Greece

Greece is best enjoyed at an unhurried pace, with time to linger over views and long meals. For a first trip, many travellers combine Athens with one or two islands like Santorini, Naxos, Paros, or Crete. Aim for at least 10–14 days if you can, so you are not spending your whole holiday in transit. In Athens, plan two full days for the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, plus neighbourhoods like Plaka and Koukaki. On the islands, try to stay a minimum of three nights in each place to actually settle in.

Use the Hello trip planning tools to map out ferry times, internal flights, and must-see sights in one place, then adjust as you go. Ferries can be delayed by wind, so avoid super-tight connections. Many smaller islands have limited buses, so check rental car availability in advance, especially in July–August. Book popular accommodations and sunset activities (like Santorini boat trips) early, but leave pockets of free time for spontaneous beach days, village wandering, or revisiting a taverna you loved.

Greece uses the euro (€), and cards are widely accepted in cities and on major islands, but keep some cash for small tavernas, kiosks, and rural villages. A simple taverna meal with house wine might be €12–20 (about $13–22), while coffee costs around €3–4 in most places. Beach sunbed rentals can range from €10–40 for two beds and an umbrella, depending on the island and beach club. Entry fees to major archaeological sites such as the Acropolis are typically under €25 (about $27).

Use Hello’s budget tracking to monitor what you spend in euros by category—food, ferries, activities—so you do not get a surprise at the end of your trip. When travelling with others, Hello’s expense splitting makes it easy to divide restaurant bills, petrol, or apartment rentals without awkward maths at the table. Tipping is appreciated but relaxed: rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% in restaurants is common practice. At cafés, leaving small coins or a euro or two is plenty. Always check if a service charge is already included before adding extra.

Greece’s islands are linked by a dense ferry network, with fast catamarans and slower, cheaper conventional ferries. Book ahead in high season (June–September), especially for popular routes like Piraeus–Santorini–Mykonos. Slower ferries are less bumpy and usually cheaper, while fast ferries save hours on longer routes. On board, head to the deck for views of the Cycladic islands slipping by. For long distances, such as Athens to Crete or remote islands, consider an internal flight to save time.

In Athens, the metro is efficient for getting from the airport and exploring central neighbourhoods. On islands, public buses connect main towns and key beaches, but schedules can be patchy outside peak season. Renting a car, scooter, or ATV gives more freedom—just drive carefully on narrow, winding roads. Download tickets and maps over Hello eSIM before boarding, so you are not relying on spotty port Wi‑Fi. With data from Hello eSIM, you can also check live bus timetables, navigate mountain roads offline with preloaded maps, and quickly update your Hello trip plan if a ferry schedule changes.

Greek food is a highlight of any trip, and it goes far beyond souvlaki and salads. Look for regional dishes: moussaka in Athens, dakos and slow-cooked lamb in Crete, fava and tomato keftedes in Santorini, and fresh octopus and sardines almost everywhere by the sea. For breakfast, try bougatsa (custard-filled pastry) and a strong Greek coffee or freddo espresso. Tavernas typically serve generous portions, so sharing plates is normal.

To eat like a local:

• Skip the front-row tourist spots on the main squares and look one or two streets back.
• Ask for the “piato tis imeras” (dish of the day); it is often the freshest option.
• Try local house wine, tsipouro, or ouzo with meze.

Use Hello’s expense splitting if you are sharing a table full of mezedes with friends, and log each meal in Hello’s budget tracking so you can see whether those daily gelatos are adding up. Many smaller places still prefer cash, so confirm payment options before you order, especially in tiny island villages or mountain tavernas.