Greece travel guide

Acropolis

Athens

The Parthenon — go at opening time to beat heat and crowds

Santorini (Oia)

Cyclades

Caldera views and famous sunsets

Meteora

Thessaly

Monasteries perched on rock pillars

Delphi

Central Greece

Ancient sanctuary of Apollo

Knossos

Crete

Minoan palace near Heraklion

Navagio (Shipwreck Beach)

Zakynthos

Viewpoint and boat trips; access varies

Ancient Olympia

Peloponnese

Birthplace of the Olympic Games

Samaria Gorge

Crete

Long gorge hike, open roughly May–October

Athens

Acropolis, Plaka and the birthplace of democracy

Guides in Athens →

Thessaloniki

Second city: Byzantine churches, waterfront and a great food scene

Guides in Thessaloniki →

Heraklion

Crete’s capital and gateway to the Palace of Knossos

Guides in Heraklion →

Nafplio

Elegant first capital of modern Greece, with Venetian fortresses

Guides in Nafplio →

Chania

Venetian harbour town in western Crete

Guides in Chania →

Rhodes Town

UNESCO-listed medieval walled old town

Guides in Rhodes →

✈️ Athens — Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)

• Metro Line 3 (blue line) to Syntagma and Monastiraki
• X95 express bus to Syntagma, 24 hours
• Suburban railway (Proastiakos) to Piraeus and Larissa station
• Official taxis charge a flat fare to the centre

✈️ Thessaloniki — Makedonia (SKG)

• Bus X1 (and N1 at night) to the city centre and bus station
• Taxis from the official rank

✈️ Heraklion — Nikos Kazantzakis (HER)

• Local buses to the city centre and KTEL bus station
• Taxis or pre-booked transfers to resorts

🚆 Getting around

• Ferries connect the islands — book ahead in summer and check for strikes or meltemi wind cancellations
• Domestic flights (Aegean, Sky Express) are faster for Crete, Rhodes and far islands
• KTEL intercity buses link mainland towns; trains are limited
• Rent a car or scooter on islands — an International Driving Permit may be required for non-EU licences

🙏 Culture & etiquette

• Dress modestly in churches and monasteries — cover shoulders and knees
• An open palm pushed toward someone (moutza) is an insult
• Lunch and dinner are late; many shops close in the afternoon in smaller towns
• Don’t flush toilet paper in many places — use the bin provided

📍 Places, scams & seasons

• Summer heatwaves can close the Acropolis and other sites at midday — check before going
• Wildfires occur in summer; follow local alerts (112 emergency messages)
• Check the UK Foreign Office or your government’s advisory for current warnings

⚖️ Laws & restrictions

• Taking stones, pottery or any antiquities from archaeological sites is illegal
• Buying counterfeit goods from street sellers can lead to fines
• Drug laws are strict
• Wildfire season brings bans on fires and barbecues outdoors — fines are heavy

💬 Words & topics to avoid

• Avoid calling the neighbouring country “Macedonia” in heated political contexts — it’s a sensitive topic
• Don’t call Greek food “Turkish” or compare it to Turkish cuisine dismissively
• Avoid jokes about the Greek debt crisis

Athens

Plaka or Monastiraki (sights), Koukaki (near the Acropolis), Kolonaki (upscale)

Stay within walking distance of a metro station

Santorini

Fira (central), Oia (sunsets) or Kamari/Perissa (beaches, cheaper)

Book very early for summer

Crete

Chania old town or Heraklion

Rent a car to explore

Mykonos

Mykonos Town (Chora) or beach areas

Prices peak in July–August

Varvakios Central Market

Athens

Meat, fish and spice market

Psyrri & Monastiraki

Athens

Souvlaki, mezedes and tavernas

Kapani & Modiano markets

Thessaloniki

Bougatsa, olives and local produce

Chania old harbour

Crete

Seafood tavernas and Cretan cooking

Souvlaki & gyros

Grilled or spit-roast meat in pita

Moussaka

Layered aubergine, meat and béchamel bake

Greek salad (horiatiki)

Tomato, cucumber, olives and feta

Spanakopita

Spinach and feta pie in filo pastry

Dakos

Cretan barley rusk with tomato and cheese

Baklava & loukoumades

Honey-soaked pastries and doughnuts

Apokries (Carnival)

February/March

Patras and nationwide

Clean Monday

February/March

Nationwide — kite flying

Greek Orthodox Easter

March/April/May (varies)

Nationwide; Corfu is famous

Athens Epidaurus Festival

June–August

Athens and Epidaurus

Dormition of the Virgin Mary

15 August

Nationwide, especially Tinos

Ohi Day

28 October

Nationwide

📱 SIM & eSIM

• Main networks: Cosmote, Vodafone, Nova
• EU SIMs roam free; prepaid SIMs need passport registration — eSIMs are easiest

📶 Coverage & Wi-Fi

• Good 4G/5G in towns and on popular islands
• Signal can drop on ferries and in mountains

🔌 Power plugs

230V, 50Hz — plug types C and F