Athens only
Best default for a first Greece city break. One neighbourhood pin beats bolting on an island without spare days.
Choose an Athens neighbourhood →This hub answers where to go. When you know the shape, open stays for that destination: Athens, Crete, or Santorini. Rhodes waits as a future island add-on — do not stack everything on one short break.
Quick start
Match the trip mood to a city. Links jump into the stays guide at the right section.
Greece destination comparison
A side-by-side skim before you commit nights. Budgets are relative mid-range city stays for UK travellers — not live rates.
| Destination | Best for | Base tip | Budget feel | Airports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | Capital history, food, ferry/flight links | Plaka edge, Koukaki or a practical metro pin | Mid | ATH |
| Crete | Beaches, gorges, bigger-island week | Heraklion / Chania / Rethymno by trip shape | Mid | HER · CHQ |
| Santorini | Caldera views, short romantic stays | Fira / Oia / quieter east-coast pins | Mid to premium | JTR |
| Rhodes | Future Dodecanese beach add-on | Old Town edge or east-coast resorts | Mid | RHO |
Explore Greece
Peer Greece journeys. Each card opens that destination’s stays guide — not a second destination essay.
Athens
Capital history — Plaka edge, Koukaki or a practical metro pin.
Open Athens stays →
Crete
Big island — Heraklion, Chania or Rethymno by beach and day-trip plan.
Open Crete stays →
Santorini
Caldera island — Fira, Oia or a quieter east-coast pin for short stays.
Open Santorini stays →
Rhodes
Future Dodecanese add-on — Old Town edge or east-coast resorts.
Open Rhodes stays →Suggested trips
Decision guidance only — not day-by-day itineraries. Lock nights before trains.
Crete only
Use when beaches, gorges and a bigger island week matter more than capital museums. Strong for five to seven nights.
Choose a Crete base →Santorini only
Caldera atmosphere for a short stay. Plan bags, buses and sunset crowds before you chase an Oia walk-up.
Choose a Santorini base →Athens + Crete
Capital history plus a beach week when the calendar is generous. Fly ATH then HER or CHQ — give Athens real nights first.
Start with Athens →Athens + Santorini
City then caldera — three nights each beats a one-night capital dash into a packed island arrival.
Start with Athens →Island pair later
Crete + Santorini or a Rhodes add-on needs more nights and clear air links. Finish the first island before you stack a second.
Open Crete stays →Flights into Greece
Destination flight guides work from any origin. London pair routes stay useful for UK door-to-door decisions.
Flights to destination
One page per gateway — origin picker, airports and transfers.
Onward · Europe index
Pair routes and the regional index help once the Greece shape is set.
Travel planning
Sort the pieces around the ticket while dates can still move. Live prices and terms stay on partner pages.
Before you fly
Experiences by destination
Greece planning FAQs
Greece-level questions only. Neighbourhood and hotel detail lives on each stays guide.
Where should I go in Greece for a first visit?
Athens suits most first UK city breaks — Acropolis, neighbourhood evenings and ferry or flight links onward. Choose Crete for a big-island beach week. Save Santorini for a short caldera stay when sunset views are the point.
Athens, Crete or Santorini?
Athens for capital history and food. Crete for beaches and room to move. Santorini for caldera villages and a shorter, premium island stay. Combining capital and island needs spare nights.
Should I combine Athens with an island?
Yes on a week or longer if you give Athens real nights before the hop. A rushed one-night capital dash usually costs the evening you came for.
How many days should I spend in Greece?
Three to four nights suits Athens. A Crete beach week wants closer to seven. Santorini often works in three to four. Athens plus one island needs about eight to ten nights once travel days are counted.
What is the easiest Greece trip from the UK?
Short-haul into Athens (ATH), or a seasonal non-stop to Crete (HER/CHQ) or Santorini (JTR) when the island is the point.
Where do I find hotel areas for Greece destinations?
Open Athens, Crete or Santorini stays after you pick the destination. Rhodes waits as a future add-on.
Do I need a car in Athens, Crete or Santorini?
Not in Athens centre. Crete often benefits from a hire car off the coach map. Santorini is mostly buses, taxis and walking for a short caldera stay.