Travel to Greece

As the ferry rounds the headland, a white village appears on the cliff above the harbor. This moment, repeated island after island, is why so many people keep coming back to Greece. But the country is more than just a postcard.

Most trips start in Athens. The Acropolis towers over the city, and in the summer, you need to book a timed ticket in advance. At street level, Athens reveals itself to those who take the time to explore: cafés where locals actually sit, food markets, street art, and sights that most visitors walk straight past.

The islands are the other half of the story. Santorini is the most famous, with its blue domes, clifftop villages, and sunsets over the caldera. It gets crowded when the cruise ships are in. Crete is large enough to spend a week exploring, with Minoan ruins, gorges, and road trips through the mountains. Then there are the Cyclades, Rhodes in the Dodecanese, Corfu in the Ionian Sea, and the Saronic Islands, which are an hour or so from Athens by fast boat.

Ferries mostly run within each island group, so it’s best to stick to one group when island hopping. July and August are the busiest and hottest months. May, June, and September are quieter months, and the sea is warm enough for swimming.

Our travel tips below are sorted by place and by what you want to do: Santorini, Athens, Crete, Greek Islands, Things to Do and See, Food and Drinks, Transportation and General Travel Tips.

Greece is a fascinating and enchanting country to visit. From wild nightlife scenes to romantic coastlines, sparkling blue beaches, fresh seafood and ancient relics. There is so much to absorb while traveling in Greece.

Greece has been a popular tourist destination for centuries, making it a country geared up for tourists. Travelers flock to the ancient capital city of Athens to dive into the history and rich culture before swirling off to the Greek islands for sun, sand and lazy days. Even though it’s hot on the tourist front, there are still off-the-beaten path places to explore that are under the radar of mass tourism.

The capital city, Athens, is most likely the first port of call for visitors to Greece. The Parthenon is a highlight here along with its beautiful views overlooking the Saronic Gulf. Athens is also known for producing some of the greatest philosophers, thinkers and poets.

Apart from Athens, Greece attractions include the many islands. You’ve heard of Greek island hopping right? You can head to the major islands of Mykonos and Santorini or rather explore some of the quiet Greek islands like Lemnos and Anafi.

Planning a trip to Greece is always exciting. There are also loads of Greek island tours available to consider when planning a trip to Greece – from day trips to multi-day tours.

We hope that we can help you with a few tips and inspiration for your Greece holiday.

Visa Requirements for Greece

Greece is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of the EU and Schengen Area can enter with a national ID card. Visitors from many other countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, can stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area, not just Greece. Longer stays or working in Greece require a visa, which must be applied for before traveling.

Since April 10, 2026, the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has replaced passport stamps for non-EU visitors. When you first enter the Schengen Area, your fingerprints and photo will be taken at the border, so allow extra time at passport control.

Next is ETIAS, an online travel authorization for visa-free visitors. It is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026 and will cost €20, with a transition period before it becomes mandatory. Travelers from countries that are not visa-exempt still need a Schengen visa to enter Greece.

Rules change, so check the EU’s official Travel to Europe website before booking your trip.

Important Cultural Information

Greeks are generally quite informal when interacting with each other, often treating everyone like a cousin. They also generally let strangers make the first move before interacting with them. You may therefore be ignored when entering a cafe or walking past a group on the street – but once you make the first move to greet, you will be responded to with politeness.

Greeks generally enjoy a ‘work-to-live’ culture rather than a ‘live-to-work’ culture – taking leisure time very seriously. This shouldn’t be perceived as laziness.

Dress codes is generally casual with exception when entering churches. Here women will need to cover their shoulders, and both sexes need to cover their knees.

Greeks generally gesture a lot with their hands, and can be quite expressive. If someone is swearing at you they will put out their entire hand, palm open with five fingers extended out – like signalling someone to stop.

Also note that while smoking in public spaces is technically prohibited by law, most Greeks ignore this. As a foreigner however, it is best to follow the laws.

Banking & Money in Greece

Greece uses the euro. The country’s main banks are the National Bank of Greece, Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank, and Eurobank. You’ll find their ATMs in every town and on all the larger islands. Independent ATMs, which are often found in tourist areas, usually charge higher fees, so use a bank’s ATM whenever possible. If a machine or card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in euros. It’s almost always cheaper.

Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, including in most taxis. However, carry some cash for kiosks, small tavernas in villages, and more remote islands.

Medical Emergency Information

If there is an emergency, you can call 112 from any phone at no cost. This will get you in touch with the police, firefighters and ambulances.

The national emergency numbers are:

• 100 – police
• 199 – fire brigade
• 166 – emergency medical service
• 108 – coast guard
• 197 – emergency social assistance

If you’re looking for travel insurance, we are an affiliate of SafetyWing, a travel medical insurance provider.

Wi-Fi and Internet in Greece

Greece has three mobile networks: Cosmote, Vodafone, and Nova, which took over the former Wind. Cosmote has the best coverage, which is important if you’re island hopping. Vodafone and Nova are usually slightly cheaper.

Prepaid SIM cards are sold at operator shops in every town, on larger islands, and at the Athens airport. Remember to bring your passport, as you need it to register the card. If your phone supports it, setting up an eSIM before you fly is the easiest option. Here are our tips about getting an eSIM before your next trip.

You can also rent a pocket Wi-Fi device, which can be collected at the airport or delivered to your hotel.

Wi-Fi is easy to find in cafés, restaurants, hotels, and public squares. Set up a VPN before using public networks. If you want to work while traveling, Athens has plenty of coworking spaces. You’ll also find a few in Thessaloniki, Patras, and Heraklion.

Make sure to set-up a VPN (like ExpressVPN) before using public Wi-Fi spots. You will also find a few coworking spots in Greece, with most based in Athens with a few in other cities like Thessaloniki, Patras and Iraklio.

Arrival in Greece

You will most likely arrive via plane to Greece. The Elefthérios Venizélos International Airport in Athens is the country’s largest and busiest airport.

Other major international airports include Heraklion (Nikos Kazantzákis Int’l), Thessaloniki (Makedonia Int’l), Rhodes (Diagóras), and Corfu (Ioánnis Kapodístrias). Together with its regional sister company, Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines is the largest airline in Greece. Sky Express also flies to many of the islands. Athens has strong connections to Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia.

If you are traveling to the Greek Islands, you will most likely arrive via Athens then either fly on a domestic flight to your island of choice or hop onto one of the Greek island ferries. The main Greek islands with airports include Mykonos, Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Crete, Rhodes, Lesvos, Corfu, Skiathos, Chios, Samos, Kos, Kefalonia and Zakynthos, among a few others.

Check Expedia for available flights to Greece.

Cross-border train services are very limited, so most overland travellers arrive by long-distance bus from the neighbouring countries, or by ferry. You can also arrive to Greece via a ferry from Italy (from port cities of Venice, Trieste, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi) and Turkey (from Marmaris to Rhodes, from Cesme to Chios, from Bodrum to Kos, from Kusadasi to Samos).

Areas of Greece

Greece can largely be divided into the mainland and the islands. Greek island hopping is on most Greece itineraries. With a total of 227 inhabited Greek islands, there are plenty to choose from. The islands have been split into eight main island groups, spread throughout the Aegean and Ionian Seas.

The main areas of Greece to travel to are as follows:

Athens and surrounds

The capital city of Greece, Athens is rich in history and culture. The mighty Acropolis is the main highlight for most visiting Athens. Besides its historical aspects, the city is gritty, edgy and packed with character.

Highlights outside of Athens include the Temple of Poseidon at Soúnio, sanctuaries at Ramnous and Eleusis (Elefsína), the burial mound from the great victory at Marathon.

The central mainland

Long known as Greece’s heartland. The ancient oracle at Delphi and the monasteries of Metéora are the most visited attractions in the central mainland. Other highlights include Ósios Loukás monastery and the port resorts of Galaxídhi and Náfpaktos.

The Argo-Saronic Islands

All of these islands are located a stone’s throw away from the mainland, making them popular for day trips from Athens. Égina (Aegina) is so popular that it is almost becoming a city suburb over the weekends. Póros, Ýdhra (Hydra) and Spétses are also popular during the summer months.

The Peloponnese

The Peloponnese is a peninsula in the south, separated from the mainland only by the Corinth Canal. It includes ancient sites, Greek theatres, medieval remains, battle towers and castles. It is also home to Olympia, the host of the Olympic Games for a millennium.

Crete

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, attracting many visitors. Most resorts and tourist spots are located along the north coast.

Ionian Islands

The Ionian islands also feature many popular destinations, including Corfu, Zakynthos, Paxi, Lefkada, Kefalonia and Ithaki.

The Cyclades

The Cyclades islands feature the most famous Santorini, Mykonos and Paros. Other popular islands include Íos, Naxos and Mílos. These islands offer the best of Greek island hopping! Quiet Greek islands in this group includes Kýthnos, Sérifos, Síkinos, Kímolos and Anáfi.

The Dodecanese

The Dodecanese islands are the furthest island group from the Greek mainland. Rhodes and Kos are the largest of the islands, attracting many tourists for their nightlife and beaches.

Transportation in Greece

You can get almost anywhere on the Greek mainland by bus. KTEL operates intercity buses to all major towns and most archaeological sites. Each city also has its own local bus system.

Hellenic Train runs the trains. The network is small, but traveling by train between Athens and Thessaloniki, the two biggest cities, is a comfortable way to go.

Ferries are the classic way to travel between the islands. Journey times vary greatly: For example, the journey from Athens to Mykonos takes between two and five hours, depending on whether you take a fast or conventional ferry. During the high season, book popular routes a few days in advance.

Athens has a metro system, as well as buses, trolleybuses, trams, and suburban trains. Since 2025, you can simply tap your contactless bank card, phone, or smartwatch at the barriers and validators. The system automatically charges you the cheapest fare, and it also works on the airport express buses. The metro runs directly from the airport to the city center.

Taxis in Athens use a meter. Popular taxi apps include Uber, FreeNow, and Bolt. On the islands, the easiest way to explore is often on foot, by bus, or with a rented car or scooter.

Road trips are popular in Crete. Below are some tips for driving in Crete, including the best road trip routes.

Accommodation in Greece

Greece accommodation ranges from top class luxury hotels through to guesthouses and chic boutique hotels. You will find something for all budgets. There are also a fair deal of resorts and hotels aimed at Greek travel packages – including meals and a few activities. The highest concentration of four and five-star hotels can be found in Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes and Crete.

You will also be able to find some amazing private villas in Greece, along with stunning apartments on booking sites. For the typical scenes of white facade, rounded houses built along hillsides and into cliffs, you need to head to the Cycladic islands – including Santorini!

Standards vary a lot. Many family-run hotels on the islands are simple, with smaller rooms. Recent years, though, have brought a wave of renovated boutique hotels and stylish guesthouses, so read recent reviews before you book.

If you are traveling in high season, it’s important to book your accommodation in advance as the good ones tend to book up fast!

Food & Dining Guide for Greece

Greece is known for its fresh Mediterranean cuisine. The staple diet here includes fresh vegetables, grilled meats, seafood, freshly made breads, cheeses and yoghurt. Olive oil, lemon, garlic and tomatoes are common ingredients in Greek cooking.

For breakfast, head to a bakery and try one the various types of pies – either sweet or savoury. For lunch you can snack on popular street eats, then head to a good local Greek restaurant for dinner. Note that Greeks eat dinner quite late – often only after 10pm.

Coffee is very popular in Greece. You will find kafetéries all over the country, even in the most remote of places. These are cafes that serve coffee (along with other items, sometimes even doubling as a bar in the evenings) and are popular hangout spots for the Greeks. Traditionally, coffee is prepared with the grounds left in. Shaken iced instant coffee is popular during the hot summer months.

Check out this street food in Athens.

Popular food to try in Greece includes:

• Gyros – a popular (and affordable) street food/fast-food, similar to a kebab.
• Spanakopita – spinach pie in a light pastry.
• Souvlaki – small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables grilled on a skewer.
• Tzatziki – a Greek dip made from yoghurt, cucumber, olive oil and garlic.
• Moussaka – a rich over-baked dish with minced meat, tomato, white sauce and layered eggplant.
• Baklava – a dessert with thin layers of pastry with honey and chopped nuts.

Greece’s Attractions

A holiday in Greece should include a little bit of everything, from exploring the historical side of Greece to doing some Greek island hopping.  

When in Athens, make sure to visit the museums, the Acropolis and the surrounding ruins. The Temple of Olympian Zeus is also an incredible archaeological site to visit.

If you love exploring ruins, then there are more to explore in Delphi, Sparta and Crete (read about more things to do in Crete). Other popular museums in Greece to visit include Archaeological Museum of Heraklion in Crete, The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, The Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki, The Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Santorini, The National Archaeological Museum in Athens and the The Archaeological Museum of Delphi.

If Santorini is on your itinerary, then make sure to include beach hopping, winery tours, sea kayaking and a catamaran tour. Also, don’t miss the famous sunset views from Oia!

For the active hiking lovers, you can go hiking in Greece. Samaria Gorge is often listed as one of the best places to go hiking in Greece.

Shopping in Greece

Markets are the best places to shop in Greece and the best places to find great deals. Big cities also have plenty of international and luxury brands.

The best places to shop in Athens include:

• Ermou Street, the city’s main shopping street between Syntagma and Monastiraki
• Monastiraki and Avissinias Square for the flea market and vintage finds on Ifestou Street
• The Central Market (Varvakios), a colorful food market
• Plaka, which is great for jewelry and gifts
• Kifisia, an upscale northern suburb with designer boutiques
• Piraeus, which has an eclectic mix of treasures at its Sunday flea market

Nightlife

If nightlife is what you’re after, then you need to include some of Greece’s party islands on your itinerary. The Cycladic islands of Mykonos and Santorini are renowned for their up-market and glamorous nightlife while Corfu, Zakynthos, Rhodes and Ios attract a wilder crowd looking for cheap booze and all-night parties.

Athens’ nightlife is amongst the best in Europe, with a mix of taverns, bars and nightclubs. The trendy nightlife areas of Athens include Plaka, Psirri and Gazi. Other things to do in Athens at night include going to an open-air cinema, enjoying live rebetiko (a style of Greek music popular in the 1920s) or take a nighttime tour.

Safety Tips for Greece

Greece is a safe destination. The most common problem is pickpocketing, especially on the metro and at crowded tourist spots in central Athens. Keep your valuables close! Be wary of scams in larger cities and on popular islands.

Summer brings two risks that are easy to underestimate. Heat waves regularly push temperatures past 40°C / 104°F, and when they do, sites like the Acropolis close in the middle of the day. Plan your sightseeing trips for the morning or evening and bring water.

Summer is also wildfire season. If a fire breaks out near you, the authorities will send emergency alerts in Greek and English to every phone in the area via the 112 system. Always follow evacuation instructions immediately.

Demonstrations and strikes regularly occur in Athens, often around Syntagma Square. Strikes can affect metro and ferry service, so check the local news before your travel day.

Conclusion

We hope that you have been encouraged to start planning a trip to Greece. A country filled with ancient history, rich culture, gritty cities, beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife and deliciously fresh food. Greece is the perfect holiday destination for couples looking for a romantic vacation, friends looking for a group getaway or families seeking their annual family vacation. It’s all about knowing the best places to include in your itinerary to suit your needs. There’s somewhere for every kind of traveler.

The best time to travel to Greece is during the Spring (mid-Apr to mid-June) and Autumn (Sept to mid-Oct) months, when the weather is nice and the crowds aren’t around. The summer seasons can become overly crowded, super expensive and extremely hot.

Getting around in Greece is fairly easy, with a good bus system on the mainland and extensive ferry routes between the islands. Remember that flying to the islands is also an option to save time! Accommodation ranges from villas in Greece through to luxury resorts and quaint guesthouses.