Greece

Greece is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace, so think in blocks of days rather than a checklist of sights. Many travellers find 10–14 days ideal, with time for Athens plus two or three islands or regions. Aim for at least three nights per island or destination to avoid feeling like you’re always in transit. Start with Athens for the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, and sunset strolls in Plaka, then branch out to the Cyclades (Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos) or mainland highlights like Meteora and the Peloponnese.

To keep things organized, use Hello’s trip planning to map out ferry schedules, domestic flights, and key stops day by day. Peak season runs roughly from June to September, when ferries and hotels sell out fast, so lock in bookings early, especially on popular islands. Shoulder months (May and October) can be a sweet spot: fewer crowds, lower prices, and still pleasant weather. Consider mixing one famous island (Santorini or Mykonos) with a more relaxed one like Naxos, Milos, or Syros for balance.

Build in buffer days for delays and lazy beach afternoons—Greece rewards those who slow down and wander seaside villages, mountain towns, and archaeological sites without rushing.

Most trips begin in Athens, with its metro, buses, and trams making it easy to reach neighborhoods like Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Piraeus port. From Piraeus, ferries fan out to the Cyclades, Dodecanese, and Crete; in summer, book ahead and arrive at the port early, as lines and heat can be intense. For longer distances or tight schedules, domestic flights link Athens with Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Crete in under an hour.

On islands, decide between buses, scooters, and rental cars. Buses are budget-friendly and good for main routes, but a small car or scooter offers flexibility for remote beaches and hilltop villages—just be prepared for narrow roads and limited parking in old towns. Always check if your license is valid for scooter rental.

Staying connected helps with real-time ferry updates and navigation on winding roads. Activating a Hello eSIM before you land means you can use maps, bus timetables, and translation apps from the moment you step off the plane, without hunting for local SIM shops or worrying about roaming charges. Save offline maps for areas with spotty coverage, especially in mountainous mainland regions and smaller islands.

Greek food is a highlight of any trip, and it’s worth planning meals as carefully as sightseeing. Start with meze (small plates) like tzatziki, fava, dolmades, and grilled octopus, then move on to mains such as moussaka, souvlaki, or fresh fish simply grilled and drizzled with lemon. In the islands, ask what’s local: in Crete, try dakos and Cretan raki; in Santorini, seek out tomato fritters and fava; in the Peloponnese, sample regional wines and cheeses.

For a typical taverna meal, expect to pay around €12–€20 (roughly $13–$22) per person including a drink, more in very touristy spots or for fresh seafood. Avoid only eating on the main squares or caldera rim views—walk a few streets back, where prices are lower and portions more generous. Ordering shared plates is common and a great way to taste more dishes.

If you’re travelling with others, use Hello’s expense splitting to keep shared dinners, wine tastings, and beach bar tabs fair and drama-free. You can also tag food costs in Hello’s budget tracking to see how much you’re spending on tavernas vs. quick gyros and bakery snacks. Don’t forget to try local house wine or ouzo, but drink plenty of water—Greek summers are hot, and shaded café breaks are part of the experience.

Greece uses the euro (€), and while cards are widely accepted in cities and big islands, it’s wise to carry some cash for small tavernas, kiosks, and beach loungers. ATMs are common, but can be limited on smaller islands or in remote villages, so withdraw ahead of time. In tourist hotspots like Santorini or Mykonos, expect higher prices for accommodation and dining compared to places like Naxos, Syros, or Thessaloniki.

As a rough guide, budget travellers might get by on €60–€80/day (about $65–$87), mid-range on €100–€150/day (around $108–$162), excluding flights. Save by choosing family-run rooms-to-let, taking buses instead of taxis, and eating at neighborhood tavernas rather than waterfront fine dining. Watch for extras like sunbed rentals, museum fees, and boat excursions—they add up quickly.

To keep control, log expenses in Hello’s budget tracking, setting daily limits in euros and categories like transport, food, and activities. When travelling as a group, Hello’s expense splitting is useful for shared car rentals, villa stays, and island-hopping tickets. Combined with Hello eSIM for instant currency conversions and mobile banking access, you can adjust plans on the go if costs creep higher than expected, ensuring Greece stays magical without blowing your budget.