full swing at night.

The popular resort of Costa Brava, although it welcomes tourists, cannot offer anything other than swimming in the pools. During the day it barely exceeds +20, and at night +14. As for the water in the sea, +16 degrees is not the indicator that allows you to enter the sea and enjoy it. And precipitation in May often ruins your vacation here. Therefore, it is better to visit this resort in summer.

The most visited city in Spain is Barcelona. It receives more than a third of all tourists in the country. In May, lovers of excursions come here and just see the city. The temperature is not yet suitable for swimming in the sea. During the day it is no higher than +21, and the sea itself near the city is +17. This month you can only sunbathe here if you are lucky with the weather and sun. According to statistics, 20% of the daytime the sky over Barcelona is cloudy, and this is not very good for tourists.

Greece also has plenty of world-famous resorts. One of them is the island of Crete. In May there are many tourists here, perhaps more than half of all visitors to the country. They come here for warmth and the sea. They get warmth, because it’s +23 +25 outside and there’s no rain. But the sea is still not an acquired taste. Its temperature is no higher than +19 degrees and sometimes there are waves.

Second famous island- Rhodes. Its waters are warmer, reaching +21 degrees. With the exception of 1-2 days, the weather here is sunny, warming the air to +25 degrees. the nights are already warm, and evening walks driving around the city or along the sea brings only pleasure. Daylight hours last more than 13 hours, and clouds in the sky occupy 10% of the time per month.

The island of Kos is also famous throughout the world. It's not very big Island, but beautiful. In May it is warm here, up to +23. The nights are as warm as the days, only after sunset the sun becomes a little colder to +19. And the sea off the coast of the island warms up quickly to +20 +24. It is quite shallow here, so the sun warms the water faster.

And so, we can summarize and draw a conclusion. It's warmer, of course, in Spain. But this does not mean that you can swim here at any resorts. Only some resorts can boast warm sea. In Greece, the air and sea temperatures are almost the same. Tourists swim on the islands; it is shallow there and the water is warmer.
If you make a choice in favor of one country or another, then most likely it is a question of finances. Budget holiday in Greece, and more expensive in Spain. There are plenty of attractions here and there.

Spain or Greece: prices

Spain and Greece are probably the countries that are most talked about in connection with the crisis. However, this had little effect on the price level for tourists.

So, if you are flying on a tour, it will cost quite a bit more to Spain.

If you buy tickets yourself, then flying to Spain is a little cheaper. Hotels upon arrival cost approximately the same; in hotels of the same level, food in Spain and Greece is almost the same. The difference is that in Greece AI is cheaper and more common (but only on the islands).

Holidays in Spain or Greece?

When choosing between Spain and Greece, decide in advance what you want to get from your vacation. If this is a visit to historical places, then to Greece you need to fly to the mainland (preferably closer to the capital), but in Spain they are everywhere. If these are beaches, then it’s delicious, but personally I didn’t like the Greek ones.

If you are flying on holiday to relax, not to think about anything, to enjoy the fact that everything is inclusive, then this method is available in both countries, but in Greece it is more common.

If you will be traveling around the country a lot, it is better to choose Spain, because... Life in different parts of it differs more significantly.

In both Spain and Greece, local residents speak excellent English, and hotel staff often speak Russian. In both countries, hotels are more like city hotels, even if they have swimming pools, animation, and many bars. The fact is that land in Europe is expensive, so you rarely find hotels with a huge area, as, for example, in Egypt and Turkey.

By the way, in Greece there are fewer beaches marked with blue flags than in Spain: about 30–40 percent (depending on the year).

Greece or Spain: weather

If you are going on holiday to Spain or Greece in the summer, then there is not much difference in the weather. From June you can already swim, the season lasts until October, there are places a little cooler and a little warmer, in August in both countries it is incredibly hot outside, but the locals have taken care of the canopies, beaches, and plantings, so you can withstand it.

If you want to swim in winter, then in Greece it is not possible, but in Spain there is Canary Islands– it’s wonderful there.

Which is better: Greece or Spain?

Of course, it is impossible to say unequivocally which is better - Spain or Greece, but I personally liked the first option more. In Spain, I constantly felt a holiday around me, although I was there on ordinary days. In Greece, the crisis had a stronger impact, there are many ruins (not historical), but there is a more developed beach holiday option, similar to Turkey (on the Greek islands).

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