Greece
Greece is home to picturesque islands, historic ruins, volcanic cliffs, delicious food, and friendly people. With the Mediterranean Sea hugging most of its coastline, it makes for an excellent getaway for those that love the water. Another positive about Greece is that it is one of the most affordable countries in Europe.
Many tourists enjoy hopping the Saronic Islands. Mykonos is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Greek islands and famous for its incredible beaches. Thrill-seekers will discover world-class kitesurfing, diving in the Mediterranean, or sailing the glittering blue beyond waters. Of course, dolphin watching or seeking sea turtles is also fun!
Although the islands get the most attention, the country’s interior has some of the most charming towns and mountains offering hiking adventures. Those that are adrenaline junkies can cycle through lush forests, rock climb, or meander the foothills of the Byzantine villages.
If you are looking for a culinary adventure, you will enjoy Greece. Greek cuisine combines fresh herbs, cheese, and olives unique to the region, along with fresh fish from the sea. Most locals spend their time socializing over a delicious meal.
Greece offers endless cultural pursuits and a calendar bursting with festivals, holidays, and exhibits. Greeks are passionate and friendly people who love enjoying life to its fullest.
This Greece travel guide combines all my knowledge and experiences to help you plan an epic, affordable trip!
Things to See and Do in Greece
Climb Mount Olympus
Visit the Delphi
Relax on Balos Beach
Skydive in Athens
Admire the White-Wash City of Santorini
Go Spelunking at Melissani Cave
Explore the Ancient City of Acropolis
Scuba Diving in Thessaloniki
Typical Costs When Travelling
Accommodation – Hostels start at 10-15 EUR for dorm-like arrangements and for a private room it starts from 30-60 EUR. During the off-season for a budget hotel, you can expect to pay 50-80 EUR per night. Airbnb is an excellent option which ranges from 30-50 EUR per night for a room, or if you wish to rent an entire house, they start at around 80 EUR per night.
(Visit Hotels.com or Airbnb.com for accommodations)
Food – Eating locally produced food will reduce your cost. Greece is known for its seasonal vegetables, olives, seafood, bread, cheese, and yogurt. Stick to eating gyros, kebabs, and you can expect to pay 2-5 EUR. A café that serves traditional dishes will cost 7-10 EUR. A glass of wine will cost 2-4 EUR. A Greek salad costs between 6-8 EUR. Bread is not free when placed on your table. Fast food will cost around 7 EUR for a combo meal.
(Visit Travelzoo to find best places to dine)
Public Transportation – Public transportation is widely available in larger cities, costing around 1.50 EUR per ride. You can expect to pay approximately 1.30 EUR per ride (depending on the distance).
Buses – KTEL is the main bus operator in Greece. The best way to purchase a bus ticket is at the bus station (the website isn’t user-friendly). A ticket from Athens to Sparta costs around 20 EUR and takes about 3.5 hours.
Ferries – The best way to island-hop is riding the ferries. These ferries range from 12-70 EUR per trip, depending on the distance. But, of course, taking an overnight ferry is cheaper! Another option is high-speed ferries, but I don’t recommend it for what it costs. You can research routes and ticket prices sing FerryHopper and gtp.gr.
Activities – Visiting historical sites around the country generally costs 10-20 EUR for a ticket. Island activities like kayaking, parasailing, and banana boats cost between 25-45 EUR. You can rent bikes for 15 EUR a day or ATVs for around 30 EUR. Diving trips begin at about 90 EUR per person for a two-tank dive.
Suggested daily budget – The average daily budget should be approximately $110 per person, including hotel, transportation, meals, and sightseeing. A week’s vacation for two people costs roughly 1,540 staying at mid-range hotels
Money Saving Tips
1
Stick to eating traditional Greek or street food such as gyros or kebabs.
2
Roads are narrow, and parking can be a challenge, so you may consider renting a moped instead of a car. The daily use of a moped is about 14 EUR and will be a fun way to travel. However, beware; Greek drivers tend to be aggressive.
3
Explore destinations that are off the beaten path. Unfortunately, most tourists flock to the most popular islands making prices more expensive.
4
Take the overnight ferries, which will save you about 25% of the cost of the ticket.
5
If you plan to do island hopping, get a ferry pass from Eurail. Warning: these passes are on the much slower ferries. Make sure to research your option with FerryHopper and compare the prices.
6
Visit off-season as the prices are higher in July and August.
7
Use the public transportation services when getting around Greece versus using taxis.
8
Most museums offer free admission days, so check before arriving.
9
Couchsurfing is a great way to stay for free and meet locals.
10
Hostelworld is a great resource when looking for budget accommodations.
11
Skyscanner is an excellent resource to find affordable airline tickets in Greece.
12
For short trips around towns, the best option for transportation is through an app called Beat.
What can I expect from Greece?
- Language: The official language is Greek.
- Currency: The currency is Euro 1 USD = 0.86 EUR
- Plugs: The plugs are Type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter and using a converter for hair tools.
- Safety: Greece has had some periods of unrest but is generally a safe country to travel. I recommend always purchasing travel insurance, especially if you plan to do outdoor activities such as sailing, paragliding, etc. Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your passport and ID. Always let someone know where you are.
- Vaccinations Needed: If your country is on the orange list, you will be required to quarantine for seven days. Vaccinated arrivals are exempt. If your country is on the red list, you will be required to quarantine for ten days. When arriving in France, you will need to show a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours or your vaccination document. A green pass is required to use public transportation. Some restaurants will require you to show the green pass. Wearing a face mask is required in enclosed public areas and outdoor social events. Please keep up to date with Tripsguard or visit the government website.
November 14, 2021
rahul singh negi
Appreciate the insights you’ve shared.
Very helpful tips, thanks for sharing.
Lanell Rachid
You are welcome. I am glad you found the blog insightful.