In 2019, 33 million tourists chose Greece as a vacation destination, which generated over $18 billion. After taking a hit in 2020-2021, Greece is again beginning to see people flock to its beautiful islands and mainland.
If you are one of the lucky people planning a trip to Greece, then you should start preparing now.
Begin with this guide on how to plan a trip to Greece.
When to Go to Greece
Going to Greece at any time of the year will be well worth the journey as the beaches are open all year. However, winter is less busy so some businesses may be closed.
The busiest times are in the early summer months of May and June or early fall in September. Spring is less popular but still a perfect time to enjoy the weather without the crowds.
Getting Your Visa
To visit Greece, you need to have a passport from your country of origin. However, because Greece is part of the European Union (EU) most foreigners don’t require a visa to visit.
If you are from a country that is not part of the EU or a country that has signed the Schengen Agreement like the U.S. or Australia, then you have to apply for a tourist visa. Visit Greece’s visa requirement site to see about applying per your country.
Staying in Greece
There are several international airports in Greece, however, many people choose to arrive in Athens. You can also pick a yachting vacation or a cruise to arrive in the country by boat.
Once you are in Greece, you need to book your hotels in the areas where you wish to stay overnight. Greece has about 227 inhabited islands to explore, however, you can do a day trip to many of them. Staying in major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki overnight and going island hopping during the day may be sufficient if you are only staying for a week or so.
Planning Sightseeing
Trip planning in Greece means seeing some of the most iconic sites. From the ruins of Olympia to the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, you can get a whole history lesson on Ancient Greece in one visit.
Don’t forget about other popular trip ideas like visiting the white sandy beaches and the crystal clear water to explore via water sports like snorkeling or speed boating.
Trying the Cuisine
One of the main things to do in Greece is try authentic Mediterranean foods that will have your mouth watering. Try fresh offerings of Greek feta cheese, olive oil, pasta, and fish in classic dishes like Souvlaki (gyros) and moussaka (aubergine fried and layered in minced meat.)
How to Plan a Trip to Greece Made Easy
If you want to know how to plan a trip to Greece, the best way to do so is to ask someone who has been there. While you have a general itinerary in this guide, you also want to speak firsthand with someone. If you don’t know someone personally, then look online at reviews or go to forums for international travel to get more insight.
You can also find related articles to get insider tips from our blog.
