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Monday, 22 June 2026
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Travel guide

Holiday in Greece

Everything you need for summer in Greece - the live border queues, where to go, how much it costs and what you must have in the car. All in one place.

Bogorodica Border Live

Live cameras from all three crossings and a smart clock that tells you whether now is a good time to cross - in both directions.

Live ·

0006121823
Quiet Busy Heavy Now

Tip:

Live camera Bogorodica / Evzoni
Live camera Medzitlija / Niki
Live camera Star Dojran / Doirani
Live waiting time · Source: BorderAlarm · updates every ~5 min

👥 Report waiting time

👥

User reports from the last 48 hours.

The Three Border Crossings

Live cameras from all three crossings (the direction towards Greece) and the current waiting time for each. Tap "Live traffic" to see the congestion on the route on Google Maps.

Bogorodica / Evzoni

Main

E75 / A1 · 24h

To Greece

min

Heading home

min

For Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Paralia and Athens. The main and busiest crossing.

Live traffic Live traffic heading home

Medzitlija / Niki

Bitola → Florina · 24h

To Greece

min

Heading home

min

For western Greece, Lefkada and Corfu, or if you are setting off from Bitola and Ohrid.

Live traffic Live traffic heading home

Star Dojran / Doirani

Dojran → Kilkis · 24h

For Kavala, Thassos and the eastern coast. Fewer trucks - often faster for cars when Bogorodica is jammed.

Live traffic Live traffic heading home

Biometric Control (EES)

Active

Since April 2026, fingerprints and a photo are taken at Bogorodica/Evzoni on your first entry into the Schengen area. That stretches the queues (2-3 min per traveller instead of 20-30 sec). During the heaviest congestion Greece occasionally pauses the biometrics to clear the queue faster - but assume they will take it on your first crossing.

ETIAS Authorisation

Coming soon

ETIAS (an online travel authorisation, ~€20) is NOT required yet. It is expected only towards the end of 2026 / start of 2027. For now you don't need it - just keep an eye out before the trip.

Full-page live border →

The cameras and congestion estimates come from public sources and are for guidance only. There is no official source for an exact waiting time - check the map too before you set off.

Where to beach

40 places to holiday - filter by type and sort by price or distance. All of them have a beach.

Live Sea and Weather

Halkidiki

🌊 Sea

–°

Air

–°

Pieria / Olympic

🌊 Sea

–°

Air

–°

Thassos

🌊 Sea

–°

Air

–°

Kavala

🌊 Sea

–°

Air

–°

Source: Open-Meteo · live

Kassandra

€€€
🚗 2h20 · sandy, lively

The liveliest of Halkidiki's three "fingers" - beach bars, sand and shallow water by day, partying by night. Everything is organised and within reach.

Best for: families who also want nightlife

Sithonia

€€€
🚗 2h40 · coves, nature

The wilder, more natural middle "finger" - pines down to the water and turquoise coves (Karydi, Kavourotrypes). Less concrete, more beauty.

Best for: couples and nature lovers

Ouranoupoli

€€€
🚗 2h40 · quiet and calm

The quiet end of the road and the gateway to Mount Athos. Peaceful, spiritual, no fast music. From here you can also take a cruise past the monasteries of Athos.

Best for: peace and quiet

Paralia Katerini

€€€
🚗 1h40 · sandy, shallow

A classic for Macedonians - cheap, sandy, shallow and close. The northern part is full of bars and a young crowd; an excellent first choice.

Best for: budget families

Olympic Beach

€€€
🚗 1h50 · sandy, shallow

A calmer version of Paralia - long golden sand and a view towards Olympus. The same prices and proximity, but a quieter beach.

Best for: families

Leptokaria

€€€
🚗 2h00 · sand and fine pebbles

A laid-back little town at the foot of Olympus - beach and mountain in one place, good tavernas, greener than Paralia.

Best for: families - beach and mountain

Platamonas

€€€
🚗 2h00 · sandy, sheltered

A wind-sheltered beach (great for kids) beneath the dramatic Platamon castle. Plenty of campsites, hotels and tavernas.

Best for: families

Thassos — Golden Beach

€€€
🚗 3h30 · sandy, on an island

An island feel without a plane - by car to Keramoti, then 30 minutes by ferry. Golden Beach is long, clean and shallow - ideal for families.

Best for: families - a first island by car

Thassos — Marble Beach

€€€
🚗 3h30 · white pebbles, turquoise water

White marble pebbles that make the water incredibly turquoise - one of the most photogenic beaches in Greece. More for half a day than a full one.

Best for: couples and photographers

Kavala

€€€
🚗 2h50 · city base

A beautiful port city - aqueduct, old town, fortress. It is not a beach resort, but it is an excellent base; the real beaches are right next to it.

Best for: city and beach in one

Ammolofoi

€€€
🚗 2h40 · golden sand

Three kilometres of soft golden sand, shallow and clear - regularly among the most beautiful in the north. Careful: the front rows of sunbeds here are among the pricier ones.

Best for: families and couples

Sarti

€€€
🚗 2h50 · sandy, lively

A lively yet relaxed village with a wide sandy beach, water sports and a famous view of Athos at sunrise. Energy without the madness of Kassandra.

Best for: active families and young people

Vourvourou

€€€
🚗 2h35 · calm coves

A sheltered bay with islets; Karydi beach has white sand and shallow green water - one of the safest and most beautiful spots for families.

Best for: families with small kids

Asprovalta

€€€
🚗 1h50 · sandy, shallow

Long, shallow, sandy beaches - an eternal favourite of Balkan families. Cheap, simple and with the shortest possible drive from the border.

Best for: budget families

Nea Vrasna

€€€
🚗 1h55 · sandy, open

Right next to Asprovalta on the same sandy stretch - cheap, easy and very close. The afternoon wind can pick up and make little waves, otherwise a classic quick pick for Macedonians.

Best for: budget families

Stavros

€€€
🚗 2h00 · sandy, sheltered

The most sheltered town on this stretch - the fewest waves and calmest water, with a green waterfront promenade and tavernas. More peaceful swimming than Vrasna and Asprovalta.

Best for: families

Variko

€€€
🚗 1h55 · sandy, shallow

Just south of Paralia Katerini - the same shallow sandy water for kids, but quieter, fewer people and lower prices. A good choice if you want Paralia without the crowds.

Best for: budget families

Paralia Skotinas

€€€
🚗 2h00 · sandy among pines

A quiet beach among pines on the Thermaic Gulf, with a large campsite and gentle shallow water - one of the cheapest and calmest on the Olympic Riviera.

Best for: families on a smaller budget

Nei Pori

€€€
🚗 2h15 · sandy, shallow

The southernmost resort in Pieria below Olympus - a cheap, long sandy beach with shallow water. A long-standing favourite for Balkan families on the road.

Best for: budget families

Nea Fokea

€€€
🚗 1h55 · sandy, turquoise

The first village past the Kassandra canal - a fine sandy beach with turquoise water and a recognisable Byzantine tower above the harbour.

Best for: families and couples

Kallithea

€€€
🚗 2h00 · sandy, lively

The gateway "capital" of Kassandra - the most beach bars and clubs, plus the ruins of the temple of Zeus Ammon on the cape. A lively base for everyone.

Best for: families who also want nightlife

Siviri

€€€
🚗 2h00 · sandy, calm

A western resort known for calm swimming and sunsets; in summer it hosts the open-air Kassandra Festival in a hillside amphitheatre.

Best for: families and couples

Afytos

€€€
🚗 2h05 · coves, views

"The stone balcony of Halkidiki" - a preserved stone village on a cliff above the bay, with cobblestones and views over small coves. Romantic and picturesque.

Best for: couples

Kryopigi

€€€
🚗 2h05 · calm coves

A hillside village between Kallithea and Polychrono; the central beach is split into small coves and ranks among the most beautiful on Kassandra, away from the biggest noise.

Best for: families with small kids

Polychrono

€€€
🚗 2h10 · sandy, shallow

A long, up to 7 km sandy beach with a blue flag; the left end is the sandiest and shallowest - a classic family base with everything within reach.

Best for: families

Hanioti

€€€
🚗 2h15 · sandy, family-friendly

A green, walkable little town with endless sand, playgrounds, a small amusement park and sports courts - one of the most family-friendly spots on Kassandra.

Best for: families

Possidi

€€€
🚗 2h15 · sandbar into the sea

A natural sandy cape stretching into the sea, with shallow water on both sides and a lighthouse at the tip - one of the most photographed spots on Halkidiki.

Best for: couples and nature lovers

Pefkochori

€€€
🚗 2h20 · sandy, lively

The party centre of south-eastern Kassandra - home to some of the loudest cocktail bars and clubs until dawn, but with a traffic-free square for families by day.

Best for: families who also want nightlife

Olympiada

€€€
🚗 2h25 · golden sand

A green coastal village on the Strymonian Gulf, at the foot of Athos - a long, shallow golden beach right next to ancient Stagira, the birthplace of Aristotle.

Best for: families with small kids

Neos Marmaras

€€€
🚗 2h30 · town with a marina

The largest resort town in Sithonia, on three hills with a marina and a lively waterfront - the gateway to the luxury Porto Carras complex.

Best for: families and couples

Orange Beach

€€€
🚗 2h40 · white pebbles, turquoise water

Sithonia's signature beach (Kavourotrypes) - a string of white rocky coves and electric-turquoise water. You get there by car and a short walk.

Best for: couples and photographers

Ammouliani

€€€
🚗 2h40 · island coves

The only inhabited island of Halkidiki - a 10-15 min ferry from Tripiti to over 20 beaches, including the crescent bay of Alykes and the picturesque Drenia islets.

Best for: families with small kids

Toroni

€€€
🚗 2h55 · sandy, open

Two kilometres of sand at the southern tip of Sithonia, with ancient ruins at one end. Relaxed and family-friendly - but already further out, around 3 hours from the border.

Best for: families

Porto Koufo

€€€
🚗 3h00 · sheltered bay

The largest natural harbour in Greece - an almost enclosed bay like a fjord, surrounded by greenery, with calm water and tavernas serving fresh fish.

Best for: couples and nature lovers

Lefkada

€€€
🚗 6h00 · cliffs, blue sea

An Ionian "island" you reach by bridge - you drive straight in. Dramatic white cliffs and electric-blue sea (Porto Katsiki, Egremni). A long drive, but what a view.

Best for: couples after the scenery

Parga

€€€
🚗 3h50 · romantic bay

A postcard - colourful houses above a turquoise bay beneath a Venetian fortress. Intimate and romantic, more charm than big resorts.

Best for: couples

Sivota

€€€
🚗 3h50 · turquoise lagoon

Caribbean-turquoise bays - Bella Vraka (a sandbar to an islet) and the Blue Lagoon. Quieter and more hidden than Parga.

Best for: couples and smaller families

Corfu

€€€
⛴ by ferry · greenery and history

A green island with a Venetian old town under UNESCO protection and soft sandy beaches. You get there by car to Igoumenitsa, then a ferry - a long day, but doable.

Best for: history and families

Crete

€€€
✈ by air · a bit of everything

The largest island - it has literally everything: lagoons (Balos, Elafonisi), long beaches, gorges and the best food. Realistically - by plane.

Best for: those who want variety

Santorini

€€€
✈ by air · iconic, luxury

A honeymoon icon - a cage above the caldera and the world's most famous sunset. Expensive and by plane, but at least once in a lifetime.

Best for: honeymoons and special occasions

💡 For a Macedonian family, the sweet spot is Pieria or Thassos - under 2-3.5 hours from the border, cheap and with shallow sandy water for kids. Halkidiki is the most complete choice when you want everything in one place.

How Much a Greece Holiday Costs

Real ranges for summer 2026 (July-August). The north and Thassos are the cheapest; Santorini and Mykonos are a whole different story.

🛏 Accommodation (per night)
Area Budget Mid-range Pricey
Pieria (Paralia, Olympic, Leptokaria) €30–55 €70–100 €100–150
Thassos €40–65 €70–110 €120–180
Halkidiki €50–80 €90–150 €150–300
Kavala / Ammolofoi €45–70 €75–120 €120–180
Lefkada / Parga / Sivota €55–85 €90–150 €150–250
Santorini / Mykonos €80–130 €250–450 €450+

Ranges for a double room / studio in peak season. No specific hotels.

🍽 Food and drink
Item Pieria Halkidiki Thassos Ionian Islands
Gyros / souvlaki €4.00–4.50 €4.00–4.70 €4.00–4.70 €4.50–5.50 €5.00–9.00
Dinner for two €35–55 €40–65 €40–60 €45–70 €60–90
Coffee (frappe) €3–4 €3.50–4.50 €3.50–4.50 €4–5 €4–5
Beer (0.5 l) €4–5 €5–6 €5–6 €5–6 €6–8
Water (0.5 l) €0.50–2 €0.50–2 €0.50–2 €0.50–2 €1–4
Two sunbeds with umbrella €10–30 €15–60 €10–60 €15–40 €10–100

Prices by region for summer 2026. Slide left to see them all. The islands are the priciest.

Budget

€100–150

per day, for two

Mid-range

€200–320

per day, for two

Pricey

€350–500

per day, for two

Ferry to Thassos (Keramoti - Limenas, ~35 min): car ~€22, adult ~€6. For a family car - around €34-40 one way. Tickets are bought at the port.

Estimate Your Trip

A rough estimate of the cost of the trip - fuel, tolls, ferry and accommodation.

⛽ Fuel (there and back)€
🛣 Tolls (there and back)€
⛴ Ferry to Thassos€
🛏 Accommodation + food€
Total (rough estimate)
€ ≈ € per person · ≈ ден

The estimate is a rough guide: fuel at ~€1.97/l in Greece, accommodation at a mid-range price for the region. The real cost depends on your choices.

Detailed breakdown: how much a Greece holiday costs →

Driving to Greece

What you must bring and sort out before you set off. Get this ready at home - the border is too late.

Passport

Required

Greece is in the Schengen area - you need a passport, not an ID card. Up to 90 days without a visa.

International Driving Permit

Required

For Greece you need an international driving permit alongside your Macedonian licence. You get it at AMSM.

Green Card

Required

International insurance - mandatory for Greece. Get it IN ADVANCE from your own insurer (not at the border!). Price: up to 66 kW ~1,850 denars/month or ~3,690 denars/year; over 66 kW ~3,075 denars/month or ~5,536 denars/year. Carry the original.

Vehicle registration

Required

If the car is not in your name, also bring a notarised authorisation from the owner.

First-aid kit

Required

For now a standard first-aid kit is enough. The new 16-item kit has been postponed to 1 January 2027.

💶 No kit: a fine of €40-80 (from 2027 - €30 for the new standard).

Warning triangle

Required

Mandatory. Placed behind the vehicle in case of a breakdown or accident.

💶 No triangle: a fine of €40-80.

Fire extinguisher

Required

At least one working extinguisher (type S2 / ~2 kg) in the vehicle.

💶 No extinguisher: a fine of €80.

Hi-vis vests

Recommended

Not legally mandatory in Greece, but strongly recommended - put on a vest before you step out onto the road in a breakdown. One for each passenger, in the cabin.

Don't forget this: Greece is one of the few countries where the Interior Ministry requires Macedonian drivers to hold an international driving permit. Get it at AMSM before the trip - without it, the insurer can dispute a claim in an accident.

All the documents for Greece by car →

Rules and Fines

Limits, fines and important phone numbers - all in one place.

Rules of the road

50

km/h

In town

90

km/h

Open road

130

km/h

Motorway

0.5

‰

Alcohol (limit)

~2.95

€

Toll to Thessaloniki

~1.97

€/l

Fuel (petrol)

Greece has tolls (diodia), not a vignette - paid at toll plazas in cash or by card (euros only). Diesel is ~€1.70/l. For new and professional drivers the alcohol limit is stricter - 0.2‰. Fill up before the border - it is pricier in Greece.

Fines (new 2026 Traffic Code)

No seatbelt €350
Phone in hand while driving €350
Running a red light €700
Alcohol (0.5-0.8‰) €350+
Speeding over +50 km/h €700
No fire extinguisher €80

The amounts are for a first offence; repeats are pricier and often carry a temporary licence suspension.

Key numbers

112

Emergencies (EU)

100

Police

166

Ambulance

199

Fire Service

10400

Road assistance (ELPA)

Greek for the Road

A few basic phrases with pronunciation - enough for the beach, a coffee and the bill.

Hello Γεια σας

„ја сас"

Thank you Ευχαριστώ

„ефхаристо"

Please Παρακαλώ

„паракало"

Yes / No Ναι / Όχι

„нэ / охи"

How much is it? Πόσο κάνει;

„посо кани?"

The bill, please Τον λογαριασμό

„тон логариазмо"

Water Νερό

„нэро"

Beach Παραλία

„паралиа"

Coffee Καφές

„кафэс"

Beer Μπύρα

„бира"

Excuse me Συγγνώμη

„сигноми"

Goodbye Αντίο

„андио"

Frequently Asked Questions

You need a passport. Greece is in the Schengen area, so an ID card is NOT enough to enter. With a valid biometric passport you can stay up to 90 days without a visa.

It depends on the day and the hour. Outside peak it is usually 10-20 minutes, but on a weekend morning heading to Greece and on Sunday afternoon heading home it can run to 1-3 hours, especially now with the new biometric control (EES). On this page you have live cameras and the current waiting time.

Bogorodica is the main and fastest one for Thessaloniki, Halkidiki and Athens, but also the busiest. When it is jammed, Star Dojran is a good alternative for cars (fewer trucks) for the eastern coast and Thessaloniki. Medzitlija is for western Greece and if you are setting off from Bitola.

The price is regulated and the same at every insurer - it depends on the engine power and the term. For a car up to 66 kW it is ~1,850 denars for a month or ~3,690 denars for a year; over 66 kW, ~3,075 denars for a month or ~5,536 denars for a year. The shortest term is one month (there is no 15-day option). Get it in advance from your own insurer - do NOT count on buying it at the border, there is no desk there for the exit to Greece, and without a green card the Greek authorities can turn you back.

Yes. The Interior Ministry states that for Greece Macedonian drivers need an international driving permit alongside their domestic one. You get it at AMSM before the trip - without it, the insurer can dispute a claim in an accident.

Mandatory: a warning triangle, a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, a passport, a green card, the vehicle registration and an international driving permit. Reflective vests are not legally mandatory, but they are strongly recommended.

Greece has tolls (diodia), not a vignette. From the border to Thessaloniki it is about €3 (the Evzoni station ~€2.95). To Athens it is around €40 in total one way. Pay in cash (euros) or by card.

For two people in the north (Pieria, Thassos): modestly around €100-150 a day, mid-range €200-320. For 7 days, reckon a rough €900-1,500 for two, plus fuel and tolls. On Santorini and Mykonos it is 3-5 times more expensive.

Sandy beaches with shallow water: Paralia Katerini, Olympic Beach, Asprovalta, Golden Beach on Thassos, Vourvourou (Karydi) and Polychrono. All have a gentle entry into the water, ideal for the little ones.

The sea is warmest in August (around 26°C), warmer in the enclosed bays of Halkidiki than on the open coast. On this page you have live sea temperature by region.

Kassandra (the first "finger") is more developed, with more bars, nightlife and everything at hand - ideal for a first time and for those who want a buzz. Sithonia (the second) is wilder and more rugged, with pines and turquoise coves - better for nature, quiet and couples.

From Keramoti to Limenas (~35 min): car around €22, adult around €6. For a family car with two adults - around €34-40 one way. Tickets are bought at the port; there is no online booking.

💙 Good to know

Greece is close, warm and accessible - that is why it has been a favourite destination for Macedonians for generations. Since March 2026 the 70/30 rule applies: at least 70% of every beach must stay free for your own towel, so you can always get by without paying for a sunbed. Behave well, pay for parking and tolls, and the trip home will be just as nice as the trip out. Safe travels and a lovely holiday!

This guide is updated for the 2026 season.