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My Greece Travel Guide

Updated: October 1, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com

Santorini, Greece.

The village of Fira overlooking the caldera in spectacular Santorini.

My Greece Travel Guide

Greece is my favorite country in Europe. For beaches, I love Naxos, Mykonos, and Paros. For history, start with Athens, Crete, and Delphi. My favorite scenery is in Santorini, Milos, and Meteora. The Greek islands are excellent for island hopping, but don’t overlook mainland Greece.

Santorini Dave in Greece.

Travel Guides

Where to Stay in Greece

Me at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, Greece.

Me at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.

What to Do in Greece

Where to Eat & Drink in Greece

Greek island in Greece.

Island hopping by ferry is a great way to get between the Greek Islands.

Where to Go in Greece

The Best Beaches in Greece

Best beach resort in Greece.

The Calilo Hotel in Ios is one of our favorite beach resorts in Greece.

When to Go to Greece

My wife and I at a hotel in Athens, Greece.

My wife and I at the Grande Bretagne hotel in Athens.

The Best Hotels in Greece

Mykonos in the Greek Islands.

Mykonos Town harbor in Mykonos, Greece.

Getting To & Around Greece

My Top Tips for Greece

Me in Greece.

1. Visit the Acropolis early.
Book your Acropolis ticket in advance and take an early entry time if you can. I like 8:00 AM. You’ll avoid much of the heat and the biggest tour groups. The old multi-site combined ticket was discontinued in 2025, so archaeological sites are now ticketed separately.

2. Don’t ignore mainland Greece.
Athens deserves at least two nights on most first trips. If you have more time, Meteora, Delphi, and the Peloponnese are well worth adding.

3. Eat family-style.
Some of my favorite Greek meals are a table full of dishes shared by everyone: Greek salad, fava, tzatziki, saganaki, grilled vegetables, octopus, fish, and meat. A traditional horiatiki salad has tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, peppers, feta, and no lettuce.

4. Don’t flush toilet paper when signs tell you not to.
In many Greek hotels and restaurants, toilet paper goes in the small bin beside the toilet. Follow the instructions posted in the bathroom.

5. September is my favorite month.
Late May, June, and September are my favorite periods for the islands. September gets the edge because the sea is warmer after a full summer of sunshine. July and August have the hottest weather, biggest crowds, and highest prices.

Frequently Asked Questions about Greece

See Also: Greece: Itinerary for First-Timers

Where is Greece?

Greece is in southeastern Europe at the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. It is surrounded by the Aegean and Ionian Seas and shares land borders with Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

Location of Greece.

What language is spoken in Greece?

Greek is the official language. English is widely spoken in Athens and the main tourist destinations. I rarely have trouble communicating in hotels, restaurants, shops, or ferry offices.

What are the best things to do in Greece?

My favorites:

What is the best time to visit Greece?

For the islands, my favorite months are June and September. The weather is hot, almost everything is open, and crowds are generally easier than in July and August. September has warmer sea temperatures and is my personal favorite.

July and August have the hottest weather, most nightlife, highest hotel prices, and biggest crowds. The Meltemi wind can also make the Cyclades very windy.

April, May, and October are excellent for Athens, sightseeing, and hiking. Beach weather is less reliable, especially at the edges of the season.

Winter is better for Athens and mainland sightseeing than for island hopping. For a winter trip, choose places with substantial year-round populations.

How many days do I need for Greece?

For a first trip, 10 to 14 days is ideal. It gives you enough time for Athens and two or three islands without spending the whole trip changing hotels.

  • 5 to 6 days: Two destinations. Athens + Santorini works well.
  • 7 to 10 days: Athens + two islands. Athens + Naxos + Santorini is one of my favorite first trips.
  • 11 to 15 days: Athens + three islands, or combine the islands with Delphi, Meteora, or the Peloponnese.

I generally stay at least 3 nights per island. Two nights gives you only one full day and is rarely enough for Naxos, Paros, Rhodes, or Crete.

Flight to Greek Islands from Athens.

Boarding a Sky Express flight from Athens to the Greek islands.

Which Greek islands are best for first-timers?

For a first island-hopping trip, the Cyclades are the easiest place to start.

  • Santorini: Best for scenery, romantic hotels, wine, and restaurants. Stay 3 or 4 nights. The beaches are interesting but nowhere near as good as Naxos or Mykonos.
  • Naxos: My favorite all-around choice. Excellent sandy beaches, great local food, traditional villages, and good value. Especially good for families.
  • Paros: Naoussa has excellent restaurants, bars, and shopping, while the island still has plenty of good beaches and quieter villages.
  • Mykonos: Best for nightlife, beach clubs, luxury hotels, shopping, and sandy beaches. It’s also one of the most expensive islands in Greece.

For a 10-day first trip, I like Athens + Naxos or Paros + Santorini. Substitute Mykonos for Naxos or Paros if nightlife is a priority.

Acropolis Museum in Athens.

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.

Should I visit Santorini or Mykonos?

Choose Santorini for caldera views, romantic hotels, wineries, hiking, and sightseeing. Choose Mykonos for sandy beaches, nightlife, beach clubs, shopping, and luxury hotels.

For most first-time visitors, I prefer Santorini. If beaches and nightlife are the priority, choose Mykonos.

What are the best Greek Islands?

Should I visit Athens? And for how long?

Yes. Skipping Athens on a first trip is a mistake. For most travelers, 2 or 3 nights is about right.

With two full days you can see the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, Syntagma, Plaka, and the National Archaeological Museum without rushing. In July and August, start sightseeing early. Athens gets very hot and doesn’t get the cooling winds that make many islands more comfortable.

Hotel in Oia, Santorini, Greece.

Santorini is famous for its fantastic luxury hotels and caldera views.

Can I visit Greece in the winter?

Yes, but I would plan a city, food, history, or road-trip vacation rather than a beach trip.

Athens is excellent in winter. Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, and Syros have large permanent populations and remain active. The mainland is also good for trips to Nafplio, Delphi, and Meteora.

Small and beach-focused islands are much quieter. Many seasonal hotels and restaurants close and ferry service is reduced. Santorini remains visitable year-round, especially Fira, but it is very quiet compared with summer.

Me and my two kids in Santorini, Greece.

My two sons and I on a boat tour in the Santorini caldera.

Is Greece good for families with kids?

Yes. Kids are welcome almost everywhere, including tavernas late into the evening.

My favorite island for families is Naxos. St. George Beach is shallow and close to Naxos Town, while Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka have long sandy beaches. It’s an easy family beach vacation without needing a car every day.

Crete is better for families who want archaeological sites, road trips, and full-service resorts. Distances are much greater, so a car is more useful.

Ferry travel in Greece.

Passengers boarding a ferry in Mykonos. Traveling between the Greek Islands by ferry is easy, fun, and a highlight of a trip to Greece.

Where should we go for a honeymoon?

Santorini is still my first choice, especially for a first trip to Greece. Stay in Imerovigli for fantastic caldera views with less foot traffic than Oia.

For the second island:

  • Milos: Boat tours, beaches, and exploring by car.
  • Folegandros: Quiet, beautiful Chora, and a slower pace.
  • Paros: Beaches plus good restaurants and nightlife.
  • Mykonos: Luxury hotels, beach clubs, dining, and nightlife.

For one week, 3 nights Santorini + 4 nights Milos, Folegandros, or Paros works very well.

Map of the top destinations on Mainland Greece.

Should I fly or take the ferry to the islands?

For nearby islands, take the ferry. For long distances, compare flights.

A ferry is usually the easiest way to travel between Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, and Paros. Large conventional ferries are slower but generally more comfortable in rough weather. High-speed ferries save time but can be bumpier.

Flying makes more sense for long routes such as Athens to Crete or Rhodes, for travelers prone to seasickness, or when moving between distant island groups.

From Athens, flying can also save valuable time on a short trip. But don’t compare a 45-minute flight with a five-hour ferry without including airport transfers, check-in, and security.

If possible, also check a multi-city international ticket: fly into Athens and home from Santorini, Mykonos, or Crete rather than automatically returning to Athens.

Santorini Dave on ferry in Greece.

How does Greek island hopping work?

The most important rule is simple: nearby islands are usually easy to combine; distant island groups often are not.

The Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Milos) have many useful seasonal connections. The Ionian Islands (Corfu, Zakynthos), Dodecanese (Rhodes, Kos), Sporades (Skiathos, Skopelos), and Saronic Islands (Hydra, Aegina) have their own networks.

Don’t assume that two famous islands have a direct ferry just because both are in Greece. Corfu and Santorini, for example, are on opposite sides of the country and are much easier to combine by air than by ferry.

For a first island-hopping trip, I recommend staying within one island group. Check the actual ferry schedule for your travel date before finalizing the itinerary.

Kid-friendly beach in Greece.

With its pink sand and calm turquoise water, Elafonisi Beach in southwest Crete is my all-time favorite Greek beach.

Do I need to book ferries in advance?

I recommend booking once your hotels and itinerary are set, especially for July and August.

High-speed ferries have reserved seating and popular routes can sell out. Cabins and vehicle spaces on conventional ferries can also sell out well before ordinary economy tickets.

I use Ferryhopper for schedules and tickets.

Dining and nightlife in Paros, Greece.

Paros is an idyllic mix of Naxos (slow pace, traditional, great beaches) and Mykonos (trendy, luxurious, lots of nightlife).

How far in advance should I book hotels?

For Santorini and Mykonos in summer, I book as early as possible if I care about the exact hotel, room, or view. The best caldera suites, private-pool rooms, and small boutique hotels can sell out many months ahead.

For Naxos, Paros, and Milos, I would also book early for July and August, particularly for family rooms and beachfront hotels. Greek hotels are often small, so a property might have only one or two rooms that sleep four people.

If your plans are not firm, a refundable rate can be worth paying for. Check the actual cancellation terms before booking rather than assuming every hotel has the same policy.

Ammoudi Bay below Oia in Santorini.

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.

Is Greece expensive?

Greece is not the bargain it once was, and prices vary enormously by destination. Santorini and Mykonos can be very expensive. Naxos, Crete, the mainland, and many smaller islands generally offer better value.

A simple room, bakery breakfast, gyros lunch, taverna dinner, and buses can keep costs fairly low. A caldera suite, high-speed ferries, taxis, organized tours, beach clubs, and sunset cocktails can push the daily cost up quickly.

Ferries are one expense first-time visitors often underestimate. For a family, several high-speed ferry trips can add hundreds of euros to the vacation. Price the transportation before committing to a complicated island-hopping itinerary.

Santorini, Greece.

The spectacular walking path along the Santorini caldera.

Do I need a visa for Greece?

Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, and Australia generally do not need a visa for short tourist visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period in the Schengen Area.

Your passport generally needs to be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen Area and must meet Schengen passport-issuance requirements. I would renew well ahead of a trip if the passport is close to expiring rather than risk problems at check-in or the border.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational. It digitally records eligible non-EU travelers entering and leaving the Schengen Area and uses passport and biometric information.

ETIAS is not yet operating as of October 1, 2026. Travelers cannot currently apply. When ETIAS launches, it will apply to many visa-exempt travelers, but check the official requirements again shortly before your trip because the start date is still subject to the EU’s rollout schedule.

Map showing the ferry ports of the Cyclades islands.

Do I need to rent a car in Greece?

It depends on where you’re going.

  • Santorini: Usually no. Buses cover the main towns and beaches, while taxis and transfers are easier for the port, airport, wineries, and dinners. I would rent a car if staying in a quieter part of the island or if you want a full day of independent exploring.
  • Mykonos: Usually no if you’re staying in Mykonos Town or near a well-connected beach. Buses, walking, water taxis, taxis, and transfers cover most typical trips.
  • Crete: Yes. A car makes a huge difference outside the main cities and resorts.
  • Naxos: Yes if you want to explore the mountain villages and interior. You can do Naxos Town and the main west-coast beaches without one.
  • Milos: I prefer having a car. The beaches and villages are spread around the island.
  • Paros: Not essential, but useful. The bus system is good, while a car makes smaller beaches and villages much easier.

Automatics are less common than manuals, so reserve early in summer if you need one. I usually rent a separate car on each island rather than taking a rental car on the ferry.

Should I rent an ATV in Greece?

I wouldn’t. I prefer a small rental car.

ATVs leave you exposed on narrow island roads shared with buses, trucks, cars, and scooters. They are also hot, dusty, uncomfortable for longer drives, and give you nowhere secure to leave luggage or beach gear.

A small car is a much better way to explore Naxos, Milos, Paros, or Crete. On Santorini and Mykonos, you might not need a vehicle at all. If you’re not comfortable driving a car on Greek island roads, an ATV is not the easier solution.

Taxi queue at Athens International Airport.

The taxi queue at Athens Airport. There are usually plenty of taxis, though the line can be long at busy times.

How do I get from Athens Airport to central Athens?

The Metro, X95 bus, and taxi are all easy.

  • Metro Line 3: €9 one-way. About 40 minutes to Syntagma or Monastiraki. My choice for one or two people traveling during operating hours with manageable luggage.
  • X95 Airport Bus: €5.50 to Syntagma. Runs 24 hours. Cheapest option, but traffic can make the trip slow.
  • Taxi: The current fixed fare between Athens Airport and the central Athens inner ring is €50 from 5:00 AM to midnight and €65 from midnight to 5:00 AM. Taxis leave from the official rank outside Arrivals.
  • Welcome Pickups: More expensive than public transport, but convenient if you want a driver waiting inside Arrivals. I like it for families, lots of luggage, and late arrivals.

Can I drink the tap water in Greece?

In Athens and much of mainland Greece, yes.

On the islands, it varies. Some islands and towns have perfectly drinkable municipal water, while in other places the water is desalinated or has a mineral or salty taste and most visitors use bottled water. Ask your hotel if you’re unsure. Don’t treat every Greek island as having the same water supply.

Do I need cash in Greece?

Cards are accepted very widely, and contactless payment is normal. I still carry some euros for tips, small purchases, occasional cash-only situations, and places where the card terminal or internet connection is down.

Visa and Mastercard are the safest cards to carry. American Express is less consistently accepted at small businesses.

When a card terminal or ATM asks whether you want to be charged in euros or your home currency, choose euros.

Beach in Greece.

Naxos is one of my very favorite islands in Greece. Relaxed vibe, wonderful local food, and great beaches.

What are the Meltemi winds?

The Meltemi is the strong northerly summer wind that affects the Aegean, especially the Cyclades. It is most common in July and August.

The wind helps with the summer heat but can make high-speed ferry rides rough and exposed beaches unpleasant. Large conventional ferries are generally more comfortable when the sea is rough.

Beach orientation matters. On Mykonos, the south-coast beaches are generally more protected than Ftelia and other exposed northern beaches. On Naxos, Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka are usually better bets than the north coast during strong northerly winds. Conditions change, so check the forecast rather than planning solely by the map.

I use Windy.com to check wind conditions the night before.

Is Greece safe for tourists?

Yes, Greece is generally very safe for tourists.

In Athens, pickpocketing is the main nuisance. Be especially alert on crowded Metro trains, around Monastiraki, and when traveling with luggage. Keep your phone and wallet in a secure zipped pocket or crossbody bag.

On the islands, I worry more about driving, heat, hiking without enough water, and rough sea conditions than crime.

For emergencies, call 112. The Tourist Police assistance line is 1571.

What electrical adapter do I need?

Greece uses 230V, 50Hz electricity with Type C and Type F plugs.

Most modern phones, laptops, tablets, and camera chargers accept 100–240V and only need a plug adapter. Check the label on the charger before plugging it in.

US and Canadian hair dryers, curling irons, and other high-wattage heating appliances can be a problem if they are not designed for 230V. I would leave them home unless they are explicitly dual voltage.

What is the best luggage for Greece?

I prefer a travel backpack, but a light rolling suitcase is perfectly fine.

The issue is stairs and rough pavement. Santorini caldera hotels can have lots of steps, and old towns such as Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos have uneven lanes. Whatever you bring, make sure you can lift it yourself.

On ferries, large luggage is usually stored in designated racks or luggage areas. Keep your passport, wallet, medication, electronics, and other valuables with you in a small daypack and follow crew instructions about where to leave larger bags.

Packing light is worth it. Laundry services are easy to find in the main tourist destinations.

Me with my travel backpack on the Greek islands.

Getting off the ferry in Paros with my backpack. I find a backpack much easier for ferry travel.

A Brief History of Greece

You don’t need to study Greek history before visiting, but knowing the basic timeline makes places like Athens, Delphi, Crete, and Meteora much more interesting.

Bronze Age: Minoans and Mycenaeans
The Minoan civilization flourished on Crete, while the Mycenaeans built fortified centers on the Greek mainland. The best places to see this period are Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum on Crete and Mycenae in the Peloponnese.

Classical Greece
Athens, Sparta, and other city-states dominated this period. This is the era of the Persian Wars, Athenian democracy, Socrates, Sophocles, and the Parthenon. The essential sites are the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Delphi, and Epidaurus.

Nafplio, Greece.

The romantic harbor town of Nafplio is located in the Peloponnese peninsula, about two hours by car or bus west of Athens.

Hellenistic and Roman Greece
Macedon rose under Philip II and Alexander the Great, spreading Greek language and culture across a huge area. Greece later came under Roman rule. Athens and Rhodes both have excellent remains from these periods.

Byzantine Greece
For centuries Greece was part of the Eastern Roman, or Byzantine, Empire. Orthodox Christianity became central to Greek culture. Mystras and Meteora are two of the best places to see Byzantine Greece.

Ottoman and Venetian Greece
Different parts of modern Greece came under Ottoman, Venetian, and other rulers at different times. Chania, Rhodes, Nafplio, Corfu, and many other towns still show these layers clearly.

Modern Greece
The Greek War of Independence began in 1821, and the modern Greek state emerged in the following decade. Athens became the capital in 1834. The 20th century brought war, occupation, civil war, the 1967–1974 military dictatorship, and the restoration of democracy. Greece joined the European Community, now the European Union, in 1981.

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave in Athens, Greece Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece.

Questions? Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.