—————————————————————————————-

welcome to

GREECE

more than islands, history and architecture

—————————————————————————————-

Whitewashed houses peppered with domes of turquoise blue……isn’t how all of Greece looks like, but the image is synonymous to Greece, thanks to more than 2000 islands and more than 250 days of sunshine in a year.

The birthplace of democracy, ancient civilizations and the Olympic games made Greece of the most powerful nations in ancient times. Remnants of those days can still be found at Olympia and Athens.

While people do visit Greece for its history and architecture, the islands still take center stage, with Santorini and Mykonos being the top picks. The fresh produce and culture here, helps make Greece a complete package.

If you’ve got Greece on your mind, here’s some quick Greece tips to help you get your travel planning started for the perfect Greece vacation.

Know before you go

HOW TO GET TO GREECE

BY AIR – Greece (including the islands) are well connected to most parts of Europe by flight. Some flights are seasonal and operate only during fixed months. The cities that are well connected by air are Athens, Rhodes, Heraklion and Thessaloniki.

BY RAIL – Rail isn’t the preferred medium to get to Greece. However, details for routes can be found here. Some countries that are connected are Macedonia and Bulgaria.

BY ROAD – There’s sparse connectivity to get to Greece by road and varies by country. Use this site to check possible options.

BY CRUISE – Seeing Greece by cruise is another option and will help you see more if you’ve got limited time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT GREECE

If you’re wondering when to visit Greece, the shoulder seasons of May to June and September to October are the best, as prices are low, weather is pleasant and there’s lesser crowds.

Since the country receives many days of sunshine, you can still visit it in winter. It won’t be as chilly as the rest of Europe and it’ll be even cheaper and almost vacant.

Where to go in Greece

SANTORINI

Santorini still remains the top destination for a romantic getaway in Greece.

While there’s the usual things to do in Santorini, there’s also offbeat spots like Emborio that are worth a visit.

MYKONOS

Mykonos is a good choice for couples and party lovers. It has plenty of clubs which stay open till late making it ideal to relax and have fun.

‘Little Venice’ and Chora windmills here are definitely a must-visit

METEORA

Historic monasteries sat atop high rock formations makes this place unreal with a good dose of history and culture.

It is also a good spot if you’d like to get some hiking and walking done.

ATHENS

Athens, the capital of Greece is perfect for a weekend getaway and has the right mix of history, culture and even works as a romantic location. It’s got numerous museums and ancient archaeological sites making it unmissable if you’re a history buff.

RHODES

An island that’s famous for its beach resorts but also has a good dose of history, pick Rhodes if you’d also like an action-packed holiday full of activities.

IONIAN ISLANDS

The islands of Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos in the Ionian sea are amazing for an island hop and also for it’s marine life, hiking and diving opportunities and architecture.

Complete all-info itineraries

Insider Guides to help you plan

Tried and tested itineraries, things to do and foodie recommendations. Here’s all you need to plan your trip to Greece.

Where to stay in Greece

I’ve stayed at numerous guest houses, resorts and hotels in Greece and my favorites have been Cocoon Suites in Oia – Santorini and Mykonos View in Mykonos. There’s options to suit every taste so take your pick!

Once you’re in Greece

HOW TO GET AROUND IN GREECE

On the islands the best means of getting around is by hiring a rental car, motorbike, bicycle or even a quad bike. If you plan on using public transport, buses are the best means of getting around.

While on mainland

BY RAIL – Rail connectivity isn’t great in Greece and people opt for buses over trains. However, details for routes can be found here. Tickets can be purchased directly at train stations.

BY ROAD – Ktel runs a bus network in Greece and bus transport is most popular and all routes and details can be found here

BY FERRY – Ferry is a popular option and is the preferred method of connectivity between the islands. You can check this site for routes, to make bookings in advance (recommended) and print tickets to keep handy.

WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK IN GREECE

Fresh produce is available in plenty in Greece and salads and Feta cheese made from sheep’s milk (or a mix of sheep and goat’s milk) are food items commonly found in Greece.

The food has Mediterranean influence however is unique. Eating is part of the culture and helps get insights into the lives of the locals.

Dolmades, Souvlaki, Moussaka and Gyros are some of the most popular items to try but a quick list can be found here.

I’d highly recommend opting for a food tour to try the best local fare at some of the best restaurants in town.

Greek coffee (with less roasted beans), Frappe (frothy iced coffee drink), Ouzo (dry anise-flavoured aperitif) and wines are drinks you should try when in Greece. I personally liked the wines from Santo wines a lot!

Things to do in Greece

Here’s some of my favorite experiences to indulge in, while in Greece.

My favorite things to do in Santorini have been taking a sunset catamaran cruise in Santorini and a wine tasting with a sommelier.

In Athens, I loved the food tour I took as also the traditional cooking class.

Some other unmissable things to do are taking a hike around Skopelos, the island where Mamma Mia was filmed.

If you’re short on time, take an island hopping tour from Athens, which includes lunch, to the islands of Hydra, Poros, and Aegina.

FAQ’s

• LANGUAGE – Greek

• CAPITAL – Athens

• CURRENCY – Euro

• MOBILE NETWORK – Issues on some parts of islands. Part of the Euro network zone with free roaming

• VISA – Schengen visa required for Indians

• DRIVING LICENSE – Can hire vehicles on most licences including an Indian one

Greece travel essentials

Some of the links on this post are affiliate links. These do not cost you extra to use, but will help provide Continent Hop with a small commission if/when you purchase through them, to recover some of the costs of running this website and providing free content to help you plan your travel. I appreciate your support!