greece

You're stepping into a country where 3,000-year-old marble columns meet blue-domed villages and late-night tavernas. Athens anchors the story — see the Acropolis, wander Plaka's lanes, then hop to nearby Saronic islands for a day on the water.

The Cyclades pull you on: Santorini's cliffside villages, Mykonos' beach clubs, Naxos and Paros with wide sands and quieter lanes, plus coastal walks and swim stops tucked into coves. Crete feels like its own mini-nation — rugged gorges, Minoan palaces, olive groves, and a food culture that locals swear by.

Inland, Meteora's monasteries cling to rock pillars, while the Peloponnese layers Mycenaean ruins, Byzantine towns, and easy coastal drives. Everywhere you go, you can mix sailing day tours, snorkelling and scuba, olive oil tastings, wine tours, monastery visits, sunset cruises, and photography walks with a local guide who knows the shortcuts.

You'll likely fly into Athens International Airport, then connect to islands via 2–5 hour ferries or short hops on regional flights. Once you're island-side, buses link main towns, but rental cars or ATVs give you beach-to-village freedom; on Crete or the Peloponnese, a car is the easiest way to string together coastal walks, ancient sites, and mountain villages.

For a first timer, base in Athens (2–3 nights), then sail or ferry to Santorini and Mykonos for icons, and on to Naxos or Paros for calmer beaches and village strolls. Add Crete for deeper hikes and food tours, or loop the Peloponnese for Nafplio, Epidaurus, Mycenae, and seaside towns that feel worlds away from the capital.

Tap water is generally safe on the mainland and larger islands; bottled water is common elsewhere. Eat like a local: grilled octopus, saganaki, dakos, tomato-keftedes, Cretan olive oil, Naxos potatoes, Santorini fava, and pies filled with wild greens. Order shared plates at a taverna, pair with local white wines (Assyrtiko from Santorini, Moschofilero from the Peloponnese) or a carafe of house red, and finish with loukoumades or spoon sweets.

Greece is slightly smaller than Alabama, but its coastline sprawls thanks to roughly 6,000 islands and islets — 227 inhabited — spread across the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Landscapes swing from Cycladic cliffs to Crete's White Mountains, pine forests in the Peloponnese, and fertile plains in Thessaly.

Protected areas include Samaria Gorge National Park, marine parks for monk seals and sea turtles, and highland reserves that reward coastal drives with easy hikes.

Expect a Mediterranean rhythm: dry, sunny summers and mild, wetter winters. Peak travel runs April–October, with July–August bringing heat and busy ferries; plan early sailings for smoother crossings and book sunset cruises in advance.

May–June and September–early October hit the sweet spot — warm seas for beach time and swim stops, fewer crowds for island hopping, and cooler air for coastal walks and monastery visits inland.

You're traveling through one of the world's foundational civilizations: Athens' Parthenon, the theaters of Epidaurus, the palaces of Knossos on Crete, and Mycenae's Lion Gate. Archaeological sites double as outdoor classrooms — go early, pair with a local guide, and see how layers of Classical, Byzantine, and Ottoman history stack across the landscape.

About 10.4 million people call Greece home; Greek is the language, and the Greek Orthodox Church shapes many traditions and calendars. You'll feel filoxenia — hospitality — as you linger at a taverna or accept a small dessert "on the house."

Dress modestly at monasteries (shoulders and knees covered), and keep cash handy in villages where cards aren't always king.

Tourism is a cornerstone of the economy alongside shipping and agriculture; you'll pay in euros, and card acceptance is broad in cities and main islands, with cash useful in smaller villages.

Have more questions about planning your Greece trip? Explore our frequently asked questions for detailed answers on travel planning, trip prep, and everything you need to know before you go.