DESTINATIONS mediterranean greece

Things to do in Greece

Holidays in Greece are all about living the good life, whether enjoying a traditional Greek dinner in Plaka, Athens’ old town or soaking up the beauty of the Greek islands. Our travel packages will take you to the best islands in Greece for unforgettable experiences. From the glittering white-washed buildings clinging to the cliffs in Santorini to the joy of finding a hidden cove to sunbathe in in Corfu.  

Holidays are made up of glorious memories that stay with you long after the trip is over. And with so much to do and see in Greece, you’re going to have many memories to look back on, for many years to come.  

Things to do on Greece holidays

  • Watch the sunset on breathtaking Santorini island.  
  • Visit the monasteries of Meteora, located on the top of towering rocks.  
  • On the island of Naxos, climb Mount Zeus to discover the Cave of Zeus.  
  • Go shopping in Monastiraki Flea Market in Athens.  
  • Visit the windmills in Mykonos Town.  
  • Escape to the unspoilt island of Milos.  
  • Discover Mycenae, a UNESCO-listed site made famous by Homer’s The Iliad & The Odyssey.  
  • Take a day-trip from Athens to explore Hydra with lunch in the little village of Kamini.  
  • Hike up Mount Olympus where Zeus sat on his throne.  
  • See the Church with 100 Doors on the island of Paros.  
  • Explore Knossos, a Bronze Age settlement on the island of Crete.  
  • Discover the ‘other’ Acropolis, Lindos, on the island of Rhodes.  

Let Thompsons Holidays help you make fabulous memories with your partner, friends, family or tailor the perfect solo travel package to Greece.

 

Know before you go...

  • The best time to visit Greece is from May to October with lots of sunny weather.
  • July and August are the hottest months with very high temperatures.
  • Winter is from November to March.  

  • You will fly from Johannesburg to Athens and either fly or take a ferry to your island holiday destination.  
  • The quickest one-stop flight duration from Johannesburg to Athens is approximately 13 hours. Some airlines could take longer based on the stopover destination and waiting period.
  • The towns, cities and popular islands in Greece have excellent transport systems as a whole, including ferries, cars, taxis, buses, trains and scooters for hire. 
  • Towns in outlying areas may have less sophisticated transport infrastructure – it depends where you are going.   

  • South African passport holders require a Schengen visa to enter Greece. 
  • Passports should be valid for at least 3 months after travel and have blank pages.  

  • Greece is on Eastern European standard time, the same time as South Africa during the winter and 1 hour ahead of South Africa in the summer months. 

  • The official currency is the Euro (€ or EUR).  
  • Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are prevalent. 
  • Tipping is an accepted custom. In restaurants, tip 5-10% of the bill.   
  • Food is relatively inexpensive in Greece.

  • Greek is the official language.   
  • English, French, German and Italian is spoken in Greece by some of the population. 

  • Greek Orthodox is the predominant religion in Greece.

  • It is not safe to drink tap water in Greece. Bottled water is readily available.  
  • Vaccinations are not currently required but do check with your travel clinic before you go.  

What must I pack?   

  • Lightweight clothing for summer, warmer layers for cooler evenings and cruises. Don't forget your beachwear!
  • Comfortable walking shoes, sandals.  
  • Sunscreen, lip balm, hat, swimsuits and sunglasses for summer holidays.  
  • Mini first aid kit and regular prescription medication.  
  • Hand sanitiser and insect repellent.  
  • Camera.  
  • Travel adaptor. Greece operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz, plug and sockets are of type C with two round pins and F which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side.

What can I do to be a responsible traveller?    

  • Greek islands are water-scarce and visitors are encouraged to use water sparingly.
  • Support the local economy.  
  • Be mindful of what you bring with you onto the islands in terms of single-use plastic and packaging. 
  • Respect each other's cultures and customs.  

Safety tips   

  • Be safety conscious: don’t display cash or valuables. Leave jewellery and expensive watches at home.  

What do I do in an emergency?   

  • Contact the Thompsons Holidays 24-hour care line to assist. 

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