Where to stay:
• Athens • Crete • Milos • Mykonos • Naxos • Paros • Santorini
Greece is my favorite country in Europe. It’s loaded with great beaches (Naxos, Mykonos, and Paros have the best sand and swimming), iconic historical sites (Athens, Crete, and Delphi top the list), fantastic hotels, and stunning natural beauty (Santorini, Milos, and the Meteora are my favs). The magical Greek islands are perfectly scattered for island hopping and adventure, while mainland Greece is packed with ancient cities and less-visited regions that will surprise and reward the unhurried traveler.
My Top Tips for Greece
1. Always Choose Euros (The “ATM Trap”)
This is the single most profitable tip I can give you. When using your credit card in shops or withdrawing cash from an ATM, the machine will often ask if you want to be charged in Euros (EUR) or your home currency (USD, GBP, AUD, etc.). Always choose Euros. If you choose your home currency, the machine applies a terrible exchange rate (Dynamic Currency Conversion) with hidden fees. Choosing the local currency (EUR) forces your bank to do the conversion, which is always the cheaper rate.2. Don’t Island Hop Too Fast (The “3-Night Rule”)
A common mistake is trying to see too many islands. You lose half a day every time you switch islands (packing, checking out, ferry, checking in). I recommend a minimum of 3 nights per island. Two nights gives you only one full day, which isn’t enough to settle in or explore big islands like Naxos or Paros. If you have 7 days, pick two destinations max (e.g., Athens and Santorini).3. Fly “Open-Jaw” to Save Time
Do not book a round-trip ticket to Athens. Instead, book a “Multi-City” ticket: Fly into Athens and out of an island (like Santorini, Mykonos, or Crete). This saves you an entire day of travel by eliminating the need to backtrack to Athens for your flight home. It is often the same price as a round-trip ticket.4. Book Ferries and Hotels in the Right Order
Book your hotels first. The best hotels (especially in Oia or Mykonos Town) sell out 6 to 9 months in advance. Ferries rarely sell out until a few days before travel (except for Easter and mid-August). Secure your room, then book your ferry tickets later.5. Pick the Right Ferry for You
There are two types of ferries. High-Speed catamarans (like SeaJets) are fast but expensive and can be very bumpy in windy weather (seasickness is a risk). Conventional ferries (like Blue Star) are slower, cheaper, stable, and have open decks for sightseeing. If you are prone to motion sickness, always take the Blue Star or fly.6. Choose Islands That Fit Your Style Greece is not one-size-fits-all.
• Santorini: For romance, views, and luxury (but expect crowds).
• Mykonos: For nightlife, beach clubs, and high-end shopping.
• Naxos/Paros: The best all-rounders. Great beaches, cute towns, and fewer crowds.
• Crete: For history, food, and hiking. It requires at least a week on its own.
• Milos: For the most unique, dramatic beaches.7. Rent a Car, Not an ATV
Many tourists rent ATVs (quads) to get around. I strongly advise against this. They are notoriously unstable on paved roads and are the #1 cause of tourist injuries in Greece. For safety and comfort (A/C), rent a small car. If you don’t drive, the bus systems on Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos are excellent.8. The “Acropolis Strategy”
In summer, the Acropolis gets incredibly hot and crowded by 10:00 AM. Get to the entrance gate at 7:45 AM (15 minutes before opening) to beat the cruise ship crowds and the heat. Pre-purchase your ticket online to skip the ticket line.9. Plan Around the “Meltemi” Winds
In July and August, strong northern winds (Meltemi) are common. They are great for cooling down the heat, but they make the sea choppy. If you are visiting in these months, consider beaches on the south coast of the islands, which are protected from the wind.10. Mainland Greece is Underrated
Don’t just stick to the islands. Some of the best sites are on the mainland. Athens is essential for 2 nights. Meteora (monasteries on rock pillars) and Delphi are world-class sights that offer a totally different experience from the beach.11. Order “Meze” Style
Greek food is meant to be shared. Instead of everyone ordering their own main dish, order a table full of appetizers (meze)—tzatziki, fava, tomato balls, octopus, Greek salad – and share everything. It’s more fun, authentic, and lets you try more flavors.12. Respect the Plumbing It sounds strange, but on most Greek islands (and even in parts of Athens), you cannot flush toilet paper. The pipes are too narrow. There will be a small bin next to the toilet for paper. It is a quirky rule, but respecting it saves you (and your hotel) a plumbing disaster.
13. Shoulder Season is the Sweet Spot
If you can, visit in late May/early June or late September/early October. The weather is fantastic, the sea is swimmable (warmer in Sept than May), and you avoid the crushing crowds of August. Prices for hotels can be 30% lower than peak season.14. Mix Iconic with Quiet
If you visit a busy superstar island like Santorini, pair it with a quieter neighbor. Combine Santorini with Folegandros or Sifnos. The contrast between the hustle of the caldera and the slow pace of a traditional village creates the perfect trip.15. Learn a Few Key Phrases
Almost everyone in tourism speaks English, but locals love it when you try. Here are the essentials that will get you the biggest smiles.
- “Ef-char-isto” (Thank you). The single most important word. Use it constantly.
- “Yassas” (Hello / Goodbye). This is the formal/plural version. It is polite to say to shopkeepers, waiters, and hotel staff when entering or leaving. (“Yassou” is for friends/kids).
- “Parakalo” (Please / You’re welcome). A magic word. You use it to ask for something (“The menu, parakalo”) AND to respond when someone says thank you.
- “Kalimera” (Good Morning). Say this until 12:00 PM. It is a mandatory, cheerful greeting when you walk into breakfast or pass someone on the street.
- “Kalispera” (Good Evening). Switch to this after sunset.
- “Yamas” (Cheers). Short for “Stin Ygeia Mas” (To our health). Essential for every toast.
- The “Yes/No” Trap: This trips up everyone.
- “Ne” (pronounced “neh”) means YES. (It sounds like “No” or “Nah” to English ears).
- “Oxi” (pronounced “oh-hee”) means NO. (It might make you think “Okay”).
Greece Travel Guide
- Skip to our Greece FAQ
Travel Guides
My two sons and I on a boat tour in the Santorini caldera.
Where to Stay in Greece
- Aegina – Best Areas
- Andros – Best Areas
- Athens – Best Areas
- Chios – Best Areas
- Crete – Best Areas
- Delphi – Best Areas
- Folegandros – Best Areas
- Hydra – Best Areas
- Meteora – Best Areas
- Milos – Best Areas
- Monemvasia – Best Areas
- Mykonos – Best Areas
- Nafplio – Best Areas
- Naxos – Best Areas
- Paros – Best Areas
- Poros – Best Areas
- Rhodes – Best Areas
- Santorini – Best Areas
- Spetses – Best Areas
- Syros – Best Areas
- Tinos – Best Areas
Me at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
What to Do in Greece
- Athens – Things to Do
- Crete – Things to Do
- Delphi – Things to Do
- Meteora – Things to Do
- Monemvasia – Things to Do
- Mykonos – Things to Do
- Nafplio – Things to Do
- Naxos – Things to Do
- Paros – Things to Do
- Santorini – Things to Do
Where to Eat & Drink in Greece
Island hopping by ferry is a great way to get between the Greek Islands.
Where to Go in Greece
- Best Greek Islands
- Greece with Kids
- Mainland Greece – Where to Go
- Peloponnese – Where to Go
- Halkidiki – Where to Go
- Where to Go in Greece
The Best Beaches in Greece
The Calilo Hotel in Ios is one of our favorite new beach resorts in Greece.
When to Go to Greece
- Best Time to Visit Greece & Greek Islands
- Athens – Best Time to Visit
- Crete – Best Time to Visit
- Mykonos – Best Time to Visit
- Naxos – Best Time to Visit
- Santorini – Best Time to Visit
Greece Travel Videos
- Athens Travel Videos
- Mykonos Travel Videos
- Naxos Travel Videos
- Paros Travel Videos
- Santorini Travel Videos
My wife and I at the Grande Bretagne hotel in Athens.
The Best Hotels in Greece
- Mykonos – Best Hotels
- Mykonos – Family Hotels
- Mykonos – Budget Hotels
- Mykonos – Beach Hotels
- Mykonos – Honeymoon Hotels
Mykonos Town harbor in Mykonos, Greece.
Getting To & Around Greece
- Greece Rental Cars
- Flights to Greece
- Greek Ferry Guide
- Greek Island Hopping
- Maps of Greece
- Athens to Santorini – Fly or Ferry
- Mykonos to Santorini – Fly or Ferry
- Athens to Mykonos – Fly or Ferry
- Athens – Getting Around Athens
- Athens – Airport Car Rental
- Athens – Ferry Port Guide
- Athens – Maps for Travelers
- Athens to Delphi & Meteora
- Athens to Mykonos Ferries
- Athens to Santorini Ferries
- Athens to Crete Ferries
- Athens to Milos Ferries
- Athens to Mykonos Ferries
- Athens to Naxos Ferries
- Athens to Paros Ferries
- Athens to Santorini Ferries
- Crete – Heraklion Ferry Port Guide
- Crete – Heraklion Airport Car Rental
- Crete – Maps for Travelers
- Crete to Santorini Ferries
- Crete to Athens Ferries
- Crete to Santorini Ferries
- Mykonos – Ferry Port Guide
- Mykonos – Car Rental
- Mykonos – Water Taxi
- Mykonos – Maps for Travelers
- Mykonos to Athens Ferries
- Mykonos to Santorini Ferries
- Mykonos-Santorini Helicopter
- Naxos – Maps for Travelers
- Naxos to Athens Ferries
- Naxos from Athens Ferries
- Naxos to Santorini Ferries
- Naxos from Santorini Ferries
- Paros – Getting Around by Bus
- Paros – Maps for Travelers
- Paros to Athens Ferries
- Paros from Athens Ferries
- Paros to Santorini Ferries
- Paros from Santorini Ferries
- Santorini – How to Get There
- Santorini – Ferry Port Guide
- Santorini – Airport Guide
- Santorini – Car Rental
- Santorini – Maps for Travelers
- Santorini to Athens Ferries
- Santorini to Crete Ferries
- Santorini to Milos Ferries
- Santorini to Mykonos Ferries
- Santorini-Mykonos Helicopter
- Santorini to Naxos Ferries
- Santorini to Paros Ferries
Frequently Asked Questions about Greece
See Also: Greece: Itinerary for First-Timers
Where is Greece?
Greece is located in southeastern Europe, at the southernmost tip of the Balkan Peninsula. Greece has a land area of over 50,000 square miles and comprises a large mainland peninsula between the Ionian and Aegean seas, surrounded by an archipelago of about 6,000 islands and islets. Sharing its northern land borders with Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey, Greece is positioned at a historically rich crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
What is the population of Greece?
The population of Greece was estimated by the United Nations to be 10,400,720 in 2024. The country’s population grew from 5,000,000 in 1920 to a peak of nearly 11,000,000 in 2010. The five largest cities in Greece are Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Larissa, and Heraklion. The vast majority of Greeks live in Mainland Greece. Approximately 1.2 million people live in the Peloponnese and 1.3 million on the Greek islands.
How many islands are in Greece?
Greece has between 1,200 and 6,000 islands depending on the measure used to establish an island vs an islet. The number of inhabited islands is variously cited as between 166 and 227. The ten largest Greek islands by land area are Crete, Euboea, Lesbos, Rhodes, Chios, Kefalonia, Corfu, Lemnos, Samos, and Naxos. The ten largest Greek islands by population are Crete, Euboea, Rhodes, Lesbos, Corfu, Chios, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Kos, and Samos. The Peloponnese has technically been an island since the completion of the Corinth Canal in 1893 but is generally not considered to be an island due to its artifical nature.
What language is spoken in Greece?
The official language of Greece is Greek, spoken by 99% of the population. The most common foreign languages learned by Greeks are English (48%), German (9%), French (8.5%), and Italian (8%). English is widely spoken in the largest cities and on the most popular Greek islands.
What are the best things to do in Greece?
The must-do destinations and attractions in Greece:
• Acropolis in Athens
• National Archaeological Museum in Athens
• Caldera hike in Santorini
• Boat tour in Santorini
• Wineries of Santorini
• Helicopter ride around Santorini
• Staying in a caldera hotel in Santorini
• Nightlife & beach clubs in Mykonos
• Beaches of Naxos
• The beaches and solitude of Antiparos
• Sarakiniko Beach on Milos
• Staying in Chania Old Town
• Staying in Rhodes Old Town
• Visiting Delphi
• Meteora Monasteries
• Staying in Nafplio
• Island Hopping by Greek ferry
Naxos is one of my very favorite islands in Greece. Relaxed vibe, wonderful local food, and great beaches.
How to get to Greece?
Most people will fly from a hub in western Europe (usually London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, Rome, or Venice) to Athens, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Kos, Rhodes, or Corfu. If you’re arriving from the east you could fly via Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Dubai, Mumbai, Delhi, or Singapore.
My top tip for choosing flights is to fly into and out of different airports so you don’t waste time and money backtracking to your arrival point. For example, fly from London to Athens, then ferry to Mykonos, ferry to Paros, ferry to Santorini, then fly Santorini to London (and don’t go back to Athens for your return flight). You may pay slightly more for 2 one-way tickets than a round-trip ticket, but it will be more than made up for by the savings for the extra ferry and hotel night.
How long is the flight to Greece?
Flying times to Athens, Greece. For direct flights to the Greek islands (when available) flight times can be up to 30 minutes longer or shorter.
• Rome to Athens: 1 hour, 50 minutes
• Barcelona to Athens: 2 hours, 50 minutes
• Paris to Athens: 3 hours, 10 minutes
• Amsterdam to Athens: 3 hours, 15 minutes
• London to Athens: 3 hours, 40 minutes
• Boston to Athens: 9 hours, 15 minutes
• New York to Athens: 9 hours, 30 minutes
• Toronto to Athens: 9 hours, 30 minutes
• Chicago to Athens: 10 hours, 10 minutes
• Atlanta to Athens: 10 hours, 50 minutes
• Istanbul to Athens: 1 hour, 25 minutes
• Dubai to Athens: 5 hours, 10 minutes
• Delhi to Athens: 10 hours, 15 minutes
• Singapore to Athens: 11 hours, 30 minutes
Boarding a Sky Express flight from Athens to the Greek islands.
When is the Best Time to Travel to Greece?
To enjoy Greek beaches and hot weather, travel between June and September. For sightseeing, tours, hiking, and exploring the best months to go to Greece are late March to early June, and late September to and early November. Travel to the Greek Islands is not recommended between November and March; the weather will be gray, windy, and often rainy, and many most hotels and restaurants will be shuttered for the season. Athens is a good year-round destination; the weather is best in the spring and fall, but archaeological sites and museums are open throughout the winter, and there is the benefit of lower rates and thinner crowds in the off-season.
The Acropolis Museum in Athens. Though travel to the Greek Islands is best in the spring and summer, Athens can be a great destination at any time of year.
What are the Best Greek Islands?
All the Greek islands are wonderful. Really! I have never met someone that went to an island and said, “what a mistake, big disappointment.” It just doesn’t happen. (Though, admittedly, some might find Santorini and Mykonos too busy during high season.)
Perhaps a better question is what are the best Greek islands for a first time visitor to Greece? For that I would answer Santorini, Naxos, Paros, and Mykonos. Crete is also great for first-timers but it’s so big that it’s good to do on its own or perhaps along with Santorini – not much more or you’ll spread your time too thin.
Santorini is famous for its fantastic luxury hotels and caldera views.
How do you get between the Greek Islands?
Greek ferries are the primary mode of transport between the islands – especially for the islands in the Aegean (e.g. Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes). There are also some flights between the islands and (more commonly) flights via Athens between different islands but these are expensive and have inconsistent schedules. For most itineraries, using the ferry is best. I use Ferryhopper.com to book and purchase ferry tickets and it’s what I recommend for first-time visitors.
Passengers boarding a ferry in Mykonos. Traveling between the Greek Islands by ferry is easy, fun, and a highlight of a trip to Greece.
What are the best places to visit in Mainland Greece?
I love the Greek Islands, but there are so many great places to visit in mainland Greece that it’s worth making a trip to explore it all on its own. West and southwest of Athens is The Peloponnese, a vast peninsula peppered with romantic harbor towns, olive groves, and archaeological ruins. Northwest of Athens are the ancient ruins of Delphi and the incredible clifftop monasteries at Meteora. In Greece’s far north is the three-legged peninsula of Halkidiki, famous for its excellent beaches and mountain monastic republic.
The romantic harbor town of Nafplio is located in the Peloponnese peninsula, about two hours by car or bus west of Athens.
What are the Best Beaches in Greece?
My favorite islands for beaches are Naxos, Mykonos, Paros, Ios, Rhodes, and Crete. But there are many more with wonderful beaches and every island has great swimming even when the beaches don’t have the typical golden sand you’re expecting. Outside of the islands, the Halkidiki region of northern Greece also has excellent beaches running all up and down the coast of its three popular peninsulas.
With its pink sand and calm turquoise water, Elafonisi Beach in southwest Crete is my all-time favorite Greek beach.
What are the best places in Greece for kids?
The whole of Greece is incredibly kid-friendly. And with great beaches, interesting history, a laid-back vibe, and incredible (and kid-friendly) food, the Greek islands are an especially excellent choice for a family vacation. Greek island hopping adds a bit of adventure to a family trip and an opportunity to see several very distinct destinations – plus, riding the ferry is always fun. My favorite island for families is Naxos, but there are many others that are also kid-friendly and great for families: Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu are four more islands that have great beaches, cool towns, and a friendly atmosphere.
Paros is an idyllic mix of Naxos (slow pace, traditional, great beaches) and Mykonos (trendy, luxurious, lots of nightlife).
What currency is used in Greece?
Greece is part of the European Union, and the currency used is the Euro (€). Most major shops and restaurants across Greece accept credit cards, but there may be a minimum purchase required to use them. It is a good idea to have some cash on hand for bus trips and small purchases like bottled water and snacks. ATMs are plentiful in Athens and generally easy to find in most villages and beach towns across Greece.
Do you tip in Greece?
Tipping is not expected in Greek restaurants but is appreciated. Rather than a percentage of the bill, a restaurant tip in Greece can be a few Euros left on the table as a recognition of good service, or simply rounding up the tab to the nearest convenient amount. The more touristy (and expensive) a restaurant is, the more a tip is expected.
A seafood tavern in Ammoudi Bay below the village of Oia in Santorini. Most restaurants and stores in Greece accept credit cards, but it is a good idea to have some cash on hand for small purchases.
The spectacular walking path along the Santorini caldera.
About Santorini Dave