Greece All-Inclusive Travel Guide

Do you need a visa for Greece?

U.S. and Canadian citizens can visit Greece visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; you just need a passport valid for at least three months beyond your stay.

One change is on the horizon: the EU's new ETIAS travel authorization is set to launch in late 2026 and become required around 2027. It's a quick online approval (about €20), valid for multiple trips over several years, not a visa. Until it's required you travel as before, but check the official EU site (travel-europe.europa.eu) for current timing.

Is Greece safe?

Greece is among the safer countries you can visit, and the resort islands are especially low-key. The usual European caveats apply: watch for pickpockets in tourist crowds, and note the occasional strike or demonstration in Athens. Use normal precautions and you'll have no issues; check travel.state.gov for the current advisory.

Currency and tipping

Greece uses the euro. Tipping is modest and not aggressively expected: round up or leave 5–10% at restaurants for good service, and a euro or two for housekeeping and drivers. Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for small tavernas and island shops.

When to visit

Greek-island season runs May through October. July and August are hot, busy, and priciest, while late May, June, and September give you warm seas with thinner crowds and better value. Many island resorts close over winter.

Getting there & around

Many island resorts have direct seasonal flights from European hubs; otherwise you'll connect through Athens (ATH), or Thessaloniki (SKG) for the Halkidiki peninsula, to island airports like Crete (Heraklion or Chania), Corfu, Kos, or Rhodes. Greece drives on the right; resort transfers cover arrivals, and a rental car is handy for exploring an island independently.

What to do beyond the resort

Beyond the beach, explore whitewashed villages and harbors, take a boat day-trip to hidden coves, and eat your way through family tavernas. Crete has the Minoan palace of Knossos and dramatic gorges; Corfu its Venetian old town; Rhodes its walled medieval city; and almost everywhere, sunsets worth planning dinner around.

Good to know

Power & plugs: 230V, European Type C/F; bring an adapter. Language: Greek, with English widely spoken in tourism. Water: tap water is fine on the mainland and many islands, though bottled is common on smaller ones. Dress: beach-casual, smart-casual at à la carte dinners, and cover up at monasteries.