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Voykit

Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

country

GreeceΕλλάδα

First trip: 2–3 nights in Athens, then one or two islands for 3–4 nights each (a Cyclades pair by ferry, or Crete on its own); do not try to hop five islands in ten days.

Not field-verified

Greece is a mainland and thousands of islands, and ferries and flights set the pace. What breaks trips is over-hopping, summer winds that cancel ferries, and island towns that shut from late autumn to spring. Pick one island group, give each island at least three nights, leave a spare day before your flight home, and book July and August early.

All regions, cities and parks in Greece (Atlas) →

Regions

Athens and Atticaplanned

Athens base; Cape Sounion and the port of Piraeus

2–3 nights

Cycladesplanned

Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Milos and Mykonos by ferry

4–7 nights

Creteplanned

Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion; beaches and gorges

4–7 nights

Mainland Greeceplanned

Delphi, Meteora, Nafplio and Thessaloniki

2–4 nights

Arrive

ATH

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos

Metro, suburban rail or bus to the centre and to Piraeus

HER

Heraklion (Crete)

Main airport for central and eastern Crete

SKG

Thessaloniki

Gateway to northern Greece

Time math

3 days
Athens 3 (Acropolis early, Plaka, the Acropolis Museum, one day trip)
7 days
Athens 2 + two Cyclades islands 5 (ferry from Piraeus or Rafina)
10 days
Athens 2 + Naxos 3 + Santorini 3 + Crete 2, or Athens 3 + Crete 7

Country rules

Inherited by every page below
  • Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
  • Taking stones, pottery or other objects from archaeological sites is illegal; so is exporting antiquities without a permit.
  • Do not photograph military sites or border zones; signs mark them.

Etiquette

  • Cover shoulders and knees in churches and monasteries.
  • An open palm pushed towards someone (the moutza) is an insult.
  • Meals are late and long; dinner often starts after 21:00.
  • Do not flush toilet paper where signs ask you not to; old pipes block easily.
Orthodox Easter (moves yearly)
The biggest holiday; ferries and rooms book out and many shops close.
Aug 15 (Assumption)
Peak of Greek holidays; ferries and islands full.
Summer winds (Jul–Aug)
The meltemi can cancel small ferries in the Aegean.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Many island businesses close; fewer ferries.

Money & passes

Cash necessity: 2/5

  • Currency is the euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted; card terminals are required in many businesses.
  • Carry cash for small tavernas, kiosks, beach loungers and islands with few ATMs.
  • Tipping: round up or leave about 5–10% in restaurants.

Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry

Safety

  • Emergency: 112 (the EU number) works everywhere.
  • Heat (June–August): heatwaves are common; plan outdoor sites for early morning and carry water.
  • Wildfires in summer: follow evacuation orders and local alerts, and never light fires outdoors.
  • Pickpockets work the Athens metro, especially the airport and Piraeus lines, and Monastiraki.
  • Quad bikes and scooters on islands cause many injuries: wear a helmet, and check your licence and insurance cover.

Greece links by ferry to Italy and by air across Europe; it borders Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey.

Open Europe

Sources