Greece Tourism

Why Visit Greece?

Greece is home to 18 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Acropolis, and the Temple of Apollo. 

There are over 6000 islands; it is a breeze to go island-hopping like no other. 

Some historical ruins are older than most cities in the world.

Known as a Foodie’s paradise, each region offers its unique flavour. 

A place for experiencing diversity and blending rich culture with a modern touch. 

Places to Visit - 

Mykonos - 

Part of the Cyclades, located in the Aegean Sea, is known for white sand beaches, iconic windmills, alleys filled with bougainvillaeas, and nightlife that goes till sunrise. A city that blends old charm with luxury. 

Athens- 

The capital city of Greece, Athens, is primarily defined by its rich history, offering legendary landmarks such as the Acropolis, ancient theatres, the Meteora Monasteries, and vibrant markets. Makes a great spot for travellers who want to combine historical exploration with hustle in one trip. 

Santorini- 

The world-famous island in Greece offers dramatic beauty and exquisite landscapes. Whitewashed buildings and blue dome churches belong to this place. Expect great food, warm locals and island life. 

Crete- 

It is the largest island in Greece, offering panoramic mountain drives, offbeat Mediterranean locations, pink sand beaches, and ancient sites. Crete has got a soul of its own, colourful, bold, but warm. 

Thessaloniki- 

Thessaloniki is the locals’ favourite secret, boasting Roman ruins, fascinating castles, scenic seafront walks to the striking White Tower, and gorgeous sunsets. This city has a laid-back vibe and is filled with stories to unravel.  

Budget and Accommodation 

If you’re visiting Greece, then a little planning goes a long way and can be affordable. Round-trip flights from India to Greece can cost up to ?70,000. To spend an exciting 7-day trip in the ancient country, the budget should be around ?1,50,000 to ?2,50,000 per person. The significant expense is flights; however, touring local sights and food expenses can come up to ?5,000 to ?7,000 per day, but it is subjective. 

There are various options for accommodations in Greece, from budget hostels ranging from ?3000-4000 per night to mid-range hotels costing around ?5000 to ?11,000 in off season, but can spike to ?6000 to ?12,000 per night in peak season. 

Best Time to Visit 

Greece experiences good weather almost all year round, but the best time to go is between April and June or September and October. The weather is pleasant, not too hot, and the city is comparatively less crowded. Everything’s a bit more inexpensive, too, which is a bonus. 

The spring season, which occurs from April to June, is considered to be ideal for long walks and hiking in those picture-perfect spots. 

July and August are buzzing with nightlife and traditional festivals during these two months; however, it can get expensive and immensely crowded. 

There are no harsh winters here, and it is super quiet if you’re into slow travel. 

The Mediterranean climate is warm, primarily and has short winters. Truly, it's always a good time to visit Greece; it all depends on your preferences. 

How to Reach Greece? 

By Air- 

There are no direct flights from India to Greece, but many airlines offer one-stop options to cities in Greece, such as Athens or Crete. Flights depart from major Indian cities, such as Mumbai and Delhi, with layovers in well-known cities like Dubai, Istanbul, or occasionally Doha. 

By Train-

There are no trains from India to Greece, but if you’re already in the country, you can commute easily from nearby countries like Bulgaria, North Macedonia or Serbia. Although they are scenic, it takes a lot of time and can interfere with timelines.   

By Road - 

Cruising around Greece is both feasible and enjoyable. Ensure you have the necessary documents before you take on the European roads, and be aware of the rules and regulations of the countries you pass through. 

Culture and Lifestyle in Greece - 

Cuisine- 

You must try Souvlaki, Moussaka, which is a traditional Greek-style lasagna, as well as seafood. Eat at spots like Kuzina, located in Athens, Avli in Crete, and Steki in Santorini for a divine food experience. 

Language -

The national language of Greece is Greek; however, English is also widely spoken in the country. 

Attire -

Go light and wear breezy clothes - linen shirts, cotton garments and sundresses. Don’t forget to add modest cover-ups when visiting cathedrals and monasteries. 

Things to do in Greece - 

Swim in the blue caves: To enjoy this serene experience, Head to Milos or Zakynthos to see crystal clear water and astonishing cliffs. 

Explore Athens: Discover the heart of Greece, the Acropolis and delve into ancient times and then head out to chill at a rooftop cafe while enjoying the view of the city. 

Go to Plaka: Get to know the food scene, stroll through the narrow streets of Tripodon and fall in love with the charm that it has to offer.

Watch the sunset in Santorini: As touristy as it sounds, this one will always remain special. Oia, situated at the northern tip of Santorini, is known for its immaculate sunsets. 

Sail in the Cyclades- Book yourself a cruise during April or the End of October and swim off the boat to create lifetime memories—a great way to explore the Greek islands and sail. 

Shopping 

What to Shop - 

A staple Greek tradition is to buy ceramics, the iconic evil eye hangings, and jewellery, as well as leather products like shoes and bags, handmade natural soaps, artisanal cheeses, local wine, and oregano. 

Where to Shop - 

If you want to bargain, go to the Monastiraki Flea Market (Athens), buy souvenirs and jewellery if you are in Plaka. Want to get your hands on traditional goods? Then, go to Crete and Santorini to shop at aesthetic luxury boutiques and enjoy wines from local vineyards. 

Short Itinerary - 

Day 1: Arrive in Athens and explore the Acropolis, Plaka and enjoy a rooftop dinner. 

Day 2: Day tour of Athens- Visit museums, vibrant markets, interact with locals and chill at cafes. 

Day 3: Take a ferry to Mykonos - Visit Greek islands or relax at Pink Sand beaches. 

Day 4:  Explore Venice and have a good time while enjoying the nightlife. 

Day 5: Take a ferry to Santorini - witness the colourful sunset and enjoy cityscapes while enjoying local cuisine. 

Day 6: Fly back to Athens and go shopping. 

Day 7: Depart

What to Pack

Flowy Cotton dresses, Linen shirts, shorts, swimwear and in case it gets cold, pack an emergency jacket. 

Streets in Greece can be quite challenging to navigate as a tourist; make sure to have a downloaded map. 

Pack a universal adapter and a charger, Greece uses Type F and Type C plugs. 

Make sure to have your documents (passports, visas, and travel insurance) and copies of your bookings handy. 

Visa and Immigration 

To experience tourism in Greece as an Indian, you need to apply for a Schengen visa. The visa will grant you a stay for up to 90 days or 180 days. To apply, simply go to VFS Global. You’ll need the necessary documents, including bank statements, flight and hotel bookings, and travel insurance, as well as your passport. Try to apply for it 2-3 weeks in advance to ensure a perfect holiday. 

Tips - 

Be sure to book your stay and ferries in advance, as the demand can become overwhelming during the peak holiday season. 

If you’re planning to take a vacation to explore tourism in Greece, book during spring and fall 

Head to the streets and savour local cuisine; it's more affordable and guarantees authenticity. 

Even though Greece's Tourism merits offering exceptional islands, it is important to weigh which ones are important for your travel style. 

Driving in Greece can be daunting because the roads are not well-developed, so do your research well ahead of time.  

Among the best cities in Greece, Athens and Thessaloniki top the list. They offer a number of things to do to the tourists so that they can have a pleasant stay and the best time of their lives in Greece. The best thing about Greece tourism is its connectivity with other parts of the country as well as other countries. Some of the best Greece tourist places that one must not miss on a trip to the country are Peloponnese, Crete and Acropolis. These are some of the places that hold a special place in the history of Greece. Like Acropolis, Delphi is an important site as it was considered the centre of Earth according to Greek mythology. It is now a sacred place, and thousands of people visit it every year to meet the priestess or just have a glimpse of the beautiful place.

Apart from the places, Greece tourism has also grown because of the various activities that the place has to offer to its tourists. Being a country with a number of islands, there are many beaches in Greece. Visiting the Greek islands can be quite fun when people get to try water sports like scuba diving, snorkelling and swimming. There are various sites to offer adventure activities like hiking, camping and trekking.

The Greece tourism industry has developed the place quite efficiently, making it very tourist friendly. One must definitely visit it in order to have some fun during their vacations.