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There are many countries in Europe where there is a sea and you can enjoy your vacation on the beach. But it is Spain and Greece that attract the most attention from tourists. But why? - after all, these countries are completely different, even in pricing policy. Holidays in Spain are much more expensive, and in Greece you can relax cheaper, but in terms of the same level. The beaches of the countries are also different. If on the coast of Greece they are small and cozy. The shores of Spain are huge, sandy and you can organize competitions on them, there are a lot of places. In general, these countries can be compared for a long time and endlessly, and the choice is always for the one who pays. Let's find out better where it is warmer in May in Greece or Spain to start your new season beach holiday.

Spain and Greece are countries where there are almost more resorts than cities. Each city that is located on the seashore is a resort that the whole world knows. In both countries, the beach season begins in May, but tourists arrive here in early spring. So where is it better to fly in May, where it is warm and you can swim? Let's talk about everything in order.

If we compare the average temperature in the countries, then Spain will be warmer. In May, warm weather persists on its territory with indicators up to +25 in the country. In Greece, it is also warm, but the temperature is slightly lower, about +22 degrees. at the same time, there is not much rain in Spain in late spring. And in Greece, rains are a frequent visitor, especially on the mainland. The only exceptions are resorts and islands, where it is sunny and many tourists.

The hottest place in Spain in May is Seville. The daytime temperature easily exceeds +26, and at the peak of the heat during the day it reaches +33.

The nights are cool, not higher than +15 degrees. but the sea is a little late from the air temperature and is in no hurry to warm up. This month it is only +19, and the most daring tourists, and the most impatient, swim in it. There is little rain, only 2-3 days with precipitation. So only the sun will prevent you from walking around the city.

The first capital of Greece, Nafplio, is the hottest place in the country in May. The daytime temperature exceeds +25 degrees, and the nights are quite cool, not higher than +11.

There can also be 2-3 rainy days, and the sea is still cool for swimming and does not exceed +19 degrees. The city of Nafplio is considered the most picturesque city in Greece and rightfully deserves this title. People come here not so much for the beaches as for excursions and sightseeing. Excursion groups go to Nafplio daily from almost any resort.

As you can see, the hottest cities in Spain and Greece in May are not the most famous resorts... But there are still a lot of tourists here.

The Spanish island of Mallorca is one of the most famous places in the world. More than five million tourists come to the island every year, but not in May. At the end of spring, it is warm and sunny and there is no rain, but the sea is also cold. And the sea is the only thing for which you can fly thousands of kilometers. In Mallorca in the spring the sea is not higher than +18 degrees, although the air is warmed up to normal values ​​of +25. The only thing that pleases is there is no precipitation. Therefore, you can sunbathe on the beach every day, because the sun shines here for 12 hours and 40 minutes.

Ibiza also boasts dry May weather. But it is cooler here than in Mallorca and rarely rises above +22 degrees. and the sea is even cooler, about +17. But the nights are hot +19, and there are already beach discos at night.

Although the popular resort of Costa Brava welcomes tourists, it has nothing to offer besides swimming in the pools. During the day, it barely exceeds +20, and at night +14. As for the water in the sea, +16 degrees are not the indicators that allow you to enter the sea and enjoy it. And precipitation in May here often spoils the rest. Therefore, it is better to visit this resort in the summer.

The most visited city in Spain is Barcelona. It receives more than a third of all tourists in the country. In May, fans of excursions come here and just see the city. The temperature does not yet allow swimming in the sea. During the day, no higher than +21, and the sea itself near the city is +17. This month you can only sunbathe here if you are lucky with the weather and the sun. According to statistics, 20% of the daytime in the sky over Barcelona is clouds, and this is not very good for tourists.

Greece also has a lot of resorts known all over the world. One of them is the island of Crete. In May, there are many tourists here, perhaps more than half of all visitors to the country. They come here for warmth and overseas. They get warmth, because it's +23 +25 outside and there is no rain. But the sea is still not for everybody. Its temperature is not higher than +19 degrees and sometimes there are waves.

The second famous island is Rhodes. Its waters are warmer, reaching +21 degrees. Except for 1-2 days, the weather is sunny here, warming the air up to +25 degrees. the nights are already warm, and evening walks around the city or along the sea bring only pleasure. Daylight hours last more than 13 hours, and clouds in the sky take up 10% of the time per month.

The island of Kos is also known all over the world. This is not very big Island but beautiful. In May it is warm here, up to +23. The nights are as warm as the days, only after sunset the sun gets a little colder to +19. And the sea near the coast of the island warms up quickly to +20 +24. It is shallow enough here, so the sun warms up the water faster.

And so, we can summarize and draw a conclusion. It is warmer, of course, in Spain. But this does not mean that you can swim here at any resorts. Only a few resorts can boast warm sea... In Greece, the air and sea temperatures are almost the same. Tourists swim on the islands, it is shallow there, and the water is warmed up higher.
If you make a choice in favor of a particular country, then most likely the question is in finances. Budget vacation in Greece, and more expensive in Spain. There are plenty of attractions here and there.

Both of these resorts are equally popular with Russian tourists, each of these places has a number of advantages and features. But comparing Spain with Greece, at least, is not correct, and we will not do this, just look at these resorts through the eyes of the tourists themselves, so that everyone can determine for themselves what suits him best.

Where is better beach vacation in Spain or Greece? There is no unequivocal answer to this question and there never will be, these are different countries and the rest in them is also different. ... For example, consider the coastline from Costa Bravo to Costa del Sol. As a rule, these are wide extended sandy beaches, quite equipped and comfortable, some of them are several hundred kilometers long. All along the coast Mediterranean Sea Spain has hotels that are separated from the sea by a canvas railroad... It is hardly possible to attribute them to the first line hotels. By the way, the noise from the trains is practically inaudible and this does not interfere with a quiet rest. Much more hindering the rest of the "reckless" youth, vacationing in Spanish resorts. Spain is a holiday, parties, eternal fun and modern leisure... , it is a quiet village, calm and measured rest for peace of mind and contemplation. Holidays in Greece are more homey, not partying. In Spain, everything is more expensive, and the infrastructure is more developed.

Spain. Salou

Spain. Lloret de Mar

Hotels on the coast of Spain are mostly multi-storey and are designed for a large number of tourists. Finding a small hotel with no more than 100 rooms is not easy. Unlike Spain, hotels in Greece are not large, more intimate and no higher than 2-4 floors due to frequent earthquakes. For Spain, "anthill hotels" are typical. If we consider the holiday destination in terms of price-quality ratio, then Spain wins with interest. However, at the same time find beautiful place with cozy coves without multi-storey concrete hotels on the shore is not easy, and sometimes completely impossible.

In Spain, all beaches are long and wide. There are no such beaches in Greece due to the numerous bays and bays. Rocky shores with coves and secluded beaches are rare in Spain and can only be found on islands such as Ibiza, Tenerife, Minorca and Mallorca. In Greece, on the contrary, coves and small sandy beaches are a priority, and many kilometers of beaches are here very rare... Greece, unlike Spain, is a country of numerous islands, where a priori there are no long beaches. There are a lot of beaches remote from civilization, which can only be reached by car. There may be no hotels in such places at all. This situation is typical for the entire island part of Greece and some mainland resorts.

Greece. Myrtos beach.

Zakynthos island

Kefalonia

Holidays in Greece can be called contemplative and calmer, in contrast to the party and more active in Spain. By the way, both here and there in many resorts you can meet with quite violently resting youth, who walk and break until the morning at numerous discos and clubs. In fairness, it should be noted that in Greece there are much fewer such places.

The swimming season both in Greece and in Spain starts about the same, from mid-June, when the water temperature already rises to + 22-23 degrees. The exception, perhaps, is the Greek island of Crete, where the water temperature at this time can be a couple of degrees higher than in Spanish resorts. As for private private beaches, there are none in Spain or Greece, all beaches are municipal and accessible to all categories of vacationers. Typical for Spain, these are multi-row sun loungers with umbrellas located at a considerable distance from the coast. In Greece, the beaches are not wide, there are many quaint grottoes and bays among rocky shores with crystal clear waters. In such places it is interesting to swim with a mask. It is very convenient to travel around Greece by car.

In the current summer season, tourists often search for hotels in Greece and Spain at the same time and try to make a choice between these two countries. I believe that the reason is, firstly, the incredibly rise in price in Turkey, and secondly, a slight decrease in prices for vacations in Spain and Greece, associated with the crisis state of both states.
Both Greece and Spain are some of the best tourist destinations in the world. The wonderful climate, natural diversity, an abundance of historical sights attract tourists from the most different countries... But these two countries differ greatly from each other. Let's see what are the similarities and differences. After all, only with a clear understanding of where you are going can you enjoy your vacation. And unjustified expectations can spoil the vacation so that the tourist will only dream of the day when he finally goes home.

Prices for tours to Greece and Spain

In order not to get confused and at the same time to promote large tour operators (where they can go without our support!), Let's see the minimum cost of the tour, which starts in 9 days from today. Then we manage to get both visas, both Spanish and Greek. And one more option will be on the hottest dates, in mid-August.
Departure on July 13, 2012. Tour for 14 nights. 2 adults. Tour operator "TezTour".
Hotel Mari Kristin 3 * (Crete, Hersonissos resort). Half board. 1692 euros.
Not bad, I must say. Yes, this is the simplest hotel without territory, but the sea is not far away, the area is good. Agree, a little less than 850 euros per person for 2 weeks, and even with meals, this is an option.
Hotel Fragata 2 * (Costa de Maresme, resort of Calella). Half board. 1984 euro.
Also not the worst option. The hotel is basic but close to the beach. Close to Barcelona. And still up to 1000 euros per person with meals. In addition, I would not pay special attention to the declared number of stars. The indicated Greek 3 * are no better than the indicated Spanish 2 *.
Departure on August 15, 2012. Tour for 14 nights. 2 adults. Tour operator "TezTour".
Surprise surprise! There are still cheaper options for mid-August than for July.
Hotel Nikolas Villas 3 * (Crete, resort of Agia Pelagia). All inclusive. 1468 euros.
Still haven't bought your Greece tour for August 15th? In vain. I don’t remember such prices for the last 5-7 years. Even if you eat at the hotel every other day, it is still profitable.
Hotel Calella Park 3 * (Costa de Maresme, resort of Calella). Half board. 1686 euros.
Also a good price.
As you can see, the cost of tours to Spain differs upwards, but not fundamentally. That is, the price of the tour should not be the main factor influencing the choice of the country of rest.

Domestic prices: for food, for goods in stores, for travel. There is some difference here: in Greece it is now very inexpensive to eat in a restaurant. But in Spain it is much cheaper than in Moscow. Transport is also a little cheaper. Car rental is cheaper. Only the prices in stores are about the same.
Thus, if the task is to make the trip as cheap as possible, then Greece should be preferred. And specifically the island of Crete. But if there is no strict need to save every penny, then when choosing a country for recreation, we will focus on other parameters.

Spain vs Greece = City vs Village?

It seems to me that the defining difference between Greece and Spain lies in the fact that the most attractive tourist destinations on the Iberian Peninsula are cities: large and small, historical and modern. In Greece, on the contrary: tourists go to local villages... The cities, on the other hand, seem to be too chaotic. Of course, Spain has some very pretty rural places. But the main part of tourists is striving not there. They are attracted by the lively boulevards, historic quarters, promenades and beaches of Barcelona, ​​parks and museums of Madrid, the sights of beautiful Seville, the mysteries of amazing Granada, the afternoon silence of small towns. Greece, of course, has Athens. The importance of this city can hardly be overestimated. But personally, I have not met tourists who would like to visit Athens again and again. More often they are limited to one excursion trip. What other large Greek cities we know? Thessaloniki and Heraklion - because a plane arrives there from Moscow. Yes, these cities have attractions. But tourists rarely come to spend a week in Thessaloniki, but trips to Greek villages, on the contrary, are very popular. Indeed, every village in Greece welcomes tourists with open arms, inviting them to visit the oldest (or the newest, most beautiful or rich history) a church, the largest plane tree or the oldest olive tree, try honey and wine, which are produced only here, sit in a wonderful family tavern (there are no bad taverns in Greek villages), buy some towels that are woven only in this place and in a very special manual.

In general, in my opinion, in Greece the village dominates, and in Spain the city. Even in the agricultural regions of Spain, for example, in Andalusia, we visit primarily cities. In Greece, especially on the islands, the cities did not receive such a powerful development. And now Greece has realized that the village is attractive for tourists from big cities, exhausted by the fast pace of urban life.

So, if, in addition to the beach, your soul asks for exhibitions of contemporary art, walks in the evening city and stay in an urban environment, go to Spain. Resorts around Barcelona or Valencia are the perfect fit for you. If you crave peace and rural landscapes, go to any greek resort... If at the same time you like to relax at discos, choose a large resort, if you desperately need silence, choose some small place, on the island.

Moving around the country

If you go to excursion tour, you can omit this chapter. You will choose a tour from other considerations. The main thing is what attractions are included in the program.
If you are going to a resort where you intend to take group excursions, thinking about the ease / complexity of moving around the country will not interest you either.

But if you like to drive on your own, on intercity transport or in a rented car, read. Here we will look at the difference between Spain and Greece for those who travel around the country or the city on their own, without helpful guides.

Car rental cost in Greece and Spain- about the same. The rules are clear. International rights are desirable, but not obligatory (lately, it has been rumored around that when meeting with the police it is better to have international rights, while rental companies are satisfied with any). The roads are good everywhere. Well, except for the Greek primers. But they are good too. There are many mountain roads in both countries. The noticed difference is in the degree of difficulty of orientation by signs. If in Spain road signs are more or less close to the average European norm, then in Greece, especially on the islands, the signs are made in accordance with a logic alien to us. Often you have to drive closer to the sign, stop and think about what it could mean. To this, however, you can get used to.
By public transport can be used both in Greece and in Spain, but, frankly, in Spain it is easier to do this: all the timetables are on the Internet, all the information is easy to get at the bus stops. There are also timetables in Greece. And they are often observed. But not always. And tickets are sometimes sold in non-obvious places. To this, however, you can also get used to. Just keep in mind that you can totally rely on yourself when traveling in Spain. As a last resort, find a police officer and ask for directions. A independent travel in Greece involves a lot of communication with local population... Everyone will be happy to help you, but the journey will always take longer than you bargained for. On small islands, this is all, however, not important.

Hotels in Greece and Spain

If you like large hotels with good territory and various services, then choose a hotel, not countries. The only difference is that in Spain there are more multi-storey hotels, while in Greece it is easier to find accommodation in bungalows. However, if you wish, you can also find a large low-rise hotel in Spain. Just see which hotel you like and what suits you for the price.

If you choose a budget option or just want to stay in a small hotel, then here a certain difference arises between Spain and Greece. In Spain, especially on the mainland, they tend to build multi-storey hotels. Therefore, a small hotel will have at best 4-5 floors and a tiny area with a small pool. In the worst case, there will be 10-12 floors. But this is not the main thing, is it? Hotels in Spain generally maintain a standard quality, so it doesn't matter where you live if you are not going to stay in the hotel.

There are many more really small hotels in Greece, often with only 10-15 rooms. The owner of such a hotel often wants to add some flavor. In one case, it may be an unusually large pool for such a hotel, in the other - its own vegetable garden, the products from which are served in the cafe at the hotel, in the third - unusual balconies or something else. In general, the need for invention is tricky. Of course than larger resort and the closer to the beach, the more faceless the hotels look. But even here it all depends on the specific owner.

Food in Greece and Spain

For many tourists, a significant issue on vacation is the issue of food. Do you love all inclusive Turkish style? You should not look for anything similar either in Spain or in Greece. In these countries, "all inclusive" is much more ascetic. Except maybe completely expensive hotels... However, it seems to me that going to Spain or Greece to eat from the buffet around the clock is not the best idea. You will be missing out on the chance to truly enjoy the Greek or Spanish cuisine that are renowned all over the world. Both cuisines are based on olive oil, fresh vegetables and lots of herbs. Both there and there seafood is popular. Meat is also respected. The cuisine of large hotels, especially those operating on the "all inclusive" system, has an average international taste, albeit with a local flavor. Therefore, I usually try to dissuade tourists from eating only in the hotel. There are many attractive cafes and restaurants in both Greece and Spain. True, their meaning is slightly different. A beach bar in Spain ("chiringito") is exactly a beach bar, you will not get anything but drinks, chips and ice cream there. But what an atmosphere in these Spanish beach bars! If an institution in Spain is called a restaurant, then it is a restaurant, with all the accompanying entourage. You will be fed and served exactly as in a restaurant, with due respect and with a decent waiting time for dishes. But if you come at an inopportune siesta hour, then the chefs will not cook specially for you. You will be offered a selection of snacks and drinks. In any case, you will not stay hungry. In Greece, especially in the cities in the big resorts, there are also such restaurants. But the country is famous not for restaurants, but for taverns. The tavern, especially somewhere in the village, is family-run, and the whole family will serve you, including the ancient grandfather, who is the only one who knows how to cook extraordinary tasty lamb ribs, and the teenage grandson, who helps in the kitchen and is generally on hand. If you happen to go to the same tavern for the second time, the hostess herself will bring you a dish and show you photographs of her younger grandchildren.

In short, in a Spanish restaurant you are a respected customer, and in a Greek restaurant you are a guest of the family. These rules, of course, have exceptions, but are generally followed.

Cultural program and nightlife

Under the cultural program, we will consider not visiting historical sights, of which there are a great many both in Spain and Greece, but some exhibitions, performances, events that you want to visit during your vacation. After all, if a person wants to see, say, the Alhambra in Granada, it is obvious that he will go to Spain. Likewise, those wishing to see Delphi or the Acropolis will travel to Greece. But there is a class of people who like to visit on vacation, for example, photo exhibitions, street performances, music festivals... They do not specifically timed their vacation for the event, but if something interesting happens around, they definitely take part. In my opinion, Spain is more suitable for these tourists. V large cities country you can always find an interesting cultural program, and if you go, for example, to Andalzia, then in the summer you can take part in local city holidays - feria, which take place here and there all summer. Of course, there are also events in Greece. There are museums in large cities, and exhibitions are held in museums. But how many of those major cities... However, in Athens and Thessaloniki, a lot of different things are happening. Choose a resort close to these cities (it's not easy), and you will have your favorite cultural events every day.

Nightlife - bars, dancing on the beach, discos - is available both in Spain and in Greece. The main thing is to choose the right resort. In Spain, for those who like to have fun at night, I recommend the island of Ibiza or the resort of Magaluf on the island of Mallorca, and in Greece - the resort of Malia on the island of Crete. There are fun places on Kassandra too. And near Athens.

Islands

If you are interested in an island vacation, then Greece and Spain can offer a wide variety of options. Truth, Spanish islands- Canary Islands and Balears - you can easily list, the Greek islands are countless. If the heat is contraindicated for you, but you want to rest in the summer, then go to the Canary Islands. The easiest way to get from Moscow to Tenerife, but Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote may suit you. The Canary archipelago is located off the coast of Africa in Atlantic Ocean, there is about the same weather and cool water all year round. The infrastructure on the islands is well developed. You can find a quiet, secluded place, but if you want, you can quickly interrupt your seclusion. Party lovers and nightlife ideal for Ibiza and some beaches in Mallorca. The Greek islands are all different. There is a huge Crete, where everyone can find what they are looking for: great fun or peace, picturesque beaches or shopping centers. There are smaller islands well developed in terms of tourism: Corfu, Rhodes, Kos. And there are many very small islets, many of which have a rudimentary tourist infrastructure. But it is precisely for the sake of some distance from civilization that it is worth going here.

Vacation with children

Since I myself happened to have a rest with my own children both in Spain and in Greece, I can say that the children's infrastructure in Spain is somewhat better developed. At least in Catalonia, for sure. Playgrounds are everywhere, playgrounds indicate the recommended age of children, shopping centers and restaurants often have play areas. Children in Greece are also very fond of. Children are welcome everywhere, they are given highchairs in the cafe and an additional dessert from the institution, in some restaurants there are playgrounds. But in other places, a playground still needs to be found. And when you find it, you will find that it is often quite minimalistic: swing + carousel + slide. Moreover, all this is practically not serviced and is often broken. You will not see huge Spanish gaming complexes in Greece. However, this is not a problem if your children know how to enjoy the sea-sand-grass-bugs-snails. If you prefer to spend evenings with children in large playgrounds, Spain is better for you. And with specialized baby food in Spain, it seemed to me easier. That is, if you have a small child who is accustomed to certain types of instant cereals and mashed potatoes, you will have a better chance of finding all this in Spain. But in Greece everything is simple and natural, so there is no need for any special baby products.

Spain and Greece in the light of the economic crisis

Last year, as well as this one, many tourists are afraid to go to these countries, as they are worried that something like this will happen during their trip, and, for example, bank cards will stop accepting, or there will be a strike that will prevent them from getting to the airport on time, or there will be nowhere to eat. Yes, these fears are not groundless. But both Spain and Greece now really need tourists, and the governments of both countries are making every effort to ensure that the internal problems of tourists are not affected. When you buy a hotel tour with a pick-up from a tour operator, there is very little chance that you will be affected by a taxi driver's strike. You will be met by a private bus with a private driver, placed in a hotel, from where no one will drive you out onto the street. During strikes, airlines try to cancel flights from tourist-bearing countries to a minimum. The Spanish airline Iberia, for example, canceled mainly domestic flights during strikes. But, of course, there is always a risk. Therefore, when paying this summer for the record low cost of a tour to Greece or Spain, remember that it would be nice to play it safe and take some cash with you. In case you refuse to accept the card somewhere. Or suddenly there will be a sudden strike of hotel workers (that's why I am in favor of small hotels: they do not strike!) - to eat in a nearby cafe. By the way, so far news of strikes in hotels comes only from Cyprus, which has always been a stronghold of respectable tourism. And the Greeks and Spaniards are trying very hard not to damage tourism.

Holidays in Greece and / or other Mediterranean countries
So, another vacation. The last trip to Turkey with Tez tour (Eka Tour agency) to the Ozkaymak Marina hotel led to the unequivocal conclusion: “We don’t need such a vacation”. The alternative arose with obviousness - Greece. Out of 3 tour operators, comparing prices, they chose Golden Eagles, which they did not regret later. The first pleasant surprise was that with us patiently Lilya and Lika sat for 4 hours, trying to find exactly what would suit us, and not trying to sell what the travel agency needed. We picked up Paradise Royal Mare 5 * in Rhodes. The criteria were as follows: large green area, nice beach, children's pool, slides, windsurfing, the ability to travel, guaranteed good service(did not say that we have 2 children, 13 and 5 years old, in connection with which it was necessary to find something family-active). I must say that all of the above was justified in abundance, for example, the number of pools turned out to be 10! The service was impeccable and the cuisine varied. Quite worthy in the evenings entertainment programs... The animators staged whole productions: the Olympic Games, the Moulin Rouge, etc. In addition to animators, professional artists periodically performed with live music, dances, etc. Great disco at night. From time to time we compared our impressions of the holidays in Turkey, Spain and Greece (Rhodes - I draw your attention to the fact that we are talking only about this island). It turned out something like the following.
Hotel / grounds. Spain (what we saw) is usually a small area, a city beach. Greece and Turkey are close, they are close geographically. The vegetation in Rhodes is fantastic and the sea is amazingly clean. Coastline- a combination of sandy beaches and rocks. There is where to swim and what to see. Rhodes resembles Kemer, only the vegetation is more diverse.
Choosing between Spain and Greece, decide in advance what you want to get from your vacation. If this is a visit to historical places, then in Greece you need to fly to the mainland (preferably closer to the capital), in Spain they are everywhere. If these are beaches, then the business is delicious, but personally I did not like the Greek ones.
If you are flying on vacation to relax, not think about anything, enjoy the all-inclusive, then this method is available in both countries, but in Greece it is more common.
If you will travel a lot around the country, it is better to choose Spain, because life in different parts of it differs more significantly.
In both Spain and Greece, locals speak excellent English, and hotel staff often speak Russian. In both countries, hotels are more like city hotels, even if they have swimming pools, animations, and many bars. The fact is that land in Europe is expensive, so you rarely find hotels with a huge area, as, for example, in Egypt and Turkey.
By the way, in Greece the beaches marked blue flags, less than in Spain: about 30-40 percent (depending on the year).
Domestic prices. for food, for goods in stores, for travel. There is some difference here: in Greece it is now very inexpensive to eat in a restaurant. But in Spain it is much cheaper than in Moscow. Transport is also a little cheaper. Car rental is cheaper. Only the prices in stores are about the same.
Thus, if the task is to make the trip as cheap as possible, then Greece should be preferred. And specifically the island of Crete. But if there is no strict need to save every penny, then when choosing a country for recreation, we will focus on other parameters.
Spain vs Greece = City vs Village?
It seems to me that the defining difference between Greece and Spain lies in the fact that the most attractive tourist destinations on the Iberian Peninsula are cities: large and small, historical and modern. In Greece, on the contrary: tourists go to local villages for color. The cities, on the other hand, seem to be too chaotic. Of course, Spain has some very pretty rural places. But the main part of tourists is striving not there. They are attracted by the lively boulevards, historic quarters, promenades and beaches of Barcelona, ​​parks and museums of Madrid, the sights of beautiful Seville, the mysteries of amazing Granada, the afternoon silence of small towns. Greece, of course, has Athens. The importance of this city can hardly be overestimated. But personally, I have not met tourists who would like to visit Athens again and again. More often they are limited to one excursion trip. What other major Greek cities do we know? Thessaloniki and Heraklion - because a plane arrives there from Moscow. Yes, these cities have attractions. But tourists rarely come to spend a week in Thessaloniki, but trips to Greek villages, on the contrary, are very popular. Indeed, every village in Greece welcomes tourists with open arms, inviting them to visit the oldest (or the newest, most beautiful or rich in history) church, the largest plane tree or the oldest olive tree, try honey and wine, which are produced only here. sit in a wonderful family tavern (there are no bad taverns in Greek villages), buy some towels that are woven only in this place and with a very special benefit.
In general, in my opinion, in Greece the village dominates, and in Spain the city. Even in the agricultural regions of Spain, for example, in Andalusia, we visit primarily cities. In Greece, especially on the islands, the cities did not receive such a powerful development. And now Greece has realized that the village is attractive for tourists from big cities, exhausted by the fast pace of urban life.
So, if, in addition to the beach, your soul asks for exhibitions of contemporary art, walks in the evening city and stay in an urban environment, go to Spain. Resorts around Barcelona or Valencia are perfect. If you crave peace and rural scenery, go to any Greek resort. If at the same time you like to relax at discos, choose a large resort, if you desperately need silence, choose some small place, on the island.
Moving around the country
If you are going on a guided tour, you can skip this chapter. You will choose a tour from other considerations. The main thing is what attractions are included in the program.
If you are going to a resort where you intend to take group excursions, thinking about the ease / complexity of moving around the country will not interest you either.
But if you enjoy driving on your own, on intercity transport, or in a rented car, read it. Here we will look at the difference between Spain and Greece for those who travel around the country or the city on their own, without helpful guides.
The cost of renting a car in Greece and Spain is about the same. The rules are clear. International rights are desirable, but not obligatory (lately, it has been rumored around that when meeting with the police it is better to have international rights, while rental companies are satisfied with any). The roads are good everywhere. Well, except for the Greek primers. But they are good too. There are many mountain roads in both countries. The noticed difference is in the degree of difficulty of orientation by signs. If in Spain road signs are more or less close to the average European norm, then in Greece, especially on the islands, the signs are made in accordance with a logic alien to us. Often you have to drive closer to the sign, stop and think about what it could mean. To this, however, you can get used to.
Public transport can be used both in Greece and in Spain, but, frankly, in Spain it is easier to do it: all the timetables are on the Internet, all information is easy to get at stops. There are also timetables in Greece. And they are often observed. But not always. tickets are sometimes sold in non-obvious places. To this, however, you can also get used to. Just keep in mind that you can totally rely on when traveling in Spain. As a last resort, find a police officer and ask for directions. And an independent trip to Greece involves a lot of communication with the local population. Everyone will be happy to help you, but the journey will always take longer than you bargained for. On small islands, this is all, however, not important.
Hotels in Greece and Spain
If you like large hotels with good territory and various services, then choose a hotel, not countries. The only difference is that in Spain there are more multi-storey hotels, while in Greece it is easier to find accommodation in bungalows. However, if you wish, you can also find a large low-rise hotel in Spain. Just see which hotel you like and what suits you for the price.
If you choose the budget option or just want to stay in a small hotel, then there is a certain difference between Spain and Greece. In Spain, especially on the mainland, they tend to build multi-storey hotels. Therefore, a small hotel will have at best 4-5 floors and a tiny area with a small pool. In the worst case, there will be 10-12 floors. But this is not the main thing, is it? Hotels in Spain generally maintain a standard quality, so it doesn't matter where you live if you are not going to stay in the hotel.
There are many more really small hotels in Greece, often with only 10-15 rooms. The owner of such a hotel often wants to add some flavor. In one case, it may be an unusually large pool for such a hotel, in another - its own vegetable garden, products from which are served in a cafe at the hotel, in the third - unusual balconies or something. In general, the need for invention is tricky. Of course, the larger the resort and the closer to the beach, the more faceless the hotels look. But even here it all depends on the specific owner.
Food in Greece and Spain
For many tourists, a significant issue on vacation is the issue of food. Do you love all inclusive Turkish style? You should not look for anything similar either in Spain or in Greece. In these countries, "all inclusive" is much more ascetic. Except, perhaps, very expensive hotels. However, it seems to me that going to Spain or Greece, which you can eat from the buffet around the clock, is not a good idea. You will be missing out on the chance to truly enjoy the Greek or Spanish cuisine that are renowned all over the world. Both cuisines are based on olive oil, fresh vegetables and lots of herbs. Both there and there seafood is popular. Meat is also respected. The cuisine of large hotels, especially those operating on the "all inclusive" system, has an average international taste, albeit with a local flavor. Therefore, I usually try to dissuade tourists from eating only in the hotel. There are many attractive cafes and restaurants in both Greece and Spain. True, their meaning is slightly different. A beach bar in Spain ("chiringito") is exactly a beach bar, you will not get anything but drinks, chips and ice cream there. But what an atmosphere in these Spanish beach bars! If an institution in Spain is called a restaurant, then it is a restaurant, with all the accompanying entourage. You will be fed and served exactly as in a restaurant, with due respect and with a decent waiting time for dishes. But if you come at an inopportune siesta hour, then the chefs will not cook specially for you. You will be offered a selection of snacks and drinks. In any case, you will not stay hungry. In Greece, especially in the cities in the big resorts, there are also such restaurants. But the country is famous not for restaurants, but for taverns. The tavern, especially somewhere in the village, is family-run, and the whole family will serve you, including the ancient grandfather, who is the only one who knows how to cook extraordinary tasty lamb ribs, and the teenage grandson, who helps in the kitchen and is generally on hand. If you happen to go to the same tavern for the second time, the hostess herself will bring you a dish and show you photographs of her younger grandchildren.
In short, in a Spanish restaurant you are a respected customer, and in a Greek restaurant you are a guest of the family. These rules, of course, have exceptions, but are generally followed.
Cultural program and nightlife
Under the cultural program, we will not consider visiting historical sights, of which there are a great many both in Spain and Greece, but some exhibitions, performances, events that you want to visit during your vacation. After all, if a person wants to see, say, the Alhambra in Granada, it is obvious that he will go to Spain. Likewise, those wishing to see Delphi or the Acropolis will travel to Greece. But there is a class of people who like to visit on vacation, for example, photo exhibitions, street performances, music festivals ... - They do not specifically time their vacation for the event, but if something interesting happens around them, they definitely take part. In my opinion, Spain is more suitable for these tourists. In large cities of the country you can always find an interesting cultural program, and if you go, for example, to Andalzia, then in the summer you can take part in local city holidays - feria, which take place here and there all summer. Of course, there are also events in Greece. There are museums in large cities, and exhibitions are held in museums. But how many of those large cities ... - However, in Athens and Thessaloniki there are many different things. Choose a resort close to these cities (it's not easy), and you will have your favorite cultural events every day.
Nightlife - bars, dancing on the beach, discos - is available both in Spain and in Greece. The main thing is to choose the right resort. In Spain, for those who like to have fun at night, I recommend the island of Ibiza or the resort of Magaluf on the island of Mallorca, and in Greece - the resort of Malia on the island of Crete. There are fun places on Kassandra too. And near Athens.
Islands
If you are interested in an island vacation, then Greece and Spain can offer a wide variety of options. True, the Spanish islands - the Canaries and Balears - can be easily enumerated, while the Greek islands are innumerable. If the heat is contraindicated for you, but you want to rest in the summer, then go to the Canary Islands. The easiest way to get from Moscow to Tenerife, but Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote may be suitable. The Canary archipelago is located off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean, where the weather and cool water are about the same all year round. The infrastructure on the islands is well developed. You can find a quiet, secluded place, but if you want, you can quickly interrupt your seclusion. For fans of party and nightlife, Ibiza and some beaches in Mallorca are ideal. The Greek islands are all different. There is huge Crete, where everyone can find what they are looking for: great fun or peace, picturesque beaches or shopping centers. There are smaller islands well developed in terms of tourism: Corfu, Rhodes, Kos. And there are many very small islets, many of which have a rudimentary tourist infrastructure. But it is precisely for the sake of some distance from civilization that it is worth going here.
Vacation with children
Since I myself happened to have a rest with my own children both in Spain and in Greece, I can say that the children's infrastructure in Spain is somewhat better developed. At least in Catalonia, for sure. Playgrounds are everywhere, playgrounds indicate the recommended age of children, shopping centers and restaurants often have play areas. Children in Greece are also very fond of. Children are welcome everywhere, they are given highchairs in the cafe and an additional dessert from the institution, in some restaurants there are playgrounds. But in other places, a playground still needs to be found. And when you find it, you will find that it is often quite minimalistic: swing + carousel + slide. Moreover, all this is practically not serviced and is often broken. You will not see huge Spanish gaming complexes in Greece. However, this is not a problem if your children know how to enjoy the sea-sand-grass-bugs-snails. If you prefer to spend evenings with children in large playgrounds, Spain is better for you. And with specialized baby food in Spain, it seemed to me easier. That is, if you have a small child who is accustomed to certain types of instant cereals and mashed potatoes, you will have a better chance of finding all this in Spain. But in Greece everything is simple and natural, so there is no need for any special baby products.
Spain and Greece in the light of the economic crisis
Last year, as well as this year, many tourists are afraid to go to these countries, as they are worried that something like this will happen during their trip, and, for example, bank cards will stop accepting, or there will be a strike that will prevent them get to the airport on time, or there will be nowhere to eat. Yes, these fears are not groundless. But both Spain and Greece now really need tourists, and the governments of both countries are making every effort to ensure that the internal problems of tourists are not affected. When you buy a tour to a hotel in Greece or Spain, which is better with a transfer from a tour operator, there is very little chance that a strike by some taxi drivers will affect you. You will be met by a private bus with a private driver, placed in a hotel, from where no one will drive you out onto the street. During strikes, airlines try to cancel flights from tourist-bearing countries to a minimum. The Spanish airline Iberia, for example, canceled mainly domestic flights during strikes. But, of course, there is always a risk. Therefore, when paying this summer for the record low cost of a tour to Greece or Spain, remember that it would be nice to play it safe and take some cash with you. In case you refuse to accept the card somewhere. Or suddenly there will be a sudden strike of hotel workers (that's why I am in favor of small hotels: they do not strike!) - to eat in a nearby cafe. By the way, so far news of strikes in hotels comes only from Cyprus, which has always been a stronghold of respectable tourism. And the Greeks, the Spaniards, try very hard not to damage tourism.

Recently, more and more of our compatriots are able to afford the purchase of real estate abroad. Of course, the leading positions are occupied by the countries of the Mediterranean basin: Italy, Spain, Greece and Turkey. And, no wonder. Warm sea, lots of sun, pristine sandy beaches, ancient history, luxurious architecture and, of course, the alluring appeal of the European Union. For many potential buyers, only one question remains open: "Which country should you choose?"

In other articles from this section, we conducted a comparative analysis of real estate in Spain with similar properties in Turkey and Italy. Now let's look at another European country that attracts foreign buyers - Greece. We'll talk about some of the factors that will help potential buyers make the right decision.

As we have seen, in Greece, house prices are significantly lower, although the taxes associated with the purchase are slightly higher. Also, mortgages are more expensive here and rental returns are lower. In terms of the quality of life, infrastructure, income of the population, this country is also significantly inferior to the Spanish Kingdom. And in terms of tourist attractiveness, Spain has left the Greek state far behind.

In this article, we analyzed various quality indicators, examined the profitability of real estate investments in these two European countries. Now it's up to you whether to buy real estate in Spain or choose a Bulgarian destination for investment.