Greece 2026 — Travel Guide for Israelis: Athens, Islands & Attractions

1Why Greece

Greece is a member of the European Union and the Schengen area. What makes it special:

• Enormous variety — a capital with world-class antiquities, islands for every taste, mountains, beaches and picturesque villages.
• Direct flights to Athens and to the islands too — Tel Aviv to Santorini, Crete and Rhodes direct.
• Living history — the Acropolis, Knossos, Meteora, Old Rhodes — all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Cuisine — one of the best in the Mediterranean.
• A Jewish community and kosher restaurants in Athens, and rich Jewish heritage in Thessaloniki.

2Flights from Israel

To Athens (ATH): direct flights by Aegean, El Al, Arkia, Israir, Sky Express, Wizz Air and more. Duration ~2 hours and 10 minutes.

Direct to the islands too:

• Santorini (JTR) — direct in season, ~45 minutes
• Crete/Heraklion (HER) — direct, ~1 hour and 45 minutes
• Rhodes (RHO) — direct, ~1 hour and 45 minutes

Prices and dates change. Note: flight availability may change in light of the security situation — check in real time.

3Visa & entry for Israelis

Greece is a Schengen member. Israelis enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days within 180 days. It's recommended to verify with the Greek embassy in Israel before travelling.

ETIAS is still not active (May 2026) — expected late 2026. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your departure date from the Schengen area, and issued within the last ten years.

4When to fly

• Spring (April–June) — suited to Athens and ancient sites, before the peak heat. Recommended.
• Summer (July–August) — peak season on the islands. Very hot — during heatwaves Greece may temporarily close open-air sites such as the Acropolis. Good for the beach, less for city touring.
• Autumn (September–October) — comfortable and less crowded. An excellent combination of Athens and the islands.
• Winter (December–February) — suited to Athens and the city, less to the islands and beaches.

5How many days & a recommended itinerary

• 3–4 days — Athens only: Acropolis, museums, Plaka, the Agora.
• 5–7 days — Athens + a nearby island (ferry from Piraeus).
• 6–8 days — Athens + Santorini (domestic flight or a 5–11 hour ferry from 46 euros).
• 5–7 days — Crete only: Heraklion, Knossos, beaches, villages.
• 4–6 days — Rhodes: the old town, beaches and tours.
• Meteora: add 1–2 nights to a mainland itinerary.

6Attractions & things to do

• The Acropolis — one of the most important ancient sites in the world. Admission: 30 euros. Best to arrive early in the morning, before the heat.
• The Acropolis Museum — among the best museums in Greece. Ticket: 20 euros (reduced 10 euros).
• The Ancient Agora — the marketplace of ancient Athens, beside the Acropolis. Tickets via hhticket.gr.
• The Plaka neighbourhood — a picturesque historic district in central Athens, close to the Acropolis.
• The National Archaeological Museum — the largest archaeological collection in Greece. Ticket: 20 euros.
• Cape Sounion — the Temple of Poseidon with views over the Aegean Sea. About 70 km from Athens.
• Santorini — Oia and Fira — villages on the edge of the volcanic caldera. Oia is famous for its sunsets.
• Crete — the Palace of Knossos — a 3,500-year-old Minoan palace. Ticket: 20 euros.
• Old Rhodes — a medieval walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Meteora — monasteries atop sandstone cliffs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7Where to stay — areas

• Syntagma / central Athens — convenient for public transport and access to the sites.
• Plaka / Monastiraki — close to the Acropolis, restaurants and a Mediterranean atmosphere. Recommended for a first visit.
• Piraeus — suited to anyone planning to take ferries to the islands.
• Santorini — Oia, Fira, Imerovigli and Firostefani — along the caldera.
• Crete / Rhodes — for a long holiday on a single island without transfers.

8Transport & getting from the airport

• The airport: Athens International Airport — ATH (Eleftherios Venizelos).
• Metro from the airport to the centre: 9 euros one-way, 16 round-trip (as of 31.5.2026).
• The X95 express bus — to Syntagma. 5.50 euros.
• X96 to Piraeus (for those flying to an island).
• Ferries to the islands — from the port of Piraeus. Blue Star Ferries and others. Piraeus–Santorini from 46 euros (5–11 hours, depending on the company and type). In peak season — book ahead.

9Internet & eSIM

• Local operators: Cosmote, Vodafone Greece, Nova.
• Airalo — eSIM for Greece: from $4 for 3 days; $9 for 7 days; $12 for 30 days.
• Vodafone Travel eSIM — 20GB for 30 days: ~$22; 50GB: ~$31.
• For Israelis — an international eSIM before your flight is the most convenient solution.

10Money, costs & tips

• Currency: euro. As of late May 2026: 1 euro ≈ 3.27 ₪ (rates change — check in real time).
• Price examples: coffee in Athens ~2.60–2.80 euros; metro from the airport 9 euros; Acropolis 30 euros; Acropolis Museum 20 euros; ferry to Santorini from 46 euros.
• Athens can be budget-friendly for transport and everyday food. Islands like Santorini and Mykonos are significantly more expensive — don't compare them.

11Frequently asked questions