GOING on holiday to Greece this year just became a whole lot easier.
If you dream of lazing on white sand beaches and gazing at turquoise waters with a Mythos beer in hand, you’re in luck.
Getting to Greece is set to be a breeze, as the country has ditched the new European border control systems for Brits that have resulted in three-hour queues as holidaymakers arrive at their destinations.
On April 18, the Greek Embassy stated that Brits entering the country will not have to enrol in the new EU border biometrics system, EES.
This means British holidaymakers visiting Greece can skip the fingerprint scanning and questioning that comes with enrolling in the Entry/Exit System.
Not only can you skip the queues in time for your Greek summer holiday, but if you’re yet to book something abroad, you still have time to nab an affordable break.
Insiders at Travel Supermarket have tipped Sun Travel off about the country’s most affordable destinations – plus we’ve found last-minute deals you can bag for cheap.
Here are the trusted travel company’s top five cheapest Greek island destinations, based on the average price per person for a 7-night stay.
*Prices correct at time of publication
5. Crete
Crete is one of the most affordable Greek holiday destinations, with an average holiday price per person of £718 for a week away (though we’ve found a steal of a deal for £235pp).
Chania on the west coast offers some of the island’s most beautiful natural landscapes, where you can hike Samaria Gorge or laze on the pinkish sands of Elafonisi Beach.
Lasithi on the east coast is home to lots of upscale resorts, which may bring the average holiday price up compared to the other islands.
Deal: Kristalli Hotel Apartments – £235pp
If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue
The Kristalli Hotel Apartments sit in the coastal town of Malia, and offer comfortable accommodation with a traditional Greek village feel.
Book a 7-night stay from 3 June, including return flights from London Gatwick, for just £235pp.
Heraklion in the centre houses the island’s fascinating historical artefacts.
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is well worth an afternoon’s visit, and the coastal city of Rethymno has a historic Old Town.
4. Santorini
Deal: Antinea Suites & Spa Hotel – £609pp
If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue
Book a stay at this stunning four-star hotel on one of the most famous Greek islands for less than the average price.
The Antinea Suites & Spa Hotel is a sprawling, luxurious resort backed by palm trees and mountains, and is just a 5-minute walk from the beach.
Book a 7-night stay with breakfast from 9 July, including return flights from London Gatwick, for just £609pp.
Given that sunny Santorini is an A-lister hotspot, it may come as a surprise that it’s made the list of the cheapest Greek islands to book for Brits.
The average price per person for a week’s holiday here is just £621, which feels like a bargain considering its status.
Santorini is a picture-perfect Greek island, with bright white buildings that tumble down hills towards the Aegean Sea.
Visit Oia Village to spot blue-domed churches and to find the best viewpoints for the island’s spectacular sunsets, or sail off on a catamaran cruise to look back at the island from afar.
3. Rhodes
Deal: Panorama Studios & Apartments – £205pp
If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue
We found a Rhodes package holiday deal that feels almost impossibly cheap.
The Panorama Studios & Apartments offer traditional accommodation with a pool and plenty of loungers, close to lively Faliraki.
You can book a 7-night stay from 2 June, including return flights from Edinburgh, for just £205pp.
Rhodes remains a popular choice for British holidaymakers, and comes in joint-second place for the most affordable of the Greek islands.
Think picturesque whitewashed villages, cobbled narrow streets and endless blue horizon.
Not only are there plenty of beautiful beaches, like the emerald cove of Anthony Quinn Bay or beach-bar-lined Tsambika Beach, but there’s plenty of history here, too.
Wander the UNESCO-listed Medieval Old Town to its massive 14th-century castle, or walk the preserved Street of the Knights.
2. Lefkas
Deal: Villa Theodora – £539pp
If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue
Villa Theodora in Lefkas is just a 2-minute walk from the nearest beach, and only 5 minutes from the tavernas and trinket shops of the main street.
We found a deal for a week-long stay from 1 August for just £539pp, including return flights from London Gatwick.
At an average cost of £599pp, Lefkas, or Lefkada, is the second-most affordable Greek island according to data from Travel Supermarket.
This lesser-known island has plenty of picturesque traditional villages and beautiful white limestone cliffs.
It’s worth visiting this quiet island before more people catch on to its beauty. Top beaches include the unspoiled Milos Beach and the crystal-clear waters of Agiofilli Beach.
Take a visit to the island’s traditional fishing resorts like Nidri, where its pretty harbour faces electric-blue waters.
This island also connects to mainland Greece via a bridge, making it one of the only islands you can drive to if you’re not a fan of travelling by boat.
1. Kefalonia
Deal: Liberatos Village – £467pp
If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue
The Liberatos Village in Lassi has a spacious outdoor pool and snack bar, and is only a short walk away from the town’s bars and restaurants.
Bag a bargain week-long stay from 10 June for just £467pp, including return flights from London Gatwick.
Kefalaonia was revealed as the most affordable Greek island, with the average week-long holiday costing just £554pp.
As the largest Ionian island, Kefalonia has plenty to offer.
This beautiful island is full of white sand beaches and hidden coves to explore, such as the Blue Flag-listed Antisamos Beach and the crescent-shaped Myrtos Beach.
Plus, this is a great island to escape to for pure relaxation, as it offers a much more relaxed feel in comparison to the nightlife of its buzzy neighbours, Corfu and Zakynthos.
With so many affordable holidays to pick from, which Greek island destination would you go for?
Chris Webber, Head of holidays and deals at Travel Supermarket, suggests ticking off celeb-favourite Santorini.
He says: “Rhodes has been our most booked Greek island so far this year, but it’s only our third cheapest and fifth in terms of price drops — which shows there are real bargains out there for holidaymakers willing to look beyond the usual suspects.”
“The biggest surprise is Santorini. It has a reputation as a pricey, aspirational destination, but it’s had the largest price drop of any
Greek island we track, down more than £200 per person on the same time last year.”
“If Santorini has ever been on your list, now is clearly the moment to go.”
Follow @thesuntravel on Instagram on TikTok for more travel tips and inspiration