Budget-Friendly Holidays: Visit The Best Summer Destinations In Greece | easyGuide
By: Easyguide
Tags: Travel Writing, Travel, Greece, Tourism, Travel Guide

Summer 2021 is here and most of us are already searching for the next best destination. Yet, everyone knows you can’t go wrong with planning holidays in Greece!

The Greek tourist map is truly one of endless opportunities and discoveries for every budget. It doesn’t matter if you are a mountain enthusiast or a sea lover, if you enjoy spending your days visiting sights or lying under the sun by the beach; holidays in Greece are the best choice you could ever make!

With all of us longing for holidays more than ever this year, looking for the best place to visit in a country like Greece, where the options are endless, might be tricky. With more than 6,000 big and small islands, and with an incredible amount of diverse cities, towns and villages that are worth visiting, choosing the right place to go on holidays in Greece becomes difficult.

Certainly, popular Greek holiday destinations like the islands of Mykonos and Santorini often require a bigger wallet. However, there are plenty of other value-for-money places in every corner of Greece for you to go on holidays which can easily compete with the former “celebrities”.

So why not look for a cheap holidays destination in Greece without missing out on anything? Whether you are looking to travel with your friends, you family, or even alone, we have selected the best Greek summer holidays destinations for you to book your next trip to.

Here are 9 cheap and budget-friendly holidays destinations in Greece.

1. Crete

You probably wouldn’t expect for Greece’s top destination for 2021 to be an affordable one too. Crete, Greece’s biggest island, is definitely one of the greatest places for both hike adventures and long days at the beach.

From the historical Matala beach and the cosmopolitan town of Elounda to cities like Chania and Heraklion, Crete is the real deal. Known for its welcoming people and its dreamlike beaches — Vai, Balos, Elafonisi, Falasarna, Agiofarango, Hrisi, to name a few- it is the ideal summer destination. And when it comes to your accommodation, you can opt for cheap camping options or even book an hotel room or an airbnb, with prices starting from only £15 per night.

Last but not least, the biggest must when travelling to Crete is experiencing the Cretan cuisine. There to satisfy your palates are plenty of inexpensive bigger and smaller ‘taverns’, as Greeks call them. All you have to do is grab a table in one of them try the best of the local specialties. Do not miss out on trying traditional dishes like snails in tomato sauce, the famous gamopilafo or the sweet kalitsounia! As for the drinks, Cretans are very proud of their locally made tsikoudia and their rakomelo, so do not worry about that… the will most probably offer that to you for free!

2. Rhodes

The City of Knights and one of UNESCO’s Heritage Sites, Rhodes is an island with great historical and cultural significance. The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, also known as the Kastello, is only one of the sights that are worth a visit. But if you are looking for free attractions, natural “heavens” like the Seven Springs are the ones for you. However, with cheap entrance tickets of only 3 Euros, the Valley of Butterflies should, without a doubt, be in one’s checklist too.

With a total of 34 “Blue Flag” beaches, spending your day by the sea is a must. Afandou, Kolymbia, Ialyssos, Gennadi, Vlycha and Haraki are only a few of the dreamy beaches you should visit, while the picturesque village of Lindos and its ancient acropolis is a must-see sight for every visitor.

Finally, if you love shopping, you will find an open market in the centre of the city, where you can freely walk and buy all sorts of local produce for a great price.

3. Zante

Moving to the Western side of Greece and the Ionian Sea, Zante is one beloved and cheap destination for people who love the deep blue colours of the Greek sea alongside with an air of Italy. In case you have ever wondered where Navagio Beach is, with its landmark old shipwreck, Zante is the answer you were looking for. Accessible only by sea, Navagio reasonably ranks high on the list of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Don’t worry about how to get there though; there are many daily tours for people who want to visit the beach.

Still, one of the best things you can do for free in Zante is admire the view of the Caretta-Caretta turtles. Of course, you can also enjoy a great range of water sports and activities for an affordable price. Do not miss out on going for a horse ride by the beach and around the city and make sure to meet some locals. They will gladly invite you to visit the traditional properties and fields of the islands. It is an unforgettable experience where you will see first-hand the traditional way of life in the island. And what’s even greater than that? You will get to live, eat and drink like a local!

4. Parga

This small coastal amphitheatrical city of Epirus is one of Greece’s hidden gems. If you are a fan of mythology, you might have already heard of Parga and Acheron river, where ancient Greeks thought believed the gates to Ades were located.

For those of you who want an alternative to the Greek islands, Parga is the perfect destination for your summer holidays. With a history of Ottoman and French conquerors, strolling along the city is like reading a history book. Looking at the Ionian sea and the Paxous and Antipaxous islands, the seaside street is full of cheap and cozy cafeterias for you to enjoy the view and watch the sun set, while the colour pallette of the buildings behind you will leave you in awe.

There are plenty of accommodation options to satisfy your needs and wallet, while activities like hiking can be free. What is more, you can go biking or do water sports without you having to dig deep in your pocket.

5. Skiathos

Skiathos is at the top of the list of young people travelling on a budget. Yet, it is also a preferred holidays destination for many Greek families too. So whether you are looking for accommodation in busier or quieter areas of the island, you will definitely find something suitable and affordable.

Hometown of one of the greatest Greek late writers, Alexandros Papadiamantis, the island offers a visit to the artist’s home-museum and a look at what a traditional home in the island looks like for only €2.

Κoukounaries, Vromolimnos, Agia Eleni and Lalaria beach are just some of the recommended beaches you can go to. And if you fancy a cheap boat trip, the uninhibited island of Tsoungria, located a few kilometres away from Skiathos, is certainly worth a visit.

Finally, are you up for some…planespotting? With Skiathos’ airport being right next to a street, watching the planes arrive is an alternative free “attraction”. Thousands of visitors love to experience the power of the wind coming from the arriving planes and feel what it’s like being so close to an airplane. All you have to do is stand by and wait for a plane arrival.

6. Kefalonia

If you have a friend who has visited Kefalonia, then you already know all about Skala, about Lourdas beach. They have also definitely told you all about the electric waters and the spectacular sunset of Myrtos beach! That is because Kefalonia’s deep blue waters and unreal locations are the reasons why people love this island.

Melissani’s lake cave, located on the east coast of Kephalonia, has been a social media sensation for many years. The changing shades of its waters caused by the movement of the sun, create a captivating and breath-taking visual.

Finally, in case you would like to treat yourself to some free spa treatment, you can always visit Xi. Its unique red, crimson sand, owing itself to the clay of its rocks at the back of the beach, is the spa treatment you need before diving into the beautiful waters of the beach.

7. Corfu

Corfu is the second largest Ionian island and its history speaks for its diverse beauty. Being conquered by Byzantines, Venetians, French and British for the last 1000 years, Corfu has an architectural landscape worth the visit.

Starting with a walk in the Old Town of Corfu, its Venetian fortresses and neoclassical buildings will be a visual satisfaction. The busy streets and alleys will make you feel like as if you are starring in a film, so do spend enough time to see every corner it. Do not forget to visit the Archaeological Museum and the Casa Parlante mansion for a wee travel back in time. You can even book private tours at affordable prices!

Another must visit is that to the Monastery of Paleokastritsa, followed by a dip in the beach of Paleokastritsa. The soft golden sand of the beach and the crystal clear waters make it the perfect place for families to relax.

Yet, most of the days, you will definitely end up at Liston, the meeting place of locals and tourists. There, you will end up spending your evenings eating and drinking whilst staying on a budget.

If you have some free time, make sure to visit Pontikonisi. It is a small island located very close to Corfu. According to the legend, Pontikonisi is the ship of Odysseus that Poseidon turned to stone. There you will find souvenir shops to spend some money on, as your trip will only cost you 3€.

8. Thassos

Thassos is an island with great a great mythological background. With an ancient theatre and market, and an archaeological museum, it is another cheap and definitely worthy destination in Greece.

Free to visit, Giola, or the “Tear of Aphrodite”, is a famous natural pool in the area of Astris. Legend has it that Zeus made it for the goddess Aphrodite to swim… and so should you. Its 8m high white rocks make it a nice adrenaline rush for those who dare to dive. Once you start feeling hungry, the tavern found close to the natural pool will absolutely reward you with the best of the local cuisine.

Looking for a cheap place to stay in Thassos won’t be difficult, and so is the case with the beaches. Porto Vathy, Skidia, Aliki and Limenas beach are amongst the places you will love spending your days at. Limenaria and Potos will offer you great options to discover the local cuisine and dance the night away later on.

And for those into contemporary architecture, there is a 2005 construction known as “Crown Of Limenaria” on one side of Limenaria. The installation consists of 12 poplar slabs with the zodiac engravings on them. The artwork was constructed by the architect and visual artist Johannes Mathiessen with the help of the Thassian sculptor Costas Lovoulou.

9. Halkidiki

Many Greek people would say that we saved the best for last. Halkidiki has arguably got some of the best beaches in Greece, if not in the entire world! Trying to choose some to recommend is simply impossible. Thankfully though, the cheap transportation choices Halkidiki offers makes it easy for you to visit many of its hotspots.

Located in northern Greece, Halkidiki is the ultimate summer getaway for northern Greeks and for many Europeans. Its characteristic geographical shape, with its three “legs” — Kassandra, Sithonia and Atho -, makes Halkidiki an ideal destination for, literally, everyone.

Kassandra is mostly known for being a destination for younger people, with tons of nightclubs and beach bars. On the other hand, Sithonia is ideal for families or people who prefer less crowded places. However, the distinction is quite blurry, as families and groups of people of all ages visit both areas. This proves that, no matter where you choose to go, Halkidiki has the best of choices for you.

With numerous shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and beach bars, the prices in most of Halkidiki are very affordable and the experience of Greek holidays there will be unforgettable!

No matter which destination sounds better to you, an affordable trip with your friends or family to these accessible and affordable destinations in Greece is a guarantee. So why wait?

Start planning your holidays to Greece and book your tickets now!