Why Greece? | Trip Planning | Things to Do | Food to Try
After traveling through Italy, my boyfriend and I decided we were going to travel full-time. While we went on a few trips while we were getting ready for our new lifestyle, the official start of our big trip was Greece. Neither of us had ever visited Greece before and in a month we tried to see as much as possible within our budget.
We started with 10 days in Athens, followed by 10 days in Naxos and 10 days in Zakhyntos.
Now, after a month in this beautiful country, I can’t claim to be an expert on Greece, but I tried to put together everything I learned.
PLANNING A TRIP IN GREECE
WHEN TO VISIT
We chose to visit during the last week of May and part of June because it fit our travel plans best. It turned out to be the right choice because the weather was hot but not unbearable and while there were tourists, the places we visited were never too crowded.
While preparing for this trip, we also read about the best time to visit and talked to people who know the country better than we do. Every season has its pros.
July and August are the busiest months and are perfect for island hopping because they offer the best availability in scheduled ferries.
For a more relaxed beach holiday, September and early October are the best time as they’re not as busy but the sea is still warm. As this is not a very busy season the prices will also be cheaper.
If the beaches are not your main focus, spring is a great time to visit. Perfect if you’re interested in the countryside, from wildflowers to olive groves and citrus orchards. If you happen to be in Greece during Spring, don’t miss their Easter celebrations!
Winter is now becoming an increasingly popular time to visit Greece. While it certainly is not the best time for a beach vacation it’s probably the best time to experience the culture and history of the country. Use this time to visit museums, and archeological sites and learn more about Greece. Before you leave, remember to check what will be open and what will be closed during this time. For example, ferries to the smaller and less popular Greek Islands usually stop running in the winter.
ACCOMMODATION
In any country we have been to so far, our favorite option for accommodation has always been Airbnb, with hostels being a close second.
Airbnb allows you to choose between rooms or entire apartments all over the world and it’s pretty easy to find a solution for every budget and necessity. Plus if you’re trying to save money there’s nothing better than having a kitchen available at all times.
Like I said hostels are a close second. Staying in a hostel allows you to meet fellow travelers, the location is usually great, you still get the opportunity to use a kitchen, and the prices for a bed or even a private room are often much better than a hotel.
However, in our case, we were traveling with more than two people in a big city, so it was more convenient to stay in our own apartment booked through Airbnb.
TRANSPORTATION
Car Rentals
Whether you’re staying on the mainland or planning to visit the islands renting a car allows you the flexibility to see places on your own time and visit some of the more remote villages. If you can afford it and you don’t mind driving in a new place this is surely one of the best ways to move around Greece.
Public Transportation
This is what we ended up choosing. None of us felt too comfortable driving around, we didn’t feel a car was necessary for what we wanted to see and since we were planning on visiting a good amount of islands we didn’t want to have to worry about bringing the car on all the different ferries.
In Athens getting a bus to visit the city was fairly easy and cheap and we even took a longer bus for a day trip to Sparta. Then from Athens, we took ferries to get to some of the islands. Both buses and ferries are easy to use and to book on the appropriate websites.
If you’re planning on visiting multiple islands we can do what we did and buy a ferry pass for the Greek Islands. Thanks to the pass we were able to see four different islands for a fixed price. If you check out the Interrail (for EU citizens) or Eurail (for non-EU citizens) website you can check out all of their offers and pick the best option for you.
Taxis
We used Uber a few times during our time in Greece. It was easy to use and not very expensive. However, the only city where this service is available is Athens.
In any other cities you can find local taxi companies, but depending on the area they can get quite expensive. For example in Zakhintos we needed to get from the port to our Airbnb and for a 30-minute ride we ended up paying 70 euros.
Alternative modes of transportation
Walking is also a great way to get around when visiting Greece. Especially on the islands, the towns are pretty small and it’s easy to get everywhere you need on foot. Athens is also a very walkable city and most days this is how we visited the city.
THINGS TO DO
Explore Ancient Athens
We spent our first 10 days in Athens and while the nightlife was great, the best part was seeing the Acropolis and walking through the streets of this ancient city.
Here is everything you need to know about Athens.
Take a road trip on the mainland
While my own experience was limited to Athens and Sparta, the Greek mainland is filled with destinations that offer beautiful sights and a look into the country’s history and culture.
Delphi and its famous Temple of Apollo and archeological site; Meteora, famous for its monasteries; Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic games; and much more.
Go island hopping
Greece’s many islands offer some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and a great insight into Greek culture. It doesn’t seem fair to choose only one to visit. Luckily you don’t have to! Pick an area you’re interested in and move from one island to the next with the many ferries available. This is how we did it.
Attend Greek Orthodox Easter
Although I wasn’t able to attend it myself, my sister did. According to her, and many others who had the opportunity to experience it, it’s a celebration you can’t miss.
It’s an entire week of vibrant celebrations and delicious food.
Enjoy Greek Food and Drinks
In Greece, the culinary heritage is an essential part of the culture. Every region has its specialty, and you’ll never get bored of this rich and diverse cuisine!
FOOD TO TRY
On that note, this is some of the best food to try, my personal favorites.
Souvlaki or Gyro
Grilled meat, typically served with onion, tomatoes, and tzatziki, all wrapped in warm pita bread. The best meal for a day of sightseeing or after a night out.
Tzatziki
Since we just mentioned it, tzatziki is a creamy yogurt-based sauce with garlic, cucumber, and dill. It is often served as a dipping sauce or a condiment.
Moussaka
A baked dish made of layers of eggplant, potatoes, minced meat, and bechamel sauce. The perfect comfort food.
Greek salad
Probably one of the most famous salads across the world, a Greek salad consists of tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, and crumbled feta, dressed in olive oil.
Dolmades
Grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs, served with yogurt for dipping.
Now for the drinks…
Greek Coffee
In Greece, you won’t be disappointed by the choice of coffee. Whether it’s a small, hot coffee or a freddo espresso, you’ll notice the strong aroma and rich flavor. Another popular option is frappe, a variation made with instant coffee, sugar, and ice, perfect for hot summer days.
Ouzo
A popular Greek anise-flavored liquor. Ouzo can be an aperitif, served with a small snack like chips or something you sip on during meals, especially fish.
Greek wines
Greece is also known for a variety of different wines, that offer different flavors depending on the area you’re in.