What you Need to Know if you are First-Time Traveling to Greece

Updated January 14th, 2022 by Travel the Greek Way

If you are thinking of traveling for the first time to Greece and you would like to know useful tips about traveling to Greece, then this post will give you all the answers!

It is always a matter of question where to go to Greece for the first time, what is the best time to travel to Greece, and the best sample itinerary for visiting Greece first time.

Find below information about where best to go in Greece, what to avoid, which behavior is not acceptable in Greece, and best practices about tipping or what to wear in a Greek Monastery.

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Greece Quick Reference

Where to stay in Athens: Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens (luxury),  Radisson Blu Park Hotel Athens (mid-range), Selina Athens Theatrou (budget)

Heading to the Greek Island from Athens? Book your ferry tickets in advance with no-hidden-fees FerryScanner or FerryHopper

The Plugs in Greece are Type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the frequency is 50Hz. If you are unsure whether your appliances will work in Greece, you better purchase a World Travel Adapter Kit

Fast Facts about Greece

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European Country, member of EU since 1981. Coin: Euro

Population: 10.724.599 million (2019)

Language: Greek (but everyone in tourism speaks good English and often French, Spanish, or German as well)

Religion: Eastern Orthodox Church

Geography: 80% of Greece is covered by mountains, 25% of the total land is covered by natural forests mostly firs, pines, planes, and beeches, has 21 major rivers, 50 natural lakes, about 6000 islands, and islets, 220 of which are inhabited.

Climate: Greece has 4 distinct seasons with hot and dry summers, mild springs and falls, and cold/wet/snowy winters especially in the northern mountainous areas. Athens, Peloponnese, and the southern islands have milder winters.

Greece has known ancient history of at least 5.200 years old. The Cycladic (3200-1600 BC), the Minoan (3000-1100 BC), and the Mycenaean  (1900-1100 BC) are some of the oldest European civilizations. Ancient Greek Civilizations, in general, have been the most influential for Europe, and the country is widely known as the ‘Cradle of the Western Civilization‘.

Is Greece/Athens Safe to Travel?

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Yes, Greece is one of the safest countries in the world to live and visit.

However, there is a petty theft issue, especially in large cities, like Athens and Thessaloniki, just like every other large city in the world.

There is no need to be under extreme stress, just keep your backpack in front of you instead of your back and keep your belongings with you at all times when you use public transport

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Some tips that you may find helpful:

• Keep your bags close to you at all times, don’t let anyone “help” you with your things
• Wear your backpack in the front part of your body, so that you have control of your bag at all times while walking in Athens or inside the metro
• Leave your valuables to your hotel and walk around with some money, or a prepaid card with a small amount available and a copy of your passport to minimise any loss

Still not so sure about safety? Purchase an anti-theft design Backpack, offering excellent safety for your wallet and documents due to the securable and puncture-resistant zippers.

Do I need a Visa?

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Perhaps you do! Greece has signed the Schengen Agreement. So everyone traveling for up to 90 days from the EU, the US, Canada, and Australia, does not need a visa.

Keep in mind that your passport should have at least six months of remaining validity. In any case, check ivisa.com for general info:

What is the Best Time to Go to Greece?

All year round is fantastic in Greece!

There are great ski resorts in Greece, photographic villages, and striking sights to visit or hike in Greece in winter, autumn, or spring.

If you are a first-time visitor to Greece you would probably choose warm weather, that is between May and October. If you can’t stand high temperatures (32 C – 45 C) July and August should be avoided. The Cyclades in particular has most of the summer the strong north winds, widely known as Meltemia.

August is by far the most difficult month to visit Greece, as it is busy and overcrowded in places like Santorini (and too hot!).

Top Must-See Sights all over Greece

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A list of the best Greek sights that can be combined in one trip:

Delphi Oracle, Arachova, Hosios Loukas Monastery, Livadia Town

Meteora Monasteries, Pelion, Plastira Lake (2-3 days trip)

Zagorochoria, Ioannina, Papigo (2-3 days trip)

The Peloponnese:

Ancient Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplion, Monemvasia, Mystras, Messini, Pylos, Methoni, Epicurious Apollo at Bassae, Lake Kaiafa, Ancient Olympia, Kalavrita, Dimitsana, Cave of Lakes, Kalamata, Kardamyli (multi-day tour)

Olympus Mt, Litochoro, Chalkidiki, Dion, Vergina, Philippi, Dodone (3-4 days)

Islands: Syros, Milos, Patmos, Corfu, Samos, Sifnos, Rhodes, Sikinos, Santorini, Mykonos, Delos, Amorgos, Folegandros, Koufonisia, Antiparos, Andros, Kea, Karpathos, Symi, Kastellorizo, Thasos, Skopelos., Chania Crete…….220 gorgeous islands, each with its own distinct character!

Check out here the Argo Saronic Islands: Aegina, Salamina, Poros, Spetses, Hydra and Dokos

Book a fantastic 4-Day Greece Highlights Tour: Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, and Meteora. One of the many happy reviewers wrote in VIATOR:

” The tour was outstanding- the sites were beautiful, the food was good and hotels were very nice. Our tour guide, Anna, was incredible- so educated, friendly, and caring to our group. Her English was excellent, I would highly recommend this tour”.

Top Sights in Athens. What Should I see in Athens?

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Even if you don’t see anything else in Athens, you have to visit the Acropolis Hill with its Temples of Parthenon, Erechtheion, Athina Nike, Propylaea

Significant sites are also the Ancient Agora, Plaka, Roman Agora, Temple of Zeus, Kallimarmaro, Parliament, and change of guards, the Athens Trilogy.

Museums: New Acropolis, National Archaeological, Benaki, Byzantine, Modern Art, National Gallery, Goulandris.

Lycabettus Hill, Kolonaki area (for posh shopping)

• Athens Riviera, Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon

VIATOR Athens Full-Day Private Tour:

Explore the highlights of Athens – Acropolis Museum or National Archaeological Museum included – in a private vehicle on this full-day tour with pick-up and drop-off from your hotel.

See details, prices, and availability in the button below:

How long do I need in Greece?

The more the merrier and anything less than 10 days will be a very short time especially if you are visiting Greece for the first time.

I have here a sample 4-day Itinerary for the Peloponnese which you might find useful.

Do I need a car in Athens?

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If you stay in the center of Athens, no, you don’t. All the important sights are reachable either by metro or on foot.

In case you need to rent a car, better get an International Driving Permit. Greeks drive the right-hand side of a street.

You can also check the RentalCars site who I know offers great deals with many car rentals companies: Best car rental prices – Guaranteed. RentalCars.com

Are Credit Cards Widely Accepted?

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After the COVID-era the use of credit/debit cards has significantly increased in Greece especially in the bigger cities but also in the most popular places such as Mykonos, Crete, Santorini, or Rhodes.

In smaller villages and islands, where there might not even have a bank but only ATMs, some businesses may take credit but cash is always best to have just in case.

And travelers’ cheques are definitely not a great option either, although you may be able to cash them out in the post office.

Example Island with no banks: Why should I visit Folegandros Island Greece?

7-Day Luxury Catamaran Tour from Athens to 5 Greek Islands (VIATOR)

Exploring the Greek islands on a sailing yacht is a unique and unforgettable experience.

Sailing the Greek Islands, stopping at beautiful bays, and making a dive, is a wonderful experience! Check this sailing tour on Viator below for prices and availability:

Can I drink the tap water?

Yes, you can and this is what I always drink, living in Athens almost all my life.

For out of Athens destinations, you better ask the locals if the water is drinkable. If you are uncertain, buy bottled water. 500 ml cost 0.50 cents (this is by law a fixed price that 500 ml can be sold) in kiosks and next to nothing in supermarkets (0.22-0.30 cents).

**In our battle against plastic, I always recommend you purchase a reusable collapsible water bottle like this free-silicone water bottle.

Is there a dress code in Greece? Can I wear shorts?

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Yes, you can wear shorts everywhere, no matter what gender you are and nobody will bat an eye if you are “lightly” dressed.

Are you Visiting Greece off-season? You may find this post interesting about what to wear in Greece:

Is it Safe for Women to Travel Solo in Greece?

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Are you thinking of traveling alone to Greece and wondering if Greece is safe for solo female travelers?

Yes, absolutely you can travel alone to Greece! Greece is a perfectly safe country for everyone regardless of age, gender, race, or sexual orientation.

In addition to that, Greek people are very hospitable, they love their tourists and visitors and are always eager to offer directions to your destination or any other advice if you need one.

Mykonos or Santorini? Or both?

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If you have the time, why not visit both Mykonos and Santorini? They are very beautiful Greek islands, with white Cycladic houses and a Greek ambiance. Both are on the overdeveloped side of tourism though and can be very expensive if you are on a certain budget.

Santorini’s beaches are the volcanic type of beaches, dark-colored with imposing cliffs behind you, some love it, some find it intimidating.

Mykonos, on the other hand, has amazing, sandy long beaches, some of the best in the Cyclades.

Santorini has the famous stunning sunset, rugged cliffs, and volcano views which are quite unique.

Mykonos has also a very romantic sunset in Little Venice, it’s great for nightlife and you can have a couple of amazing days on it.

In a nutshell, if you have the time, visit them both as there is a frequent ferry connection. If this is your first time in Greece and you have to choose one, go to Santorini.

Just avoid going in August, if this is possible for you. If you want to see another volcanic island which is super quiet, you can go to Nisyros.

5 Day Mykonos & Santorini Trip:

This is a great package for those who want to take a taste of the most popular island of Greece: Mykonos and Santorini. You will get to stroll around the picturesque Mykonos town and view the world-famous Santorini sunset from your balcony.

Which behaviour is not taken well in Greece

• Being rude or disrespectful
• Expecting everything to be exactly like it is in your country
• Eat or discuss loud in the Athens metro
• Touch artifacts in museums and at archaeological sights
• Take photos of military installations
• Throw paper in the toilet
• Not wearing your anti-Covid mask!

5-Day Private Tour in Peloponnese by VIATOR

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This is a 5-day tour like no other in the Peloponnese because it combines all the must-see archaeological and historical sites with the most beautiful, off the usual touristic track, scenery of the region.

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From Corinth, Olympia, Messini, Mycenae, and Epidaurus Ancient Sites to medieval towns of Nafplion, Monemvasia, Methoni, Pylos, and Mystras, to spectacular caves of Diros and the Natural habitats of famous Voidokilia and Peroulia beaches, this is one of its kind experience.

What is the Tipping Culture in Greece

Tipping in Greece is not a requirement or compulsory but the hard-working and usually not greatly-paid people will highly appreciate it.

The price you are paying for whatever service you have been provided doesn’t include a tip.

As a general rule anything between 5-15% would be satisfactory and the next time you will go to the same place you will be treated even better!

Tip: Make sure to give any tips directly to servers in cash as it is quite common for them not to receive tips included on credit card transactions

Where Best to Stay in Athens

Looking for the Best Hotels near old Athens Plaka and Acropolis Parthenon?

Or you would like to stay at a beachfront hotel?

Perhaps you are more in-budget hotels interested?

Whichever your preferences I have collected the best options for your staying in Athens below:

How to Get to Greece

Like most visitors to Greece, you will probably have to fly to Athens or Thessaloniki International Airports to get to your final destinations.

For the Cheapest, Fastest, Best Worldwide Flights, I highly recommend the Skyscanner search engine site.

A Message from Evgenia

Some of my Most Favorite Travel Resources for Greece

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