Greek Like Me Guide: Pro Tips for Your Trip to Greece
I’ve been a busy bee the last few months compiling my notes and gathering information for a very big project. I’m excited to announce the launch of Greek Like Me Guides! The reason I’m writing these Greek Like Me Guides is to help you feel as comfortable as I do getting to and moving around Greece.
Even if you’re a seasoned traveler, this particular guide will help you prepare, plan, and enjoy your trip to the max! And if you need help getting organized, check out my travel planning services to Greece!
I’m including highlights of traveling within Greece, and the nitty gritty of some of the challenges you might face. And even if you’re a skilled traveler, you might find Greece to be a bit of a unique experience! In this post I’ll be giving you a rundown of exactly what you need to know, and what to expect, to make the most of your Greek vacation, including the best time to go to Greece, the best ways to get around Greece, and the best things to eat, drink, do, and see when you’re in Greece!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Basics of Traveling to Greece
image via schengenvisainfo.com
You absolutely do need a valid passport! Make sure you allow plenty of time in advance of your trip if you need to apply for a new passport or renew an expired passport. The good news is that you don’t need any special visas to travel to Greece! Greece is part of what’s known as the Schengen Area. This is a group of 26 countries who have laws loosening restrictions on inter-country travel. If you are a US citizen, you’re able to spend up to 90 days within a 180 day period within these 26 countries, without getting any special visas.
Are You Traveling for Longer Than 90 Days?
If you are planning on traveling for longer than 90 days in that 180 day period, you’ll need a special visa. Maybe you’re looking for a place to start your digital nomad journey, or you want to study abroad! You’ll need to start that process at the Greek Consulate. This process can be a bit tedious (Greek bureaucracy is next-level madness), but if you plan a few months in advance, you should be good to go!
Here I am in 2018 sweaty and gross two days before I left for Greece, but I’m happy because after two hours of searching my apartment, I found my passport
What Requirements Does the USA Have on Travel to Greece?
The US Department of State has its own rules and regulations regarding international travel. Definitely stay up-to-date with any conflicts or issues that may arise before your trip. You can also find embassy information, emergency health information, as well as recommendations for your trip on the website!
Facts About Greece
Official country name: Hellenic Republic
Capital: Athens - the oldest European capital city
Population: 10.5 million - over 1/3 of the total populations lives in and around Athens
Georgraphical Size: 50949 sq miles - about the same size as the state of Alabama
System of government: Parliamentary republic
Currency: Euro (formerly the drachma)
Trivia: Greece was the creator of the Marathon, the ancient and modern Olympics, salty, delicious feta cheese, and, our greatest export, John Stamos.
What COVID-19 Information Do I Need for Travel to Greece?
So, as you probably know, we are still in a global pandemic. Ugh. Greece, like most places, has been hard-hit by the pandemic, both in the health of its people, and the health of its economy. Greece’s economy relies heavily on tourism, which means the last few years have been extraordinarily challenging for the country and its citizens.
Depending on when you’re reading this article, COVID-19 rules and restrictions may have changed, so please check the following resources for the most up-to-date information. The TSA will update their website with any changes for domestic and international travel, so check there first.
Be sure to check the restrictions on the other side of the Atlantic as well! If you have a layover in an EU member country like France or Germany, you’ll need to make sure you meet their requirements. If that’s not complicated enough, you’ll also need to make sure you meet the requirements set by Greece. You’d think these would be the same, but, in fact, they don’t always line up. So, yeah, double check!
Other great resources for COVID updates are your airline websites. Depending on the airline you’re traveling with, they may have really clear information on documents and requirements. Delta, American, United and others all have specific pages updated regularly with Covid information.
What Are the Best Flights to Greece?
Speaking of airlines…you probably need to know how to get to Greece! Luckily, it’s pretty straightforward! The main national airport is located in Athens, the capital city of Greece. The airport is officially called Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos. It is named after the greatest modern prime minister of the country. He’s a pretty cool dude if you want to learn about him!
Let’s be honest, any flight is good, as long as it gets you there.
Depending on your departure location, flights and prices can vary widely. I think the best tool for understanding your flight options and pricing is Google Flight Tracker. It can track specific routes and dates for you, and you can elect to receive alerts when prices decrease. I think Google Flights is an essential travel tool, whether you’re going to Greece or anywhere else in the world!
How Long Does it Take to Get to Greece?
It can be a long flight, or series of flights and layovers, depending on where you’re trip originates. From several hubs on the East Coast of the US, for example, it is a quick, non-stop 9 hour flight. From the West Coast, however, it can be two or three flights and be upwards of 17 hours. Oof. It can be tough, but worth it!
Generally speaking, I recommend taking whatever flight gets you to Athens as close to mid-day as possible. The time difference in Greece is significant - 9 or 10 hours depending on the time of year - so your jet lag might hit you pretty hard.
Jet Lag Tips for Traveling to Greece
My tips for avoiding jet lag are to drink lots of water starting 48 hours before your flight, and to continue hydrating as much as possible throughout your trip. I know it can be challenging to not have a glass of wine or a cocktail on your flight, but trust me, your head will thank you later if you stick with water or club soda! There are a ton of articles on beating jet lag in Greece, and I think the Sleep Foundation does a great job of keeping it simple!
What is the Currency in Greece?
As part of the European Union economic block of countries, Greece conducts all transactions in euros. This colorful tender differs from US dollars in quite a lot of ways. The most important thing to remember is that coins are worth big money! Coins range from 1 cent to 2 euros - so don’t go throwing out that change!
Banknotes most commonly come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, but smaller denominations are always appreciated when shopping at merchants, particularly restaurants and small street vendors.
If you have an account with a traditional national bank in the US, you should be able to order Euros directly from them. You’ll also get the best exchange rate from dollars to euros that way. Alternatively, you can always exchange dollars for euros using cash or a debit or credit card at international airport terminals and nearly everywhere in Greece’s tourist areas, hotels, and national banks. You should also check with your bank and credit card companies about using your cards or accounts abroad.
What About Digital and Card Payment Options in Greece?
Since the beginning of time, cash has been king in Greece. In the last few years, however, merchants across the country started installing contactless payment systems. It has really taken off and cash-friendly Greeks have become accustomed to paying with their bank card or smartphone. There are still shops, cabbies, and restaurants that might ask if you can pay in cash. Fees for digital payments are exorbitant and these merchants might even offer you a bit of a discount if you do choose to pay with cash. It’s still great to have cash on hand for small purchases, taxi rides, and gratuities. Now plenty of retailers in Greece accept contactless payment, debit and credit cards.
One thing you will want to watch out for are any fees you might incur from your bank or credit card company when making transactions overseas. Ask your bank or credit card company before you leave how best to avoid those fees!
Venmo and CashApp are US based companies, so you won’t find any merchants that accept them unfortunately. PayPal is in the process of being phased out in Greece, so I wouldn’t rely on that for payments. ApplePay is accepted at merchants who have contactless payment.
If you have an international or multi-currency bank account that has an IBAN you will be able to use that for certain payments. You can sign up for an international bank account if you plan on staying for a while or you expect to be traveling extensively. There are tons of options for this, including Wise, HSBC, OFX and many others. Always double check the fine print when you’re signing up for international banking!
What's the Best Way to Travel Around Athens?
Ok! You’re in Greece. You have money. Now, you’ve gotta get yourself out and about! Getting around Athens is like getting around most big cities around the world: It’s often hectic, and even though you have plenty of public transportation options, sometimes walking is the best way to get to where you’re going.
The Athens Metro system is one of the most modern underground transportation systems in Europe. Built in advance of the 2004 Olympics, it took over a decade to construct because everytime work began and they started digging, workers would uncover ancient mosaics, buildings, pottery shards, cemeteries, and other ruins! Some metro stations highlight these ancient Greek ruins by incorporating the unearthed relics within the stations themselves. It’s pretty cool!
The Metro system in Athens is used by locals in lieu of driving because it is reliable (by Greek standards), clean, and cost-effective. Traffic in the center of the city is brutal, and driving there can be perilous unless you’re a skilled defensive driver. Buying tickets for the Metro is super easy and convenient. You can find kiosks at every Metro station and you can pay by card, cash, or contactless payment. I generally recommend starting with a 10 Euro ticket which should last you at least 3 or 4 days. The best part is that there is no expiration date, so you can use it anytime!
The Metro also has a direct train from the airport to the center of the Athens. This is a flat 10 Euro ticket per person. The airport train has ample luggage space, clean cars, and is often the quickest way to get to downtown Athens. Of course, if you have lots of luggage, or are traveling with small kids, it might be easier to take a taxi, of which there are thousands on hand at the airport at all times.
Speaking of taxis…Athens is powered by yellow cabs, just like New York City! Taxis in Greece have long been troublesome for tourists - occasionally, cabbies can be unscrupulous at best and outright rude at worst. Of course, most Greek taxi drivers are wonderful people who just want you to enjoy your vacation! I recommend downloading the Beat app which is the Greek version of Uber. This will allow you to hail a cab wherever you are in Athens, pay via the app, and rate your driver. An added benefit is that you can also choose to pay in cash if you’d prefer!
Visit spice shops in Athens
Get a feel for the culinary crossroads that Greece has become over centuries of being in the middle of one of the busiest trade routes in the world.
Walking around Athens is really the best way to see the city, or any city, for that matter. Athens was built around pedestrians from ancient times, and some of the cobblestone roads you’ll walk on have been there since the time of Pericles and Plato! If you’re into walking tours, Athens is definitely the city for you. For travelers with disabilities Athens, and Greece in general can be a challenge, but they are making constant infrastructure improvements to allow people of varied mobility get around and enjoy themselves! You can find any topic you’d imagine to explore around Athens, whether it’s food, art, architecture, music, gardens, history, athletics and so much more. I’ve highlighted some of the best walking tours in Athens for you, there are always more popping up, and I think social media is a great way to find them!
As in other large cities, bike and scooter rentals in Athens and other cities and islands. This option is for the more adventurous type of person who already has experience riding these two-wheeled vehicles in other major metropolitan cities. Please use extreme caution if you choose to ride a bike, scooter, skateboard or other non-4-wheeled vehicle in Athens!
Getting Around Greece - Island Hopping & Road Trips
Greek Island Hopping
The island hopping vacation in Greece is one of the greatest trips of all time, and I encourage everyone who visits Greece to visit as many islands as they can! My personal preference is to visit islands off-the-beaten-path instead of places like Santorini and Mykonos. Don’t get me wrong, they are totally Instagrammable and gorgeous, but the environmental impact inflicted by intense tourism in these places cannot be understated. And there are over 150 inhabited Greek islands to visit - why limit yourself to just two?
For a full rundown of the different groups of islands in Greece and planning your trip, check out my Greek Like Me Guide to The Islands - coming soon!
The most helpful thing you can do when planning your island hop is to start with the ferry schedules. Ferries connect all of the islands with the mainland, and some larger islands also have airports. Depending on the time of year, there may be daily or only weekly ferries and flights. Knowing how to get there and back is critical, even though the idea of being “stranded” on a Greek island doesn’t sound totally terrible!
Greek Road Trip
I’m a big fan of road trips. I’ve driven across the US once, and all over California and the east coast. It’s really one of my favorite ways to travel. As it happens, Greece is a fantastic country for road trips! Within the last 20 years, the Greek national highway system has gotten massive infrastructure upgrades, and every year the roads expand and get better, faster, and safer.
I recommend renting a comfortable car. You’ll need an International Drivers License and a major credit card to rent from any company in Greece. Most cars on the road in Greece are manual transmission (aka stick shift) but rental companies often have a supply of manual transmission cars particularly for American customers. Be aware that manual cars often come at a premium cost, and are not as readily available as stick shift cars.
Driving in Greece is really scenic and pleasant, though I would say the major exception is driving in Athens, which is generally gridlocked and full of honking yellow cabs. It’s important to be a good defensive driver and have your wits about you. Greeks have a very loose (read: nonexistent) relationship with traffic laws. And as relaxed as Greeks are about their alcohol consumption, driving under the influence is a major societal taboo. I feel like I shouldn’t even have to say it, but don’t drink and drive. Just don’t.
The best part of any road trip is finding those gems off the beaten path. Some of these gems are working sustainable olive oil farms that also have rooms for rent, or medieval castles on a sparkling coastline, or getting the opportunity to explore authentic Greek village life.
Coming soon! The Greek Like Me Guide: Ultimate Greek Road Trip
Can I Use My Smartphone in Greece?
The short answer is YES! You can definitely use your smartphone in Greece. But there are some details you need to work out before you leave the US for Greece unless you want to rack up a ton of extra charges and fees on your wireless bill.
Check out my Greek Like Me Guide to Using Your Smartphone in Greece. You’ll get all the info you need to make the best decision for your trip!
The most important thing to do is to check with your mobile carrier about international data and cellular plans. Nearly all US-based mobile carriers have international plans which include data and cellular services.
All that said, I do have some recommendations for apps for your trip to Greece. Depending on how tech-dependent you are (I am *very* that, so no shade) you might want some or all of them. You might even have some of them already! Take what you need, leave the rest!
Modern-Day Greek Culture (And Culture Shock!)
Language
The Greek language is tough - even for someone like me who grew up around it, who went to Greek school, had Greek-speaking parents and grandparents. So, don’t feel bad if it’s a little intimidating! That said, if you’re interested in getting some basics down, I love using the free version of the DuoLingo app in Greek to get refreshed and can definitely recommend it! Of course that’s not the only language learning app, there’s Babble, Rosetta Stone and so many more.
One app I absolutely recommend for helping with the language barrier in Greece is Google Translate. It has amazing features like being able to translate written language via the camera, as well as allowing you to speak directly into it and it speaking back in Greek. Highly recommended!!! It’s free for iPhones and Androids. And, in case you are interested, here are my recommended top 10 apps for your trip to Greece!
The good news is that many Greeks speak English, especially in hospitality and tourism, so you should be fine! Even if you happen to be somewhere off the beaten path (and I hope you will be!) Greeks are very accustomed to not being understood, so they will be patient with you if you are patient with them. If you’re able to learn just a couple of words - hello, please, and thank you, it will go a long way!
Social Life in Greece
Coffee Culture
Greeks love socializing with friends, family, coworkers, and going out in groups. The main location for these social engagements is at cafes. Entire village squares and city plazas are converted to outdoor seating, in some cases, for a dozen different cafes. These cafes all serve assorted espresso drinks, Greek coffee, as well as light snacks. Greeks will sit and drink coffee and chat for hours, literally. It’s a cheap and easy way to see friends and catch up.
Now, for most of us who are used to ordering our coffees via apps and picking them up in drive thrus, this might sound completely bonkers. But in Greece, this is the norm. During the height of the pandemic, these cafes closed down and Greeks were *livid*. A coffee might cost a few euros, and they might have two coffees and call it a night. Coffee is a massive part of Greek culture and I recommend learning more about it!
Food Culture
You may not know this, but Greek people love to eat! We love everything about it. The food, primarily, but also the socializing around it, preparing it, complaining about it if it’s not good, telling people that your mom makes a better version of something than what you’re eating right now, anyway, you get the point. Eating is more than just a meal in Greece. Going out to eat at a restaurant is another way Greeks engage in their social circles.
The main thing to know about eating in Greece is that the schedule of meals is quite different than what you might be used to. Greeks will often just have coffee for breakfast, sometimes adding a “koulouri” as a quick snack on the go. You’ll find kiosks and shops all over that have deals for coffee and koulouri breakfasts for just a couple of euros. It’s a great deal and will hold you for a couple of hours until you need another snack!
And if you want to learn more about Greek food and cooking, check out my recipes section for authentic and easy Greek dishes you can make at home!
Lunch used to be the main meal of the day in Greece, and up until the mid-2000’s, it would be followed by a nap. Greeks love a nap. It’s part of what makes us live so long! Greek society was built around a siesta schedule, usually because it would get too hot in the middle of the day to work. Businesses would close for lunch at 2pm, workers would go home, eat lunch, take a nap or go for a swim, then go back to work around 5pm and work until the evening. Thanks to late-stage capitalism, Greece has largely moved away from this lifestyle. So, people often eat lunch at work or on the go or not at all. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still take a nap. You’re on vacation, after all!
Dinner in Greece is a late meal; often people won’t go out for dinner until 8pm at the very earliest. It’s typically even later, sometimes 10pm, especially in summer when the daytime heat is intense and the sun doesn’t set until 9pm-ish. Expect that most restaurants, particularly in tourist areas, will stay open past midnight. As with everything else in Greece, dinner is a protracted affair. You can sit and enjoy your meal for hours, and no one would think strangely of it. In fact, you won’t even get a check dropped at your table until you ask for it. It’s considered rude to do so! Point is, take your time, order lots of food, and enjoy yourself!
Smoking Culture
Greek’s relationship with smoking is still pretty strong. Unlike the US, there are very few restrictions on smoking. Most restaurants, bars, cafes, and sometimes even shops, allow smoking. There are rarely “smoking sections” and “non-smoking sections” in restaurants because nearly everyone has a cigarette in hand. It’s not great. I will say that every year, fewer and fewer people are taking up cigarettes, but the scourge (sorry, I’m biased) of vaping is on the uptick. You should know that marijuana is illegal in Greece, though you may catch a whiff of it in certain neighborhoods around Athens and other larger cities.
When Should I Visit Greece?
IMMEDIATELY. Ok, just kidding, mostly. When people ask me “when should I go to Greece?” I always reply with a few questions - first, do you prefer snow and mountains or summer and beaches because we’ve got it all! If you’re from central California like I am, you’ve probably heard people use the term “Mediterranean climate” to describe the weather. Up until 10 or 20 years ago I would have said that’s pretty accurate, but weather patterns have changed globally, and climate change has not spared Greece.
The good news is that Greece has whatever kind of climate you’re into. Want hot beach weather? We’ve got that. Cold, rain, snow? Yep. It’s really all about time of year and geography! Year round you can experience wineries, breweries, distilleries, agritourism, and urban exploration. If you’re specifically interested in beaches and islands, I’d recommend visiting in spring and summer. The busiest (and hottest) months of the year are July and August. With over 8000 miles of coastline, Greece has plenty of beaches to explore! For winter sports, mountain hiking, and fewer tourists, visit Greece between October-April. The country is extraordinarily mountainous, and skiing in Greece is very popular in winter.
So, that wraps up the basics of what you need to know about going to Greece and I hope you’ve found it informative! I’ll be sharing more info about traveling in and around Greece soon, so stay tuned for that. In fact, if you sign up for the Greek Like Me newsletter, you’ll get occasional updates sent directly to your inbox.
If you have questions, comments, or any feedback at all, shoot me a message or post a comment below! Happy Greek travels!