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InternationalTravel.ai > Greece

Greece

Coastal Beaches

Best Season to Visit: Spring

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: November

Famous For: Ancient ruins, Mediterranean islands, Byzantine monasteries, Mediterranean cuisine

Train Access: Yes (trainose, very safe)

Bus Service: Yes (KTEL, relatively safe)

Tourist Visa: EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens enter visa-free. US, Canadian, Australian, and most Western passport holders receive 90 days visa-free within a 180-day period under the Schengen agreement. Non-Schengen visitors should verify specific requirements with Greek consulates.

Greece spans mainland regions and island archipelagos across the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Travelers visit ancient archaeological sites including the Acropolis in Athens, the Palace of Knossos in Crete, and Delphi in Central Greece. Island destinations include Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Crete, where visitors swim in Mediterranean waters and explore whitewashed villages. The Peloponnese region contains Olympia, Mycenae, and Sparta. Cuisine features feta cheese, olives, seafood, and dishes like moussaka and souvlaki. Hikers traverse the Samaria Gorge in Crete and Mount Olympus in Thessaly. Visitors explore Byzantine monasteries in Meteora, wander through the Plaka district in Athens, and sail between islands.

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Podcasts

Episode 8: Jake Barber - The Expat Finance Expert Returns

Jake Barber, the Founder and CEO of SJB Global, is a life-long expat and an expert in expat finance. Over the course of Expat Exchange's nearly 30 years online, there are few people we have met with as much lived experience and professional acumen as Jake. We were thrilled to welcome him back to the show and look forward to having him on again!

Episode 6: Jake Barber - Expat Finance Expert and Lifelong Expat

Jake Barber is an expat finance expert and the founder and principal of SJB Global. A lifelong expat currently living in Marbella, Spain, Jake has vast experience helping expats from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries manage their finances while living abroad. Get a primer on what you need to know both before and after you move abroad!

Planning Your Trip to Greece

Weather: Greece experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Summer temperatures typically range from 28-35°C (82-95°F), while winter temperatures average 5-15°C (41-59°F). Rainfall is concentrated in the winter months, with summers being predominantly dry and sunny. Seasonal variation is moderate, with spring and autumn offering pleasant, temperate conditions ideal for outdoor activities.

Festivals: Athens Festival, Rethymno Carnival, Patras Carnival, Rockwalk Festival

Best Destinations for Kids: The Aquarium of Rhodes houses Mediterranean marine life and interactive exhibits. Crete's Samaria Gorge offers family-friendly hiking with dramatic limestone cliffs. The Hellenic Air Force Museum in Tanagra displays aircraft and aviation history accessible to children.

Hidden Gem: The Pelion Peninsula in Thessaly combines mountain villages, beaches, and forests largely bypassed by cruise tourists; it offers hiking, traditional architecture, and coastal swimming without the Santorini crowds.

Budget-Friendly Advice: Budget accommodations range from €25-50 per night in guesthouses and hostels outside peak season; mid-range hotels cost €60-120. Street food and taverna meals cost €8-15 per person; groceries from local markets are significantly cheaper. Intercity buses via KTEL operate throughout mainland and islands at €10-40 per journey. Ferry tickets between islands range €15-80 depending on distance and season. Camping and Airbnb options provide alternatives to hotels.

Accessibility: Athens and major islands have improved accessibility in newer hotels and museums, though many ancient sites have uneven terrain and limited wheelchair access. Public transport in Athens includes accessible metro stations and buses, but island ferries and rural areas present challenges. Older archaeological sites like Delphi and Olympia have steep paths and limited facilities for mobility-limited visitors.

For the Solo Traveler: Greece is safe for solo travelers; violent crime against tourists is rare. Public transport, ferries, and organized tours make independent navigation straightforward. Athens, Crete, and Rhodes attract solo travelers with established hostel networks and social scenes. Women travelers report general safety, though standard precautions apply in nightlife areas. Island-hopping via ferry is accessible for solo visitors managing their own schedules.

Planning a 1 Week Stay: Start in Athens exploring the Acropolis and National Archaeological Museum for 2 days. Travel to Delphi in Central Greece for ancient oracle ruins and mountain scenery. Fly to Crete, visiting Knossos Palace and Samaria Gorge or Rethymno's old town. Alternatively, island-hop to Santorini and Mykonos in the Cyclades for beaches and villages.

Planning a 1 Month Stay: Spend 5-7 days in Athens and the Peloponnese covering Olympia, Mycenae, and Sparta. Allocate 8-10 days to Crete exploring Knossos, Chania, and coastal areas. Dedicate 7-10 days to island-hopping: Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos. Reserve remaining days for Meteora monasteries in Thessaly or the Pelion Peninsula's villages and beaches to avoid typical tourist routes.

Delving into the Culture

Movies Set: Mamma Mia!, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, The Big Blue, Zorba the Greek

Popular Foods: Greek cuisine is characterized by its use of fresh ingredients, olive oil, and herbs. Popular dishes include moussaka, a baked casserole of layered eggplant, minced meat, and béchamel sauce; souvlaki, skewered and grilled meat served with pita bread; and Greek salad, made with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, and olive oil. For dessert, baklava, a sweet pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey, is a favorite.

Unusual Eats: Kokoretsi is a dish made from seasoned and grilled intestines of lamb or goat, often wrapped around seasoned offal, including hearts, lungs, or kidneys. This traditional food is typically enjoyed during festive occasions but may be off-putting to some visitors due to its content and preparation.

Popular Sports: football, basketball, volleyball, water polo, athletics

Popular Teams: Olympiacos F.C. (football), Panathinaikos F.C. (football), AEK Athens F.C. (football), Olympiacos B.C. (basketball), Panathinaikos B.C. (basketball)

Cultural Faux Pas to Avoid: When in Greece, it is considered rude to gesture to someone with an open palm, known as the "moutza." This is an offensive gesture and should be avoided. Additionally, it is customary to show respect to the elderly, so offering your seat on public transportation is expected. Refusing hospitality or food can also be seen as impolite, so it is best to accept with gratitude or decline very politely.