Greece stands as a magnificent crossroads where ancient mythology breathes life into modern reality, and every sunset over the Aegean Sea creates a masterpiece worth witnessing. This extraordinary Mediterranean destination welcomes 35 million visitors annually, and for good reason—a Greek vacation offers everything needed for the perfect getaway: from majestic ancient temples to heavenly beaches with crystal-clear waters.

Key Points

• Athens: Living History — A bustling metropolis of 3 million inhabitants showcasing monuments dating back 2,500 years. The Acropolis and Parthenon (€30 summer, €20 winter) are best visited at opening time (8:00 AM) or two hours before closing to avoid crowds and capture the best photographs.
• Prime Travel Season — May through June and September through October offer the ideal window with comfortable temperatures of 22-27°C, warm seas, and fewer tourist crowds. Winter brings prices 2-3 times lower, though many island establishments close during this period.
• Santorini: Picture-Perfect Beauty — Snow-white buildings perched on volcanic caldera edges, legendary sunsets in Oia, and ancient Akrotiri—Greece’s own Pompeii. Caldera-view accommodations range €150-500/night, while non-view options cost €50-120/night.
• Cycladic Islands for Every Interest — Mykonos for nightlife (though quite expensive), Naxos as the superior Santorini alternative with half the prices, and Paros offering the perfect balance between developed infrastructure and authentic charm.
• Unique Natural Wonders — Navagio Beach on Zakynthos featuring a shipwreck, Myrtos Beach on Kefalonia ranking among the world’s top 10 beaches, underground Melissani Lake with magical light displays, and Meteora monasteries atop 60-meter cliffs.
• Money-Saving Tips — Avoid establishments with street hawkers and photo menus, seek tavernas where Greeks dine after 9:00 PM, and use ferries instead of flights between islands for significant savings.
• Perfect Week-Long Itinerary — Two days in Athens for major attractions, three days in Santorini for romance and photography, two days in Mykonos for beaches and nightlife, or choose less touristy islands for an authentic experience.

About Greece in Brief

This comprehensive Greece travel guide offers an exhaustive handbook for visiting a country that welcomes 35 million tourists annually. The article covers major destinations from cultural Athens to paradisiacal Aegean Sea islands, providing current practical information for travelers.

Here you’ll find:

• Detailed descriptions of 15+ islands with prices, transport schedules, and top attractions
• Money-saving tips from an expert with years of Greek travel experience
• Accurate information about transportation, museums, and restaurants with current pricing
• Ready-made Greece travel itinerary
• Expert recommendations for choosing islands based on preferences

When to Visit Greece

May-June and September-October represent the golden period for Greek travel. Temperatures remain comfortable (22-27°C), seas stay warm, and tourist crowds haven’t yet overwhelmed the islands.

Summer months (July-August) see temperatures soar to 35°C and beyond, particularly in Athens. This peak season brings maximum prices and enormous crowds, but everything operates at full capacity and seas warm to 26°C.

Winter (November-March) sees many island hotels and restaurants close, but this period proves excellent for mainland exploration—prices drop 2-3 times while temperatures hover around 10-15°C.

Athens: Capital and Cultural Heart of Greece

Athens spans as a 3-million-strong metropolis where 2,500-year-old monuments appear at every turn. While 2-3 days suffice for major attractions, the city can surprise visitors for months.

Major Attractions

The Acropolis and Parthenon 

The absolute must-see of any Greek journey. This sacred hill rises 157 meters, crowned by the Parthenon—Athena’s temple constructed between 447-438 BC.

Practical Details:

• Operating hours: 8:00-20:00 (April-October), 8:00-17:00 (November-March)
• Tickets: €30 summer (from April 1st), €20 winter (Acropolis only)
• Pro tip: Arrive at opening (8:00 AM) or two hours before closing—far fewer people and superior lighting for photography
• Essentials: Water, hat, comfortable shoes (the climb is steep with minimal shade)

Acropolis Museum 

Located at the sacred hill’s base within an ultra-modern building. Houses original sculptures and Parthenon fragments. The museum atmosphere proves breathtaking—the top floor particularly impresses with glass walls offering mesmerizing Acropolis views.

Ancient Agora 

Democracy’s birthplace. Here Socrates taught youth while Athenian citizens made crucial decisions. The well-preserved Hephaestus Temple (Thesion) stands as one of the most intact ancient Greek temples.

Roman Agora 

The Roman era’s commercial center featuring the famous Tower of the Winds—ancient timepieces with sundials and weathervane.

Temple of Olympian Zeus 

A monumental temple under construction for 700 years! Fifteen of 104 Corinthian columns survive, each standing 17 meters tall.

Syntagma Square 

Modern Athens’ heart featuring parliament and hourly Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Sunday 11:00 AM features ceremonial changing in national costumes).

Athens Districts

Plaka — The old town beneath the Acropolis. Cobblestone streets, 19th-century neoclassical mansions, souvenir shops, and tavernas with live music. Beautiful area, though restaurant prices cater to tourists. Better to venture 2-3 blocks from main streets for cheaper, more authentic options.

Monastiraki — The flea market, especially lively on Sundays. Everything from antiques to vintage clothing. Monastiraki Square serves as an excellent starting point for walks, offering views of both Acropolis and Ancient Agora.

Psyrri — The bohemian quarter. Daytime brings art galleries and creative cafes, evenings feature bars, clubs, and street art.

Anafiotika — A tiny district on Acropolis slopes, built by workers from Anafi island during the 19th century. White cubic houses and narrow staircases create the sensation of being in the Cyclades rather than a 3-million-person city center.

Practical Information

Airport to City Center:

• Metro (blue line 3): 40 minutes to center, €10, runs every 30 minutes 6:30-23:30
• Express bus X95: 45-60 minutes, €6, 24/7 every 15-20 minutes
• Taxi: 30-45 minutes, €35-50 daytime, €50-70 nighttime (23:00-5:00)

Public Transportation:

• Single ticket: €1.40 (90 minutes)
• Day pass: €4.50
• 5-day pass: €9
• Metro operates: 5:30-24:00 (Friday-Saturday until 2:00 AM)

Where to Stay:

• Plaka/Monastiraki — central, walking distance to all attractions (€60-150/night)
• Psyrri — for youth and nightlife (€50-120/night)
• Kolonaki — prestigious district with boutiques (€80-200/night)

Restaurants and Tavernas

Avoid establishments with street hawkers and photo menus—sure signs of tourist traps. Seek tavernas where Greeks themselves dine, typically after 9:00 PM.

Popular Greek Islands

The Cyclades

Santorini 

Greece’s most recognizable island. Volcanic caldera, snow-white buildings on cliff edges, and sunsets that draw visitors worldwide.

• Oia — The postcard village with blue church domes and famous windmills. Every evening hundreds of tourists gather for sunset viewing. Arrive an hour before sunset for good positioning, or better yet—early morning when tourists are scarce and lighting is spectacular.
• Fira — The island capital with museums, restaurants, and cable car to the old port. Offers equally beautiful caldera views as Oia but with fewer crowds.
• Ancient Akrotiri — Greece’s Pompeii, a Minoan city buried under volcanic ash 3,600 years ago. Multi-story houses, frescoes, and ceramics remain preserved.
• Red Beach and Black Beach — Unique beaches with colorful volcanic sand. Red Beach sits near Akrotiri (10-minute walk), Black Beach stretches through Kamari and Perissa.

Practical Tips:

• Flight tickets: €80-150 from Athens (45 minutes)
• Ferry from Piraeus: 5-8 hours, €44-66
• Caldera-view accommodation: €150-500/night
• Non-view accommodation: €50-120/night
• ATV rental: €25-35/day (warning: roads are narrow and steep!)

Mykonos 

The island of endless parties. Days bring chic beaches and shopping, nights feature some of Europe’s best clubs.

• Mykonos Town — A white-street labyrinth where getting lost comes easily. This design deliberately confused pirates! Now these alleys hide world-brand boutiques and designer hotels.
• Windmills — The island’s trademark, especially beautiful at sunset. Built by Venetians in the 16th century for grain milling.
• Little Venice — Houses built directly over water. Home to the best sunset-view bars.
• Delos — The ancient Greeks’ sacred island (20-minute boat ride). Mythology claims Apollo and Artemis were born here. Now an open-air museum with temple ruins and an ancient theater.
• Paradise and Super Paradise Beaches — Beach party epicenters. Daytime brings loungers and cocktails, evenings transform into open-air dance floors.
• Mykonos Drawbacks: Very expensive (cocktails €15-25, meals €50-80), constantly windy (called “island of winds”), incredible summer crowds.

Naxos 

The Cyclades’ largest island and excellent alternative to famous neighbors. Everything exists here: ancient monuments, Venetian quarters, mountain villages, beaches, and affordable prices.

• Portara — Marble gates of Apollo’s 6th-century BC temple, one of Greece’s most recognizable symbols. Particularly beautiful at sunset.
• Naxos Old Town with Venetian fortress, narrow streets, and an archaeological museum. Naxos proves revelatory! Plenty to see, beaches superior to Santorini, and prices half as much.
• Plaka and Aliko Beaches — Kilometers of golden sand with crystal-clear water. Plaka offers more facilities, Aliko remains nearly wild.

Paros 

The golden-middle island between developed infrastructure and authenticity.

• Naoussa — Charming fishing village with waterfront tavernas. Evenings transform the waterfront into a pedestrian zone with live music.
• Parikia — Main port with ancient monuments and Panagia Ekatontapiliani church (“Hundred Gates”) from the 6th century.
• Kolymbithres Beach — Unique beach with granite rocks carved by wind and sea into peculiar shapes.

Ionian Islands

Corfu 

Greece’s greenest island thanks to abundant rainfall. Venetian architecture, English influences, and Austrian palaces create an unmistakable atmosphere.

• Corfu Old Town — UNESCO site with French streets, Italian squares, and English gardens. Amazing cultural mix! In one day you can feel transported to Venice, Paris, and London.
• Paleokastritsa — 13th-century cliff monastery and emerald bays with caves. Worth spending a full day with swimwear and snorkeling mask.
• Canal d’Amour — Romantic bay with legend: lovers swimming together through the narrow rock passage will remain happy forever.

Zakynthos 

Island of Caretta-Caretta turtles and Greece’s most photographed beach.

• Navagio Bay — Beach with shipwreck, symbol of Greek islands. Accessible only by boat (€25-30, 30 minutes from Zakynthos port). Incredibly beautiful but crowded with boats and tourists. Best time—early morning.
• Blue Caves — Sea grottos on the island’s northwest with amazing light displays. Water here appears so transparent that boats seem to hover in the air.
• Kefalonia Island featuring some of Europe’s best beaches and underground wonders.
• Myrtos Beach — White pebbles and turquoise water surrounded by 200-meter cliffs. Regularly ranks among the world’s top 10 beaches.
• Melissani Cave — Underground lake with magical light displays. At noon, sunlight penetrates through the ceiling opening, creating otherworldly blue shades.

Dodecanese

Rhodes 

Island of knights with the longest summer season among Greek islands.

• Rhodes Old Town — Europe’s best-preserved medieval city, UNESCO site. 14th-century fortress walls, Palace of the Grand Masters, Street of Knights with European order coats of arms.
• Palace of the Grand Masters — Knights Hospitaller residence, restored by Italians in the 1930s. The interior museum features mosaics and medieval interiors.
• Street of Knights — Europe’s best-preserved medieval street. Former residences of knights from different nationalities.
• Lindos — Snow-white village with an acropolis on 116-meter rock. Climb proves difficult, especially in heat, but views justify the effort! Donkey rides available for €5.

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Saronic Islands

Hydra 

Timeless island where automobile transport is forbidden.

Hydra Town with 18th-century stone mansions, when the island was an important maritime power. Only transport—donkeys, mules, and your own feet.

This car-free island isn’t just a tourist novelty but a way of life. Even ambulances travel by mule! Incredibly peaceful place. Two hours by ferry from Piraeus transports you to the 19th century. Only silence, wave sounds, and hoof clicks.

Mainland Greece

Peloponnese

Nafplio — Independent Greece’s first capital (1823-1834) and one of the country’s most beautiful cities.

Palamidi Fortress rises 216 meters above the city. 999 steps carved into rock lead upward. The climb proves quite steep, but breathtaking city and bay views completely compensate for the effort! Best to climb early morning or near sunset.

Epidaurus — Ancient theater with perfect acoustics (15 km from Nafplio).

4th-century BC theater seating 14,000 spectators. Acoustics so perfect that last-row audience members hear stage whispers. Every summer hosts ancient Greek drama festivals.

Practical Information:

• Operating hours: Daily 8:00-19:30 (summer), 8:00-17:00 (winter)
• Ticket: €6 (includes archaeological museum)
• Athens access: Bus €12 one-way, 2-hour journey

Mycenae — City of King Agamemnon from Homer’s “Iliad” (30 km from Nafplio).

Lion Gate, Agamemnon’s tomb, Cyclopean walls from blocks weighing up to 120 tons. Ancient Greeks believed only Cyclops could lift such stones.

Mystras — Byzantine ghost city at Mount Taygetos’ base.

Morea Despotate capital, Byzantium’s last stronghold. Despot palace, monasteries with 14th-15th century frescoes, panoramic Sparta valley views.

Central Greece

Delphi — Earth’s “navel” according to ancient Greeks.

Apollo’s sanctuary where Pythia delivered prophecies to rulers and common people. Apollo’s Temple, Athenian treasury, ancient Pythian Games stadium.

Practical Information:

• Distance from Athens: 180 km (2.5 hours by car)
• Operating hours: Daily 8:30-16:00 (winter), summer Wednesday-Saturday 8:00-20:00, Sunday-Tuesday 8:30-15:30
• Ticket: €12 (includes archaeological museum)
• Pro tip: Arrive at opening—valley views in morning light prove unforgettable

Meteora — Monasteries on giant rocks.

Twenty-four monasteries built 14th-16th centuries on 60-meter cliffs. Six remain active today: Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Roussanou, St. Nicholas, St. Stephen, Holy Trinity.

Truly incredible sight! Hard to imagine how people 600 years ago managed building all this at such heights. Especially beautiful at sunset when rocks turn golden.

Getting There:

• Train to Kalambaka: 4.5 hours from Athens, €15-20
• Bus: 4 hours, €15-20
• Car: 3.5 hours (most convenient for visiting all monasteries)

Important Monastery Information:

• Entry ticket: €3 per monastery (cash only)
• Each monastery closes one day weekly in summer, some several days in winter
• Dress code mandatory: long pants for men, knee-length skirts and covered shoulders for women
• Most monasteries provide free skirts at entrance

Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion — Perfect sunset location 65 km from Athens.

5th-century BC temple on a 70-meter cliff edge. Lord Byron visited here, carving his name on a column (not recommended to repeat now).

Practical Information:

• Operating hours: Daily 9:30 until sunset
• Ticket: €10 (full), €5 (reduced)
• Best time—one hour before sunset

Northern Greece

Thessaloniki — Greece’s cultural capital and gastronomic paradise.

Country’s second-largest city, student center with Greece’s best food (Greeks themselves confirm this). White Tower—city symbol, UNESCO Byzantine churches, waterfront with cafes and clubs.

Halkidiki — Three peninsulas with excellent beaches near Thessaloniki:

• Kassandra — most developed, with hotels and restaurants
• Sithonia — quieter, ideal for families
• Athos — holy mountain, male monastery (men-only entry with special permits)

Mount Olympus — Ancient Greek gods’ home and Greece’s highest point (2,918 m).

Starting point for ascent—Litochoro town. To Spilios Agapitos refuge (2,100 m)—3-4 hours walking, overnight €15-20. To Mytikas summit—another 3-4 hours for experienced hikers.

Crete

Heraklion — Island capital with Knossos Palace.

Knossos Palace — Minoan civilization center, Europe’s oldest (3000-1100 BC). Palace with 1,300 rooms, dolphin frescoes, throne room, Minotaur labyrinth.

Chania — Venetian port with Greece’s most beautiful waterfront.

Old harbor with Venetian lighthouse, Turkish mosques, neoclassical mansions. Chania proves love at first sight! Evening golden light bathes the entire waterfront, and waterside taverns create an incredible romantic atmosphere.

Rethymno — Another Venetian city with mosques and minarets.

Venetian and Turkish architecture blend, 16th-century Fortezza fortress, Greece’s tallest minaret.

Samaria Gorge — One of Europe’s best trekking routes.

National park with a 16-km gorge. The route takes 5-7 hours, ending at Agia Roumeli beach. Operates May-October, €5 entrance.

Beaches and Active Recreation

Greece’s Best Beaches

• Navagio (Zakynthos) — Bay with smugglers’ shipwreck, Greece’s most photographed beach
• Myrtos (Kefalonia) — White pebbles and emerald water surrounded by sheer cliffs
• Sarakiniko (Milos) — Lunar landscapes from white volcanic tuff
• Anthony Quinn Bay (Rhodes) — Emerald lagoon in pine forest
• Elafonisi (Crete) — Pink sand from tiny shells
• Naxos Beaches — Kilometers of golden sand on western coast

Diving and Snorkeling:

• Best locations: Zakynthos (Caretta-Caretta turtles), Skiathos, Milos, Crete
• Cost: €40-60 per dive for beginners
• Season: May-October
• Visibility: 20-40 meters

Windsurfing and Kitesurfing:

• Paros — world windsurfing center with schools and rentals
• Rhodes (Prasonisi) — Aegean and Mediterranean Sea meeting point
• Naxos — excellent beginner conditions
• Lesson cost: €50-80 per session

Hiking and Trekking:

• Vikos Gorge — World’s second deepest (1,040 m), 12-km route
• Samaria Gorge (Crete) — Most popular route, 16 km
• Mount Olympus — For experienced hikers, 2-day trek
• Andros Trails — Underrated hiking island with 100 km marked trails

7-Day Greece Itinerary

Day 1-2: Athens. Arrival, accommodation in Plaka or Monastiraki

• Day 1: Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Plaka stroll
• Day 2: Ancient Agora, National Archaeological Museum, Psyrri and Anafiotika districts

Day 3-5: Santorini. Flight to Santorini airport (45 minutes) or Piraeus ferry (5-8 hours)

• Day 3: Fira, Oia, sunset
• Day 4: Ancient Akrotiri, wineries, Red Beach
• Day 5: Caldera cruise, wine tastings

Day 6-7: Mykonos. Santorini-Mykonos ferry (2-3 hours) or flight (20 minutes)

• Day 6: Mykonos Town, Little Venice, beaches
• Day 7: Delos, beach clubs, Athens return

Expert Review of Visiting Greece

Through years of Greek travel, I’ve visited over 20 islands and dozens of mainland cities. Each journey reveals new facets of this amazing country. A May trip to Naxos particularly stands out—an island locals call “Greece for Greeks.”

In a quiet taverna in the mountain village Koronos, watching elderly men leisurely play backgammon while cats doze on warm stones, you understand—this is real Greece, unspoiled by mass tourism. Taverna owner Yannis brought homemade wine and spent half an hour describing his olive groves, switching between Greek and broken English.

October Meteora proved equally impressive, when morning mists shroud the rocks and few tourists allow complete silence enjoyment of this natural and human faith wonder. At Varlaam monastery, an old monk showed ancient manuscripts and quietly said: “Time stopped here 600 years ago.” Indeed—standing at the precipice edge, it’s hard believing people built such things without modern equipment.

Expert Recommendations for Best Travel

How many days are needed for Greece? Minimum 7 days (3 Athens + 4 islands), optimally 10-14 days for comprehensive country introduction.

Athens airport to the city center? Metro (line 3, 40 minutes, €10), express bus (45-60 minutes, €6), taxi (30-45 minutes, €35-50).

Inter-island travel? Ferries (cheaper, 2-8 hours) or flights (faster, 30-60 minutes, more expensive). Main ports: Piraeus, Rafina, Lavrio.

Is rental in Greece worthwhile? Mainland—yes, very convenient. Islands depend on size: useful on Crete and Rhodes, manageable without cars on Santorini and Mykonos.

Which islands for the first trip? Santorini (beauty and romance) + Mykonos (beaches and parties) or Naxos + Paros (more authentic and cheaper).

Tipping necessary? 10% in restaurants, round bills in tavernas, €1-2 in bars.

Must-try in Greece? Moussaka, souvlaki, Greek horiatiki salad, tzatziki, feta, ouzo, frappe, Greek coffee.

Taverna hours? Lunch: 12:00-16:00, dinner: 19:00-24:00. Greeks dine late—after 9:00 PM.

Best Greek beaches? Navagio on Zakynthos, Myrtos on Kefalonia, Sarakiniko on Milos, Naxos and Paros beaches.

Sunday store hours? Most are closed, only tourist shops and some supermarkets open.

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