Greece Holiday 2026 - Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Planning a Greek holiday in 2026? This complete guide covers the best destinations, accommodation options, costs, travel documents and practical tips.
Greece in 2026 remains one of the most rewarding holiday destinations in Europe - exceptional beaches, outstanding food, a warm and welcoming culture and enough variety to suit every type of traveller. Whether you're going with family, a partner, friends or solo, this guide gives you everything you need before you book.
Why Greece?
Greece offers something genuinely rare: a combination of crystal-clear sea, centuries of history, outstanding cuisine and an unhurried pace of life. For travellers from the Balkans, it has additional advantages - driveable from most cities, culturally familiar and excellent value for money compared to Western European beach destinations.
Most Popular Destinations 2026
Halkidiki - Three Peninsulas, a Thousand Options
Halkidiki is the first-choice destination for travellers from Serbia, North Macedonia and Bulgaria - just 700 km from Belgrade, with excellent beaches on all three peninsulas (Kassandra, Sithonia, Athos) and a wide range of accommodation. No flights needed - drive there.
Olympic Riviera - Sea and Mythology Combined
The stretch of coast between Thessaloniki and Mount Olympus (Paralia, Leptokarya, Platamon) offers long sandy beaches, beautiful mountain backdrop and lower prices than the islands. Excellent for families.
Kavala Riviera - Near Thassos
The Kavala area - including Nea Iraklitsa and Nea Peramos - is Greece's most affordable beach zone for travellers from Serbia. Long sandy beaches, organised facilities, excellent seafood and a short ferry to Thassos island.
The Islands
For those willing to fly or take a ferry: Crete (Europe's most diverse island), Rhodes (medieval city and superb beaches), Zakynthos (Navagio beach and sea turtles), Corfu (Venetian heritage), Santorini (iconic caldera) and Mykonos (cosmopolitan nightlife) are the headline destinations.
When to Go
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | Warm (22–26°C) | Low | Low |
| June | Hot (27–31°C) | Moderate | Medium |
| July–August | Very hot (32–38°C) | Very high | Peak |
| September | Hot (27–31°C) | Moderate | Medium |
| October | Warm (22–26°C) | Low | Low |
Essential Travel Documents
- Biometric passport (Serbian ID card NOT accepted in the Schengen area including Greece)
- Passport for each child (no adding children to a parent's passport)
- Green card insurance (for driving through North Macedonia and Bulgaria)
- Travel health insurance (strongly recommended)
- North Macedonia vignette (buy at border); Bulgaria e-vignette (buy at bgtoll.bg)
Practical Tips
- Book accommodation 2–3 months in advance for July–August; popular apartments sell out
- Greek emergency numbers: Ambulance 166, Police 100, Tourist Police 171, European Emergency 112
- Currency: Euro. ATMs widely available. Most businesses also accept cards.
- Tipping is customary but not mandatory (round up or leave 5–10%)
- Greek restaurants serve dinner late (from 21:00); don't be surprised if you're the only ones eating at 19:00
