Greece is one of travel's most enduring legends — a country where mythology is carved into cliffsides, where 2,500-year-old temples still stand in city centres, and where whitewashed villages cling to calderas above an impossible blue sea. For Indian travellers, Greece requires a Schengen visa but rewards with experiences that are simply unmatched anywhere else in the world.
Greece falls under the Schengen Area, which requires Indian passport holders to apply for a Schengen visa at the Greek Consulate or a designated visa centre (VFS Global). The tourist visa is issued for up to 90 days. Required documents include valid passport, confirmed flights, hotel bookings, travel insurance, bank statements (typically 3 months), and the visa fee of approximately ₹7,500. Processing takes 10–15 working days.
Pro Tip: Apply for Greece as your "main destination" Schengen visa — it allows you to also visit other Schengen countries like Italy, France, or Spain on the same trip. A multi-country circuit dramatically increases the value of your visa application cost.
No direct flights connect India to Athens (ATH). The most convenient connections are via Emirates (through Dubai), Turkish Airlines (through Istanbul), or Lufthansa/Air France (through their European hubs). Return fares typically run ₹50,000–₹90,000 depending on routing and season. Flying via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines is often cheapest and quickest (total ~10 hours).
Athens is the world's oldest continuously inhabited city and its ancient heart still beats loudly. The Acropolis — crowned by the Parthenon, one of history's most perfect buildings — towers over the modern city in breathtaking fashion. The New Acropolis Museum brilliantly contextualises the sculptures and friezes. Below the rock, the Ancient Agora (marketplace of classical Athens), Hadrian's Arch, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus complete a walking tour of the ancient world.
Santorini is Greece's most photographed island — a crescent of volcanic rock topped with the iconic blue-domed churches and sugar-cube houses of Oia and Fira, perched 300 metres above a submerged ancient caldera. Watch the world-famous sunset from Oia's castle, swim in the black-sand beaches of Perissa and Kamari, and take a caldera boat tour to the active volcano and hot springs. Accommodation ranges from budget hostels (₹2,000–₹4,000) to cliff-edge infinity pool villas (₹30,000–₹1,00,000 per night).
Mykonos is the glamour capital of the Greek islands — a labyrinth of whitewashed streets, windmills, beach clubs, and nightlife that has attracted A-list visitors for decades. The beaches (Super Paradise, Psarou, Elia) are superb; the Little Venice waterfront quarter is enchanting for sunset drinks; and the restaurant scene is world-class.
Greece's largest island deserves a week of its own. The Palace of Knossos (Bronze Age Minoan civilisation, 3,500 years old), the dramatic Samaria Gorge (16 km hike through Europe's longest gorge), the Venetian old town of Chania, and some of Greece's best beaches (Balos Lagoon, Elafonisi) make Crete one of the Mediterranean's most complete destinations.
The ancient sanctuary of Delphi — where Greek city-states sent emissaries to consult the Oracle of Apollo — sits dramatically on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. The Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of Athens, and the ancient stadium are remarkably well-preserved. An easy day trip from Athens (2.5 hours by bus).
Greece's ferry network connects dozens of islands. The most popular circuit for Indian travellers is Athens → Mykonos → Santorini → back to Athens (3–4 days per island). High-speed ferries are faster (3–4 hours Athens–Mykonos) but pricier; conventional ferries are scenic and economical. Book via ferries.gr or directferries.com at least 2–3 weeks ahead in summer.
May–June and September–October are ideal — warm and sunny, less crowded than July–August peak, and accommodation costs 20–40% less. July–August is peak season with temperatures up to 38°C on the islands — intense but lively. Athens is worth visiting year-round; the islands are mainly seasonal (many close November–March).
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