FROM ICONIC BLUE DOMES TO UNEXPECTED FINDS
Greece, and especially the Greek Islands, is one of the most popular travel destinations during summer in Europe. People from all over the world travel hours on end to witness these iconic blue domes with their own eyes and try to immerse themselves in the free spirit vibe that Greece is known for.
Greece is the perfect mix between historic ruins, volcanic cliffs, delicious food, pristine beaches and turquoise water. Whether you’re traveling with your family, solo, your significant other or with a group of friends. I can assure you’ll have an amazing time discovering this wonderful country.
The first two times I traveled to Greece was on a cruise where we hopped from one Greek Island to the other. Some of my favorite places in Greece from those trips were Hydra, Amorgos and Santorini.
During our most recent trip we flew into Santorini and from there took the ferry to Naxos, to explore this more unknown, yet stunning island in the Cyclades.
Nowhere in Europe does beach holidays like Greece. Whether you choose the white sands of the Ionians or the hilltop villages of the Cyclades. You’re in for a real treat!
And if all of that isn’t enough, there’s also the delicious Greek cuisine. Greeks are a master of charcoal-grilled and spit-roasted meats and they have been greatly influenced by Middle Eastern, Italian, and Ottoman cultures. Fresh vegetables, fish, olive oil, wine, meat, and grains play a significant role in these dishes, as well as cheese, bread, olives, herbs, and yogurt.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT GREECE
The best time to visit Greece is from late Spring going into early Fall. During these months you’ll be able to enjoy sunny weather and warm temperatures. Important to know is that the Cyclades are a lot windier than the Ionian islands.
If you’re only able to travel during the school holidays I recommend picking some of the lesser known Greek islands such as Naxos, Hydra, Folegandros, Kos or Kefalonia.
In my opinion, the perfect time to travel to Greece is in April and May. The weather is perfect for outdoor activities and you won’t have to deal with the big summer crowds on the more popular islands.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN TRAVELING TO GREECE
Language – The official language in Greece is Greek, but English is widely spoken in most touristic areas.
Currency – Greece is part of the European Union, therefore the EURO (€) is the official currency.
Credit Cards & ATM’s – You can find an ATM in every major town or city in Greece. Most of the time you’ll be able to pay by Credit Card. Just make sure to have some cash on hand if you’re visiting one of the very small and more secluded towns.
Safety – Greece is a very safe destination but petty crime and theft are serious issues in tourist areas, buses, and trains.
TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST VISIT TO GREECE
Be prepared for the heat – Especially if you’re traveling during the summer months the Greek sun can be pretty unforgiving. If you’re visiting ancient sites do it early in the morning and keep the afternoon for relaxing.
Roads – The roads are not always in very good condition and they can be pretty narrow, especially on the islands. Always drive with caution.
Plan ahead of time – Especially during the busy summer months you’ll need to make hotel reservations well from before. Otherwise all of the best hotels will be fully booked. Find the best hotels in Greece here.
Tipping culture – Tipping in Greece is not mandatory but if you do it’s best to give cash directly to your server to make sure they’ll receive their tip.
Try the Greek salads – No country does their salads as delicious as the Greeks do. So make sure to indulge in them whenever you can.
🚘 ROAD TRIPPING THROUGH GREECE
When it comes to choosing a rental car company things can get a little confusing cause there’s a lot of companies out there ready to rip you off.
One of the most important things to know when planning on road tripping along the Greek Islands is that you can’t take your rental car from one island to the other. You’ll need to book a different rental car for every single island that you visit.
A good rental car company should include the following in your rental price: unlimited mileage and a fair fuel arrangement, third-party insurance of at least €7.5 million, damage insurance, theft insurance, towing cost if your car breaks down and cancel or change your reservation without any hassle.
For my road trips I always prefer booking with SunnyCars. Here you can already rent a car for as little as €27 per day and every single cost is included upon check out. Oh, and all of the things that I mentioned above that should be included are also included with them!
💡 TIP – Sometimes the local rental company will try to make you pay for additional insurance. This is in no way necessary cause SunnyCars offers you full coverage.
DISCOVER BY REGION
ALL GREECE TRAVEL GUIDES
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