Greece is home to thousands of islands, the locals are friendly and the food is extremely delicious.

 

Although some islands are very popular and can be overcrowded, other islands can be quieter and cheaper.

 

If you are looking for a summer adventure in Greece - consider some of the small islands, without the rush and prices that are good for the pocket.

 

tips:

 

'Hello' and 'thank you' in Greek: "Geiá sou" and "efcharistó".

Currency: Euro 

Visa: Visa issued for 90 days

Safety Rating: Ranked 65th in the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.93 (the US ranks 128th with a score of 2.4). There are some internal political conflicts in the country, but you are very unlikely to encounter conflicts in tourist areas.

Solo Travel Friendly: With friendly locals and a relaxing atmosphere, Greece is great for solo travelers. However, thefts are on the rise due to the economic crisis, so keep an eye on your belongings especially when traveling in the big cities.

Climate: The peak season runs from June to September, with July and August being the hottest and busiest months. Winter (December - February) gets quite cold and may not be pleasant for hiking. The shoulder seasons (April - June and September - October) feature smaller crowds and reduced prices, although some islands shut down their tourism activities until October and do not reopen until May.

Best SIM cards: Cosmote - You can buy cards at the airport but they only offer huge packages. Bring your passport.

 

Tip: The Greeks love to hear how much you enjoy the food in their restaurants, so be sure to let them know!

 

 

Budget travelers ($10 - $18): In popular areas like Santorini, Athens and Crete, you can find hostels and hostels costing about $10-$18 per night. For a little more privacy on a budget, plan your trip ahead and you can score a private room for as low as $16 per night.

 

Travelers on a medium budget ($44 - $100): A night in a decent, 3-star hotel costs about $50 - $100. Airbnbs may be a much better alternative, with a private room averaging $44 per night, and an entire unit averaging $106, both of which tend to be much more affordable than a hotel room.

 

Food

 

Street Food and Cooking Your Own Food ($5 - $10): Want to eat your way around Greece on the cheap? Look for gyros, which is very similar to kebabs, pies and breads. They shouldn't cost more than $5 and can easily fill you up. If your accommodation comes with a kitchen, head to the local market and you'll find fresh produce and seafood at reasonable prices. Budget about $50 for a week's worth of groceries.

 

Local restaurants ($15 - $30): Fresh food like vegetables, seafood and bread can be easily found all over the islands, and I think that's what makes the food in Greece so great! Greeks like to eat out and dinners usually start late. Many Greek foods are suitable for sharing, so if you are traveling alone, I recommend staying in a social hostel so you can meet new friends and taste amazing Greek food together. Expect to pay about $15 - $30 for a full meal.

 

 

Getting there: The main international airports are Athens International Airport and Heraklion International Airport, both of which receive many direct flights from all over Central Europe. Scenic train and bus trips are available from neighboring countries, including Albania and Bulgaria. You can also take a ferry if you come from eastern Italy.

 

Getting around the city: If you are in the big cities, the public transportation systems are cheap and convenient. You can easily get around for about $2 per ride. Outside the big cities, or on the islands, you can consider renting a car (if traveling in a group) or a motorcycle (if traveling alone). However, road safety is not exactly considered in Greece, and the roads are incredibly narrow in places, so only do this if you are a safe driver/rider, and make sure you have insurance. You need an international driver's license.

 

Intercity travel: you can take long-distance buses, all of which are under the KTEL network, almost all over Greece. On the other hand, most people will advise against traveling by train in Greece. If you want to minimize travel time, domestic flights are cheap and frequent. To get from one island to another, your obvious choice is to take a ferry. Seats can sell out quickly, especially in the busy months, so book your tickets early if possible!

 

Things to Do:

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Go on an island hopping trip: What better way to take in the blue waters and amazing islands than to rent a private boat and go on an epic trip?! It's not expensive if you share with a group of people. Many boat rental companies come with a professional crew so all that's left to do is enjoy your time on the boat. 

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List of quiet islands from the popular islands:

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• Kasos island

• Lemnos Island

• Skinari Beach Ithaca

• Kythira Castle

• Kastellorizo

• Halki Island

• Platis Gialos Beach in Lipsi

• Village of 'Chora' at Samothraki island in Greece

 

Explore the ruins: From the Acropolis in Athens to the ancient city of Kymiros, Greece is full of impressive sites that will help you better understand the history and myths of Western civilization. All are very popular and can get crowded during the day, so try to get to these sites early in the morning for a quieter experience.

 

Enjoy the views in Santorini: Who hasn't seen the pictures of Santorini, with beautiful sun rays shining on the bluest waters right below the equally beautiful whitewashed buildings? The Santorini background is so iconic, you've probably had it as your desktop wallpaper at some point! If your heart is really happy to see the views, I recommend staying in one of the nice hotels in Oia, so you can enjoy the sunset in peace.

 

See Myrtos Beach in Kefalonia: Myrtos Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The water is incredibly blue, and in the background you'll find dramatic cliffs and beautiful pine trees. There are also other stunning beaches in Kefalonia that are worth a visit.

 

Go to the birthplace of the Olympics: did you know that to participate in the Olympics in ancient times, you had to be a free man, Greek, male and naked? If you're a history buff, you probably already have this item on your list! It is very fun to walk in Olympia and try to imagine what it was like back then.

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nice trip :)