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Greece travel blog — the fullest greece travel guide for a great budget trip for first-timers.

Greece is a land of mysterious and brilliant beauty in the Mediterranean Region. Traveling to Greece will give you many new looks and discoveries of the land of Gods in Greek Mythology, the world’s most beautiful islands with stunning beaches nowhere has, the ancient cities with rich history and culture, the magnificent and sacred temples in the past along with countless renown sculptures. So, what to do and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Greece for the first-time visitors? Let’s check out our Greece travel blog (Greece blog) with the fullest Greece travel guide (Greece guide, Greece tourist guide) from how to get there, best time to visit, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do to find out the answer!

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Greece is not only has beautiful beaches, distinctive architecture and delectable cuisine but also is an affordable destination for any type of visitor. Greece is known as one of the cheapest tourist destinations in Europe. The traveling cost here is only about a half compared to other European countries. It is one of the most popular and beloved destinations worldwide. With beautiful islands, historic cities, signature Greek Myths make Greece more mysterious and shining in the eyes of tourists.

Greece travel blog: Overview of Greece

Greece, the official name is the Greek Republic also called the Hellenic Republic, is a country owns a strategic position in trading between Asia, Europe and Africa continents. With an area of ​​more than 130,000 square kilometers with a population of over 10 milions people and mostly rugged mountainous terrain, Greece is bordered by Albania, the Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, Turkey to the east and the rest of the east and the west is bordered by the Aegean Sea and the Ionian Sea. With its prime location, since ancient times Greece has been considered a cultural exchange hub of many cultures.

As the country with the most brilliant civilization in antiquity, Greece is the cradle of all Western cultures, including Western democracies, Western philosophy, Olympic Games, Western literature, historic, politics, basic scientific and mathematical principles. The rich history of Greece includes 17 UNESCO Heritage Sites, among the top countries with the most heritage in Europe. Greek is the mother tongue and also the national language, through a long history Greece also has many different languages, but today’s common languages ​​such as English, French, Italian, German is still widely learnt and used. Greece is a religiously free country, in which Eastern Orthodox being the largest with 97% of the population, followed by Islam and Roman Catholicism as well as Protestantism and Judaism.

Greece is a Southern European nation, but in many documents, it is also listed in the list of Western European nations or in the Baltic region. Due to its geographical location, Greece has been considered a trading center for many economies for thousands of years.

With a coastline of more than 13,000 km. The “specialty” of this country is more than 140 inhabited islands (out of a total of 3,000 islands from large to islets which are as small as just rocky outcrops), of which Crete is the largest Greek island with a sunny climate and nice beaches. Therefore, Greece is an ideal vacation destination for Europeans.

Most of the Greek people speak Greek and it is also the official language of this country. One thing I’m quite bored that is despite being a tourist nation, Greek people speak English very bad, even they could not speak.

Greece travel blog: When to visit?

Greece has a fairly warm Mediterranean climate. Summers are usually hot and dry, especially in the north, on the islands and coastal regions. Winters are usually humid in the south, but in the mountainous regions in the north, it’s very cold and it’s not too hard to see snow and feel sub-zero temperatures here.

The best time to visit Greece is from early July to early September. And if you want to take the most virtual photos, sightseeing, admiring unique architecture, you should go in June or the end of September to early October which will be suitable because the weather will not too hot and the trip cost is also inexpensive.

Spring (April – May): April is time when the tourist season begins in Greece, locals begin to take off their winter coats to welcome the warm sunshine. The weather at this time will be extremely pleasant.

With the exception of the period around Easter, you can rest assured that the number of tourists coming to Greece in the spring will not too crowded. Spring is also a great time for you to explore this country by motorbike.

In Athens, the festival of light and sound is also held in the spring.

Summer (June – August): Summer is usually warm, sunny. It’s also the peak tourist season with very crowded travellers, especially in the coastal areas or on the famous islands like Santorini , Mykonos or Crete.

Thanks to the large number of tourists, in every bar or nightclub in Greece, there will be lively parties. However, in popular tourist destinations, prices will often double.

The Athens and Epidaurus Festival will take place in this summer.

An important thing to note, especially when you plan a trip to islands such as Samothraki (Samothrace) or Thassos (Thasos), is that these two islands only welcome tourists from July to August.

Autumn (September – October): After the blazing sun of summer, autumn comes as a relief, when it comes with more pleasant weather. Daphni Wine Festival is also an experience not to be missed in this period. The summer tourists have also gone away, leaving behind a more traditional and peaceful Greece. Prices will also come down a lot, but some tourist amenities and facilities may be closed.

In October, the weather can also get wet and unpredictable. Autumn is the perfect time to visit the historic sights of Greece.

Winter (November – March): Thanks to its geographical location, winters in Greece are not too harsh but actually extremely unpredictable, you will be completely surprised by a few days of winter with full of sunshine and warm but suddenly snow falling after several days.

Winter is the low season for tourism, leading to a marked drop in prices, but you will not have the opportunity to visit many islands dute to lack of vehicles to get there.

However, the southern part of Crete or Rhodes island still welcomes you with open arms. Christmas is also a wonderful occasion in Greece with countless cultural events are held.

Greece travel blog: How to get to Greece?

From other european countries.

Greece in particular and other European countries in general all have very convenient transport links. From neighboring countries, Greece can be reached by train and by car. But it is the most convenient to get to Greece by plane. But one matter is that airfare from other European cities to Greece is quite expensive.

I tried to find airfare on Google and found out that the airport fees in Greece are higher and there are few airlines operating flights to Greece. Therefore, you should hunt for flight tickets early through some websites such as Skyscanner , Google Flight , Kayak and avoid the peak months of July and August.

Greece blog: Transportation in Greece

There are many means of transportation in the Greek cities for you to choose from, but mostly visitors who come here often choose taxis, buses or rent motorbikes to getting around.

Bus: Domestic buses are the best solution when traveling within the country.

Train: It’s a good and cheap way to get around, but the national rail system is quite limited.

Or if you want to explore the tourist attractions here by yourself, then you can rent a self-driving vehicle such as: Scooter, ATV, car with rental prices ranging from 12 Euros to 15 Euros/day. However, to rent a car conveniently, you have to an international driver’s license, credit card or passport to make a deposit.

Getting from the mainland to the Greek islands

Because Greece has many islands, the means of transportation will be mainly ferries and boats. To take a ferry trip, it will cost about EUR36, but you will only pay about EUR12 if islands are really close together. If you book ferry tickets about two months in advance, you can save up to 25% on the cost of ticket.

From Athens, most ferries to Greek islands cost around EUR60. The ferry tickets will be expensive if you take a lot trips between islands. Taking overnight ferry can save you up to half of the normal price plus you will save a hotel night because of overnight on ferry. Slow ferries, night ferries starting at EUR13. Some famous Greek ferry companies you can refer to such as Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Seajets… You should choose the trip that departs at dawn or dusk because the scenery is very beautiful at that time.

Alternatively, you can also take a plane. Traveling by airplanes will be more convenient and there are now many islands in Greece that welcome international flights, but the cost will be higher than taking a ferry.

Greece travel blog: What to do and where to go?

When it comes to Greek tourism, everyone will probably think of two famous places are Athens and Santorini. In addition to the above two historic, dreamy and charming destinations, Greece has many other attractive tourist destinations such as Thessaloniki City, Zakynthos, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes islands, ancient temples, stunning beaches… I will briefly introduce about these tourist destinations in Greece below.

Parthenon Temple

Along with other historic structures on the Acropolis Hill, it is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Greece. The temple of Athena, the Parthenon was built in the 5th century BC. It is the most famous building of ancient Greece that still standing until now and is hailed as a great achievement of Greek architecture with magnificent appearance along with majestic and towering stone pillars. If you have an opportunity to visit Athens, the temple definitely will be a must-visit place.

Corfu (Kerkyra)

Corfu is one of the jewels of Greece, famous for its vast coastline, spectacular mountain scenery, majestic historic architecture, peaceful villages and vibrant cultural centers. Come and explore the part of the Ionian Islands, a group of islands off the west coast of mainland Greece.

You’ll find the influence of diffirent styles from British, French, Greek and Italian in Kerkira (Corfu City), the island’s charming cultural hub. Admiring a British neoclassical beauty in the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, and don’t be surprised to see the Venetian style emblazoned on the Old Fort. Visit Liston Promenade to see archways and explore ancient Asian art at the Museum of Asian Art of Corfu. Visit the nearby Gastouri and marvel at the Achilleion, a majestic palace set among numerous cypress and sugar cane trees.

City of Heraklion

Heraklion, with its warm sunshine, cool breezes, wine and great range of local food which is truly a peaceful place to stop and explore ancient culture.

The city of Heraklion – the capital of Crete Island, Greece bears traces of many historical events in the past. Heraklion also known as Iraklion, is the largest city on Crete island and also the 4th largest city in Greece. Here, you can find the ruins of the famous palace of Knossos, the largest concentration of population on Crete during the Minoan civilization period (Bronze Age Aegean civilization). Although there is no archaeological evidence, Knossos may have also had a seaport located at Heraklion from 2000 BC.

The capital of Crete owns picturesque villages, romantic seaside resorts and beaches of varying beauty. Heraklion also has many restaurants and taverna specializing in Greek cuisine to meet all needs and preferences of visitors. The nightlife here is very vibrant. There are many bars and nightclubs open all year round.

In addition, Heraklion is also the shopping center of the Corfu with many shops selling clothes, shoes, jewelry, souvenirs…

The capital city of Athens

As one of the oldest capitals in the world, Athens welcomes you with a massive treasure of history and culture dating back 3000 years. Unlike the peaceful tourist islands in this country, Athens is much more vibrant, crowded and bustling. The places you cannot miss when visiting this ancient city are Ruins of Acropolis, Byzantine And Christian Museum, Temple of Olympian Zeus, the neighborhood of Pláka and Anafiotika. The most famous is the Acropolis, an ancient citadel with many historic and important buildings, especially the Parthenon Temple.

There are also the Temple of Zeus, Temple of Hephaestus, the ancient Square of Kotzia and National Garden. Leaving Athens and you can visit the birthplace of the Olympic Games, the sacred mountain of Olympia where there also are still many well-restored and preserved temples.

Read more: The fullest Athens travel guide for the first-timers.

If there is any place in the world that closest to paradise, it definitely is the Greek island of Santorini. With houses painted in two main colors, blue and white – also the same typical colors on Greece’s flag. Santorini will attract visitors just at the first sight. Known for its breathtaking steep cliffs that hug the black sands of the sea, the island of Santorini is located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200km to the east of mainland Greece. The two nicest villages of Fira and Oia are two places you have to visit if you want to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery of this island. Looming in the vast ocean are villages and churches arranged ingeniously.

Visitors often flock to Santorini the most from April to October. Because the weather is sunny, the clear blue sky allows you to participate in many interesting, fun outdoor activities. Another very unique experience you should not miss that is watching the sunset here because Santorini dubbed one of the most sunset viewing spots in the world.

Read more: The fullest Santorini travel guide for the first-timers.

The island of Mykonos is a counterweight to Ibiza, Spain. The highlight of this Greek island is its long beaches filled with healthy tanned tourists and the pounding bass from the bars that open from night to morning. Chora in Greek means city, is another name for this small island belong Cyclades Islands. Although this is the smallest island, it contains an attraction that is not inferior to large islands such as Santorini or Naxos. Proof that the upper class often owns resort apartments here and we can easily see them on the cobblestone streets of Mykonos.

Read more: The fullest Mykonos travel guide for the first-timers.

The island of Rhodes is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece with great beaches and a long history. Located in the Aegean seawaters near the coast of Turkey, Rhodes is the largest island of the Dodecanese Islands. Rhodes is also considered one of the most beautiful islands of Greece with lush pine forests and countless brilliant flowers such as bougainvillea, hibiscus, etc.

If you are a fan of the movie Descendants of the Sun, you are no stranger to the beach where the shipwreck was stucked that called Shipwreck Beach. That is the island of Zakynthos, Greece. The highlight and most attractive spot of Zakynthos is the Navagio Shipwreck Beach. In the midst of the blue water and surrounds by majestic cliffs, a boat ran aground on a beautiful white sand beach, seemingly comes straight out from movies.

Read more: The fullest guide to Zakynthos for first-time visitors.

Naxos is not crowded with tourists and is a great place to watch the sunset and sunrise without having to climb to the top of any mountain. Just go to the beach and lie on the sand, you can enjoy watching the brilliant of sunrise or sunset.

In Naxos, there is a legal nude beach, so if you like swimming, you should come to try. I stayed in Naxos for 6 days and spent a lot of time walking up to the very old unexplored houses that in my opinion they are much more beautiful than in Santorini. I also rented a car to riding around the mountains, visited many ancient ruins here. Driving in Greece is very safe and Google Map also navigates very accurate, you can rest assured to drive by yourself as long as you have an international driver’s license, you can rent a car from EUR30 / day depending on the type of car.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and the capital of the Macedonia region of Northern Greece, with its vibrant festivals, social events and vibrant nightlife. All making it becomes the cultural capital of Greece. The city is steeped in Paleochristian (Early Christan) culture and was the hometown of Alexander the Great. Thessaloniki is both modern and classic with many tourist attractions in the city such as museums, art galleries, business district, famous Byzantine wall, White Tower and Turkish baths and Colorful food markets.

Although it was partly damaged by a great fire in 1917, the city was restored and still retains its characteristic Byzantine architecture. That is why in Thessaloniki you can find a harmonious blend of modernity and ancient features.

The town of Mystras

Traveling to Greece you must definitely visit the town of Mystras and and Archaeological Site of Mystras – a UNESCO World Heritage Site once because this was the center of power of the Byzantine Empire. The town stands out for its distinct architecture from the Middle Ages, where it was ruled by powerful empires for centuries. In the town of Mystras, there are many historical ruins which are kept and recognized as world cultural heritages such as Byzantine churchs, monastery and Keadas Cavern cave.

Often referred to as the most beautiful city in Greece, Nafplio was once the capital of Greece before the title was given to Athens in 1834.

Where to visit Greece? If you are still wondering, come to Meteora. Located in the vast plains, Meteora is a spectacular rocky mountain that captivates many visitors. At the top of the mountain there are many ancient monasteries. This is also the coordinates of the view that cannot be more wonderful. Today, Meteora has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

Located just below Mount Parnassos (Mount Parnassus), Delphi is a cultural center of Greece and the birthplace of Western Philosophy. Delphi was considered the center of many aspects of the world in ancient times. In addition, thanks to possessing cultural and religious heritages, today Delphi has become a tourist attraction.

Greece blog: Where to stay?

Hotels in Greece are very diverse and spread from the mainland to the islands, from luxury hotel chains to budget guesthouses and hostels. There are also large and fully equipped campsites.

You can stay in a dorm with bunk beds to save money, or stay in a hotel for a higher price. In the center of the big city, the room rates is about EUR70/night, far from the center, about EUR40/night. You can also stay at a homestay but need to find out in advance where you will stay to have the most comfortable holidays.

Check out top and best hotels, places to stay in Greece on Agoda , Booking or Airbnb.

Greece travel blog: What to eat?

Thanks to its favorable geographical location, Greek cuisine is influenced by many different cuisines. It is a combination of European and Middle Eastern cuisine, making the dishes here have the most distinctive flavor.

However, because of its location, some Greek dishes can be easily found in other countries such as Moussaka, Baklava for example (2 these dishes are also typical dishes in Turkey or Cyprus).

Greeks use much olive oil for most dishes, even salads are also mixed with olive oil (of course adding with a little spices).

Stifado (Greek Stewed Beef)

This is one of the most delicious stew and best dish in Greece. The main ingredients of the dish include meat (often beef or pork, rabbit, even octopus), red wine, red wine vinegar, onion, shallots, cinnamon, honey, olive oil, bay leaves, etc. All are stewed for 2 hours. Stifado is most flavorful when served hot with fresh bread, pasta, and mashed potatoes.

Dolmadakia (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

Dolmadakia is a dish you should not forget to try. This dish is cooked from rice, adding a mixture of minced meat, herbs, parsley, mint, tomato, fennel… All is wrapped in grape leaves then simmer in 45 minutes until the rice is tender and served with lemon.

Moussaka (Greek Beef and Eggplant Lasagna)

Moussaka is perhaps the most famous Greek dish in the world with variations in flavor in each region of this southern European country. In some islands, moussaka is cooked with a more herbal in recipe, while others cook this dish with a rich and greasy flavor. Despite the difference in taste, the basic ingredients of this dish: potatoes, eggplant, ground meat and lots of cheese, béchamel sauce still remain the same. After baking for 1 hour at 350 degrees Celsius, the cake will have an eye-catching golden brown color. Today, thanks to creativity, chefs use zucchini to replace eggplant. That change will add more deliciousness to the dish.

Souvlaki (Chicken skewers)

This is very popular dish in Greece. Souvlaki is a grilled skewer of meat, delectable and juicy. Souvlaki skewers usually include beef, lamb and chicken, sometimes also fish such as swordfish. It usually eaten while still hot.

Gyro (Gyros)

Referring to the delicious food in Greece, it is impossible not to mention Gyro. It made from meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie (often pork, chicken, whilst beef, lamb) combines with vegetables, chips. Then is wrapped in soft flatbread like tacos. There are two types of Gyro, vegetarian and meat. Gyro is a very suitable food to recharge after a day of exploring Greece.

Lokma (Loukoumades, Fried Sweet Dough)

Loukoumades is a popular dish in Greece. Not only children but also adults love to enjoy this dish. Loukoumades are pastries made of leavened and deep fried dough, soaked in syrup or honey. After baked, the chef will sprinkle cinnamon powder, walnut powder to increase the attractiveness of the dish.

Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)

Spanakopita is a Greek savory spinach pie, a very famous and divine cake in Greece. The pie has a thin crust but is very crispy. The filling is made from ingredients such as spinach and feta cheese, meat, eggplant, vegetables, etc. The dish is made with flaky phyllo sheets layered.

Tzatziki (Greek Cucumber Yogurt Sauce)

Tzatziki is a dipping dish with the main ingredient of Greek yogurt and a variety of herbs, served with meat, bread and salad.

Frappé coffee and Greek yogurt

Frappé coffee is a great choice on hot summer days. While Greek yoghurt is also a must-try food, Greek yoghurt is very delicious, it usually served with honey.

Greece travel blog: What and where to buy?

The capital of Athens offers many shopping options for visitors with Syntagma square and Plaka area being the number one choice. Located right in the heart of Athens, these two areas are truly endless fun for those with a passion for shopping. Here, you can choose very unique gifts. The Greek Evil Eye Xematiasma Belief (Greece Mati Mataki or Matiasma Evil Eye) which could againts evil that any tourist who comes here also buys and hangs at home. Statues depicting gods from Greek myths, Trojan horses, goddess Helena or pottery, jewelry in antique style crafted with the skill of Greek artisans are lovely gifts from this country.

In the Greek plains there are many lush olive groves. The Greeks are also very proud of olives and the cosmetics and dishes made from this tree. You can buy olive oil or soap as gifts for loved ones. Laurel is the national tree of Greece and was used as a laurel wreath for ancient sports champions.

And for those of you who collect magnets, in Thessaloniki, you can buy Alexander the Great magnets that are hard to find in other Greek tourist attractions.

In the souvenir shops in Greece, they often sell key chains with the image of “the precious of men”. You also buy it as gifts.

Greece blog: The traveling cost

In general, the cost of self-sufficient travel to Greece is quite affordable, I spent €552.72 for the 5D4N trip with 2 destinations of Athens and Santorini.

In which, the cost of traveling (airfare) accounts for the majority. If you intend to plan a trip to Greece, you should find airtickets in advance to save money.

The cost of food and accommodation is quite affordable. And if you are a student, you will get FREE or discounted entrance tickets to some tourist attractions.

Greece blog: Before you go

Here are some useful tips you should push in your pocket before making a trip to Greece.

Communication Culture

Greeks are usually very hospitable and friendly. If you’re meeting them for the first time, they’ll shake hands firmly, making eye contact and smile throughout the meeting. If they are friends or relatives, they will hug and kiss on both cheeks. If they were men, they would greet each other with a pat on the shoulder.

Gift-Giving Etiquette

The Greeks often give gifts to friends and family members on the occasion of naming saints, Christmas. On birthdays, gifts don’t need to be too expensive. If you give a gift of great value, it will make the recipient awkward.

If you are invited to dinner, prepare a small, carefully wrapped gift. The Greeks had a custom of opening gifts right in front of the giver’s eyes.

Table Manners (Dining Etiquette)

If you are invited to dinner, be on time. That will show respect to the host. After the meal, take the initiative to ask to be cleaned, the host will appreciate this attitude of yours.

If the host has not invited you, do not arbitrarily sit at the table. Because the Greeks will usually arrange for you a separate seat. When eating, they use a knife in their right hand and a fork in their left hand. Elderly people will have priority service. When eating, the elbow should be placed below the table, the hand should be on the table.

During dinner you can comfortably talk about fun stories but avoid political issues, especially the relations between Greece and Turkey.

This is also a country that uses the Euro currency like other European countries. Should use cash rather than credit cards when making purchases. You will be charged a small fee for withdrawing Euros from ATMs in Greece. Many small islands in Greece do not have ATMs or if they do, you also may not withdrawn, so you should have cash on hand.

Greece travel blog: My suggested Greek 5-day itinerary for you to refer.

According to my self-sufficient Greek travel experience, you should spend 4 or more days (excluding flight days) to explore 2 destinations, Athens and Santorini. You can spend another 2 days to visit more cities of Thessaloniki, Mystras or Zakynthos or Mykonos islands.

However, I think that exploring 2 destinations are Athens and Santorini is enough, because these 2 places are enough to represent 2 types of Greek tourism (sea and island tourism and discovery tourism). Adding one more island or discovery place will quickly get bored.

Here is my Greece travel itinerary for you refer:

Day 1: Santorini (arrival at night) Day 2: Santorini Day 3: Santorini Day 4: Santorini – Athens (you can go to Mykonos or Thessaloniki from here) Day 5: Athens – The UK

In addition, the tours often combine Greece and Turkey in one itinerary, because these two countries are close to each other. And you can use a valid Schengen visa to apply for a Turkish e-visa, which is very convenient. About travel experiences in Turkey, you can see more here .

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Athens you can refer to

• Private Athens International Airport (ATH) Transfers for Athens
• Private Athens International Airport Transfers (ATH) for Athens by Taxi or 7 Seater Car
• Shared Athens International Airport Transfers (ATH) for Athens
• Delphi Day Tour from Athens
• Athens Acropolis and Cape Sounio One Day Tour with Lunch
• Athens Half Day Sightseeing Tour
• Meteora Day Tour from Athens with Train
• Delphi and Meteora 2-Day Tour from Athens
• Athens, Acropolis and Acropolis Museum Half Day Tour with Ticket
• Athens and Acropolis Walking Day Tour
• Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon Half Day Guided Tour From Athens
• Athens Hop On Hop Off City Sightseeing Bus Tour
• Athens Acropolis Museum Discovery Tour

Are you looking for more Greece travel guide and top things to do in Greek destinations, check out here .

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Discover the hidden Greece

Your greek journey starts here, main guides, athens unveiled: best things to do in the heart of greece, discover mykonos: top attractions await, discovering paradise: a guide to santorini’s best attractions, unlocking crete: your essential guide to unforgettable adventures, latest guides, rest and fun in the best hotels in imerovigli santorini, relive the flame of love in santorini: best hotels in santorini for couples, romantic retreats: the finest couples’ hotels in mykonos, perissa paradise: unveiling the best hotels for your santorini sojourn, your guide on what to do in athens in 1 day, your ultimate guide on mykonos weather: best times to travel, discover mykonos: your ultimate guide to unforgettable excursions, what to visit in crete: a kaleidoscope of history, nature, and culinary bliss, skyline suppers: best athens restaurants with a view, island showdown: mykonos vs. ibiza – unveiling the mediterranean’s ultimate escape, unveiling crete’s wonders: exploring what makes this greek gem famous, “indulge in athenian delights: unveiling the best restaurants in the city, ultimate guide: unveiling athens’ hottest nightlife destinations, what is athens known for: exploring the timeless treasures of greece’s iconic capital, indulge in culinary bliss: unveiling 6 exquisite restaurants redefining greek gastronomy in crete.

Greece Travel Guide

Where blue-domed villages perch on the edge of Aegean islands, and sweeping olive groves surround ancient ruins.

Best time to visit Greece

Renting a car in greece, best places to visit in greece, milos, greece: 12 best things to do, 9 best things to do in paros, greece , 12 best things to do in kefalonia, greece, map of greece, weather in greece.

Following a Mediterranean climate, Greece’s weather is fantastic, particularly from May - October when the country sees hot, dry summers. Spring and Fall are the best seasons to visit, with mild temperatures, clear skies, and fewer visitors.

Cyclades islands

Santorini travel guide: things to do in santorini, greece, greek island hopping: ultimate greece travel guide, how to rent a car in greece, best travel insurances.

• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find Hostels via Hostelworld
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to Greece via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go
• Get a Visa via iVisa
• How to pack light for your trip
• How to plan your trip our tips

Why is Greece worth visiting?

Greece is a paradise for travelers who want to combine history, island life, and mouthwatering food. Drift on turquoise waters, get lost among ancient ruins, and dine on Greek salads and local olives.

Is Greece cheap to visit?

Greece is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe, so it can have a slightly higher price tag than other vacation spots. However, choose lesser-known islands or off-radar city neighborhoods, and you can still find accommodation for under $30 or a tasty gyros for $3.

Can I drink tap water in Greece?

The tap water in Greece is safe to drink in cities and on popular islands like Santorini or Mykonos. However, on smaller islands, we suggest bringing a reusable water bottle with a built-in filter system. Ask locals for advice on arrival to be on the safe side.

Do I need a visa for traveling in Greece?

Most travelers from the EU, USA, and Canada don’t need a visa for Greece for stays of up to 90 days. Check your country’s entry requirements in advance and make sure to have a valid passport ready for your Greek adventure. 

What language do they speak in Greece?

Expect to hear the melodic tones of the Greek language while on your trip to Greece. This language is hard to master, but don’t worry, as most Greeks in popular vacation destinations speak English. We recommend learning a few Greek phrases so you can connect with the friendly locals on your travels!

Do I need travel insurance for Greece?

Travel insurance is your safety net during your trip to Greece, protecting you from unexpected events. Explore remote ruins, jump into cave pools, and scooter around the Greek islands with total peace of mind!

Is Greece safe?

Greece is generally a very safe destination. However, like all countries, we recommend being aware of pickpockets in touristy areas, keeping an eye on your belongings, and only walking down well-lit streets at night.

What power plug type does Greece have?

Greece primarily uses type C and F plugs, which are two-pin plugs used across Europe. Make sure to bring an adapter with you so you’ve always got your battery charged for photo opportunities!

Why do people love Greece?

Greece is famous for creating the Acropolis, Olympic Games, and democracy, but it’s so much more than that! Among this ancient history are thousands of mesmerizing islands, endless olive groves, and sun-drenched white villages — in one of the sunniest nations in Europe!

Travel to Greece

Greece, a land of ancient history and mouthwatering dishes, welcomes visitors to its glistening turquoise shores and blue-domed villages. Whether it’s gazing in awe at the Acropolis in Athens , savoring zesty cocktails in the bustling beach bars of Mykonos, or driving on clifftop roads in Kefalonia , there is something for every traveler on their vacation in Greece . 

How to plan your trip to Greece

Follow our Greece travel guides to plan an unforgettable trip in this sparkling ocean paradise. There are so many amazing things to do in Greece , including visiting the ancient capital of Athens, rowing through stalactite-filled caves in Kefalonia , or soaking up Aegean Sea views in Santorini .

Are you all about the beach? See the coastal highlights with our Greek Island Hopping travel guide, covering Santorini , Milos , Mykonos, Naxos, and Paros .

Ready for an incredible Greece vacation ? The country has a temperate climate most of the year, which means you can plan your holiday in Greece for most months of the year! However, this is dependent on the kind of activities you want to do and the places you wish to visit.

High Season (June – August): Consider visiting during these months if you want to make the most of Greece’s hot and dry summers. These are the peak summer months for tourists, and it’s easy to see why, with warm temperatures, clear skies, and almost no rainfall. The beaches come to life at this time when locals and travelers alike make the most of the refreshing water for sports, swimming, and snorkeling. This is also the season where nightlife peaks, especially in the famous party islands of Mykonos and Paros . Make sure to book accommodation well in advance if you’re planning your Greece holiday for the summer months.

Shoulder Seasons (April – May / September-October): If you’re traveling on a lower budget and prefer quieter beaches and streets, then the shoulder seasons are generally the best times to visit Greece . During these months, the climate in Greece is still warm and sunny, the tour operators, bars, and restaurants are still open, and the crowds are thinner. Additionally, if you’re planning a Greek Island hopping trip, the ferries will still be operating regularly. 

Visit in the shoulder season if you want to hike or go sightseeing in cities like Athens, as it’s more manageable without the hot summer temperatures. 

Love wine? The harvesting season takes place in early Fall, so visit during this time for wine tastings and grape festivals.

Low Season (November – March): The winter can still be a great time to visit Greece, especially in the coastal areas and islands where there will still be mild temperatures and clear, sunny days. Be aware that in more mountainous regions of the country, temperatures can drop, and you can even experience snow. Pack layers for a winter vacation in Greece !

Whichever season you choose for your Greece holiday , you’ll find a city or island that suits your needs. 

Coastlines and beaches in Greece

Greece has the longest coastline in Europe, with hundreds of paradise islands that pepper the three different bodies of water: the Aegean Sea in the east, the Mediterranean Sea in the south, and the Ionian in the west. With a diverse range of islands, from pebbly shores to sandy horseshoe bays, there’s something to suit every traveler.

Island Hopping: One of the best things to do in Greece is to go island hopping, cruising through the turquoise waters to reach beautiful islands, each one with its own unique personality. 

For the partygoers, head for islands like Mykonos, where you’ll find world-famous beach clubs, legendary DJs, and first-class music festivals. During the summer, people come here to dance until the sun rises, making the most of the relaxing beaches to recover from the night before.

Those looking for relaxation and calm should head for charming Santorini or the natural wonderland of Kefalonia. Santorini, although popular and busy in the summer season, offers the ultimate romance if you know where to go. Stroll its steep white-washed streets, gaze over the sea from panoramic viewpoints, and explore some of the most beautiful beaches in the whole country. Alternatively, head for one of the best places to visit in Greece : Kefalonia. This island remains relatively untouched, home to dramatic clifftop roads, verdant green forested hills, and secluded coves perfect for a crystal clear dip.  

For a bit of everything, Naxos, Paros, and Milos (the Cyclades Islands in the Ionian Sea) offer a mixture of nature and seclusion, as well as some livelier spots with fantastic bars, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife.

Whether you’re looking for total zen or an adventurous backpacking trip, the Greek islands will fulfill your vacation dreams!

Food, culture and religion in Greece

Visiting Greece is like stepping into a time capsule to the past as you soak up a tapestry of rich history, ancient architecture, and perfectly preserved landscapes. 

Food: Eating in Greece is more than just consuming food, it’s a feast for the senses and a party for the whole family! People come together to dine on local ingredients and fresh seafood, including famous Greek dishes like moussaka, tzatziki, and souvlaki. With such an abundance of vineyards and olive groves, visitors will have fantastic wine to choose from and fresh salads of cucumber, tomato, and feta — all with a healthy dousing of rich olive oil. As you travel Greece , your taste buds will also be treated to the flavors of the sea, with freshly caught fish taking prime position on restaurant special boards. 

Culture: Greek culture is unlike any other, with Greek mythology and ancient history playing a significant role in daily life, even today. A nation famous for creating the Olympic Games, philosophy, theater, and many other principles that have shaped Western society as we know it, Greece is exceptionally proud of its past, demonstrated by local patriotism throughout the nation. Iconic traditions such as Greek dancing and plate smashing still live on – keep an eye out in the cities and villages, and you might be lucky enough to witness a wedding or celebration party doing these exact things.  

Religion: The majority of the population in Greece follow the religion of Greek orthodoxy. It’s still a devout nation, home to beautiful blue-domed churches, ceremonies, and religious holidays. Easter is a particularly important time for Greeks, when travelers will witness church services at midnight, incredible fireworks, and locals cracking dyed red eggs in honor of the resurrection of Christ.

Why you should travel to Greece

One of Europe’s most beloved vacation destinations, there’s something infectious about Greece that keeps travelers returning again and again. With such diversity, it offers something truly captivating, from dazzling turquoise ocean islands to breathtaking natural parks and awe-inspiring cities. As you go Greek island hopping, sailing from shore to shore, you’ll encounter UNESCO ancient ruins, iconic movie film sets abandoned ghost villages, jaw-dropping ocean caves, blue and white clifftop villages, and much more.

The coastline of Greece is certainly the jewel of the country, home to both pebble and sandy beaches and offering both vibrant nightlife and wild, rugged landscapes. However, among this rural beauty is an ancient Greek civilization, where well-preserved Greek theaters and temples sit adjacent to yacht-studded shores and cosmopolitan cities. 

As you travel Greece , expect to not only fall in love with the country’s landscapes and buildings but the warm hospitality and smiles of the Greeks themselves. Everyone is eager to help, offering a wave, a glass of ouzo, or a cheer as they point backpackers in the direction of the nearest hostel, history-lovers towards Athen’s Acropolis, or sunseekers to the top beaches on the island. 

Safety and travel advice Greece

Greece is generally a very safe travel destination, but it’s essential to stay informed about safety measures and travel tips when planning your vacation.

Natural Disasters: Greece is not prone to major natural disasters, however, the occasional earthquake may occur. Additionally, as the earth’s temperature rises, forest fires have grown more common in Greece, often taking place during the hot and dry summer months. During this time, it’s a good idea to stay updated by following the local news and weather, as areas may be subject to evacuation. To stay updated on potential emergencies, check your government information online before travel.

Crime and Safety in Greece: Greece has a low crime rate. However, as in all busy tourist areas, petty crimes like pickpocketing can happen. We recommend leaving valuables at home, keeping an eye on your belongings, and avoiding walking down poorly-lit streets with few people late at night. 

Traffic and Driving: Greece does have a reputation for aggressive driving, so exercise caution when renting a car , particularly when driving on narrow mountainous roads that may be well-known by locals but are unfamiliar to you. Take it slow, wear a seatbelt, and download Google Maps offline so you can stay on track even without data or signal.

Travel Insurance: It is highly recommended to purchase travel insurance for your vacation in Greece , ensuring peace of mind in case of unexpected events, such as a canceled flight, missed ferry, or lost luggage. Find the best travel insurance to best suit your needs.

Real Greek Experiences

Greek Culture, Travel Information, Itineraries, Life in Greece

Real Greek Experiences – Travel Blog About Greece

Welcome to Real Greek Experiences, a travel blog about Greece and the Greek islands. I offer information and tips about the beautiful Mediterranean country, and help travelers plan their Greek vacation independently.

Real Greek Experiences – An introduction to Greek life

Hi and welcome to my Greece travel blog! I am Vanessa , and I was born in Athens, where I live. In this blog, I suggest the best places to visit in Greece, and offer travel tips about weather, transportation, food and sightseeing. I also write about Greek culture, history, customs, and Greek lifestyle.

You will find articles on popular destinations, such as Athens , the famous Mykonos and Santorini , Ancient Delphi and the Meteora monasteries .

However, my aim is to introduce you to the less visited areas, focusing on authenticity. I love writing about my favourite places, and make sure you experience things the way locals do.

My vision is to help you explore and discover Greece without any stress, and have a Real Greek Experience during your holiday!

A few articles to get you started on Real Greek Experiences

Here are a few suggestions on where to start:

What to see in Athens in three days

A complete 3-day itinerary for the city of Athens, the Greek capital. Includes the main sights, local highlights, walking routes, and suggestions on places to eat.

Read it here: What to see in Athens in three days

Also read: Athens combo ticket

What to do in Santorini in four days

How to spend four days in Santorini, the iconic Greek island which is a dream destination for thousands of people. You will find tips on beaches, mountain villages, boat cruises, wine tours, restaurants and more.

Read it here:   What to do in Santorini in four days

Driving in Greece

If you are interested in driving in Greece, you’ll have lots of fun reading this guide. To sum things up, not all Greeks drive like crazy, but there are some things you should take into consideration.

Read it here: Driving in Greece

What to pack for Greece

A guide on what to pack for Greece, for all seasons – I can assure you that Greece has four seasons alright! Whatever you do, bring comfy shoes, a few different layers of clothes, sunscreen and sunglasses.

Read it here: What to pack for Greece for all seasons

Greek Orthodox Easter traditions

Greek Easter is the most important celebration in every single region of Greece. Here is all you need to know about the Greek traditions throughout the Holy Week, the joyous Anastasi liturgy on Good Saturday, and the special dishes prepared for Easter Sunday.

Read it here:   Greek Orthodox Easter traditions

• Greek celebrations

Articles on the major Greek celebrations, religious days and public holidays, which are a big part of everyday life. You will also find information on the Greek panigiria , local feasts with lots of eating, drinking and traditional Greek dancing.

Read them here:

• Kathara Deftera – Clean Monday
• Independence Day – 25 March
• The Oxi day – 28 October
• Christmas in Greece

An introduction to the Greek island groups

Greece has several dozens of islands, and most visitors don’t know where to start! This article introduces the various Greek island groups.

Read it here: The Greek island groups

Also read: Island hopping in Greece on a budget

50 popular dishes of Greece

Greece has so many more dishes apart from Greek salad, souvlaki and moussaka ! This article includes information about our rich culinary tradition. You will find dishes based on meat, fish, dairy products, legumes, fresh produce, and good quality olive oil.

Read it here: 50 popular dishes of Greece

The evil eye in Greece

What is the Greek evil eye? Is it reality, or superstition? Have a look for yourself!

Read it here: The evil eye in Greece

Every week, I add more articles to Real Greek Experiences. Feel free to subscribe to my weekly newsletter , and never miss a new blog post!

Booking ferries, tours, rooms, cars and transfers in Greece

If  you want to make any bookings in advance of your trip, here are a few websites you will find helpful:

• FerryScanner – A search engine where you can compare ferry routes, prices, and book your ferry tickets online
• Get Your Guide – Hundreds of tours in Athens, the Greek islands and the rest of Greece and the world. You can choose from sailing trips, cruises, food tours, guided tours in the ancient sites, and so much more!
• Booking.com – My favorite platform to book rooms and apartments in Greece. It has a wider selection (and, often, better prices) than other popular platforms.
• DiscoverCars – A great online tool to book a rental vehicle during your holiday. You can compare prices across several well-known operators, choose your preferred insurance policy, and pick any extras.
• Welcome Pickups – Book a private transfer quickly and easily.

One more thing: I’ve traveled to many cities and countries in the world, and can relate to anyone’s excitement when planning a trip to Athens and Greece! I always answer all questions, so feel free to get in touch on my FB page , or at [email protected]. 

Enjoy your stay in Greece!

Greece Travel Blog

This is my Greece Travel Blog!

Greece is where I come from. I am actually Greek! Greece is considered one of the cultural capitals of the world and it is the birthplace of so many things such as theatre, democracy, poetry, architecture and more. Greece is also considered a top travel destination and it’s no wonder that it is on many people’s bucket lists. From the cultural and archaeological heaven of its capital Athens to the stunningly photogenic Greek islands , Greece is welcoming everyone to visit it and explore it and I really hope my Greece Travel Guide will help you plan your next holidays.

Get my secrets for Greece & the greek islands in your email !

This is a list of my general travel guides for Greece, but If you want to explore greek destinations in more detail, you can visit the dedicated pages: Athens | Santorini | Mykonos | Crete | Paros | Amorgos

RECOMMENDED WEBSITES FOR GREECE:

🛏️ Booking.com   is the website with the most available rooms and Private Villas in Athens, Santorini , Mykonos & Crete  (more than Airbnb!)

⛴️ Ferryhopper   is the best website to book your ferry tickets or check the timetables for Santorini, Mykonos , Crete & all greek islands

🏺 Get Your Guide  has the best and largest variety of Tours in Athens and the greek islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete etc)

🚙 Rentalcars is the easiest way to rent a car or a quad for Greece with thousands of available options

✈️ Booking.com Flights  has all the available flights to and from the greek islands

🚕 Book Your Driver (Taxi) directly with booking.com’s large and safe platform of available certified drivers

🗺️ Greece How To’s

• Best Time to Visit Greece Greece is at its best during summer time between June-August where the weather is nice and warm, but there is more to it.
• Best Greek Islands to visit Greek islands are considered some of the most beautiful places in the world but not all islands are the same.
• Best Greek Islands for beaches Santorini is not the best greek island for beaches but Naxos, Mykonos, Crete and many more have some of the most stunning beaches you can find in Europe.
• Best Greek Islands to visit in June June is probably the best month to visit the greek islands as the weather is hot but the islands are less busy
• Best Beaches in Greece Greece is famous for its stunning beaches with white sand and crystal clear waters. These are the best beaches of my country.
• How To Plan Your Greece Honeymoon Greece is an amazing honeymoon destination and it’s considered one of the most romantic places of the world.
• Best Greek Islands for Families Greek islands are some of the best family destinations in the world and they are ideal for kids of any age with their beautiful beaches and the amazing family resorts.
• Best Greek Islands for Teenage Families Teens would love outdoors fun activitiesand culturally rich islands with many exciting opthings to see and do.
• Best Greek Islands for Couples This is the list of the best greek islands for couples as they are all very romantic and will be the perfect getaway for any trip with your other half.
• Best Greek Islands for Older Couples Unfortunately, Santorini and Mykonos might not be the best options if you are over 60 years old
• Best Cave Hotels in Greece Greece has some of the best cave hotels in the world and these are usually located either in Santorini or in Mykonos
• Best Family Resorts in Greece Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Kos islands have some of the best family resorts in the country with amazing pools and kids clubs
• Best Family Villas in Greece Greece is home to some of the best family villas in Europe with hundreds of options close to sandy or even rocky beaches with nice pools and amenities.
• Best Things to Do in Greece A complete list of things to do in Greece from island cruises to visiting archaeological ruins and caves, Greece has it all
• Best Greek Beers The brewing industry has been booming the last 15 years with excellent new beers from microbreweries being added every year
• Best Greek Islands Near Athens Islands such as Hydra, Poros, Aegina or even Kea and Andros are very cloise to Athens and are ideal for a daytrip while in the capital of Greece
• When is Summer in Greece Most of the businesses in Greece operate during the high season and the summer when the demand is higher and there are direct flights to the islands
• Tipping in Greece Tipping in Greece can be tricky if you don’t know the culture or what is expected and where

Other greek Islands & places

Cyclades islands.

• Best Hotels in Milos Milos island is one of the most diverse but less touristy greek islands with stunning beaches and lots of new impressive hotels
• Best Beaches in Milos
• Milos or Santorini
• Best Hotels in Tinos Tinos has always been a sacred place for greek orthodox but it’s now boasting lots of stunning resorts and hotels
• Best Hotels in Ios Ios used to be a party island in the 90’s but it is now home to stunning hotels and family friendly beaches
• Best Hotels in Syros Syros with its neoclassical capital town Ermoupoli is only a 2 hour ferry from Athens and offers a very different experience than any other greek island.
• Best Hotels in Andros Andros is only a 2-hour ferry from Rafina port and it’s a favourite among greeks who live in Athens but it’s a Cyclades island with stunning beaches and great vibes
• Best Hotels in Antiparos Antiparos is the little sister island of Paros with very calm vibes away from the tourist crowds
• Best Hotels in Astypalaia Astypalea is a small Greek island with one of the cutest Venetian castles in Greece making it a top romantic destination that is also off the beaten path with less crowds in general
• Best Hotels in Sifnos Sifnos is a typical Cyclades island with lovely boutique hotels and a few sandy beaches, only 2.5 hours on a ferry from Athens
• Best Hotels in Serifos Despite the fact Serifos is a pretty small island it has great beaches and some nice hotels and boutique suites
• Best Hotels in Folegandros Folegandros has one of the cutest capital towns in Cyclades with a lovely hill and white-washed terraces and houses
• Best Hotels in Kythnos Kythnos is a small island in Cyclades that is only a 2-hour ferry from Athens from Rafina port, making it ideal for a long weekend
• Best Hotels in Koufonisia Koufonisia is actually two small Greek islands south of Naxos, that can be great for a weekend or even more days escapes in Cyclades
• Best Hotels in Kimolos Kimolos is the little sister island of Milos with a rich history and one of the most weird rock formations in Greece
• Best Hotels in Sikinos Sikinos is a very quiet greek island with a lovely capital town and a few cute small hotels

Ionian Islands

• Best Hotels in Corfu Corfu is an island in the Ioanian sea on the west side of Greece with amazing hotels and very good infrastructure; these are its best hotels
• Best Corfu Beaches Corfu has some of the most impressive sandy beaches in Greece surounded by green hills and meditteranean landscapes
• Best Hotels in Zakynthos Zakynthos island with its famous Navagio Beach has some of the newest hotels in Greece, with excellent service and amenities
• Best Hotels in Kefalonia Kefalonia is one of the biggest and greenest greek islands with lots of history and the magnificent Melissani Cave
• Best Hotels in Kythira Kythira is an underrated greek island south of the Peloponnese with an airport and lots of beautiful sandy beaches.
• Best Hotels in Lefkada Lefkada is only one of the two Greek islands that can be accessed by road and it has some of the best beaches in the world

Dodecanese Islands

• Best Hotels in Rhodes Rhodes has the most impressive all-inclusive hotels in Greece, close to the best beaches or in Rhodes Old Town
• Best Beaches in Rhodes Rhodes beaches such as Tsabika or Agathi are some of the best and most diverse in Greece with golden sand, pebbles and crystal clear waters
• Best Hotels in Kos Kos island has some of the most impressive all-inclusive hotels in Greece and it’s pretty close to Rhodes
• Best Hotels in Symi Symi is a very small island north of Rhodes with rich history and one of the most unique architecturally harbours in Greece
• Best Hotels in Kalymnos Kalymnos island is the rock climbing capital of Greece with more than 3000 climbing paths and an overall quiet and family vibe
• Best Hotels in Patmos Patmos is a holly greek island and the place where John of Patmos wrote the Book of Revelation; it also has some very well-designed hotels

Sporades Islands

• Best Hotels in Skiathos Skiathos is a little gem of an island with turquoise waters and covered completed in pine trees, with some unique hotels
• Best Hotels in Alonissos Alonissos is the only greek island with a protected marine park and some of the greenest sea waters in the Mediterranean.
• Best Hotels in Skyros Skyros is a beautiful, quiet and very unique island in the Sporades group of islands with some very new and well-designed hotels.
• Best Hotels in Skopelos For many, Skopelos is just the “Mamma-Mia island” because parts of the movie were actually shot there, but the island is much more than that.

Saronic Gulf Islands

• Best Hotels in Hydra Hydra is a little gem ideal for a 1- or 2-night stay since it’s very cute and close to Athens.
• Best Hotels in Spetses Spetses is one of the cutest greek islands near Athens with a fantastic old town full of neoclassical architecture hotels
• Best Hotels in Aegina If you are in Athens then you can be in Aegina island within 40 minutes with just a ferry from Piraeus ferry port.

Other greek Islands

• Best Hotels in Chios Chios is one of the most underrated greek islands with lots of history and (rumours say…) the birthplace of Homer himself
• Best Hotels in Ikaria Ikaria is an island known for the long life that its locals live and the crazy greek summer festivals called “panygiria”
• Best Hotels in Lesvos Lesvos being the 3rd largest greek island is an extremely diverse place with some of the most unique landscapes in Greece

Mainland Greece

• Best Hotels in Delphi Delphi is one of the most important and sacred places of ancient Greece with some of the most breathtaking views in the country
• Best Hotels in Meteora Meteora is one of the most impressive landscapes in the world and definitely one of the top attractions in Greece
• Best Hotels in Thessaloniki Thessaloniki being the second largest city in Greece, has thousands of years of history with lots to see and do, along with some incredibly well-designed urban hotels
• Best Hotels in Kavala Kavala is one of the most beautiful towns in northern Greece with an international airport, surrounded by lovely beaches.

LATEST NEWS FROM GREECE:

Showing your love in santorini with…a car piston.

June 8, 2023

PETA Germany Urges Santorini Local Authorities to End Donkey Rides after their 3rd Investigation

April 24, 2023

Make sure you check my other dedicated travel blogs for Greece with a ton of information and tips:

• Crete Travel Blog: all you need to know about the largest island in Greece and one of the biggest in the world
• Mykonos Travel Blog : all you need to know about the island with the most amazing beaches in Greece
• Athens Travel Blog : the capital of Greece is a foodie’s and culture lovers’ paradise
• Santorini Travel Blog : everything you need to know about the most famous and romantic greek island
• Paros Travel Blog : everything you need to know about the one of the most hyped greek islands
• Naxos Travel Blog: Naxos is the largest Cyclades island and it has some of the best beaches in Greece
• Amorgos Travel Blog : a complete travel guide for one of the most underrated greek islands

TOP RATED HOTELS IN:

Santorini:  Canaves Oia Suites Mykonos:  Cavo Tagoo Mykonos Athens:  Coco-Mat Athens Crete:  Domes Noruz Chania Hotel  Corfu:  Corfu Imperial Resort Rhodes:  Casa Cook Rhodes

Delphi: Amalia Hotel

Meteora: Doupiani House

TOP RATED VILLAS IN:

Santorini:  Villa Aura

Mykonos:  Villa Evi

Athens:  Acropolis Villa

Crete:  Cavo Dago Villa

BEST THINGS TO DO IN GREECE:

🌄 Santorini Sunset Cruise

🥾 Samaria Gorge Full Day Hike

🏛️ Acropolis Guided Tour

🪨 Meteora Day Trip from Athens

🏛️ Delphi Day Trip from Athens

ALL AVAILABLE FERRIES TO GREEK ISLANDS:

SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube Channel for Updated Guides and Videos for the Greek Islands!

READERS SAID:

“Just added this to my favourites!”

“I don’t know if I will have to go anywhere else for information!”

“Better than a travel guide!”

My name is Pavlos and I come from the beautiful country called Greece. You can follow me on Twitter here and I will try to do my best to respond to you personally. This is my blog to help you plan your next holidays to Greece and the greek islands, whether it is Santorini, Mykonos, Crete or even Athens. I was actually born in Athens, and I have been to almost all of the greek islands and pretty much most of mainland Greece. I know the ins and outs of my country and hopefully, my travel blog will help you make the most of your holidays.

Booking.com  i s the website with the most available rooms and Private Villas in Athens, Santorini , Mykonos & Crete  (more than Airbnb!)

Ferryhopper    is the best website to book your ferry tickets or check the timetables for Santorini, Mykonos , Crete & all greek islands

Get Your Guide  has the best and largest variety of Tours in Athens and the greek islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete etc)

Rentalcars is the easiest way to rent a car or a quad for Greece with thousands of available options

Booking.com Flights  has all the available flights to and from the greek islands

Santorini Secrets

Owned by World Secrets Ltd , Hyett Court, Honour Lea Avenue, E201HH, London, United Kingdom Company Number: 10622010 All Rights Reserved Copyright World Secrets Limited 2024

Introduction: My Greece Websites

Athens survival guide, greek island guides.

Index of My Greece Websites

Using Travel Agents in Greece

Greece hotel search and automated booking.

You can also use my old hotel directory at www.hotelsofgreece.com which I completely redid in 2021 while I was waiting for travel to begin again. More on that below. And in 2022 I completed my Book Hotels in Greece Directly page for those who want to avoid a middleman and book directly with hotel and villa owners.

Important Note : There is a lot of information on my website and it is all free to anyone whether you booked through the travel agents, the hotels or Air BnB. But it is the commissions I get from hotel bookings on my affiliate website with Booking.com that supports this website and enable me to continue doing the work I enjoy. So my request to you is that if you are using other sites to book hotels and apartments and using my websites for everything else and are thankful for the information you have received from it please think about donating whatever you can afford so I can continue to be creative. If you are appreciative of all the free information you get on my websites you can send a donation through Paypal

Ferryphobia

This year I got so many e-mails from people nervous about taking a ferry to the islands that I made a page of islands with bridges, islands with very short ferry rides, and places on the mainland that are just like being on the islands. See Greek Islands for Ferry-phobics

My Guide to the Peloponnesos has been rewritten and new photos added with several new towns and a lot more wineries.  Matt's Greek Archaeology Page  is where I have gathered every page that has anything to do with archaeological sites, museums, history, licensed guides and historical and archaeological tours. Also close to the same topic I have a new index of Licensed Tour Guides and why you should use them.  I have also revisited and updated my Santorini Guide , re-wrote and added new photos to my Pelion Guide. If you are a gay or lesbian wondering what the scene is in Athens and the islands the news is all good and you can read about it on Alexia Amvrazi's Gay-Athens/Gay-Greece . Alexia also recently contributed  Healing Arts in Athens: Yoga, Pilates, Accupuncture, Shiatsu and more . And with the help of Diana Farr Louis who wrote about Southern Evia and the Joys of Karystos , I finally have a somewhat completed Guide to Evia . Am I forgetting anything? Oh yeah, I added some stuff to Marc Dubin's Guide to Ipiros and I wrote a page about Metsovo which was probably my favorite place of 2018. See Matt's Metsovo Page . And finally... I got together with some of the ladies in my Greece Travel Facebook Group and did a page called  Is Greece Safe for Women which focuses on women traveling alone in Greece. And when I discovered that I had somehow become a senior citizen while I was not paying attention I took lemons and made lemonade with Greece Travel for Seniors . For those who are interested in adventure, eco-tourism, hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking, food tours and more, see  Trekking, Hiking, Adventure, Cultural and Alternative Travel in Greece which is a work in progress. Finally, for those who are going to Paris on the way to or from Greece I have rewritten and added new photos and a new look to Matt's Paris Guide . Like my Greece pages it is also free of obnoxious pop-up ads and has no spy-ware or cookies.

Matt's Best Hotels in Greece

My biggest project of 2020-21 was the facelift and reorganizing I did to Matt's Greek Hotel Guide which I am quite proud of. I basically went through every hotel on every island, village, town and city in Greece, and picked out the best ones, in all categories, with a representative photo (thousands of them) which link to more photos, descriptions, guest reviews, maps and booking information. Some of these can be booked through the travel agents or directly with the hotels, but the vast majority go through my Booking.com affiliate pages. Not only were their prices the best, but in 2020 when Covid caused thousands of cancellations, the people who had booked through these pages had no problems getting refunds because their cards were never charged. (Credit cards are used to save reservations. You actually pay at the hotel.) So please have a look at HotelsofGreece.com and if you are planning on not using a travel agency consider using this site to find and book hotels. Not only will you be getting the best deals at the best hotels but you will also be supporting this website. Remember to save it to your favorite places.

At the end of 2021 I completed my Book Hotels in Greece Directly page made up of hotels, villas, apartments and holiday homes that can be booked directly with the hotels themselves. If you don't want to use a Greek travel agent or you have discovered that many hotels on Booking.com don't have availability, then you can use this page to go directly to the hotel's booking system.

I have also made a page of Budget Hotels in Athens , another for Youth Hostels in Greece and also a page for Campsites in Greece .

New Economical Greece Packages

Aegean Blue: Athens-Naxos-Santorini

Cabin Charter Cruises of the Greek Islands

Far from the Maddening Crowd-Stay at the Beach in Athens!

Matt's Greece Travel Blog and Facebook Group

New or updated greece travel information.

Support the People of Lesvos: Visit Lesvos

Winter in Greece

Easter and other Important Holidays in Greece

Apokreas is a two week Carnival Season just like New Orleans and Rio that comes to an end with Clean Monday and Lent 40 days before Easter Sunday. This is a great time to be in Greece too with parties and parades and lots of eating and drinking in Athens, Patras, Skyros and just about every island with a decent winter population. 40 days after Orthodox Easter is the Agios Pnevmatos Holiday , similar to our Memorial Day weekend but this is celebrating the Holy Spirit. The hotels and ferries to the islands are usually full that weekend, going there on Friday and returning on Monday or Tuesday. In August everyone leaves Athens for the villages and the islands and on August 15th it is the Celebration of the Panagia (Virgin Mary) and finding hotels or space on the ferries during this period is almost impossible if you wait too long. Many people stay in Athens during this period because even though it is hot, it is practically empty, by Athens standards at least. See also Holidays in Greece

Traveling with Children in Greece

Getting Married or Honeymooning in Greece

Greek Ferry Boats

George the Famous Taxi Driver

Driving in Greece

Sailing in Greece

Greece Sail Cruises and Charters

The authentic way to sail the Greek islands with Captain Alex and his comfortable traditional wooden sailing yachts on the Aegean and the Ionian Seas. Rent a cabin or the entire boat for you and your family and friends. These beautiful boats are large enough to accommodate 16 passengers comfortably and offer several itineraries that will allow you to visit the different island chains when they each have the best weather. Or you can charter the entire boat and go wherever you want. See their website.

GM Sailboat and Yacht Charters

Group discounts, suggestions for interesting tours in greece...., fantasy travel's greek island packages, budget tours.

Many people write that they want to go to Greece on a very meager budget, but they are nervous about doing all their hotels, and ferry bookings on their own. They would like to stay in economical hotels but the thought of trying to figure out the metro, buses and taxis scares them a little. So I asked Fantasy Travel to put together a 10-day package for people who think they can't afford to go to Greece. They came up with something pretty special that includes 3 days each in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini, all transfers, breakfast, ferry tickets and a one day tour of Delphi or the one day Saronic cruise for as low as 62 euros a day per person. And everything except lunch and dinner is taken care of. Even entry fees at the archaeological sites are included. See my Budget Travel site and Fantasy Travel's Special Offers Page .

Weekend in Athens

Greece Cartoons: While playing with my camera one day, (a Sony Cybershot DSC-HX20V), I discovered that if I combined two settings I came up with a way to make my photos look like comics and my friends look like comic book characters. At first I began posting them as they were, but then I decided that if I could add word balloons my photos really would be like comics. All I needed was to think of something funny to say in each one, which is not as easy as it sounds. Well you can decide whether or not they are funny by going to my Greece Cartoons Page

Also take a one minute spin with my video All My Friends from Greece . It's a commercial I would make if I were the head of the Greek National Tourist Organization. I wrote the song and sing and play it with some of my rock and roll pals.

How to Spend Three Perfect Days in Athens: An In-Depth Itinerary

I’m obsessed with Greece.

From the moment I stepped foot in this beautiful country, it was love at first mouthful. There’s something about Greece feels so healing. Being there calms my mind, soothes my worries, and leaves me feeling healthier and stronger than ever. And the food? Guys . I’ve been to over 90 countries and Greece is my number one destination for eating.

I believe Athens is one of the greatest European cities out there, and it’s the perfect destination for a city break. This city is magnificent! With great street art, incredible food, colourful neighbourhoods, and so much history, there really is something for everybody.

I think three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Athens, so today, I’m excited to share exactly how you can do so.

Day One: Begin Diving Into Athen’s History

The first thing you should do in Athens is a no-brainer: buy your combined ticket.

What’s that?

Well, it costs €35, and for that, you’ll gain access to all of the main attractions in Athens, including the Acropolis. Not only will you get to explore the most famous site in the city, but you’ll also be able to enter the Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Aristotle’s School, Kerameikos, and the Olympieion — you can visit each of these once over a five-day period, and you can buy the ticket at the entrance to any of them. You’ll save a whole bunch of money by doing this, so the only reason not to get the combined ticket is if you think you’ll only want to see one or two of the attractions.

However, if you happen to be reading this before you get to Athens, I highly recommend buying your combined ticket online . Doing so means you get to avoid the long lines for tickets and can simply show the QR code on your phone to gain entry.

If you haven’t bought your combined ticket online, once you arrive in Athens, head to the Ancient Agora and join the queue for one.

The Ancient Agora was built in the 6th Century BC and was once the centre of life in ancient Athens. Used as a marketplace and gathering spot, this was where you’d have found people like Socrates, Aristotle and Plato casually wandering around town. Almost all of the commercial, political, and social activity took place in the ancient Agora, so this is a hugely important area to check out.

Once you’ve entered the Ancient Agora, head first to the Temple of Hephaestus, which is the best-preserved temple in Athens. And that sure is impressive when you consider that it was built in 415 BC — it’s still in great condition!

The views were pretty acceptable, too.

Aside from the Temple of Hephaestus, the Ancient Agora is also home to your standard ruin remnants: collections of rocks, stumps, and fallen-down walls, hinting at the temples and stalls that would have once stood here. But, as always with ruins, you’ll have to use your imagination, because it is still a pile of rocks on the ground.

There’s the Stoa of Attalos here, too — built in the 2nd Century BC, although since reconstructed — which currently acts as a museum for the Ancient Agora. And the Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles, which was built in 1000 AD, is one of the few structures in the Agora that’s still standing.

Before arriving in Athens, I kind of assumed it would feel like a poor man’s Rome, but at this point, I was well and truly eating my words. Athens was pretty goddamn awe-inspiring.

Next, you’ll want to make your way over to the Kerameikos Cemetery, which is another site that’s included in your combined pass. This spot was one of the most important regions of ancient Athens. Once used as a neighbourhood for pottery and painters, it was the place where all of those famous Athenian vases were produced.

It was later transformed into a cemetery: one of Athens’ most important.

As you wander the site, you’ll also be able to spot pieces of the Themistoclean Wall, which was built in 478 BC to protect the city from the Spartans.

I’m convinced that it’s impossible to have a bad meal in Greece: their cuisine is too delicious to mess up. I’ve yet to have a meal that wasn’t excellent in this country, whether I’ve been sat beside a congested motorway in the middle of nowhere, snacking at a taverna on a yacht in the Ionian, or dining in the most touristy parts of Athens.

The latter was exactly what we opted for at lunchtime, and it should have been terrible.

I settled on the most touristy restaurant on the most touristy of streets, with touts outside, and a menu in English with photos of the dishes. What can I say? We were starving by this point, so decided to give in and eat an overpriced, poor meal.

Except it was amazing! Because Greece.

While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend heading to a touristy restaurant for any of your meals in Athens, I suspect you won’t be all that disappointed if you do end up there. Eat anywhere in Athens! It’s always going to be delicious.

After lunch, it’s time to hit up the second Agora in Athens. The Roman Agora was built in the 1st century BC, financed by Caesar and Augustus, and like the Ancient Agora, was used as the city’s marketplace. You enter the site through the Gate of Athena Archegetis, which was built by Julius Caesar and dedicated to the goddess Athena.

The most well-known and well-preserved building is the Tower of the Winds: a large octagonal marble tower that functions as a sundial, weathervane, and water clock. It’s believed to be the first meteorological station in the world and it’s well-worth having a look inside.

One of my favourite neighbourhoods in Athens was Plaka, so you’re going to want to head there after the Roman Agora. Everybody who spends time in Athens falls in love with this neighbourhood! You could spend hours exploring its photogenic streets.

Plaka is all about clean colourful streets, bustling cafes, and amazing places to eat. It’s popular with visitors, so often busy, but you’ll still love spending an afternoon cafe-hopping through the picturesque streets and taking photos of all of the colours.

While you’re in Plaka, you also have to check out nearby Anafiotika’s white-washed buildings and narrow streets for an insight into what Greek island life is like. The buildings look a lot like what you find on Santorini.

Grab dinner in Plaka or in a restaurant overlooking the Acropolis. You’ll have an early start tomorrow, so you’ll want to get an early night.

Day Two: All Acropolis, All the Time

Against popular belief, I highly, strenuously, aggressively recommend saving the Acropolis for your second day in Athens. As tempting as it is to head straight to the most iconic building in the city, there’s several reasons why you should hold off until later.

Firstly, sunrise is the absolute best time to see the ruins, and who wants to spend their first day in a new city waking up at 6 a.m.? Not me! And secondly, the Acropolis is going to make every other site in Athens pale in comparison, so I recommend not hitting it up on your first day.

Aim to get to the southeast gate of the Acropolis at 7.30 a.m., half an hour before it opens at 8. You’ll already have your combined pass, so you won’t need to queue to buy a ticket. When the gate does open, rush past everybody else, ignore every ruin and attraction near the entrance, and focus solely on racing up the hill to the Acropolis. Don’t worry — it’s well sign-posted.

When I did this, my determination paid off, because I had the entire complex to myself for a solid five minutes. In this age of overtourism, getting to marvel over the Acropolis with nobody else around felt magical.

Below is what the entrance to the Acropolis looked like when I reached the top, with just my partner in the photo, and below that is what it was like half an hour later. Yes. Half. an. hour. later. It was unbelievable how many people had ascended the hill in such a short period of time.

In short: the southeast gate at 7:30 a.m. — it’ll allow you to see the site without anybody else around.

And why the southeastern gate, in particular? It has much smaller queues! It’s less popular with tourists, so you’ll be able to make your way to the Acropolis before everybody else.

My other top tip, for when you reach the Acropolis, is to race around and snap your photos, capturing the majesty of these structures without others around. But then , to take a moment to appreciate what you’re witnessing, rather than checking it out from behind your phone screen. Take a deep breath, take in the scene, and think about the history that has taken place in this spot.

Several minutes later, it’s time to start bracing yourself for crowds.

The Acropolis is the name given to the complex on top of the hill, and it’s made up of several individual buildings.

There’s the Temple of Athena Nike, the iconic Parthenon, the Old Temple of Athena, the Legendary Olive Tree of the Pandroseion, the Porch of the Caryatids at the Erechtheion… and on your way down, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

Oh, and while you’re exploring all of the monuments on top of the hill, make sure to wander off to the sides to snap some photos of Athens from above. I ended up taking some of my favourite photos from my time there.

Something that sounds boring but isn’t is the Acropolis Museum, and I recommend spending a couple of hours there.

As someone who identifies as a museum-avoider, I listened to the recommendations of everyone who had been (they insisted I go inside!), and made myself check it out. And I loved it. The museum houses tons of sculptures unearthed from the Acropolis and it was fascinating to see them in person.

You’ll also get to learn about how my country took the Parthenon Marbles, plopped them in the British Museum, and refuses to give them back to Greece. Awkward.

Head to Syntagma Square next to watch the changing of the guard. This takes place every hour on the hour, so attempt to time your visit perfectly. The guards wear fun outfits, march around in unison, and generally make for interesting photos.

From Syntagma Square, venture next to the enormous National Archaeological Museum to get your history on. This museum is seriously impressive and complements the ruin-themed explorations you’ve done so far.

When you emerge from the museum, you’ll be in the achingly cool Exarchia neighbourhood, which is one of my favourite parts of the city. It’s well-worth a wander and meal in the evening. So many great restaurants and bars! I especially recommend  Atitamos for Cretan food and Giantes for excellent meals all round.

Day Three: Everything Else

We’ll keep this day more chilled out and spend most of the day crossing off the final remaining attractions on your combined pass. By this point, you’ve visited the Acropolis and checked out the Ancient and Roman Agoras, but you still have a handful of attractions to explore. Fortunately, these can all be seen fairly quickly.

Start your day by heading to Monastiraki for some ruins, architecture, and shopping. If you’re looking to stock up on tat souvenirs, this is the place to come. Opposite the Monastiraki metro station, you’ll find Hadrian’s Library and the Tzistarakis mosque — the former was built in 132 AD by Emperor Hadrian, and was the largest library of Athens. Today, it’s little more than a handful of columns, but you get free entry with your combo ticket, so it’s absolutely worth a wander around.

Beside the library is the mosque, which was built during Athens’ Ottoman rule.

Next, head to Hadrian’s Gate for that picture-perfect photo of the Acropolis framed by the archway.

Just beside the gate is the Temple of Olympian Zeus, one of the largest temples in ancient Greece. To give you an idea of its size, in my photo above, you can see just 15 columns. When it was built, there were over a hundred.

From the temple, wander over to the Panathenaic Stadium to check out the world’s only stadium that’s built entirely of marble. Built in 330 BC, it was also home to the first modern Olympic Games, way back in 1896.

By this stage, you’re probably well and truly tired of staring at archaeological marvels, so grab a souvlaki from Monastiraki and head to the National Garden for a relaxing stroll and rest.

If you were wondering which of the sites from the combined ticket aren’t worth it, I’d have to go for Aristotle’s Lyceum. The ruins are far from impressive, relative to everything else you can see in Athens. The only reason to go is to see somewhere of great historical significance. This the school Aristotle founded in 335 B.C. and later taught at, along with Isocrates, Plato, and Socrates.

These days, it’s simply a bunch of rocks on the ground, so you likely won’t spend too much time staring at them.

To round off your time in Athens, you’re going to want to head to Mount Lycabettus to get one of the best views over the entire city.

If you’re into walking, go for the hike to the top. It’ll take around 20 minutes, but the path is pretty steep. Otherwise, you can take a cable car or taxi to the top.

This is the perfect spot for sunset, looking down over the Acropolis and the sea.

The Best Time of Year to Visit Athens

August is the worst time of year to visit. Sorry, but it’s true! Like much of Europe, Athens is at its absolute worst in summer. It’s overwhelmingly hot (40°C/105°F!), crammed full of tourists and cruise ship passengers, and most of the locals have left in search of cooler climates. It’s not going to be disastrous if you do visit in August, but keep in mind that it’s going to get pretty uncomfortable as you explore those ruins in the heat.

The best time to visit Athens, then, is between March and May, and between September and November. During those breezy spring and autumn months, you’ll encounter balmy weather and plenty of blue skies, far fewer tourists (although you’ll want to avoid the weeks around Easter), and cheaper flights and accommodation.

What about visiting Athens in winter? Athens is quite a dry country, so you shouldn’t encounter too much rain, but it will be quite chilly. Between November and January, you can expect average temperatures of 10°C (50°F), and around 7-10 days of rain across each month. Snow is very rare. Still, the lack of crowds and very low prices are the prizes here, as well as one extra special bonus:

On every Sunday, between 1st November and 31st March, all of the main attractions in the city (including the Acropolis!) are totally free to enter. If you’re down for some low season travel, it’ll save you a bunch of money.

How to Get Around Athens

There’s Uber in Athens: That always makes getting around a less stressful experience! I used Uber to get from the airport to my hotel and from my hotel to the bus station when it came time to leave. No problems with either experience!

There is a Greek equivalent called BEAT, which is worth downloading before you arrive in the city. It has more drivers available than Uber, so if you plan on taxiing your way around town, will help save some time.

Consider the metro: I really enjoyed using the metro in Athens! It’s clean, easy to navigate, and cheaper than taking Ubers all over the city. A one-way ticket on the Athens public transport network costs €1.40 and allows you to use any method of transportation for 90 minutes. A day pass comes in at €4.50. The best value pass, however, is the €22 tourist pass. Valid for three days, it entitles you to unlimited travel around the city over that time, and includes a round trip to and from the airport. You can pick up your pass at the bus and metro ticketing area at the airport in the arrivals hall.

Traffic can be wild: The streets of Athens can be fairly chaotic for a European city, but it’s nothing too outrageous. Just enough, though, that I wouldn’t recommend renting a car while you’re in the city.

Where to Stay in Athens

You’ve got a lot to squeeze into your time in Athens, so you’re going to want to stay in a hotel that’s right in the heart of the action, close to Monastiraki Square. But most of all, you’re also going to want to stay somewhere quiet . Sleep is important, especially if you’re going to be fighting off jetlag.

I recommend staying in 360Degrees Pop Art Hotel , while you’re in Athens, as it ticks the boxes for both of those criteria, plus so much more. You’ll be staying just 200 yards from Monastiraki Square, in the heart of Athens, and next to a metro station, but because you’re not in the square, the rooms are quiet.

It’s a boutique hotel, which I much prefer over soulless chains, and the staff are only too happy to give travel advice and ensure you have the best trip ever. One of the best parts of staying in this hotel is the breakfasts! So good. And they’re eaten on a rooftop terrace, overlooking the Acropolis, which makes for a particularly epic start to your mornings.

Check prices on Booking .

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!

And finally, I’m a firm believer that if you can’t afford  travel insurance , you can’t afford to travel, and this holds true for  every  country in the world.

Travel insurance will offer compensation if your flight gets cancelled, pay for you to replace your lost luggage, cover your medical bills if you get struck down with appendicitis, and ensure you don’t face any emergency travel costs to get back home for a family emergency. Nobody likes to think about things going wrong on their trips, but  travel insurance  is a must to ensure you’re not out thousands of dollars if the worst case scenario comes true.

I use and recommend  SafetyWing travel insurance  for visitors to Athens. They provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. Finally, they have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

Related Articles on Greece 🇬🇷 11 Highlights From My First Trip to Greece 🧳 A Carry-On Packing List for Sailing in the Greek Islands ⛵️ Conquering My Fear of Sailing in Greece

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Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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17 comments.

Loved this guide! I loved Athens when there back in 2010 – but traveled in Greece with a terrible ex. The whole time knew I’d love to come back and experience it anew with the right person. Me, my husband & baby are finally making it over to mainland Europe this fall (Barcelona & Berlin), and this makes me want to put Greece at the top of the list for our next European trip.

Thank you for all you do! I’ve always loved reading your writing, and so happy to see new blogs up. Haven’t commented before, but really, really appreciate your candor, humor & info!

While I love your writing, having been to Athens before, I just wanted to say how much I loved your photos in this post! And in the photo of you, you look good and healthy! So I hope you’re also feeling that way!

Ah, thank you so much, Scott! That means a lot :-) I’m definitely feeling a whole lot better!

After having been to greece and athens many times , I can say that your photos and your views on athens are very good. Our daughter has lived in greece for nearly 20 years, and every time we go , I fall in love with it a little more. She used to live in Pangrati, which is a 20 min walk from Plaka and approx 15 mins from the marble stadium. Since then she and her husband and children have moved closer to the coast, which although it is about 45 mins away from the city, is beautiful ,and clean, and a pleasure to visit. One more thing to pass comment on is the warmth and Friendlinessof the Greek people. Especially if you take the time to learn a few greek words. They think it’s wonderful.

Wonderful post, Lauren, and I love the tips on how to beat the crowds.. I’ve never been to Athens but I’ve got a feeling that Greece is just my kind of place – you get that vibe from some places sometimes that you’re drawn to.

Fabulous photos & tips, Lauren, thank you. Wish I could do European city breaks like that but it’s too far from Toronto :) Best wishes on your travels, Georgia

Great tip to visit the Acropolis after the other sites. Are the crowds the largest in the morning or the afternoon? I was wondering what it would be like later in the day before it closes. Athens is definitely on my radar :)

I think it’s fair to say that Athens is the most underrated capital city in Europe.

Thanks for this great post! I love that you included Anafiotika and the often-overlooked Kerameikos – I don’t think enough people get to see this fascinating site and the great little museum in it. Your before-and-after photos of the Acropolis entry were trippy! Talk about a picture being worth a thousand words! :^D

I liked the Acropolis very much, and I agree it’s best to combine sightseeing with the Acropolis Museum. This way you can get to know this place better.

Hi, great blog! .Just a couple of tips to add. Entrance fees are all reduced by half in the Winter and unless you plan to go to all the sites and museums it covers its actually cheaper to pay individually. And whatever time of year you go, book your Acropolis tickets in advance, the queues at the ticket desk are horrendous, even at Christmas when we went!

Thank you for adding those, Caroline! :-)

Athens is a beautiful city with a lot of ancient landmarks. The city centre is pretty compact and most landmarks are easily to reach by walking. Perhaps, our navigation system for the metro (subway) of Athens could be useful as well. https://www.metrocazar.com/athens/

I love Athens! I just spent nine days there and was blown away by it. It felt unlike any European city I’ve visited. I also feel so fortunate to have gone right now just as tourism is restarting in Greece, because I totally took it for granted when I rolled up to the Acropolis at 11 am and there were still no crowds whatsoever. I had forgotten what it’s probably like normally until I saw that photo you snapped of the crowds!

Ah, amazing! Yeah, it’s been much the same in New Zealand during the pandemic — the lack of crowds at major tourist attractions has been incredible to experience! The crowds at the Acropolis were truly intense when I visited, and that was during September, so not even the peak of high season.

Hello, l came across your post on Athens and is has been so helpful planning my trip. We leave in a few days. One question, the view from he rooftop bar is amazing, can you tell me the name of it?

Thank you so much

A for Athens was the name of it! There’s quite a few bars and cafes in Monastiraki Square that will give you a similar view, too :-)

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Meet Lauren Juliff

Greece Travel Blogs

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Happy exploring!

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Where to stay in paros – 17 best hotels in paros, greece.

From lavish spas and gourmet dining, to infinity pools and secluded beaches, these are the very best hotels in Paros in Greece.

Dave's Travel Pages

Greek Island Hopping | Greece Travel Ideas | Bicycle Touring

Athens Travel Blog – City Guide To The Greek Capital

In this Athens travel blog you'll discover all the insights you need to plan a perfect trip to Athens in Greece.

Athens Travel Blog Posts

Hi! My name’s Dave, and I’ve been living in Athens, Greece since 2014.

From almost day 1 of living in Athens, I’ve been writing Athens travel blog posts and guides to help people better explore this amazing city. There’s probably enough insights and information about Athens to fill a book by now – maybe I’ll write one soon, who knows?!

In the mean time though, this particular Athens blog post more or less acts as a sign post to specific guides about visiting the capital of Greece.

It’s divided into useful section, like things you need to know before you visit Athens, Athens itinerary suggestions, exploring Ancient Athens and other important attractions, where to stay in Athens, day trips from Athens, and much, much more.

As people visit Athens for different reasons, I’ve got guides that cater to a broad range of people. So, if you’re just in Athens for a day before you head off on a cruise, my 1 day itinerary will be ideal. If you want to spend longer in the city, my 4 day Athens guide will be better suited.

By the way, if you’re reading this Athens travel blog on the desktop version, there’s also a search bar at the top of the page (on mobile, it’s at the bottom). Use the search function to see what else there is on the site – I’ve got around 1400 articles all told!

Ok, let’s dive in…

Travel Planning Before You Visit Athens

Before you visit Greece, you might want to find out a bit more about Athens and what to expect. These guides will help:

Is Athens worth visiting? Yes… and here’s why

What is athens known for, is athens safe to visit – an insider’s guide to visiting athens, how many days in athens greece, best time to visit athens greece, athens greece travel tips.

Athens Itinerary Suggestions

No matter how long you plan to spend in the city center, these itinerary ideas for Athens have you covered:

Athens in a day – The Best 1 Day Athens Itinerary

2 days in athens itinerary, athens 3 day itinerary – what to do in athens in 3 days, 4 days in athens itinerary.

Exploring Ancient Athens

Athens was the epi-center of the Golden Age of Ancient Greece. There are many ancient ruins you can visit in Athens center, and these blog posts go into them in detail:

Historic Sites in Athens Greece – Landmarks and Monuments

Acropolis guided tour – acropolis and acropolis museum tour in athens, athens mythology tour – greek mythology tours in athens, ancient sites in athens, hadrian’s arch in athens.

Other Major Tourist Attractions

While many people associate Athens with the ancient landmarks, the city centre has a thriving contemporary vibe that makes it an interesting places to explore:

Must do in Athens – A Local’s Choice

Museums in athens – a complete guide to every athens museum, tips for visiting the national archaeological museum of athens, exploring alternative athens: cool places, hidden gems, and stunning street art, what to see in athens – buildings and landmarks in athens, the best neighborhoods in athens for urban explorers.

Day Trips and Tours

By basing yourself in Athens, you can take a variety of day trips to surrounding places of interest. Here's some of the best day trips from Athens to consider:

7 Ancient Sites You Can Visit On A One Day Trip From Athens

Meteora day trip from athens, best athens tours: half and full day guided tours in athens, athens private tours: exclusive and customized guided tours in athens, vravrona archaeological site near athens greece (brauron), best tours of greece from athens: 2, 3, and 4 day trips, athens to nafplio day trip, athens day trip to hydra | day cruise from athens, cape sounion tour from athens – visit the temple of poseidon, mycenae and epidaurus day trip from athens, delphi day trip from athens, places to visit around athens.

Getting Around Athens Public Transportation

Public transport in Greece is a great way to get around. Here's some Athens specific blog posts about how to get to various points of interest.

How to get from Athens airport arrivals to city center

How to get from athens airport to piraeus – taxi, bus and train information, hop on hop off athens bus city sightseeing, how to get from piraeus to athens – taxi, bus and train information, a local’s guide to taking the athens metro.

Where to Stay in Athens

For stays of just a few days downtown Athens or the historic center are the best areas to choose a hotel. These Athens blogs have more:

Where to stay in Athens, Greece

Best hotels near athens airport, where to stay in athens on a budget, the best athens hotels near acropolis.

Where to go after Athens

If you're going Greek island hopping after seeing all the sites of Athens, these guides will help:

How to get from Athens to Crete – All possible Ways

Athens to mykonos travel information, how to get from athens to santorini by ferry and plane, athens to spetses by ferry: schedules, tickets and information, how to get from athens to other parts of greece, saronic islands in greece: closest islands to athens, how to get from athens to syros island in greece, how to get from athens to paros ferry and flights 2021, athens to folegandros – ferry and travel guide, how to get from athens to amorgos ferry guide, how to get from athens to the cyclades islands greece, faq about going to athens for the first time.

Reader planning a trip to Athens for the first time often ask similar questions to these:

What are the must-see attractions in Athens?

The Acropolis and Parthenon, the Ancient Agora, the National Archaeological Museum, and the Plaka district.

How do I get from Athens airport to the city center?

Options include the metro, bus, or a taxi. The metro offers a direct route to Syntagma Square.

Is Athens safe for tourists?

Athens is generally safe for tourists, though it's wise to take usual precautions against petty crime.

What is the best time to visit Athens?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

Can I visit the Acropolis without a guide?

Yes, you can visit independently, but a guided tour can provide valuable historical context and insights.

What should I eat in Athens?

Try local specialties like moussaka, souvlaki, and Greek salad.

Where is the best place to stay in Athens for first-timers?

Staying near the historic center, such as in Plaka or Monastiraki, is convenient for sightseeing.

How many days do I need in Athens?

Two to three days are typically enough to see the main sights, though more time allows for a deeper exploration.

What should I know about visiting museums and archaeological sites?

Many sites offer combined tickets for savings, and museum hours may vary by season, so check in advance.

What are some tips for getting around Athens?

The metro is efficient for major attractions. Walking is best for exploring central neighborhoods.

12 thoughts on “Athens Travel Blog – City Guide To The Greek Capital”

Dear Dave, thank you for your blog. What a find for someone like us looking to visit Greece for the first time. We are on an organised tour of Ancient Greece but arrive day early, late ish on Monday evening in April, we thought to stay at Sofitel, somewhat costly but perhaps easiest option. Next day we need to arrange transfer to Hotel Fedriades in Delphi, where we will eventually meet with our group. Do you have any suggestion as to a taxi company to book such transfer with? Regards Moni

Hi Moni, You can pre-book taxis from Athens Airport to Delphi with Welcome Pickups . It not going to be the cheapest ride in the world though! An option is to get them to pick you up from the flight and drive to Delphi the same night. A very long day I know, but then you’d be in your Delphi hotel for a long lay in the next day and it’s not as expensive as the Sofitel. You can find the prices and availability here for: Fedriades Hotel in Delphi

Thank you very much, that’s helpful and kind of confirmes what we were thinking. Owe you a drink, when in Athens

Hi Dave! We will be cruising thru! Can you tell which day you would recommend for a beach day: Mykonos, Corfu, or Santorini? Thanks!

If you are on a cruise boat and looking for a beach day, the best place would be Mykonos for sure.

Hi Dave Thank you for these posts, they are really helpful! We are finishing our greek island hopping trip in athens and have a 1 night stay here (arriving at Pireus Port, then leaving from Athens Airport the day after) Where would you reccomend getting accomodation for one night to make the most of our time here and be conveniently located? Any advice would be much appreciated! Many thanks

Hi Mollie. Best to be located in the historic center so everything is in walking distance. The map on this page is useful for finding hotels near the Acropolis in Athens: Athens central hotel guide

Hi Dave, very accurate infos about Athens, i suggest for an article about Athens Riviera by local Tram or by bike from Alimos or Center of Athens to Glyfada town. It is a nice idea for your last day in Athens especially after afternoon . Regards

Loving your site Dave, thanks so much for all the info. Does an ordinary airport taxi cater for 4 adults and 4 cases do you know please? eg. a maxi taxi. You recommend Welcome Taxis which sounds even better but do they cater for 4 adults and 4 cases or do I go the Mercedes hire?

Thanks so much.

I just had a look at the Welcome site, and if you input 4 adults and 4 cases it accepts the booking and describes the car as ‘sedan’. I’d personally go with that option as you don’t need to negotiate with the driver about how to fit it all in! You could wait in the taxi queue and try as well. Most of the cars used as taxis in Athens are the same.

Hi Dave, Thanks for all the great information! Would love to get your opinion…. We are staying 3 nights in Athens starting June 5th. Trying to find the best hotel/area to stay. I have looked at several places including A for Athens, Royal Olympic Hotel, Divani Palace Acropolis and Urban Frame Hotel. We prefer and area close to all the sites, not on the noisy side, possible has a fitness area, and great restaurants nearby. Just curious your thoughts on a room with an Acropolis view, seems nice but wondering if worth it with all the rooftop views and just being there.

We are also planning to drive to Delphi/Meteora on a two day trip, any hotel recommendations there?

Thanks in advance. .

Hi, It’s always difficult to answer these types of questions! There’s so many things to take into account such as budget etc. For example CoCoMat BC would tick most of your boxes, but does come with a more expensive price tag. If you’re taking the Delphi/Meteora road trip, I’d suggest seeing Delphi, and then driving on to Meteora and spend the night there rather than staying in Delphi. A look here at where to stay in Kalambaka(Meteora) .

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Tag: Kos (page 1 of 4)

• Where to go in Greece: 9 Dodecanese island gems

Kyra Panagia church is an island icon and one of the most popular tourist attractions on Karpathos. This photo is one of many posted in galleries in the Visitor section of the  Municipality of Karpathos website .

Dodecanese delights : Will you be travelling to one or more of the Dodecanese islands this year? Or are you just wondering whether this part of Greece might be the right place for you and your family or friends to visit on vacation? If so, keep scrolling through this post so you can bookmark links we have compiled for a variety of Dodecanese island travel articles that have appeared in magazines, newspapers and websites in recent months.

The Dodecanese, a group of more than 15 islands in the southeast Aegean Sea, have long been a popular holiday destination. Rhodes and Kos have always been the best-known and busiest islands of the bunch, but less-familiar isles in the chain have been gaining increased attention as pandemic-weary travellers seek holiday locations that offer authentic and traditional island experiences with fewer crowds and tourist trappings.

Articles in major international news publications, and reviews and reports posted on influential travel and lifestyle websites, have also been bringing lesser-known Dodecanese islands to the forefront.

Take Karpathos, Kasos, Kastellorizo, Halki and Symi as examples. They aren’t exactly household names that most people planning a first-time trip to Greece would instantly recognize, but more people around the world are aware of them now, thanks to a photo-packed travel profile that USA Today published just before Christmas 2021. The article, featuring 46 photos of scenery, attractions and residents from all five of those islands, almost got overlooked during the distractions of the holiday season. But since the beginning of this year, we have seen it being reposted and shared widely on social media pages, reaching ever-larger audiences — undoubtedly including people trying to decide where they should go for their holiday in Greece this summer.

You’ll find a link to the USA Today travel piece below, along with other interesting and informative articles we have collected and bookmarked for personal reading and vacation research. We think they’ll be useful for other travellers who are either planning trips to the Dodecanese, or are simply curious to read more about the region, since they cover diverse topics including: island descriptions; highlight attractions and activities; recommended places to eat and drink; cool places to stay; personal trip reports; and more. For convenience, we have grouped the articles based on the particular island destinations discussed in each piece.

— Karpathos, Kasos, Halki, Kastellorizo & Symi —

The December 21 2021 article Beyond Santorini and Mykonos: Explore the lesser-known Greek islands is the aforementioned USA Today pictorial report that is circulating on social media pages this month.  It’s essentially a gallery of 46 photos, each accompanied by an easy-to-read, one-paragraph caption that provides some insight into the specific island on which each image was shot. All but two of the photos were shot by travel writer/photographer Nick Kontis, who wrote the article text. 

_________________________

— Karpathos —

Whenever we come across profiles of Karpathos, like this one from Aegean Airlines’ Blue magazine, we can’t help but shake our heads and ask why we still haven’t been there yet.  If you haven’t been to Karpathos, either, you might find yourself wondering the same thing once you read through this terrific 18-page guide and view the dozens of splendid photographs by Dionysis Kouris.

“This Dodecanese diamond is a folklore paradise with picturesque villages, locals who reverently uphold customs, world-class beaches and exciting changes of scenery,” says the subheading for the article Karpathos, Captivatingly Traditional . 

Written by Fotis Vallatos, the guide takes readers on a tour around the island, starting at the capital and main port, Pigadia, then moving on to visit charming villages, picturesque beaches and scenic fishing harbours, with stops at noteworthy sights and places — like ruins, churches or scenic lookouts — along the way. The article mentions the main attractions at each village, recommends tavernas and cafes to stop for a bite to eat (and sample local specialty dishes), and spotlights artisanal workshops, crafts and local products shops, museums and much more. For beaches, Vallatos describes the sand conditions and sea colours and clarity, taking note of areas that are sheltered from strong winds, or that offer shade from the afternoon sun. He also points out nearby amenities, such as beach tavernas or bars, and places of interest, such as chapels and archaeological or historic sites. The article also provides location and contact names for visitors interested in such outdoor activities as kite and wind surfing, diving, rock climbing, walking and hiking, trekking and fishing tours, and others.

Karpathos, Captivatingly Tradition appears at pages 256-273 in the August – October 2021 edition (Issue 86) of Blue Magazine . You can read it either online or by downloading a PDF version of the entire magazine. 

“A small piece of heaven” is how two travel bloggers from Norway, Tanja and Ørjan, describe Karpathos in an article published on their website, Wremer Travels , late last fall.

Their blog post Need a new favourite Greek island? Go to Karpathos! is a fun and informative read, explaining how the pair originally decided to visit Karpathos, and describing the beaches, food, villages and other features that have kept them coming back for more, including their favourite place to stay and their personal go-to spots for meals.  The post includes a YouTube video of kitesurfing and windsurfing on Karpathos.

We enjoyed the article for its tips and helpful advice for first-time visitors — they offer some welcome words of wisdom for driving around — and especially for its wonderful photos of enticing beaches, coastlines, mountains, and Olympos, the most traditional village on the island.  

— Leros —

Architecture and design enthusiasts might feel inclined to pay Leros a visit once they see the photos and read the historic details in this fascinating article published on the Travel.gr website last November 2.

In  Lakki, Leros: The strange beauty of Greece’s weirdest town , writer Panagiotis Savvidis examines how the seaside town of Lakki wound up with a curious collection of public buildings designed in minimalist achitectural styles, including Art Deco, Bauhaus, Venetian and Renaissance elements.

“According to studies, Lakki seems to be the place with the most Art Deco buildings in one place, after Miami,” he notes.

The structures, many of which are presenting in varying states of serious disrepair, are what Savvidis calls the island’s “inheritance” from the years during which the Italians ruled the Dodecanese. Since Lakki is blessed with the largest natural harbour in the eastern Mediterranean, it was a key component of Mussolini’s master plan to control the region. To that end, he ordered the construction of a new town, called Portolago, to house a massive base for the Italian navy.  Besides military infrastructure, public buildings were required for administrative, medical and education services for the 30,000 military officers and families expected to live there. Prominent Italian architects were enlisted to design the settlement, and the result was the unique architecture, large squares and wide streets.

The article also notes how Thessaloniki-based film director Ioanna Asmeniadou-Fokka produced a recent documentary about Lakki’s history and architecture, and has been lobbying government to “to rescue, restore, and showcase the buildings.”

— Kastellorizo —

Walking on Kastellorizo is a 4-page article written for Aegean Airlines’ Blue magazine by architect, hotel owner and local resident Marie Rivalant, who “extols the attractions of this lovely Dodecanese island.”

Marie describes how the island’s charming sights — such as the buildings around the harbour and the homes designed in neoclassical style — made her fall in love with and decide to permanently live on Kastellorizo. Even after several decades, she notes that this same scenery continues to fascinate her, as do the island’s historic sites.

“Kastellorizo has an abundance of monuments that can guide visitors through the centuries,” she says, listing monasteries, museums, a castle and other not-to-be-missed attractions. Marie also mentions a few of her favourite walking routes, and explains why “one of the best ways to discover Kastellorizo, without doubt, is by boat.” She also recommends the island restaurants, bars and coffee shops that she enjoys the most.

Marie’s article can be found at page 254 of Blue magazine Issue 86 .

“An island with more personality than square meters awaits visitors at the edge of the map,” says one of the pieces in Kastellorizo , a wonderful special edition magazine published in 2020 by Greece Is .

The issue is a definite must-read for anyone going to Kastellorizo, or even just thinking about paying it a visit sometime, since the 148 pages of  this insightful publication are packed with fascinating feature articles and hundreds of gorgeous photos that describe and display virtually everything there is to know about the island. It’s inspiring, informative and educational — an absolute gem of an island guide (but that’s always the case with all of the Greece Is magazines, in our opinion).

Even if a trip to Kastellorizo isn’t on the horizon for you at this time,  we think you’d probably find the magazine a delight to flip through simply to admire the beautiful colour images of island sights and scenery, as well as the intriguing black and white historic photos that accompany articles recounting significant moments in the island’s past.

If we had a copy of the print edition, we probably would leave it on our coffee table so we could peruse it more frequently, but we do look through the online version from time to time.

The web edition  — Greece Is Kastellorizo 2020 — is available on issuu.com, and can be downloaded as a PDF. Print issues are available to order from the Greece Is e-shop .

It’s “a small place with a big history,” it has two names, and it was “made for hikers and history buffs.” Located at the easternmost corner of Greece, it’s a little island called Kastellorizo by some, Megisti by others. By either name, it sounds absolutely delightful in the article freelancer writer Jackie Humphries Smith penned for The Mediterranean Lifestyle magazine last summer. And it has looks to match, as you’ll see in the beautiful photos, shot by Jackie, that accompany the story.

Jackie and her partner, Joel Smith, are American ex-pats who live in the Mani region of the Peloponnese, where Jackie writes the blog TravelnWrite .

[Editor’s Note: When we were preparing this blog post, Jackie’s feature piece on Kastellorizo / Megisti had been available to read for free on the issuu.com online magazine platform; Jackie’s own website included a link to her article there. But back issues of The Mediterranean Lifestyle appear to have been removed from that site, and are not shown as being available to order in either print or digital versions from the magazine website. You might be able to find the magazine at your local library; check to see if they have Issue 13  in their collection.]

— Kalymnos —

We found this July 28 2021 article from the UK edition of National Geographic an engaging and educational read, even though sport climbing on a Greek island mountainside isn’t something we could ever see ourselves doing on one of our holidays. Or maybe we could.  According to writer Maria Atmatzidou, there are “easily accessible” climbing routes on Kalymnos that are suitable for beginners and even families,  so there’s no reason novices like us couldn’t give the sport a try. 

Maria’s article,   How sport climbing is helping to revitalise a Greek island describes how Kalymnos has been capturing increased attention — and attracting holiday visits — from adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts around the world.

Maria explains how the island was left reeling by the decline and near-destruction of its traditional sponge fishing industry, but in recent years has extended its tourist season and become a top international draw not just for climbers, but also for “non-climbers who fish, dive or swim.” 

Though not climbers ourselves, we became interested in Kalymnos after seeing the island’s amazing mountain and coastal scenery in videos we shared in our previous blog posts Kalymnos keeps calling in 2017, and Kalymos island rocks! in 2016.  We still haven’t made it to the island yet, but we do hope to visit.

Red Bull Bulletin writer Matt Ray visited Kalymnos — the “magical corner of the Dodecanese” — to challenge his abilities on the cliffs and do some chalk-dusted first-hand research for his article, A beginner’s guide to sport climbing in Greece . 

“Having gained a deserved reputation among elite climbers and enthusiasts, Kalymnos has a buzzing climbing scene. It’s chiefly centred around Masouri and its beach, but stretches across the whole island and beyond, taking in post-climb swims at ‘Pirate Beach’ (Kalamies) and extending to the crags of Telendos, an islet that sits off the west coast,” he notes.

Besides detailing the adrenalin rush of the climbs he undertook to improve his personal skills and techniques, Matt describes the “astounding” array of routes available on Kalymnos — 3,400 — and notes the island is ideal for solo climbers, since they’ll easily be able to find climbing partners on the island. 

He also points out the added bonus to climbing on Kalymnos: the island’s amazing sea views and scenery are “all the sweeter” from the top.

— Kos —

If you’re heading to Kos this year, we recommend you keep  Kos: Ancient history and exotic beaches handy during your holiday. It’s an excellent 14-page island guide that appeared in the August – October 2021 edition (Issue 86) of Blue  magazine , the in-flight publication of Aegean Airlines. Compiled and written by Fotis Vallatos, it contains a wealth of tips and suggestions for things to see and do, as well as places to shop, dine and drink. It’s also richly illustrated with three dozen enticing photos, by Dionysis Kouris, that show people, places, food and scenery from all over the island. 

The guide includes a section on Kos Town, describing “majestic monuments of bygone times” — must-see archaeological sites, ancient ruins and the Castle of Neratzia — along with a list of nearly a dozen recommended “culinary stops,” plus cafes, cocktail bars and shops.  For beach enthusiasts, the guide highlights top strands along the northern and southeastern coasts,  as well as “the magical beaches” in the Kefalos area of southwestern Kos.

Another section suggests must-visit mountain villages, and tavernas where visitors can taste delicious local dishes. There also is a 1-page profile of local agricultural products, including cheese, wine, honey and organic aloe.

You’ll find the article on pages 238 – 251 at the link provided above. The full magazine is downloadable.

 — Rhodes & Kos —

Rhodes and Kos are among the busiest and most popular destinations in Greece, but on both “there is tranquillity beyond the hotspots,” John Malathronas notes in Peace, antiquity and beaches: a guide to five famous Greek islands .

In his article, published September 14 2021 by The Guardian , John points out why Rhodes and Kos are tourist favourites, listing the top attractions and historic sites that draw hordes of visitors each season (for good reason). He then suggests quieter alternatives for visitors seeking places that are either off the beaten path, or that draw sparser crowds, while still offering unique experiences, great views and beautiful scenery. 

John’s report also includes recommendations for places to stay, eat and drink on each island.

— Rhodes —

Rhodes has long been one of the top Greek island destinations for international tourists, so we weren’t surprised when it made news headlines in late January for two separate but equally noteworthy achievements in the travel industry.

First, the island earned two accolades in the Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2022, ranking at #3 in Trending Destinations — World — a category dedicated specifically to “places that are on the up and up,” and placing at # 11 in the Top Destinations for Sun Seekers — World group.

Rhodes was back in the news a second time in as many days when Greece’s South Aegean Region, in collaboration with TUI Group and the TUI Care Foundation, announced an ambitious initiative to transform the island into the world’s first sustainable tourism destination within the next five years. “The Rhodes Co-Lab” project aims to make Rhodes the global center for the study and development of sustainable models of tourism. Project details are outlined in the January 20 2022 Greek Travel Pages news report Rhodes begins 5-year journey to become first sustainable destination in the world .

Below are several mainstream magazine articles that explore Rhodes from the perspective of walking and cycling activities, luxury holidays and accommodations, and a “micro-living” vacation house.

We know from first-hand experience that Kos is one of the most bicycle-friendly islands in Greece — we rented bikes for a day during our visit to that island in 2010. But we couldn’t recall seeing any cyclists on Rhodes the one and only time we were there, way back in 2004. And we don’t remember hearing anything about cycling on Rhodes in the years since. So we were intrigued when we saw the November 2 2021 BIKE Magazine article Rhodes: Your next cycling destination . 

The article was written by a journalist whose name, by pure coincidence, is Charlie Rhodes; he had been sent to the island for five days to report on the first-ever Rhodes Cycling Festival, and to observe a race held in conjunction with that event. He winds up being treated to “an unforgettable, authentically Greek week-long experience full of warm sun and breath-taking cycling spots,” and being pleasantly surprised by “just how utterly complete the island is as a cycling destination.”  Calling Rhodes “a cycling haven,” he says “I simply cannot recommend the island enough – and this goes for those looking for leisure, as well as those who are in search of a true physical challenge.”

The article is a good read even for people not interested in biking, since the writer talks about villages and attractions he visited, and great places he discovered to eat and drink — including The Old Monolithos Taverna . His report includes photos as well as a brief videoclip of scenic Lindos village. A brief companion article on the Rhodes Bike Festival provides additional information about cycling on Rhodes, and includes a short video with aerial views of beautiful Rhodes Town. 

“Rhodes boasts a plethora of paths that are perfect for hiking, mountain running and even mountain biking,” nature tour guide Giorgos Thyris says in Walking on Rhodes , an “Insider” article published in the June-August 2021 issue of Blue , the in-flight magazine of Aegean Airlines. “There are gems here, hidden beauties and unexploited Edens that only locals know, although they’re gradually being discovered by visitors, too.”

In his 4-page piece, which is illustrated with lovely scenic photos, Thyris provides vivid descriptions of several spectacular walking trails and hiking routes, and mentions some locations where rock climbing fans can challenge their skills. He also discusses such attractions as the Kournelo Cave and the Ancient Kymissala archaeology site, and explains why Rhodes is a popular destination for orchid enthusiasts from around the world.

You can read Thyris’s article by clicking on the link provided above; it will take you to the online version of Blue Issue 85, where you can download the full magazine to read at your leisure. Walking on Rhodes starts at page 220.

In a trip report published in January by Luxury Lifestyle Magazine , Rebecca Underwood recounts her experiences during a visit to Rhodes prior to the Covid pandemic.  Though the article does spotlight a luxury hotel, it’s nonetheless a worthwhile read even for budget travellers since the writer describes visiting fascinating medieval sites and monuments, and the joy of simply wandering the ancient cobbled lanes of Rhodes Town, “Europe’s oldest inhabited medieval town” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. 

Besides the major attractions she visited, including the Palace of the Grand Master, Archaeological Museum, Acropolis of Rhodes and Temple of Pythian Apollo,  Underwood describes her accommodations at the Kokkini Porta Rossa boutique hotel and a meal at the family-owned bistro, Tamam, on Georgiou Leontos Street.

Her report, The island of knights: A luxury travel guide to Rhodes ,  also includes additional restaurant recommendations as well as suggestions for interesting things to see and do outside of Rhodes Town.

If your personal travel lifestyle and accommodation preferences lean toward 5-star luxury resorts, you’ll want to read this article when you research places to stay for an upcoming trip to Rhodes.

Rhodes: Where the sun god reigns supreme is primarily a report on the 5-star Amada Colossos Resort , which MoneyWeek’s wealth editor, Chris Carter, stayed in last October. His write-up was published on February 4.

The article caught our attention because the Amada Colossos is located in Kallithea on the eastern coast of Rhodes, just a short walk down the beach from the hotel we stayed in during our one-and-only trip to the island 18 years ago — the Rodos Palladium. It, too, is a 5-star hotel, so we were curious to read how the Amada Colossos compares.

Chris was booked into a luxurious executive suite, which boasted a living room and separate bedroom, along with a spacious modern bathroom that featured a sea-view window. He describes the suite’s features, of course, as well as the resort’s impressive selection of bars and restaurants, which include a main buffet dining room, and separate Greek, Italian and Chinese restaurants.  The resort also has a spa, as well as luxury villas with private pools and access to personal gazebos on the beach.

As Chris points out, the hotel reopened in 2018 after undergoing a major renovation and systems overhaul, highlighted by the addition of environmentally sustainable heating and cooling features, and a re-orientation of the suites to offer better views of the sea.

Besides the hotel, Chris talks about some of the noteworthy attractions in the immediate area and in nearby Rhodes Town, and recommends a “wonderful” taverna situated a 20-minute drive from away.

Yet another Rhodes luxury hotel, the Lindos Grand Resort & Spa, has been profiled in travel media recently — by publications aimed at two completely different readership markets.

First up was business, marketing and investment publisher Forbes , whose lifestyle writer Duncan Madden describes the resort’s many impressive features in his November 2 2021 report, Lindos Grand: New adults-only resort and spa brings modern glamor to Rhodes’ ancient attractions .

Madden notes that the Covid pandemic led the 189-room resort to delay its opening until July of last year, although some of its amenities — including a la carte restaurants — won’t open until this season.

Though large in size, the resort was thoughtfully designed to match the look and feel of buildings in nearby Lindos village, Madden says. “Structures seemingly tumble down the hillside towards the sea, scattered carefully in close-knit clusters around the star of the show – a vast open air infinity pool, one of the largest in Rhodes, that beckons guests in with lingering views over the beach at Vlycha and Aegean Sea beyond stretching far to the horizon.”

He goes on to detail the interior design features and amenities of the suites, many of which boast L-shaped private pools, and describes the resort restaurants and its Evridiki Spa. He also recommends noteworthy historic sites that guests should be sure to visit both in Lindos and in Rhodes Town.

The U.K. edition of Hello! Fashion followed with its own profile of the Lindos Grand.

In An Island Idyll , published in the December / January issue, the magazine says “The incredibly picturesque hillside village of Lindos and its nearby bays make Rhodes the perfect Greek getaway from spring to autumn.”

The article, written by Jill Wanless, recommends staying at the Lindos Grand, which she describes as “a stylish haven of relaxation” and “contemporary, eco-friendly hotel.”  She goes on to describe highlight features of the accommodations, and the restaurants and spa, noting the resort is “the perfect retreat for two or a girls’ getaway.”

For things to do beyond the resort, Jill suggests things to see and do in Lindos, as well as activities and sights — including vineyards — elsewhere on the island.

We read the article on Apple News, but have seen that the Hello! Fashion issue is available through Zinio and other online magazine services

If sprawling luxury resorts and big hotels aren’t your style, perhaps a hip little hideaway might be perfect for your visit to Rhodes.

The Monocabin is a miniature holiday home only 26 square meters in size. It’s an innovative, modular housing prototype which Mandalaki Design Studios developed in pursuit of a vision to create  an “affordable dream eco-house” that could be built almost anywhere in the world.

We learned about the cute and cozy Microcabin when we came across the article Holiday home of the week: a Monocabin for micro-living in Greece while scrolling through The Spaces magazine online. 

“Constructed using modular concrete panels that manage to look both modern while blending with the traditional architecture of the island, the Monocabin sleeps two people in close but cosy quarters. Inside there is the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, while the outside terrace doubles as both sitting and dining room – Rhodes’ sunny climate makes eating outside the easy choice – as well as offering a work out area around the side,” notes writer Tish Wrigley.

The Monocabin is located in the town of Ialysos just 200 meters from the beach, and is available for holiday rentals, with a minimum 3 nights’ stay required. Full details about the concept house project, and contact information for booking inquiries, can be found on the Monocabin website .

• Where to go in Greece: A video guide to 25 beautiful places

25 most beautiful towns to visit in Greece is a 27-minute film from Lifestyle Hal

So many pretty places :  A new video from a popular travel blogger might prove inspiring and helpful to people who are hoping to visit Greece for the first time, but don’t yet have a clue where they would like to go.

25 most beautiful towns to visit in Greece was released January 22 by U.K.-based photographer/videographer Hal, whose Lifestyle Hal travel channel on YouTube has nearly 32,000 subscribers.

We think the film is worth checking out by would-be Greece travel newbies since it provides a good introduction to some of the country’s leading island and mainland tourist destinations.

The video clocks in at just over 27 minutes, profiling each place in its own distinct and succinct segment of approximately one minute apiece. Beautiful aerial and ground-level video footage is accompanied by a voice-over narration in which Hal describes key features and attractions which distinguish each destination.

We feel the video’s title is a bit of a misnomer, though, since the film focusses primarily on islands, rather than towns, with a pair of major archaeological sites — Delphi and Delos — included in the list, along with the magnificent monastery-topped rock formations at Meteora, and Sarakiniko beach on Milos island.  

The film doesn’t reveal any off-the-beaten-path hidden gems or secret hideaways — all of the places that Hal highlights are long-established, well-known tourist draws reachable on regular ferry or flight schedules or, in the case of a handful of spots on mainland Greece, along major roadway routes.  But all are beautiful and well worth visiting as we can personally attest, having been to 16 of the spots on Hal’s top 25 so far.

And even though we’re familiar with all of the destinations, we still enjoyed watching Hal’s video of gorgeous sights and scenery, and hearing his personal perspective on each place’s attractions and attributes.

Island & mainland marvels: 38 spellbinding sights and places in Greece

In Greece Places , filmmaker Pawel Worsztynowicz captures splendid sights and scenery from 38 marvellous spots around the country 

Stunning sequel: He’s done it again! Last year, filmmaker Pawel Worsztynowicz created an impressive video showing more than two dozen amazing places in Greece he had visited during nearly a year of travels throughout the country.

We included that film — Greece story — The best places in Greece? — in a blog post spotlighting our favourite videos of Greece from 2019 . Running just over 2 minutes, Greece Story wowed us with spectacular views of some glorious Greek sights and scenes we recognized from our own travels, along with other beautiful places we haven’t yet had the chance to see for ourselves.

Pawel told us he had shot more video and thousands of photos during his time in Greece, so we kept hoping he would produce another short film sometime soon. We didn’t have to wait long — he let us know in mid-April that he had just published a new video called Greece Places , which we were thrilled to watch  and share here.

Locations shown in the film include:

♦ the Parthenon and the Old Temple of Athens in Athens;

♦ sites in Attica region, the Peloponnese and Halidiki;

♦ Evia island;

♦ Crete;

♦ Skiathos and Skopelos in the Sporades chain of islands;

♦ Corfu and Zakynthos in the Ionian islands;

♦ Ios, Santorini and Thirasia in the Cyclades; and

♦ Kos, Rhodes and Symi in the Dodecanese islands

You can see more of Pawel’s wonderful photography on his social media pages — @behind_the_seas on Instagram, and Behind the Seas on Facebook.

Crete clinches 4th place ranking on TripAdvisor list of the world’s top destinations for 2019

Views of the historic Venetian harbourfront and the iconic lighthouse at Chania, a perenially popular travel destination in northwestern Crete

Crete shines : Millions of travellers around the world have spoken, and their positive reviews, ratings and comments have landed Crete island in 4th place on the prestigious TripAdvisor listing of the Top 25 destinations in the world this year.

The 2019 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice awards were announced this week (on March 26), lauding London as the #1 destination in the world, followed by Paris, Rome, Crete, and Bali in Indonesia. Last year Crete placed fifth, behind Bali. 

TripAdvisor is the globe’s largest travel website, containing listings for more than 156,000 destinations. Each year it presents its Travelers’ Choice awards to top international destinations, honouring the places that are most popular with people who post reviews on the website.

A press release announcing this year’s winners quoted TripAdvisor’s VP of Global Communications, Desiree Fish, as saying: “The Travelers’ Choice awards for Destinations recognize major cities and islands that continue to deliver an outstanding experience and are beloved by our global community of travelers.”

The news release explained that award winners “were determined using an algorithm based on reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and experiences in destinations worldwide over a 12-month period. The methodology takes into account quality and volume of reviews to surface destinations that consistently deliver the best overall experience for travelers.”

Loutro village in southwestern Crete

Looking along the spectacular southwestern coast of Crete from one of the many beaches near the town of Paleochora

A taverna courtyard in the heart of the historic old town area of Chania

Sweet Water Beach in southwestern Crete, between the villages of Chora Sfakion and Loutro

A view of Agia Roumeli village, situated at the foot of the world-famous Samaria Gorge. Extending for 16 kilometers, the gorge is the longest in Europe and is one of Crete’s top tourist attractions.

We spent more than two weeks on Crete in late fall of 2017, and could easily see why it has been ranked among the world’s Top 5 travel destinations two years in a row — it truly delivers outstanding travel experiences. Crete has something to suit every traveller’s taste, style and budget: fascinating cities, towns and villages; vibrant resorts; breathtaking landscapes, stunning scenery and gorgeous beaches;  superb food and wine; significant historical sites and attractions; a diverse range of outdoor activities for all ages and lifestyles; myriad hotel and lodging options, and much more. 

Crete also claimed two spots in the list of the world’s Top 25 Beaches: Balos ranked #15, while Elafonissi took 21st place. Though both are situated in western Crete, the region in which we focussed our 2017 holiday travels, we never made it to either beach, so they remain on our bucket list of places to see. The island is blessed with a bounty of beautiful beaches, however, so visitors still have countless strands to choose from if they can’t get to Balos or Elafonissi.  (We saw many impressive beaches along the island’s southwestern coast.)

Greece in general fared well on other top rankings, particularly for hotels, where it won top honours in two categories. It nabbed the number 1 and 2 spots in the Top 25 all-inclusive hotel ranking, and it claimed the number 1 and 3 position on the awards list for the world’s Top 25 Small Hotels. Greece also achieved Top 25 rankings for best hotels, luxury hotels, best service, romantic hotels, family hotels, and bargain hotels.

I couldn’t help but chuckle when I read that Greece received TripAdvisor recognition for the world’s top two all-inclusive hotels because, in TripAdvisor’s own travel forums, regular visitors to Greece routinely advise travellers to avoid all-inclusive properties, urging them to stay at hotel or self-catering accommodations instead. In essence, the forum commentators claim Greece simply doesn’t do all-inclusives very well, and visitors don’t experience Greece if they stay at an AI resort. With this year’s awards, however, it’s quite clear that all-inclusive resort guests disagree! 

Famous for its brilliant turquoise waters and pink-hued sand, Elafonissi beach is seen in an image from the Best Travel Tips to Crete page of the Tourist Maker website.  Elafonissi ranked #21 on the TripAdvisor list of the Top 25 beaches in the world.

Lagoons and sandy beach strips at Balos are seen in this photo shot by Antoine Nikolopoulos of Odyssey Art Photography . Balos ranked #15 on this year’s list of the world’s top beaches.

Please click on the link below to continue reading on page 2, where I have posted photos and rankings for the Greek hotels that placed in the world’s Top 25.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Earth’s most romantic place: The Greek Islands

A couple relaxes with wine while enjoying the sunset views from Plaka village on Milos. With their superb sunsets and spectacular natural scenery, the Greek Islands are ideal destinations for honeymoons and romantic getaways.

Guest post by Jane Robert

 Greece has more than 6,000 islands which are mostly huge chunks of rock located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Only about 230 are inhabited, with just 80 having a population of more than 100 people.

The islands are grouped into six basic clusters:

♦ the Ionians to the west of Greece include the islands Zante, Kefalonia, Lefkas and Corfu;

♦ the Cyclades in the central Aegean contain Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, and Naxos;

♦ the Dodecanese chain in the east, near Turkey, comprises such islands as Rhodes, Kos, Symi and Patmos;

♦ the Sporades group in the northeast of Greece includes Skiathos and Skopelos;

♦ the north Aegean group, home to Samos, Lesvos and Thassos; and

♦ the Saronic Gulf islands, which include Aegina, Hydra, Poros and Spetses.

And of course there’s Crete, the biggest Greek Island of all, situated on its own to the south.

A couple takes a romantic pre-sunset stroll along Plaka beach on Naxos

Click on the link below to continue reading  Jane’s article

  CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

British Airways & Edelweiss Air launching new direct flights to Greek Islands in 2015

Landmarks and popular historic sites in the center of Kos Town on Kos island. British Airways will offer London to Kos flights starting next May.

More flights in 2015: It will be easier to travel from London and Zurich to several Greek islands next summer thanks to new routes announced recently by British Airways and Edelweiss Air.

British Airways will launch flights from London Gatwick to Rhodes and to Heraklion, Crete beginning in late April, and will add routes from London Heathrow to Corfu and Kos starting on May 1.

Meanwhile, Edelweiss Air will increase its service from Zurich to Heraklion starting on April 29, and will begin direct flights from Zurich to Corfu starting in June.

New BA destinations

In a new routes announcement on its website, British Airways says it will start flying from London Gatwick to Heraklion commencing April 26. Flights have been scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. When I checked the BA website today, it was showing flights available at prices from £69 (one way).

Only three days after the flights to Crete kick off, BA will begin new service to Rhodes. Flights will start on April 29, operating on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The BA website showed one-way fares available from £109.

From May 1 to September 20, BA will fly four times a week from London Heathrow to Corfu. Flights were available today at prices as low as £83 (one way).

Also from May 1 until September 20, BA will offer two flights per week from London Heathrow to Kos. Tickets were available today at prices from £73 (one way).

With the new routes, BA will be flying to six different Greek islands next summer. As I reported in a January blog post , BA commenced twice weekly flights to Mykonos and Santorini this past spring. It will continue flying to those islands again in 2015.

New Edelweiss routes from Zurich

Edelweiss Air already operates summer flights from Zurich to Crete, Kos, Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes. When Edelweiss recently released its summer timetable for 2015, it announced it will increase the number of flights to Crete starting on March 29, and will launch new routes to Corfu beginning June 16.

Flights to Crete will now be available up to six times per week, while during peak summer season there will be two flights weekly to Corfu.

Check the Edelweiss 2015 timetable for further details, and consult the airline’s website for fares and other information.

Summer hotel prices skyrocket on Mykonos as rates rise less sharply or drop on other islands

The Little Venice seafront at Mykonos Town is a must-see attraction for hundreds of thousands of people who visit the island each year

Rising rates: Survey data from Trivago, the international hotel comparison website, has confirmed something I have been noticing for months — accommodation prices on Mykonos have risen sharply since last year.

In fact, the average nightly price for a Mykonos hotel room this month has climbed to a stunning €322 compared to €200 per night in July 2013 — a whopping 61% increase, Trivago’s research data indicates.

This news comes on the heels of a separate Trivago survey result released several days ago that ranked Mykonos as the 7th most expensive destination in the world in terms of hotel prices.

Many Mykonos hotels had frozen or even reduced their rates during the economic crisis that has devastated Greece for more than five years, with some properties losing money or barely breaking even each year as owners waited for the economy to improve. With Greek tourist traffic soaring to record levels this summer, it appears that hotels may be taking advantage of the increased demand for accommodation to try to recoup some of the losses they sustained.

Parikia is the biggest town and port on Paros.  Average hotel prices for Parikia have increased 10% this month from the same time last year.

Hotel prices rise at 16 other destinations

But Mykonos isn’t the only popular destination in Greece where hotel prices have increased since last year.

The Trivago survey shows that rates have climbed anywhere from 3% to 38% in 16 other island and mainland locations.

Places posting single-digit price increases include Corfu (+3%), Agios Nikolaos, Andros and Hydra (each +5%), plus Iraklio, Naxos and Rethymnon (up 8% each).

Locations with double-digit increases include Parikia (+10%), Rhodes (+15%), Chania (+16%), Hersonissos and Kos (each up 17%), Elounda (+18%), Ios (+19%), Zakynthos (+21%) and Lefkada (+38%).

Rates dropped on 11 islands

Trivago says room rates have dropped 13% at Ermoupoli on Syros

 Higher prices are not a trend throughout Greece, however, since nightly room rates actually have dropped significantly on some islands or, in the case of Rhodes, at one of its most popular tourist destinations (Lindos), Trivago data indicates.

On Folegandros, for example, the average price for a hotel room this month is €97, down a startling 27% from the €133 average rate in July 2013. Sharp price cuts also occurred at Koukounaries on Skiathos (-24%), Spetses (-23%), Argostoli (-15%), Astipalea (-14%), Ermoupoli on Syros (-13%), Lindos on Rhodes (-10%). Lower reductions were noted on Koufonissi and Tinos (both -4%)  and at Molyvos and Apollonia (both -3%).

Curiously, the Trivago survey didn’t mention prices on Santorini which, like Mykonos, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece.

Chora village on Folegandros. Average hotel room rates on this charming island dropped by 27% this month compared to July 2013, Trivago says.

Mykonos among Top 10 most expensive global destinations

Mykonos achieved notoriety for pricey hotel rooms on another Trivago report that made the news a few days ago. In a survey of summer 2014 trends for travellers from the United Kingdom, Trivago examined searches conducted between January 1 and June 15 for travel to take place during this month and August. (Trivago’s system compares rates from more than 700,000 hotels on more than 150 different booking sites around the world.)

The data showed that the average online price for a hotel in Mykonos Town was €244 Euros. This gave Mykonos the #7 spot on Trivago’s list of the Top 10 Most Expensive Global Destinations, behind #1 Velden, Austria; #2 Belek, Turkey, #3 Ascona, Switzerland, #4 Porto Vecchio, Corsica, #5 Montreux, Switzerland, and #6, Boston, USA.  Rounding out the top 10 behind Mykonos were #8 New York, USA, #9 Locarno, Switzerland, and #10 Lugano, Switzerland.

The results of the two Trivago surveys will cement Mykonos’s reputation as one of the most expensive places to visit in Greece — something that shouldn’t really come as a surprise, considering that the island was put on the map by the jet set in the first place, and remains a popular getaway destination for the world’s rich and famous.

Still, a 61% increase in prices is startling, even for a place frequented by affluent travellers.

Rooftops on buildings in Mykonos Town. Hotel rates on the island are practically going through the roof this year, rising 61% over prices for July 2013.

Complaints raised in emails seeking hotel advice

I noticed that Mykonos hotel prices were on the rise early this year when I was checking hotel rates to answer accommodation questions posted in the Mykonos travel forum on TripAdvisor.com. Prices seemed marginally higher than I remembered them being in 2013. As winter moved into spring, I received numerous private messages on TripAdvisor, and emails to my blog, from people seeking suggestions for cheaper accommodation because they were finding summer prices too high.

Many of the people complaining about high hotel rates were travellers from the United Kingdom who wanted to stay on Mykonos only one night. They were flying to Mykonos on EasyJet or British Airways direct flights, but immediately transferring to another island — usually Naxos, Paros or somewhere in the Small Cyclades. Because of awkward ferry schedules, many of these travellers would have to spend a night on Mykonos in order to catch their return flights home. Many were astounded not only by the high room rates on Mykonos, but also by the fact many hotels impose a minimum stay requirement of 3 nights or longer during peak travel season, which limited their accommodation options even further.

My advice for travellers seeking summer bargains is to shop around on Trivago and other online sites, and to compare prices found there to rates listed on hotel websites. Booking directly with a hotel can sometimes achieve either significant price savings or extras like complimentary shuttle service to and from the Mykonos ferry ports or airports.

If you still find Mykonos hotels too expensive for your budget, consider visiting nearby islands like Naxos or Syros instead, or one of the places where the Trivago survey showed that prices have dropped this year. There are many other islands where budget-minded tourists will get more bang for their buck. But if you’re looking for glitz, glamour and glitter, there’s only one Mykonos — and going there this summer could put a bigger dent in your wallet than you’re anticipating.

Tour boats in the harbour at Kos Town. Trivago found that average hotel rates for Kos have gone up 17% for this month compared to the same time last year.

Evening colours at the Kos Town harbour

A fisherman works on the boat Maria at the Kos Town harbour while other fishing boats and excursion vessels (below) catch the glow of the evening sun

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