A Guide to Backpacking to Greece – Let’s kick off your holiday to Europe by going to Greece, one of the most beautiful destinations in Southern Europe. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or maybe with your partner, Greece offers a stunning landscape that will impress you.
Greece isn’t too expensive, crowded, and touristy. In fact, it can be a great destination too for backpacking! That only will do if you do it right. So here we’ve compiled a roundup of everything you need to know about backpacking traveling to Greece!
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Essential Things to Know About Backpacking Greece
Before taking images of postcard-perfect caldera views, white-washed houses on steep cliffs, and dazzling scenery of Greece, we’ve got you covered by narrowing down the things you should know about backpacking Greece. Read on to know!
Best Time to Visit
The peak season in Greece is during the summer months of June–August with temperatures are around 33 degrees. Santorini and Mykonos will be in a huge influx of visitors, which makes prices go up a little higher. The overall atmosphere and weather are totally worth every money you spent.
Well, but the best time to travel to Greece depends on what kind of vacay you’re after. If you wanna see the sunset from a terrace in Santorini on a budget, go in May or October when the season isn’t too crowd and the resorts of Oia are quite affordable for backpackers.
The early spring and fall season in Greece could be awesome since the weather is still warm but you can get anything at cheaper prices. It’s also easier to meet locals, which will make your backpacking experience in the Mediterranean even more fun!
Best Places to Visit
No one could resist its plethora of beaches, ancient cities, and summer vibes when backpacking Greece. You can explore the mainland, do some island hopping, or get around the city by renting a car. Experience this country like a local and you’ll be surprised at how friendly the Greeks are.
Find below our top picks of places to visit in Greece!
1. Santorini
Who doesn’t know Santorini, anyway? This most popular island in Greece is beautiful and offers you epic sunset views. Although the town of Oia is fully packed almost all the time, it deserves your visit at least once in your life.
You can visit Santorini as early as April and as late as November to get very decent weather. To keep your backpacking on track, try to stay in a smaller local town like Pygros or Kamari, which is just right on the ocean.
2. Mykonos
If you like parties, Mykonos is your answer. This island is best known for its glamour and nightclubs, despite the fact that it might be expensive for backpackers. So if you’re on a budget and don’t like DJs and parties, we don’t suggest you travel here.
However, Mykonos also has plenty to do too, such as visiting the windmills and Paraportiani Church, walk around charming villages, and take some Insta-worthy photos in Little Venice look alike. Don’t forget to visit Paraga Beach, where you can lounging by day and partying at night!
3. Athens
Athens is a modern metropolis and an ancient open-air museum. You won’t regret coming to Athens as you can explore a trendy neighborhood with great cafes and restaurants, bars, or shops, while on the other hand the Acropolis and its world-class museum.
Being one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens surprisingly has a huge cafe culture around Kolonaki and nightlife bars in Plaka and Monastiraki. So, where else you can have these two modern and ancient vibes all in one place?
4. Meteora
Meteora is famous for its monasteries that sit atop sheer rock pinnacles, which will be worth the steep trek up to the top. They were built in inaccessible places so monks could retreat from the wars back then. This is one of the astonishing historic places you should visit in Greece.
You can visit a few monasteries in one day if you start early in the morning, but if you only want to see one, the famous monastery is Moni Megalo Meteoro. It’s built on the tallest rock in the valley, giving you the best view you could ever ask for.
5. Crete
Crete is Greece’s largest island, making it feels like a country on its own. With a wealth of historical sights, charming nature, dazzling beaches, mouth-watering Greeks food, and amazing wines, Crete is an appealing destination to explore!
Remember that to reach the entire island, it takes a 20-hour plus to drive! So you better choose the north side for its touristic resorts or the south side to see the authentic charm.
6. Off the Beaten Path Travel
There are hundreds of Greek Islands to choose from and include them in your itinerary. We believe you’ll be confused to narrow it down because any place in Greece looks magnificent! If you’re that adventurous soul, you can get off the beaten path in Greece.
If you have more than a week in the country, combining a couple of modern yet historic Cyclades Islands with the amazing clear-blue waters and outdoor activities in the Dodecanese Islands will be more than perfect.
Find Cheap Accommodation
One thing you should do when having a backpacking holiday is finding cheap accommodation. If you’re embarking on a backpacking trip to Greece on a budget, there are plenty of affordable accommodation options.
We know, we know… You surely want to chill by the white-hotel terrace in Oia, right? Enjoy a night or two at an awesome resort and several nights at a youth hostel to keep your budget just fine throughout your whole trip.
Depending on the area of Greece you’re traveling to, hostels typically cost around 11–40 USD per night for dorms or 25–40 USD for private rooms. You can get less in Athens and more in Mykonos. Hostels generally include free WiFi, bathroom, AC, and sometimes breakfast.
Find the accommodation that suits your budget here, even better with some promos or discounts.
What to Eat
In Greece, you can find loads of amazing foods, and also fine wines! Fresh vegetables, seafood, grilled meats, bread, cheese, yogurt, and all other Mediterranean dishes that you’ve been craving for so long. A nice dinner will cost around 20 USD in the tourist area.
If you want to have a fancy lunch or dinner at a luxurious restaurant, it may cost you around 35 USD, which comes with authentic Greek wine. Looking for something cheaper? Try gyros (Greek kebabs) which cost around 4 USD.
When you come on summer days, there’s nothing better than an iced coffee and Greek salad. Simple yet so delicious, this traditional healthy dish consists of tomato, feta, onion, and olives. Another great food is moussaka, a baked lamb and eggplant casserole covered with bechamel sauce. You can find this cuisine at almost all restaurants in Greece.
Wanna try some street foods? Greek street food craze is sweeping through Athens and Thessaloniki, where you can try some mouth-watering loukoumades, bougatsa, tyropita, and koulouri. Of course, you won’t understand the food, but all are worth trying!
Read Our Quick Travel Tips Here!
So you’ve booked the flight, hotel, and make your itinerary of where you want to go when backpacking Greece. Let’s go without a hitch by reading the last part of this travel guide; Greece travel advice!
- Remember it’s safe to travel to Greece, but you still have to be aware of your belongings. Pickpocketing can happen anywhere, so make sure to keep your passport, wallet, and other valuable things.
- The emergency service number in Greece is 112, in case you need anything.
- In summer, pack anything light but it’s always worth having trousers and a light jacket in your bag for ferry crossings.
- In winter, temperatures drop below 12 degrees so even Greece is filled with beaches, you still have to pack warm clothes.
- Don’t forget to cover your shoulders and knees when visiting churches.
- If you’re visiting Mykonos or Santorini, bring platform shoes and sandals to make yourself comfy when exploring around.
If you want to continue your discovering, our suggestion is to head to Prague, the most romantic city in Europe. Enjoy its quaint, cobbled streets, gothic architecture, and medieval charm. Don’t forget to wear a mask and comply with the health protocol during this pandemic.
Stay safe and happy holiday, t-mates!
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