Greece

This incredible country offers the perfect blend of nature, culture and history. From the snow-capped mountains of Olympus and the ancient ruins of the Acropolis to turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, a holiday in Greece will meet the expectations of any traveler.

Where is Greece located on the world map?

The country is located in Southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. It consists of 3 main geographical areas:

1. Mainland of the Balkan Peninsula. It stretches from the central region of the country in the south, where the Greek capital Athens is located, to the region of Thrace in the north.
2. Peloponnese Peninsulawhich is connected to mainland Greece by the Isthmus of Corinth.
3. Over 2000 islandsscattered across the Aegean and Ionian seas. Most of them are grouped together and make up the unique Greek archipelago, while some are only a few miles off the coast of Turkey. Only about 170 islands are inhabited. Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Dodecanese and Cyclades are some of the most famous tourist islands and island groups in Greece.

80% of the country consists of mountains or hills, making Greece one of the most mountainous countries in Europe. In addition, it has 16 thousand km of coastline, half of which is located around the thousands of islands of the Greek archipelago.

Climate and nature of Greece

This country enjoys a Mediterranean climate with moderate temperatures, plenty of sunshine and limited rainfall. Due to its geographical position, topography and the distribution of air currents between the sea and the mainland, the climate of Greece is subject to strong variations. Hot and dry summer days in the lowlands are cooled by seasonal winds called meltems, while the mountainous areas at the same time delight visitors with coolness. Winters in the lowlands are mild with minimal snow and ice, but the mountains are usually covered with snow. The main season when it is better to relax in Greece is the sunny period May-October, while it should be borne in mind that July and August are the hottest months.

The peculiarities of the geography of this country have formed a rich natural environment with amazing flora and fauna. Every corner in Greece is distinguished by its authentic style. It will take years to explore all the Greek islands, but only one look to love them.

State structure

Greece is a parliamentary republic. The president, who is the head of state, is elected by the unicameral Greek Parliament (Vuli) and can serve 2 five-year terms. Greece is a member state of the European Union and uses a single currency — the euro.

The largest cities and resorts in Greece

Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a beach lover, Greece will enchant you. Days fly by under cloudless skies and seas teeming with dream islands and resorts. Walk along Byzantine cobbled roads, hike volcanoes, spot sea turtles and dolphins, then cycle through idyllic villages, olive groves and dense forests. Thrill-seekers will discover world-class kitesurfing, wreck diving and rock climbing sites with stunning views — everything in Greece is made for tourism.

In order for travelers to get an idea of ​​how diverse this country is, we suggest considering a few places to visit:

1. Rhodes. This island, located off the southwestern coast of Turkey, is one of the most popular destinations. On the island of Rhodes you can find some of the best resorts in Greece. It’s a perfect combination of quaint towns, pristine beaches and archaic history. Rhodes is suitable for everyone, from budget travelers to the rich and famous.



2. Crete. It is located far from the mainland, so plan to spend some time on the boat to make the trip to the largest island in Greece. Here, tourists can expect crystal clear water and sand of various colors — after all, of the 486 best beaches in Greece, awarded the Blue Flag, 112 are located on the island of Crete.



3. Santorini. With its famous volcanic cliffs and whitewashed buildings, Santorini is a great place to explore Greece. Get to know the culture and uniqueness of the island by staying in the rock-built towns of Thira, Imerovigli or Oia, take a dip in its turquoise waters, dine in fine restaurants and Santorini will steal your heart.



4. Zakynthos. Turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, huge white cliffs, and an incredibly beautiful shipwreck bay make Zakynthos one of the most photographed places in Greece. There are so many things to do here for tourists that you will never be bored. If only because in the capital of the island, the city of Zakynthos, there are some of the best nightclubs in Greece.



5. Chalkidiki. South of Thessaloniki is the peninsula of Halkidiki, which is a perfect blend of modern luxury and archaic Greek traditions. The peninsula is divided into three parts, which go far into the Aegean Sea. Here are the golden sandy beaches of Cape Sithonia, the resorts and restaurants of Kassandra, and finally the mysterious Mount Athos, famous for the most stoic monastic community in Greece.



6. Kefalonia. The largest island in the Ionian Sea is known for its stunning beaches and dense forests. Kefalonia in Greece is the venue for various holidays and the Saristra music festival.



7. Loutraki. At the foot of Mount Geraneia, which rises in the northern part of the Gulf of Corinth, lies the city of Loutraki, which is known throughout the world for its thermal springs and natural mineral waters. Here, in 1928, the first casino in Greece was founded, and in 1995, the largest casino in Europe was opened in Loutraki.



8. Kos. Located just off the coast of Turkey, Kos in Greece is the second most popular island in the Dodecanese after Rhodes. The town of Kos is a mixture of Venetian and Ottoman architecture with interesting sights such as a medieval castle and an ancient healing center.



9. Kavala. One of the largest cities in Northern Greece, Kavala is built amphitheatrically on the slopes of Mount Symbolo with a majestic 180-degree sea view. In this peculiar city, East meets West, and modernity merges with antiques.



10. Thassos. One of the most beautiful islands in Greece, Thassos seems to combine sea and mountains. Superb beaches with crystal clear waters, remote tiny coves, picturesque villages and lively nightlife make the island an ideal and popular resort.



11. Mykonos. Known for its pristine beaches and great nightlife, Mykonos is one of the most famous islands in Greece. It offers fine dining, cultural events and romantic getaways.

Population and religion of Greece

This is a multinational country. Greece is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, and its people are descendants of the heritage of Ancient Greece, Byzantium and almost 4 centuries of Turkish rule.

Despite long-term Ottoman influence, virtually the entire population belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church. However, the Cretans are a special branch of the Church of Greece, which is directly subordinate to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The monks of Athos form a semi-autonomous entity with a Greek ruler and their own administration.

Language in Greece

Greek is one of the oldest authenticated Indo-European languages, its earliest written form dating back to around the 15th century BC. Gradually, it developed into standard Modern Greek, which is the official language in Greece.

It will be very easy to get information, ask for directions, order something in a store or restaurant in English throughout the country. In fact, in most tourist destinations, tourists will find that tourism business employees can also speak French, German, Italian, and Russian.

State symbols

The coat of arms of Greece depicts a white cross on a blue escutcheon, which is surrounded by two laurel branches. The flag of Greece has 9 equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white. In the top corner there is a blue square with a white cross that symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the country’s longstanding religion.

What to see in Greece?

Even on the smallest piece of land in Greece, tourists will find a connection to its past and culture. Throughout the country and on the islands, tourists will meet many monuments from different periods of the country’s history. Some of the most visited attractions in Greece include:

1. Acropolis. Surrounded by the modern city of Athens, the Acropolis and its Parthenon are a symbol of all of Greece.



2. Monasteries of Meteora. Located in the heart of northern Greece, Meteora is home to some of the most impressive Orthodox churches in the world. This is the land where people live in the sky and still worship God with the passion of a bygone age.

Accommodation in Greece

This country is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the world, receiving more than 12 million tourists annually. In recent years, large and small scale modern tourist complexes have evolved to meet the accommodation needs of every visitor to Greece.

Greek Cuisine

This country is famous for its natural products including olive oil, fish, nuts, vegetables, fruit and wine. Feel free to sample local Greek dishes even in the smallest tavern in Greece. They will be completely different from what you have tried so far.

What to bring from Greece?

Buying souvenirs that will remind you of an exciting trip to Greece is one of the most pleasant things. It is an amazing country with a huge amount of handicrafts and traditions that are still alive today. Souvenir shops in all corners of Greece offer tourists olive oil, natural cosmetics, gold jewelry, metal, wood and leather products, and more. others

Security in the country

Greece remains among the most secure countries in the world. The crime rate is very low, especially on the islands. Don’t be afraid to chat with the locals or go out late at night. You should be more careful only in Athens, as pickpocketing flourishes here in long queues, for example, when boarding a ferry, on buses. However, this does not apply to islands where you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere of carelessness.

Visa to Greece

Since Greece is a member of the EU, other citizens of the Union do not need a visa. In addition, many foreigners do not need to draw up visa agreements for tourism, including citizens of the United States, Australia and Russia.

Transport

Communication between the cities and villages of Greece is carried out through an extensive nationwide network of bus and ferry services, to which, since the 1960s, a network of flights connecting Athens with several dozen domestic airports has been connected. The main airports in Greece are located in suburban Athens and Macedonia, not far from Thessaloniki.

The country’s extensive rail network consists of narrow gauge lines in the Peloponnese region. Public transport in the Greek capital, Athens, relies heavily on an often crowded bus network. Therefore, it is preferable to travel by metro, which covers most of the city.

How to get to Greece?

There are regular flights from all over the world to Athens International Airport, from where there are daily flights to local airports in mainland Greece and the islands. There are also many direct charters to the most popular islands of Greece in the summer from various European airports.

As for travel by sea, the country is connected all year round by ferry service with Italy and in the summer with Turkey. Major ports are located in Patras and Thessaloniki.