Greek Holidays in 2023: Where to Go
Now that 2023 is finally here, we can all hopefully relax and look forward to a season without the drama and uncertainty of the past 3 years. With that in mind, its time to start thinking about what to do and where to visit. Greece, one of the 3 most popular countries worldwide for 2022, is once again ready to accommodate, entertain and enlighten visitors who come to the land of Gods-more prepared and with renewed vigor. So, if you’re planning your next holiday to Greece, its worth reading on and finding out more about your preferred destination-whether it’s a sun speckled island on the Cyclades, a mountain hamlet nestled in one of Greece’s numerous mountainous village clusters or a city break in Athens or Thessaloniki.
ISLANDS
We will go ahead and assume that your number one priority when visiting Greece is going to the islands. And that’s fine, in fact its great. Just remember that Greece has over 220 inhabited islands. So don’t limit yourself to the tried and tested mainstays like Mykonos, Santorini and Crete (or try to include those too, at the very least), instead head to the less known ones. You’ll have to compete with less people for some shade, plus your experience will be enriched through the absence of others cramping your style, and the fact that all those pristine views and settings will be unsullied by the specter of over-development. And that’s without the lower prices usually associated with these kinds of islands. Check out Iraklia, Schinousses, Agios Efstratios, Antikythera, Sikinos and Symi. If you haven’t the foggiest idea about them, then that’s a good thing. No airports, scant ferry connections and all the time in the world at your disposal.
MOUNTAINS
On the other hand, if you’re an alpine lover, you’ll be glad to know that Greece is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe (4th in total), with over 70% of the surface mountainous. Up north you have the Kaimaktsalan and the Rhodope mountain ranges, while traversing down the spine of Greece, the Pindus and Olympos mountain ranges give way to the mythic Parnassos mountain, as well as the home of centaurs-the Pelion (pro tip: Pelion has a ski center, while just 1 hour away descending on the Pagassatic Gulf side, you can swim in one of Greece’s best beaches: Hiliadou). The Peloponese is home to the mighty Taygetos mountain, while Crete is home to the legendary White Mountains-home of Zeus (allegedly). The cream of the crop, in our opinion, has to be Kalymnos. Why you ask? Easy. The island of Kalymnos in the Aegean is a mountain climbing destination that is extremely popular within the climbing circles, with annual competitions taking place, followed by spectacular dives into the cerulean waters of the Mediterranean. We dare you to come up with a more diverse set of environments.
ATHENS & THESSALONIKI
But of course, not everyone enjoys death-defying experiences on their holidays, and that’s fine as well. That’s why Athens and Thessaloniki are ideal alternatives to that. With so much to see and do on both these historic cities, the only thing you’ll have to worry about is how much you can feasibly pack into your holidays. From world-historic sights such as the Acropolis, Panathenaic stadium, the White Tower and Galerius’s Arch to museums, galleries, bars, night clubs and open air cinemas, these two cities have fun and culture to spare.
Greek Holidays in 2023: Where to Go
This year, its time to think outside the box when it comes to holidays in Greece. Spread your wings and fly away from the beaten path. Explore and discover new sights and sounds. Live your myth in Greece.
