Last Minute Holidays to Greece

Ferries and short flights open up the Cyclades, the Ionian and the Dodecanese, each with its own character and pace.

• Santorini: Santorini is a volcanic island whose caldera cliffs and whitewashed villages such as Oia and Fira draw visitors for the sunset views. The island is one of the most visited in Greece, so prices rise sharply in summer and rooms with caldera outlooks sell fastest. We recommend booking early for this island and choosing a base that suits how much walking you are prepared to do between the villages. It is exactly the brief our Santorini holidays deals are built around.
• Mykonos: Mykonos combines its famous windmills and the waterfront of Little Venice with a strong beach scene and busy nightlife. The island is reached by a short hop from the Greek mainland capital by air, taking under an hour, which makes it easy to fit into a shorter stay. It is more expensive than many other Cycladic islands, so it works best for travellers who want the beaches and evenings it is known for.
• Naxos: Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades and is served by ferries from Piraeus, offering a relaxed harbour town at Chora with a Venetian castle above it. Its long beaches and hiking routes give it a quieter feel than the lively party islands or the famously dramatic caldera islands of the wider Aegean, which is exactly the kind of calm, unhurried break our Greece Adults Only Holidays deals are built around. The trade-off is slower ferry connections in winter, so we advise travelling in the shoulder season for the best service.
• Paros: Paros is less crowded than the other famous Cyclades islands, with a traditional harbour town at Parikia and beaches along its west coast. Ferries link it with Piraeus, and the island suits those who want Cycladic scenery without the peak-season crowds. Its quieter pace means fewer late-night venues, which we see as a reasonable price for a more restful stay.
• Kefalonia: Kefalonia is a rugged, green island in the Ionian Sea, famed for its dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise coves and the sweeping sands of Myrtos Beach. Its mountainous interior is dotted with traditional villages, while the lively harbour town of Argostoli offers waterfront tavernas and a relaxed evening atmosphere. Several UK airports offer seasonal links to the island, making it a convenient choice for a summer island escape with a distinctly Ionian character, the same brief our Greece All Inclusive Holidays deals are built around.