Greece travel guides

April to October is the main season, with May to June and September to October the sweet spot: warm weather, calmer seas, and fewer crowds than the July and August peak. Athens is at its most pleasant in April to June and September to October, while the islands like Santorini and Rhodes run their full beach season from spring through October. Peak-season accommodation on Santorini books 6 to 12 months ahead.

Most itineraries start with 4 to 5 days in Athens for the Acropolis and museums, then continue to the islands: Santorini is a 45-minute flight from Athens costing about 80 to 150 euros, or a 7 to 9 hour fast ferry from Piraeus for 30 to 60 euros. Rhodes in the Dodecanese rewards 6 to 8 days and serves as a base for boat trips to Symi and Karpathos. Inter-island ferries also link Santorini with Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, and Crete for classic island hopping.

Daily budgets run about 70 to 220 euros in Athens and 80 to 250 euros on islands like Rhodes, with Santorini at the pricier end of the Greek islands. Acropolis entry costs 20 euros in the April to October high season and 10 euros in winter, and Athens metro rides are 1.40 euros. Eating at local tavernas, sharing mezze plates, and grabbing souvlaki street food keeps food costs low.

Greece is very safe, with Athens, Santorini, and Rhodes all fine for walking alone in most areas at night. The main cautions are pickpocketing in crowded Athens districts like Plaka and Monastiraki, overpriced tourist restaurants near major sights, and the strong summer sun, which calls for high-SPF protection and 2 to 3 liters of water daily. Swimmers should stay at designated beaches and watch for rip currents near cliffs.

Beyond its ancient sites, Greece offers hands-on island adventure: on Santorini travelers cruise the volcanic caldera, swim off crater islands, hike to the 567-meter summit at Pyrgos Kallistis for 360-degree views, and descend to the Red Beach's volcanic cliffs. Rhodes pairs a UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town with the clifftop Lindos Acropolis and Aegean beaches, plus boat trips across the Dodecanese. Athens anchors it all with the Acropolis, sunset hills like Lycabettus, and day trips to Cape Sounion and Delphi.