New Year in Greece from Almaty: tours

New Year in Greece is a holiday in the off-season: few tourists, prices lower than in summer, and the weather is mild in Crete and cool in the north. There are no direct flights from Almaty in winter, so the route is built through Istanbul or Dubai. Many hotels on the islands are closed, but Athens, the Peloponnese and the ski resorts of Pieria are open.

How to prepare for a winter trip?

Winter Greece greets guests with festive illuminations and cool weather. The holiday period changes the operation of transport, hotels and establishments, so everything should be planned in advance.

Visa and documents for citizens of Kazakhstan

Obtaining permission to travel to Greece takes time, and in December queues at document acceptance centers grow. They should be submitted four to six weeks before departure: holiday slots are taken quickly. A tourist from Almaty should take into account that in winter there are fewer available slots than in summer. It is better to prepare copies with a reserve — the consulate may request additional papers. Medical insurance is issued separately and is included in the mandatory list. Before submitting, check the current requirements on the website of the diplomatic mission: the rules change. This approach will save you from rushing in the last days before departure. Medical insurance for the Schengen area is mandatory, and the minimum coverage is 30,000 euros.

Insurance and medical coverage

Medical insurance for the Schengen area is mandatory, and the minimum coverage is 30,000 euros. The policy must be valid throughout the entire trip, including the islands and mountain regions. In winter, ski slopes are popular in Crete, the Peloponnese and Pieria, and the standard package often does not include active recreation. Extended insurance with the sports option will cost more, but it will protect you from large expenses in case of injury. It is better to print the document and keep it with you along with a copy of your passport. An electronic version is also accepted, but a paper version is more reliable in case of poor connection. If trips by ferry between the islands are planned, check whether the policy covers sea crossings.

Visa and entry rules change: refer to the primary source — the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, https://www.mfa.gr/en/visas/. The information on this page was checked on 14.09.2026.

How to get from Almaty and organize logistics on site?

There are no direct flights from Almaty to Greek cities in winter, so the route is built through major hubs. It is better to think through logistics within the country in advance: the winter schedule differs from the summer one.

Connections and domestic flights

The winter flight schedule from Almaty to Athens is shorter than the summer one, so connections more often fall on Istanbul or Dubai. A layover takes from two to six hours, and when choosing tickets it is worth allowing a margin for delays. Domestic flights within Greece are cheaper in winter than in summer, but the schedule is less frequent. From the capital, flights to Crete, Rhodes and Kos operate daily, while to Santorini — less often, sometimes with a connection. Tickets for holiday dates are taken in advance, especially for destinations to Crete — Heraklion, Rethymno and Lassithi. Check-in for domestic flights opens a few hours before, and baggage is often paid for separately. Buying a single ticket from one airline simplifies the connection if the first segment is delayed.

Ferries and car rental in the winter season

Ferry service between the islands is reduced in winter to several trips per week. On some routes, for example the small Cyclades, ferries may not run at all. If the route includes Santorini, Corfu or Halkidiki, it is worth checking the schedule in advance on the official websites of the carriers. Car rental is cheaper in winter, but on the mountain roads of Crete, the Peloponnese and Halkidiki, passes may be closed due to snow. Winter tires or chains may be required in the north, and the rental company is obliged to warn about the conditions. In cities, parking is paid, and on holidays places near attractions are occupied. Public transport in Athens operates on a reduced schedule, so a car gives flexibility.

Where to stay during the holidays

The choice of accommodation in winter is limited: some hotels close, and demand during the holidays is high. It is worth booking in advance to get a suitable option at a reasonable price.

Hotels and apartments: what works in winter

Many hotels on the islands, including Rhodes, Kos, Santorini and Corfu, close for the winter. Only city hotels and apartments operate, so the choice is narrower than in summer. In Crete the situation is milder: in Heraklion, Rethymno and Lassithi some properties welcome guests year-round. In Athens, Pieria and the Peloponnese, more options are open in winter, including spa complexes near ski resorts. Apartments with a kitchen are more profitable in winter than hotels, since some restaurants are closed during the holidays. You can cook from local products from the market, which reduces expenses. When choosing, it is worth checking whether heating works and whether there is hot water.

Booking and prepayment

Booking with free cancellation gives flexibility if plans change. Payment by a card from a Kazakh bank is not accepted everywhere, so it is worth having cash in euros.

What to consider at different resorts

Winter Greece is heterogeneous: in the south it is warmer, in the north it is colder, and the islands live at a different rhythm. The choice of resort depends on what is important — weather, sightseeing or skiing.

Crete, Rhodes and Kos in winter

In Crete, winter is milder than in the northern part of the country: in Heraklion, Rethymno and Lassithi, daytime temperatures are usually warmer than in Pieria or Halkidiki. Rhodes and Kos empty out in winter, many hotels are closed, but city life continues. Sightseeing tours to archaeological sites are available without summer heat and crowds. Rain occurs more often, so an umbrella and waterproof shoes will come in handy. The sea is cool, few dare to swim, but walks along the promenade are comfortable. In Crete, more cafes and tavernas are open than on the small islands. Ferries between the islands run rarely, so it is better to build a route through one region.

Santorini, Corfu and Halkidiki

Santorini is sparsely populated in winter, but some hotels and restaurants are closed. The famous caldera views are available without queues, and accommodation prices are lower than in summer. Corfu is quieter during the holidays, but Corfu town lives year-round, and there is plenty to see there. Halkidiki in winter is more about nature and silence than beaches. If you want views and tranquility, Santorini fits, and for urban atmosphere — Corfu. Winds on the islands are stronger in winter, so a warm jacket won't hurt. Car rental in Santorini and Corfu is cheaper in winter, but the choice of cars is smaller.

Athens, Pieria and the Peloponnese

Holiday fairs and city Christmas trees in Athens operate until the beginning of January, after the 6th many spots wind down. Christmas holidays in Greece last approximately from December 24 to January 6, and during these days some shops and museums are closed. In the Peloponnese and Pieria, ski resorts operate in winter, which provides an alternative to beach holidays. Catching a taxi on New Year's Eve is harder and more expensive, so the route should be planned in advance. Cuisine in winter is seasonal: tavernas serve legume soups, stewed meat, fresh pastries. The summer menu with grilled seafood is less common. In the capital, museums operate on a reduced schedule, so hours should be checked on site.

Budget and tour organization

Expenses in winter are lower than in summer, but holidays drive up prices for accommodation and transport. Understanding the budget structure helps avoid surprises.

What is included in the price and booking conditions

Cash, cards and holiday expenses

Bank cards of Kazakhstani banks are not accepted everywhere. In small tavernas and on the islands in winter, they often work only with cash euros. You can withdraw money from an ATM, but the commission depends on the bank and the limit. Holiday dinners in restaurants cost more than usual, and a table is better booked in advance. Tips in Greece are left at will, usually rounding up the bill. Souvenirs and local products at markets are cheaper on weekdays than on the eve of holidays. Some museums and attractions are closed during the holidays, which saves budget but shortens the program.

Briefly

• In winter there are no direct flights from Almaty, the route is built through Istanbul or Dubai.
• Ferries between the islands run rarely, and to the small Cyclades they may not run at all.
• Many hotels on Rhodes, Kos, Santorini and Corfu are closed, city hotels operate.
• In Crete it is warmer than in Pieria and Halkidiki, and in Heraklion and Rethymno there are more open cafes.
• Apartments with a kitchen are more economical than hotels, since some restaurants are closed in winter.