Where is the best place to relax - in Greece or Turkey? Where is the warmer sea and cleaner beaches? Where are the more sandy ones? We compare prices for tours, food, entertainment and excursions. Material based on tourist reviews about holidays in Turkey and Greece!
Beaches and sea
Greece. Greece is washed by 7 seas. On the western side is the Ionian Sea (Corfu, Zakin, Ithaca, Kefalonia), which warms up to + 14 ° C in winter, and up to + 26 ° C in the hottest month. The season here lasts from June to the end of October.
In the Mediterranean, the water has a beautiful blue color. It is warmer and saltier, which is why the islands of this part of Greece are the most popular among tourists. Water even in October up to + 23 ° С.
The Aegean Sea is distinguished by the absolute cleanliness of beaches (there are 42 of them) and water. In this part, the most equipped beaches. The water warms up enough in the spring and is still warm even in November. Yacht owners and divers gather here: the bottom is incredibly beautiful even at shallow depths, and there is something to see in the numerous caves.
Map of the best resorts and beaches in Greece
Turkey. Turkey is washed by 4 seas, the warmest and shallow of which is the Marmara Sea. In this part there are gentle sandy beaches and a lot of tourists with children. The Aegean Sea is deep, and the Black Sea is also cool. Here the beaches are dotted with large pebbles and stones, and the shores are indented with rocks. The seabed is also rocky, which is inconvenient for families. However, for divers and yachtsmen, this is a favorite part of the country. And also in the area of the Black Sea coast there are beautiful mountains, so there are no less climbers here.
Unrivaled side of the Mediterranean with fine sand or small admixture of pebbles. Even in October, the sea water is very warm. And if you have children with you and you choose where is better - in Turkey or Greece, then feel free to give preference to the Turkish Mediterranean coast. Unless, of course, you want to save a little on your vacation and do not miscalculate with comfort.
Where is better. Turkey is a little poorer in terms of the beautiful water area, but it is not inferior in terms of the cleanliness of its beaches. Many of them are annual Blue Flag holders. Also at the height of the arrangement of coastal areas and hotel service.
Greece has 380 beaches and all have been awarded the Blue Flag. According to reviews, if you choose where the beaches are better - in Turkey or Greece, then tourists choose Greece.
Map of the best resorts and beaches in Turkey
Infrastructure
Greece. All Greek beaches are municipal - anyone can see the beauty. The coastal areas are landscaped, including even small bays. For tourists, the necessary amenities are provided, but sun loungers and umbrellas are paid. Hotels ask for 8 euros for them, which is twice the Turkish price.
In Greece, 2 * and 3 * complexes are the most popular. They have minimal furnishings (with air conditioning and TV) and a small area, but they are inexpensive. Complexes 4 * are very comfortable, and at the Deluxe level guests of 5-star apartments are served.
- Couples with little ones choose Halkidiki - there are hotels of all types on this island.
- Rhodes and Crete are suitable for connoisseurs of comfort - it is customary to rent entire villas in Crete, while wealthy Europeans love Rhodes.
- Elite holidays are offered by Corfu - there are only luxury hotels of the Deluxe type.
Turkey. In Turkish resorts, the best hotels are located on the 1st or 2nd line (up to 500 m from the sea). Usually it is 4 * and 5 *, less often - 3 *. At the same time, the actual status of the complexes does not always correspond to real estimates. Boutique hotels have become popular in Turkey: there are few rooms, a minimum number of service personnel and no all-inclusive system is provided, but the design of the apartments is unique.
What's better. Choosing between Greece and Turkey, study the reviews of the hotels you like. In Greek hotels, there is no service for issuing and renting beach towels. You will also have to pay for umbrellas and sun loungers that belong to your own hotel (including poolside). The Turks bypassed the competition and offered the most thoughtful service.
Video - vacation at sea in Greece
Kitchen
Greece. Greek cuisine is distinguished by an abundance of seafood dishes, fresh salads with feta cheeses and olives, a variety of vegetables and fruits, and delicious wine. Tourists are offered to start with a dzadzyki snack, try keftedes meatballs, local dolmadakya cabbage rolls, and the famous Greek horjatiki salad. The lunch diet is dominated by lamb, stewed vegetables, pasta. Children are very fond of sweet puff pies, which may even be filled with meat. Also, tourists are delighted with donuts Lucoumades, Melomacarona and Curabiedes.
Note! Hotels may not have a children's menu, and cheap complexes only provide breakfast or not feed at all.
Prestigious hotels in Greece operate on Full Board systems (three meals a day), Half Board - two meals a day and All Inclusive - a buffet, the most expensive type of voucher.
Turkey. The cuisine is mainly meat: it is prepared from lamb, beef, poultry. The portions are large and the dishes are hearty. Kebabs, sweets, and various salads are extremely popular.
All Turkish hotels of the 4 * and 5 * level operate on two systems - "all inclusive" and "ultra all inclusive". In each case, a buffet for adults is provided (several types of soups, a selection of national meat dishes and cuts, fresh salads, desserts, a lot of fresh fruits), children's cuisine (yoghurts, cereals, low-fat broths, juices). All Inclusive includes locally produced spirits, while Ultra All Inclusive includes additional imported spirits, snacks throughout the day, etc.
Where is better. Please note that Turkey and Greece offer different food systems. Greek cuisine is more varied, but it is better to try it in local taverns, and in hotels, for example, only breakfast. Tourists are advised to come to Turkey on an all-inclusive basis.
Tours to Greece and Turkey in 2021
Greece. In summer, vouchers to Greek resorts with a flight from Moscow cost from 25-30 thousand rubles for two for 7 nights - these are 1 * or 2 * hotels without meals. Weekly vouchers to hotels 2 * and 3 * on 1 line cost from 35-40 thousand, 4 * - from 55 thousand, 5 * - from 85 thousand rubles.
Prices for all inclusive tours to Greece June to November:
| month | 7 days | 11 days | 14 days |
| June | 40000 | 55000 | 66000 |
| July | 42000 | 62000 | 67000 |
| August | 48000 | 68000 | 75000 |
| September | 44000 | 55000 | 61000 |
| October | 43000 | 53000 | 60000 |
| November | 44000 | 54000 | 59000 |
Turkey. As in Greece, tours to Turkey are always cheap. A trip for a week in the summer costs from 28 thousand rubles in 2 * or 3 *, from 40 thousand - to 4 * hotels, from 50 thousand - in 5 * hotels. Prices are for two with a flight from Moscow.
Prices for all inclusive tours to Turkey June to November:
| month | 7 days | 11 days | 14 days |
| June | 32000 | 40000 | 43000 |
| July | 34000 | 43000 | 47000 |
| August | 38000 | 44000 | 49000 |
| September | 36000 | 41000 | 45000 |
| October | 34000 | 39000 | 42000 |
| November | 44000 | 52000 | 56000 |
Where is better. If you choose between Turkey and Greece in terms of price, then Turkey is cheaper. Tourists are advised to choose a good hotel in Turkey with all the services, and the rest will be no worse than the Greek one, but more economical at times.
Video - why is it better to fly to Turkey in autumn?
Prices for food, excursions and entertainment
In Turkey expensive restaurants. Lunch in them for two will cost about $ 60 and more. Thrifty tourists can find:
- local catering with set meals up to $ 11;
- fast foods - up to $ 19;
- inexpensive cafes where an omelet with a filling, fresh salad and two cups of tea / coffee will cost up to $ 40.
Whoever cooks himself, it is better to buy food in the markets or in chain supermarkets - that is cheaper.
Turkish resorts offer standard entertainment that is organized by hotel complexes. There must be animation (free), trips to the water park (no more than $ 30), scuba diving ($ 40-60), safari (no more than $ 40). The most expensive are sea excursion programs (about $ 70).
Greece renowned for its gastronomy and affordable lunch rates. Breakfast in the restaurant will cost 5 euros, lunch - until 14, and dinner - within 25 €. If we compare the cost of steaks, then on the islands a dish costs 14 €, and in Turkish restaurants - up to 40 $.For small taverns, of which there are a lot on the islands, the indicated prices are divided in half. Therefore, vacationers buy cheap tours without food, and have lunch and dinner in inexpensive cafes or taverns with an average price tag of 7 € per person.
In Greece, short tours to historical sites for 20-40 euros (visiting ancient buildings, excavations) and excursion programs on 7 islands costing 400/650/1000 € are common. On these excursions, you will see beautiful bays and sunken ships. You can also visit numerous museums for 2-6 €, go to the water park (from 30 euros per person), ride a yacht for 70 €.
Where is better. In both countries, you can eat tasty and inexpensively (with the exception of restaurants), and entertainment and excursions are enough everywhere.
Which is better for a vacation - Greece or Turkey
If Turkey has different parts of the coast washed by four seas, then Greece has about 2 thousand islands. The waters of both countries are clean, but the Greeks can boast of a warm sea almost all year round.
Flight tickets are equally in demand in summer heat and winter frosts. In both countries, October is considered a velvet season, but even in December, hotels do not stop receiving tourists and are ready to offer the best conditions to their visitors.
So where is it better to have a rest - in Greece or Turkey? The choice is difficult, and there is no definite answer. If you want quality service at an affordable price, go to Turkey, especially since it is tailored for Russians and their tastes. If you want a rich cultural and excursion vacation - to Greece. Turkey is popular among couples: here in each hotel there is not only a children's menu, but also animation. Greece is often chosen by romantic couples and shopping lovers, because the peculiarity of the country is shopping tours for fur products.
