Do’s and Don’t’s For Travelling and Visiting In Greece
Photo taken on iPhone 14 Pro
Greece is (and was) an amazing vacation. But like most places, it has its uniqueness and things that you should be aware of.
When you travel it’s good to do some research on the country before you go, even if you think the country is similar to yours. You don’t want to run into trouble — or awkwardness — if you do something differently.
It’s also good to be aware of things so you can maximize your time and money and have fun. Each country has its own set of ‘must-haves’ and you don’t want to not experience one, in case it’s a while before you get to come back. With Greece being far from where I live and quite expensive to get to and stay in, I wanted to make sure I made the most out of the trip.
So, here is my list of do’s and don’t’s when going to Greece!
Do’s:
Buy a combined Athens ticket
The Ancient Agora in Athens
Photo taken on iPhone 14 Pro
This was the best tip we were given before going to Greece. We had friends who had gone and they said they bought all of the attractions tickets separately which costed way more money than any of the combined tickets. So, we did some research and found a combined pass that worked best for us.
There are a few options. We chose the option without the hop-on/hop-off bus tour of Athens. By the time we got the tickets, we felt we had seen most of what we wanted in Athens. We had already gone on an excursion up to central Greece and most of the ancient attractions we wanted were within walking distance.
See, my Acropolis blog for links to combined tickets!
2. Go to the islands
Oia, Santorini
Photo taken on iPhone 14 Pro
This is a must and something we wish we had looked into more. We did go to Santorini but that was the only island and we regret that decision. While the islands can be harder to get to with ferries being long rides and airplanes being fairly expensive my husband and I have both said that if/when we go back we want to island hop.
Santorini was something out of a dream or a painting. It was gorgeous, it was relaxing, it was fun, we felt safe and we 100% would go back. There aren’t as many things to do as the big city of Athens but that didn’t feel like the point of Santorini.
The islands are, truly, the best part of Greece. They’re beautiful and each one has its own uniqueness so you don’t feel like once you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all. Go to the islands!
3. Research tourist information for different seasons
Ancient City of Thera, Santorini
Photo taken on iPhone 14 Pro
This is important. Depending on the time of year you go things can be closed. But during peak season things might be crazy and overwhelming. Make sure you look things up before booking your trip. You wouldn’t want something that you were really hoping for to be closed for the season.
This is especially true on the islands. We were very lucky when we went to Santorini. We were there from March 24-29 and Greece’s tourist season starts on April 1st. Where we were in Santorini, we were virtually the only tourists because it was right before the start of the season, but the restaurants and attractions had started opening up to get ready for tourist season. We found we often had restaurants and attractions to ourselves and that was amazing. But had we come earlier it might have been a lot more difficult to find somewhere to eat.
Greece also has a mandatory quiet time. Which is a lot more relevant on the small islands and smaller towns on the mainland than in the big city of Athens. In Athens, nothing shut down (not that we saw anyway) but we always had a food plan just in case we couldn’t find something from 3pm until 5pm.
4. Try Greek Coffee
Greek coffee at Piraeus
Photo taken on iPhone 14 Pro
Greeks are very serious about their coffee and it is for sure a must-try. I don’t drink coffee anymore but even I knew I needed to try one. Either try a Greek coffee or a frappe. Both are delicious.
Coffee is an important part of the Greek culture as well. Food and beverage are the pinnacle of everyday life. They’re a heavily social event and if you’re going to go to Greece you have to experience Greek culture and traditions. So try slowing down your eating and drinking.
Wait staff won’t rush you along (truly, sometimes we had to wait half an hour for our bills or a beverage refill). But just go with it. You’re on vacation and sometimes it’s really nice just to sit outside in the sun and slowly enjoy your cup of tea or coffee.
5. Relax
Relaxing at our Cave hotel in Santorini
Photo taken on iPhone 14 Pro
Going along with the slow coffee theme, relaxation is huge. In North America, we can often be rushed and not truly get to sit and enjoy our meals, coffees or days Relaxation is a number one priority for Greeks and it’s one of the things I loved the most about Greece.
Just like with the mandatory quiet time and the slow coffee, relaxation is simply built into the day. Unless you’re driving in the big city of Athens, Greek people are not in a rush to get places and that kind of mindset is contagious.
You’re on vacation so take your time, allow yourself some siestas and don’t always feel like you have to run from place to place. Believe me, I am a fast walker and there were definitely limits to my ability to walk behind slow people but I certainly enjoyed not always feeling the pressure to rush, rush, rush.
Don’t’s:
Wear the wrong clothes when visiting churches/monasteries
Meteora Monestary
Photo taken on iPhone 14 Pro
We did an excursion to the Ancient City of Delphi and to the monasteries of Meteora which was an amazing experience (despite it being a very long drive back to Athens) but something we learn (boy, was I glad we read the excursion instructions) was about the clothing restrictions.
Now, I know there is a huge movement about letting people wear the clothes they want to even if it doesn’t fit your ideal version of modesty but not every country is like yours and has the same mindset. So, when you choose to go to another country you should be aware of what is normal and customary and mandatory. Going into the monasteries you need to be modestly dressed.
They ask that women wear dresses or skirts and all people need to have their shoulders covered. This is a long tradition and they simply won’t let you enter if you’re not dressed appropriately. Most have covers you can borrow to wrap around your waist like a skirt but some have ones you can buy so be prepared.
2. Be an obnoxious tourist
Pyrgos Kallistis, Santorini
Photo taken on iPhone 14 Pro
While Greece may look and feel similar to countries such as Canada or the US the customs, traditions, etiquette and expectations are different.
When you’re staying in AirBnb’s something to keep in mind is the hot water. Every one we stayed in had the same rule. the hot water switch was turned off and when you wanted to shower you needed to turn it on for 20 minutes, have your super fast shower and then turn it off. Sometimes you’d only get like 2 minutes (5 if you were lucky). Don’t be the tourist who keeps the switch on and costs the owner a ton of money.
Also, be mindful when you’re out and about to not be outwardly judgemental or annoying. You are representing your country so people will associate your behaviour with your country. Be respectful and courteous when you’re out in public and to the people.
Honestly, this is great advice for wherever you go. You don’t need to go travelling to other countries and act like a jerk and be disrespectful. The last thing you want to do is offend the locals. Greeks are typically quite calm and chill. Try to match their energy and be friendly and kind.
3. Assume you have the right of way as a pedestrian
Entrance to the Acropolis
Photo taken on iPhone 14 Pro
This seems to be a European and British thing. In North America, pedestrians pretty much have the right of way wherever we are. At lights, at crosswalks, we even often get away with jaywalking. But not in Europe or the UK and Greece is no exception.
Cars in bigger cities, such as Athens, drive well over the speed limit and often without regard for the rules and motorcycles own the place. Lane splitting is allowed and they always do it. Motorcycles will go right to the front of the line at lights and take off like jets.
Be mindful to wait for the cars (even on crosswalks) and take a few extra seconds to pause before immediately crossing at an intersection (people run red lights often).
4. Get overly intoxicated
Having the most delicious hot chocolate at a restaurant in Athens
Photo taken on iPhone 14 Pro
Greek people, while they do drink, they don’t drink to intoxication. So, going along the lines of “don’t be an obnoxious tourist,” don’t go and get drunk and make a scene. Greeks don’t pre-drink before heading out and even when they are out they tend to have one or two and drink them slowly.
In Santorini, we found people really only had alcohol with dinner and often, they didn’t even finish one.
If you enjoy drinking, partying and getting drunk, Greece is not the country for you. You can definitely have alcohol but it’s not the place to get intoxicated. Instead, choose a Greek coffee (or a delicious hot chocolate like I had here)!
5. Don’t spend too much time in Athens
The Ancient Site of Delphi
Photo taken on iPhone 14 Pro
One thing we wished we had known before booking our trip… Athens isn’t that great of a place. Greece is amazing and the historical sites of Athens we absolutely incredible but Athens itself… Meh.
We found that Athens was crowded, dirty and full of run-down buildings and crime. It’s definitely worth going to for the sites but we spend 2 of our 3 weeks there and found it was too much time; we ran out of things to do.
My recommendation, spend no more than 5 days in Athens and the rest of your time on the islands or in other cities on the mainland (but definitely the islands). We got a 5 days pass for the main sites so we made a plan to see about 2 sites per day. Some days we ended up finishing by 12:30/1pm and then having nothing to do for the rest of the day.
We walked and explored a lot and there are tons of restaurants to go to but it often felt overwhelming with restaurants trying to force you in, vendors holding up their products at you and the immense crowds (and it wasn’t even peak tourist season).
So, limit your time there and explore more of Greece!
Greece is an amazing trip. If you do your research, understand their customs, traditions and culture and make a good plan for where you want to go and what you want to see, you’ll end up having an amazing time.
Happy travelling!
