Is Greece or Spain cheaper?

They sit in a similar bracket — roughly $35–130/day in Greece, $35–130/day in Spain.

When is the best time to visit Greece vs Spain?

Greece is at its best in April–June, September, October; Spain peaks in April, May, September, October.

Is Greece or Spain better in August?

Neither has a clear edge in August — they score the same that month. Greece has the edge in June, Spain in January, February, December, and both are at their best in April, May, September, October.

How long do you need in Greece vs Spain?

Plan 1–4 weeks for Greece and 1–4 for Spain.

Should I choose Greece or Spain?

Pick Greece if you want somewhere stronger for history. Pick Spain if you want somewhere stronger for food, culture, city, more urban / city-focused. Both deliver on beach, so on those either works.

Greece vs Spain

Two strong destinations, different in important ways. Here's the side-by-side, then a verdict on which suits which traveler.

Southern Europe

Greece

Ruins in the morning, a swim by noon, taverna until dark.

Best time to visit

January: avoid
February: avoid
March: fine
April: peak
May: peak
June: peak
July: fine
August: avoid
September: peak
October: peak
November: fine
December: avoid

Peak Fine Avoid

Western Europe

Spain

Food, beaches, and three or four cities that each justify the trip.

Best time to visit

January: fine
February: fine
March: fine
April: peak
May: peak
June: fine
July: fine
August: avoid
September: peak
October: peak
November: fine
December: fine

Peak Fine Avoid

Read our full guides about Greece and Spain.

Side by side

Emphasised where they differ. Muted rows are much the same either way.

	Greece	Spain
Best time	April–June, September, October	April, May, September, October
Climate	warm	mild
Budget	Budget – Mid-range · $35–130/day	Budget – Mid-range · $35–130/day
Trip length	1–4 wks	1–4 wks
Visa	Schengen — visa-free for most Western passports (90 days).	Schengen — visa-free for most Western passports (90 days).
Currency	EUR (€)	EUR (€)
Language	Greek. English widely spoken.	Spanish. English in cities and tourism, less elsewhere.
Tap water	Tap water safe in mainland; bottled on smaller islands.	Tap water safe.
Safety	Very safe.	Very safe. Pickpocketing in Barcelona and Madrid.

General guidance — visas, safety, and health change, so check your government's travel advisory and the official sources before you go.

Greece or Spain, month by month

Which of the two is the better bet for each month of the year, scored on how well the season suits each place.

Which to choose

Choose Greece if:

You want somewhere stronger for history.

Choose Spain if:

You want somewhere stronger for food, culture, city.
You want somewhere more urban / city-focused.

Both deliver on beach — so on those dimensions either works.

Common questions

Is Greece or Spain cheaper?: They sit in a similar bracket — roughly $35–130/day in Greece, $35–130/day in Spain.
When is the best time to visit Greece vs Spain?: Greece is at its best in April–June, September, October; Spain peaks in April, May, September, October.
Is Greece or Spain better in August?: Neither has a clear edge in August — they score the same that month. Greece has the edge in June, Spain in January, February, December, and both are at their best in April, May, September, October.
How long do you need in Greece vs Spain?: Plan 1–4 weeks for Greece and 1–4 for Spain.
Should I choose Greece or Spain?: Pick Greece if you want somewhere stronger for history. Pick Spain if you want somewhere stronger for food, culture, city, more urban / city-focused. Both deliver on beach, so on those either works.