Greece is one of the 26 European countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement, which means it offers visa-free travel to nationals from 60 other countries including Australia, the United States, Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

To determine whether the country you're travelling to requires a visa, head to the Schengen Visa's information website.

The best time to visit Greece is during spring (April to June) and early autumn (September and October) when the weather is warm, while avoiding the heat and busy crowds that come during July and August – but Greece has a certain charm to it all year round!

With a Mediterranean climate, Greece sees hot, dry summers, averaging at around 34°C in August, its hottest month, leading into mild, wet winters with a balmy average of 13°C in January, its coolest month. The Greek islands are known for their famous winds, which can provide some respite from the heat during the summer months.

Greece uses the official currency of Europe, the Euro (€). The former Greek currency was the drachma, which was used from 1833 until it was replaced by the Euro in 2002.

It's not compulsory, but it is customary for tourists to leave a small cash tip when at cafes or restaurants in Greece of around 10-15%. On a Trafalgar tour, we have pre-paid certain tips and gratuities for you such as baggage handling at hotels, service charges and tips for hotel wait staff (for included meals).

You can find ATMs in major towns and cities, commonly in Greek banks, in airports, hotels and on main streets. If you’re traveling somewhere more rural within Greece, it’s worth getting cash out before you get there in case there isn’t an ATM nearby.

On mainland Greece the tap water is generally safe to drink, particularly in major cities and on larger islands such as Crete, Rhodes and Corfu. When visiting rural areas and smaller islands, we'd recommend asking local staff whether you can drink the tap water.

We highly recommend guests purchase travel insurance prior to your trip. Please ensure you add the details of your insurance to the My Trafalgar portal. Your insurance should cover trip interruption, personal injury, medical expenses, and evacuation and repatriation cover including during pandemic events.

There are many direct flights to Greece from the UK, with London flying direct to the highest number of Greek airports, including: Corfu, Crete, Kefalonia, Lesvos, Mykonos, Rhodes, Samos and Santorini.

To brace the summer sun in Greece, pack in light and breathable clothing like shorts, t-shirts, dresses and comfortable shoes such as sandals and sneakers suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities on your Greece trip. Don't forget to take sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen along for sun protection.

Winter in Greece calls for warmer clothing such as a warm coat or down jacket, jumpers, cardigans, scarves, gloves and a warm hat are winter clothing essentials. For rainy conditions, pack an umbrella, waterproof boots, a raincoat, and thermal socks for optimal comfort.

Spring/Autumn weather in Greece can be unpredictable, with warm days and colder evenings. Pack in clothing that you can layer, such as cardigans, light jackets and sweaters. To prepare for unexpected showers, pack in a waterproof rain jacket, boots and an umbrella.