The Best Things to do in Greece: 17 Unmissable Sights & Attractions
Looking for the best things to do in Greece? This gorgeous country is filled with opportunities for island hopping, beach bumming, and culture soaking. These...
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Greece Travel Guide
Planning on travelling to Greece? From when to visit and what to pack, I’ve got you covered with my ultimate Greece travel guide.
Greece. Home of one of history’s great ancient civilisations, a thousand perfect beaches framed by sparkling waters – not to mention that cuisine. Greece may very well be the closest thing to a slice of heaven that we have on this earth.
All that’s to say that you should be excited if you’re planning your very own Greek odyssey – and I’m going to help you to do it.
In this guide, I’ll cover the places you have to visit, essential information and other practical tips – such as handy phrases – to make your Greek trip easier.
Let’s go!
How to Plan a Trip
Best time to visit
Although Greece is somewhere you can visit all-year round, you should visit between April to June and September to November for the best experience.
These are the shoulder months in Greece, so you can expect lovely warm weather without overheating. You can also find cheaper accommodation as these months fall outside the peak season.
Handy Resources
These handy tools will help plan your Greece trip to perfection.
- Use Skyscanner to compare flights, find the best flying times and affordable prices.
- Island-hopping is best done by ferry. Use Ferryhopper to keep track of your tickets and the ferry operating times.
- If you don’t want to worry about meticulously planning out your Greece itinerary, look at the fantastic all-inclusive tours with G Adventures.
- If you’re visiting Athens, purchasing this combo ticket for museums and hop on hop off bus is a great way to save some cash.
Read Next: My Review of Sailing Greece with G Adventures.
Where to Stay
Hotel Accommodation is easy to come by in Greece – you can even find fantastic accommodation in the most remote parts of the country. You’ll be able to find the perfect hotel on Booking.com.
Guesthouses and B&Bs are also popular ways of staying in Greece, especially on the smaller islands such as Sifnos. These lodgings offer the perfect opportunity to mingle with the locals and are usually very budget-friendly, with some available on Plum Guide.
Packing For Your Trip
- Your Greece packing list should contain high SPF sunscreen first and foremost.
- Clothing-wise, Greece is very casual, so packing light and airy clothes will help you fit in with the locals.
- I recommend getting a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face from the sun.
Read my ultimate Greece packing list for a more detailed dive into the nitty gritty bits of preparing for your Greece trip.
Travel Insurance
When visiting any part of the world, travel insurance is a must. From theft to accidental injuries, travel insurance will always have you covered and should be one of the first things you look for when planning a trip.
Suggested Guidebooks
The best Greece travel guide book is Fodor’s Essential Greece or the Lonely Planet Greece travel guide. Both are available in paperback or as an e-book.
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Greece Visitor Guide: What to Do During Your Greece Trip
Top Things to Do
Explore Athens
Journey around the Greek capital of Athens and see iconic monuments such as the Parthenon, the Acropolis of Athens and Mount Lycabettus.
Take in the Views at Santorini
Santorini is an island known for incredible sunsets and luxurious accommodation. But it’s more than just that, with quaint villages filled with boutique cafes and restaurants, the island is a travellers’ paradise.
Climb the Steps to Meteora
This UNESCO World Heritage Site nestles on the top of a pillar-like mountain. Climb the 140 steps to the very top to the monastery and you’ll be greeted with dream-like views.
Go Sailing Through the Greek Seas
With 227 islands to explore in Greece, it’s no wonder people can get overwhelmed. However, this is where a sailing tour of the Greek isles comes in handy, as you can explore Rhodes, Santorini, Milos, Paros, and much more.
Read Next: Island Hopping in Greece
Scale Mount Olympus
At 2,916 metres in the sky, Mount Olympus provides unforgettable views of the rolling Greek foothills. This outdoor experience will make you fall in love with Greece.
Party it Up in Mykonos
Visit the island that never sleeps and experience some of the best nightlife in Greece. Enjoy some extravagant parties you won’t forget anytime soon at the best beach clubs in Mykonos.
Explore the Iconic Shipwreck Beach
With towering sandstone cliffs encapsulating a soft white-sand beach, it’s no wonder the exclusive Shipwreck Beach is so famous.
Explore Kefalonia
Kefalonia is the largest island in the Ionian Sea, so you can imagine there are plenty of wonderful things to see on the island. From the small town of Fiskardo to the breathtaking Drogarati Caves, there is plenty for you to explore.
Enjoy the Pretty Cafes in Corfu
Aside from its mesmerising blue caves, Corfu has lovely cafes that offer beautiful views of beaches such as Paleokastritsa.
Admire the Cycladic Architecture
Greece is well known for its Cycladic architecture – whitewashed adobe with rounded corners and flat roofs. You can experience this iconic style everywhere, from hotels to beautiful churches across the country.
Suggested Greece Itineraries
Explore Mainland Greece
Athens – Corinth – Sparta – Monemvasia – Olympia – Delphi – Kastoria – Thessaloniki – Mount Olympus – Volos – Athens
Go Island Hopping Through Greece
Mykonos – Paros – Santorini – Milos – ferry to Athens –Zakynthos- Kefalonia – Lefkada – Corfu – Paxos
Hidden Greece: Off the Beaten Path
Enjoy a bike ride around Lake Pamvotida in the Turkish-style town of Ioannina. You can admire the remnants of Ottoman mosques throughout the town.
If you are in Greece during winter, visit Mount Timfristos, also known as the ‘Switzerland of Greece’. Get cosy in log cabins and ski down the lovely slopes of this mountain paradise.
How to See the Best of Greece for Free
While Greece is a major tourist destination, you don’t have to spend your entire savings to have fun.
Some of Greece’s best beaches, like Myrtos, are free to visit. In fact, you’ll rarely need to pay to access a beach (although you will need to shell out if you want to get a lounger).
Free walking tours are perfect for exploring Greece’s towns without dipping into your pockets. And, most of the country’s hiking trails are free, so you can explore the Greek wilderness at your own speed.
Dishes to Try in Greece
Bougatsa – Start your day right with light phyllo pastry stuffed with creamy custard and a sprinkling of icing sugar and cinnamon.
Moussaka – A classic Greek dish, Moussaka is layers of beef mince, soft potatoes, decadent béchamel, and tender eggplant.
Dolmadakia Yalantzi – A unique Greek delicacy, these appetisers consist of fragrant rice wrapped with tender grape leaves straight from the local vineyards.
Greek Olives and Feta – You can’t say you’ve been to Greece without trying the local olives and feta. They are to die for!
Top Drinks in Greece
Ouzo – With hints of aniseed, this classic Greek beverage is best with rich dishes and is a lovely palette cleanser.
Raki – Made from local grapes, Raki is a crystal clear drink that packs one hell of a punch. You can drink it straight or have it warm with honey and cinnamon.
Map of Greece
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