Driving in Greece: Advice & Tips
Driving in Greece is not to be taken lightly, for the country has the highest car accident rate in Europe! While this is bad news, the good part is th...
Find out more about driving in Greece
Other places to visit in Greece
A sightseeing trip in this country will take you to a number of tourist attractions in Greece which also happen to be some of the most popular attract...
Popular tourist destinations to visit in Greece
History of Greece
The land we know as Greece has been inhabited by many ancient and medieval and civilizations. Among the first in written history are the Minoans and Myceneans, who preceded the classical and Hellenistic periods of Greek history that gave rise to much of Western civilization. Western literature, art, government, architecture, warfare, sport and science all owe their beginnings to the ancient Greeks who lived from the 5th century B.C. to the mid-2nd century A.D., when Greece was overtaken by the Roman Empire.
At the end of the Roman age, the area became an important part of the Byzantine Empire, centered in Constantinople (today’s Istanbul). It gained its independence in 1821, although it has continued to have a troubled relationship with Turkey. After a turbulent mid-20th century, the country is now stable and peaceful. To explore the many historical sites throughout this cradle of Western civilization, it is best to hire a car in Greece.
The geography of Greece
Located in Southern Europe, on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, Greece is almost completely surrounded by water. Much of Greece’s geographical landscape is composed of mountainous and rocky terrain, with the occasional plain. As it is one of the most mountainous countries of Europe, if you are the sort who likes to get out and explore a country, look for a cheap car hire in Greece. Because 80 percent of the landscape is rocky, a sturdy car is a prerequisite to an expedition.
The remaining 20 percent of Greece is made up of islands. Crete is a large island located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a popular tourist draw for its beautiful mountains, coastline, and abundant ancient ruins. Since most of the land here is rocky, barren and bad for agriculture, the majority of the Greek population prefers to live along the coast or along rivers and harbors where the options of earning a livelihood are better.
Weather in Greece
The weather is fairly uniform throughout Greece. Owing to its geographical position, the weather in Greece and the Greek Isles has mild winters and warm summers, cooled by different kind of seasonal winds. The summers are typically characterized by sunshine and very little rainfall: which means great summer holidays guaranteed! If you are looking for an inexpensive, crowd-free holiday, head here in the month of May, hire car in Greece and get set to explore this mythical country. July is very hot and most rain falls between November and February, when the capital city of Athens can be colder and windier than you might expect. If you are headed to the Greek Isles, remember that the weather in the Islands is about 10-15°F (6-8°C) cooler than Athens, and after watching the beautiful sunset, it gets chilly and cold.