Flights from Barcelona to Greece from 40EUR*

Flights to Greece from Barcelona

There are 4 different ways into Greece. Vueling flies direct from Barcelona to Athens, Crete, Mykonos and Santorini, so there is no need to go through the capital to reach the islands. You land on the one you actually want.

The flight to Athens takes around 3 hours. The bigger decision is what kind of trip you are after: ruins and city life, one large island, or quiet coves and late nights.

What documents you need to travel to Greece

Greece is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, so Spanish and other EU citizens need only a valid national ID card or passport; no visa is required.

On Schengen flights the physical Spanish ID card (DNI) is required: the digital version is only valid on flights within Spain. Check the expiry date before you book, because the document has to cover your whole stay. If you hold another nationality, check your situation on the travel documents page.

What to know when you land in Greece

From the airport into town. In Athens, the metro links the terminal with the city centre in about 40 minutes and is the most convenient option at any time of day. On Crete you land at Heraklion, a few kilometres from the city. The airports on Mykonos and Santorini are small and close to their main towns, so a taxi or a transfer arranged by your accommodation does the job.

Cash. The currency is the euro. Even so, keep some small notes and coins on you, because cards are not always accepted in small tavernas, markets and beach stalls.

When to go. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, with temperatures comfortably above 30°C. May, June and September suit the archaeological sites and the islands better: the sea is still warm and you can walk around without wilting. In winter, many island businesses cut back their services.

Island hopping. Ferries are the usual way to get around and part of the experience, although the crossings are long. When time is short, there are also domestic flights run by local airlines, booked separately.

Greece uses type C and F plugs, at 230V. Greek has its own alphabet, but English gets you by without any trouble in tourist areas.

What to do in Greece

Athens

The Acropolis, with the Parthenon on top and the Acropolis Museum at its foot, is what brings people here, and the National Archaeological Museum is the reason to stay an extra day. Around them, Plaka, Monastiraki and the restaurants of Psirri make up a city far livelier than the postcards suggest. Take the metro from the airport and your arrival day is not wasted.

Crete

You land at Heraklion, halfway along the north coast, and everything starts from there: the palace of Knossos 20 minutes away, the Samaria Gorge in the White Mountains National Park, Venetian Chania with its Ottoman harbour, Balos Lagoon and beaches on both coasts. It is the only island that can fill a whole trip on its own. Its cooking is famous in its own right and the distances are long, so a hire car pays for itself here.

Santorini

The caldera, sunsets from Oia and Assyrtiko wine, made from vines trained low and twisted along the ground to shelter them from the wind. It is the most photographed island and also the most crowded in summer. Come in May or September and you will see a different side of it.

Mykonos

Beaches with crystal-clear water and the liveliest nightlife in the Aegean, with an atmosphere to match. By day, the old town of Chora is best explored on foot, through whitewashed lanes laid out to confuse pirates. It works well for groups, and in summer.

Luggage for your flight to Greece

What you can take depends on the fare you choose when booking. The simplest fare includes a personal item that fits under the seat in front, and from there you can add cabin or checked luggage.

On a summer island trip, clothes take up little room but beach gear soon adds up. Sorting out your luggage when you book avoids surprises at the check-in desk. Check the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.