- Flight from Amsterdam
- Athens just over 3 hours
- Time difference
- 1 hour ahead
- Currency
- Euro
- Language
- Greek
- Entry for Dutch citizens
- Passport or ID card
Overview
Greece has 21 places on the World Heritage List, from the Acropolis to Delphi, Mycenae and the Minoan palaces. Athens is a logical start, because from there you soon reach the mountains or the Peloponnese.
Look past the busiest islands and there is plenty to walk: the gorges and stone bridges of Zagori, the tower villages of the Mani and the long descent through Samaria on Crete. A trip can combine culture and walking, with small places to stay along the way.
- Simple for the organiser Greece is in the EU and uses the euro. Dutch citizens travel without a visa, also on an ID card.
- Culture and walking on one route Delphi, Meteora and the paths of Zagori share one route across the mainland, so a group can alternate its days.
- Beyond the well-known islands The Mani, Zagori and west Crete each have their own landscape, with plenty of room to walk.
Regions
Epirus and Zagori
Zagori, in the mountains above Ioannina, has been on the World Heritage List since 2023 as a cultural landscape. You walk among stone villages and bridges. The best-known route goes through the Vikos Gorge: a steep descent, a stretch on the river floor and a steep climb out, a long day. For something gentler there is a walk along the rim. Ioannina is the wettest city on the mainland.
Meteora and Delphi
At Meteora six working monasteries stand on rock pillars, a landscape on the World Heritage List since 1988. Each monastery closes on different days, so you plan this ahead. A dress code applies: covered shoulders, skirts below the knee for women and long trousers for men. Delphi, on the list since 1987, lies on the way from Athens.
Peloponnese and Mani
Mycenae, Epidaurus and Mystras lie within easy reach of each other. Further south is the Mani, the central peninsula, about 45 kilometres long. It is known for its tower houses and ends at Cape Tainaron, the southernmost point of mainland Greece. The Taygetus range rises to 2,404 metres. Areopoli, Vatheia and the Diros Caves are the best-known places.
Crete
The Samaria Gorge runs about 16 kilometres from its entrance at 1,250 metres down to Agia Roumeli on the sea. At the Gates the passage narrows to 4 metres, between walls of nearly 300 metres. The national park dates from 1962 and opens only in season, roughly May to October, closing in bad weather. In the east lies Knossos, the best-known Minoan palace.
What a day can look like
An illustrative example. We shape your own day with you.
From the Minoans to the modern state
- c. 2000 BC Minoan civilisation, the earliest urban society in Greece, flourishes on Crete.
- c. 1600 BC Mycenaean civilisation rises on the mainland.
- 5th century BC Athens enters its best-known period after driving back the Persians.
- 338 BC Philip II of Macedon takes control of the Greek city-states.
- Mid 15th century After the Byzantine period, Greece becomes part of the Ottoman Empire.
- 1830 After the uprising of 1821, Greece becomes an independent state.
At the table in Greece
Dakos
A Cretan barley rusk with fresh tomato, soft white cheese and olive oil.
Pites
Savoury filo pies with cheese or greens, with many local variations in Epirus.
Souvlaki
Grilled meat on a skewer, or in a pita with onion, tomato and tzatziki.
Eating together
The Mediterranean diet is on the UNESCO list, with Koroni as a Greek example. Sharing the meal is part of it.
In mountain villages such as those of Zagori and Pelion, stone houses have been restored and turned into small guesthouses. In the Mani the same has happened with old tower houses, often run by families.
When to go
For walking, May, June, September and early October are the most comfortable, and April too on the Peloponnese. July and August can be hot: Athens then averages around 34 degrees, and summer 2024 was the warmest on record. In Epirus, November to January is very wet, and high in the mountains winter brings plenty of snow.
| Region | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epirus and Zagori | less suitable | less suitable | less suitable | possible | good period | good period | possible | possible | good period | possible | less suitable | less suitable |
| Meteora and Delphi | less suitable | less suitable | less suitable | possible | good period | good period | possible | possible | good period | possible | less suitable | less suitable |
| Peloponnese and Mani | less suitable | less suitable | possible | good period | good period | possible | less suitable | less suitable | possible | good period | possible | less suitable |
| Crete | less suitable | less suitable | possible | possible | good period | good period | possible | possible | good period | good period | possible | less suitable |
good period possible less suitable
Start planning it yourself
Slide through the year
Athens
- Daytime
- 26 °C
- Night
- 14 °C
- Rain
- 23 mm
- Sea
- 19 °C
Heraklion (Crete)
- Daytime
- 24 °C
- Night
- 15 °C
- Rain
- 14 mm
- Sea
- 19 °C
Long-term averages, not a forecast. Periods and the way rain days are counted differ between weather services. Sea temperature: rounded average for 2023 to 2025, for open water off the coast. Bays can be warmer or colder.
Flying from Amsterdam
- Athens± 3.5 hours
- Heraklion (seasonal)± 3.5 hours
Greece is 1 hour ahead of the Netherlands all year.
Flight times are approximate and apply to a direct flight. Timetables change by season.
How far is it really?
From Athens through the Peloponnese to Meteora and Epirus. About 14 hours of driving in all.
Athene
- Nafplio2 hrs
- Olympia3 hrs
- Delphi4 hrs
- Kalambaka3 hrs
- Ioannina2 hrs
Drive times are approximate, without stops or traffic. A coach takes longer.
World Heritage on the map
Acropolis, Athens 1987
Show as a list
- Acropolis, Athens 1987
- Archaeological Site of Delphi 1987
- Meteora 1988
- Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus 1988
- Archaeological Site of Olympia 1989
- Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns 1999
- Zagori Cultural Landscape 2023
- Minoan Palatial Centres (point: Knossos) 2025
Say it yourself
The pronunciation is a guide, not an exact rendering.
Good to know
- Money
- Euro (EUR)
- Plug
- C/F, 230 V. Dutch plugs fit, so you do not need an adapter.
- Entry
- Valid passport or ID card for the whole stay. No visa. Current travel advice
Rules for Dutch citizens with a Dutch passport. Always check the current travel advice just before you leave.
Practical
Checked on 5 November 2026. Before you leave, always check NederlandWereldwijd.nl for current travel advice and entry rules.
- Travel advice Dutch travel advice is green. In hot, dry periods there are wildfires every year, which can spread fast and close roads. Check NederlandWereldwijd before you book.
- Entry Dutch citizens travel on a passport or ID card valid for the whole trip, without a visa. EES and ETIAS do not apply to EU citizens. Group members on a non-EU passport need to check this separately. Check NederlandWereldwijd before you book.
- Health The European health card covers necessary treatment on local terms, but not private care or repatriation. The travel advice recommends insurance that covers medical costs and repatriation.
- Time difference Greece is 1 hour ahead of the Netherlands all year.
- Money You pay in euros. Tipping is modest and optional. In restaurants, check whether a service charge is already on the bill.
- Language and plugs The language is Greek. Plugs are types C and F, 230 volts, so Dutch appliances fit.
- Drinking water Ask at your hotel, or use bottled water, especially in the countryside and on islands.
Frequently asked
How do we plan the Acropolis with a group?
Expect tickets with a fixed time slot and buy them ahead. Plan the visit early in the day: in recent summers the Acropolis has closed at midday during heatwaves. Such closures are announced at short notice, so leave room in the schedule.
What if the Samaria Gorge is closed?
The gorge opens only in season, roughly May to October, and in 2026 that began later because of winter damage. It can also close for the day because of wind, rain or fire risk. So keep a spare day and have another walk in mind.
What should we watch for at the Meteora monasteries?
Each monastery has its own closing days, which differ by season, so check these before you plan the day. Men wear long trousers, women a skirt below the knee and covered shoulders. Sleeveless tops are not allowed. Put this in the travel information beforehand.
Can a tour leader explain things at archaeological sites?
According to Greek guide sources, this is reserved for licensed guides, also in museums. Those are not official texts, and the law may have changed. So assume you need a local guide at such places, and check this for each trip.
What applies to travel companions without an EU passport?
The EU Entry/Exit System applies to them, fully in use since 10 April 2026. Fingerprints and a facial image are registered at the border. ETIAS is not yet running. Check their visa requirements separately and allow extra time on arrival.
What we can offer
- On request: a tailor-made walking trip in Zagori, the Mani or on Crete
- On request: a cultural trip past Delphi, Meteora and the Peloponnese
- On request: a trip with small places to stay for a private group
- On request: a guide or tour leader for your own organisation's programme
