travel blog for greece

• Living In Croatia
• Croatian Recipes
• Balkan Recipes

Home > Greece Travel Blog - Athens, Islands & Beyond

Greece Travel Blog – Athens, Islands & Beyond

5 Best Photo Spots In Santorini That We Reccommend

What You Need To Know About Planning A Trip To Greece

Best Hiking In Greece: 19 Unmissable Hiking Trails & Routes

Best Way To Get From Athens To Zakynthos (Flight, Bus And Ferry Travel)

This Greece travel blog has all you need to know about traveling to Greece. Where to stay, what to eat, and things to do in Greece. We’ve got it all covered, Athens and beyond.

Here are our most popular Greece travel guides.

5 Best Photo Spots In Santorini That We Reccommend What You Need To Know About Planning A Trip To Greece Best Hiking In Greece: 19 Unmissable Hiking Trails & Routes Best Way To Get From Athens To Zakynthos (Flight, Bus And Ferry Travel) Mykonos To Ios Ferry Tickets: Info, FAQs & Travel Tips Largest Islands In Greece Guide: Must-Visit Biggest Greek Islands Best Drinks Of Greece: 21 Greek Beverages To Drink How To Get From Greece To Turkey By Ferry (& Other Ways) Hike From Fira To Oia, Santorini On The Caldera Path 33 Ancient Greek Archaeological Sites In Greece: The Acropolis & Beyond Corfu Family Holidays: Things To Do In Corfu With Kids 17 Unmissable Day Trips From Athens: Take A Tour From Athens 13 Greece Scams To Avoid – Is Athens Safe To Visit In 2024 7 Best Greek Party Islands: What Greek Islands Have The Best Nightlife Is Kos Safe To Visit In 2024 – Kos Travel Safety Guide 15 Of The Most Beautiful Cities In Greece Not To Miss How To Get From Corfu To Albania (& Albania To Corfu) 28 Street Foods In Athens Ideas & Where To Find Them 6 Areas Not To Miss In The Lakonia Region Of Greece (Laconia Region) The Perfect 3 Day Santorini Itinerary Winter In Greece Guide – What To Do & Weather 2024 Cyclades Island Hopping Guide – Greece Travel 31 Dreamy Islands- Best Greek Island For Couples To Visit 9 Top Greek Islands For Families: Travel Greece With Kids Greek Aegean Islands List – Aegean Sea Islands Guide Athens Airport To Piraeus Ferry Terminal – 2024 Guide 20 Traditional Greek Desserts To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth Is Thessaloniki Worth Visiting? Plus 23 Things To Do Once There Visiting Zakynthos Island – Travel Zante Island Greece What Currency In Greece Is Used  – Greek Currency Euro Guide Greek Easter: Things To Do & Foods During Easter In Greece Travel Guide To Kasos Island, Greece – 14 Things To Do & See 10 Best Beaches In Santorini To Enjoy This Summer How To Get From Corfu To Saranda (& Saranda To Corfu) Hiring A Car In Greece & Greece Driving Tips Guide 2024 Family Holidays In Crete Guide – Things For Kids 18 Peloponnese Best Beaches, Greece You Will Love 6 Best Beach Clubs In Santorini: Santorini Beach Bars A Guide To Kos Island, Greece Guide To Nisyros Island – A Remote Aegean Getaway  9 Best Beaches In Thessaloniki – Beautiful Greece 10 Top Chania Beaches On Crete – Beautiful Greece How Many Days In Athens Is Enough? Plan Your Athens Itinerary Greece In Spring – Best Time & Reasons To Visit Guide To Skiing In Greece & 13 Best Greek Ski Resorts How To Enjoy 4 Days In Santorini: Detailed Santorini Itinerary How To Get From Athens To Delphi (& Delphi To Athens) Unmissable Things To Do In Amorgos Island Greece 40 Best Rooftop Bars In Athens With Stunning Views & Cocktails Ferry From Athens To Santorini – Schedules & Tickets Traveling From Athens To Paros & Paros To Pireaus Athens To Spetses Ferry From Piraeus – 2024 Guide Ferry From Mykonos To Paros (& Paros To Mykonos Ferry) Kimolos Island Greece Guide – Hidden Coves & Beaches 18 Unmissable Beaches Of Sithonia, Halkidiki Greece Best Beaches On Lefkada Island, Greece Not To Miss How To Visit These 11 Greek Islands Close To Turkey In One Day How To Celebrate Christmas In Greece: Festive Greek Traditions 8 Hiking Trails Around Athens – Hiking In Athens Greece How To Get From Athens to Kalamata (& Kalamata to Athens) Ferry From Italy To Greece – Prices, Routes & Tickets Antiparos To Mykonos Ferry (& Mykonos To Antiparos Ferry) Crete Vs. Mykonos – Choosing Mykonos Or Crete Guide 15 Cheapest Islands In Greece To Visit On A Budget 3 Ways On How To Get From Athens To Mykonos In 2024 67 Great Greek Landmarks In Greece That Are Not The Acropolis Epic Guide To Milos Island, Greece – Best Things To Do Kythira Greece Guide – Perfect Island To Escape An Epic Guide To Karpathos Island, Greece 18 Best Mykonos Beach Clubs For A Tranquil Summer Croatia Vs. Greece Comparison – Greece Or Croatia Break Guide Agistri Island, Greece Guide – Greek Saronic Gulf 25 Ancient Greek Cities – Epic Guide To Ancient Greece Best Time To Visit Greece – Greek Seasons & When To Go Best 10 Day Greece Itinerary Guide – Greek Trip Idea Greek Island Of Kea Guide: Discover The Best Of Kea (Tzia) Aegina Or Agistri? Greek Saronic Islands Agistri Vs. Aegina Your Guide To Visiting Kefalonia Island, Greece 26 Best Athens Landmarks – Must-See Historical Sites Drinking Alcohol & The Legal Drinking Age in Greece Epic Travel Guide To Alonissos Island, Greece 41 Beaches In Milos, Greece + A Guide To The 5 Best Greece Or Portugal For Travel? Portugal Vs. Greece Guide Greece Or Spain? How You Choose Between Spain Vs. Greece Aegina Or Hydra? Which Is The Best Greek Saronic Island 2024 Greece On A Budget Tips – Travel To Greece Cheap 2024 Mykonos To Naxos Ferry Routes, Times & Tickets Guide To 21 Top Things To Do In Nafplio, Greece Ferry From Croatia To Greece (& Greece To Croatia) Guide To The Island Of Lesbos, Greece – Lesvos Guide Snorkeling Greece – 50 Spots For Snorkeling In Greece 19 Must-See UNESCO Sites In Greece: World Heritage  20 Best Quiet Greek Islands: A Secluded Vacation Without Crowds Spend Christmas In Athens & Enjoy The Athens Christmas Markets DIY Greek Mythology Road Trip In Greece With Kids Is Hydra Worth Visiting? The Car-Free Island In Greece Ports In Greece: Cruise To Greece & The Greek Islands 23 Must-Buy Greek Souvenirs: Best Gifts To Buy In Greece Why Visit Greece In Autumn – Best Greece In Fall Ideas What To See & Do On Ikaria Island – Greece Travel Guide Santorini To Crete Ferry In 2024 (& Crete To Santorini) 2024 Athens To Crete Ferry (& From Crete To Athens) 2024 Thessaloniki Christmas Market Guide Greek Islands: Local’s Guide To Island-Hopping Greece 26 Most Famous Greek Statues & Where To Find Them  Greek Food Guide: 27 Ideas On What To Eat In Greece Santorini Vs. Mykonos Comparison Guide: How To Choose Santorini Or Mykonos Greece In September – What To Do & See In September In Greece Meteora Monasteries Greece Guide Koufonisia: Kato Koufonisi & Ano Koufonisi, Greece Is Naxos Worth Visiting? What You Need To Know To Visit Naxos 3 Ways To Travel From Athens Airport To The Acropolis What To Do On Corfu In Winter For Everyone 23 Best Beaches On Amorgos Island – Greece Guide 7 Best Beaches in Ios, Greece To Enjoy Spetses Island Guide – A Hidden Greek Island Gem Top 20 Waterfalls In Greece List – Best Greek Falls Sifnos Island – A Lavish Island Close To The Mainland Serifos Island Guide – Don’t Lose Your Head Like Medusa Athens Travel Advice, Including Things To Do In Athens Skopelos Vs. Skiathos – Choosing Skiathos Or Skopelos, Greece Choose Between Crete Or Rhodes – Rhodes Vs. Crete Guide Solo Travel In Greece: Tips For The Mainland & Greek Islands Top 12 Acropolis View Athens Rooftop Restaurants 14 Famous Ancient Greek Temples And Where To Find Them  Guide To Corfu Island, Greece – Emerald Eye Of The Ionian Sea All You Need To Know About Kalymnos Island, Greece Your Guide To Santorini With Kids (Plus A Pros And Cons List) Where To Go Paros Or Milos – Milos Vs. Paros Guide How To Have A Romantic Honeymoon In Santorini Perfect 3 Day Athens Itinerary For First-Timers 11 Lesser-Known Greek Islands You Should Explore Places To Enjoy The Nightlife In Mykonos Naxos Or Paros Island Comparison – Paros Vs. Naxos Your Guide To Antiparos Island – Cyclades Greece A Guide To Lefkada Island, Greece How To Get From Santorini Airport To Fira 12 Closest Islands To Athens For Your Next Greek Adventure  Choose Between Crete Or Santorini – Santorini Vs Crete 16 Best Mainland Greece Beaches You Cannot Miss 13 Greek Breakfast Ideas For Breakfast In Greece Things To Do In Donousa Greece – An Island In The Aegean Guide To The Site Of Akrotiri Village Santorini, Greece How To Get From Mykonos To Santorini (& Santorini To Mykonos) One Day In Santorini Itinerary – Santorini Cruise Port Kefalonia Vs. Corfu Islands – Greek Island Comparison Guide To The 9 Best Beach Clubs In Paros Greece For Kids: Where To Go In Greece With Kids One Day In Mykonos: Docking At Mykonos Cruise Port Choose Between Corfu Or Zakynthos – Zakynthos Vs. Corfu 14 Day Turkey & Greece Itinerary – Best 2 Weeks In 2024 Ionian Islands Greece – Island Hopping, Itinerary Guide Ferry From Thessaloniki To Skopelos Guide 15 Of The Best Beaches In Naxos Greece You Will Love Ferry From Greece To Cyprus Or Fly? Kalamata Greece – Things To Do In The Home Of The Olive 7 Of The Best Day Trips From Thessaloniki To Take In 2024 Is There Uber In Rhodes? Plus, Exploring Transport On Rhodes Is There Uber in Corfu? Yes & Here Is Everything You Need To Know Greece Packing List – What To Pack For Greece Guide Island Hoping The Greek Dodecanese Islands How To Get From Rome To Athens (& Athens To Rome) What’s Better, Greece Or Turkey? Here We Run Through Turkey Vs Greece Airports On Greek Islands: 26 Greek Islands With Airports How To Get From Croatia To Greece (& From Greece To Croatia) Saronic Gulf: Your Guide To The 6 Saronic Islands, Greece Your Guide To Andros Greece – A Beach Island Getaway Aegina, Greece Travel Guide – An Island Near Athens 5 Volcanoes In Greece You Must Visit On Your Next Trip Do You Tip In Greece? A Guide To Tipping In Greece Most Famous Shipwrecks In Greece & Where To Find Them Guide To Ios Island, Greece – Things To Do & See A Guide To Attica Greece – History & What To See & Do In Attica Guide To The Three Peninsulas Of Halkidiki, Greece Guide To Karpenisi: Real Greek Life In Central Greece A Guide To Peloponnese Region, Greece How To Get From Thessaloniki To Halkidiki (& Halkidiki To Thessaloniki) How To Get From Milos To Antiparos (& Antiparos To Milos) Crete Vs. Corfu: Which Island Will Suit You Better, Corfu Or Crete? How To Get From Albania To Greece (& Greece To Albania) How To Get From Crete To Mykonos (& From Mykonos to Crete) How To Order & Drink Coffee In Greece – Greek Coffee Culture Guide To Thassos Island In The Aegean Sea: What To See & Do Greece Or Cyprus? How You Choose Between Cyprus Vs. Greece What To Do On Holidays In Greece A Guide To Western Macedonia, Greece How To Get From Greece To Italy (& Italy To Greece) Skiathos Island Greece Guide – A Small, But Mighty Island Best Nisyros Beaches: Volcanic Sands & Crystal Clear Waters  Mykonos Travel Guide – A MedVacation Like No Other 37 Monasteries In Greece – Discovering Greece’s Sacred Sites Greek Island Groups – About Each Group Of Islands In Greece Guide To The Central Greece Region – Mainland Travel Athens Vs. Thessaloniki – How To Choose Between Thessaloniki Or Athens Guide To Symi Island, Greece (But Super Close To Turkey!) Where Are The Best Sandy Beaches In Greece..Let Us Show You Visiting Thessaloniki – Your Guide Of Things To Do In Thessaloniki Santorini To Milos By Ferry (& Ferries From Milos To Santorini) How To Get To Skiathos Island – A Gem In The Sporades, Greece Guide To The Archaeological Site Of Delphi Greece Guide To Syros Island: Explore The Small But Mighty Greek Island Your Guide To The Archaeological Site of Mystras, Greece Paxos Island Guide – An Ionian Island That Packs A Green Punch Crete Itinerary – Things To Do In Crete Greece Naxos Vs. Crete – How To Choose Between Crete Or Naxos Guide To The 12 Best Greece Honeymoon Resorts: Where To Stay & Why Greece Road Trip Itineraries: Greece By Car For 5, 7 Or 10 Days Expert Rhodes Travel Guide + Top 11 Things To Do The 12 Hottest Greek Islands In October Calling You What To See & Do When It’s Winter In Santorini Scuba Diving Greece – Best Places To Go Scuba Diving In Greece How To Get From Thessaloniki To Athens (& Athens To Thessaloniki) Ithaca Island, Greece – An Emerald Gem In The Ionian Sporades Islands Travel Guide Greek Wines In Greece, What To Drink & Where Your Guide To Paros Island & Its White-Washed Towns The Closest Islands To Santorini, Greece A Guide To Areopoli Greece – A Gem Of The Mani Peninsula Our Pick Of The Best Beaches In Corfu, Greece A Guide To Limeni Greece – A Hidden Fishing Village Your Guide To Patra, Greece – Gate To The West Evia Island, Greece Travel Guide (Euboea Island) The 8 Best Greek Islands For Older Couples   Island Hopping From Crete – Closest Islands To Crete Vathia, Greece – A Ghost Town In The Peloponnese Region A Greek Island Getaway To The Chios Island, Greece What You Need To Know About Psiri Athens, Greece Sifnos Vs. Serifos – How To Choose Between Serifos Or Sifnos The Luxury Destination Of Costa Navarino, Greece Things To Do On Patmos Island (And How To Get There) A Local’s Guide To Car Rentals Crete & Driving Tips 80 Fascinating Facts About Greece Digital Nomads Greece – Greece Digital Nomad Visa Tinos Island Greece – A Quiet Island In The Cyclades

Move This Adventure To Your Inbox & Get An Instant Freebie

Subscribe To Unlock Your FREE Customizable Travel Packing List & All Our Best Tips!

Unlock Your FREE Customizable Travel Packing List!

Subscribe Now For Instant Access To Stress-Free Packing

Greece Travel Guide

Last Updated: June 6, 2024

It’s also one of the more affordable countries on the Euro.

You can travel around Greece for a fraction of what you’d spend in other Western Europe, which is just one of the many reasons why I absolutely love visiting Greece.

I’ve been to Greece many times and have spent months exploring this country. I cannot say enough good things about it.

Visiting Greece is always the highlight of my summer European travels. There’s just something magical about this country. There’s an energy in the air and you can’t help but think, “Maybe I should never leave?” It sucks you in.

And, while the Greek islands get the most attention, the interior of the country — with its small towns, historic ruins, and mountain hikes — is too often overlooked and underappreciated.

So, while you may have a strong desire to stick to the islands, try to get to some of the places in the interior if you can. You won’t regret it.

This Greece travel guide combines all my knowledge and experience to help you plan an epic, affordable trip!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Greece

Click Here for Island and City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in greece.

1. Visit the Acropolis

Located in Athens , this magnificent hilltop complex from the 5th century BCE includes ancient buildings and ruins like the temple to Athena and the famous Parthenon. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is an excellent place to learn about the city’s history. You’ll also get to enjoy an expansive view of the skyline and the nearby ruins. During the summer, it’s swarming with tourists so get there early. Admission is 20 EUR, or for 30 EUR you can get a 5-day combined ticket that includes many other archaeological sites in Athens. For a guided tour, Athens Walking Tours runs guided tours for around 55 EUR (including admission) that skip the line.

2. Discover historic Crete

Crete has a long, long history. It was once home to the ancient Minoan civilization (which predated Greek civilization), and you can still visit the Bronze Age ruins of Knossos, the ancient capital of the Minoan empire (also considered the oldest city in Europe). The island is the largest in all of Greece and has beautiful beaches (including a beach with pink sand), plentiful hiking, quaint towns, and delicious food and wine. It’s affordable and because of the island’s size, you can still escape the summer crowds. Don’t skip this island!

3. Hike up Mount Olympus

Mount Olympus is the legendary home of the Greek gods. Any climb to Mount Olympus starts from the town of Litochoro, 150 kilometers (93 miles) south of Thessaloniki. At 2,917 meters (9,570 feet) high, it’s the tallest mountain in Greece. The hike up is both strenuous and mystical. As you climb, it becomes abundantly clear why Greeks thought it was this mountain from which the gods ruled!

4. See Meteora’s monasteries

Meteora is famous for its monasteries that sit atop sheer rock mountains . They are a stunning sight to see and worth the steep trek up to the top. The monasteries date back to the 9th-10th centuries when Orthodox Christian hermit monks isolated themselves on the cliffs and in the many caves in the area. In the 12th century, the monastic community became more organized and in the 14th century the Great Meteoron Monastery was constructed (one of the ones that you can visit today). Although more than twenty monasteries used to perch on these sandstone cliffs, only six remain today. They are still active, with around 50 nuns and 17 monks living here. It’s a 3 EUR entrance fee per monastery.

5. Explore the islands

Other things to see and do in greece, 1. learn some history.

Greece is where western civilization began and everywhere you turn, you’ll find ruins that are thousands of years old. Start in Athens with the museums, the Acropolis and surrounding ruins in the Agora, and then set off to explore the ruins of Delphi, Sparta , Corinth, and Crete . There are also great archaeological museums everywhere to see artifacts up close and learn even more. This country is a history lover’s dream!

2. Explore Sparta

Sparta was the ancient rival of Athens and known for its fierce warriors (the entertaining but historically-inaccurate film 300 was based on the Spartans). The city has a long history and plenty of ruins to explore. There is no shortage of things to do , museums to visit, excursions to take, and places to eat when you visit the city. Be sure to check out the King Leonidas statue, visit the Archeological Museum, and explore the Diros Caves. I especially enjoyed the Museum of the Olive and Olive Oil, which takes you through how olives have become a staple of everyday life in Greece. It’s an often-overlooked city even though it’s only a 2.5-hour drive southwest of Athens. It’s a great place to learn some history without the crowds.

3. Attend the Athens Epidaurus Festival

Every summer, the Athens Epidaurus Festival hosts concerts and performance theater, including reenactments of famous Greek plays. There are operas, indie musicians, dance performances, lectures, and more. It’s a unique celebration of the performing arts in all their forms and worth your time if you’re in the city when it’s happening. Started in 1955, it’s one of the country’s top cultural events and runs for the whole summer (May-October). If it coincides with your visit, you’ll see just how proud the Greeks are of their past. Tickets for each performance cost as little as 5 EUR.

4. Soak up the sun in Corfu

The Cyclades Islands may get all the press but sunny Corfu on Greece’s west coast is also a good place to enjoy the beach too. It’s a popular destination for young backpackers, but once you get out of the main town, you can avoid them and their partying ways and get the island to yourself! There are plenty of quiet beaches, ancient ruins, and beautiful villages to explore. I especially recommend checking out the Achilleion a palace from 1890 as well as Nymfes Village, historic Corfu Town, and the incredible views from Angelokastro Castle. You’re just a stone’s throw away from Albania too.

5. Explore the Delphi Ruins

Delphi was a place of spiritual significance to the ancient Greeks. Located around 2.5 hours northwest of Athens, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is where the omniscient Oracle would contact the god Apollo and give his advice to those seeking good fortune. Although the eternal flame no longer burns inside the temple, a visit to the Temple of Apollo is obligatory if you’re nearby. Admission is 12 EUR and includes entry to the museum as well as the archaeological site itself (which includes far more than just the Temple of Apollo). There are a lot of day trips to Delphi from Athens starting around 48 EUR.

6. Explore Melissani Cave

This otherworldly cave grotto can be accessed by a short yet postcard-worthy boat tour. Located on the island of Kefalonia on the western side of Greece, here you can admire the seemingly magical ultramarine waters and the monumental walls that envelope you as you make your way through this hidden underground landscape. I love how you can see the lush forest and trees just above the cave walls. It’s totally surreal and the water is so clear that it looks like the boats are floating on glass. Admission is 7 EUR and includes the boat ride.

7. Hike the Samaria Gorge

Samaria Gorge in beautiful Crete is one of Greece’s National Parks and a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. For outdoor enthusiasts, this is considered one of the best hikes in Greece. While it isn’t the shortest or easiest trek (it’s 16 kilometers/10 miles), the gorge does promise beautiful landscapes, fantastic photo opportunities, and a great workout. Along the way, you’ll see the White Mountains and the trek ends at the lovely beach town of Agia Roumeli. The whole trek takes 5-7 hours to complete so make sure you bring water, sunscreen, and a hat as the heat can be overwhelming. The views are worth it though!

8. Experience the Patras Carnival

Every year in mid-January, the city of Patras (located 2.5 hours west of Athens) hosts what is basically a month-and-a-half-long party that starts on January 17th and runs to the beginning of Lent. There’s a slew of events both major and minor, increasingly crazy weekends, treasure hunts, and various costume parades (which even feature floats). It’s a lively time and as the largest such festival in Greece, attracting tons of revelers. If you want to attend, it’s a good idea to make hotel reservations well in advance as things fill up.

9. Tour the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

The number one attraction in Crete , this museum also happens to be Greece’s second-largest archaeological museum (the museum in Athens is the largest). The artifacts here cover more than 5,500 years of history. One of my favorite pieces was a game board that dates all the way back to 1600 BC. The stunning collection here highlights the Cretan civilization (dating back from Neolithic times through to the Roman empire), with ancient pottery, jewelry, sarcophagi, colorful frescoes from Knossos, and more. Its Minoan collection is the most extensive in the world. You could easily spend hours here — especially if you love history like me. Admission is 12 EUR in the summer and 6 EUR in the winter.

10. Party on Ios

Ios has the wildest nightlife out of all the Greek islands. It is the summer party island where days are spent hungover on the beach and the nights are spent eating cheap food and drinking. If you don’t want to do that but still want to see Ios, it’s best to go to the eastern part of the island where it’s quieter. Don’t let Ios’ party reputation deter you from visiting though, it’s a beautiful, rugged island (and home to the grave of Homer, who wrote The Iliad and The Odyssey). It’s only busy from June-August so you can visit in the shoulder season to escape the party crowd.

11. Visit Thessaloniki

With more than 1 million inhabitants, Thessaloniki is Greece’s second-largest city after Athens. Although it dates back to 315 BCE, a lot of the city was destroyed by fire in 1917 and then by bombing during World War II. The result is a combination of more modern European city urban planning alongside Early Christian, Roman, and Byzantine monuments. In fact, Thessaloniki has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites (15!) than any other city in Europe. Be sure to visit the White Tower, the Rotunda, the Arch of Galerius, and Galerius Palace as well as the many churches (such as the Hagia Sofia and Hagios Demetrios). There are also several great museums here, including the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Byzantine Culture, the Jewish Museum, and the Olympic Museum.

12. Go to Zakynthos

Just south of Kefalonia in the Ionian Sea is Zakynthos , one of Greece’s most popular islands. With its soft, sandy beaches and charming villages, it’s easy to see why this island is a fan favorite. It can be busy, particularly in the summer, so head away from the main tourist area (go north, west or inland) or visit in the off-season to escape the crowds. Zakynthos is also a breeding area for loggerhead turtles and you can see them on Lagana Beach or on Turtle Island but take care to do so responsibly. Other activities include seeing the Blue Caves, Marathonisi Islet, and Shipwreck Beach (you’ll need to take a boat tour to get there). There are also tons of churches, monasteries, and ruins to check out too.

13. Visit Monemvasia

Monemvasia is a medieval castle town in Laconia on the coast of the Peloponnese, around 90 kilometers (56 miles) southeast of Sparta . It’s a spectacular island to visit as it is built into the side of a huge rock! Monemvasia was founded by the Byzantines in the 6th century and is a quiet town perfect for relaxing on the beach before dining under the stars at seaside taverns or on cobbled streets in the town. There are ruins to explore and a mosque from the 16th century now houses the towns Archaeological Museum. You can also walk out to the lighthouse for incredible sea views. If you’re into hiking, there are some trails that will take you past chapels and settlements up to hilltops to admire the views or down to secluded beaches.

14. Explore Ioannina

Next to Lake Pamvotida in northwestern Greece, Ioannina is a castle town that is bursting with museums. Don’t miss the Byzantine Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Archaeological Museum, and the Silversmithing Museum (the area is well-known for its beautiful jewelry). Head to the castle at sunset for a peaceful end to your day. You can use the town as a base for exploring the nearby Pindus National Park, the Tzoumerka mountain chain, the Cave of Perama, and the Byzantine town of Arta as well. You won’t need more than a couple of days here but it is well worth stopping if you are passing through.

15. Go wine tasting

While Greece isn’t as internationally renowned for wine as other European countries such as France or Spain, it should be. The Greek wine-making tradition goes back at least 6,500 years and is still going strong. Wine regions are spread across the country, but Crete has one of the oldest wine-making traditions (and over 30 wineries to visit around the island), while the wineries of Santorini make for an interesting tour due to the way that grape vines must be grown here (to protect against harsh winds). Wine tours start around 50 EUR for a full-day tour.

16. Take a cooking class

Greek food is legendary. If you’re a foodie like me and want to learn more about the cuisine and culture behind it, try a cooking class . Bring a taste of your trip home by learning how to make some traditional recipes (including favorites like tzatziki and moussaka) while learning about the importance of each dish directly from a local chef. Cooking classes generally last 3-4 hours and cost 70-100 EUR.

17. Take a boat tour

A boat tour is one of the best ways to see the islands, especially as some beaches are only accessible by water. You can find these on most of the islands and they’ll take you to incredible places you can’t get to by car. Most tours also have stops for snorkeling and lounging on the beach, and many include drinks and lunch. Half-day tours start at 20 EUR, while full-day tours are around 30 EUR. Prices can vary greatly depending on where you’re taking the tour from.

18. Go diving

Diving has become increasingly popular in the Greek Islands. On Mykonos , Paradise Reef has a large variety of marine life, including sponges, barracuda, octopus, and starfish. Ios is popular with beginners due to its crystal-clear waters and relatively calm waves. On the other hand, Santorini has less marine life but tons of shipwrecks. Shore dives start around 50 EUR, while a two-tank dive on a boat starts around 70 EUR. You can also take a beginner discovery course for around 70 EUR or a variety of PADI courses starting at 65 EUR.

19. Tour an olive oil farm

  For more information on specific destinations in Greece, check out these guides:

• Athens Travel Guide
• Corfu Travel Guide
• Crete Travel Guide
• Ios Travel Guide
• Mykonos Travel Guide
• Naxos Travel Guide
• Santorini Travel Guide
• Sparta Travel Guide

Greece Travel Costs

A room in a budget hotel that sleeps two can be found for 40-60 EUR (expect much higher prices — up to 50% higher — during the summer). Amenities at these hotels typically include free Wi-Fi, TV, a private bathroom, AC, and sometimes breakfast as well.

On Airbnb, you can find private rooms for 25-45 EUR in many cities and entire homes (including studio apartments) start at around 50 EUR per night.

Food – Greece is known for its food. Think seasonal vegetables (like olives), seafood, grilled meats, bread, feta cheese, and yogurt — all the staples of a fresh Mediterranean diet. To eat cheap, stick with eating gyros, souvlaki, and kebabs. These cost 3-6 EUR and easily fill you up. If you’re on a budget, you can live off these for as little as 15 EUR per day.

At a casual restaurant that serves traditional cuisine, expect to pay around 8-12 EUR for a main dish like moussaka and about 3-6 EUR for a glass of wine. A Greek salad costs between 6-8 EUR. Fish is more expensive, costing around 17-22 EUR for the catch-of-the-day.

Most restaurants charge for bread. The price is between .50-1.50 EUR. A bottle of water is about 2 EUR.

Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 9 EUR for a combo meal. A large pizza costs 8-11 EUR while Indian/Middle Eastern/Chinese food can be found for around 7-8 EUR for a main dish.

If you’re going out for dinner at a traditional taverna, expect to spend between 12-25 EUR depending on how much food you get. After that, the prices go up depending on how fancy the restaurant is!

Beer is 3-5 EUR while a latte/cappuccino is 3-4 EUR. Bottled water from the supermarket is 0.50 EUR.

If you cook your meals, expect to pay 35-50 EUR per week for groceries including pasta, vegetables, chicken, and other basic staples. It’s easy to eat on the cheap in Greece.

Backpacking Greece Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Greece, my suggested budget is 40-60 EUR per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel, eating cheap food, cooking some of your meals, doing only free activities like hiking and relaxing on the beach, limiting your drinking, and using local transportation to get around. If you’re visiting the Greek islands or traveling during peak season, expect to spend on the higher amount of that. If you plan on drinking, add 5-15 EUR per day to your budget.

On a mid-range budget of 100-130 EUR per day, you can visit some museums and ruins, stay at a private hostel room or Airbnb, eat out more, enjoy some drinks, take the occasional taxi, and rent a bike or scooter to get around.

If you keep your drinking and costly activities down, you can easily do this closer to 100 EUR per day. On the other hand, if you’re staying on one of the more expensive islands like Mykonos or Santorini and drinking a lot, expect to spend closer to 150-180 EUR.

On a “luxury” budget of 235 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, drink as much as you want, do paid tours and more expensive activities (like diving), rent a car to get around, and generally enjoy the finer things in life! This is just the ground floor for luxury though. Expect to pay upwards of 50 EUR more per day on the islands.

Greece Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Greece is affordable. Sure, islands like Santorini and Mykonos are expensive but, for the most part, if you are “keeping it local” you aren’t going to spend a lot of money here. Here are my favorite ways to save money when you travel to Greece:

• Use the Greek salad/bread rule – If the bread cover is .50 EUR or a Greek salad is less than 7 EUR, the restaurant is cheap. If the cover is around 1 EUR and a salad is 7-8.50 EUR, the prices are average. Anything more than that and the place is expensive. Use this rule to figure out how to eat at cheap restaurants.
• Eat super cheap – Gyros and other street snacks only cost a few euros and can keep you full for around 15 EUR per day if you’re on a tight budget.
• Rent a moped – It’s cheaper than a car and a fun way to see the various towns and cities — especially on the islands. You can usually rent a moped for around 15 EUR per day. Just drive carefully as Greek drivers tend to be aggressive.
• Get off the beaten path – Greece is a cheap country and even cheaper when you get away from the touristy islands or popular destinations. Head off the beaten path and you usually see prices drop by 30% or more.
• Book overnight ferries – Greece’s inter-island ferries can get expensive if you are visiting a lot of islands. Taking the overnight ferries can save you up to half off the normal price. Plus, it saves you a night of accommodation. Moreover, if you book the ferries around two months in advance, you can save up to 25% off the cost of your ticket.
• Get a ferry pass – Eurail has a ferry pass that has 4- and 6-trip options. The only caveat is that you can only take Blue Star and Hellenic Seaways ferries. Those tend to be the larger, slower ferries and, depending on the islands, might require you to connect somewhere. You’ll need to research routes in advance to see if the pass is worth it. I would search routes on FerryHopper to see if it works for you.
• Take public transportation – Buses, while sometimes running on inconvenient schedules, are the best way to get around Greece. Taxis are very expensive so minimize their use whenever you can and stick with the buses.
• Visit in the off-season – July and August are the most expensive months, so skip the middle of summer if you’re on a budget. Prices will be significantly cheaper.
• Stay with a local – Couchsurfing is a great way to get a free place to stay and meet locals. There are a ton of hosts throughout the country (I stayed with one in Athens) and it’s my favorite way to get to know the “real” Greece.
• Buy wine at the store – You can buy a great bottle of wine for around 5 EUR at the store. It’s a lot cheaper than drinking at the bar.
• Have an ISIC Card – To save on the cost of admission to museums and other tourist attractions, be sure to present a valid student card. The ISIC is typically accepted in places where a foreign student ID is not.
• Go to museums on their free admission days – Most museums have some days when admission is free. Check the Odysseus Culture website for details as they vary from museum to museum.
• Get combined tickets – Historical attractions in Greece are often priced so that it’s always a better deal to buy a combined ticket. If the sites you are going to offer one, buy it. It will save you money.
• Use points for accommodations – If you have credit card points that can be used for cash, using them to book accommodation can save you a ton of money. This post has more information to help you with the basics so you can start collecting points now and use them on your trip .
• Rent a car – Car rentals can be incredibly cheap in Greece. Prices start at just 20 EUR per day when booked in advance. Drivers need to be at least 21 and have had their license for one year. An International Driving Permit is also required. Discover Cars is an excellent place to find a car for your trip.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is generally safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Greece

Greece has something for everything and you can often find small family-run operations on the islands. It’s not hard to even find budget accommodations with nice extra like pools either! The specific destination guides have more places but here are some my suggested places to stay in Greece:

• Selina (Athens)
• Athens Hawks Hostel (Athens)
• BedBox (Athens)
• Studio Eleni (Mykonos)
• Caveland (Santorini)
• Bedspot Hostel (Santorini)
• Asterolithos Hotel (Santorini)
• Rethymno Youth Hostel (Crete)
• Intra Muros (Crete)
• The Pink Palace (Corfu)
• Francesco’s (Ios)
• FarOut Beach Club (Ios)
• Castle View Camping and Bungalows (Sparta)
• Lakonia Hotel (Sparta)

How to Get Around Greece

Buses – KTEL is the main bus operator in Greece. You can look up schedules and prices online, but their website is pretty outdated and you’re better off booking tickets at the actual bus station. Getting from Athens to Sparta takes around 3.5 hours and costs around 20 EUR, while Athens to Thessaloniki takes around 5.5 hours and costs around 42 EUR. Thessaloniki to Ioannina takes 3.5 hours and is 24 EUR.

Trains – Train travel in Greece isn’t great. Trains are unreliable and slow and there are only a few routes in the country between Athens and other major cities, like Thessaloniki and Patras. You’re better off driving or taking the bus. However, if you do get the train, a trip from Athens to Thessaloniki takes about 4.5 hours and costs at least 20 EUR.

Ferries – Because Greece has a lot of islands, you have to deal with taking ferries to get around. Expect to spend an average of 35 EUR per trip, though you could spend as little as 10 EUR if the islands are really close together. From Athens, most ferries to the Cyclades Islands start around 40 EUR.

Taking the overnight ferries can save you up to half off the normal price plus save you a night of accommodation so if you’re not in a rush, book those!

There are many different ferry companies, and most are created equal. High speed ferries or catamarans cost a lot more (book in advance). You can research routes and ticket prices using FerryHopper and gtp.gr .

If you’re ok traveling on the slower ferries and your routes match the available routes, the Eurail/Interrail ferry pass is worth considering as you’ll get discounts with this pass. Search routes on FerryHopper to see if it works for you.

Flying – Flying is a quick and affordable way to get around Greece and between islands (though not all islands have airports). A one-way flight from Athens to Santorini or Mykonos takes less than one hour and costs around 25-35 EUR. Flights can dip to as little as 20 EUR when booked in advance.

Scooter/Quad rentals – Renting a scooter or ATV is a really popular way to discover many parts of Greece, particularly the islands. It lets you explore at your own pace and is quite affordable. Scooter rentals cost between 15-25 EUR per day depending on the location and if it is peak season or off-season. ATVs cost around 38-50 EUR per day.

Car rental – Car rentals here are super affordable, starting at just 20 EUR per day for a multi-day rental. Expect manual transmissions. Drivers need an International Driving Permit before renting as well and need to be at least 21 years old. For the best rental car deals, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Greece

Peak season in Greece is from June-August. Temperatures hover around 33°C (92°F) and popular destinations like Santorini and Mykonos experience a huge influx of visitors. Prices increase during this time as well. But the overall atmosphere and weather are great during this time, so it’s still worth visiting during peak season.

Personally, I think the best time to visit Greece is shoulder season (March-May and September-October). It’s still warm during these times but there aren’t as many crowds and prices are cheaper. It’s also easier to meet locals during this time. There is more rain during this time of year, so pack for that. Overall, it’s a particularly great time to hang out in the Mediterranean.

Winter is from November to February. It gets cold and tourist crowds thin out considerably. There’s quite a bit of rain and temperatures vary quite a bit from north to south, with it sometimes dropping to 11°C (52°F) in some places (Athens sometimes gets snow). Many of the islands — particularly Santorini and Mykonos — almost shut down entirely during the off-season. In short, I’d skip a winter visit unless you’re only planning to visit museums.

How to Stay Safe in Greece

Greece is very safe for backpacking and solo travel. Violent attacks are uncommon. Petty crime is about the worst that could happen to you, specifically pickpocketing in Athens, where it is prevalent. Fortunately, Greek police have really cracked down on perpetrators. Nevertheless, be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables out of sight when you’re in markets, on busy streets, or when using public transportation.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, the standard safety precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). For specific information about a place, check out one of the many incredible solo female travel blogs on the web. They’ll give you tips and advice that I can’t.

You won’t find a lot of travel scams in the country but read this article on common travel scams to avoid so you know what to avoid.

If you go out hiking, always check the weather first. Bring sunscreen, water, and a hat. It can get incredibly hot here!

Be careful when driving as Greek drivers tend to be on the aggressive side and some of the roads aren’t very well maintained.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Greece Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• Ferry Hopper – If you’re looking to book your ferries, this website is an easy way to search the various companies, piece together routes, and book your tickets.
• Take Walks – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere. Their guides rock and they have some of the best and most insightful tours in all of Greece.

Greece Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Greece travel and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Athens

The 6 Best Hostels in Athens

Where to Stay in Athens: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The Best Walking Tours in Athens

Traveling Greece: How Much Does It Cost?

Fulfilling Childhood Dreams in Crete

Get your  free travel starter kit.

Enter your email and get planning cheatsheets including a step by step checklist, packing list, tips cheat sheet, and more so you can plan like a pro!

• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

• South Africa
• Afghanistan
• North Korea
• Adventure + Outdoors
• Amusement Parks
• Backpacking Trips
• Boating + Cruises
• Budget Travel
• Bus + Train Travel
• Coasts + Islands
• Country Trips
• Fall Vacations
• Family Vacations
• Green Travel
• Heritage + History
• Honeymoons + Romance
• Inspiration + Guide
• Landmarks + Attractions
• LGBT Travel
• Markets + Bazaars
• National Parks + Reserves
• Nature + Wildlife
• Parks + Gardens
• Pets + Animals
• Photography
• Airlines + Airports
• Budgeting + Currency
• Business Travel
• Celebrity Travel
• Customs + Immigration
• Deals + Rewards
• Family Travel
• Hotels + Resorts
• Luggage + Packing Tips
• Offbeat News
• Photography Tips
• Responsible Travel
• Solo Travel
• Tech + Gear
• Travel Etiquette
• Travel Warnings
• Bars + Clubs
• Celebrity Chefs
• Restaurants + Cafés
• Wine + Vineyards
• Beach Hotels
• Boutique Hotels
• Hotel Openings
• Hotel Reviews
• Luxury Hotels
• Mountain + Ski Resorts
• Spa Resorts
• Vacation Rentals
• Asia Cruises
• European Cruises
• Festivals + Events
• Museums + Galleries
• Style + Design
• Travel’s Best
• Hotel with Agoda.com
• Hotel with Booking.com

Must-eat in Bali. 25+ best street food in Bali

What to eat in Xinjiang? Enjoy 9 best Xinjiang street food

11+ best homestays in Kuala Lumpur near famous tourist attractions

What to buy in Bangkok? 19+ best things to buy in…

Where to visit in Melbourne? 15+ best places to visit in…

Australia itinerary 5 days. Where to go, what to do in…

Australia travel itinerary 10 days. How to spend 10 days in…

The complete Seoul subway guide: How to use, lines, fares for…

How much does it cost to travel to Korea? Tips on…

The ultimate guide to NETS FlashPay Card: What is it, how…

How much will it cost to go to Singapore? Tips on…

What and where to eat in Taipei? 20+ top restaurants &…

What, where to eat in Nha Trang? — 11+ best places…

Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives reviews. The detailed review of my vacation…

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa reviews. The resort is highly…

+7 luxury resorts you must stay in Danang, Vietnam

10 must-know things for your best first time European river cruise

Top 3 best luxury cruises in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Cherry blossom festival Korea 2024 — Top 5 cherry blossom festivals…

Ghibli museum blog — The fullest Ghibli museum guide for first-timers

Kyoto festival — Top 10 best events & most famous festivals…

National Palace Museum Taipei blog — What to see in National…

Japanese waterfall — Top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan in…

19+ most beautiful towns in Europe every tourist need to visit…

Georgia travel photos — 20+ captivating photos show Georgia is heaven…

Explore Damnoen Floating Market — The oldest floating market of Thailand

Visiting Fenghuang Ancient Town — One of the most charming ancient…

Mekong Delta travel blog — Beyond rivers of Southwestern Vietnam

14 reasons why you should travel when you are young

Shigaraki Tanuki – An animal symbol of good luck in Japan

Living in the charms of cave houses in Andalucia, Southern Spain

20+ jaw-dropping tiny homes around the world

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!

• What to buy in Greece? — Top +13 souvenirs, gifts & best things to buy in Greece
• Taiwan itinerary 6 days — The itinerary of a trip to Taipei – Hualien – Kaohsiung for 6 days 5 nights
• India itinerary 10 days — How to spend 10 days in India perfectly?
• Jordan travel blog — The fullest Jordan travel guide & suggested Jordan itinerary for first-timers
• My trip to Nepal blog — A journey to the sacred land of the world

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 .

Related articles

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Where to visit in melbourne 15+ best places to visit in melbourne, australia itinerary 5 days. where to go, what to do in australia for 5 days, australia travel itinerary 10 days. how to spend 10 days in australia.

Sydney itinerary 6 days. How to spend 6 days in Sydney?

Johor Bahru itinerary. How to spend 3 days in Johor Bahru?

Must-do in Ubud. 12+ best things to do in Ubud, Bali

Taipei blog. The latest guide to Taipei

Where to go in Bali? 19+ must-see & best places to visit in Bali for all-kinds of travelers

The Budget Detailed Bali itinerary 5 Days 4 Nights

Editor picks.

POPULAR POSTS

What to buy in USA? — 17+ must buy in USA...

What to buy in Korea? — Top +23 cheap, famous &...

Must buy souvenir in Taiwan — Top 17+ most famous, cheap...

Popular category.

• Inspiration + Guide 1492
• Trip Inspiration 468
• Food + Drink 220
• Thailand 212
• Coasts + Islands 195
• South Korea 174
• Vietnam 172
• Travel Photos 144
• Work for Us
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

• Work with Me
• Start a Blog
• Yearly Roundups
• 101 in 1001 Goals
• how to start a travel blog
• tips for new bloggers
• write me a guest post!
• Work With Me

A Passion and A Passport

Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5

Greece Travel Guide

travel guide to greece

Ohhh, Greece - we’re utterly obsessed. It’s by far one of our favorite countries - we even spent our honeymoon there! From the turquoise Mediterranean Sea, jaw-dropping caldera views, ancient monasteries, and all the olives and feta (and spanakopita!) you can eat, it’s never a bad idea to visit this little slice of paradise.

When to visit: The short answer: the shoulder seasons of May and September. The weather is pleasant and the crowds aren’t crazy. If you’re planning a visit during Greece’s summer (July/August), do note it'll most likely be ridiculously crowded and scorching hot (but the OCEAN!). And psst: the islands in the off-season (November - April) see many businesses closing up shop, so not the greatest time to visit them.

Language : The official language of Greece is Greek (guess that’s kinda obvious), but many Greeks also learn English (especially those in the tourism industry). And just FYI, written Greek has different letters than in the English language. Fun fact - it’s estimated that over 150,000 English words are derived from Greek words (especially technical and scientific terms, but also antique, idol, encyclopedia, and telephone!)

Favorite Spots : You can’t visit Greece without visiting a few of the islands - I’ve seen Santorini, Mykonos, Crete (don’t miss it!), Hydra, Aegina, and Paros so far. BUT while many people head straight to the islands, I highly encourage you to give Athens a proper explore, as well as venturing a bit north to both Delphi and Meteora.

Browse By Area

Essential Info About

Capital City : Athens

Currency : Greece is on the Euro, with the exchange rate being much better than it used to as compared to the dollar. VISA and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere (you may run into some problems with American Express), and it’s always wise to keep some cash on you if you’re visiting towns in the countryside (and not on the typical tourist track). 

Getting Around : Athens is highly walkable, and boasts a pretty good public transport system. There are highway buses to get between major Greek cities/areas, and ferries that connect the islands. And once the islands, rent an ATV - it’s such a fun and easy way to get around! 

Health and Safety: Yes, there is some petty crime in Athens; be cautious of your surroundings and keep your stuff on you, but don’t let the worry ruin your trip.

Visa Requirements : No visa is required for US citizens as long as you’re not staying longer than 90 days in any 180-day period.

LOCATIONS IN GREECE

Greece Bucket List

Epic experiences in greece:.

• Relax in an infinity pool overlooking the caldera in Santorini
• Marvel at the monasteries in Meteora
• See ancient Greece in Delphi
• Have breakfast with Acropolis views in Athens
• Rent an ATV and ride to the red and black sand beaches in Santorini
• Get lost in the maze in Mykonos Town
• See 1,000+ year old structures in Athens
• Sip Greek wine against the Mykonos windmills
• See the pink sand beaches of Elafonisi in Crete
• Sail to the Saronic Islands from Athens

What to eat in Greece:

• Pita gyros, and all of 'em
• Sweet loukoumades (fried dough)
• Spanikopita (spinach pie)
• Greek frozen yogurt with honey
• Baklava + Halva (famous desserts)
• Dolmadakia (stuffed grape leaves)
• Greek Salad (so fresh, and oh the feta!)
• Traditional Moussaka + Pastitsio
• Souvlaki in tzatziki sauce
• Fresh octopus (my favorite)

Latest Posts from

Klima, Milos: The Most Colorful Fishing Village in Milos (Greece)

17+ Incredible Things to do in Oia, Santorini: Iconic Blue Domes and Lots More!

2021 Year in Review: Life, Travel, Blogging, and Everything in Between

Everything You Need to Know about Kleftiko Bay: The Hidden Pirate Den of Milos

The Complete Guide to Milos, Greece: The Most Stunning Greek Island in the Cyclades

The Best Beaches in Milos, Greece (Plus Some Stunning Swimming Spots)

• Next »

Subscribe To The Newsletter

FOR TRAVEL INSPO   and   FUN

No spam, only fun!

Favorite Destinations

• About Jessica
• How to Plan a Trip
• Fave Travel Companies
• Shop My Faves

Destinations

• World Travel
• San Francisco
• Northern California
• Southern California
• Central Coast

3 Days in Athens: Itinerary for First-time Visitors in 2022

I dreamed of visiting Athens, Greece for years. I studied Classics in university, and learned Ancient Greek and Latin as some of my core skills, as well as taking classes on ancient history. As you can probably imagine, this Athens itinerary is packed full of the most significant and the most beautiful places to visit in Athens, based on my background in Classics.

Not only that, but my boyfriend ALSO studied Ancient Greek and classical archaeology, so get ready for a complete nerdfest throughout this guide. Don’t worry, it’ll be fun 😉

Apart from Classical sites (which, let’s be honest, can get a bit repetitive if you don’t know what to look for), this guide also explains where to eat in Athens, the best cafes you can work from, as well as my personal favorite aspect of Athens: incredible rooftop bars with Acropolis views!

Keep reading for a complete guide to seeing Athens in 3 days, the best things to do in Athens , recommendations for day trips, where to eat, drink, and work, as well as the inside scoop on the absolute best photography locations in Athens for my fellow shutterbugs.

And with that, let’s look at what’s in store for us in Athens! I absolutely loved visiting Athens in February of 2020, and am looking forward to a chance to book-end an upcoming trip there later this Summer.

What you’ll see in three days in Athens, Greece

I stayed in Athens for 8 days (9 Feb - 17 Feb, 2020) while building this itinerary and exploring the city, and packed down my absolute best experiences into these three days. I was lucky enough to visit Athens with not one, but TWO people who’ve seen the city before, so our combined experience makes this a very complete itinerary.

Here’s what you’ll see in Athens for three days:

• Top highlights of Athens including the Acropolis , Acropolis Museum , Aeropagus , Ancient Agora of Athens and more sights.
• Views of the Acropolis from all angles such as Filopappou Hill and Lycabettus Hill , as well as more ancient sites to round out your Athens experience.
• Day trip to the Peloponnese region , including Mycenae , Epidaurus , and Nafplio . The must-do day trip for lovers of ancient history, featuring the world’s best-preserved amphitheatre.

Where to stay in Athens

Athens is an extremely walkable city, especially when it comes to the city center. You can walk end-to-end in about 20 minutes, and a taxi ride from one side to the other costs just 4-6 EUR. My main tip would be simply to stay away from major roads, because traffic (and especially motorcycles!) can get pretty noisy. Otherwise, you can find stunning views and low prices all over the city.

Option 1: Airbnb (for longer stays) – You’ve got two main options in Athens for accommodation: booking a hotel or staying in an Airbnb. I spent a total of 8 days in Athens while building this itinerary, so there was no question I wanted to get an apartment. I stayed in this Airbnb with an Acropolis view located right at the border of the historic center in the Kerameikos neighborhood.

Option 2: Hotel in a central neighborhood (for shorter stays) – For a shorter stay, it would be affordable to stay in the two best districts for short-term visitors: Plaka or Kolonaki . Here are some of the hotels with the best reviews and locations in these neighborhoods:

• A for Athens (9.2 “Wonderful” rating) – A for Athens is located right on Monastiraki Square, making it one of the most convenient locations in the entire city. You can also reach it on a direct metro from the airport and avoid hauling your luggage over uneven streets. Bonus: the rooftop bar at A for Athens is legendary and offers this amazing view (see below).
• Coco-Mat Hotel Athens (9.3 “Wonderful” rating) – Even though I opted for an Airbnb because of my long stay, Coco-Mat was the hotel recommended to me by a friend who visited Athens and loved staying there. Its location in Kolonaki is slightly upscale, convenient for shopping, and located near Lycabettus Hill, one of the best places to watch sunset in the entire city.

Click here to check availability for rooms with an Acropolis view at A for Athens during your visit.

Tip for female travelers – Avoid staying in the Omonia area. While it’s improved a lot thanks to police presence in recent years, it’s not somewhere you want to walk around at night. Especially for female travelers, there are a lot of men out and street harassment isn’t uncommon.

What to pack for Athens

Depending on what season you visit Athens, you can get pretty cold temperatures in the Winter (though warmer than most of Europe) or scorching hot days with full sun out. Regardless of which season you visit, you’re going to want to pack these essentials for Athens:

• Sunglasses and sunscreen – Whether it’s Winter or Summer, you need to be prepared for sun! I highly recommend this awesome SPF 50 Japanese sunscreen if you’re serious about sun protection!
• Walking shoes with traction – You’ll be walking over stones and marble that have been worn down by feet for thousands of years. It can get slippery! Make sure your shoes are comfortable for walking and have a bit of grip.
• Anti-theft handbag or backpack – Athens is mostly a safe city, save for petty theft and pickpocketing. You need to mind your belongings in Athens, especially in crowded squares and on the metro. This theft-proof backpack has over 1,000 positive reviews on Amazon.
• An offline-friendly guidebook – Speaking of not making yourself a target, I prefer not to walk around with my expensive iPhone in my hand when navigating a city known for petty theft. I personally own this Greece travel guide (which was just updated!) and reference it every time I go to Greece.

Athens, Greece 3-day itinerary

Day 1: top highlights of athens.

Today we’re going to start early and be one of the first at the Acropolis , the heart of Ancient Athens. You’ll see some of the most impressive archaeological sites, dating back as far as 447 BC (making it almost 2,500 years old!).

After soaking in the main sights like the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion, you’ll head to the Aeropagus for some of the best up-close views of the Acropolis. Once we’ve seen the sights, we’ll head to the Acropolis Museum to learn more about what we saw at one of the world’s best museums.

Finally, we’ll round off the day of ultimate ancient highlights with Ancient Agora of Athens , and a few other sights in the area before calling it a day.

The Acropolis is easily the highlight of Athens, and your best chances for enjoying it without massive crowds is to visit the Acropolis first thing in the morning , when it opens at 8AM. In terms of buying tickets, you can always check up-to-date Acropolis ticket prices here .

Summer hours – April 1 to October 31: 8 am to 8 pm (last admission 7:30 pm) Winter hours – November 1 to March 31: 8 am to 5 pm

One awesome thing about visiting Athens in Winter is that the prices for almost all archaeological sites are reduced, just don’t make the mistake of buying the combination ticket because that’s not reduced in Winter and the lines are short enough you won’t need to wait much.

Summer prices – April 1 to October 31: 20 € Winter prices – November 1 to March 31: 10 €

Unless you’re an ancient history nerd like me, you may want to forego the combination ticket and opt for buying tickets as you go. The one good thing is that the 30€ combo ticket can save you waiting in line for other sights, but do check exactly what’s included and what you’re interested in seeing. You can also buy the combo ticket at a less popular site in order to avoid waiting in line at the Acropolis 😉

Here are the main sights you’re going to want to see while you’re on the Acropolis:

Theatre of Dionysos

This theatre is special because it’s considered to be the world’s first theatre . If you’ve ever read some of the most famous Greek plays, for instance by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, or Menander – you can also taxi between some locations if you’re not down for walking those plays were performed here!

That means that performances of Oedipus at Colonus (from whom we have the concept of the “Oedpius complex”) or Lysistrata (a play about women stopping a war by withholding sex from their husbands) happened here first. Epic, right? (Or, “tragic”, at least in the case of Oedipus 💀)

Today the theatre looks pretty small compared to others, but that’s because only a fraction of the original seating is preserved. It had a capacity of 17,000 when it was in use in antiquity, and used to be much larger than the next theatre you’ll see: Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Built between 160AD – 174AD, “Herodeon” as it’s called by locals was a tribute to the late wife of Herodes Atticus. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is done in a much more Roman style, compared to the Theatre of Dionysos (mentioned above). What people often don’t realize is that most theatres use the circular part as the location for the choir, whereas the stage itself is located behind it on an elevated level. If you look in this photo, you should be able to see the stage!

Today, this Odeon seats over 4,680 people and there are even events still held here. Keep an eye on the Athens and Epidaurus Festival 2020 Facebook Page for updates on the performances you can expect this Summer!

Ah, the Parthenon. So beautiful, so very under construction. One thing you’ll notice about visiting Athens is that many sites are under construction pretty much all the time, and you can expect at least one thing you want to see to be closed for renovation!

The Parthenon is the most important surviving building of Ancient Greece. So, in that sense, it’s no wonder they put so much effort into constantly restoring and preserving it!

Despite all the steel, the Parthenon is magnificent. It was built between 447 and 438 BC and is actually the third version of the Parthenon, replacing two previous versions. In the mean time, it’s been converted to both a Christian church and a mosque, depending on who was in power at the time.

Temple of Athena Nike

The Athenians were all about Athena – after all, they named their city after her. She was considered the goddess that would stand by Athens in the time of war. Athena has several forms, but the one honored here is called “Athena Nike” where “Nike” means “Victory” in Ancient Greek. Our word for “Victory” comes from the Latin word “Victoria”, but the Greek version is actually where the Nike shoe brand gets its name . The more you know 🌈

The Temple of Athena Nike is pretty small, and is part of the overall entryway onto the Acropolis, called the Propylaia . On this temple you can see depictions of historic battle scenes, such as the Battle of Marathon.

Erechtheion

The Erechtheion is most famous for its Caryatids , which are the columns made of female figures, located on its South porch. Even though the originals are located in the Acropolis Museum, these replicas are still beautiful and make the Erechtheion a stunning ancient site.

One of the reasons the Erechtheion is so famous is because it has such an unusual and asymmetrical shape. It’s especially unusual considering that its neighbor, the Parthenon, is so geometrical in comparison. Named after the mythical Athenian king Erechtheus, make sure to snap photos of the beautiful columns when you visit!

Once you leave the Acropolis, you can walk towards the Aeropagus , also called “Mars Hill”. This is the location where St. Paul is said to have delivered a famous speech to the Athenians explaining that their gods were all wrong, more or less, in Acts 17:24. Besides being a place that Christians visit for that reason, it’s just a great spot to take a photo in front of the Acropolis.

Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum was voted the sixth best museum in the world according to Trip Advisor’s traveler’s choice awards. Sixth in the world! In case you’re wondering, the Acropolis Museum ranked below Musée d’Orsay, but above the Louvre! Fancy, huh?

Whether you want to visit the Acropolis Museum before or after seeing the Acropolis, is really up to you. I personally went to the museum first, but I think it might’ve been more useful to go afterwards since I would’ve known which buildings to read about later in the museum.

Ancient Agora of Athens

At the foot of the Acropolis, you’ll want to visit the Ancient Agora of Athens. This is included in your combination ticket, if you decide to buy that. Most of what you can see here is in ruins and takes a bit of imagination, but there are two main pieces in good shape: the Stoa (the long building pictured below on the left) and the Hephaisteion.

Temple of Hephaestus (the Hephaisteion) is one of the best preserved temples in Athens. The funny thing is that it’s a rather unremarkable temple compared to many, and the only reason they think it was for Hephaestus is because they found an armory nearby (and Hephaestus was the god of metal working, craftsmanship, and fire).

Believe it or not, they even continued to use this temple as a museum until the 1930s! Today you can’t go inside anymore, but it’s in great shape from the outside.

Hadrian’s Library

Hadrian actually wasn’t Greek but Roman, and there is a fair amount of Romanization to be found throughout Athens given that the Romans conquered Greece at the Battle of Corinth in 146 BC. One of the reasons visiting Corinth is not that interesting as an Athens day trip is because the Romans utterly destroyed it to “set an example” 😬

Anyways, Hadrian’s library was massive! As with many of the buildings in Greece, it was repurposed depending on who was in charge. During the Byzantine empire, three churches were built at the site, and you can see their remains today. As a library, it used to hold papyrus books, reading rooms, and had lecture halls.

Monastiraki Square

Monastiraki Square is by in large the main square of Athens. Looks can be deceiving though, because it definitely doesn’t look as nice from ground level. But if you head up to A for Athens rooftop bar, you can snap this awesome photo. Make sure to reserve, it can fill up quickly, especially for people like me who are looking to snap a sunset photo with the Acropolis illuminated!

Day 2: Views of the Acropolis from all angles

Today there’s going to be some walking, so make sure you have good shoes on! We’re going to start at Kerameikos Cemetery , where some of the most famous Athenians of all time were buried and the location of the city gates to Athens.

Then we’ll walk around Filopappou Hill and stop at Pnyx , my favorite place for photos of the Acropolis. We’ll loop back down for lunch and pop by Hadrian’s Arch on our way to the Temple of Olympian Zeus on our way to the ultra impressive Panathenaic Stadium .

Our day will end at Lycabettus Hill , where you can either take a cable car or hike to the top for the best sunset views of Athens in the entire city.

Kerameikos Cemetery

The funny part about the fact that I stayed across the street from Kerameikos is that it’s actually a place where visitors were made to sleep for a night before entering Athens . There was a guesthouse outside the city gates where visitors would stay, surrounded by the graves of the greatest Athenians of history such as Aristotle.

Pretty humbling huh? Kerameikos is a larger site than you might expect, and has two main draws: its pathway with the famous bull statue (seen below) and the ruins of the ancient city gates of Athens.

The Pnyx is actually also located on Filopappou Hill, but before you actually reach the monument that most people associated with Filopappou. The reason it’s worth visiting is that you can get an amazing frontal view of the Acropolis with nothing but greenery below. The entire city melts away and it’s just you and a two millenia old monument to the greatness of Athens!

Filopappou Hill

Continue up the same hill and you’ll eventually reach the Filopappou monument, and another Acropolis viewpoint. Many Athens travel guides will tell you this is one of the best places to see the Acropolis , but I would disagree. You do get a nice view of the Parthenon, but the hill looks a bit disorganized. Still worth seeing, but I prefer the view from the Pnyx location instead!

Hadrian’s Arch

Heading back down into the city, feel free to stop in Plaka for lunch before continuing the sight-seeing. If you haven’t seen it yet just from wandering around, pop by Hadrian's Arch . As I mentioned before, Hadrian was a Roman emperor, but his arch is still nice 😉 If you stand at a specific angle, you can even capture the Acropolis through the arch itself.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Like many of the temples in Athens, after the Temple of Olympian Zeus fell out of use, its materials were permanently “borrowed” to build other structures in the city. But while it was still in tact, this colossal temple was built during the rule of Athenian tyrants who envisioned it as the greatest temple in the world. Like a lot of structures, it was finished under the Roman Emperor Hadrian (yes, he was a busy guy). Even though it took over 600 years for the temple to be built, it was only actively used for about 100 years.

Panathenaic Stadium

This stadium is epic because it’s the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble . Sounds like a lot of work, huh? It was originally built for the Panathenaic Games (which is what inspired the modern Olympic Games), and then re-built by Herodes Atticus, reaching a capacity of 50,000 seats. Unfortunately, tickets to the stadium aren’t included in the combination ticket, but are still pretty affordable at just 5€ per person.

Lycabettus Hill

Hands down, Lycabettus Hill is one of the best places to enjoy sunset over Athens. You have three options for getting to the top: take the cable car, drive part-way up and then walk, or walk the entire way. For the sake of time (and having done a lot of walking!), we opted for the cable car which was 15€ for two people (cash only!). Unfortunately, the cable car is under ground so you don’t see a view until you emerge at the top of this hill.

From Lycabettus Hill, you can see the Acropolis and especially the Parthenon illuminated around sunset. There is both a Sky Bar and a look out point, but the best views come from the path that leads to the top. Show up about an hour before sunset, bring some cold ones, and watch the sun sink into the Saronic Gulf!

Day 3: Day trip to the Peloponnese region

Although there’s a lot more you can do in Athens, most people who visit the city tend to use it as a jumping-off point for visiting places like Santorini or Mykonos in the Cyclades, or perhaps to the ancient monasteries of Meteora .

But besides those places, there are excellent day trips from Athens that are easier to reach and can be done without feeling rushed.

After looking at all our options, we opted to visit three important historical places outside of Athens: Mycenae (the former center of Greek civilization and military stronghold during the eponymous Mycenaean Period), Epidaurus (home to the world’s best-preserved Greek amphitheatre), and Nafplio (Greece’s prettiest mainland town, and the first capital of Greece).

To reach these locations you have two options: Booking a rental car or going on a guided tour.

We decided to drive, especially because we’re already knowledgeable about Greek history. Otherwise, we would’ve strongly considered taking a guided tour. Either click here to book a rental car in Athens or click here to check availability of guided tours to locations recommended in this guide!

Located about 75 miles (120 kilometers) from Athens, Mycenae had its peak in 1350 BC when the citadel and lower town had a population of about 30,000 people. The reason it was so easy for archaeologists to identify Mycenae is because of the Lion’s Gate (pictured below), which was described by Pausanias, a Greek geographer from the 2nd century AD.

The Lion’s Gate is the only surviving piece of Mycenaean sculpture . It’s also an example of Cyclopean architecture, meaning the rocks used to build the gate are so big, it was thought that a cyclops must’ve helped build it 😂

Mycenae is so cool for a number of reasons: first, you get to see the setup of towns similar to those described in Homer’s Iliad (which took place during the Mycenaean Period). If you haven’t read the Iliad at least during high school, it’s kind of like the movie Troy 😂

Speaking of Troy, you can also visit the Tomb of Agamemnon (called the Treasury of Atreus) while you’re in Mycenae.

The Mycenaeans are also awesome because they were among the first cultures to have a system of writing . They borrowed writing from the Minoan civilization (who developed Linear A), and created their own script called Linear B. In the museum at Mycenae, you can see some original tablets of Linear B writing – some of the oldest human writing in the entire world!

Our buddy Pausanias, whose work helped identify Mycenae, also wrote about Epidaurus , describing it as a theatre of symmetry and beauty. While it’s not as big as some of the other theatres we’ve seen in Athens, hosting a modest 13,000-14,000 spectators, it’s in fantastic shape for the fact that it was built in the 4th century BC. Its acoustics are world-famous , and is still used today to perform ancient drama plays.

In fact, it’s considered to be the “most perfect” ancient Greek theatre with regards to acoustics. There was literally a study done on it, including measurements and all kinds of science.

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is part of a larger sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. People would come and sleep here, hoping to be healed by the gods as they rested. There were places to sleep, places to bathe, and obviously places to watch entertainment.

Nafplio (also called Nauplia)

This sleepy seaside town has an epic past, as the first capital of the First Hellenic Republic and of the Kingdom of Greece, back when the Greeks were fighting for independence from the Ottoman Empire.

There are two main structures that are interesting for visitors, though both are comparatively modern: the Castle of Palamidi and the Bourtzi .

The Castle was built as a fortress by the Venetians when they occupied the area in the late 1600s to early 1700s. The Turks eventually captured it, and it was later recaptured by the Greeks. Reaching the tops requires traversing over 1,000 stairs!

Bourtzi was also built by the Venetians, but got its current name from the Ottoman Turks. It’s possible to take a ferry and walk around.

Apart from these two main sights, Nafplio is just a lovely town with colorful buildings, lots of places to eat and enjoy a glass of wine, and the color of the water is superb (even though we were there on a cloudy day in February!). It’s an extremely popular day trip from Athens.

More great day trips from Athens

The Peloponnese Region is one of the easiest and best Athens day trips, but there are a number of other options, whether you’re looking for sun and sea or more archaeology (that rhymed, didn’t mean to!). Read my post on the best day trips from Athens for the 7 best places to visit from Athens and the most efficient ways reach them.

Each of these Athens day tours offers a fresh way to see Greece outside its capital city. Take these trips and excursions around Athens and discover special museums, archaeology, and historical sites.

Best restaurants and bars in Athens

Eating is one of my favorite past times, and nowhere is this more enjoyable than in Greece. Here are my top tips for places to eat and drink for all kinds of budgets and tastes.

• The Underdog Coffee WiFi – Excellent craft coffee in Athens, and a decent spot for breakfast, too. They also have wifi and outlets in case you need to get some work done.
• Scholarhio Dinner – Multi-course menu for 15€ per person, including drinks, salads, appetizers, main courses, and dessert. Delicious and a great deal, we were immobilized afterwards!
• Couleur Locale Rooftop bar – Great cocktails and a full dinner menu, one of the best views of the Acropolis. Show up early for a seat!
• Vegan Beat Vegan – Super tasty vegan gyros at a great price. A little bit hidden, but well worth it if you’re open to having vegan takes on traditional Greek food.
• Kain Bar WiFi – Some of the best WiFi and all-day cocktails? Yes and yes. Stop by Kain if you need to get some work done…but not too much work 😉

How to get around Athens

From the airport the easiest thing to do is to use the metro. The metro from the airport will connect you directly with many important stops, such as Monastiraki (the main square of Athens). There’s a decent chance wherever you’re staying has a connection to this subway line.

Getting around town , you can mostly walk! Almost all the sights you’ll see in two or three days in Athens are centrally located. If your feet get tired, taking a taxi is very affordable (4-6 EUR from one end of the center to another), and you can book a metered taxi through the Uber app.

Best time to visit Athens

Athens in Summer is one of the most popular times to visit, thanks to the sunny weather. However, it’s a very popular tourist destination so if you’re booking in the high season, make sure you do so IN ADVANCE! Owing to the heat, I’d recommend opting for early summer (May or June) or late summer (September or even October) to avoid the heat.

Athens in Winter is when we visited, and I have to say it was so nice not having to battle the crowds. We walked in to any restaurant without a reservation and had no issues, hardly had to wait in a single line, and out of the 8 days we were there, we had sunshine and warm weather for 6 of them. Not bad!

Planning more travel in Greece?

I aboslutely love visiting Greece, and my trip to Athens marks my third trip to the country. Here are guides I’ve written from my other trips, which you might find useful if you’ll be continuing to travel in mainland Greece!

• Visit Meteora, Greece
• Northern Greece
• Zagori Greece
• Santorini Itinerary

Like this post? Pin it for later!

About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

Follow along on Instagram , Twitter , Bloglovin , & Facebook .

You might also like...

Northern Greece: Travel Guide and 7-day Itinerary

Zagori, Greece: An Adventurous Travel Guide for 2024

Please Help Support this Guide: When I had to find a way to support my web sites I had 2 choices. I could use modern advertising technology like most sites use with pay-per-click ads all over my pages and spy-ware that collects information and posts the ads each individual reader is most likely to click on. Or I could choose to promote a handful of travel agents, and a reliable hotel booking system and keep my sites relatively ad free. No obnoxious pop-ups, fake news articles, or gathering of information through cookies. I chose the second. If you book through the links on my site I will receive a commission which supports my work. But if you book elsewhere, (like Air BnB for example) but still find my website useful I ask you to  send a donation through Paypal or you can use Venmo at venmo.com/Matt-Barrett-Greece If you prefer to send a check you can email me . Any amount helps. Thank you for your support!

You can also my find my travel tips for your Greek holidays on Tiplr

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 Or you can use Venmo at venmo.com/Matt-Barrett-Greece .

You can read what others have said about my Greece Guides and the travel agencies and services on my Testimonials Pages

Remember if you have any questions about services, itineraries, problems or anything having to do with Greece or if you are looking for something on the site and can't find it you can e-mail me and I will respond quickly. There is no fee. All info is Free.  I hope to see you in Greece! Matt Barrett

Help Support Matt's Greece Guides Do you enjoy using my site? Have you found it entertaining as well as useful? If so please show your appreciation by booking hotels through the travel agencies and the links found on my Hotels of Greece site. The small commission I make on the bookings enable me to keep working and in most cases you won't find them any cheaper by searching elsewhere. You can find hotels in Greece by location, price, whether or not it has a swimming pool, and see photos and reviews by using this link to booking.com which also contributes to my website when you book.

Join Matt Barrett's Greece Travel Guides Group on Facebook for comments, photos and other fun stuff. If you enjoy this website please share it with your friends on Facebook. If you are appreciative of all the free information you get on my websites you can send a donation through Paypal or Venmo

Greece Travel Blogs

These are all of my travel blogs about greece. .

From exploring the stunning Greek islands, with their luxurious honeymoon hotels, to the vibrant cities of Athens and Thessaloniki, find out the best places to travel to in my Greece travel blogs and travel guides.

Happy exploring!

15 Interesting Facts About Santorini

From the iconic white and blue houses of the caldera, to the island’s food and wine, these facts about Santorini will amaze you!

The ultimate naxos itinerary .

From mountain hikes and scuba dives, to food tours and historic monuments, this Naxos itinerary will help you plan the perfect island break.

7 amazing alternatives to santorini.

From the lesser-known islands of Tinos, Paros and Andros, to the ever-popular Mykonos and Rhodes, these Greek islands are perfect alternatives to Santorini.

What to wear in greece for women and men: greece packing list.

Wondering what to wear in Greece? Whether you’re planning a city break in Athens or island-hopping around Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes, this packing guide will help you decide what to take.

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.

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

• Where To Stay in Corfu Corfu is one of the most diverse greek islands with lovely fishing villages and a beautiful old Venetian town so this is a handy list of the best places to stay on the island
• Best Hotels in Corfu Corfu is an island in the Ionian 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
• Best Hotels in Paxos Paxos is one of the smallest greek islands but it’s small Mediterranean paradise that is worth your visit if you can afford it.

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
• Best Hotels in Samos Samos is the birthtown of Pythagoras and a lovely green island close to Turkey with a few great hotels and restaurants.

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.
• Best Hotels in Parga Parga is a beautiful old Venetian town surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches that can be reached in 1 hour drive from Aktion International Airport.

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

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 actually something you need to do before you arrive in town, and that’s to buy your combined ticket . Or, at least, you’ll want to buy one as soon as you arrive.

What’s that?

Well, it costs €35, and for that, you’ll gain access to all of the main historical 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. With the ticket, you can visit each of these attractions once over a five-day period and yes, they’re all worth visiting.

(You’ll save a whole bunch of money by buying the combined ticket, so the only reason not to get one is if you think you’ll only want to see one or two of the attractions.)

The best way to get your hands on a combined ticket is by buying it online through GetYourGuide . Doing so means you get to book the best time slot for the Acropolis in advance, avoid the long lines for buying tickets in person, and show the QR code on your phone to gain entry. It’s super-easy!

When you buy the combined ticket, you’ll see you have the option to book for a certain date and time. Importantly, this is your time slot for visiting the Acropolis . You’re going to be wanting to visit the Acropolis on the morning of day two in Athens and at the earliest possible time, which is at 8 a.m.

Above, you can see the entrance to the Acropolis at 8 a.m. combined with the entrance to the Acropolis at 8:30 a.m. Yep, I’m serious; that was just 30 minutes later! Timing is everything when it comes to having the best experience at the Acropolis.

If there’s no availability for 8 a.m. on your chosen Acropolis day, but there is for another date of your trip, shift your itinerary around to ensure you can visit at opening. It really does make a huge difference.

The combined ticket is valid for five days once you’ve activated it, which happens whenever you visit any of the sites included in the combination pass. (So yes, you can visit other sites in Athens before your visit to the Acropolis).

And with that process done and dusted, it’s time to start exploring this marvellous city.

Your first stop in Athens? The Ancient Agora.

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 with a booked time slot, 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.

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, put away your phone, 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.

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 jet lag.

I stayed in 360Degrees Pop Art Hotel , as it ticked the boxes for both of those criteria, plus so much more. I was staying just 200 yards from Monastiraki Square, in the heart of Athens, and next to a metro station, but because I wasn’t in the square, the rooms were 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. I highly recommend the breakfasts, too! So good. And they’re eaten on a rooftop terrace, overlooking the Acropolis, which makes for a particularly epic start to your mornings.

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

Have you been to Athens before?

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.

Related Posts

How to Spend One Week in Mauritius: An Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

What’s it Like to Travel in Liechtenstein?

What to Take On the Camino Primitivo: My Detailed Packing List

Exploring the Abandoned Monte Palace Hotel in Sao Miguel

How to Spend Two Weeks in Belize: An Itinerary for First-time Visitors

13 Reasons to Plan a Trip to the Azores

18 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 :-)

I originally traveled to Athens and Santorini when I graduated high school in ’97. It literally changed my life. Changed my major from engineering to classical civilization and Italian. When we went, we made reservations to fly there the day before from Rome, rolled up on the Acropolis when we felt like it with no one around, watched an American movie in an open air cinema, and ate $1 gyros (can’t remember what a drachma was worth). And Santorini had 10 people standing on a terrace watching the sunset. Making plans to visit now is unreal in terms of crowds. Headed there in September and praying for those weeks to have way less people…at least the times we want to go to major sites. Ha! Thanks for the tips because I’m totally using them all!

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Best of 2019
• Top Mykonos posts
• Top Santorini posts
• Top Athens posts
• Top Nafplio posts
• Top Lesvos posts
• Top Peloponnese posts
• Top Crete posts
• Top Delos posts
• Top Naxos posts
• Top Milos posts
• Top Amorgos posts
• Top Air travel posts
• Top events posts
• Top Andros posts
• Top Folegandros posts
• About this blog
• Privacy Policy
• Bakeries, bars, cafes and restaurants to check out when you visit Athens

Tasting Table’s mouthwatering profile of noteworthy places to eat and drink in Athens

This article from Tasting Table will whet your appetite for places to get a great drink, snack or meal during your trip to Athens 

Tastes of Athens :  We don’t yet know if we’ll be spending any time in Athens on our next trip to Greece, but I have already bookmarked a timely Tasting Table article (pictured above) to help us decide where to enjoy a coffee, drink, snack or meal if we do manage to visit the city.

16 Places to eat and drink in Athens, Greece popped up while I was scrolling through news stories on my phone during a break at the gym.  Thankfully, I didn’t have time to read it then, since writer Brandon Rich’s food and beverage recommendations would have left me feeling ravenous the rest of the day.

His profile includes two cocktail bars that have been named among the world’s best, and two restaurants on the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand listing. I instantly recognized the names of three of the four establishments, plus one of several Greek tavernas that Rich writes about. I wasn’t familiar with any of the other eateries — probably because, as Rich points out, “some of the best places you can eat and drink in Athens are still flying under the radar.”

His article spotlights bakeries and cafes, traditional tavernas and fine dining establishments, souvlaki joints and street food shops, describing signature drinks and dishes and must-try meals and beverages. The easy-to-read piece also provides links to websites for each venue, so you can obtain addresses and contact details, and read more about each place.

• Mykonos 2023: Parties, DJ shows & music events

Our annual profile of parties, DJ shows &  live entertainment events taking place on Mykonos during 2023

A hillside view of Chora (Mykonos Town) and the Old Port harbour on Mykonos island 

Going to Mykonos in 2023 and wondering what parties and events will be happening while you’re there?

You’re in luck: Here’s the My Greece Travel Blog annual calendar of entertainment events taking place on The Island of the Winds.

On page 2 , you’ll find a list of regularly-scheduled DJ shows, live music performances, pool parties, and Greek Nights that took place weekly or on a regularly recurring basis during the summer months.

Page 3 contains announcements for parties that took place during July .

Augus t parties and events can be found on page 4 .

Page 5 shows parties and events scheduled for September, October, November and December .

Page 6 is a list of events that have already taken place , in case you’re interested in seeing what has happened on Mykonos during other months this year.

Season closing announcements and events are listed on page 7 .

You might also be interested in our  What’s new on Mykonos for 2023 post for a peek at many of the exciting bar, club, restaurant, hotel and service newcomers on the island,

If you’re looking for information and ideas for places to eat and drink, check out our Mykonos restaurant guide 2023 .

  And if you want to know about major arts and culture events on the island, as well as special food and drink festivals, you can find that information by clicking  here .

We update these listings daily, or whenever new event announcements are issued.

Planning to do some Greek island hopping this summer? July and August are the peak travel months in Greece, and seats on inter-island ferries are filling up fast.  If you haven’t already booked your ferry tickets, click on the image above to arrange your transportation now!

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

• What’s new on Mykonos for 2023

Exciting new places to eat, drink, party and sleep on Mykonos this year

Some of the island’s noteworthy new arrivals and big changes for 2023 include, from top left, Baladaya club at Paradise beach; Mando bar and restaurant; Nomia Sunset Suites hotel; a new location for legendary Katrin restaurant; Domes Noruz Mykonos resort; ITA Mexican restaurant at Bagatelle Mykonos; and the Van Stories Mykonos mobile bar and DJ service.

Restaurants, cafes, bars and beach clubs

If you find yourself  in the mood for delicious sushi and cocktails accompanied by a magnificent view, you’ll find that Maison Ostria Sunset Restaurant & Bar ticks all the boxes. Located in the new Ocean Inn hotel overlooking Chora (Mykonos Town), Ostria restaurant serves sushi and fusion dishes with “authentic Japanese and Mediterranean flavours.” Situated next to the hotel’s infinity pool, the restaurant’s open-air dining patio boasts stunning views of Mykonos, nearby islands, and of course the mesmerizing Cycladic sunsets. The restaurant is open daily from 8 a.m. until midnight, serving breakfast and brunch items in the morning followed by an all-day menu that includes a selection of salads and main dishes. There is a shisha menu as well. Customers also can visit Ostria to enjoy the swimming pool from morning until 6 p.m. (with €50 per person minimum food & drink consumption).

With a menu focussed on traditional Greek cuisine, fresh fish and seafood, Taverna Lakka Garden describes itself as “a haven for those seeking an authentic taste of Greece.”  Lakka Garden opened in May at 21 Ignatiou Mpasoula street in the Lakka area of Mykonos Town.

The popular comfort food restaurant Nolan near Syntagma Square in Athens has closed its doors temporarily and moved to Mykonos for the summer. Nolan is described in Michelin Guide as “a contemporary bistro” that “creates contemporary Greek-focused cooking with plenty of Asian influences, and enticing dishes that are fresh, colourful and perfect for sharing.” Nolan decided to do something different this summer while it undertakes renovations of its Athens premises, so it seized the opportunity to move its operations to the chic Matogianni area of Mykonos Town for July and August. Nolan Mykonos has set up shop at 25 Kalogera Street, in the space previously home to the Ceresio7 Mykonos restaurant.   Nolan will return to its freshly-updated digs in Athens in mid-September.  

An addition to colourful Goumenio Square in Mykonos Town, Phoebus is a pescatarian wine restaurant that developed from an idea two friends from Mykonos conceived in 2015, and brought to reality this spring. “Dive into a sea of flavor, where our dry-aged fish and seafood creations will redefine your seafood experience. Taste the essence of the ocean, elevated to perfection,” says a post on the restaurant’s Intagram page . Phoebus opened its doors on May 8. Only three weeks later, Athinorama restaurant critic Dimitris Antonopoulos paid it an anonymous visit, and in an impressive review published on June 9, said Phoebus “has aesthetics, character and renews the culinary scene of Mykonos.” (You can click here to read the full review, and see photos of several of the restaurant’s exquisite dishes.)

Another newcomer to Goumenio Square, Mando Restaurant and Bar opened in late April. Its website says Mando is “reinventing tradition with an elevated take on Greek cuisine. We are a funky bistro style restaurant blending exceptional food with craft cocktails, using local ingredients.” Mando is open daily at 10 a.m. serving brunch, followed by a Greek-style tapas menu available from 6 p.m. to midnight. “We finish the night with a lounge atmosphere, music, and cocktails.”

June 9 was opening day for Drakoulis Dry & Raw Mykonos , the first island member of the fine dining restaurant chain of Drakoulis Butcheries (the others are located in the Kifissia, Kolonaki and Voula neighbourhoods of Athens). “Offering a meat experience unlike any other, Dry & Raw welcomes guests to enjoy a fusion of Mediterranean flavours and Japanese cooking with some of the best cuts of meat from around the world chosen with the help of our butchers to meet your tastes and wants,” says the company website . “Drakoulis Restaurants offer a signature 360 meat experience in an upbeat state-of-the-art environment that transforms by night with electronic music vibes.” You’ll find Dry & Raw at Agia Kirikia Square in Mykonos Town.

Philotimo bills itself as a “Mediterranean & traditional Greek cuisine restaurant,” but it has been making a particularly big impression with its amazing burgers. It’s also popular for its daily offerings of several popular Greek dishes. Philotimo is situated on the peripheral road in the Evaggelistraki area, near the AB supermarket. It opened in March.

Located in Ano Mera, Monk All Day Bar is a go-to spot for coffee, brunch, light meals and cocktails. Monk opened on April 8.

Katikies Mykonos hotel at Agios Ioannis beach will be welcoming Botrini’s Mykonos restaurant to its property this summer — the newest Greek island restaurant to feature the cuisine of Michelin-starred Greek-Italian chef Hector Botrini. According to a media announcement by the Katikies hotel chain, “Showcasing premium ingredients, high technique and inexhaustible talent, the chef’s most iconic recipes set the stage for a unique culinary experience. The most precious and freshest gifts of the land and the sea pass through the kitchen to be transformed into works of contemporary culinary art, which are found in degustation and à la carte menus and are accompanied by excellent Greek and international wine labels, under the supervision of Yiannis Karakasis MW (Master of Wine).” An official opening date for Botrini’s Mykonos has not yet been announced, but the r estaurant page on the Katikies Mykonos website is accepting online reservations for seating dates from May 1 until September 30. 

 The beginning of June saw the opening of Badalaya Mykonos on Paradise beach (in the premises occupied last year by the itbeach Mykonos club). Described as “a modern Greek tavern … where tradition meet innovation,” Badalaya boasts a menu, created by Chef George Stylianouda, that offers a wide range of meat, seafood and Greek dishes, as well as salads and sharing plates. A separate menu for the restaurant’s beachfront sunbeds includes burgers, sandwiches and salads. Both menus can be viewed on the Badalaya Mykonos website .

June 9 was grand opening day for L’ Artista, Osteria  Da Roberto , an elegant Italian restaurant “where comfort food meets fine dining.” L’ Artista is situated mere steps from Agia Anna beach at the Old Port harbourside of Mykonos Town, in the premises occupied last year by the short-lived Billionaire Mykonos restaurant and nightclub.

April 27 was opening day for Pablo bar , a “sister” to popular Paloma Bar. You’ll find Pablo at 34 Agion Anargiron Street in Mykonos Town. Pablo opens at 10 a.m. daily to serve breakfast and coffees, and the bar continues to serve cocktails until 3 a.m.

Hotels and accommodations

We have been struck by all the considerable attention Rizes Folklore Farmstead has been receiving on social media this season. Every day, our Instagram feed features impressive photos and videos that visitors have been posting with rave reviews describing everything that delighted them at Rizes — its traditional Greek cuisine restaurant, cooking and bread baking classes, guided farm tours and horse riding. This summer, Rizes added yoga classes to its roster of activities, and in late June it unveiled new guest room accommodations right on the farmstead property. The five traditional Myconian guest houses offer “a once in a lifetime experience of living on a Myconian farm,” Rizes said in a social media post announcing the opening of the rooms — a truly unique lodging for an island most people associate with posh luxury suites, private plunge pools and high-end amenities. Visitors who stay in the guest houses will “get to enjoy a locally sourced breakfast from our garden, bake fresh bread, get eggs from the chickens, milk the goats, spend time with the horses, and much more,” Rizes says.  To inquire about guest house rates and availability, contact the farmstead by email at: [email protected] .

Open since spring, Ocean Inn Mykonos is a boutique-sized luxury hotel perched on the hillside that rises behind the iconic whitewashed buildings of Chora (Mykonos Town).  Most of Ocean Inn’s sea-view suites and junior suites accommodate two guests each, with some offering hot tubs while others boast private pools.  The spacious Superior King Suite can sleep three people, and features a central living area with kitchen, sofa bed and bathroom, a separate bedroom with ensuite bath, and a private pool.  Hotel facilities include a concierge, a sea-view infinity pool, and the adjacent Maison Ostria Sunset Restaurant & Bar, which we profiled above in the new restaurants section of this post.

Early July saw the opening of Nomia Sunset Suites , a luxury hotel nestled against a rocky sea- and sunset-view hillside in the Pigados area of Mykonos, approximately 2.7 km from both Mykonos Town and the New Port at Tourlos. The hotel boasts 16 suites, some of which have private heating swimming pools, and others which are furnished with outdoor hot tubs. Nomia also offers a Cave Pool Experience Suite, which comprises a separate living room, a spacious bedroom, and an en suite marble bathroom with walk-in rain shower, and can accommodate up to 3 persons. Hotel facilities include a lounge, a seaview infinity pool and terrace, a wellness area, and boutique.

Describing itself as “youthful, breezy and affordable,” Mykonaki Hotel has opened in Ano Mera, boasting 51 rooms in seven different styles that can accommodate 1, 2, 3 or 4 people.  Geared for young, party-minded visitors, the hotel notes that while it’s located in “the most chilled area of Mykonos,” it’s nevertheless close “to all the famous hotspots of the island. All you need to do is pick the room that fits your style and join us for a never-sleeping, always-partying summer time!”  Accommodations include rooms appropriately called “Just the two of us,”  “Just the three of us,”  “Funky Vibes room for 4,” “Chill Out room for 3,” “Summer is On room for 2,” and “Mykonos Vibes room for 4.”  Hotel facilities and services include a swimming pool, gym, and a continental breakfast.

The chic and exclusive Domes Noruz Mykonos hotel opened its doors in early July. Located at Agios Stefanos, the 38-suite, adults-only resort is the newest member of the Domes Resorts collection of luxury lifestyle vacation properties in the Mediterranean. According to a media announcement by Domes Resorts, guests at Domes Noruz Mykonos can “choose rooms with private pools, indulge in signature culinary offerings at Topos Neo-med restaurant, sip on cocktail masterpieces by Apallou mixologists, and experience established lounge sessions or explore the island in the care of a tried and tested concierge. These elements create a celebratory aesthetic that includes art and fashion, all set against a 24/7 vibe of chill music and sun-kissed relaxation.” 

Bill & Coo Coast Suites at Agios Ioannis has introduced a new private hideaway for 2023 — the Coast Hill Suites . This “discreet cocoon” of 10 spacious suites — the biggest accommodations at Bill & Coo Coast — each come with an infinity pool, a sheltered terrace with sweeping sea, sunset and Delos island views, and round-the-clock personalized assistance from the hotel’s top-notch service team.

The Nammos World of luxury lifestyle restaurants, beach clubs, entertainment events and shopping is expanding with the debut of a chain of exclusive high-end hotels and resorts.  Twenty years ago, Nammos Mykonos opened as an upscale restaurant on Psarou beach. Within a few short years it became one of the island’s most famous beach clubs, drawing an international clientele of the rich, famous and beautiful.  More recently, the brand opened Nammos venues in Dubai, Cannes, Limassol and Qatar. Now, in 2023, it has established Nammos Hotels & Resorts , and the first Nammos Hotel will open this summer on Psarou beach (in the premises previously operated as the Kensho Psarou hotel, and last year as N Hotel.) Nammos resorts in Abu Dhabi and the Maldives also are set to open. The new Nammos Mykonos hotel can be seen on the left side of the beach in the image above; the beach club is next door, on the right. Opening dates for the hotel and beach club have not yet been announced. 

New services

  Van Stories Mykonos is a fun mobile service making its debut on the island this summer.  Its signature “boho-style” Volkswagen T2 van features a fully stocked bar and DJ booth that can be booked for private parties, weddings , photo shoots, and other special events.

Uber has announced that it is bringing its Uber Boat service to Mykonos this summer — joining its on-land Uber vehicle service, which started operations on Mykonos this spring. At the 2023 Uber Go-Get Product Event on May 17, Uber announced that Uber Boat will give Mykonos vacationers the opportunity to arrange private boat transportation simply by selecting “boat” from the Uber app.  The service will allow for “up to 8 people to cruise to popular destinations around the island of Mykonos,” Uber said. The service launched at the end of June and is expected to be available until October. Extensive information and details about the Uber land and boat transportation services on Mykonos can be found in the June 29 Greek Travel Pages news report Uber’s New ‘Boat’ Service Takes the Mykonos Experience to Another Level .

Familiar spots with new names, locations or features

On April 12, legendary fine dining restaurant La Maison de Katrin opened its doors for the 2023 season in a completely different part of Mykonos Town. In operation since 1971, Katrin was previously situated on Nikiou street, where Instagrammers flocked to photograph the bedazzling canopy of bougainvillea that shaded a row of tables and chairs in the narrow lane along the restaurant. Katrin’s new location is a short walk away at 23 Panachratou street, in 23 Hotel . That’s another big change that Mykonos regular visitors will notice — it’s the new name for the former Carbonaki boutique hotel. Though the new Katrin doesn’t boast a show-stopping display of blooming vines above its tables, it still serves the signature exquisite cuisine that wows new customers and keeps drawing regular guests back every year.

Brunello was one of many restaurant newcomers to Mykonos in 2022. For this season, it has rebranded as Bruno Coffee & Brunch .  Bruno is located in the Mykonos My Mall in Ano Vrisi.

Another restaurant rebrand for 2023 is Fraskω at Agia Anna Kalafatis — the farm-to-table eatery formerly named Nesaea.  On its social media, Fraskω is described as a “fish fun tavern” offering “an authentic island experience. Local products, local fish & a lot of Greek hospitality.”

Divine Sea & More, the beach bar and restaurant at Super Paradise beach, is now called Thalas Barefoot Tavern & Beach . It opened on May 19.

Bouboulo restaurant on the Gialos harbourside promenade of Mykonos Town has undergone a transformation for 2023. Now called Frankie Mykonos (a name inspired by Frank Sinatra), its menu features “cuisine with the flavor of Italy and fresh local ingredients, true to our farm-to-table philosophy and quality. Enjoy fresh handmade pasta, meat, bread and pizza with sourdough and organic flour that are fermented daily and baked in our wood-fired oven, as well as gluten free and lactose free options,” a description on the restaurant website says.

Bagatelle Mykonos unveiled an exciting new restaurant concept — The Sunset Plaza — when it opened in May for its second season of operations.  Inspired by lively plazas throughout Europe, the sunset-view, seaside complex comprises three distinct venues offering “fine dining, high-end entertainment and fashion shopping in an al fresco setting” — The Sunset Lounge, Bagatelle Mykonos restaurant, and ITA Mykonos. Designed as a romantic spot to watch the sunset or relax after dinner, The Sunset Lounge will offer “amazing cocktails prepared by top-notch mixologists, a high-end collection of wines and spirits, live artists, fire blowers, singers, musicians and dancers, and the most beautiful view of the island,” a Bagatelle Group spokesperson told us.  The restaurant, Bagatelle Mykonos, will spotlight cuisine inspired by La Côte d’Azur, Southern Italy and Mykonos; its menu will “blend the generous flavours of the French Riviera cuisine with the refreshing Mediterranean and Greek influences.” Meanwhile, the “magical hideaway” ITA Mykonos — an intimate spot inspired by the lush jungles of Mexico — will offer an adventurous culinary journey  with its menu of “daring and colorful Mexican and Peruvian fusion food,” the company rep added.

The former Habitat Hotel at Agios Stefanos has undergone a rebranding and is now a Thanos Hotels property called Amyth of Mykonos .  An April 3 social media post announced the change, saying that Amyth will be: “A sanctuary for the soul, a new bijou hotel promising boho-luxe style, authentic ‘at-home’ hospitality, and a deeper experience of Mykonian life at its laid-back best.​”

Noteworthy departures

Funky Kitchen will not be returning for the 2023 season. The Lakka-area restaurant had been hugely popular with regular Mykonos visitors for the last several years, but its owners announced on social media April 2 that they have decided “to close Funky Kitchen as we know it and open a new chapter concentrating in private dining and pop up events.” There’s no word on whether another restaurant will be moving into the space for this summer.

• Mykonos arts & culture events in 2023

Major arts and culture events on Mykonos during summer 2023

On Friday September 29, the Municipality of Mykonos, the Cyclades Antiquities Office, and the Greek Plan will present Dimitris Papadimitriou — Concert on Delos , a live music event featuring “Papadimitriou’s musical work on poems by Greek poets from antiquity to today.” The 2-part concert will take place on historic Delos island. The first performance, at dusk, will celebrate the Greek god Apollo, who in mythology was born on Delos island. The second part will be performed at nightfall, and will be dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of the moon. For this event, concertgoers can take boats departing for Delos at 4 and 5 p.m. The concert will commence at 6 p.m.  The ferries will return to Mykonos after the performance, at 8.30 p.m. Tickets for the return boat ride cost €22 and will be available from the Delos Tours kiosks at both the New Port and Old Port.   Further details can be found on the Facebook page for the local cultural organization , Kdeppam Mykonos .

On Wednesday September 27, the friends of the Mykonos Folklore Museum celebrate the re-opening of the Bonis Windmill agricultural museum following a lengthy closure for extensive restoration and repair work.  The event will feature live entertainment, and takes place starting at 6 p.m. at the windmill, situated on the hillside overlooking Chora (Mykonos Town).

Mykonos Biennale is back for its 2023 series of art, drama, film and other cultural events based on this year’s theme, “Orphic Mysteries.” Check the Mykonos Biennale website for details of events and locations. The Biennale takes place from September 27 to October 3.

On Tuesday September 19, Savvas Finest Greek Goods in Mykonos Town will host an in-store olive oil tasting event presented by olive oil expert Anita Zachou

An exhibition of works by artist Evgenia Grypari will be presented from September 11 to 20 at Syrioti Hall on Meletopoulou Street in Chora

On Sunday September 3, local cultural organization Kdeppam presents a live sunset performance by singer – musician Evi Mazi at the historic Armenitis Lighthouse at the northwestern tip of Mykonos. Accompanied by musicians Dimos Vougioukas, Dimitris Koulogiorgos and Kostas Arsenis, Evi will perform songs from a wide range of styles and time periods. The performance starts at 7:30 p.m., and admission is free.

On Thursday August 10, Koukoumi Vegan Hotel in Ano Mera is hosting a vegan cooking class with chef Aggeliki Charami and chef de partie Anna Lymperi

From August 1 to 10, the municipal Kalogera gallery hosts Corona Blues , an aerial photography exhibition by local artists Jornik Kambanis

On Friday August 4, Scorpios beach club launches its latest Encounters — In Resonance art exhibition, Echoes of Alhambra . a collaboration between new media artist Orkhan Mammadov and DJ/musician Lannka . “The historic Islamic architecture, calligraphy, fountains and gardens of the Alhambra in Andalusia provide an abundance of inspiring imagery for Lannka x Orkhan’s 250 digital artworks and data visualization piece,” the club says in social media posts announcing the event.

On Saturday July 29, Kapopoulos Fine Arts and The Art Dose are presenting a special “artistic evening” featuring an exhibition of select paintings and works by international artists. The event is being held in the lobby of the Cavo Tagoo hotel in Mykonos Town.

In July, Kapopoulos Fine Arts established an exclusive new gallery featuring works by acclaimed contemporary artist Richard Orlinski. Located at 48 Matthaiou Andronikou street, the Orlinski Gallery will celebrate its arrival on Mykonos with a grand opening event on July 20 at 9 p.m. The artist will be attending.

On Sunday July 23, Scorpios beach club reveals a new artwork as part of its summer music and art Encounters program. Island Illusions: Aegean Echoes is a collaborative work by AI artist Dr. Ivona Tau and DJ/Produceer Jean Claude Ades. “Combining AI art with electronic music, they depict the transformative power of nature. Ivona and Jean Claude explore the dance between the sea and the coast, while looking at the kinetic and constantly changing nature of the shoreline,” Scorpios says in a social media post announcing the event.

On Tuesday July 25,  Scorpios presents Zorba , its second special artwork reveal of the week.  A collaborative art project of DJ/Producer duo Bedouin and 3D artist Hugo Johnson, Zorba “offers a glimpse into the souls of storms, reimagining extreme weather patterns as human beings with unique identities. The star of the portrait series is Zorbas, the first cyclone to hit the Mediterranean,” Scorpios said in a social media post announcing the reveal.

On Thursday July 27, Bill & Coo Mykonos Restaurant ‘s Gastronomy Project will present a special six-course degustation menu paired with a “vertical tasting” of wines from renowned Chateau Angelus .  Attendance is limited, so reservations are essential.

On Saturday July 29, Kivotos Hotel & Villas at Ornos Bay will be presenting a special dining and live entertainment event in its open-air poolside restaurant, Namah . The event starts at 8 p.m. and features “an exciting fusion of fine and creative Greek cuisine supervised by our executive Chef Christos Pedes, and Latin culture” highlighted by “lively Latin rhythms and spirited dancing,” the hotel said on its social media pages. There is a set menu for the dinner, and tables should be reserved by contacting the hotel’s concierge / guest relation team by telephone at: +30 22890 24094

Every Thursday during July, Kalesma Hotel is presenting The Light of Apollo , “a first-of-its-kind performance art project that explores divine inspiration, the mythological element and the island of Mykonos itself.” Created and performed by the Tracing Echoes Project, The Light of Apollo is a unique immersive show that combines contemporary dance, music and movement. “The play rekindles the flame of classical Greek mythology through a new retelling of the myth of Apollo – the god of music and light – as the show revives seminal stories of the past in an exciting, multi-faceted ritual,” says a media release announcing the shows. “Throughout the event, the boundaries between performer and observer will be broken down, as attendees find themselves surrounded by dancers, actors and musicians. From classical theatre to an al fresco feast of local cuisine, the show will proudly shine a light on authentic island tradition. With the sacred island of Delos on the horizon, The Light of Apollo transforms the resort and its guests into essential characters in the performance. Together, they build a bridge connecting Mykonos to Delos, the historical with the contemporary, the earthly with the divine. The show is thus a homage to this legacy, a celebration of land and legend and Mykonian visionaries past and present,” the announcement explains. The play is presented in the morning from 10 a.m. to noon at the hotel’s Pere Ubu Mykonos restaurant, and continues in the evening from 8 to 8:45 p.m. at Kalesma’s Aloni Sunset Lounge. The performances are open to hotel guests as well as visitors staying elsewhere on the island.

From June 12 to July 30, the Mykonos Municipal Art Gallery is hosting two artistic tributes to the painter Teli Vassilikioti — the special exhibition “Aristotle Vassilikiotis: Unexpected Changes of Course,” and the permanent exhibition “Aristotle Vassilikiotis: 1902-1972.”

The Mykonos Art Festival 2023 takes place from June 30 to September 24. The annual summer event presents an extensive variety of art and music entertainment geared to all ages, at venues across  Mykonos and on Delos island.  Click here to view the full festival program.

This is calendar of Mykonos Art Festival 2023 events scheduled for August

On July 12, Eden Gallery at Nammos Village launched its annual Mykonos Summer Event Series. The program, which runs until August 12, will feature nine events showcasing 12 of the gallery’s exclusive contemporary artists. The popular Eden Gallery events are among the highlights of the Mykonos summer art scene, and offer “a captivating blend of art, culture and entertainment,” the gallery noted in a media release announcing the program.

For summer 2023, the gallery at Noema Mykonos restaurant and bar is exhibiting an array of “breathtaking artwork from a selection of emerging and established artists,” in a special collaboration with HOFA Gallery .  Noema is located in the Panachra neighbourhood of Chora (Mykonos Town), and its gallery is open daily from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.  Information about the gallery, and a link to a PDF profile of the artists and works featured in the exhibition, can be found at this page of the Noema website.

Already world-renowned for its fine dining restaurant and its incredibly popular sunset music rituals and other consciousness-raising gatherings, Scorpios beach club will make a distinctive mark this summer on the international contemporary art scene. For 2023, the club is introducting Encounters , its “new platform for cultural experimentation.”  The In Resonance art program — which will spotlight artists and musicians who resonate together” — is set to run from July 13 to September 4. “From a series of art installations and live performances, to opportunities to collect innovative, experimental artwork, Scorpios will take you into the heart of the digital art movement,” the club said in a news release announcing the initiative.  Further details about the art program can be found on the Encounters page of the Scorpios website.

May 19 was opening day for Cine Manto , the open-air cinema tucked into a hidden garden oasis in the heart of Mykonos Town.  The cinema plays first-release movies in their original versions, usually in English, starting at 9 p.m. daily. The cinema also is home to an all-day cafe-bar where visitors can escape the summer heat and crowds to relax with a coffee, drink or meal.

Past events

The Matsuhisa Mykonos “new style” Japanese fine dining restaurant at the Belvedere Hotel celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and will hold its annual Nobu Festival from June 27 to July 2. The Festival offers an exclusive culinary experience with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and guest sushi masters, and this year will also celebrate the grand opening of the restaurant’s Omakase Bar. 

Here is the schedule for music performances taking place on the evening of Friday June 30, opening night for the Mykonos Art Festival 2023:

♦  Entertainment gets underway at 6 p.m. at the Old Port, below the Mykonos Archaeological Museum, with a performance by World Music Duo (Periklis Aliopis on trumpet and Vasilis Tziatzias on guitar);

♦ At 6:30 p.m., at Mykonos Town Hall, The Storyville Ragtimers band will perform;

♦ At 7 p.m., vocalist Kelly Kaltsi will sing at Paraportiani church;

♦ At 7:30, guitarist Charitini Panopoulou will play at Melkis Axioti Square;

♦ At 8 p.m., the violin and harp duo Music ΚonTin-entity will perform at the Mykonos Municipal Gallery KDDEPAM;

♦ At 8:30, the O&K Classical Music Quartet will play at the Municipal Library, and

♦ At 9 p.m. the brass and percussion ensemble Metallon Quintent will perform at Manto Square,  where official opening ceremonies for the festival also will take place.

Here’s a not-to-be-missed event for any ship or maritime history enthusiasts visiting Mykonos on Sunday July 2. At 5 p.m. that day, a special ceremony will take place at the Old Port in Mykonos Town to welcome the return of the island’s beloved cargo ship, Evangelistria . Built  in 1940, Evangelistria transported cargo throughout the Aegean islands until 1978, when she was decommissioned and left in drydock for nearly 11 years on nearby Syros island. Out of the sea for so long, Evangelistria quickly deteriorated. The founder of the Aegean Maritime Museum in Mykonos, George Drakopoulos, persuaded the ship’s owner to donate the vessel to the museum and the island municipality so it could be restored and maintained as a floating maritime museum.  Evangelistria is returning to Mykonos after undergoing repairs at a shipyard on Salamina island. The brief welcoming ceremony will take place at the Old Port, near Ai. Nikolaki of Kadena, the charming little blue-domed church near Mykonos Town Hall. Afterward, the boat will be open to the public for tours.

On Sunday July 2, Mykonos Art Festival presents Troade s, a tragedy by the ancient Greek playwright, Euripides. (The play also is known by the titles The Trojan Women and The Women of Troy .) Directed by Violet Louise, and featuring Aglaia Pappa in the role of Ekavi, this performance “is a modern adaptation of the poetic text where sound, music and image coexist creatively,” a festival event announcement says. The production will be staged at the entrance to the Monastery of St. George in Ano Mera, where the cast of three actors will “tell the tragic story of the war and as the only survivors they mourn in the deserted city of Troy.” Start time is 9 p.m.

On Monday July 3, Alissachni Mykonos Hotel is holding a Mexican night with music and a special menu created by Chef Psomopoulos Stavros. The hotel is situated on a hilltop in the Agios Lazaros area of the island, overlooking Psarou beach. Contact the hotel directly at +30 2289024669 for reservations or further information.

From July 2 to 9, Buddha-Bar Beach Mykonos presents Cocktails Week with special guest Francesco Galdi, the Buddha-Bar Group’s corporate beverage manager.  “Ιnfluenced by his early exposure to his grandparents’ bars and restaurants, and guided by the DNA of Buddha-Bar’s concepts, Francesco’s cocktails become a liquid expression of travel, perfumes and traditions, seamlessly fused with cutting-edge techniques,” says a social media announcement for the event.  Buddha-Bar Beach Mykonos restaurant and bar is situated in the Santa Marina Resort at Ornos.

From July 6 to 10, Kapopoulos Fine Arts on Enoplan Dinameon Street will present the solo exhibition of 17 works by L.A.-based, Paris-born experimental and digital artist Punk Me Tender . The artist will be attending the opening night reception on July 6.

On July 13 and 14, Scorpios presents Refik Anadol X The Yawanawa, the first event in its Encounters — In Resonance arts and music program for summer 2023.  Anadol, an award-winning media artists, and the Yawanawa, an indigenous community in Brazil’s Amazon, have co-created “an exclusive piece (available as an edition consisting of three), as well as a collection of digital artworks that reflects the Yawanawá’s connection with the forest and responds to real-time data from the Amazon rainforest.” The artwork will be revealed on July 13. “On July 14th Yawanawá chiefs Nixiwaka and Isku Kua will lead a prayer and musical performance together with their family Ninunihu and Ykashahu.” The celebrations will be followed by a panel discussion that will “provide a glimpse into the creation process of the artwork series and its objectives.”

Seascape in a Garden is a unique arts & culture event being held July 14 and 15 on the Delos island archaeological site. It features a visual and sound installation as well as a live performance that aims to draw attention to “the protection and risks of our natural environment.” According to an event announcement, “Japanese and Greek cultural traditions converge in the sculptural installation by Greek artist Katerina Karatzaferi that is inspired by the Japanese tradition Komomaki and patterns of Greek weaving practices. Karatzaferi’s work converses with Ahmed Saleh’s sound installation and performance inspired by his personal aural memories from the city of his native Alexandria . In the historic and symbolic site of Delos, the two works acquire new meanings as they encounter archaeology, historic memory, nature and myth.”  Seascape in a Garden is part of a program called All of Greece One Culture 2023, an initiative of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. The event is being held in conjunction with the Mykonos Art Festival. The visual and sound installations will be open to visitors throughout the day on both July 14 and 15, with the live performances starting at 6:30 p.m. and lasting around 45 minutes. Admission to the event is free, but visitors will have to pay the regular entry fee to access the Delos island archaeological site.

• Mykonos restaurant guide 2023

Some of the most popular restaurants on Mykonos, including a few of our personal favourites, are seen in images from their social media pages: Top row (left to right) Avli tou Thodori, Mantri and To Maereio. Middle row:  Nikolas Taverna, Pili and Rizes Folklore Farmstead. Bottom row: Sakis Grill House; Baboulas and Sea Satin Market.

Welcome to our 2023 guide to restaurant opening dates on Mykonos.

Keep scrolling down this page to see which places — including a number of exciting and much-anticipated newcomers to Mykonos — opened their doors during  June and July.

On page 2, we profile dining spots that started their seasons during April and May.

Restaurants and tavernas that opened in January, February and March are listed on page 3.

July openings

A new arrival for this summer, Horio Art House cafe opened July 16. It serves coffees, lemonade and other beverages, fresh-daily home-made treats like traditional onion pie, as well as sweets, cheesecake and other desserts. The cafe also sells a large selection of handmade art and craft items, ideal for gifts or Mykonos holiday souvenirs. Horio is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Dalu Skygarden Cafe has opened in a new outdoor space at Kastro Panigiraki (which also happens to be the location of the island’s most famous open-air cocktail lounge, 180 Sunset Bar).  A breakfast, brunch and coffee spot with a fantastic view, Dalu Cafe is open daily from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The popular comfort food restaurant Nolan near Syntagma Square in Athens is closing its doors temporarily and moving to Mykonos for the summer. Nolan is described by Michelin Guide as “a contemporary bistro” that “creates contemporary Greek-focused cooking with plenty of Asian influences, and enticing dishes that are fresh, colourful and perfect for sharing.” Nolan decided to do something different this summer while it undertakes renovations of its Athens premises, and it seized the opportunity to move its operations to Mykonos for July and August. Nolan Mykonos will set up shop at 25 Kalogera Street in Matogianni area of Mykonos Town, in the space that previously had been had been home to the Ceresio7 Mykonos restaurant. Nolan Mykonos is currently accepting online reservations for the period of July 18 to September 10. In mid-September, Nolan will return to its freshly-updated digs in Athens.  

Are you planning to do some Greek island hopping this summer? July and August are the peak travel months in Greece, and seats on inter-island ferries are filling up fast.  If you haven’t already booked your ferry tickets, click on the image above to arrange your transportation now!

June openings

A new arrival this season, Feel Good Cafe describes itself as a “conscious eatery” serving plant-based breakfast items, healthy superfoods, acai, bowls, coffees and “sunset mocktails.” The cafe also serves up a superb sea view from its patio. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Feel Good Cafe is situated on the peripheral road above Mykonos Town, opposite the Jumbo Toy Store near the roundabout.

One of the island’s most famous restaurants, Sea Satin Market by Caprice of Mykonos, was acquired by new owners this year, and it reopened for the 2023 season on June 16. It’s still in the same coastal location –beneath the iconic row of Mykonos windmills near the Little Venice seafront of Chora.

June 9 was opening day for Drakoulis Dry & Raw Mykonos , the first island member of the fine dining restaurant project of Drakoulis Butcheries (the others are located in the Kifissia, Kolonaki and Voula neighbourhoods of Athens). “Offering a meat experience unlike any other, Dry & Raw welcomes guests to enjoy a fusion of Mediterranean flavours and Japanese cooking with some of the best cuts of meat from around the world chosen with the help of our butchers to meet your tastes and wants,” says the company website . “Drakoulis Restaurants offer a signature 360 meat experience in an upbeat state-of-the-art environment that transforms by night with electronic music vibes.” You’ll find Dry & Raw at Agia Kirikia Square in Mykonos Town.

June 9 was grand opening day for L’ Artista, Osteria  Da Roberto , a new Italian restaurant “where comfort food meets fine dining.” L’ Artista is situated mere steps from Agia Anna beach at the Old Port harbourside of Mykonos Town.

La Prosciutteria has arrived on the Island of the Winds this summer. Situated in the Mykonos Mediterraneo restaurant and bar complex at Lakka Square, it celebrated its arrival with an official opening party on June 7.

June 1 was opening day for the new Baladaya Mykonos , a “modern Greek tavern” at Paradise beach.

June 1 was opening day for Meraki Mykonos , the fine dining Greek cuisine restaurant and infinity pool bar at the Cavo Tagoo Hotel in Mykonos Town

The cabaret restaurant and nightclub Lio Mykonos opened June 1 with a new entertainment extravaganza, “Delicatessen”

Please click on the link below to turn to page 2, where you can see the restaurants that opened during April and May of this year.

Pages: 1 2 3

• Things to see and do during a visit to Athens this winter

A special edition of Greece Is Magazine profiles events and activities in Athens during winter 2022-2023

The cover of the Athens edition of Greece Is magazine for Winter 2022-2023

Winter wonders : The latest Athens issue of Greece Is magazine sure would have come in handy during a recent Christmas party conversation about winter travel plans. After friends and acquaintances described their upcoming trips to Florida, Australia, Mexico and the Caribbean, everyone looked perplexed when I said that I wished I could visit Athens. “But isn’t everything there closed down?” one of my acquaintances asked. Similar questions by others in the group suggested they, too, think Greece is only a summer beach destination. 

Like many people, they just don’t realize that, even during the cooler months of off-season, the capital of Greece is always brimming with engaging arts and culture events, and fun food, drink and entertainment activities.

Why wouldn’t it be? It’s a major international city, after all, and its 3 million residents don’t go into hibernation until Greek Easter. They like to get out and about to experience their city’s cultural attractions and events, and there are plenty of those to enjoy throughout the winter months — as the Athens Winter 2022-2023 special edition of Greece Is magazine points out.

Released in early December, the 148-page issue includes:

♦ A spotlight on things to see and do in Athens — both indoors and out — on mild winter days

♦ Photos and information about visiting the Makrigianni site — the ancient streets beneath the Acropolis Museum

♦ “Art & the City,” a look at local hangouts for food, drinks and shopping in the neighbourhoods near the city’s major museums and art galleries

♦  “At the museum with the kids,” an article that highlights “tailored programs and tours” geared specifically for children — a must-read for families travelling to Athens

♦ In “Dining Out: Then & Now,” writer Christos Chomenidis “connects the past with the present” as he describes visits to five noteworthy restaurants that each have “their own story to tell.” 

♦ “Finding philosophy among the ruins,” a piece that traces the “ancient Greek philosophers’ favourite haunts in and around the Athenian Agora”

♦ “Dreaming of the blue skies of Attica,” an essay that considers “why the return of the Parthenon Sculptures is a democratic imperative,” and much more.

If you’re planning a winter trip to Athens, or simply wondering if it’s worthwhile to visit at this time of year, have a look through the magazine. You’ll find lots of helpful information and great suggestions for places to visit and things to do — more than enough to keep you entertained and enthralled.

Print copies of the Athens issue are available from the Greece Is e-shop , while the online edition can be viewed, read, shared and even downloaded from this link on Issuu.com .  

• A dreamy private paradise on Ithaca island

A lush 100-hectare coastal property is for sale on Ithaca island

The lovely Ulysses’ Cove property for sale on Ithaca island is shown in an aerial photo from the website FT Property Listings

Ionian idyll: If you’ve been dreaming about spending next summer at your own private Greek Island retreat, here’s your chance to snap up a piece of paradise in Greece’s Ionian islands — a lush, coastal property on Ithaca is up for sale.

Although it’s not an entire island, Ulysses’ Cove is nonetheless an enviable estate-sized property that measures a whopping 1 million square meters (that’s 100 hectares or 247 acres). The expansive and varied terrain encompasses rolling hills and level grounds thickly wooded with trees and verdant foliage, a long forested peninsula, and eight beguiling beaches scattered along gorgeous turquoise waters.

The property includes nine buildings that were constructed in the 1960s in a simple yet elegant style designed to blend seamlessly with the island’s natural environment. The structures include a “charming” villa and cottages that measure 849 square meters in all, and boast a reception hall, living room with fireplace, two kitchens, a formal dining room, nine bedrooms with eight bathrooms, and two rooms for staff.  The grounds feature colourful flower-filled gardens and a number of outdoor terraces that would be ideal for al fresco dining, entertaining and relaxing. What’s more, the property comes with its own caique — a 12-meter traditional Greek boat.

“This unique estate may be the ideal haven for a family seeking a private paradise, or it may be developed into an exclusive hotel or collection of holiday homes,” the listing notes.  

One of the estate’s eight enticing private beaches is seen in an aerial photo from the Ulysses’ Cove listing on the Ploumis Sotiropoulos Real Estate Brokers website.

We stumbled upon the Christie’s International Real Estate listings for Ulysses’ Cove while web-surfing possible destinations for our holidays in Greece next year. One of the listings was part of an Aegean Airlines in-flight magazine advertisement by Athens-based Ploumis Sotiropoulos Real Estate Brokers , while the other appeared on FT Property Listings . Photos of the property’s interior and exterior spaces can be viewed on both websites.

 While the ads don’t mention the vendor’s asking price (it’s available only upon request), we’re fairly certain it’s a little beyond our personal holiday accommodation budget for 2023.  Still, that won’t keep us from imagining ourselves soaking up the summer sunshine on a different private beach every day of the week, hosting family and friends for drinks or BBQ parties on the hideaway’s bay-view waterfront, or spending an afternoon at sea on the Ulysses’ Cove boat.

If you, by any chance, happen to acquire Ulysses’ Cove after learning about it here on the blog, please keep us in mind when you’re planning a list of guests to invite for a holiday stay in one of the cottages. We’d love to join you there! 😉 

• Ancient Corinth’s most significant historic sites

Video views of archaeological sites and superb scenery at the top historic places of Ancient Corinth

The 6-minute film  Ancient Corinthia from high above captures breathtaking aerial views of the major historic locations of Ancient Corinth

For history buffs and landscape lovers : The Corinth region of Greece is home to a plethora of important sites that will impress visitors who are fascinated with ancient Greek history. And since they’re situated in beautiful outdoor locations, these places should appeal even to people who aren’t history buffs, but who enjoy seeing and spending time in picturesque landscapes, countrysides and coastal areas.

That’s why we think both types of traveller will enjoy watching the video we have shared above. Produced by the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth , it captures amazing visual perspectives of Ancient Corinth’s signature ruins and monuments amidst their scenic surroundings.

Historic sites shown in the video include, in order of appearance:

♦ Krommyon at Ayioi Theodori

♦ Sanctuary of Hera at Perochora

♦ Ithsmus / Corinth Canal

♦ Diolkos at Poseidonia

♦ Sanctuary of Poseidon at Ithsmia

♦ the submerged ancient port at Kenchreai

♦ Solygeia at Galataki

♦ Tenea at Klenia and Chiliomodi

♦ Poros Limestone Quarries at Examilia

♦ the harbour at Lechaion

♦ Ancient Corinth

♦ Acrocorinth

♦ Sanctuary of Demeter and Koris

♦ Sanctuary of Asklepios

♦ the Theater at Ancient Corinth

♦ Temple of Apollo

The Peirine Fountain, seen in a photo from the website for the Ancient Corinth Archaeological Museum

We got to see several of the locations — Sanctuary of Hera, Corinth Canal, Diolkos, Acrocorinth, as well as the Temple of Apollo and many other monuments at the Ancient Corinth archaeological site — during two daytrips in May 2022, while we were staying in the nearby city of Loutraki. We passed close by a few of the others shown in the video, but regret that we weren’t able to include them in our itinerary.

If you find yourself in the Corinth area with a vehicle and three to four (or more) days at your disposal, you should be able to comfortably visit most, if not all, of these sites. The villages, towns and countryside around them look fascinating, too, and undoubtedly would be worth exploring. 

Travel links

Planning a trip to the Corinth area, or just wondering if it’s the right region for you to visit on an upcoming trip to Greece? The following links should prove helpful for your research:

♦ the Explore Corinth website provides detailed information, photos, artwork and videos of some of the region’s key sites and attractions — Ancient Corinth, Acrocorinth, Corinth Canal, Ancient Tenea and Ancient Nemea — and includes a section spotlighting St. Paul the Apostle, who established a Christian community and church at Corinth.

♦ the website for the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth contains detailed visitor information and photos of the museum and its collections, and the adjacent archaeological site, as you would expect, along with specific sections that focus on Acrocorinth, Bema of St. Paul, Sanctuary of Asklepieion, Temple of Octavia, Temple of Apollo, Glauke Fountain, Basiilica of Kraneion, Basilica of Lechaion, Peirene Fountain, Ancient Odeion, Amphitheater, and the Theater of Ancient Corinth.

♦ the commercial travel agency site Enjoy Corinthia features information, photos and videos of historic sites, top tourist attractions,  beaches and other places of interest both in the Corinth area and beyond, along with descriptions of tours and excursions the company provides and, of course, details of its holiday packages and other services.

The Sanctuary of Demeter and Koris is seen in an aerial photo from the Ancient Corinth Archaeological Museum’s website

Our Corinth daytrips in 2022

Also have a look at our blog posts containing descriptions and photos of daytrips we took during a three-day stay at the city of Loutraki in May 2022:

♦ A modern bridge and ancient boat track at the Corinth Canal

♦ A visit to Acrocorinth Castle

♦ A short daytrip from Loutraki to Vouliagmeni Lake and the Sanctuary of Hera ; and

♦ Our holiday visit to Loutraki on the Gulf of Corinth coast

This site is secured by Comodo Secure

Feedspot award recipient

Search this site

Book a ferry in greece.

We can be reached through the contact links on our social media pages.

Comments are welcome!

See all photos, my latest posts.

• A daytrip from Loutraki to top historic sites near Corinth
• A modern bridge & ancient boat track at the Corinth Canal
• A visit to Acrocorinth Castle
• A short daytrip from Loutraki to Vouliagmeni Lake and the Sanctuary of Hera
• Our holiday visit to Loutraki on the Gulf of Corinth coast
• Photos from our trips to Corinth, Karpathos and Attica in 2022
• Symi’s scenic port stars in a 2022 Eurovision song video
• Mykonos 2022: Our guides to travel season opening dates for bars, clubs, hotels, restaurants, activities and attractions, plus new arrivals on the island
• Mykonos 2022: tours, activities & other things to do
• Mykonos 2022: DJ and party schedules, regular music events and season closing dates
• Mykonos restaurants 2022
• Mykonos: What’s new for 2022
• Mykonos hotels, suites, studios & other places to stay 2022
• Mykonos beach bar and club parties and events in 2022
• Mykonos bar, nightclub and party events in 2022
• Travel writers explore Crete’s food, culture, hikes, history, hotels & landscapes
• The cinematic splendour of Santorini and Mykonos
• Cozy and romantic Love Bay Beach on Poros island
• Taste Greece at Mia Feta, the only-one-of-its-kind feta bar and food shop in Thessaloniki
• Where to go in Greece: 9 Dodecanese island gems
• Crossing 600 years of history at the Kremasti bridge on Lesvos
• Kalamia beach on Kefalonia
• Where to go in Greece: A video guide to 25 beautiful places
• Massive snowstorm gives Greece’s winter tourism campaign a big boost
• Where to go in Greece: Paxos island for scenic coasts, quiet coves and secluded luxury
• After the Elpis snowstorm: Amazing Mykonos landscape photos by Leanne Vorrias
• The powdery white Mykonos beaches few tourists ever see
• Entries feed
• Comments feed
• WordPress.org
• Discovering Kos
• TripTemptation
• Wanderlust & Lipstick
• Athens Walks
• Santorini Plus

• Copyright © 2024 • MyGreeceTravelBlog.com • All Rights Reserved

• AUTUMN MODE
• WINTER MODE
• SPRING MODE
• SUMMER MODE

Amazing Destinations

Kastellorizo

North Aegean

Explore. respect. preserve..

Discover Sustainable Greece

Experiences

Read our Blog

Spoon Sweet Bitter Orange (nerantzi)

The athenian odyssey: history, culture, and cuisine.

Elafonisos Eco Week 2024

Enter Thrilling Sailing Competitions in the Greek Seas

The species and subspecies of the native plants in Greece are about 6,000, almost as much as 50% of the native plants of Europe!

Athens is one of the few coastal cities worldwide that is surrounded by mountains. These are Mt. Hymettus, Mt. Penteli, Mt. Parnitha and Mt. Aigaleo.

Did you know that Greece hosts 50% of the brown bear population in western & southern Europe.

The first philosopher is considered to be Thales of Miletus (c. 624 – 425 B.C.). He is credited as giving the first explanation for the origin of the world that was not mythological.

Did you know that Epirus is the most mountainous territory of Greece and the poorest in the EU; however it has a unique natural wealth!

700 plant species of Greece are endemic, meaning that they may be found only in Greece; approximately 20% of those are aromatic or medicinal plants.

Greece has historically engaged in wine making. Take for example Dionysus, the son of Zeus, the God of the grape-harvest, winemaking and wine. His face is seen today on the sommelier’s pin which is a symbol of respect to wine’s contribution throughout history.

Greece' s official name is Hellenic Republic. However Greeks call their country Hellas or Hellada.

The very first sprint race of the first Olympic Games in 776 B.C. was won by Coroebus of Elis, a cook!

Greece has one of the richest varieties of wildlife in Europe, including 116 species of mammals, 18 of amphibians, 59 of reptiles, 240 of birds, and 107 of fishes.

In Greece, people celebrate the “name day” of the saint that bears their name in a similar way to their own birthday.

Did you know that Greece is the third largest producer of olive oil in the world? Greeks have cultivated olive trees since antiquity. Some of the olive trees that are still producing olives, date back to the thirteenth century.

Crete, Greece’s largest island and birthplace of the Minoan Civilisation, is the most southern one, except for the little island of Gavdos!

Greek is one of the oldest spoken languages in Europe since it has been spoken for more than 3.000 years.

Greece's national drink is ouzo. Ouzo is a dry anise-flavoured aperitif. Cheers, "stin igia mas" in Greek!

Did you know that in Greece you can enjoy skiing with a sea view?

On Anafi Island, lies the rock of Kalamos, the second highest monolithic limestone after Gibraltar; a must-see for climbers who will enjoy a great challenge here.

Greece is the place where democracy was born. But democracy in ancient Athens was significantly different from modern democracies. It was both more participatory and exclusive, and there were no political parties in Athenian democracy.

About 7% of all the marble produced worldwide comes from Greece.

Did you know that Greece has the biggest EU consumption of olive oil per capita, with around 12 kg per person per year?

• Exhibitions

Peloponnese

Thessaloniki.

Myths and Symbols in Modern Greek Art

"Χαίρε Ξένε. In the land of dreams"

EuroPride 2024 Thessaloniki

Epidaurus Festival 2024

60 years | 60 moments

Dance Performances

The Parthenon and Byron

Release Athens Festival

Wines at Fortezza

Kimolos International Film Festival

Explore greece.

Places to Visit

Elefsina .

A journey through time

Central Greece

Messolonghi

The Seafaring Town

Travel to the Navel of the Earth

A journey in a magical land

The jewel of Epirus

The Riviera of the Epirus Region

The Ionian fjord!

City of Experiences

A breathtaking combination of blue and green

A trip to the birthplace of the Olympic Games

A fascinating wine tourism destination

Beauty, Myth and History are all here

Alexandroupoli

The noble Lady of Thrace

Argosaronic

Kea (or Tzia)

Travel to the heart of the Cyclades

Where cosmopolitan meets traditional

A rising destination in the Cyclades

The Big Blue

The "handmade" island

The island with heavenly beaches

Welcome to the Cyclades

The Exciting Island

Simply irresistible

An island of raw beauty

A balanced and harmonic cycladic island

Anti-conformist & carefree

The Chalk Island

Folegandros

Bathed in the sunlight of the Aegean Sea

A piece of heaven in the Lesser Cyclades

The head priest of the Cyclades

Agios Nikolaos

The cradle of the Minoan civilisation

A Butterfly-Shaped Island

The Sponge Harvesting and Rock Climbing Island

The wild beauty of the Dodecanese

Wild and Beautiful

A Remote Treasure Island

Hippocrates’ Island

Calypso’s Island

A lesser known gem in the Dodecanese

Island with a Unique Volcanic Terrain

Religious legacy meets beauty of Nature

The island of vivid contrasts

A Fairytale-like Island

The perfect choice for a laid-back holiday

Odysseus’s home

Chic and delicate by nature

Agios Efstratios

The island of the Great Gods

A Tapestry of Natural Wonders and Cultural Riches

An island of sheer beauty

The island of Hera and Pythagoras

The island of glorious past & pristine beauty

An archipelago away from the crowds

Τhe remote islands of ship owners

A Mise-en-Scène Island

Enjoy nature in all its splendour!

#VisitGreece

Share your moments in Greece

I spent every summer in Greece as a kid. Here are 7 places to visit that aren't Santorini, Mykonos, or Athens.

• My parents are both Greek, and they took me back to Greece every summer to learn about my roots.
• Thessaloniki is a mainland city with incredible food, beautiful history, and plenty of nightlife. 
• Islands like Corfu and Rhodes will give you amazing beaches without as many tourists.

As a kid, I spent nearly every summer with my family in Greece.

My parents immigrated to California from Greece in the 1980s, but they made sure I grew up learning about our family's roots. We spent almost every summer of my childhood in Greece, where beach days were filled with that perfect turquoise Aegean Sea and big fresh bowls of horiatiki .  

Friends now frequently ask me for advice on their Greece trips, but the only places they ever want to visit are Mykonos, Santorini, and Athens. My answer to them is always the same: You can experience so much of Greece's incredible food, culture, and beaches without setting foot in its packed tourist destinations.

So, with the help of my lovely parents , I've brought you a list of seven incredible spots in Greece that hold some of our favorite memories.

Thessaloniki is a beautiful city packed with great food and incredible history.

Most of my summers in Greece were spent in Thessaloniki, where both of my parents grew up. It's the second biggest city in the country after Athens and dates all the way back to 316 BC. 

Ancient ruins can be seen in the city's downtown area, along with the majestic Byzantine churches. But the most important landmark is the White Tower , which was built in the 15th century after Thessaloniki fell to the Ottomans. The White Tower now has an exhibition on the city's history, and you can go up to the top for spectacular views from its balcony. 

Thessaloniki is also packed with so many delicious tavernas and restaurants that the city landed on Time Magazine's list of "The World's Greatest Places of 2022." My mom recommends visiting the Ladadika neighborhood at the city's center for dinner, or going to Aretsou for views of the water. Try the bougasta — a Greek dessert of custard wrapped in phyllo — or koulouri, Greek sesame bread rings that were my mom's childhood favorite. 

"Walk in the Thessaloniki promenade to enjoy a sunset and, if the sky is clear, a perfect view of Mount Olympus," she added.

I'll let you in on a secret: The best beaches in Greece are actually in Halkidiki.

Sure, Santorini's got those gorgeous white buildings, and Mykonos has the wild nightlife. But if you're looking for an incredible beach vacation, you might be better off on the mainland. 

Even as a kid, I remember being stunned by the beaches in Halkidiki. The sand is soft and white, the water is warm, and the colors of the sea are the brightest blues you'll ever see. One summer my mom and uncle took me to a different beach every day, and she still loves to tell the story of how I gave all the Halkidiki beaches an "A++" because I loved them so much. 

Halkidiki is near Thessaloniki, so it's also a great place to visit if you want to combine a city escape with a beach destination. Plus, with so many local tavernas by the sea, you're sure to have a great meal of octopus, ouzo on the rocks, and some calamari. 

"If all you want for your vacation is to lie on a beach and listen to the waves, Halkidiki is your destination," my mom said. 

A trip to Meteora will give you an unforgettable hike.

Meteora is another childhood trip I'll always remember. Located in central Greece, the Meteora monasteries — now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — are perched on huge cliffs that will take your breath away. 

Orthodox Christian hermit monks first began coming to the cliffs of Meteora around the 9th century, looking for peace and isolation. In the 14th century, the first Meteora monastery was built, spearheading the beginning of the site's monastic community, according to Visit Meteora . Six of the 24 monasteries remain active today with more than 60 nuns and monks. 

"It's absolutely amazing to realize that monks built these monasteries and lived there for centuries," my mom said. "The unique rock formations and nice sunsets offer many photo opportunities. It's a really special place that makes me feel close to heaven." 

Delphi is a dream destination for history lovers.

Ancient Greeks believed that Delphi was the "navel of the world." The myth goes that Zeus released one eagle from the east and one from the west and the birds met in the middle at Delphi, where the famous oracle was built. 

In addition to being an incredible archaeological site, Delphi also has a stunning natural backdrop. My mother said she still remembers the sweeping views of the valleys and the lovely olive trees in addition to the incredible ancient ruins. 

"I loved visiting Delphi because of its history, but also because of the beautiful natural surroundings," she added. 

And how could you not be wowed by the birthplace of the Olympics?

For as long as I can remember, the Olympics have been a huge point of pride in our household. My parents always loved reminding me why Greece walks first in the Parade of Nations, and why the Greek flag is always flown during the closing ceremony. 

So as a kid, it was incredibly special to visit Olympia, where the Olympics first began. The games were held in Olympia every four years from 776 BC to 393 AD , and ruins from the sporting events still stand there today. 

"Olympia has always had an emotional impact on me," my mom said. "To be able to walk in the same field where the Olympics started moved me very much when I visited for the first time." 

"I think this would be a special place for someone who loves sports or history," she added. 

Corfu is one of my family's favorite islands in Greece.

I have this distinct memory of seeing beautiful candy-colored houses along the water in Corfu. The stunning city is a great option if you want to visit a beautiful Greek island without fighting hundreds of other tourists for a picture of the sunset. 

Once under Venetian rule, the Italian influence is still apparent in much of Corfu's beautiful architecture and delicious food. Along with stunning beaches, the island is known for its lush flora and fauna. My parents took my sister and me to Corfu when we were kids and said it was a great spot for family vacations. 

My dad also recommends adding a trip to Ioannina on the way to Corfu to visit the stunning Perama Cave. 

Rhodes is a stunning Greek island that feels straight out of the Middle Ages.

Ruled by the Knights of St. John from the 14th to 16th century, Rhodes still feels steeped in medieval history. I remember being wowed as a kid while walking past the majestic castles, under the stone arches, and through the tiny cobblestone alleys on the island's Old Town. 

Rhodes also has plenty of beautiful beaches, as well as Butterfly Valley — my mom's favorite part of the island.

• Main content

Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

Greece - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Greece.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Greece.

If you decide to travel to Greece: 

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Greece.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Six months of remaining validity recommended.

One page per stamp.

10,000 euros or the equivalent.

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy athens.

91 Vasilisis Sophias Avenue 10160 Athens, Greece Telephone: +(30)(210) 721-2951 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +30 210 729-4444 or +30 210 729-4301 Fax: +(30)(210) 724-5313 Email:   [email protected] Facebook

U.S. Consulate General Thessaloniki Plateia Commercial Center 43 Tsimiski Street, 7th floor 546 23 Thessaloniki Greece Telephone: +30-231-024-2905 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +30 210 729-4444 or +30 210 729-4301 Fax: +30 231-024-2927 Email:  [email protected] U.S. Embassy Athens provides all regular consular services including U.S. passports, notarials, and reports of birth and death abroad.

U.S. Consulate General Thessaloniki provides notarial service. Embassy Athens consular staff periodically provide regular consular services in Thessaloniki. Please check the U.S. Embassy Athens website for information on the next scheduled visit. Visa services are provided at Embassy Athens only.

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Visit the Embassy of Greece website for the most current visa information.

Greece is a party to the Schengen Agreement; therefore, U.S. citizens may enter Greece without a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. For additional details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet .

• For entry into Greece, your passport should have at least six months of remaining validity . While Greek law requires three months of passport validity beyond the intended date of your departure, if you are transiting a country that requires six months of validity, you may not be permitted to continue your trip. We recommend that you have at least six months of validity to avoid any travel disruptions.
• U.S. citizens traveling on a passport reported lost or stolen will not be permitted entry into Greece and may be returned to their original departure point. This decision is the purview of the Greek immigration authorities; the U.S. Embassy cannot intervene. Emergency passports are issued only at the Embassy in Athens. Staff members do not travel to the air, land, or sea ports of entry.
• You must arrive in country with proof of sufficient funds and a return airline ticket or other evidence that you will depart Greece if asked. The sufficient funds requirement is often met with credit cards.
• U.S. official and diplomatic passport holders must obtain a Schengen visa prior to arrival. If you are traveling on a U.S. official or diplomatic passport, you will not be allowed to enter Greece without a visa.
• If traveling on official military orders , review the guidance in the Department of Defense Foreign Clearance Guide .

If you are a U.S. citizen with a passport listing your place of birth as the Northern Republic of Macedonia, the Greek authorities will stamp your passport.

If you are a U.S. citizen with a passport listing your place of birth as Skopje or the Republic of Macedonia, your U.S. passport should be recognized as a valid travel document. However, be aware:

• Greek Immigration officers at ports of entry (land, air, and sea) will not place entry stamps in a passport listing the traveler’s place of birth as Macedonia or the Republic of Macedonia.
• You will be asked to complete a short form on which the entry stamp will be placed.
• Keep the form with your passport while you are in Greece and present it upon departure. If you lose the form, you must visit a police station and file a report before the Greek authorities will permit you to depart the country.

HIV/AIDS RESTRICTIONS: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Greece.

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction , and customs information on our website .

Safety and Security

Terrorism: Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting possible near-term attacks in Europe. All European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations. In the past year, there have been multiple terrorist attacks in Europe. Extremists continue to focus on tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities as viable targets. In addition, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, high-profile events, educational institutions, airports, and other soft targets remain priority locations for possible attacks. U.S. citizens should exercise additional vigilance in these and similar locations.

For more information, see our Terrorism page.

Strikes and Demonstrations:

• Domestic strikes, demonstrations, and work stoppages are common throughout Greece and can become violent. Stay informed through local news, hotel security, the U.S. Embassy website , and the Consular Section’s Facebook page . Enroll in STEP to receive alerts sent by the Embassy.
• Transportation sector strikes interrupt traffic, public transportation, taxis, seaports, and airports. Confirm domestic and international flights before heading to the airport.
• Avoid all areas affected by the annual November 17 demonstrations, including the U.S. Embassy.
• Anarchists and criminals have used university campuses as refuges. Demonstrators frequently congregate in the Polytechnic University area, Exarchia, Omonia, and Syntagma Squares in Athens; and at Aristotle Square, Aristotle University, and the Kamara area in Thessaloniki.
• Violent anarchist groups have joined public demonstrations to clash with police and vandalize public and private property.

Crime: Crimes against tourists, such as pick-pocketing and purse-snatching , occur at popular tourist sites and on public transportation, especially the metro. A common tactic is one person causes a commotion on the metro or pushes travelers to distract them while another person snatches the belongings. Thieves also seek out and break into rental cars to steal passports, valuables, and luggage. The Embassy has received reports of alcohol-induced attacks targeting individual tourists at some holiday resorts and bars.

Take the following precautions:

• Be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
• Do not leave bags unattended, especially on the metro and the Athens Airport train or in your vehicle.
• Avoid standing near bus or train doors. Thieves often strike as the doors open then disappear into the crowd.
• Use alcohol in moderation and remain in control.
• Never leave drinks unattended in bars or clubs.
• Be discreet when discussing plans and organizing belongings upon arrival.
• Protect yourself and your money by using well-lit, public ATMs.
• Be aware of internet scams with online thieves posing as loved ones or romantic interests.

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime: Report crime to the local police and contact the U.S. Embassy at (+30) 210-720-2414 or the Emergency after-hours telephone (+30) 210-729-4444 if you require assistance. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends, with your written consent
• Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in certain cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home in certain cases of destitution
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tremors and earthquakes occur regularly.  Forest fires are common, especially during the dry summer months, and occasionally cause road closures. In the event of a natural disaster, follow the instructions of local authorities. Contact the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, which responds to emergencies, at 210-335-9900 for more information. Operators speak English. Monitor the U.S. Embassy Athens’ website and Consular Facebook page .

Tourism : The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities, such as Athens or Thessaloniki. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Possession of a U.S. passport will not prevent you from being arrested, prosecuted, or jailed.

• Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Marijuana is illegal in Greece.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs could land you immediately in jail.
• Photographing military installations is prohibited and may lead to arrest.
• Mace or pepper-spray canisters are illegal in Greece. Such items will be confiscated, and police may arrest or detain you.
• Carry your passport or some form of photo identification at all times. Police may detain you for questioning if you do not have proper identification with you.

Some crimes are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Faith-Based Travelers: See our webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

Greek Antiquities: Customs authorities strictly regulate the export of Greek antiquities, including rocks from archaeology sites. Do not remove anything, no matter how small, from archaeological or historical sites. Do not purchase protected antiquities and carry receipts for any purchases that may appear to be antiquities.

Military Service for Dual Nationals:

• Greek males between 19 and 45 are required to perform military service.
• If the Greek government considers you to be a Greek citizen, you may be required to fulfill this obligation whether or not you consider yourself Greek or possess a U.S. or third country’s passport.
• Authorities can prevent you from leaving Greece until you complete your military obligations . Contact the Greek embassy or nearest Greek consulate with questions.
• Generally, required military service will not affect your U.S. citizenship, but contact U.S. Embassy Athens if you have questions.

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Greece. LGBTI individuals in Greece are protected by anti-discrimination laws, and gender identity is among the grounds covered by laws against hate speech; however, non-governmental organizations report that social discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is widespread in Greece and violence against LGBTI individuals remains a problem.

See our LGBTI travel information page and section six of our Human Rights Report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: While Greek law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical or intellectual disabilities and local law requires access to buildings, sidewalks, and public transportation, application and enforcement of these laws is lacking.

• Handicapped parking spaces and sidewalk ramps are often occupied or blocked by parked vehicles.
• Sidewalks often are narrow with broken paving stones and large holes and obstructed by trees and street signs.
• Buildings with ramps might lack accessible elevators or bathrooms.
• A small percentage of public buildings (primarily in Athens) have full accessibility. Some buildings and intersections include accommodations for visually-impaired travelers.
• The Athens metro and Athens International Airport are fully accessible with ramps and elevators.
• Ask your hotel about accessibility before booking.

The Deputy Ombudsman for Social Welfare handles complaints related to persons with disabilities, especially those related to employment, social security, and transportation.

Students: See our students abroad page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for women travelers .

Most public medical facilities in Greece offer adequate care, although service quality and hospital appearance may differ from the United States. Some private hospitals have affiliations with U.S. facilities and provide high-quality care. Many doctors trained in the United States or elsewhere in Europe.

• Private hospitals usually require proof of adequate insurance or cash before admitting a patient. Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.
• Public hospitals often employ minimal nursing staff overnight and on weekends in non-emergency wards. Consider hiring a private nurse or having family spend the night with the patient, especially a minor child.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare is not accepted overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. You may be required to pay upfront and seek reimbursement from your insurance company. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .

We strongly recommend that travelers purchase travel insurance before their trips to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Greek Embassy or consulate in the United States , the Customs office at Athens International Airport (+30 210-3542126) or the National Organization of Medicines ( [email protected] , www.eof.gr , +30 213-204-0000) to ensure the medication is legal in Greece. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Short-term Car Rentals: Greek law requires that visitors carry a valid U.S. driver’s license and an international driver’s permit (IDP), even if the rental company does not request to see your IDP. The Embassy does not issue IDPs. You must obtain your IDP in the United States from the American Automobile Association ( AAA ) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance ( AATA ). Contact AAA directly to inquire about their mail in option that will allow you to apply from overseas, but note that it will likely take days or weeks. If you drive without these documents, you may face high fines (1,000 Euros or more) or be responsible for all expenses in the event of an accident.

Road Conditions and Safety: Greece has one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the European Union. Exercise extreme caution as both a driver and a pedestrian, and follow these tips:

• Drive defensively.
• Expect heavy traffic, obscured traffic signs, and vehicles traveling at high speeds.
• Driving at night in inclement weather and on mountain roads can be hazardous.
• Local law requires all motorcyclists to wear a helmet.
• Check for motorbikes between lanes and on either side of you.
• Do not rely on lane markings. On many two-lane highways, slower traffic will drive on the shoulder, and cars will pass straddling the center double-yellow line.
• Review your insurance coverage before renting. Most insurance companies require that you have both your valid U.S. license and an international driver’s permit (IDP) for coverage in Greece. Small motorbike and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rental firms frequently carry no insurance and require customers to cover the cost of all damages to their vehicles. Your insurance company may not cover two-wheel or ATV rentals.

Traffic Laws:

• Talking or texting on a mobile phone while driving is illegal. The police check phone records when investigating accidents.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal, and police conduct random alcohol testing.
• A Greek license is required if you stay more than 185 days in Greece. Contact the Regional Office of Transportation and Communications for more information.

See our road safety page for more information, including information on IDPs. Visit the Greek National Tourist Office website for more helpful tips.                                        

Public Transportation: Purchase and validate your ticket by touching it to the pad on the turnstile prior to boarding a bus or train. Inspectors randomly check for tickets. If you do not have a ticket, have the wrong ticket, or fail to validate your ticket, you could be fined up to 60 times the basic fare.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Greece’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Greece should monitor U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at www.marad.dot.gov/msci , the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, https://homeport.uscg.mil , and the NGA broadcast warnings website https://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal . Greece implemented a Recreational and Daily Tour Cruise Ships Fee on all private and professional leisure ships with a total length of over seven meters, regardless of flag, in Greek territorial waters. Mariners should consult https://www.aade.gr/polites/etepai for details.

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Greece . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA )  report.”

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, learn about your destination, enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Burma (Myanmar)

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Cote d Ivoire

Curaçao

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Switzerland

The Bahamas

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City (Holy See)

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Best eSIM for Greece Travel in 2024

Traveling to Greece can be an incredible experience, with ancient historical sites, beautiful islands, and delicious food. However, staying connected while visiting can be challenging and expensive if you rely solely on roaming data.

Using an eSIM is an excellent solution for getting affordable and reliable connectivity during your time in Greece. eSIMs provide the same functionality as regular SIM cards but without the need to physically switch cards in your device. They are embedded directly into your phone or tablet instead.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know to choose the best eSIM for travel in Greece in 2024, including detailed reviews of the top providers, key factors to consider, and tips for saving money.

What is an eSIM and How Does it Work?

An eSIM, short for “embedded SIM,” functions much like a regular nano-SIM card that mobile networks provide. The key difference is that instead of being a small removable chip, eSIMs are directly soldered or embedded into a device.

To connect to a cellular network with an eSIM, you simply purchase a cellular data plan from a provider, and they will send you the account info and activation code. By scanning a QR code or entering details manually, the eSIM gets programmed and activates a connection to the network.

So unlike swapping physical SIM cards, adding or removing plans is performed completely digitally on the software side. Most modern phones and tablets contain an eSIM slot alongside the regular SIM card slot, providing dual SIM functionality.

Advantages of Using eSIM for Greece

There are several excellent reasons to use an eSIM for travel in Greece rather than roaming on your home data plan or finding a local Greek SIM.

Avoid Roaming Fees

If you attempt to use mobile data through your standard cellular plan, you’ll likely face astronomical roaming charges from your carrier. eSIM data packages help you bypass international roaming completely.

No Need to Find a Local SIM Card

Purchasing a Greek SIM card can be inconvenient and limit connectivity when first arriving in the country. eSIMs provide instant access to cheap data as soon as you land.

Easy to Manage Plans

With programmable eSIMs, you can digitally switch data plans as needed or top-up existing ones without physically inserting new SIMs. Much more convenient while traveling between multiple destinations.

Use Dual SIM Capabilities

Having an eSIM means you can also physically insert a local SIM for calling/texting while using the eSIM primarily for cheaper data. This dual SIM setup provides the best of both worlds.

Factors for Comparing eSIM Providers

When reviewing and comparing eSIM providers available for Greece, there are several essential factors to evaluate so you select the best option for your travel needs and budget.

Network Coverage Quality

You want an eSIM service that offers high-speed 4G LTE data coverage through major networks like Cosmote or Vodafone GR to ensure reliable connectivity across Greece.

Data Amount Allowances

whether you just need occasional maps/messages access or will be streaming video everyday, make sure to choose a data amount in GB appropriate for your expected usage.

Duration & Expiration

Some eSIM data packages last 7 days while others are valid for a month or longer. Pick a duration that aligns with your trip length.

Pricing per GB

To maximize value, compare pricing across providers to find the cheapest cost per GB at your required data amount. Watch for deals too.

Customer Service

Having responsive support is crucial when traveling internationally. Prioritize eSIM companies with 24/7 customer service.

Top 7 Providers for eSIM Greece Recommendations

Based on the above criteria and hands-on testing, these are my top eSIM recommendations for travel in Greece for 2024:

Airalo is my #1 overall pick for eSIM data in Greece due to their combination of low pricing, extensive network coverage, and reliable performance.

They offer prepaid eSIMs starting at just 1 GB for $5, with packages going up to 20 GB for $49. Their Greece eSIM specifically uses the Cosmote GR and Vodafone GR networks to ensure solid connectivity.

I’ve found their eSIM activation process quick and convenient whether ordering pre-trip or after arriving at a Greek airport. Ongoing account management and adding more data is straightforwarad too via their app.

So for an easy, affordable eSIM option with data amounts to suit any traveler’s needs, Airalo is hard to beat.

Key Details

• Network Provider: Cosmote GR & Vodafone GR
• Minimum Duration: Weekly
• Data Amount Range: 1 – 20 GB
• Pricing: ~$5 per GB

2. Dent eSIM

For totally unlimited high-speed data in Greece through Vodafone’s network, Dent eSIM is a top choice.

Their wireless plans come with endless full-speed data usage within Greece. Actual speeds depend on specific location, but should reliably be 4G LTE in most areas.

Unlimited data with Dent only costs $35 for Greece, providing tremendous value if you plan on using lots of mobile bandwidth for steaming, video calls, etc.

While their website checkout process and account management could be a bit smoother, once set up performance is great. Support team knowledge is hit or miss so be prepared to self-serve troubleshooting.

Overall though, I recommend Dent to any heavy data users visiting Greece looking for an unlimited eSIM option.

• Network Provider: Vodafone GR
• Data Amount: Unlimited
• Pricing: $35 per week

Holafly is an international eSIM provider focused specifically on travelers. They offer unlimited data packages perfect for stays in Greece.

You can choose durations from 15 to 90 days unlimited data for $47 to $99. They provide broad coverage through both Cosmote and Vodafone GR networks plus over 170 other worldwide carrier partners.

If you plan to visit multiple European countries on your trip, Holafly also sells affordable region-wide Europe unlimited data eSIMs.

While not the cheapest service, they do focus on reliable connectivity for global jet setters. Performance is consistent and ordering/activation straightforward. Their app for ongoing account access could use polish but gets the job done.

For unlimited data at a reasonable price point, do check them out.

• Minimum Duration: 15 Days
• Pricing: $47+ per month

4. KnowRoaming

For extensive global coverage, KnowRoaming partners with networks in over 200 countries. This worldwide access makes them ideal if Greece is just one destination in a longer international journey.

Their Greece eSIM specifically provides usage on both Cosmote and Vodafone GR for solid performance. With packages from 1GB for $15 up to unlimited data for $149 monthly, they offer flexible options.

I’d mainly recommend KnowRoaming for convenience if you need connectivity across multiple regions or continents. Sticking with a single provider makes travel simpler versus swapping eSIMs each leg.

Downsides are above average pricing and account management is less user-friendly than other choices. Yet for seamless worldwide usage KnowRoaming has definite advantages.

• Data Amount Range: 1GB – Unlimited
• Pricing: $15+ per GB

5. Always Online Wireless

Always Online is a popular choice for Greece eSIMs thanks to their affordable prices and reliable performance.

They offer data amounts from 1GB to huge 100GB packages intended for extensive video streaming or remote working needs. You select the GB amount fitting your expected usage for durations from 7 to 60 days.

By partnering with all major Greek networks like Vodafone, Wind, and Cosmote you are assured solid 4G LTE and 5G data coverage while visiting any region.

Keep in mind that Always Online lacks certain convenience aspects like digital plan extensions or account support. Yet for basic data needs on a budget they excel.

• Network Provider: Cosmote GR, Vodafone GR, Wind GR
• Minimum Duration: 7 Days
• Data Amount Range: 1 – 100GB
• Pricing: $1+ per GB

6. Truphone eSIM

Truphone takes a unique approach to eSIMs by offering a single plan for $9 per day. This provides unlimited talk, text, and full-speed data throughout Greece and 70 other countries.

So if you need both calling and buckets of data, their simplicity and international access are great assets. Performance is also reliable by leveraging top-tier networks like Cosmote GR locally.

Downsides are the daily plan structure only suits shorter trips, and any technical issues require email support which can be slow.

Yet for seamless connectivity across borders with minimal hassle, do consider Truphone.

• Network Provider: Cosmote GR & Other Local Carriers
• Minimum Duration: 1 Day
• Pricing: $9 per day

7. Flexiroam X

A final option to mention is Flexiroam X, focusing on extreme data usage scenarios.

They offer 100GB, 500GB, and unlimited data eSIMs specifically for travel in Greece. By partnering with Cosmote GR and Vodafone GR, you are assured performance reliability too.

Pricing is also not unreasonable at $125 for 100GB, $250 for 500GB, and $600 for an unlimited month.

I’d only recommend Flexiroam X in niche cases where you absolutely need upwards of 100GB while visiting Greece. But for power users they do deliver well.

• Minimum Duration: 5 Days
• Data Amount Range: 100GB – Unlimited
• Pricing: $125+ per month

More Tips for Using eSIM in Greece

Here are a few final pointers to get the most out of your Greece eSIM setup:

Confirm eSIM Compatibility Before Traveling

Double check that your device like an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel supports eSIM functionality. Our eSIM compatibility guide outlines the full details.

Pre-purchase & Pre-configure eSIM Plans When Possible

Don’t wait until arriving in Greece! Purchasing and enabling an eSIM for Greece before departure helps avoid any connectivity gaps when you land.

Use eSIM as Primary Mobile Data Connection

With an active Greece eSIM data connection, switch your phone’s mobile settings to use the eSIM for all data needs and use your regular SIM solely for necessary calls/texts.

Top-Up Existing Plans or Purchase Backups If Needed

Running low on data midway through your trip? Easily add GBs to an existing eSIM plan or as a backup quickly buy an secondary Greece eSIM package.

By following the recommendations and tips in this detailed guide, you are now fully equipped to enjoy unlimited, affordable connectivity across Greece using eSIM technology!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Greece eSIM

Which network providers does greek esim use.

Most Greece eSIM providers partner with multiple major networks like Cosmote, Vodafone GR, and Wind GR to ensure reliable connectivity during your travels across different regions.

Can I use eSIM for regular calls and texts?

Some Greek eSIM data plans include a set amount of calling minutes or SMS messages depending on the carrier and destination. Using data connectivity you can voice/text over WiFi or use VoIP apps.

Do all smartphones work with eSIMs?

eSIM compatibility depends if your exact device model contains an embedded SIM slot. Generally most iPhones from XS or newer, recent flagship Samsung devices, and Pixel phones support eSIM.

Is there a limit on eSIM data speed?

No, most Greece eSIMs provide unlimited full-speed data on capable networks. So if your carrier offers 5G access, your eSIM data speeds can reach 5G too depending on location.

Can I use a VPN with Greek eSIM?

Absolutely! There are no restrictions by providers on running Virtual Private Network apps over an eSIM data connection in Greece.

Greece eSIM Travel Summary

An embedded SIM makes getting online in Greece easy and affordable. Avoid international roaming fees, steer clear of the hassle finding a local SIM card, and manage connectivity on-the-go through any modern smartphone.

This guide covered the top eSIMs available for travel in Greece during 2022 based on value, performance, and convenience. Airalo tops the list as a reliable low-cost option while HolaFly excels for unlimited data.

Whichever provider you select, safe travels enjoying historical sites like the Acropolis and relaxing on gorgeous Greek island beaches with the ability to surf the web unimpeded by expensive roaming!

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.