Honestly? I almost skipped Mykonos during my first Greece trip because I thought it would be just another overhyped Instagram spot. Boy was I wrong. That sunset at Little Venice with salty sea spray on my face and a sourdough dakos in hand – it rewrote my entire Greek bucket list.
Over 15 trips spanning rainy springs and scorching summers, I've discovered Greece isn't just Santorini and Athens. This guide covers everything from navigating crowded Caldera paths to finding secret coves in Milos. You'll get exact bus schedules from Athens Airport, current ticket prices for those Instagram-famous spots, and which tavernas actually deserve your euros.
Santorini: Beyond the Blue Domes
Let's get real upfront: Santorini is crowded. Like, elbow-your-way-through-Oia-for-a-sunset-photo crowded. But walking those caldera paths at dawn when the cruise crowds haven't arrived? Pure magic. Worth setting the alarm for.
The volcanic soil makes for insane sunsets and even better wine. Don't miss the Assyrtiko white at Santo Wines (open 10am-10pm daily, no reservation needed for tastings starting at €12).
Must-Do Experiences
- Akrotiri Excavations: Better preserved than Pompeii with fewer crowds (€12 entry, open 8am-8pm Apr-Oct)
- Kamari Beach: Black volcanic sands perfect for afternoon lounging (free access, sunbeds €10)
- Skaros Rock Hike: 45-minute trail from Imerovigli with knockout caldera views
| Spot | Location | Cost | Best Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oia Sunset Viewing | Byzantine Castle ruins | Free | Arrive 90 mins pre-sunset |
| Red Beach | Near Akrotiri village | Free | Before 10am |
| Fira to Oia Hike | Caldera cliff path | Free | Sunrise (bring water!) |
Local Tip: Avoid June-August cruise ship days (check santoriniport.com). When 5 ships dock simultaneously, Oia becomes impassable.
Athens: Where Ancient Gods Meet Street Art
My biggest Athens mistake? Trying to "do" the Acropolis in two hours. You need at least half a day for proper appreciation. The €30 combo ticket (valid 5 days) includes 7 sites – worth every cent.
Beyond the Acropolis
Most visitors miss these gems:
- Anafiotika: Whitewashed Cycladic village hidden below Acropolis (free access)
- Varvakios Agora: Chaotic meat/fish market open 7am-3pm (go hungry for €3 souvlaki)
- Philopappos Hill: Free sunset spot with Acropolis views better than rooftop bars
| Site | Hours | Ticket | Metro Stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acropolis | 8am-8pm (summer) | €20 (or €30 combo) | Acropoli |
| Ancient Agora | 8am-3pm | Included in combo | Thissio |
| Temple of Olympian Zeus | 8am-3pm | Included in combo | Akropoli |
Eating Affordable: Skip Plaka tourist traps. Head to Psyrri for O Kostas (Pentelis 5) – best €2.50 souvlaki in Athens since 1950. Cash only, closes when meat runs out.
Crete: Mountains, Beaches & 8,000-Year-Old Wine
Driving Crete's mountain roads terrified me at first. Narrow switchbacks with no guardrails! But discovering villages like Argyroupoli with freshwater springs running through tavernas? Absolutely worth the white knuckles.
Best Places in Greece to Travel for Diversity
Where else can you hike a gorge in the morning and swim in Libyan Sea waters by afternoon?
| Region | Highlights | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chania | Venetian Harbor, Balos Lagoon | 2.5hrs from Heraklion |
| Rethymno | Fortezza Castle, Arkadi Monastery | 1.5hrs from Heraklion |
| Lasithi | Zakros Gorge, Spinalonga Island | 2hrs from Heraklion |
Samaria Gorge Practicals: The 16km hike runs May-Oct only (€5 entry). First bus from Chania at 5:30am reaches Omalos at 7am. Finish before 3pm to catch return boats from Agia Roumeli.
Hidden Gems Most Travelers Miss
After Santorini crowds, these spots feel like discovering secret Greece:
Meteora: Monasteries in the Sky
No photo prepares you for seeing these 14th-century monasteries perched on sandstone pillars. The €3 entry per monastery is worth it just for the views. Kalambaka town makes a great base.
Pro Tip: Rent e-bikes (€25/day) to easily visit all six monasteries. Opening hours rotate – check visitmeteora.travel before going.
Naxos: Family-Run Tavernas & Empty Beaches
Compared to Mykonos, Naxos feels blissfully authentic. The Portara (giant marble doorway) offers free 360° sunset views. For €8 fresh grilled octopus, head to Taverna Kastro (Old Market Street).
Beach Guide:
- Agios Prokopios: Soft sand, calm waters (sunbeds €7)
- Aliko: Cedar-shaded dunes with nude section
- Mikri Vigla: Windsurfing capital with gear rentals from €25
Island Hopping Logistics: Ferries Made Simple
My first Greek ferry experience was chaos – showed up to find a 4-hour delay. Now I always check ferryscanner.com for real-time schedules.
| Route | Duration | Operator | Cost (Summer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens (Piraeus) to Mykonos | 2.5-5 hours | SeaJets/Blue Star | €40-75 |
| Mykonos to Santorini | 2-3 hours | SeaJets | €60-85 |
| Santorini to Crete (Heraklion) | 2 hours | Minoan Lines | €35 |
Money Saver: Book slow ferries (Blue Star) 2 months early for 50% discounts. E-tickets are sufficient – no need for physical printouts.
When to Visit: Beyond "Shoulder Season" Advice
"April-May or September-October" everyone says. But here's what they don't tell you:
- Late April: Wildflowers explode in Crete mountains but sea temps average 18°C (brrr)
- June: Santorini hotel prices jump 200% after June 10th
- September 15-30: Perfect sweet spot – crowds thin but everything's open
- October: Risk of ferry cancellations during meltemi winds
Crowd Calendar (Santorini Example)
| Month | Crowd Level | Avg. Hotel Cost | Water Temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | Medium | €120/night | 19°C |
| June | High | €250/night | 22°C |
| September | Medium | €140/night | 24°C |
Budget Breakdown: What Greece Really Costs
I've blown €150 on mediocre Mykonos cocktails (never again) and eaten like royalty for €12 in Crete. Here's the real deal:
| Expense | Santorini/Mykonos | Crete/Naxos | Athens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Hotel | €90-€150 | €45-€70 | €55-€80 |
| Taverna Meal | €18-€25 | €10-€15 | €12-€18 |
| Bus Ticket | €2.50 | €1.80 | €1.40 |
| Frappe Coffee | €5 | €3 | €3.50 |
Saving Strategy: Eat where construction workers eat. If you see hi-vis vests at 1pm, that taverna has good portions fair prices.
Greek Food Survival Guide
Stumbled upon this family-run place in Naxos after getting lost. Grandma hand-rolled dakos while her son grilled lamb. Paid €9 for what became my favorite meal in Greece. Moral: Wander away from harbors.
Must-Try Dishes by Region
- Crete: Dakos (barley rusk salad), snails in rosemary
- Peloponnese: Kalamata olives, pastitsio (baked pasta)
- Cyclades: Kopanisti (spicy cheese), sun-dried octopus
- Macedonia: Bougatsa (custard pie) for breakfast
Ordering Tip: "Tourist menus" often cost more. Ask for mayirefta – daily baked dishes like moussaka usually €8-12 including salad.
Transportation: Buses, Boats & Beat-Up Cars
Renting a car in Santorini? Prepare for heart-stopping cliffside roads barely wider than your Smart car. Worth it for Akrotiri sunset views though.
Getting Around Efficiently
| Mode | Best For | Cost Example | Booking Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTEL Buses | Mainland routes | Athens to Delphi: €16 | Buy tickets onboard |
| Local Buses | Island exploration | Santorini airport to Oia: €2.50 | Schedules at central stations |
| Car Rental | Crete/Peloponnese | €35/day manual | Book 3+ months early |
Ferry Hack: Avoid Flying Cat speedboats if seasick-prone. Opt for larger Blue Star vessels even if slower.
Answers to Your Burning Greece Questions
How long for my first Greece trip?
Stop trying to cram 5 islands into 7 days. With travel days, you need:
- 7 days: Athens (3d) + Santorini (4d)
- 10 days: Add Mykonos or Crete
- 14 days: Add Peloponnese or mainland sites
Is Mykonos worth the hype?
For parties and beaches – absolutely. For authentic charm? Not really. Drinks cost €15-25 at clubs. Better beaches exist in Naxos 40 minutes away by ferry.
Safety concerns in Greece?
Athens has pickpockets in Monastiraki and Omonia. Use anti-theft bags and avoid deserted streets at night. Islands are extremely safe though.
Best places in Greece to travel with kids?
Crete wins hands-down. Shallow-water beaches like Elafonissi, kid-friendly myths at Knossos, and affordable family rooms.
Can I drink tap water?
Athens and mainland: yes. Islands: usually not. Look for signs saying "ΑΠΟΣΥΡΟΜΕΝΟ ΝΕΡΟ" – that means non-potable.
How to avoid tourist traps?
Three red flags: 1) Menu translated into 5 languages 2) Staff pulling you inside 3) Photos of food on menu. Walk two streets inland instead.
Final Thoughts Before You Go
Seeing Delphi at golden hour last autumn, almost alone among the ruins – that's Greece beyond postcards. Don't race between sights. Order extra tzatziki. Talk to nonnas selling lace in village squares. Accept that ferry delays mean extra time for Greek coffee.
These best places in Greece to travel reveal different layers as you return. My first trip chased iconic photos. Now I seek wrinkled fishermen mending nets at dawn, the taste of just-pressed olive oil, cliffs where ancients believed gods dwelled. Slow down enough to find your own layer.
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