Ionian Islands Travel Advice

Best time to go to Ionian Islands

If you’re after sunshine and balmy temperatures, the Ionian Islands are a good shout. In Corfu, things start warming up as early as March. By the time July and August swing around, the mercury is often topping 29°C. Sea breezes stop things getting too scorching, though. If you like things a little milder, head here in June or September – the mercury tends to hover around the 24°C mark. Most of Corfu’s rain falls in the winter, although you might see the occasional summer storm – they’re usually over pretty quickly, though. Over on Zante, meanwhile, you’ll see 12 hours of sun a day between June and August, and temperatures of 30°C-plus. If you prefer things a bit cooler, May, September and October are good bets – temperatures stick around the mid-20s. Zante sees less rain than lush Corfu, although October to April can have showers and cooler days and nights.

Passports and Visas

British citizens don’t need a visa to enter Greece but must have a valid passport. You can check your passport’s valid for Greece using our handy tool. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/entry-requirements.

Don't forget to arrange your travel money and insurance before you go.

Just so you know, the Greek government has a Climate Resilience Tax in place for all those visiting Greece. It was previously known as the Greek Tourism Tax. It's calculated per room, per night and is payable by cash or card when you check in at your accommodation. For stays between April and October, the fees are €2 per room, per night, for 1 and 2-star accommodation, €5 per room, per night, for 3-star accommodation, €10 per room, per night, for 4-star accommodation, and €15 per room, per night, for 5-star accommodation and villas. For stays between November and March, the fees are €0.50 per room, per night, for 1 and 2-star accommodation, €1.50 per room, per night, for 3-star accommodation, €3 per room, per night, for 4-star accommodation, and lastly, €4 per room, per night, for 5-star accommodation. These fees are subject to change and are based on the Greek official rating and not our own TUI tour operator T-rating.

Health and safety

You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover you while you’re away. If you’re travelling to the EU and you apply for a card now, you'll get a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead of an EHIC. This entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Greek nationals. It won’t, however, cover you for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment. Visit www.nhs.uk/ehic for full details on what it covers. You do not need to apply for a GHIC if you already have an EHIC. Your EHIC remains valid in the EU until it expires. An EHIC or GHIC is free of charge. For the latest health and safety information, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/health

Travel Aware

Travel Aware – Staying Safe and Healthy Abroad
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.

See gov.uk/travelaware and follow @FCDOtravelGovUK on Twitter and Facebook.com/FCDOtravel – for the latest general FCDO travel advice, including coronavirus travel guidance, security and local laws, and passport and visa information.

See gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice – for FCDO travel advice about individual destinations.

Sign up for FCDO travel advice email alerts, so you automatically receive the latest travel advice updates and travel requirements for the destinations you want to know about.

See Travel Aware page – for travel advice from First Choice.

See travelhealthpro.org.uk – for current travel health news.

The advice can change so check regularly for updates.