Why Greece, Why Now
Greece is one of those places that's almost annoyingly good at everything. The islands look photoshopped. The ruins make you feel small in the best way. And the food? You'll eat a €3 gyro on some random backstreet in Athens and genuinely question every meal you've ever had before it.
The mainland is where the history lives. The Acropolis, Delphi, Meteora's cliff-top monasteries. But most people come for the islands, and honestly, fair enough. Santorini gets all the Instagram love, but Crete, Naxos, and Milos are where the real magic happens if you're willing to go slightly off-script. This guide covers all of it: costs, transport, island-hopping logistics, city guides, and the stuff nobody tells you until you're already there.
Best Time To Visit
April to June is the sweet spot: 16-25°C, perfect for outdoor adventures, and the place is pretty much yours before the summer crowds arrive. For a full month by month guide, read our complete breakdown.
Spring (Apr to Jun)
Our pick16-25°C, perfect for outdoor adventures, not too hot, definitely not cold. You'll have the place pretty much to yourself before the crowds arrive.
Summer (Jul to Aug)
Peak seasonExpect upwards of 35°C with averages around 29°C. Incredibly busy, and hotels are often booked up weeks in advance.
Autumn (Sep to Oct)
Our other pickThe second sweet spot. Warm weather, thinning crowds, and prices dropping back down from the summer peak.
Winter (Nov to Mar)
Budget seasonThe best time to visit on a budget. Top attractions have far fewer tourists, and cheap flights and hotels are easy to find.
See Greece in 60 Seconds
One minute of whitewashed islands, ancient ruins, and impossibly blue water. Then read on for the full story.
Greece is a country where ancient history, idyllic islands, and spectacular coastlines come together to create one of Europe’s most unforgettable destinations. In just 60 seconds, we’ll explore the Acropolis of Athens, the whitewashed villages of Santorini, the stunning beaches of Crete, dramatic mountain landscapes, and crystal-clear waters stretching across the Aegean Sea. Whether you’re travelling for history, island hopping, incredible food, or unforgettable sunsets, Greece is a destination that keeps visitors coming back time and time again.
Book The Essentials
The exact booking sites we use ourselves. Nothing here we wouldn't personally recommend.
What To Expect
The practical stuff, minus the waffle.
Capital
Athens. Ancient ruins next to buzzing modern streets, and the gateway to almost every island ferry.
Language
Greek is the official language. "Hello" is "γεια" (geia) and "thank you" is "σας ευχαριστω" (sas efcharisto).
Currency
The Euro (€). £1 is roughly €1.18, and $1 is roughly €0.85. Check XE for the latest rates.
Cards & ATMs
ATMs are everywhere, even the smaller islands have at least one. Cards work at most shops and hotels, but a few bars and restaurants still lag behind. Always carry some cash just in case.
Plugs
Types C and F, two round pins, 230V, 50Hz. A universal adapter handles both without any fuss.
Safety
Very safe. Violent crime against tourists is rare, ranked 39th on the world's safest countries list. The main thing to watch is petty theft in busy tourist spots, so keep an eye on your belongings.
Random Useful Tip
Always carry bottled water. Mainland tap water is technically drinkable in most cities, but on the smaller islands, don't risk it, freshwater supplies are limited and reserved mostly for washing.
Never Ever
Don't book too many islands in one trip. Ferries eat up more time than you think, and three or four islands in two weeks is genuinely plenty.
Live Weather in Athens
Straight from the source, updated as you read this.
32°C
- Temperature
Greece Travel Guides
Island guides, city breaks, historical deep-dives, and the practical stuff that actually saves you money.
3 Days In Athens: Ancient Echoes & Modern Buzz
The Acropolis, Plaka's backstreets, and rooftop bars with views over the ruins. Three days, done right.
Read the guideA Guide to Santorini: How to Plan the Perfect Trip
Whitewashed villages, caldera views, and the honest truth about where to stay to avoid the crowds.
Read the guideGreece Island-Hopping Itineraries & Maps
Mapped routes through the Cyclades, the mainland, and Crete. Full itineraries dropping soon.
Coming SoonTop 10 Places to Visit in Greece: History, Culture, and Natural Beauty
From Meteora's cliff-top monasteries to Zakynthos' shipwreck beach, the ten spots worth building a trip around.
See the top 10How to Visit the Acropolis & Parthenon in Athens
Tickets, timings, and how to beat the queues at the most visited ancient site in the country.
Plan your visitGreek Island Hopping: Secrets of the Cyclades
How to actually plan a route, which islands connect easily, and the biggest mistake first-timers make.
Plan your routeSun, Sea, and Santorini: The Best Time to Visit Greece
Month by month, what the weather, crowds, and prices actually look like across the mainland and islands.
Pick your month18+ Essential Greece Travel Tips for First-Timers
Ferries, tavernas, tipping, and the cultural quirks nobody warns you about before you land.
Get the tipsWhy Greece Should Top Your 2026 Travel List
The honest case for Greece over every other Mediterranean destination on your shortlist.
Read the caseLatest Greece Articles
Every Greece guide we publish lands here automatically.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does Greece Cost?
Greece is one of Europe's better-value destinations. Here's a realistic breakdown so you're not guessing.
Backpacker
- Hostel dorms from €15-30 a night
- Gyros, street food, and self-catering
- Local buses and slow ferries
- Free beaches, ruins with no entry fee, hiking
Mid-Range
- Budget hotels, private Airbnbs with a view
- Taverna lunches, seafood dinners, wine with meals
- Mix of ferries, taxis, maybe a rental car on Crete
- Guided tours, Acropolis entry, boat trip
Upscale
- Boutique cave hotels in Santorini, luxury villas
- Fine dining, rooftop cocktails, private wine tastings
- Private transfers, domestic flights, yacht charters
- Private Acropolis tour, helicopter over the caldera
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Real prices in euros, pounds, and dollars. Pick a category.
Budget
Mid to Luxury
City Travel
Long Distance
Eat Cheap
Eating Out
Budget Fun
Big Experiences
Tips for Saving Money in Greece
Ten ways to keep a Greek trip affordable.
You'll spend €3-5 and honestly eat better than at most sit-down places.
Tap water is safe on the mainland. Skip the €1.50 tourist-trap water bottles.
It's often local, decent, and half the price of anything on the main list.
Greek yoghurt, honey, and fruit from a local shop costs almost nothing.
If the menu's only in English and there's a guy waving you in from the street, keep walking.
They take longer but cost half as much, and the deck views are better anyway.
Athens to Thessaloniki is around €25, versus €80+ for a last-minute flight.
First Sunday of the month, November to March, is free entry to most state-run museums and sites.
April-May or September-October. Prices drop, crowds thin out, and the weather's still great.
Athens, Chania, and Rhodes Old Town are compact. You'll save money and see more.
Getting Around Greece
Greece has 6,000+ islands, only about 230 are inhabited, don't worry. Here's how to actually get between them.
Domestic Flights
Best for Athens to far-flung islands like Crete or Rhodes. Saves hours compared to ferries.
- Fast, frequent in summer
- Budget flights from €40 (£35 / $44)
- Limited routes in winter
Car Rental
Best for Crete, the Peloponnese, or anywhere the bus doesn't go. Total freedom.
- Access remote beaches and villages
- From €30/day (£26 / $33)
- Island roads can be narrow and interesting
Ferries
The classic way to island-hop. Slow ferries are cheap and scenic, high-speed ones cut journey times in half.
- The main way between islands
- Standard ferries from €20 (£17 / $22)
- High-speed ferries add up fast
Athens Metro
Clean, modern, and connects the airport to the city centre and Piraeus port. Your best friend in Athens.
- €1.20 single, €4.10 day pass
- Airport to city centre in 40 minutes
- Only useful within Athens
KTEL Intercity Buses
Cheap and reliable on the mainland. Connects Athens to Thessaloniki, Delphi, Meteora, and the Peloponnese.
- Cheapest mainland transport
- Athens to Delphi from €16 (£14 / $17.50)
- Can be slow on winding mountain roads
Scooter or ATV
The island classic. Perfect for zipping between beaches on Mykonos, Naxos, or Milos.
- Cheap, from €15/day (£13 / $16.50)
- Easier to park than a car on small islands
- Check insurance carefully, seriously
Which Is Right For You?
Metro plus walking. Done.
Ferries between them, flights for long hops.
Rent a car for the Peloponnese or Crete.
Slow ferries plus KTEL buses on the mainland.
Quick Tips
Popular routes like Athens-Santorini and Mykonos-Naxos sell out in July and August.
Non-EU drivers need an International Driving Permit. Takes 5 minutes to sort.
Almost all island ferries leave from Piraeus port in Athens. Metro Line 1 goes straight there.
Best app for comparing ferry times, prices, and booking. Way better than individual ferry company sites.
We film the trips behind these guides. Station walkthroughs, room tours, road routes and the bits that photos quietly leave out. New videos land alongside the new guides.
Related Resources
Because good trips still hit bumps. Here's the backup plan.
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here's how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Read the GuidesTheft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won't see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to dodge them.
Protect YourselfTravel Insurance
Don't skip this one, especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain what you actually need.
Find the Right PolicyGreece Travel FAQs
The questions we get asked most, answered honestly.
Do I need a visa to visit Greece?
Is Greece safe for tourists?
How long do I need in Greece?
When is the best time to visit Greece?
Is Greece expensive?
How do ferries work in Greece?
Can I drink the tap water?
Do I need travel insurance for Greece?
What about tipping in Greece?
Is island-hopping complicated to plan?
Travel Hubs Worth A Look
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