Greece Travel Guide

• Athens & the mainland: Explore the Acropolis and museums, wander Plaka and Monastiraki, day trips to Delphi and Olympia, drive the Peloponnese coast.
• The Cyclades: Island-hop by ferry, watch the Santorini caldera sunset, beach days on Naxos, nightlife in Mykonos.
• Crete & the Dodecanese: Visit Knossos near Heraklion, hike Samaria Gorge, taste Cretan food and wines, explore medieval Rhodes.
• The Ionian Islands: Relax on Corfu’s beaches, boat trips to sea caves, cycle olive-country lanes and enjoy Venetian architecture.
• Northern Greece & Thessaloniki: Eat your way through Thessaloniki’s tavernas, visit Byzantine sites and day-trip to Meteora’s monasteries.

Most visitors arrive by air at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), Greece’s main gateway; Thessaloniki (SKG) handles northern routes and island flights. Many travellers to the islands arrive via ferry from Piraeus (Athens) or by air into regional airports; overland access is possible from neighbouring Balkan countries.

By sea from Italy: overnight and day ferries link Ancona, Bari, Brindisi and (in season) Venice with Igoumenitsa and Patras, with some summer sailings calling at Corfu. They carry cars, which makes them the usual route for drivers coming from western Europe. Book cabins or deck seats well ahead for July and August.

By sea from Turkey: short crossings run from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands, including Bodrum to Kos, Marmaris to Rhodes, Çeşme to Chios and Kuşadası to Samos. Many run only from spring to autumn.

By train: there are no international passenger trains into Greece at the moment; long-distance buses from Thessaloniki and Athens cover the Balkans and Istanbul instead.

Typical daily spend ranges €70-€180 ($80-$200), with islands and peak summer dates at the high end and mainland cities or shoulder season cheaper.

• Hostel dorm bed: €15-30
• Basic guesthouse room: €40-70
• Mid-range hotel: €80-150
• Upscale hotel: €132-220
• Market or street-stall meal: €4-10
• Bottle of local beer: €3-6
• Organised tour or activity: from €20
• Local bus ride: €1.20-2

For current prices on hundreds of everyday items, see Numbeo’s Greece cost of living, a crowd-sourced database that is updated often.

Ways to save

• Use slower ferries: Conventional ferries are much cheaper than high-speed boats and let you island-hop on a budget.
• Eat like a local: Choose family tavernas away from main tourist streets for fresher food and lower prices.
• Travel off-peak: Visit in May-June or September-October to avoid peak prices while keeping good weather.

Full trip budgets are in Greece Itineraries.

Cards are broadly accepted in mainland Greece and popular islands, but some smaller islands, tavernas and remote shops may be cash-only. ATMs are generally available but can have queues or shortages in very remote or peak-season locations.

• Tipping: Tipping is modest and never a fixed rule. In tavernas, leaving a few euros or rounding up is normal, and 5-10% is generous for good service at smarter restaurants; leave it in cash, as card tips do not always reach staff. Taxi drivers do not expect more than rounding up.
• Tourist levies: hotels and short-term rentals add a per-night "climate resilience" fee, highest from April to October and up to €15 a night at five-star hotels; it is often paid on arrival rather than included in online prices. Cruise passengers landing on Santorini or Mykonos pay a €20 fee in peak season.
• VAT refunds: non-EU residents can reclaim VAT on larger purchases from shops displaying a Tax Free sign; get the form in the shop and have it stamped by customs when you leave the EU.
• Cards & Cash: Visa and Mastercard work widely; American Express acceptance is less consistent. Carry cash when visiting small islands, rural villages and traditional tavernas.
• ATMs & Mobile Payments: ATMs are common in towns and tourist areas; expect your home bank or ATM operator to charge fees. Mobile payments are gradually growing in popularity but are not yet universal outside tourist centres.
• Banknotes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500
• Coins: €0.01, €0.02, €0.05, €0.10, €0.20, €0.50, €1, €2

Greeks are warm and hospitable; modest politeness, small talk and using basic Greek greetings are appreciated. Casual dress is fine in most places, but cover shoulders in churches and be respectful at religious sites.

Greece has good mobile service across the mainland and major islands, with strong urban speeds; fixed broadband and fiber are concentrated in cities. Island and remote areas often depend on mobile networks, where speeds can vary.

• Electricity: 230V, 50 Hz; plug types C, F.

Yes, for most visitors; violent crime is rare but watch for petty theft, risky driving and sea or weather hazards.

Staying healthy in Greece is straightforward; main issues are sun/heat, occasional mosquitoes and limited medical access on small islands.

Greece blends an extraordinary concentration of ancient monuments with living village customs and island cultures; its Orthodox traditions, strong hospitality, and regional foodways shape everyday life and what travelers experience.

Greeks eat late. Lunch runs from about 14:00 to 16:00 and dinner rarely starts before 21:00, though tavernas in tourist areas open from midday and serve all afternoon. Mornings are for coffee and a pie from the bakery: try tiropita (cheese), spanakopita (spinach) or sweet bougatsa.

• Ordering: dishes come to the middle of the table and everyone shares. Portions are big, so start with roughly one plate per person and add more. Ordering only salads, dips and vegetable dishes is completely normal.
• Bread and cover: bread usually arrives unasked and appears on the bill as a small cover charge, typically €1-2 a head. Some places bring a sealed bottle of water and charge for it; tap water is free if you ask.
• Fish: fresh fish is priced by the kilo. Ask to see it weighed and confirm the price before it is cooked. Greek law requires menus to flag anything frozen, often with an asterisk.
• The bill: it will not come until you ask for it (to logariasmó). Many tavernas finish with a free dessert, fruit or a shot of raki or tsipouro.
• Vegetarians: look for ladera (vegetables slow-cooked in olive oil), gemista (stuffed tomatoes and peppers), fava and gigantes beans. Food marked nistisimo is suitable for Orthodox fasting and has no meat or dairy, though it may contain seafood or honey.
• Fast food: gyros and souvlaki wrapped in pita are the cheap, filling standby, usually €4-6, and grill shops stay open late.

Regional food is worth seeking out: Cretan dakos and snails in Crete, bougatsa and the market stalls of Thessaloniki, fava and tomato fritters on Santorini, and kumquat liqueur and pastitsada on Corfu. In Athens, the streets around Varvakios market are good for cheap, local lunches.

Greece’s archaeological treasures and sensitive island ecosystems require careful behaviour around ruins, marine habitats and small island communities to keep them intact for the future.

• Respect archaeological sites: Do not climb or remove stones from sites like the Acropolis or Delphi; follow site rules, use licensed guides and avoid commercial sellers offering antiquities.
• Protect marine ecosystems: Help preserve Posidonia seagrass by using authorised dive operators, avoiding anchoring on meadows, and choosing beaches with Blue Flag accreditation.
• Manage island pressure: On islands such as Santorini and Mykonos visit outside peak hours, stay in lesser‑visited islands where possible, and be mindful of water scarcity by minimising use.
• Support traditional fisheries & tavernas: Eat at family‑run tavernas and buy fish from local markets to support sustainable livelihoods; ask where seafood is sourced and favour seasonal catches.
• Responsible boating & anchoring: When chartering boats use designated moorings near marine parks and follow local regulations to avoid damaging reefs and seagrass beds.

Long-term living in Greece attracts retirees, remote workers, and EU citizens seeking lower costs, sunshine, and Mediterranean lifestyle. Many choose Greece for affordable city rents versus Western Europe, island life and good food, though expect bureaucracy and seasonal service differences.

Long-Term Visas: Residence permits available for work, family reunification, a Golden Visa (property investment), and a digital-nomad visa offering initial 12-month stays.

Working There: EU/EEA citizens work freely; non‑EU nationals need a work permit or register as self-employed with an AFM.

Cost of Living: Moderate overall costs; expect Athens one-bedroom city-center rents roughly €400-800/month and monthly living budgets €1,000-1,800.

Health & Wellness: Public healthcare via ESY for residents, private clinics common in cities, private insurance recommended for faster access.

Banking & Finance: Open a Greek bank account with an AFM (tax number); major banks include National Bank, Alpha Bank and Piraeus Bank.

Taxes: Tax resident if you stay over 183 days; progressive income tax and social‑security contributions apply to residents.

Popular Places to Live in Greece

The choice comes down to whether you want beaches, a big city, or somewhere quieter. For city services and job opportunities head to Athens or Thessaloniki; for island life choose Crete or the Cyclades, the tradeoff being seasonal crowds and limited winter flights.

• Athens - Historic capital, best for jobs and services, suited to urban lifestyle, tradeoff: traffic and summer heat
• Thessaloniki - Vibrant northern city, student-friendly, strong food scene, suits culture lovers, tradeoff: colder winters than islands
• Chania - Chania (Crete), relaxed island city, great for families and outdoors, tradeoff: seasonal tourist crowds and limited flights
• Naxos - Naxos, quieter Cycladic island, affordable compared with Mykonos, suits slow island life, tradeoff: fewer services off-season
• Rhodes - Rhodes, larger Dodecanese island, mix of medieval town and beaches, suits long-stay beach lovers, tradeoff: tourism seasonality

Greece is increasingly popular with remote workers thanks to its digital-nomad visa, mild climate and diverse islands versus cities. Infrastructure and community are strongest in Athens and Thessaloniki; islands offer lifestyle benefits but bring seasonal variability in services and prices.

Nomad Visa: Greece Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)

Long Term Rentals: Long-term rentals common in cities and larger islands, peak prices in summer, typical leases 6-12 months.

Internet: Fiber widely available in cities (50-200 Mbps); island connectivity varies, some areas rely on ADSL or fixed wireless.

Monthly Cost: €1,200-2,000/month in Athens for comfortable living, €800-1,500 on smaller islands and secondary cities.

Coworking: Multiple coworking spaces in Athens and Thessaloniki, seasonal pop-ups on islands, monthly passes typically €100-250.

Fitness & Wellness: Gyms and yoga studios common in cities, outdoor lifestyle (hiking, sailing) supports wellness options on islands.

Community: Growing digital-nomad meetups in Athens and on select islands, informal networks via Facebook and local groups.

Time Zone: EET (UTC+2) standard time, EEST (UTC+3) during daylight-saving months.

Greece Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)

• Stay Duration: Initial stay up to 12 months, with possibilities for renewal or extension under specific conditions.
• Validity: Temporary residence permit for non‑EU remote workers, issued initially for a fixed term.
• Eligibility: Non‑EU citizens working remotely for foreign employers or clients, or running foreign-based businesses, must demonstrate stable income and insurance.
• Application: Apply at a Greek consulate or via Greek consular services, submit passport, proof of remote work, income statements, health insurance and criminal-record check.

Popular Nomad Hubs in Greece

Nomads base themselves in Athens for infrastructure and community, Thessaloniki for culture and lower costs, and Crete or Cyclades islands for lifestyle. Choose Athens for year-round services; islands give slower pace but bring seasonal limits on flights and services.

• Athens - Best for coworking, fast internet, international connections, suits professionals needing services, tradeoff: urban density and heat
• Thessaloniki - Cheaper than Athens, strong student scene, culture and food focus, tradeoff: fewer direct island connections
• Chania - Cretan hub with year-round services, outdoors options and local culture, suits families and active nomads, tradeoff: seasonal tourism
• Naxos - Affordable Cycladic base with beaches and local community, suits slow-living nomads, tradeoff: limited services off-season
• Paros - Growing remote community, balanced nightlife and tranquility, suits social nomads, tradeoff: higher summer prices and ferry congestion