10 Things to Know Before Traveling To Greece

Last updated on June 12th, 2024 at 09:11 pm

With a past so rich and a future too promising, Greece is amongst the best places to visit if you seek life-changing experiences. The unique culture, traditions, and customs of the place will not only leave you thrilled and entranced but much more learned.

With that said, we recommend all our readers prepare themselves beforehand when traveling to Greece.

No – it won’t ruin your adventure.

No amount of preparation can truly, thoroughly prepare you for the magic of Greece. Even after months of planning and prep, we tell you, you’re going to go there and ask yourself: why didn’t I look it up before?

Nevertheless, here are ten things that we think you should know. Scroll down to have a glimpse of the diversity of experiences that awaits!

1. April – May: Best time to travel

If this happens to be your first-ever trip to Greece, the best time to travel is April – May. It is the shoulder season, which is relatively cool and comfortable as compared to the high season, which ranges from June – to September

The costs for car rentals and hotels are also not as high as during the hot season.

October & November are also good months to schedule your trip to Greece, but we wouldn’t advise any time between late November to Early April.

Seasoned travelers call this the low season, wherein the temperature’s too cold, and the buzz in the streets is almost non-existent.

2. There are loads of ruins to explore!

Now, the sound of the word ruins may not excite you. But trust us, this is what all those Greek legends are all about!

There are dozens of archaeological sites all across Greece, including:

Sanctuary of Delphi: This is the iconic place where the spirit of Apollo got filled into the oracle of Delphi. Historically, it is the prime worship place for Apollo and other gods & goddesses.

Corinth: Previously, Corinth happened to be one of the notable establishments in Greece. Later it was sacked by the Romans, which explains the presence of several magnificent Roman buildings there. You may also visit the Temple of Apollo, the Temple of Aphrodite there, and the secret passage that leads to a shrine.

Ancient Epidaurus: Epidaurus is a historical place that’s a must-visit for music lovers. Here you will get to see the remains of music theatres that Greeks still use for performances and live concerts during summer.

Acropolis of Athens: With four distinct pillars and the highest point of the city, it is amongst Europe’s most important preserves of the ancient world.

Ancient Olympia: This is the place where the very first form of the Olympic games was held once every four years, i.e., the Pan-Hellenic Games. It is also the place of worship of Zeus (the god of the Greek gods).

Palace of Knossos: Located in Crete, the remains of this once-expansive palace are the place where you will find the very famous labyrinth of the Theseus and Minotaur. Along with that, there are several artworks to explore
You will have plentiful bits of history to learn!

3. Driving is a tough job

The land of Greece is rough and tough. The roads move back and forth with loads of jumps and turns. You may feel as if you are on a mission during the first 10 minutes or so. But as time ticks by, your time on the road will tire you out. So, make sure you take sufficient breaks during the drive.

Another aspect that makes driving a rather tough job is the unique driving rules and regulations of Greece. The speed limit varies by area. For example, in cities, you will have an allowance of 50 km/h. In the countryside, you will have an allowance of 110 km/h, and on freeways, 120km/h is okay.

It is also a common opinion that local Greeks are highly impatient when driving. They may overtake your vehicle, speed up to get past you and take turns at full speed. So, you should better let the locals pass first!
Moreover,  the Greeks drive on the right side of the driving lane. So, if you are from the UK or Australia, you might find it difficult initially.

4. Wiser to Rent a Car

Given Greek road struggles, it’s best to keep yourself well-informed about car rental services in Greece. Rented cars will conveniently get you to and from different destinations without draining your energy and busting a hole in your pocket. Most car rentals are pretty reasonable in Greece.

5. One can’t miss gorgeous Greek beaches

Lastly, you should know well enough about the Greek beaches. They rank as the best beaches in the whole of Europe and truly have magnificent views and magical feels.

Mykonos and Naxos have some of the most popular beaches of all. These are good for fun activities and relaxation respectively.

Lalaria Beach is also widely gets recognized for its mesmerizing emerald water and carpeting white pebbles that make the beach all the more beautiful. The beach offers a soothing and entrancing experience.

The same is true for Shipwreck Bay at Zakynthos.

In total, there are about 400 beaches! (And nine marinas). Now, you can imagine the number of water wonders and scenic beauty that Greece has to offer!

6. Best to explore as many islands as possible

Did you know? Greece has about 226 inhabited islands that house loads of excitement from watching sunsets to exquisite fests.

Most of them are only an hour apart if you travel by ferry. And with so much majesty and adventure all clustered in one place, we guess Greece will most probably rank amongst the top yet again in the list of the best honeymoon destinations in 2022!

On that note, we’ll advise you to visit as many islands as you can, instead of spending all your time on one.

7. Birthdays – Not a Celebration

It may sound strange, but the elderly Greeks do not celebrate their Birthdays. In actuality, the elderly may not even remember their birth dates because they associate birthday celebrations with self-obsession and self-centeredness. Instead, the naming days get celebrated.

On naming days, the Greeks arranged an open house and let willing people pay a visit to the person who got named. The guests may bring gifts. And the host arranges a feast. This celebration is similar to that of birthdays.

8. Sundays are Off

As a resident of any other country, you would naturally expect Sunday to be the busiest day of the week, at least on the streets.

But in Greece, it is vice versa. Sundays are the only days that some people get to rest. And so most bakeries, museums, shopping outlets, gas stations, and everything else are closed down. Some restaurants and coffee shops may be open.

9. Greet Good Morning until Dark

No, no – don’t get Greeks wrong. They know the difference between afternoons and evenings. But they will still greet Kalimera, i.e., good morning to one another at any point of the day as long as it isn’t.

10. Late-night plans are a city thing!

Greeks prioritize their midday nap over their night’s sleep. It is almost a part of the modern Greek culture to take some rest during 3-5 pm. Naturally, they tend to stay up late at night.

Children even have their extracurricular activities scheduled for 8 or 9 pm, while you – as a tourist – can easily think of making a booking or appointment at 11 pm!

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