When is the best time to visit Greece

Greece is established as a summer holiday destination, yet few people know that 80% of Greece is mountains! One can experience all 4 seasons and enjoy activities and visits that correspond to each of the seasons.

High season in Greece is considered the summer -all 3 months: June, July and August. That is when we welcome most of the vacationers from all parts of the world. If you choose to visit during this time period, be prepared for large crowds in museums, archaeological sites, ferries, restaurants, beaches, on the islands. Also, higher hotel rates, airfare and car rental fees. Plus, the temperatures rise to alarming heat levels, reaching even 42-45 degrees Celsius is some areas.  

In late autumn and winter, mountainous destinations are at their peek: ski resorts, picturesque mountain villages featuring local architecture and customs, winter Greek cuisine with seasonal veggies and fruit, activities such as river rafting, mushroom hunting, hiking in the woods, snowboarding. 

If you have the time flexibility and can travel anytime, I would suggest choosing the ‘bridge’ months to visit Greece (in between high & low season): September/October and April/May. You will get the mild temperatures, reasonable hotel rates, fewer travellers, more space in popular sites and museums. 

Otherwise, if your work and lifestyle allows you to travel anytime, choose the season and corresponding experiences you enjoy more!

Do I need extra Travel Insurance

There is always the question: shall I get extra travel insurance? My answer is it depends on what you wish to cover. For example, it is a good idea to get an insurance coverage for the event of flight cancellations or missed connecting flights, accidents, lost luggage, theft. Our travel company has an insurance policy that covers assistance and expenses in case of accidents or medical emergencies.  Most of my guests purchase insurance to cover the above and choose large insurance companies like Travel Guard, Travelex, Travel Insured International that offer comprehensive packages.

Packing

PDF Printable Packing List 

Airlines are very strict with weight allowance. Many of my guests ask me what to pack and bring with them in Greece. They want to bring their new clothes, their comfy sandals, toiletries, electronic devices. I do advise them to bring their essentials, travel documents, certainly an adaptor and any prescription medicine. I have created a PDF printable packing list to help you take off the items as you pack them in your suitcase. If you forget something, you can buy it in Greece. Make sure you leave space for purchases and gifts you want to buy for family and loved ones. 

How Greeks use numbers in Time/ Date/ Temperature

In Greece, we use numerical information as follows:

TIME we use more often the 24 hour clock (military time) to avoid misunderstandings and missed appointments. So, for example, 8.00pm in Greece you will see it as 20.00

DATE we write the date: Monday, 20 October 2025 or in short, 20–10–2025

TEMPERATURE we use the Celsius scale to measure the temperature a practical formula to easily convert to Fahrenheit, is double the Celsius number and add 30. For example, 30°C times 2 = 60+30 = 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

METRIC in Greece we count weight in grams, kilos. Liquids in litres and milligrams, distance in metres and kilometres. It is a good idea to download an application to help you with conversions.

Greek Addresses and how to read them

How to read a Greek address: first you have the name of the street (ie Stadiou) then the number (ie 22) and the postal code (ie 15777). The odd numbers are on one side of the street and even numbers on the other. In the beginning of each building block/street, there is a blue sign with the name of the street in Greek and English and underneath a smaller sign with two numbers: the number that the block starts with and an arrow with the numbers it finishes. (ie 15 –> 30).

When reaching an apartment building, you will look for the person’s or business name on the buzzer -we rarely use apartment numbers on buzzers.

Floors: Ground floor and then the numbers of the floors. On the elevator, ‘0’ indicates the ground floor. 

Solo traveling
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Senior traveling
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Traveling with children
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Transportation: Public transport, Metro, Ferries, Intercity Buses
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Cash vs Credit

It is advisable, and much appreciated by vendors when you pay small amounts in cash. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, except in distant/remote villages so it’s good to have cash on hand. You may safely withdraw Euros from bank ATM machines: look for the following signs: Alpha bank, Pireaus Bank, National Bank of Greece, Eurobank. Charges as per your bank.

Also, you may pay pre trip reservations/services via bank transfer. 

Tipping

It is advisable to tip if you are happy with the service in taxis, in coffee shops, at restaurants. To service providers like tour guides, bus drivers, hair dressers.  Typically, a 10-15% of the bill is much appreciated. 

Eating in Greece

Greek cuisine is based on the Mediterranean diet: olive oil, seasonal fruit and vegetables, pulses, fresh fish white meat, chicken, lamb, goat. Surprisingly, Greek cuisine is well suited to vegetarian and vegan diets. 

Tap water is drinkable in most areas, except on some islands where they don’t have water supply. Please ask your hotel reception if the water is drinkable. Also, it is good to know that the half litre bottle of water (500ml) costs 50cents, no matter where you buy it from. (it is the law in Greece). 

You will enjoy discovering local bakeries that are in every neighbourhood with freshly baked bread, cheese pies, spinach pies, breadsticks and all kinds of savoury and sweet baked goods. Greeks often grab something small for lunch from the bakery and have a dinner with the family at home. There are many fruit stands with fresh seasonal fruits, farmers markets, and mini markets. On almost all streets, you will notice yellow kiosks that carry everything: cold drinks, beers, bottled water, ice cream, snacks, cigarettes, magazines, phone cards, bus tickets. They are the Greek 7-11, our convenience stores. They even give directions, if you are lost. 

In specialty wine shops (we call them Cava), one can buy Greek wines, Greek beers and liquor to enjoy at their hotel or their accommodation. 

Prepare to eat ‘souvlaki’, our favourite fast food: grilled pork or chicken bites on a skewer, wrapped in a warm, soft pita bread and filled with tzatziki, onions, paprika and french fries. A quick and easy lunch or dinner on the go, favoured by Greeks and visitors alike! 

Local products to taste while in Greece: Local soft drinks (Orange, Lemon, Sour cherry, Mountain tea), Greek beers made in microbreweries, Greek wine, local ice cream, Greek chocolate bars, oregano flavoured chips, biscuits.

Shopping for souvenirs: what to bring home

Dried herbs like oregano or mountain tea, Greek honey, Olives, Olive Oil (if you have the space). Soap bars made of olive oil, Greek chocolates, snacks.  You can find beautiful linen clothing and cool cottons, handmade leather sandals, silver jewellery, and Greek skincare, namely Apivita and Korres.