Greece Travel Tips

Greece is not only beautiful with its ocean landscapes, distinct architecture, and exquisite food, but it’s also amazingly affordable. Things cost half what they do in other parts of Europe. As one of the continent’s most popular destinations during the summer times, people from around the world flock to its famous islands for the sun, and to the cities for the history. I love Greece. It’s warm, it’s cheap, it has delicious food, rugged, windswept but calming islands, and upbeat and friendly locals. It’s the flawless summer destination. Everything you have ever seen or heard about Greece is true and I very recommend you spend some extended time here. Also, attempt to get off the islands and into the interior as it’s mostly free of crowds!

Typical Costs

Accommodation – Depending on the area of Greece you are traveling to, hostels will cost 10-35 EUR for dorms and 25-40 EUR for private rooms per night (less in Athens, more on expensive islands like Mykonos). A room in a budget hotel that sleeps two can be found for 25-45 EUR (expect much higher prices – up to 50% higher – during the busy season). Amenities at these hotels typically include free WiFi, a private bathroom, air-conditioning, a television, a mini-fridge, and sometimes breakfast is included as well. On Airbnb, you can find collective rooms for as low as ten EUR in many cities and entire homes (including studio apartments) can be rented on the low-end for 25-50 EUR.

Food – Greece is known for its food. Think fresh vegetables (like olives), seafood, grilled meats, bread, feta cheese, yogurt – all the staples of a fresh Mediterranean diet. Restaurants will cost about twenty EUR for a nice dinner, even in the tourist area. If you add wine, expect to pay about thirty EUR. A meal at a very luxurious restaurant will begin at thirty EUR. A entire fish is about eighteen EUR. If you indeed want to eat cheap, eat gyros (like kebabs). A Gyro is around three EUR and will lightly pack you up. Most cafes will cost you around eleven EUR for a meal. If you cook your meals, expect to pay 35-45 EUR per week for groceries that will include pasta, vegetables, chicken, and other basic foods. It’s effortless to eat on the cheap in Greece.

Transportation – Because Greece has a lot of islands, you will be dealing with lots ferries and boats. Expect to spend an average of thirty six EUR per a tour, tho’ you could spend as little as twelve EUR if the islands are truly close together. If you book the ferries around two months in advance, you can save up to 25% off the cost of your ticket. From Athens, most ferries to the islands cost around sixty EUR. Greece’s inter-island ferries can get fairly expensive if you are visiting a lot of them. Taking the overnight ferries can save you up to half off the normal price plus save you a night of accommodation. Slow, overnight island ferries begin at thirteen EUR. Buses and trains around the mainland are around twenty EUR. It’s less than two EUR for a single rail on the Athens train system and most bus tickets cost about the same. For cities without public transportation, there are usually scooter, moped, or ATV rentals (they average around 20-40 EUR per day).

Activities – Visiting the ancient sites around the country will cost inbetween 12-24 EUR for a ticket. Island activities (kayaking, parasailing, banana boats) will cost inbetween 22-45 EUR. You can rent ATVs for a day for around twenty EUR and diving trips begin around fifty five EUR.

Suggested daily budget – 40-60 EUR / 42-63 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using local transportation. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher!)

Destinations

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Money Saving Tips

• Eat super cheap – Gyros and other street snacks only cost a few Euros and can keep you utter for less than ten EUR per day.
• Rent a moped – When you can’t rail the train, rent a moped. It’s cheaper than a car and a joy way to see the various towns and cities. You can usually rent a moped for around fourteen EUR per day.
• Get off the hammered path – Greece is a cheap country and even cheaper when you get out of the touristy Greek islands or popular destinations. Head off the hammered path and you will usually see prices drop by 30% or more.
• Book overnight ferries – Greece’s inter-island ferries can get fairly expensive if you are visiting a lot of them. Taking the overnight ferries can save you up to half off the normal price plus save 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.
• Avoid Mykonos – Mykonos gets a lot of hype. It’s a cool island and is worth it but it is also Greece’s most expensive with hardly any budget accommodation, twelve EUR drinks, and forty EUR meals (don’t even attempt ordering the fish!). The island caters to upscale honeymooners so if you are on a taut budget, I would avoid this island.
• Visit in the off-season – August is the most expensive month, so if you can arrange for a visit before June which would indeed cut down your accommodation and flight costs by up to half.
• Couchsurf – Couchsurfing is a excellent way to get a free place to stay and meet locals. There are a ton of hosts across the country (I stayed with one in Athens) and it’s my beloved way to get to know the “real” Greece.
• Rideshare – If you’re limber in your schedule, use the ridesharing service BlaBlaCar and catch rails with locals inbetween cities (or countries). Drivers are verified and it’s ideally safe (however sometimes rails don’t display up, which is why you need to be supple).

Top Things to See and Do in Greece

• Visit the Acropolis – Located in Athens, this magnificent temple is a excellent place to learn about Athen’s history while you get a expansive view of the city and the nearby ruins. During the summer, the place is swarming with tourists and sadly, the Parthenon is always under construction, but the views are incredible! Admission is twelve EUR and it’s open daily from 8am-7:30pm except on Mondays when it opens at 11am.
• Explore the past – Greece is where western civilization began and everywhere you turn, you will find ruins that are thousands of years old. Begin in Athens with the museums, the Acropolis and surrounding ruins (the Agora is wonderful), and then set off to explore the ruins of Delphi, Sparta, and Crete. If you love history, you’ll love Greece.
• Reminisce the Spartans – Sparta was the ancient rival of Athens and known for her fierce warriors. The city has a long history and ruins to explore. There is no shortage of things to do, excursions to take, and places to eat when you visit the city. It’s an often overlooked city, but you can get all the history of Greece without the tourists of Athens if you visit. I wouldn’t suggest skipping Sparta!
• Explore the beaches – From Crete to Santorini to Corfu, the Greek islands are some of the best in the world. Soak in the sun, admire the white sand and blue-roofed houses and just unwind. Santorini is famous for couples, while Ios is good for parties and meeting other youthfull travelers. Some off the hammered path islands include Rhodes, Kos, or the ones in the far east. During the summer, most of the islands are utter so book early.
• Attend the Hellenic Festival – Every summer, the Hellenic Festival in Athens has concerts and spectacle theater, including reenactments of Greek tragedy. It’s one of the country’s top cultural events and if it coincides with your visit, you’ll see just how proud the Greeks are of their past.
• Go to Meteora – Located mid-way through Greece, Meteora is famous for its monasteries that sit atop sheer rock mountains. They are a stunning glance to see and worth the steep trek up to the top. Albeit more than twenty monasteries used to perch on the steep rocks, only six remain today. They were a highlight of my visit to Greece.
• Take in the sun in Corfu – The Greek Islands may get all the press but sunny Corfu on Greece’s west coast is also a good place to love the beach too. It’s a popular destination for youthful backpackers, but once you get out of the main town, you avoid them and their partying ways and get the island to yourself!
• Visit historic Crete – The island of Crete in Greece has a long, long history. It was once home to the ancient Minoan civilization (which predates Greek civilization). The capital of Knossos has some incredible ruins. Crete has beautiful beaches, hiking, quaint towns, delicious food and wine, and friendly, welcoming locals. I love the island!
• Explore the Delphi Ruins – Delphi has always been a place of historic and spiritual significance. This is where the omniscient Oracle would contact Apollo and give advice to those seeking good fortune. Albeit the eternal flame no longer burns inwards, a visit to the Temple of Apollo is obligatory.
• Go into Melissani Cave – A boat tour will take you into these caves, where you can admire the magical quality of ultramarine water and monumental walls that surround you.
• Walk up Climb on Olympus – Climb on Olympus is the home of ancient gods. From here the gods would control the lives of mortal boys. Any climb to Climb on Olympus starts from the town of Litochoro. A walk up this mountain will be strenuous and mystical and you’ll see why Greeks thought it was this mountain from which the gods ruled.
• Hike the Samaria Gorge – For the outdoor enthusiasts out there, this is considered one of the best hiking practices in Greece. While it isn’t the shortest or easiest trek, the Samaria Gorge does promise beautiful landscapes, fantastic photo opportunities, and a good workout.
• Practice the Patra Carnival – Every year in mid-January, the city of Patra is host to what is basically a month-and-a-half-long party. There’s a slew of events, both major and minor; increasingly crazy weekends; and various costume parades, which even feature floats. It’s usually a good idea to make hotel reservations well in advance.
• Visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion – The number one attraction on Crete, this museum also happens to be Greece’s 2nd largest archaeological museum next to the museum in Athens. There is a stunning collection here, which highlights the Cretan civilization (dating back from Neolithic times, through to the Roman empire). It’s open daily 8:30am-5pm, except Mondays when it opens at 12pm. It does have abbreviated hours December-February. Admission is six EUR.
• Go to Santorini – Albeit it but one of the numerous Greek islands, many consider it to be the most spectacular. Aside from the beautiful landscape and volcanic presence, it is an amazing place for beachside camping, winery tours, scuba diving, and more. The ruins on the southern part of the island were some of the best I witnessed.
• Party on the island of 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 while 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, it’s a beautiful, rugged island (and home to the grave of Homer) and only busy June-August!
• Temple of Olympian Zeus – While you are walking about Athens, this is a incredible archaeological site to stop at. This temple is massive and took over seven hundred years to construct (dating back to the sixth century). There are a number of Corinthian columns still standing, however many have fallen. It’s fairly an exceptional view. Admission is two EUR (it’s free if you already have admission to the Acropolis). It’s open daily from 8am-8pm with abbreviated hours in the winter.

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