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Travel advice for Greece
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Greece
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written by Joanne Owen
updated 24.05.2021
Though arguably best known - and most visited - for its stunning islands, Greece is astoundingly diverse. Beyond its beautiful beaches, Greece boasts mighty mountains and caves, salt marshes and cloud-forests. Its weather ranges from blazing summers to snowy winters. In short, few countries have such varied landscapes and seasonal extremes. Then there’s its ancient history, glorious food, and warm Hellenic welcome.
One thing’s for sure, visiting Greece has the potential to deliver all manner of unforgettable trips - you just need to know what you want, where to find it, and to do a little planning. With that in mind, here are our top 15 Greece travel tips - from what to know before travelling to Greece, to top tips for Greece getaways that take you off-the-beaten-track.
The Historical and Mythological Cyclades islands
The Cyclades islands include two of the most famous Greek Islands: Mykonos and Santorini. Visit these and some of the smaller, quieter, islands. With white washed houses, narrow cobbled streets, blue domed roofs and stunning beaches, they are what Greece is all about.
customize ⤍A secluded villa stay on Mainland Greece
Stay in a secluded private villa with magnificent views to the sea and explore this beautiful corner of Mainland Greece with your own rental car. Under the impressive Mt Taygetos in Southern Peloponnese, the region of Mani will give you a snapshot of authentic Greece.
customize ⤍Along the Coast of Crete: from Heraklion to Platanias
As Greece's largest island, Crete's culture and atmosphere is distinctly different from mainland Greece. Thousands of years of unique culture and rich history complement the island's untamed natural beauty. Explore Crete at your own pace with this unique self-drive trip!
customize ⤍Cultural and natural sites of Athens and the Peloponnese
Welcome to wonderful Athens for an unforgettable adventure. Enjoy getting lost in this maze of charming streets, where the modern sits beautifully with the ancient. Venture out into the Peloponnese on mainland Greece, and discover historical, cultural and natural wonders the region is blessed with.
customize ⤍An Odyssey Adventure in Ancient Greece
Learn the secrets of Ancient Greek mythology and history visiting the world-renowned site of the Acropolis, explore the unspoiled landscape of Peloponnese, become a true Spartan warrior in Thermopylae and much more - this self drive tour takes you on a real Greek adventure.
customize ⤍Explore Classical Greece: self-drive motorhome trip
This 15-days motorhome road trip will take you to Athens, the city of legends and some of the most fascinating classical sites, such as Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi and the man-made marvels of the Corinth Canal and Byzantine monasteries of Meteora. A perfect tour for history.
customize ⤍Athens: City of the Gods
Welcome to wonderful Athens. Wander this maze of charming streets, where the modern sits beautifully with the ancient; discover the Acropolis and the Parthenon, the crowning architectural achievements of the Classical Age; indulge your sense with delicious Mediterranean food at local tavernas.
customize ⤍Discover Naxos in style
Stay in a secluded private villa and explore Naxos at your own pace in your own rental car. Lasting just above 1 week, this itinerary leaves plenty of room for relaxation and exploration of the amazing island of Naxos, with its authentic mountainous villages and magnificent sea views.
customize ⤍Epirus and Athens: The Ancient Sites
Discover the ancient cities of the Epirus region and Athens. Shrouded in myths and legends of Greek gods and Roman and Byzantine warriors, the sites in the Epirus region of Greece, temples, castles, fortresses and rivers, all have tales to tell.
customize ⤍An exclusive stay in Milos
Get to know the most exotic island in the Aegean by staying in a private luxury villa by the sea. Volcanic rocks paint the beaches red, pink and orange, white rock formations, emerald green waters and caves eroded by the sea, are steeped in stories of pirates. Milos is truly unique.
customize ⤍For a winter pick-me-up with added colour and culture, you could consider visiting for the February Carnival (Apokriátika). The celebrations span three weeks, ending during the seventh weekend before Easter. For peak pageantry, check-out Patras Carnival - one of the largest and most flamboyant in the Mediterranean (and the third largest of its kind in the world). Patras itself is the largest city of The Peloponnese and its carnival boasts a chariot parade and exuberant costume parties. More of our winter travel tips for Greece can be found here.
It goes without saying that scaling mountain peaks in the peak summer months won’t be a walk in the park. So, the adventurous hikers among you should consider visiting in May - when warmer weather is on its way, but before the mercury has risen. From exploring the Meteora geological marvels and Eastern Orthodox monasteries of central Greece on treks like this, to tackling the iconic Imbros Gorge in southern Crete, spring is pretty much perfect for outdoor adventuring in Greece.
For more round-the-year information, head here to read our full when-to-visit Greece guide.
To begin at the beginning, you could finally get round to reading Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey. For fabulous contemporary novels centred on ancient myths, try Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles and Circe, or Mary Renault’s The King Must Die, a magnificent account of Theseus in Minoan Crete. Then there’s Margaret Atwood’s ingeniously inventive The Penelopiad, and Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls.
Moving away from myths, Crete-set Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis is considered a classic, while Captain Corelli’s Mandolin well and truly put Kefalonia on the map. Also read our guide to the best things to do in Kefalonia and find some useful ideas for your trip.
For real-life family drama and animal antics aplenty, Gerald Durrell’s Corfu-set memoir My Family and Other Animals is a must-read. Or how about Victoria Hislop’s The Island and The Thread for Greek history and atmosphere?
With literally hundreds of Greek-set literary treasures to choose from (we’ve hardly touched the surface here), you might just find your perfect Greek destination after reading one of them. What’s more, by the time you travel to Greece, you’ll be in the perfect frame of mind - when it comes to pre-trip tips for Greece, they don’t come more inspirational than this.
First up, it will make your trip all the more immersive. Secondly, Greeks don’t generally expect foreigners to know any Greek, so they love it when you do know a few words. What’s not to like about impressing (and ingratiating yourself) with locals?
Given the high levels of English throughout the country, learning Greek isn’t at all necessary. But that's not the point. Your efforts will be rewarded when your status is elevated from regular tourist to honoured “xenos”, which means both “foreigner” and “guest”.
If you’re wondering what to know before travelling to Greece, take a look at the Rough Guides Greek Phrasebook. One thing’s for sure - if you follow this advice (one of our top Greece travel tips) you’ll never have need of the phase “it’s all Greek to me again.” Talking of which, we also recommend reading John Mole’s hilarious memoir, It’s All Greek to Me.
For inspiration, you could take a look at our guide to the best Greek islands, and then start researching what’s possible. Ferry services are still plentiful and mostly reliable through the warmer months, so why not choose a group of islands like the Ionians, the Dodecanese or the postcard pretty Cyclades? Most islands offer trips to see some of their smaller gems, such as this full-day sailing cruise around the Small Cyclades from Paros. Or, if you’re flying into Athens, you could take a tour of the scenic Saronic Islands (Hydra, Poros and Aegina). Our Greece experts share some itinerary ideas here.
Take lovely Lesvos, for example. It might be the third-largest island behind Crete and Evvia, but it’s surprisingly little visited. Its coastline boasts a bounty of beautiful beaches, while main town of Mytilini has an impressive seafront, an extensive fortress, plus plenty of places to eat and drink. The island isn’t short of pretty small towns either, among them Molyvos and Ayiassos. What’s more, the large shallow Gulf of Kalloni includes salt marshes that are a birdwatcher’s dream.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with taking a well-travelled path. It's hardly a hidden gem, but with stunning sunsets, beautiful beaches, volcanic hiking trails, and lively nightlife, Santorini is the perfect place to enjoy a varied Greek Island getaway. Known for its iconic blue-domed churches, white houses carved into cliffs, and epic caldera views (not to mention the sunsets that will take your breath way - really), it’s no wonder that Santorini’s Oia is one of the most photographed spots on all the Greek Islands.
While you’ll most likely want to amble enchanting Oia in your own time, booking a boat trip to view that legendary sunset comes highly recommended. While building up to the main event, this sunset sailing cruise sails past the Indian Head Mountain and Venetian Lighthouse into the picturesque Caldera. It also offers views of the Ancient City of Akrotiri, with swimming and snorkelling stop-offs at secluded bays along the way. And if you give this a read, you might just discover some of Santorini's secret gems.
As with planning an island-hopping adventure, you’ll want to take time to research which island to make your “stay-put-Paradise” - but all that prep will be more than worth it when you find your Greek El Dorado.
If nature and outdoor adventuring is more your bag, be sure to investigate visiting the Pindus Mountains. Known as the spine of Greece, this 160km long mountain range borders northern Greece and southern Albania. Hiking to the Vikos Gorge is an unforgettable experience - famed for its unique natural beauty and crystal-clear waters, the gorge is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the deepest gorge in the world.
Travelling between the main towns can be done on the extensive KTEL bus network, with local services radiating out to villages, but if you're interested in historical and cultural highlights and maybe pressed for time, consider a private guide and driver, or hiring a car.
For more information about getting around Greece, check out our guide to exactly that. If you’re wondering how to travel to Greece in the first place, read this.
One of our favourite spots in Athens is picturesque Plaka. Straddling the ancient and modern city, Plaka was the hub of Athens’s population from Byzantine times through to Greek independence. Today its tangle of winding thoroughfares is a delight to explore. Dappled with neoclassical mansions, fragrant with gardenias, and chock-a-block with street musicians, it’s the perfect place for a pre-dinner stroll. You could even blend Plaka’s ambience with Greek culture and great food on this deliciously entertaining dance-and-dine experience.
If you’re looking for a room with a view in Athens, they don’t come better than Electra Metropolis. It's elegantly appointed, conveniently located, with panoramic views over (you’ve guessed it) the Acropolis.
Discover the diversity of Athens with our guide to the best things to do in Athens.
While it’s not generally unsafe, you should watch your valuables, especially when travelling on crowded transport such as the metro. And, as with travel in general, look into taking out insurance before travelling in Greece, or to Greece for that matter. Better safe than sorry.
Experiencing Greek food is a great reason alone to travel to this country. Read our guide to the Greek dishes you must try during your trip.
Another way to embrace that dine-like-a-local ethos is to ask for local barrelled wine, (cheaper than bottled), or to try a fiery spirit like ouzo or tsipouro. And don’t be fobbed off with bottled water - tap is fine.
You could get into Greek grub through taking a tasting tour, like this gourmet food walking tour of Athens, or this Crete wine and food tasting tour. You’ll find similar experiences all over the mainland and islands.
From breakfast koulouri (soft bread rings covered in sesame seeds), to mouth-watering moussaka, to perfect pastries (spanakopita is especially sensational - phyllo pastry layered with feta cheese and spinach), there’s plenty to whet your appetite. For more food recommendations, read our guide to must-eat dishes.
So, don’t expect snappy service in restaurants, or transportation to run like clockwork. In fact, this might just be one of our best tips of Greece - don’t sweat the small stuff (like getting annoyed if your dinner’s a bit late). Instead, save your energy for the good stuff - like discovering (yet another) secluded cove, exploring (yet another) awe-inspiring ancient ruin, or making it to the top of that mountain peak.
And of course, don’t pass up the chance to see Greece’s rich ancient history up close. In all likelihood, there’ll be a host of amazing ruins to explore whenever you are.
It might be useful to be aware of two gestures that could cause offence, or misunderstanding. First, hand gestures. Don’t hold your hand up, palm out, to anybody, and don’t make an OK sign by forming a circle with your thumb and forefinger - both are extremely rude. Secondly, nodding and shaking your head for "yes" and "no" are also likely to be misinterpreted. Greeks use a slight forward inclination of the head for yes, and a more vigorous backward nod for no.
For our full guide to Greek etiquette, take a look at this.
If travelling with children, you’ll soon see how much they're adored - and indulged. Children often act as natural icebreakers too, especially at restaurants, where nobody minds them running around and making a bit (or even a lot) of noise.
If you are set on staying in a resort, why not head beyond the confines of your holiday retreat to eat? Firstly, eating the same buffet every day can get a little boring. And secondly, as we mentioned above, there are plenty of local eateries serving excellent food at excellent prices.
Greeks tend to have a similarly divergent, flexible attitude to rules and regulations - like having to wear seatbelts or crash helmets, and not smoking in public places. These are all regularly ignored, but it’s up to you whether you follow suit. Take your cue (or not) from others around you.
At Rough Guides we’ve always taken pride in telling it like it is - whether we’re updating details in our guide books, or researching emerging destinations. With that in mind, we want you to know that when you click on links that lead to our affiliate partners’ sites, we can earn a small commission (at no cost to you). This is one of the ways we’re able to keep doing what we do best - provide you with travel advice and inspiration you can trust. Speaking of which, you can trust what we link to - our travel writer experts are exactly that (experts) and have highlighted them to share ideas that might make your trips all the more satisfying.
Header image: idyllic Agios Stefanos on the Greek island of Corfu © Shutterstock
written by Joanne Owen
updated 24.05.2021
Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.
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