Now’s the time to book these sun-soaked Greek getaways for 2024

There is never a bad time to think about a holiday to Greece, so why not start planning your next Greek getaway for spring 2024? And since Greece enjoys warm, sunny weather well into October, it’s a great option for a last-minute break too.

You can picture the scene. One of Europe’s most beautiful countries, awash with ancient history, its gorgeous islands strewn across the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Holiday heaven.

How to get there? With British Airways. Our national airline flies direct to 13 Greek islands – as well as the two biggest cities, Athens and Thessaloniki.

And what’s more, when you book a package with British Airways Holidays. you benefit from full ATOL protection, access to a range of hotel options to suit all budgets, and you can secure your holiday with a low deposit from just £60 per person.*

It's a feast of choice made all the more delicious by the fact that customers can pay for their flights and holiday in instalments.

British Airways flies to the following five destinations, which should offer you tempting food for thought.

Greece’s largest island is so huge (the fifth biggest island in the Mediterranean) that it could easily be a country in its own right. Indeed, it once was – the centre of the ancient Minoan civilisation which gave the world the tale of the Minotaur in the labyrinth. The city behind the myth, Knossos, is still there in ruins in the modern capital Heraklion, and there are castles and medieval walls all along the north coast – notably in Rethymno and Chania. But there are also fine beaches and places to stay when you book with British Airways Holidays; not least on the arc of the Gulf of Elounda, where luxury hotels dot the shoreline near the pretty town of Agios Nikolaos.

Where to stay in Crete

Domes of Elounda – quite simply one of the best options in the beautiful Gulf of Mirabello. This fabulous five-star, available to book through British Airways Holidays, comes with a chic boutique atmosphere, and has a splendid location – pitched on the private Plaka beach, gazing across to the islet of Spinalonga which lies just opposite.

Nobody would describe the most northerly of the main Greek islands as a mystery. Corfu has been popular with British holidaymakers for the last half-century, traditionally drawing in tourists wanting cheaper breaks on the sandy edge of the Ionian Sea. But while you can still find excellent value in the likes of Gouvia and Messonghi, Corfu has a growing range of luxury villas and high-end hotels. It also has an air of history. You can still sense the Venetian era in the grand walls and narrow streets of the capital (Corfu Town) – while a quieter Greece awaits in Roda, a coastal village in the less-visited north.

Where to stay in Corfu

Ikos Odisia – a five-star which perches on its own miniature peninsula, towards the top of the east coast. Surrounded by cypress trees, and with paths leading down through the woods to a private beach, Ikos Odisia is a genuine Greek oasis, available to book now through British Airways Holidays.

Another stalwart of British beach holidays, this time in the Aegean, Rhodes needs little introduction. The biggest of the Dodecanese islands has long been a key harbour in Mediterranean waters, and wears centuries of history with pride. For example, the formidable citadel that is Rhodes Town was built by crusader knights, and still shows the mark of the medieval world in its mighty fortifications. The east-coast town of Lindos, meanwhile, is home to a hilltop acropolis that is another ancient jewel. But while the past makes itself felt, so does the present, once the day’s sightseeing is over. Lindos in particular is full of inviting tavernas for a lazy lunch or sunset dinner.

Where to stay in Rhodes

The Mayia Exclusive Resort & Spa – Sometimes, you need somewhere to shut out the noise, and this is the place. At this adults-only five-star hotel near Kiotari, you can relax in the pool without the noise of younger visitors.

Look to the east of the Aegean, and you will spot another Dodecanese giant known for providing fun in the sun. Indeed, if you are craving late nights and good times, the resort town of Kardamena will be happy to host you. But there is much more to Kos than bars and clubs. Its capital (Kos Town) is another ancient treasure trove – the ruined temples of the Asclepeion, on its outskirts, recall a time when the island was considered a centre of healing. There are other delights too – Therma Beach, on the south coast, where hot spring waters bubble up; the historic core of the capital, which is filled with tavernas.

Where to stay in Kos

Ikos Aria – a five-star haven down in the south-west of the island, near the lovely small town of Kefalos. A paradise for water babies, it has direct access to a Blue Flag beach, and a fantastic pool. And with eight restaurants offering sumptuous and creative cuisine from around the world, there’s plenty of choice once you’ve worked up an appetite.

Greece’s second city is one of the most underrated places for a European mini-break. Thessaloniki has heritage aplenty (the Ottoman era in the circular drama of the White Tower, right there on the seafront; a preserved Roman Forum of remarkable size), and a dining scene to rival Athens in the restaurants of Ladadika. But it is also a gateway – to the Halkidiki region, a short drive to the south. Here, three fingers of land dangle down into the Aegean, their shores home to some of Greece’s greatest beaches – not least the Kassandra peninsula, where sophisticated resorts make the most of the sand.

Where to stay in Halkidiki

Ikos Olivia – Pitched at the top end of the Kassandra peninsula, less than an hour’s drive from Thessaloniki, this is a perfect refuge. An all-inclusive five-star resort located in 22 acres of grounds, where olive trees whisper in the wind. Paradise.

To find out more and to book your perfect Greek holiday with British Airways, visit ba.com/greece

*T&Cs apply. Deposit balance due 28 days in advance for short haul. Travel restrictions may apply