Here you will find the perfect Greece holiday destinations

 Greece, a perennial favourite for holidaymakers, offers far more than its famed sun-drenched beaches and picturesque islands.

This sprawling nation, encompassing 110,496 square kilometres of mainland and 227 inhabited islands -- alongside thousands of uninhabited islets -- promises a depth of experience that invites endless exploration. Such is its breadth that even seasoned travellers find new discoveries with each visit, barely scratching the surface.

While the Cycladic islands conjure the quintessential travel-brochure image of iconic sugar-cube houses against dramatic charcoal cliffs, Greece's diverse archipelago boasts a rich tapestry of landscapes, from dense pine forests to stretches of golden sand.

The mainland, often overshadowed by its island counterparts, holds its own treasures. Athens, a vibrant European capital, seamlessly blends millennia-old ruins with contemporary, bustling neighbourhoods, offering a cultural immersion unlike any other.

Across its varied regions, the promise of classic Greek cuisine and warm, embracing hospitality remains a constant, ensuring a memorable experience whether exploring ancient sites or simply unwinding by the sea.

Best for history buffs: Athens

Greece's handsome capital is a must-do city break that works at any time of year - but if you go from May to October, you'll also find ferries from its Piraeus port, making it easy to tack on a beach or nature break.

Tourists shield themselves with an umbrella as they walk in front of the Parthenon at the ancient Acropolis in central Athens. File/AP

Most of the ancient Greek sites are based on and around the Acropolis Hill, so for very short breaks you should base yourself in central Monastiraki and Plaka so you can sightsee straight from your doorstep. If you have a bit more time to play with, you might want to stay in cooler Psyrri or Pangrati, where hole-in-the-wall restaurants and craft beer bars nudge up against concept stores and pavement cafes. Or Kolonaki, the upmarket "Knightsbridge of Athens", where you'll find the ritziest hotels.

Best time for weather Outside of July and August to avoid soaring temperatures - breezy March and still-toasty October are loveliest.

Cheapest time to go Winter, when flights are still running and few tourists are in town. In October, return flights start at around £80 return; in January that almost halves to around £45.

Dodge the crowds November, January and February have the lowest hotel room rates and thinnest crowds.

Best for glamour: Santorini

This Cycladic icon is no secret - ever since the jet-set (and Instagram) found it, this has become the island that launched a thousand selfies. But when you go, you see why: the part-sunken edge of a long-dormant volcano rim, the island's western (caldera) side plunges down into the sea in a photogenic fashion. Uniformly pretty Cycladic-style hotels and houses are speckled along its tops, many with illuminated plunge pools and ribbons of hot-pink bougainvillea. Stay around Oia and Imerovigli, taking a sunset yacht cruise around the coast, and you'll feel like you're starring in a movie.

Its breadth that even seasoned travellers find new discoveries with each visit, barely scratching the surface.

Elsewhere on the island, affordable accommodation exists near flatter, black volcanic beaches and pretty hilltop towns; but if you're here for Santorini's unique looks, you want the caldera coast. It's not family friendly, due to the plunging cliffs and millions of steps connecting buildings. And everything here - from hotel rooms to dinners and drinks - is pricier than elsewhere in Greece. Cheapest choice? No way. Worth the cash? Absolutely.

Best time for weather September - think highs of 25C by day, and a sea warmed up by months of summer heat.

Cheapest time to go This is a holiday island, so most places shut up shop outside of spring, summer and autumn. Within that period, you'll get some of the best rates in April and October.

Dodge the crowds In April, compromise on chillier evenings and the odd bit of drizzle for a chance alone with the best caldera views. May is also pleasantly quiet.

Best for families: Corfu

The buzzword here is "ease": not only does Corfu have the shortest flight time from the UK, but young families will also love the logical tourist scene. Fly into its east-coast airport, connected to hotels by a well-paved coast road, served by plentiful taxis. Most resorts are within half-an-hour's drive, with more secluded villas and lesser-known hotels slightly further away on the north and northeast coast.

Many of the best-known hotels nail being both both chic and family friendly (try the Marbella, Ikos or Grecotel groups), with many more that are simply affordable and welcoming. A sprinkling of adults-only finds are a hit with couples. Though the tourist scene is accessible, tried and tested, this huge, forested island is also perfect for hiring a car and exploring. Visit the pretty old port, Corfu Town, the sand-fringed north and west coast, and hop on a boat to Paxos island.

Best time for weather June to August has that blazing hot, bucket-and-spade weather you're dreaming of.

Cheapest time to go May is still warm and breezy, with highs in the low 20s - weeks at self-catering apartment holidays come in at £500pp per week, rising to more like £800pp by mid July.

Best time for weather September - think highs of 25C by day, and a sea warmed up by months of summer heat.

Dodge the crowds Go for a more active holiday in Feb-March or late October-November; in the latter, you'll find few tourists, but locals still swimming in the summer-warmed sea.

This island is a giant - it would take around five hours to drive nonstop from one end to the other - so even if you've seen one beach town or region, there's far more to explore. But one thing you'll find all over is exceptional food: Crete has a long farming tradition and a huge respect for produce, seasonality and provenance. It also has its own styles of salad, local cheeses and is a major producer of olive oil. Elsewhere in Greece, the most fashionable restaurants are often inspired by Cretan cuisine.

You fly into one of two north-coast airports: Chania towards the west and Heraklion towards the east. They're more than two hours apart, so make sure you book the best for your accommodation. The joy of a big isle like this is choice and diversity: there are affordable, family-friendly beach towns, stylish port cities, ancient archaeological sites and secret-feeling coves only reached by boat. The trade-off? A fair bit of research and planning.

Best time for weather June to August for peak summer sun, but Crete also remains balmy into September - great news for adults-only parties seeking peace and quiet.

Cheapest time to go April is a sweet spot - you can bag a week in a five-star beach hotel from £730pp, rising to £1,100pp in June. Daytime temperatures will be around 17-21C maximum.

Dodge the crowds It empties out from cooler November to March, when there are still plenty of active pursuits, foodie experiences and ancient sites to entertain you.

The Independent