Greece is not only beautiful with its ocean landscapes, distinct architecture and delectable food, but it’s also incredibly affordable. Things costs half what they do in
other parts of Europe. As one of the continent’s most popular destinations during the summer times, people from around the world flock to its famous islands for the sun, and to the cities for the history. I love Greece. It’s warm; it’s cheap; it has delicious food, beautiful islands, and lively and friendly locals. It’s the perfect summer destination.
Destination Guides for Greece
Typical Costs
- Accommodation – Depending on the area of Greece you are traveling to, hostels will cost $15 USD for dorms and $45 USD for private rooms per night – less in Athens more on expensive islands like Mykonos. During the off-season, most rooms are around the $25 USD range. Budget hotels begin around $40 USD for a twin bed room. On islands such as Mykonos, rooms begin around $60 USD per night. Expect to pay double during peak season (July and August) on the islands.
- Food – Greece is known for its food. Restaurants will cost about $20 USD for a nice dinner, even in the tourist area. If you add wine, expect to pay about 30. A meal at a very luxurious restaurant will begin at $30 USD. A whole fish is about $20 USD. If you really want to eat cheap, eat gyros (like kebabs). A Gyro is around $3 USD and will easily fill you up. Most cafes will cost you around $12 USD for a meal. Buying your own groceries will cost around $40 USD per week. It’s easy to eat cheap in Greece.
- Transportation – Because Greece has a lot of islands, you will be dealing with lots ferries and boats. Expect to spend an average of $40 USD per a trip, though you could spend as little as $13 USD if the islands are really close together. From Athens, most ferries to the islands costs around $65. Slow, overnight island ferries begin at $15 USD. Buses and trains around the mainland are around $20 USD. It’s $2 USD for a single ride on the Athens train system.
- Activities – Visiting the ancient sites around the country will cost between $13-25 USD for a ticket. Island activities (kayaking, parasailing, banana boats) will cost between $25-50 USD. You can rent ATVs for a day for around $20 and diving trips being around $80 USD.
Money Saving Tips
- Eat super cheap – Gyros and other street snacks only cost a few Euros and can keep you full for less than $10 per day.
- Rent a moped – When you can’t ride the train, rent a moped. It’s cheaper than a car and a great way to see the various towns and cities. You can usually rent a moped for around $16 USD per day.
- Get off the beaten path – Greece is a cheap country and even cheaper when you get out of the touristy Greek islands or popular destinations. Head off the beaten path and you will usually see prices drop by 30% or more.
- Book overnight ferries – Greece’s inter-island ferries can get quite expensive if you are visiting a lot of them. Taking the overnight ferries can save you up to half off the normal price plus save you a night of accommodation.
- Book ferries early – If you book the ferries around two months in advance, you can save up to 25% off the cost of your ticket.
- Avoid Mykonos – Mykonos gets a lot of hype. It’s a great island and deserves it but it is also Greece’s most expensive with hardly any budget accommodation, $13 USD drinks, and $40 USD meals (don’t even try ordering the fish!). The island caters to upscale honeymooners so if you are on a tight budget, I would avoid this island.
Top Things to See and Do
- Visit the Acropolis – Located in Athens, this magnificent temple is a great place to learn about Athen’s history while you get a great view of the city and the nearby ruins. During the summer, the place is swarming with tourists and sadly, the Parthenon is always under construction, but the views are great!
- Explore the past – Greece is where western civilization began and everywhere you turn, you will find ruins that are thousands of years old. Start in Athens with the museums, the Acropolis and surrounding ruins (the Agora is wonderful), and then set off to explore the ruins of Delphi, Sparta, and Crete. If you love history, you’ll love Greece.
- Explore the beaches – From Crete to Santorini to Corfu, the Greek islands are some of the best in the world. Soak in the sun, admire the white sand and blue-roofed houses, and just relax. Santorini is famous for couples, while Ios is great for parties and meeting other young travelers. Some off the beaten path islands include Rhodes, Kos, and Helios. During the summer, most of the islands are full so book early. Read More: My guide to the Greek Islands.
- Attend the Hellenic Festival – Every summer, the Hellenic Festival in Athens has concerts and performance theater, including reenactments of Greek tragedy. It’s one of the country’s top cultural events and if if coincides with your visit, you’ll see just how proud the Greeks are of their past.
- Olympia – See the ruins of Olympia, the place where the famous Olympic games all started. There is also a great reconstructed Temple of Zeus here.
- Meteora – Located mid-way through Greece, Meteora is famous for its monasteries that sit atop sheer rock mountains. They are a stunning sight to see and worth the steep trek up to the top. Although more than twenty monasteries used to perch on the steep rocks, only six remain today. They were a highlight of my visit to Greece.
- Take in the Sun in Corfu – The Greek Islands may get all the press but sunny Corfu on Greece’s west coast is also a good place to enjoy the beach too. It’s a popular destination for young backpackers, but once you get out of the main town, you avoid all of them.
- Delphi Ruins – Delphi has always been a place of historic and spiritual significance. This is where the omniscient Oracle would contact Apollo and give advice to those seeking good fortune. Although the eternal flame no longer burns inside, a visit to the Temple of Apollo is obligatory.
- Melissani Cave – A boat tour will take you into these caves, where you can admire the magical quality of ultramarine water and monumental walls that surround you.
- Mount Olympus – Mount Olympus is the home of ancient gods. From here the gods would control the lives of mortal men. Any climb to Mount Olympus starts from the town of Litochoro. A walk up this mountain will be strenuous and mystical and you’ll see why Greeks thought it was this mountain from which the gods ruled.
- Hike the Samaria Gorge – For the outdoor enthusiasts out there, this is considered one of the best hiking experiences in Greece. While it isn’t the shortest or easiest trek, the Samaria Gorge does promise beautiful landscapes, fantastic photo opportunities, and a great workout. Most people come to Greece for the beaches so you’ll find very few people cluttering up the trail.
- Patra Carnival – Every year in mid-January, the city of Patra is host to what is basically a month-and-a-half-long party. There are a slew of events, both major and minor; increasingly crazy weekends; and various costume parades, which even feature floats. It’s usually a good idea to make hotel reservations well in advance for this shindig.
- Archaeological Museum of Iraklio – The number one attraction on Crete, this museum also happens to be Greece’s second largest archaeological museum next to the museum in Athens. There is a stunning collection here, which highlights the Cretan civilization (dating back from Neolithic times, through to the Roman empire).
- Santorini – Although it but one of the numerous Greek islands, many consider it to be the most spectacular. Aside from the beautiful landscape and volcanic presence, it is a great place for beachside camping, winery tours, scuba diving, and more. It’s incredibly popular, but the prices here are still affordable once you get out of the main town. The ruins on the southern part of the island were some of the best I saw.
- Temple of Olympian Zeus – While you are walking about Athens, this is a great archaeological site to stop at. This temple is massive and took over 700 years to construct (dating back to the sixth century). There are a number of Corinthian columns still standing, though many have fallen. It’s quite an impressive sight.
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