10 Reasons to Travel to Greece Now (in 2026)
We moved to Greece 6 years ago because we love it! Come, visit Greece and you will see why. Actually, you will see the nicest beaches in Europe, splendid cities, and fantastic nature. As if that was not enough, you will eat delicious food and meet the best hosts in Europe.
Tourism is coming back to Greece big time in 2026. Fortunately, you can visit the country all year round! We are lucky to live in Athens, close to some of the world’s nicest beaches and islands. Here are our 10 reasons why you should visit this year.
Greek Culture is Millenary
Who hasn’t dreamed about traveling to Greece? We are sure you’ve all heard about Greek philosophers like Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle. Their beliefs and ideas still influence the world in so many ways. All of us history and literature fans love Greek mythology, ancient poems, and contemporary books. Greek art and architecture are amongst the best in the world.
What else could you possibly ask for? The best food in Europe and some of the best beaches in the world complete the feast. Greece is an attack on the senses. Here, you get to travel in time to ancient cultures, embrace the future, explore gorgeous nature, eat superb food, and enjoy splendid weather!
Greek Hotels are Different
When it comes to hotels, Greece excels again. Most hotels are small and medium-size, and they pay attention to every detail. From the splendid Nymfes Hotel in Kamares beach in Sifnos, the superb Benois Hotel in Galissas Beach in Syros, and the lovely Nafsimedon Hotel in Nafplio, everything is spotless!
For breakfast, all you have to do is choose from a wide variety of delicious food, and it will be brought to you quickly (except if you’re having a buffet). Everyone will take good care of you! It’s consistent all around the country. You won’t get better service anywhere in Europe.
Greek Open-Air Terraces are Splendid
One of the things that makes Greece unique is the number of open-air terraces. Sipping your cocktail and tasting delicious moussaka on a lovely terrace is fantastic and healthy. Besides, you get to enjoy unforgettable views. Since the weather is mild all year round, you will get to enjoy outdoor spaces everywhere.
In 2026 travel to Greece and eat outside every day! The food is delicious all around the country, and no one does outdoor eating like the Greeks. Greek hospitality is in a league of its own. The service is elegant and warm, everybody speaks English, and the restaurants are beautiful!
Athens is Thriving
If you visited Athens a long time ago, you won’t believe how much the city has changed. There’s live music everywhere! Numerous streets are now pedestrian. Locals and tourists walk around the city all day long and stop to chat at coffee houses and tavernas.
Everywhere you go, people are having fun! Due to the weather, the city is vibrant all year long. Restaurants and bars remain open till late at night. During the summer, the city explodes with the Athens and Epidaurus Festival. Music and art take over the city and the Epidaurus Theatre. Winter in Athens is a bit quieter, but everything is open.
Brilliant Places near Athens
Though the islands get most of the attention, there are outstanding sites close to Athens too. Comfortable buses connect Athens with three ancient sites. Delphi, the ancient sanctuary with fantastic views, is only a 3-hour bus ride from Athens. Another option is the marvelous theater in Epidaurus, 2 hours from Athens.
An even closer destination, one hour from Athens, is the old temple by the beach in Sounion. If you are into beautiful cities, you can take a bus, and in 2 hours you’ll be in Nafplio, the former Greek capital. Of course, you can also rent a car or hire a taxi.
We recommend this tour to Epidaurus, Mycenae and Nafplio.
Less Visited Islands are Amazing
Traveling by ferry to the wonderful islands of Greece is a magical experience. We’re not so crazy about it because Andres gets dizzy. However, there are several lesser-known islands just a short ferry ride away. It takes around 2 hours to reach Sifnos, and you can combine it with a visit to Serifos or Syros.
If you’re short on time, a great option is to hop on a fast ferry and visit Hydra, Aegina or Poros. All three islands are close to Athens and well worth a visit. Beaches, old towns, archaeological ruins, and scenic treks are some of their highlights.
We use Ferryhopper to check prices and buy our ferry tickets across Greece.
The Popular Islands are Still Worth Visiting
Locals say that the best islands in Greece are not the famous ones. Except for Santorini. No matter how many islands you’ve visited in your life, this one is in a league of its own. Visit Santorini in winter and you’ll escape the crowds. The same applies to Crete, our favorite island in Greece.
You can take any of the numerous boats from Athens to other islands, such as Mykonos and Rhodes. Both places will take your breath away. That said, we do recommend avoiding July and August in the most popular islands. The crowds are everywhere!
Meteora is Stunning
Greece is much more than its heavenly islands. Meteora, in Thessaly, is another world-famous beauty. Meteora is a fantasy come true. Outstanding nature blends beautifully with fascinating architecture. Six medieval monasteries stand high on cliffs that rise tall out of nowhere.
Each ancient monastery is an attraction on its own. Besides, there are tons of wonderful treks into nature. We visited in winter and had the entire place to ourselves. Once again, you can rent a car and drive there or take a safe train from Athens or Thessaloniki.
Impressive Small Towns and Big Cities
One of the things that surprised us the most in Greece is its gorgeous historic towns. Just like elsewhere in the Balkans, the typical Greek town is not especially interesting. That said, there are dozens of places with impressive heritage.
When it comes to the biggest cities, their main draw is their unique ambiance. Greeks like to eat and drink, and every city has a large central area full of tavernas. Apart from that, every big city has interesting sites, and none of them is overly touristy (except for Athens).
Thessaloniki is Fabulous
Northern Greece is perfect for those of you coming from the rest of Europe by car. Thessaloniki is close to Promachonas and Evzoni, two main border crossings. It’s a vibrant cosmopolitan city with a plethora of historical sites. Thessaloniki is quite different to Athens. Many Greeks believe the food in Thessaloniki is the best in the country.
The nearby Chalkidiki Peninsula and its outstanding beaches are more beautiful than ever. When it comes to beaches, the ones in Chalkidiki have nothing to envy from the Greek islands. In fact, some people consider them the prettiest. We love and enjoy them all equally!
Things to Know before Traveling to Greece
Though you will get medical assistance all around the country, we recommend having private travel insurance. We always do everywhere we go. Extra caution is always needed when you travel outside of your home country. As travelers, we want to be sure that we will get immediate medical assistance.
Greece is part of the European Union and the Schengen Visa Agreement. Thus you can visit Greece with any valid Schengen visa, or without a visa if you come from a visa free country. You can check here if you need visa to visit Greece for travel purposes. Note that EU and EFTA citizens can enter with a valid ID.
Why is Greece so Popular
The world is such a beautiful place. There are so many places to visit that it’s fair to ask: why should I go to Greece? The answer is pretty straightforward. Greece is amongst the prettiest places on the planet. The food is delicious, and the Greeks are the best hosts in Europe.
No other country in Europe has such splendid beaches. As if that was not enough, the country has hills, forests, valleys, and gorges. Let’s not forget some of the oldest and most impressive archaeological remains in the world. The hotels are simply perfect. You will find the one that suits you.
Best Time to Go to Greece
There is no single best time to visit Greece. Where and when to go in Greece depends solely on you. Our favorite months to travel around the country are May, June, September, and October. The weather is splendid. You can bathe in the sea, and there are fewer tourists.
Some people love winter in Greece. It’s never cold. In particular, if you compare it to other places in Europe. The sun always shines, and there are no crowds at all. Other people love summer. It’s super-hot in Greece during July and August. That’s perfect if you love the beach.
