31 Essential Tips for Travelling in Greece in 2026

Greece is one of Europe’s most popular destinations and a fantastic place to visit. It has everything from ancient ruins, beaches and nightlife, rich history, and beautiful landscapes; there’s so much to see and do. But there are some things you should know before you go!

Are you planning to visit Greece? Of course, you are. Welcome to my travel blog, where I share my personal experiences as a “Super organized traveler,” as my friends call me. In this article, you will find all the essential tips you need to know to plan the perfect holiday in Greece.

Greece is a beautiful country that deserves to be explored and loved. You cannot visit Greece and not entirely fall in love with its culture, food, stunning islands, and very welcoming people. So here is my list of all the essential tips I can give you before visiting this wonderful country.

To make your vacation the perfect one you will never forget and always talk about.

2. Avoid Greece in July and August:

I went to Athens, Santorini, Ios, Paros, and Mykonos in the middle of September, and they weren’t crazy busy. However, still, I could not walk freely and take pictures in the evening on the main street cause there were too many people passing by. I went to Kefalonia in June, and it was a very relaxing vacation, with not too many tourists and prices were meager.

Santorini still receives many cruise ships till the end of September, and trust me, you can get stuck in the middle of a little alley because the crowd doesn’t move (it happened to me in Santorini, and I was there right in the middle of September). 

July and August are the high-season months, so every tourist city or island is super crowded, and accommodations are much more expensive than usual.

Travel Tip: Most phone providers charge extra fees to use your data plan abroad. If you don’t want to end up paying a fortune to use the internet in Greece, buying an eSIM for Greece on Airalo is the fastest and easiest way to have all the data you need while traveling. Check it out here!

3. Do your research about what island could be the best for your vacation:

Suppose you are looking for a party island. In that case, you should go to Corfu, Mykonos, Paros, Ios, Zakynthos, Kos, or Skiatos (Ios and Paros are crowded only during high season, from September to May; you can enjoy these islands as they deserve as I did).

If you are looking for a quiet island where to relax, you should check out Kasos, Lemnos, Kefalonia, Ithaca, and Karpathos, to name a few, where even during July and August, you can relax far from the noisy crowd.  If you are still looking for the perfect Greek island to visit, read which island to visit in Greece. 

Read the best island to visit in Greece

4. Make sure to learn some essential words:

I know the Greek language might be intimidating for some of us. Still, you have no idea how hospitable Greek people are. They will appreciate the effort, so learn some essential words to use at your accommodation or in a restaurant, like good morning, good evening, thank you, etc.

You might become friends with some locals just because you show them how much you like your country and culture just by saying a few Greek words. When traveling, I use Duolingo to learn basic sentences; it’s free and fun!

5. In case you want to visit more islands, check how far they are from each other:

Greece is a vast country. Some islands are next to each other, and you can travel between them in only 30 minutes by ferry, but some can be 15 or more hours of travel distance. So check a Greece map and ensure you have enough time to travel to every place you wish to see. 

Do your research and see how to go from one place to another. Buses and trains in Greece work very well on the mainland, and if you want to travel around the Greek islands, ferries travel daily, some of them even more times a day.

See Greek Ferries routes and prices.

European Travel Alert! If you are from the US and want to travel to Europe starting at the end of 2026, you must complete an ETIAS visa waiver form before your trip and pay the €7 ($7.25) fee. This easy-to-complete form should give you instant approval, but it’s recommended that travelers plan and submit their forms a few weeks before their departure date. 

6. Sleeping on a ferry overnight can be a good option sometimes:

If you must spend 8 hours on a ferry to reach your destination, traveling at night is an excellent way to save time and money. It is cheaper, and you will be spending all the time sleeping and waking up at your next destination. This way, you will also save money for one night of accommodation. 

I can guarantee the inside ferry seats are comfortable; bring a soft beach towel and a good travel pillow to use as a blanket. 

See Greek Ferries routes and prices.

7. In case you wish to do island hopping, plan to stay at least three days on each island:

Every island is beautiful, and of course, you wish to visit many of them, but remember that your ferry might not always leave early in the morning. You might get to your next destination after lunchtime, then go to your accommodation, check in, and get ready to go out, and more than half a day is gone. 

That is why I highly recommend spending at least two full days exploring each place. Having some time to enjoy the beach and going out at night to a nice restaurant is essential. 

It is your holiday, after all, so don’t plan an itinerary that is too tight. Otherwise, you risk ruining your travel and becoming tired.

8. Make sure always to print out your ferry tickets:

When I planned a Greek islands tour, I booked everything in advance, from museums, activities, ferries, and accommodations (like I always do to save money and time), and printed all the tickets I had. It was a great choice because they wanted to see a paper copy of my tickets while embarking on a ferry.

Otherwise, if you prefer to buy your ferry ticket on the spot, arrive at the ferry pier in advance and buy your tickets at the ticket office. The queue might be extended in some places and during high season, so arrive early. Another thing you can do if you leave Athens port and go on a hopping island tour is buy all your tickets simultaneously.

Some ferry companies are going to send all of the tickets to you in one go by email. Other companies will send you a code to collect your ferry tickets at the first port ferry ticket office you will go to. Just be careful not to lose them. 

9. Always apply good sunscreen:

The sun can be scorching and damage your skin during the Greek summers, so be smart and buy a good sunscreen lotion with aloe vera, as I always do. Please do not forget to apply it more times a day; it is essential to avoid looking like a lobster and spending the rest of your holiday indoors and in pain.

Also, never forget to apply a good aloe vera aftersun lotion after the shower every day, even after you go back home. It will help you extend your tan and prevent your skin from drying (and it is also one of the best remedies for a sunburn).

10. Bring your sunscreen from home or buy it at the airport before you leave:

You have no idea how expensive sunscreen can be in Greece, mainly in the most popular islands. A regular sunscreen that you might pay 5/8 euros/pounds at home in Greece can cost you even twice the price. So plan and save money, buy an excellent aloe vera sunscreen lotion and a good aftersun lotion.

Heads up! Want to plan the perfect trip to Greece? Check out “The Ultimate Guide to Greece“ and read all my articles. 

11. Bring with you water shoes:

Greek beaches are beautiful, but unfortunately, half are not made of soft sand. Water shoes are very colorful and comfortable. Trust me, they will save you a lot of pain while walking on the rocks or the beautiful pebble beach in Greece.

Shop stylish Water shoes.

12. If traveling with friends, please share your meal:

And by saying this, I mean there are so many delicious foods in Greece; you cannot just order a starter and a main course for yourself and try only two things a restaurant offers. Unless you are traveling alone, share all the food with your travel mates, order different dishes, and share everything. 

In this way, you are going to try most of the options on the menu, still feeling satisfied but not fully ready to explode (or maybe yes. Greek food is so good you won’t be able to stop eating everything), and you will try most of the delicious food Greece has to offer.

About traveling with a travel mate, check out “Tips for a Successful Trip with Your Partner” to get all the tips to make your next trip a wonderful experience.

13. Book a seat on the ferry:

Trust me that traveling on the hot deck of a ferry in the middle of the summer with 40 degrees or even more is not funny at all, so make sure to book a seat when purchasing your ferry tickets and make sure that your seat is inside where the air conditioning is always on. 

If you travel during the low season, don’t worry about the seat (unless the website asks you to do so), but if you travel during the high season, if you don’t book your ferry ticket in advance, you might end up staying outside on the deck because the inside seats are sold out.

See Greek Ferries routes and prices

14. If you are traveling between very distant places, check what the best traveling option is:

Sometimes, ferry travel can last more than 8 hours and only during the day. So, if there is a direct flight between your destinations, see it as an option instead of traveling by ferry if the price is not exceptionally high. 

I usually use the Omio website to compare flights, and train and bus ticket prices, in this way, you will save a lot of time that you might spend at the beach instead.

See all the options to move around Greece.

15. Eat local:

Greek food in Greece is much different from what you might have eaten in your own country at a Greek restaurant. My advice is always to do your research about the local cuisine. And when you go to a restaurant, ask your waiter what the local dishes are.

Every region has different delicious local foods, not only gyros, greek salad, and moussaka (which are delicious), but there is much more to try while exploring Greece. Also, try all the sweets in Greece; they are delicious.

16. Buy local products as souvenirs:

I think the best way to bring your holiday back home with you and give a present to your family and friends (if you usually bring back some souvenirs for them) is by buying local Greek products. 

In Greece, you can find delicious infused olive oils, olives of every kind and color, dry herbs, infused honey (I bought delicious Thyme honey in Ios, for example), liquors, local beer, almond cookies, and much more.

If you don’t want to travel with food, good options are handmade Greek soaps made with olive oil, lava sand, and honey, or purchase some local clothes. In Kefalonia, my mom bought me a wonderful Greek pareo and a pochette (Yes, I went on holiday with my parents even though I am not a child anymore, and I loved it. You should try it too).

Read the best souvenirs in Greece.

17. Take your time while eating at a restaurant:

While in Greece, take your time to enjoy your holiday, do not rush to explore, eat fast, and pretend that your waiter will give you the bill even before you have finished your meal.

Enjoy an excellent cold espresso and maybe a glass of Ouzo or one of the other typical drinks after your meal  (in some restaurants, they will give you a complimentary drink with your bill, so please leave a tip).

Greece is a place to relax, so enjoy every little detail.

Travel Tip: Most phone providers charge extra fees to use your data plan abroad. If you don’t want to end up paying a fortune to use the internet in Greece, buying an eSIM for Greece on Airalo is the fastest and easiest way to have all the data you need while traveling. Check it out here!

18. People are allowed to smoke inside restaurants and bars:

In Greece, most people smoke, and they do it inside bars and restaurants. Suppose you cannot eat in a place where people smoke at the table next to you. I highly recommend you choose a location with a garden or a terrace. 

Check if the people at the table next to you are smoking or have an ashtray at their table. In that case, you can ask to be seated at another table.

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19. Leave a tip at the restaurant:

If you eat and like the food and the service, please leave at least a 10% tip. It is essential to show appreciation (it is also part of their salary because salaries in hospitality are usually relatively low); most of the restaurants on the islands and some in Athens work only during the summer season. 

They also work very hard thanks to the affluence of tourists, so let them know you appreciate their work and service, and please don’t listen to other bloggers or websites if they tell you that in Greece, it is not customary to leave a tip.  If the service and food were good, be a good guest and leave a tip; even just 2 euros would be appreciated.

20. Gyros can be incredibly cheap:

In case you are on a budget, or even not, you will be surprised about how cheap Gyros can be. And they are also delicious. I ate them a lot for lunch while traveling around Greece. They are fast to get. You can eat them everywhere if you want to save time while traveling.

You will find different Gyros, with varying types of meat and vegetarians, with delicious falafel inside. 

Sunburn got you feeling fried? Don’t fret! Learn how to cure sunburn quickly and get back to your adventure!

21. Always bring cash with you:

Many small bars, tavernas, and shops still do not accept card payments, so keep that in mind and always have some cash with you. Also, if you are not sure, ask the waiter before starting to order if they accept card payments so you can withdraw some money before enjoying your meal.

Visiting Greece?

The Complete Athens Travel Guide
The Complete Santorini Travel Guide
The Complete Mykonos Travel Guide

22. Cash machines are everywhere:

They are very well signposted, but if you don’t see any, don’t be shy and enter a shop and ask where you can find one. It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak Greek. Most locals who work with tourists understand some English in the tourist places.

Otherwise, make sure always to have your Google translator. It can save your life while traveling abroad.

23. Book your accommodation a lot in advance:

Greece is a top-rated summer destination, so book your accommodation as soon as possible to get the best deal. Greek accommodation, especially on the most famous islands, can get fully booked very soon, so keep that in mind. 

I wrote articles about the best hotels in each Greek destination, so check out my Greece Holiday Spots.

24. Check also only room rentals if you are on a budget:

Hotels are great in Greece, but if you want to save money, why not book a room without breakfast? In this way, you will have more places to choose from. When I went to the islands of Mykonos and Ios, I didn’t book a big hotel, just a room in a nice and clean little guesthouse. The internal design was typical Greek, with a fantastic sea view.

When in Greece, breakfast is not a problem. Plenty of bakeries allow you to buy delicious and cheap sweet or savory food. In my opinion, this is the best way to enjoy Greece, eating their incredible food.

25. Bring with you an international driver’s license:

If you don’t, unfortunately, you might end up without the chance to rent a car. So check how to get it in your country. It is just a translation of your driver’s license and is usually valid for one year. If you are from Europe, you won’t have any problems but plan to get it if you come from a country outside the EU.

About renting a car, I highly recommend you look at my favorite rental car’s website, where you will find all the vehicles available everywhere around Greece with great deals. And remember, the sooner, the cheaper.

Want to become a SUPER-ORGANIZED TRAVELER and fight TRAVEL ANXIETY? Check out my Travel Anxiety Tips Page, where you will find all the help, tips, tricks and guides to plan your next adventure in the most organized way!

26. Don’t drink and drive:

I don’t want to sound like your mother, but when I got to Mykonos and I met the guy who brought my rental car to the port for me, the first thing he told me was: “Please, if you drive, do not drink, hire a taxi. Only the summer I went there, more than 50 people died because they got in a scooter or quad crash”. I am not joking, guys. There are more than 50 people in only three months. 

Greece has the third-highest motorcycle deaths in Europe, and this is because kids go there on holiday, they rent a scooter even if they have never driven one (because it is cool), they get drunk, and they lose their life crashing into something or falling from a cliff.

While in Mykonos, I saw kids driving scooters like it was their first time. And it probably was. Imagine them driving in the middle of the night, on streets they do not know, under the effect of alcohol. So, please, be careful and listen to your friend Valentina.

See Scooters in Greece (and drive responsibly)

27. Strikes happen everywhere, so be prepared to plan more time than you need to leave the country:

It can be a train or a ferry strike, so imagine you have to leave an island by ferry to get to Athens to catch your flight. If there is a ferry strike, you will be in trouble. So plan to have plenty of time. I advise that if your flight is on Saturday, make sure to be in Athens by Friday. 

Spend a night in the beautiful capital, book a nice restaurant, and enjoy your last night in Greece without being worried that you might not be able to catch your flight back home.

28. The most famous islands can be costly during the high season:

Mykonos and Santorini are probably the most visited and photographed islands in Greece and the world, so business owners take advantage of them.

If you are traveling on a budget, try to avoid the high season and look for accommodation outside the main towns; trust me, you will find a little treasure with a beautiful view at a significantly reduced price.

29. You won’t be able to drink tap water in most of the Greek islands:

In Athens, you might be able to drink tap water without any problems, so carry a reusable bottle with you. But avoiding it at all costs is highly recommended on most islands and the Greek mainland. 

Tap water is mainly used to shower and clean, so if you are like me and hate buying bottled water (avoid plastic and save the planet), you might be forced to do so.

Otherwise, you won’t drink water in Greece, so please keep yourself well-hydrated (Ouzo and Greek beer don’t count).  

Sunburn got you feeling fried? Don’t fret! Learn how to cure sunburn quickly and get back to your adventure!

30. Book a boat trip:

This is something you absolutely cannot miss (unless you suffer from seasickness; in that case, try to see if seasickness pills work for you; they do for me). Boat trips in Greece are a wonderful and exciting experience. They will take you to see sea caves and tiny beaches that you won’t be able to visit in other ways. 

You will swim and snorkel in crystal clear waters full of fish; some Greek boat trips offer you lunch with fresh food, local fruits, and drinks; it is an experience to try while traveling in Greece.

See Daily Boat Tours in Greece.

31. Be aware there are some naturalist beaches in Greece:

In case you don’t want to end up in one of them for many reasons (if you are with kids, for example), do your research and ask your accommodations where they are so you can avoid them, or in case you like getting tan all over your body, go and enjoy! 

Please don’t forget to apply good sunscreen EVERYWHERE! And read my guide to get the perfect tan.

Before you go…

You’re probably already picturing yourselves sipping Ouzo on a Santorini cliffside, but hold on to your floppy hats! Greece is a magical tapestry of ancient ruins, cerulean waters, and enough delicious food to make your taste buds do the Zorba the Greek. But before you pack your swimsuit and dream of becoming a modern-day Aphrodite, let me sprinkle some organization fairy dust on your trip.

Follow my tips and check out my Greece Travel Guide Page with all my articles about visiting Greece, and you’ll be navigating like a seasoned Mykonian sailor, not a lost lamb on Delos.

Imagine this: magically appearing ferries, restaurants where reservations are a breeze, and an itinerary that flows smoother than Santorini’s finest olive oil. No more scrambling for sunscreen (see my perfect tan guide), no more meltdowns over lost luggage, just pure, stress-free bliss. Greece awaits, my dears, and with some planning, it will be the most organized, unforgettable adventure you’ll ever have.

Now, who’s ready to make some memories that would make Zeus himself jealous? Opa!

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