Greece

Greece has the ancient ruins, the islands, the food, and the sunsets. It’s also one of the best value destinations in Western Europe if you know when to go and where to eat.

Greece has ancient ruins that make you feel something, islands that actually look like the photos, food that is better and cheaper than you’d expect, and sunsets that people spend thousands of dollars to watch from the right spot. It’s also one of the more affordable destinations in Western Europe, especially if you eat where locals eat and visit outside of July and August.

The mainland has Athens, Delphi, Meteora, and the Peloponnese. The islands have everything from party scenes (Mykonos, Ios) to quiet villages where the only sound is waves hitting rock (Milos, Naxos, Folegandros). There are over 200 inhabited islands and each one has a different personality. You could spend a lifetime island hopping and not see them all.

This guide covers what it actually costs, when to go, which islands to pick, and how to eat your way through Greece without spending more than you need to.

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When to go

May to June and September to October are the sweet spots. Weather is warm and sunny, the sea is swimmable, ferries run frequently, and prices are 20-40% lower than peak summer. Late September on the islands is honestly the best time in Greece. Water is still warm from summer, crowds are gone, and tavernas are relaxed.

July and August are hot (35-40C / 95-104F), crowded, and expensive. Ferry prices spike, popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos become uncomfortably packed, and accommodation doubles in price. If you can only travel in summer, go to the less popular islands (Naxos, Milos, Lefkada) where it’s still busy but manageable.

November through March most island businesses shut down. Athens, Thessaloniki, and the mainland are good year-round, and winter is a great time to visit mainland sites like Meteora and Delphi without crowds.

Easter week (Greek Orthodox Easter, usually April or May) is culturally special but accommodation books up fast on popular islands.

What it actually costs

Greece is genuinely good value for Western Europe. Cheaper than Italy, France, or Spain for most things. All prices in USD.

Budget ($50-80 USD/day per person) Hostels or basic rooms ($20-35/night), gyros and souvlaki from street vendors ($3-5), local taverna meals ($8-12), public ferries between islands, free beach access everywhere.

Mid-range ($80-180 USD/day per person) Hotel or Airbnb with a view ($60-120/night for a double), taverna dinners with wine ($15-25), mix of ferries and the occasional domestic flight, a few paid activities. Comfortable and how most people travel Greece.

Comfortable ($180-300+ USD/day per person) Boutique hotels on Santorini, fine dining, private boat tours, high-speed ferries, catamaran cruises. Greece does luxury well, especially on the Cycladic islands.

Ferries are the main cost variable for island hopping. A standard ferry from Athens (Piraeus port) to Santorini costs $35-50 and takes 5-8 hours. A high-speed ferry costs $60-80 and takes 4-5 hours. Book on ferryhopper.com for the best comparison. Book 2-4 weeks ahead in summer.

Flights to Athens from within Europe are cheap ($30-100 on budget airlines). From North America expect $500-900 return. From Asia and Oceania expect $700-1,300 with a connection.

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Where to go

Athens (2-3 days). The Acropolis, Parthenon, Ancient Agora, and the National Archaeological Museum. But also the Plaka and Monastiraki neighbourhoods for food and nightlife, Exarcheia for street art and local bars, and the Athenian Riviera for a beach afternoon. Most people treat Athens as a transit point and that’s a mistake. Give it at least 2 full days.

Santorini (2-3 days). The caldera views, the white and blue churches, the sunsets. It’s Instagram-famous for a reason. Stay in Oia for the views or Fira for more options and lower prices. The black sand beach at Perissa is a good break from the towns. Visit in shoulder season if at all possible because peak summer is overwhelming.

Mykonos (2-3 days). Beaches and nightlife. If you want to party, this is where you go. The old town (Chora) is beautiful and the beach clubs are legendary. Expensive though. Budget travellers should look at Naxos or Paros instead.

Crete (4-5 days). The biggest island and could be its own trip. Chania old town is stunning, the Samaria Gorge is one of Europe’s best hikes, Elafonissi beach has pink sand, and the food is the best in Greece. If you only visit one Greek island, make it Crete.

Naxos (2-3 days). Best value island in the Cyclades. Great beaches, a beautiful old town with a Venetian castle, excellent hiking, and good food at local prices. Less touristy than Santorini or Mykonos but still well-connected by ferry.

Milos (2-3 days). Volcanic island with dramatic rock formations, over 70 beaches, and the famous Sarakiniko moonscape beach. Rising in popularity but still quieter than the big-name islands.

Meteora (1-2 days). Monasteries perched on top of impossible rock pillars on the mainland. One of the most striking landscapes in Europe. Easy day trip from Athens by train (4-5 hours) or as a stop between Athens and Thessaloniki.

What to skip

Santorini in July or August. Unless you specifically want the peak summer experience, the crowds and prices in midsummer are brutal. The same island in September is half the cost and twice as enjoyable.

Tourist restaurants on the main streets of Plaka (Athens). Same rule as Italy. If a guy is standing outside trying to get you to sit down, the food is mediocre and overpriced. Walk one block off the main drag.

Trying to see too many islands in one trip. Three islands in two weeks is comfortable. Five islands in one week means you spend most of your time on ferries and packing/unpacking.

Guided “island hopping” packages. They’re overpriced and inflexible. Book your own ferries on ferryhopper.com and accommodations individually. It’s easy and much cheaper.

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Must-do experiences

Watch sunset from Oia, Santorini. It’s cliche because it’s genuinely spectacular. Get there 90 minutes early if you want a spot at the castle ruins viewpoint. Or skip the crowd and watch from a taverna with a glass of wine.

Eat at a family taverna on any island. The best meals in Greece are not at fancy restaurants. They’re at family-run tavernas where the menu is whatever was caught or picked that morning. Ask locals where they eat.

Hike the Samaria Gorge in Crete. 16 km through a dramatic canyon. One of the longest gorges in Europe. Open May to October. A full day commitment but unforgettable.

Swim at Sarakiniko Beach, Milos. White volcanic rock formations that look like a lunar landscape meeting turquoise water. Free, easy to reach, and unlike any beach you’ve seen before.

Walk the Acropolis at opening time. The Acropolis opens at 8am. Be there when the gates open and you’ll have it almost to yourself for the first 30-45 minutes. By 10am it’s packed. Book tickets online to skip the queue.

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Practical tips

The currency is the Euro. Cards are accepted in most places in cities and on popular islands. Smaller islands, village tavernas, and local shops may be cash-only. Carry some.

EU citizens need no visa. Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most other Western countries can visit for up to 90 days in the Schengen zone without a visa.

Ferries are the main way to get between islands. Book on ferryhopper.com for schedules and prices. Blue Star Ferries are the standard carriers, SeaJets and Hellenic Seaways run high-speed options. In summer, ferries run daily to most popular islands. In shoulder season, frequency drops.

Tipping is not required but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% for good service is appreciated at restaurants.

Tap water is safe in Athens and most of the mainland. On some islands the tap water is desalinated and tastes off, so bottled water is common.

Rent a car or ATV on the islands. Public transport on most Greek islands is limited to a few bus routes. A scooter or ATV rental ($15-25/day) or a small car ($30-50/day) gives you freedom to find the best beaches.

Greek pharmacies (look for the green cross) sell most medications over the counter without a prescription, including antibiotics. Useful to know.

Planning your trip

1 week Athens and islands: Athens (2 nights), Santorini (3 nights), Naxos (2 nights). Ferry between islands.

2 weeks classic island hop: Athens (2), Naxos (2), Santorini (2), Milos (2), Crete/Chania (3), Crete/south coast (2), fly home from Heraklion.

2 weeks mainland and islands: Athens (2), Meteora (2), Thessaloniki (1), fly to Crete (3), ferry to Santorini (2), ferry to Milos (2), ferry back to Athens (1).

Book your trip

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More destinations from travlperks: For similar vibes at different price points, check out Italy (more cities, more history), Portugal (cheaper, underrated), or Turkey (guide coming soon). For something completely different, see our Bali or Japan guides.