Greece

Greece rewards a little planning, especially if your route combines Athens with several islands. Use trip planning to group destinations by ferry connections rather than zigzagging across the Aegean. Athens works well as a starting point for the Acropolis, Plaka, and the National Archaeological Museum, while island-hopping routes such as Mykonos–Naxos–Santorini or Paros–Antiparos are easier when booked in a logical sequence.

During July and August, reserve accommodation, popular restaurants, and major archaeological sites early. Ferry tickets can sell out on busy routes, and fast services are usually more expensive than slower boats. Check departure ports carefully: Athens-area ferries may leave from Piraeus, Rafina, or Lavrio, which are different parts of the metropolitan area. Arrive early with your passport or travel document and keep larger luggage secure but accessible.

Greece is wonderfully varied beyond the headline islands. Consider Crete for beaches and mountain villages, the Peloponnese for ancient sites and road trips, or Epirus for stone villages and dramatic landscapes. Download essential bookings before travelling, and activate a Hello eSIM before landing so maps, ferry updates, and translation tools work as soon as you arrive.

Travel between Greek cities and islands is a mix of ferries, buses, domestic flights, and rental cars. Athens has an integrated metro, tram, and bus network that makes the Acropolis, Syntagma Square, and the coast relatively easy to reach. In Thessaloniki, the compact centre is highly walkable, while regional buses connect it with nearby destinations.

For island travel, compare the total journey rather than choosing only the fastest ferry. Slower services often cost less and provide open-deck views, while high-speed boats shorten travel time but can feel rougher in windy weather. Timetables change with season and weather, so confirm departures shortly before travelling. On smaller islands, buses may be infrequent and taxis limited; renting a car or scooter can help, but inspect the vehicle, photograph existing damage, and check insurance conditions.

Keep some euros for small buses, beach tavernas, taxis, and kiosks, even though cards are widely accepted in cities and established restaurants. Hello’s budget tracking can record transport costs in euros, making it easier to see whether ferries, flights, or a rental car fit your plan.

Greek food is intensely regional, so treat every destination as a new menu rather than ordering only familiar dishes. In Athens, try souvlaki, moussaka, grilled meats, and meze in neighbourhood tavernas. Thessaloniki is famous for bougatsa, a flaky pastry filled with custard or cheese, while Crete brings olive-oil-rich dishes, mountain herbs, dakos, and fresh seafood.

The Cyclades offer sun-ripened tomatoes, capers, local cheeses, grilled octopus, and Santorini’s tomatokeftedes—herby tomato fritters. In Corfu, look for pastitsada, a slow-cooked meat dish with spiced tomato sauce, while mainland regions are known for hearty pies, lamb, stews, and handmade pasta. Order seasonally when possible: the simplest plate of grilled fish, vegetables, bread, and local wine can be more memorable than an elaborate tourist menu.

Some restaurants add bread, bottled water, or a cover charge automatically, so glance at the menu and ask if anything is unclear. When dining with friends, expense splitting helps divide shared meze, ferry snacks, and long taverna meals fairly. Finish with seasonal fruit, yoghurt with honey, or loukoumades, small doughnuts served warm with syrup.

Greece uses the euro (€). Carry a small amount of cash for rural cafés, island buses, market stalls, and beachside businesses, while using cards for larger purchases when available. ATMs are common, but checking fees before withdrawing is sensible. Track spending in euros with Hello’s budget tracking feature, especially when accommodation, ferries, and restaurant bills arrive in quick succession.

Stay connected without relying on expensive roaming by buying and activating Hello eSIM before you land. It is useful for checking ferry changes, navigating winding old towns, translating menus, and contacting accommodation hosts. Download offline maps as a backup for mountain villages and remote beaches.

Dress modestly when visiting monasteries, churches, and religious sites: shoulders and knees should generally be covered. At archaeological sites, wear supportive shoes and bring water, since polished stone can be slippery and shade limited. Greeks often eat late, particularly in summer; dinner may begin after 9 p.m. A relaxed pace is part of the experience, so allow time for lingering coffee, unexpected swimming stops, and the occasional ferry delay.