Greece Holidays
GotoBeach covers three Greek islands — Crete, Rhodes and Kos — and our Greece Operations Manager Eleni Trachalakis was born in Crete. Every hotel in our Greece portfolio has been selected and assessed by someone who knows these islands from the inside, not from a brochure.
“I was born in Crete and I have spent my career working in Greek island tourism. When I recommend a hotel in Hersonissos or a beach in Rhodes, I am not reading from a fact sheet. I know these places. I know what the water looks like in the morning, which restaurants are worth leaving the resort for and which resorts genuinely deliver on their all inclusive promise. That is what GotoBeach Greece is built on.”
Eleni Trachalakis — GotoBeach Greece Operations Manager, born in CreteGreece is one of the most popular holiday destinations for UK travellers — and for reasons that go beyond the obvious. The combination of exceptional beaches, extraordinary history, genuine food culture, reliable sunshine and a hotel infrastructure that now includes some outstanding all inclusive properties makes Greece one of the most complete beach holiday destinations available within a four-hour flight of the UK.
No visa required
UK passport holders do not require a visa for Greece for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Greece is an EU member state and part of the Schengen Area. Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area. Check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece before booking.
Exceptional beaches
Greece’s beaches are among the finest in the Mediterranean — Elafonissi and Balos in Crete, Faliraki in Rhodes, Paradise Beach in Kos. The water is extraordinarily clear, typically turquoise or deep blue, and warm from June through September. Greece consistently tops European beach quality rankings.
History & culture
Crete is home to the Minoan Palace of Knossos — Europe’s oldest civilisation. Rhodes Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its medieval old city one of the best-preserved in Europe. Kos Town has a well-preserved Ottoman and Roman heritage. Greece is the rare destination where history is genuinely embedded in the landscape rather than confined to museums.
Outstanding food
Greek food is one of the genuine pleasures of a Greece holiday — fresh seafood, village salads, slow-cooked lamb, honey and walnut desserts, local wine and the best olive oil in the world. Even on an all inclusive holiday, an evening meal in a local taverna is one of the experiences Eleni most consistently recommends to GotoBeach guests.
Reliable summer sunshine
From May through October, Greece delivers some of the most reliable summer weather in Europe. Crete, Rhodes and Kos all enjoy long, sunny summers with July and August averaging 28–34°C. May, June and September offer warm temperatures, clear water and considerably fewer crowds — Eleni’s recommended months for most guests.
Direct flights from the UK
Heraklion (HER) and Chania (CHQ) in Crete, Rhodes (RHO) and Kos (KGS) are all served by direct charter and scheduled flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and other UK regional airports. Flight times range from 3.5 to 4.5 hours depending on origin and destination.
GotoBeach covers three Greek islands. Each is distinct in character, size and appeal. Here is Eleni’s honest assessment of all three.
Crete
Crete is Greece’s largest and most diverse island — 250 kilometres from east to west, with enough variety of landscape, beach, cuisine and history to occupy multiple holidays. Eleni was born here, and her knowledge of the island goes considerably deeper than any inspection programme could replicate.
The north coast — Hersonissos, Malia, Stalida, Heraklion — is where most UK package tourists stay, and where GotoBeach’s most popular Crete hotels are located. The south coast is wilder, quieter and more dramatic. The west — Chania, Rethymno — is more upmarket and boutique in character.
- Best for: families, couples, culture lovers, foodies
- Must visit: Elafonissi beach, Knossos Palace, Chania old town
- All inclusive: strong selection across all budgets
- Eleni’s tip: always spend at least one evening in a local taverna
Rhodes
Rhodes is Greece’s most visited island and one of the most popular destinations for UK holidaymakers. Its appeal is clear: exceptional beaches (Faliraki, Lindos, Kallithea), a UNESCO-listed medieval old city that is one of the best-preserved in Europe, reliable sunshine and a very strong all inclusive hotel offering particularly in the northern resort areas.
Faliraki on the north-east coast is the main resort area — lively, family-friendly and with excellent beach and pool hotels. Lindos in the south is more boutique and considerably more upmarket. Rhodes Town itself is worth at least a full day.
- Best for: families, beach lovers, history enthusiasts
- Must visit: Rhodes Town medieval city, Lindos Acropolis
- All inclusive: very strong selection in north Rhodes
- Eleni’s tip: take a day trip to Lindos even if staying in Faliraki
Kos
Kos is the most compact of GotoBeach’s three Greek islands — and that compactness is one of its advantages. The island is small enough to explore fully in a week, with excellent beaches, a charming town centre, Roman and Ottoman heritage and some of the best cycling in the Greek islands. It suits guests who want variety within a relaxed holiday framework.
Kos Town is the main resort, with its own beach, harbour restaurants and the Asklepion — an ancient healing sanctuary. Kardamena in the south is more resort-focused and lively. Mastichari and Tigaki are quieter, better for families.
- Best for: couples, active travellers, families wanting a quieter base
- Must visit: Kos Town, Asklepion, Kefalos Beach
- All inclusive: good selection across the island
- Eleni’s tip: hire a bike — Kos is perfectly sized for cycling
Within each island, different resort areas suit different types of holiday. Here is a quick reference guide to the areas GotoBeach covers most extensively.
Crete
Hersonissos
One of Crete’s most popular resort areas. Lively, well-equipped, with good beaches and a strong hotel selection. Suits families and groups who want a busy, sociable atmosphere.
Chania
Crete’s most beautiful town — a Venetian harbour, narrow streets and some excellent boutique hotels. More upmarket than the north coast resort areas. Suits couples and repeat visitors.
Heraklion
Crete’s capital and main airport. Base for visiting Knossos Palace. Good range of hotels at competitive prices. Well connected to the rest of the island.
Rethymno
A Venetian old town with a long sandy beach directly in front of the resort hotels. One of Crete’s most complete resort areas — beach, culture and food all within walking distance.
Rhodes
Faliraki
Rhodes’ main resort area — lively, family-friendly, excellent beach and good all inclusive hotel selection. Very popular with UK visitors. Rhodes Town is 15 minutes away.
Rhodes Town
The UNESCO-listed medieval old city is one of the finest in Europe. Worth at least a full day regardless of where you are staying on the island. Excellent restaurant and bar scene.
Ixia
A quieter alternative to Faliraki, close to Rhodes Town. Popular with windsurfers due to consistent winds. Good hotel selection, calmer atmosphere.
Kiotari
In the south of Rhodes, Kiotari is considerably quieter and more upmarket than the northern resorts. Long pebble beach, clear water and a more relaxed atmosphere. Good for couples.
Kos
Kos Town
The island’s main town — harbour, restaurants, the Asklepion ancient site and a good beach. A lively base that suits guests who want both resort facilities and local atmosphere.
Kardamena
Kos’s busiest resort area, in the south of the island. Very popular with younger travellers and families. Good range of hotels and beach facilities.
Tigaki
A quieter, more family-oriented resort on the north coast of Kos. Long sandy beach, calmer than Kardamena. Good for guests who want a more relaxed Kos experience.
Mastichari
A small, quiet village resort on Kos’s north coast with a good beach and a relaxed local atmosphere. Ideal for couples and guests who prefer a quieter base.
Eleni’s hand-picked top 10 family resorts in Crete — reviewed honestly with negatives included.
An honest comparison of Crete’s two most popular resort areas — who each one suits and what each one lacks.
The complete guide to Crete’s all inclusive hotel offering — from budget to luxury, with honest assessments of each property.
Everything you need to know before booking a Greece holiday from the UK — islands, areas, best time to go and practical advice.
Visa
No visa required for UK passport holders for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area. Check gov.uk before booking.
Currency
Euro (EUR). ATMs are widely available across all three islands. Credit and debit cards accepted in hotels and most restaurants. Carry some cash for local tavernas, taxis and smaller shops in villages.
Best time to go
May, June and September are Eleni’s recommended months — warm (24–30°C), uncrowded and better priced. July and August are peak season — hottest and busiest. October is still warm and excellent value.
Flight time from UK
Heraklion (Crete): 3.5–4 hours. Rhodes: 3.5–4 hours. Kos: 3.5–4 hours. All served by direct charter and scheduled flights from multiple UK airports throughout the summer season.
Do I need a visa to visit Greece from the UK?
No. UK passport holders do not need a visa for Greece for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Greece is an EU member state and part of the Schengen Area. Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area. Always check the latest requirements at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece before booking.
Which Greek island should I choose — Crete, Rhodes or Kos?
It depends on what you want from your holiday. Crete is the largest and most diverse — best for first-time visitors to Greece, families, culture lovers and foodies. Rhodes offers a UNESCO medieval city alongside excellent beaches and a strong all inclusive hotel selection — best for guests who want beach holiday plus genuine history. Kos is smaller and more compact — best for guests who want to explore the island easily, couples and active travellers. If you are unsure, call us and speak to Eleni directly.
What is the best time to visit Greece?
May, June and September are the months Eleni recommends most consistently — warm enough for swimming (24–30°C), uncrowded relative to peak season and significantly better priced than July and August. July and August are the hottest months (28–34°C) and peak family season. October is still warm and represents excellent value. April can be beautiful but water temperatures are lower.
Is Greece good for families?
Yes — particularly Crete and Rhodes. Crete has the most extensive family hotel offering of the three islands, with several outstanding all inclusive resorts specifically designed for families with children of all ages. Hersonissos and Rethymno are Eleni’s top family areas in Crete. In Rhodes, Faliraki suits families well. In Kos, Tigaki and Mastichari are quieter and more family-oriented than Kardamena. See our Best Family Resorts in Crete guide for detailed recommendations.
What deposit do I need to book a Greece holiday with GotoBeach?
For Greece dynamic package bookings, the full cost of the flight at the time of booking is charged immediately, plus a £30 per person deposit for the hotel and other arrangements. Every Greece package holiday booked through GotoBeach is ATOL-protected under licence #11211 held by Caria Holidays Ltd.
Is all inclusive available in Greece?
Yes — all three islands have a good selection of all inclusive hotels, though the all inclusive offer in Greece is generally different from Turkey. Greek all inclusive typically covers meals and local drinks, with premium drinks and à la carte restaurants often charged as extras. The term “ultra all inclusive” is less common in Greece than in Turkey. GotoBeach can advise on exactly what is included at any specific property before you book. See our Best All Inclusive Hotels in Crete guide for detailed information.
Browse our full Greece hotel collection across Crete, Rhodes and Kos — or speak to Eleni directly about which island and area suits your holiday best.
All Greece holidays booked through GotoBeach are ATOL-protected · Caria Holidays Ltd · ATOL #11211 · +44 208 211 00 01 · info@gotobeach.co.uk