Greece Travel Tips and Insider Guides
Click a city or region to browse our insider travel tips and guides about Greece.Read Our Insider's Guide To Greece
Introduction to Greece Located in southeastern Europe, the country of Greece is comprised of a chain of over 6,000 islands and islets . However, only 227 of the islands are inhabited. The four largest and most inhabited Greek islands are Crete, Euboea, Lesbos and Rhodes. The 6,000 islands are grouped into the following categories: the Argo-Saronic islands (in the Saronic Gulf),... [Read the full story]
Our Insider's Articles about Greece
I’m standing on the crest of Mycenae’s acropolis hill looking out over the ruined ramparts of the ancient citadel. It’s... [Read the full story]
On a sunny October day in the southwest Peloponnese, about 3 hours outside Athens, countless electric green olives were weighing... [Read the full story]
The Greek Island of Ikaria (Icaria) is the perfect destination for travelers who like the outdoor life: those who want to surf,... [Read the full story]
My October trip to Greece coincided perfectly with the Kalamata harvest season. Olive trees were ripe with fruit, and over several... [Read the full story]
To enter the world of the Greek islands is to enter a time-tested sanctuary decorated with sharp cliffs, lazy seas, perfectly... [Read the full story]
The most popular Greek islands offer some of the wildest parties, best organized activities, and most luxurious resorts in the... [Read the full story]
The experience was one of the most disorienting I’ve ever had. The milk of the lion is also known as the ouzo effect –... [Read the full story]
Many people travel to the Greek Islands to study world history and see ruins, younger travelers may want to experience the night... [Read the full story]
This is one in a series of culinary posts focusing on some of the tastiest ways to start a meal while traveling throughout Europe.... [Read the full story]
You can’t travel in Greece without feeling awed by the history that surrounds you. Especially on the Peloponnesian peninsula,... [Read the full story]
About Greece
Greece, where it all began, has been built on ancient ruins, and modern Greece is also something to behold, with excellent food, gold-leaf Orthodox churches, pristine beaches and islands, and a wild nightlife. The country is half mountainous mainland and half island (with 1,400 unique islands at the very least) and visitors are faced with the decision of where to go first. Would you rather see a nearly unexplored island or a party island such as Mykonos? Either way, no trip to Greece is complete without a visit to the capital city of Athens.
Here are some tips to help guide you on your vacation to Greece. Greece is the southernmost country on the Balkan peninsula and is bordered by Turkey, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, and Albania. Athens is home to Acropolis hill, the center of ancient Greek civilization. It is also a noisy modern city with economic troubles, but this state of affairs has turned up good travel deals for visitors in recent years. Athens is home to the National Archeological Museum, one of the best places in the world to view Greek artifacts.
Crete, Corfu, Santorini, Hydra, and Rhodes are just a few of the most popular islands in Greece, each providing their own unique versions of ancient ruins, white-washed towns, and white sand beaches. Greece’s larger islands can be accessed by ferry and plane, whereas the smaller islands are reached by ferry only. As of May 2011, U.S. travelers do not need a visa for visits of 90 days or less.
The official currency in Greece is the euro. Greek is the official language, and the modern Greek alphabet can be a challenge for visitors. Fortunately, most Greeks speak at least a little English, and almost everyone in the tourism industry speaks proficient English. Greece is one of the top travel destinations in the world and peak season is July and August, which can be unbearably hot. Your best bet at beating the crowds and the heat is to visit Greece in May, June, and September. Note that the sea is warmer in the fall than in the spring.
