Greece

Greece rewards travellers who slow down. For a first trip, 7–14 days is a sweet spot, giving you time for Athens plus one or two islands without feeling rushed. Think in terms of “bases” rather than ticking off a long list of stops: for example, Athens + Naxos + Santorini or Athens with a longer stay on Crete if you like road trips and nature. Aim for at least three nights per island so you’re not spending your holiday in transit.

Summer (June–September) brings hot weather and busy islands; shoulder seasons like May and October are milder and cheaper. In peak months, book ferries and popular hotels well in advance. Use Hello’s trip planning to map out ferry routes, flight times, and must-see sites like the Acropolis, Meteora or Delphi in one place, then adjust as you go if you fall in love with a destination.

To stay connected from the moment you land, set up a Hello eSIM before departure so you can check public transport, call your accommodation, or book last‑minute ferries without hunting for Wi‑Fi. Keep your itinerary flexible: leave an empty day here and there for beach discoveries, a long taverna lunch, or a spontaneous hike to a hilltop village.

Greece uses the euro (€), and many places still prefer cash, especially on small islands and in family‑run tavernas. ATMs are widely available, but some remote villages have only one or none, so withdraw a bit extra before heading off the beaten path. In a casual taverna, a main dish like moussaka or grilled fish might cost €10–18 (around US$11–20), while a coffee in Athens is usually €2–4 (US$2–4.50). On glamorous islands like Mykonos or Santorini, expect prices to be higher, especially for beach clubs and sunset cocktails.

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% is common in restaurants if service was good. Many supermarkets and bakeries are excellent for budget‑friendly breakfasts and picnics.

To keep your spending under control, use Hello’s budget tracking to log costs in euros by category—food, transport, activities—and spot where you’re splurging. If you’re travelling with friends, Hello’s expense splitting makes it easy to share villa rentals, car hire, and big dinners without awkward calculations at the table.

Carry a lightweight daypack, refillable water bottle, and some small coins for bus tickets, public toilets, and sunbeds at local beaches.

Greek food is a highlight of any trip, and it’s wonderfully regional. In Athens, join a food walk through neighborhoods like Psyrri and Monastiraki to try souvlaki, spanakopita (spinach pie), and strong Greek coffee. On islands such as Naxos, look for local cheeses and potato dishes; in Crete, don’t miss dakos (barley rusk topped with tomato and feta), slow‑cooked lamb, and village olive oil.

To eat well without overspending, follow locals: avoid the overly touristy spots right on the main squares or with aggressive greeters outside. Instead, walk a few streets back where tavernas display fresh fish on ice and have handwritten menus. Share plates like meze—grilled octopus, fried zucchini, tzatziki—so you can taste more dishes. A carafe of house wine is usually better value than bottled labels.

Use Hello’s trip planning to save restaurant recommendations and pin must‑try specialties to each stop on your route. If you’re sharing lots of meze and carafes with travel companions, Hello’s expense splitting helps you divide the bill fairly after a long feast. Remember, dinner often starts late; many locals sit down after 9pm, and lingering over a meal is part of the experience.

Moving around Greece is part of the adventure. In Athens, the metro is fast, air‑conditioned, and useful for getting from the airport or Piraeus port to the city center. Buy tickets at machines and keep them handy for inspections. For the islands, you’ll choose between ferries and domestic flights. Ferries are scenic and cheaper; high‑speed services link popular Cyclades islands like Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos, but can sell out in high season, so book early.

On larger islands such as Crete or Rhodes, renting a car opens up mountain villages and hidden beaches—just be ready for narrow roads and occasional unmarked turns. Always check local bus schedules; they’re often reliable but not frequent.

Before you land, set up a Hello eSIM so you can navigate with maps, check live ferry updates, and contact your accommodation without roaming charges. Strong data coverage makes it much easier to follow hiking trails, find petrol stations, or adjust plans during a weather‑related ferry delay.

Save transport details—ferry times, flight numbers, bus routes—inside Hello’s trip planning so you have everything in one place, even when offline screenshots are your backup. If you split taxi rides or car rentals with travel companions, log shared costs using Hello’s expense splitting for hassle‑free group travel.