Top Tips for Travelling in Greece

Planning a vacation in Greece is not as intensive as with some more exotic, tropical and off-the-beaten-path destinations, but, you’d be surprised with how much you can see and do with a bit of forward planning. You should never stick to one place here, no matter how nice the hotel pool is. Greece is a diverse country to visit, with as much incredible history and culture as there is amazing beaches, not to mention the glories that await inland and the culinary delights hiding around every corner. Culture Trip’s Greece itineraries come ready-made by our seasoned Travel Experts, who carefully design our trips to give you an authentic, immersive experience. Booking a spot on one ensures you get to experience the many facets of this Mediterranean archipelago, with the guidance of our amazing Local Insiders, on hand to show you everything from unique cultural insights to the best souvlaki in town.

The crime most travellers commit when visiting Greece is that they stick to just one place, whether that’s mainland cities like Athens or Thessaloniki, or a single island that best suits their budget, travel plans and flight routes. Some tourists barely even leave their beach resorts, but the less said about that the better. The truth is that getting the full picture of Greece requires a bit of hopping, whether that’s from Athens-to-island, or island-to-island-to-island. Different regions offer different kinds of beaches, different historic sites and unique regional cuisines. Our number one Greek tip is to embrace the joys of island hopping, which you can do on our eight-day Greek Island Odyssey.

Don’t get me wrong, there is no greater pleasure in life than an evening spent doing nothing other than sitting on an outdoor terrace, sipping on cocktails as the sun goes down over a Greek island. You could spend days and barely leave the sand, but it really is worth setting aside a bit of time to explore Greece’s awe-inspiring array of ancient historical sites. From the Acropolis in Athens and the Palace of the Grand Masters in Rhodes, to lesser-known archeological sites and mythical caves, hilltops and backstreets sprinkled all over the country. Take a detour inland, visit the local church, or embark on a day trip to a nearby ancient site. You won’t regret it.

Those who rarely stray further than burger and chips or a pepperoni pizza can be well catered for in Greece’s main cities and most popular islands, but our opinion is that doing so is verging on heresy, such is the importance of food to Greek culture. This place has one of the best cuisines on Earth – there’s the gyros, the souvlaki, the feta, the olives and ultra fresh tomatoes, not to mention incredible seafood across the islands. Approach Greek cuisine with a sense of adventure and open-mindedness. Try the thing you’ve never heard of. Tuck into the octopus even though it very much looks like an octopus. Trust us, you won’t regret it. Your tastebuds certainly won’t.

Western travellers can sometimes be a bit more casual with their manners in Europe compared to say, countries in East or Southeast Asia, which have a greater perception of having sacred places and exotic social customs. Greece and the Greek people, like any country, deserve to be treated with respect, while their customs and social expectations should be met gladly. Local churches and religious sites will have dress codes, just like a mosque or a Buddhist temple, and just because there are a few party towns in Greece it doesn’t mean loud, rowdy anti-social behaviour is anything less than a rude pain in the local’s backsides. Embrace etiquette, be friendly with everyone you come across and the Greek people will be some of the most charming you ever come across.

We just had to say it, okay! Without a shadow of a doubt the best way to experience the real Greece is on a Culture Trip. No staying in touristville, no restricting yourself to just one facet of Greek life, our trips will immerse you in the full experience and bring you closer to local communities.

Our eight-day island hopping adventure in the Cyclades offers the ultimate Greek holiday. We’ll start with some sightseeing in Athens – visiting the Acropolis and discovering the city’s trendiest neighbourhood – before hopping onboard our first boat to Milos. Explore hidden coves and gorgeous beaches on a sparkling boat cruise around the island, which is covered in incredible, lesser-trodden beaches and fishing villages. Milos, like our next stop, Naxos, is far less touristy than the larger islands, and both offer a far more authentic experience. In Naxos we’ll head inland for an incredible cooking masterclass in a local family home, where you can get hands on with delicious local ingredients like Naxian potatoes and arseniko cheese. Our final island-hop lands on Santorini, the perfect place to experience the luxurious highs of Greek island life. Potter around the island before sitting down for a farewell dinner and watching one of the best sunsets in the world fall upon the island’s iconic whitewashed, blue-domed buildings.

If you’re looking for something a little shorter then you can also join us on a five-day Speedy Greece tour, which still manages to blend the bustling best of Athens with the laid-back lifestyle of a lesser-known island. You’ll still get to visit the Acropolis, and see the modern artistry of the capital on a street art tour, before hopping on over the sleepy Cycladic island of Serifos. This is one of the most underrated and under-visited islands in all of Greece, and you’ll be able to check out the gorgeous old town, explore tiny fishing villages and visit the remnants of Gria Castle, as well as bathe on the stunning Kalo Ampeli beach and take part in a glorious sunset wine-tasting at a vineyard – now that’s the Greek good life.

Interested in a trip to Greece? Book your spot on our eight-day Greek Island Odyssey, or opt for a shorter retreat with our Speedy Greece getaway.