Greece Travel Guide
Greece is one of the most popular European destinations to travel to, and it’s for good reason!
With gorgeous beaches, loads of history, culture, and ruins, makes this European destination is one you will not want to miss! Greece is boarded by Turkey, North Macedonia, Albania, and Bulgaria.
Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links where I may earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you if you decide to click a link and make a purchase.
Greece Travel Guide Tips
Here is some useful information and travel tips for traveling in Greece, including popular places to visit, favorite eats, and more!
Greece Population: 10.72M
Athens Population: 3.167M
Language: Greek is the spoken language, however, English is also widely spoken.
Credit Cards/ATM: Credit cards are widely accepted in Greece. Some of the major banks are Piraeus Bank, National Bank Of Greece, Alpha Bank, and Attica Bank.
Currency: The currency in Greece is Euro. Airport: The largest airport in Greece is the International Airport of Athens (AIA) which is located just outside of the capital and welcomes millions of visitors. The second biggest airport is the Airport of Thessaloniki (SKG) which is a more preferred airport to use if you are traveling to the North of Greece. Find flights here.
Getting Around Greece: When traveling from Athens to the Greek islands, ferries and flights are the most common form of transport, and then within Greece, the modes of transport remain similar to many other countries with it being cars, trains, taxis, and buses. Buses and trains are the best way to get around Athens.
Popular places in Greece: Crete, Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, and Paros.
Greece safety: Greece is known as a fairly safe country to visit however, in crowded places such as the Metro or popular cities, petty theft could be a problem. You should implement the same safety measures you would in other places.
Power Outlet: Greece sockets are C and sockets.The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. I recommend a universal adaptor.
Famous Dishes Across Greece:
- Melitzanosalata – A traditional Greek dip that contains roasted eggplant puree mixed with garlic, oil, red onions, parsley, and lemon juice. This is usually served alongside bread.
- Moussaka – An oven-baked dish that features slices of sautéed aubergine and potatoes covered in layers of fried minced meat, and a variety of spices.
- Kleftiko – This is a traditional lamb dish served with fresh vegetables.
- Stifado – This is another delicious meat dish stewed with onions, tomatoes and white wine vinegar.
You are not obliged to tip in Greece however it is common to tip between 10% to 15%
Cell service: Contact your phone service carrier before going to Greece to make sure your phone is unlocked for international travel. You can also use an Esim with Holafly.
Books about Greece: Lonely Planet Greece 15 (Travel Guide) | Fodor’s Essential Greece: with the Best of the Islands | Moon Greek Islands & Athens: Island Escapes with Timeless Villages, Scenic Hikes, and Local Flavors
Accommodations in Greece: Greece has a plethora of hotels, as it is a huge tourist destination. You can check reviews and book hotels on bookingdotcom here.
Weather in Greece
Greece experiences all four seasons and has a varied climate throughout the year.
In the north of Greece, winter begins in November, whereas in the south of Greece, it begins in mid-December. Leading up to and throughout the winter months the temperature is mild, but it rains often. As the year progresses to January and February, you should expect far cooler weather, as these are known as Greece’s coldest months.
The average temperature during winter is around 55°F (13°C).
Spring is the shortest season in Greece, this is because the winter begins late in the year and the summers begin early compared to other countries. Up until March, the weather is usually mild, but then, as April approaches, the weather starts to get warmer. The range of temperature is very large, however, it is unlikely that the temperature will fall below 47°F (8°C) or exceed 88°F (31°C).
Summer in Greece begins in June however, towards the east, it can start earlier. It is unlikely that you will not encounter rain during summer, but if you do, it will be rapid and short lasting. The warmest part of the year will be the end of July and the beginning of August. In the summer, the average temperature is around 90°F (32°C) but has been seen to rise to 97°F (36°C.)
Fall is considered the perfect season to visit Greece. With the temperatures remaining warm enough to travel throughout the country. The amount of wind begins to lessen, and although the rainfall does begin from mid-September to early October, it is very unlikely that it will last for a long period. Temperatures during the fall months began at around 74°F (23°C) and lower to 60°F (15°C).
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Greece is in the shoulder months of April-May (excluding the islands) and the end of August-November.
A local expressed that the best time in Greece is September when the ocean is warm, and the crowds are gone!
The summer (June- August) is also nice but extremely crowded. Crowds or not, Greece is still amazing!
Greece Travel Guides
The below Greece Travel guides contain detailed information for traveling to Athens, Greece. Find full itineraries, tips, and more!
- 20 Best Things to Do in Athens, Greece: Especially First-timers
- How to Spend 4 Days in Athens Greece: Complete Athens Itinerary
Water Safety
In major cities such as Athens, the water is considered safe to drink.
In smaller towns and islands, bottled water is recommended. To reduce environmental impact, check out alternatives such as Steripen! I used my Lifestaw in Athens.
