Europe · Southern Europe
🇬🇷 Greece travel guide
Ancient temples, whitewashed villages & island ferries.
- Currency
- € EUR
- Time
- UTC +2
- Emergency
- 112
Best places in Greece
- Acropolis, Athens. Go at opening time; book online.
- Santorini. Oia sunset and caldera views.
- Meteora. Monasteries on rock pillars.
- Crete. Samaria Gorge, Knossos and Balos lagoon.
Hidden places
- Milos. Moon-like Sarakiniko and sea caves.
- Folegandros. Quiet Cycladic island with cliff villages.
- Nafplio. Elegant first capital of Greece.
- Zagori. Stone bridges and Vikos Gorge.
When to go
- Best time. May–June and September–October.
- Avoid. Peak August crowds and heat; winter island closures.
- Festivals. Greek Orthodox Easter, Athens Epidaurus Festival (summer).
What you need
- Documents. Passport, Schengen visa if required.
- Pack. Sunscreen, hat, water shoes, cover-up for monasteries.
- Apps. Ferryhopper, Beat/FreeNow, Google Maps.
- Booking. Book ferries and Santorini stays early in summer.
The soul of Greece
- Start somewhere unforgettable. Athens, the Cyclades, Crete, Meteora and the Peloponnese.
- Choose your season. May–June and September–October are warm with fewer crowds. Many island services slow in winter.
- Before you leave. Pair one or two islands with the mainland; ferries take time.
Visual money
- Currency · EUR €. Island tavernas are often cash-friendly; keep notes for small places.
- A daily budget. Illustrative, per person: budget €60–100; comfortable €140–280. Santorini and Mykonos cost more.
- Paying locally. Contactless cards work almost everywhere; keep a little cash for small cafés, markets and rural stops. Choose to pay in euros, not your home currency.
Arrival playbook
- Documents first. Part of the Schengen Area. Check visa rules for your passport, the EU Entry/Exit System and ETIAS requirements on official EU sites before booking.
- Your first ride. Athens airport metro and express buses reach the centre and Piraeus port.
- Get connected. An EU SIM or eSIM works across most EU countries under roaming rules. Save an offline map before leaving Wi-Fi.
Street codes
- Monasteries. Cover shoulders and legs; wraps are sometimes provided.
- Gestures. An open palm pushed toward someone (moutza) is offensive.
- Toilets. Many places ask you not to flush paper.
Beyond the postcard
- Naxos. Mountain villages, long beaches and great food.
- Zagori. Stone villages and the Vikos Gorge in the north-west.
- Monemvasia. A medieval town on a rock island.
Food dossier
- A few first plates. Greek salad, souvlaki, moussaka, fresh fish and loukoumades.
- Sharing. Order several plates for the table.
- Dietary needs. Many vegetable dishes (lathera) are naturally vegan.
Scam shield
- Bar scams. Be wary of strangers inviting you to bars in central Athens.
- ATVs. Check insurance and helmets; accidents are common on islands.
- Taxis. Check the meter or agree fares before rides.
Language cheat sheet
- Hello · Yassas. Thank you · Efharistó. Please · Parakaló.
- How much? · Póso kánei?. Water · Neró. Help · Voíthia!
- Yes looks like no. “Ne” means yes; “óchi” means no.
Survival essentials
- Emergency · 112. Tourist Police 1571.
- Wildfires & heat. Follow fire alerts in summer and carry water on hikes.
- Power & time. 230V; sockets types C and F. UTC+2 (summer +3).
Your Greece chapter
- A gentle first journey. Athens → Naxos → Santorini over 9 days.
- A different pace. Two weeks on Crete with a car.
- Before confirming. This is a starter guide, not live advice. Verify visas, prices, opening times and safety conditions with official sources.