Often referred to as “the cradle of civilization,” Greece is famous for its ancient history and serene beaches. Located in the turquoise waters of the Aegean, Greece has housed some of the most powerful and influential civilizations in human history. As such, it seems like every inch of this country has something to offer, and it is nearly impossible to do it all in a single trip.
The good news is that unlike most of its fellow European nations, it is relatively easy to travel Greece on an inexpensive budget, making it a viable country for many return trips. This free Greece Travel Guide is a perfect place to begin planning your exploration into the history of this iconic destination.
Greece Travel Itinerary
1.Landing in Athens
For many people, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Greece is the Acropolis at the heart of the country’s capital, and the monumental attraction continues to serves as a fantastic introduction to the region’s rich history even 2,500 years after its construction. However, the city offers much more than a simple day visit to the top of the Acropolis Hill.
Athens is a beautiful modern city with the ruins of its historic significance littered across its near 39,000 square kilometres. And, much as it was a centre of politics and philosophical learning during ancient times, the city continues to operate as the central base for travellers working their way around the country.
If this is your only stop in Greece, then jump on down to the last stop of this itinerary, where I will break down all of the city’s must-visit sites. But if you have more time to spare and want to explore the many additional wonders of the country, then continue reading the following itinerary as it guides you to all of Greece’s hidden away corners before returning to explore its capital.
2.Road tripping the Greek Peloponnese and Central Greece
With only a narrow isthmus connecting it to the rest of the mainland, the Greek Peloponnese is the setting for many Ancient Greek myths and legends. As you venture into the rugged terrain of vast mountains cascading their way down to hidden beaches, small harbour towns, and ancient castles and ruins, it is easy to see how this land has been able to inspire so many tales of heroism.
With its well-known Ancient Greek Mythology, the Peloponnese has a remarkable ability to put real-life locations to fictional tales. From exploring the ruins of Mycenae, the seat of the legendary Agamemnon, to hiking halfway up a mountain to the Cave of Nestor where it is said the gods themselves visited, every inch of this land offers a window into the legends of the past.
Explore the infinite wonders of the Peloponnese with my 2-Week Peloponnese Road Trip.
3. Port of Piraeus
The Port of Piraeus has served as the harbour district of Greece since ancient times, and it is estimated that people have inhabited the area around it since the 26th century BC.
Having arrived in the morning and not having to board my ferry until late in the evening, I had a day to explore the bustling port and its surrounding area. From its plethora of shops and restaurants to its Ottoman churches, the square itself is something to behold.
After a couple of hours exploring the region, I ventured further into the surrounding neighbourhoods towards the city, where I happened across the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. This building is definitely worth a visit. Housing both the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera, the true gem of this monument to modern architecture is its rooftop garden. Displaying much flora indigenous to Greece, the park acts as natural insulation for the building, reducing the cost of operating the Cultural Centre while offering a city view with the Parthenon at its focal point.
After a day roaming the Athenian roads, it is time to head back to the Port of Piraeus to catch your ferry onward to the next stop of this itinerary.
4. Crete
Much like the Peloponnese, Crete was the centre of one of the world’s oldest civilizations. The Minoans reigned supreme on the island between 3000BC and 1100BC. And, as a centre of trade in the Prehistoric world, remnants of this Bronze Age society can be found all over Greece and the area beyond.
The ruins of these ancient cities are scattered across Crete, the Mediterranean’s fifth-largest island. Among these ruins is the restored archaeological site of Knossos, often referred to as Europe’s oldest city. Due to his restoration efforts in the early 20th century, Sir Arthur Evans has turned the site into one of the best representations of an early Bronze Age city in the world. However, if Authenticity is more your thing, other ruins on the Greek island, such as the Palace at Phaistos, are probably more your speed.
Beyond the ruins, the island is perfect for beach-goers and hikers alike. Crete maintains its Greek island identity, with the Aegean’s turquoise waters flowing their way along several white sand beaches surrounding the island’s coast.
For the more adventurous traveller, the numerous gorges of the isle offer fantastic hiking trails with rewarding views of some of the island’s ruins sweeping over the vast, rugged landscape.
5. Athens... Again
For the last time on our trip, we return to the city of Athens, and this time giving ourselves ample time to enjoy everything the city had to offer. For my trip, I allotted five days to explore the country’s capital, but it can be done in shorter time for weekend travellers.
From the Acropolis to the ruins of both the Ancient and Roman Agoras, it is easy to spend a day exploring the city’s remnants of the ancient world. Having been consistently inhabited for nearly 5000 years, Athens holds monuments to all periods of human civilization.
Still, one of the most beautiful spots in the city is the Chapel of St. George, sitting atop Mount Lycabettus, the highest point of Athens. With the city’s enormity, bus tours are a great way to take in all of the city’s more modern architecture for those travelling with limited time.
Another excellent day trip from Athens lies an hour south of the city at the Temple of Poseidon. While you pass through some beautiful fishing villages on the way, the real spectacle occurs when you turn the corner to see the ancient temple sitting over the water reminiscent of the Hollywood blockbuster, Clash of the Titans.
All in all, Athens is a must-stop when travelling to Greece, and its city borders are so vast, and there is so much to see that you can easily spend a week or two exploring all of its corners.
More Greek Travel Destinations
1.Island Hopping
While the Greek islands are the primary destination for most travellers to the country, my only experience with them was during my time on Crete. However, the Greek islands themselves are best experienced during the summer and are worth a trip to the country specifically to explore the Aegean.
From the romanticized, whitewashed buildings of Santorini to the historical sites of Rhodes, or even the backpacker party scene of Ios, the Greek Isles offer something for every kind of traveller.
2.Explore Thessaloniki
As the second-largest city in Greece, Thessaloniki acts as the main base of operations for those exploring the country’s northern regions. However, with remains from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, and the city’s active and youthful nightlife, it is a region worthy of exploring in its own right.
3.Hike Mt. Olympus
Once thought to be the seat of the Greek Pantheon, this hike up the highest mountain in Greece is actually considered to be relatively easy compared to other mountains of similar size. With its historical significance to the ancient world (and the fact that I have since heard it is an incredible hike), if this list were ordered according to what I personally feel like I missed out on, this would be number one.
4.Explore Meteora Monasteries
With six Eastern Orthodox monasteries lining the rock formation, the Meteora offers beautiful hikes through the mountainous terrain as you tour the various religious grounds.
5.Take a wine tour
While I sampled well over my fair share of the Greek wine, I definitely should’ve spent at least a day in the country touring one of the many wineries and vineyards that line the Greek landscape. Wine plays a considerable role in the Greek culture, so a stop to tour the business behind these vineyards would be well worth the trip.
Popular Greek Foods
Greece is renowned for its fine cuisine, and it is impossible to experience the country without sampling its food scene. From meaty appetizers to sweet desserts, the Greek cookbook has many delicious and unique dishes, with some of my favourites being unknown to me in both name and ingredients.
Another vital thing to note about Greek food is that while there are traditional national dishes, each region and island offers its own unique foods. So, you can be sampling new foods for months on end and never get sick of them.
For the sake of this post, I will give you samples of the more nationally recognized dishes you will find everywhere (and more importantly for budget travellers like myself, relatively cheaply).
Greek Stifado
Cooked with shallots and sweet spices in red wine, this beef stew was by far my favourite dish in Greece.
Moussaka
I think it is safe to say this is THE traditional food of Greece. Found in every taverna and street restaurant, this dish is also a favourite to be found on the dinner tables of the locals. This layered dish with an egg-plant base and layers of minced beef is popular in the Balkan countries but is a must-have in its native home.
Gyros + Tzatziki
While one of the local women I had stayed with would be pissed at me for adding gyros to this list (with her motherly disapproval of my unhealthy choices), I would be remiss to add it here for my budget travellers. While Gyros are delicious and accessible in most cities worldwide, they are 100 times better in their home country. Along the same lines, I’ve always been a big fan of Tzatziki, but I couldn’t get enough of it in Greece.
Greece Travel Budget
80 CAD /Day
Greece is one of the few European travel destinations that can be done on a budget. With that being said, the budget I have provided for this destination does have a couple of caveats. The first thing is that different country regions may procure additional costs, while accommodations and attractions may also experience price reductions depending on the season.
However, the biggest thing that will alter my budget evaluation is travelling here during the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, I tried to avoid accommodations and transports with large crowds. This meant I stayed in private rooms and rented cars, both of which drove my budget up. Despite that, I could still keep the trip relatively cheap while enjoying a little more comfort and privacy than I usually do on my travels.
Here is my budget breakdown.
Accommodations-$35/night
For a private room at a hotel or homestay, you can expect to pay between $35-$40/night. Although, during normal times, when a Pandemic is not devastating group stays, this cost can be relegated by staying at hostels in the larger cities.
Food and Drink-$15/day
With gyros, souvlaki, and moussaka on the menu, it’s easy to stick to street food, which you can expect to pay about $15/day. However, to fully experience Greece, one truly needs to occasionally splurge on a night at the local tavernas, which will only cost you $5-$10/meal, of which you can dip into your budget for activities.
One of my favourite things about my budget for Greece is that the wine here barely makes a dent. Able to purchase a 1.5 L water bottle of wine for only $6 from nearly any store makes it a perfect inexpensive way to enjoy a drink.
A 1.5L bottle is enough for a few days for most people, and those people will reduce this cost from the budget even further. For myself, who was travelling solo while most people were locking down and the country’s ordinarily active nightlife was virtually non-existent, I found myself drinking a bottle a night while sitting in my room watching a movie.
Attractions-$10/day
I kept my activity fees pretty low, opting to pay only admission fees and avoiding the tour groups. Even then, the admission fees were super cheap. With the number of ruins littering the country, some have gone unregulated, and access to them costs only a hike.
Other ruins were typically between $8-$15, but even these locations offered discounts depending on where you are from and how old you are, and further discounts if you happen to go on one of the country’s many national holidays. For this reason, I’m going to say you can get by on $10/day for activities.
Transportation-$20/day
Public transport can be super cheap, especially within the city of Athens, where the metro can get you anywhere for about $3. However, I genuinely believe if you are going to travel the mainland, a car is a way to do it. Of course, this means your transport budget is going to be slightly more expensive.
Therefore, I’m going to give you two price ranges here. The first is to stick to public transport, which will range you around the $10-$15/day. However, for my overall budget, I will use what I spent, which included a combination of public transport, walking, and renting cars, and that cost is between $20-$25/day, for a total daily budget of between $76-96.
Best Time to Visit Greece
The peak season for Greece is during the summer months between June and September. However, except for the islands, it can be done year-round, with the shoulder seasons of Oct-Nov and March-April being one of the best times to go.
During these months, the mainland sees pretty lovely, warm weather and vastly reduced crowds, resulting in reduced costs. Unfortunately for the islands, it is almost essential for them to be travelled during the summer seasons between April and September, with inflated prices and all. This isn’t only because the weather offers the optimal conditions to experience the island culture but also because the islands essentially close down during the off-season.
While a couple of Greek islands do have a few things that stay open, the vast majority of hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions close their doors between October and April.
Greece Travel Ratings Breakdown
In general, Greece is one of my all-time favourite travel destinations. However, despite being a relatively small country, the experience one can have in each region is so diverse that each destination seems like an entirely new trip.
As a result, giving the country an overall star rating is difficult, as Greece has at least one region that ranks as a five-star destination for each category. Below I will break down the country’s overall rating while also giving suggestions on where in Greece to visit for each type of experience.
Budget — 5 Star
As mentioned above, Greece is a super affordable country to visit, especially compared to other popular European destinations. In fact, the country is frequently considered to be one Europe’s ten cheapest travel destinations, and regardless of where in the country you visit, you are sure to find affordable travel deals.
Crowds — 3 Stars
Greece ranks three stars in the crowd category because while heavy crowding can occur, visitors to the country have a couple of ways in which they can escape it to explore the country virtually on their own.
Firstly, everyone has the same images of Greece — The monumental acropolis towering above Athens, the whitewashed buildings of Santorini, and the vibrant party scene of Mykonos. However, beyond these three destinations is a whole country of intrepid adventures just waiting to be had. And, while some of these other destinations do experience some crowding during the peaks season, many of the country’s most hidden-away treasures all can be experienced with little to no tourist traffic.
The second factor that effects crowding is the season. Specifically on its islands, Greece experiences the vast majority of its tourism during the Summer months, between June and September. However, those willing to venture during the winter or the shoulder seasons will find their visit a lot less hindered by the presence of other tourists.
History — 5 Stars
This one doesn’t need elaboration. Greece is one of the most well-known destinations on Earth with a history dating back millennia. Every inch of the country is riddled with ancient attractions, many of which can be connected with the myths and legends that have made Ancient Greece one of the most storied civilizations to have ever exist.
Nightlife — 4 Stars
There is two images of Greece— The quaint island village with fishing docks and the vibrant party scenes of youthful vigour common on Mykonos and Santorini. While there are plenty of quiet villages and town offering a more relaxing stay, vibrant nightlife is never too hard to find when visitng Greece.
Food — 5 Stars
This one is slightly governed by personal preference, but for me I have a hard time giving Greece food anything but five stars. With each region offering a diverse selection of their own regional dishes, exploring Greece’s cuisine is a monumental and delishes task, and offers unique flavours that can match any pallet.
Hikes — 5 Stars
Another category in which Greece cleans the board, hiking trails in the country are plentiful and feature varying degrees of difficulty for hikers with all experience levels. While the country maintains many of its more popular trails, visitors can also venture off the beaten path and take the often less-travelled route. In many cases, this level of adventure can often guide guests to some of the Greece’s most elusive and rewarding sites.
Greece Travel Tips
- Avoid the tourist islands: All tourists to Greece seem to have the same destination in mind— Santorini. However, many visitors to the island can often be disappointed by the volume of crowds on the island. Instead of battling through crowds, plan your trip to one of the lesser-known islands. Naxos and Paros are only two examples of Greek Islands that offer the same whitewashed setting while providing a quiet and less visited experience.
- Travel the Mainland During the Off-Season: While visiting in the Summer Months is essential for experiencing the islands, the mainland is best enjoyed during the off-season. While there are plenty of beautiful beaches around the Peloponnese and Athens, the real draw to the region is the myriad of historical attractions and ruins. And while the summer weather can often be unbearably hot, the off-season from October to May offers cool weather and far fewer tourists to explore the country’s history.
- Rent a Car: While a staple of budget travel is public transport, there is way too much packed into Greece’s countryside that it is nearly essential to rent a car when travelling the mainland. When relying on public transit, you cannot venture off-route to the points of interest you see on the horizon. With a car, you don’t have this limitation and are free to be as flexible as you wish.
- Eat Street but Plan to Indulge: A great way to maintain a budget is by sticking to Greece’s street food. This can be pretty simple with such dishes as gyros and moussaka. However, when visiting Greece, you’re definitely going to want to sample the fine dining experiences of some of the country’s higher-end tavernas. To add this indulgence to your budget, eating street food when you can be considered best practice, but do plan to splurge occasionally
- Don’t Expect To Do It All In One Go: Greece is a country of limitless adventures, and it would be foolish to expect to do it all in one trip, especially considering most visitors are limited to the three-month visa of the Schengen Visa. Instead, plan what you want to do in advance. Are you a history lover? Then plan a trip to the Ancient Ruins scattered across the Peloponnese. Love beaches? The islands sound like the spot for you. Do you want to do it all? Well then, you’ll probably want to plan a return trip.
While I will continue to update my Free Greece Travel Guide, be sure to check out the official Greek tourism site for more information on specific destinations not covered here.
Comments are closed.