Here we give you some tips to prepare your trip to Greece.
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1. Find the right time and destination for your trip to Greece
Greece is a popular destination because it has many interests: close, with a mild weather, a diversity of very preserved landscapes (sea and mountain) and a strong cultural heritage.
You can visit Greece almost all year round. In the summer, we will certainly enjoy its islands. Spring and autumn are also fantastic for exploring the countryside, ancient sites and cities. Even in winter, you can enjoy a city break in Athens and enjoy the museums and cultural life of the capital.
In addition, Greece has many facets:
- Urban with Athens: ideal for a 3 or 4 days city-break
- Idyllic with its islands that are so different from each other.
- Wild with a very preserved nature that you can find on the Greek mainland and some islands.
- Historical with absolutely exceptional sites. Our favorites: Meteora, Acropolis, Epidaurus, Nafplio and Monemvasia.
Our advice: Have fun surfing the pages of the site to get inspired and especially the article on How to choose your island or Visit Athens in 2 days or more.
2. Book your transportation for your trip to Greece
Airplane
There are several airlines that fly to Greece from France.
- You will find many connections by Aegean which is the Greek national airline. It serves the islands and most European capitals. The prices are often interesting and the service is very good.
- Finally, some low cost companies also offer flights. And in high season the most important islands are also served by charter flights.
Ferry
If you want to spend a vacation in Greece, it is very important to check the possible crossings before booking your accommodation. Indeed, some islands are not very accessible. And the inter-island connections are sometimes complex. It is therefore better to choose islands close to each other if you are planning an itinerant trip. Boat reservations are usually open between 3 and 6 months before your departure. We give you more advice on our article How to book your ferry ?
Our advice: Check the website Greek Travel Pages the existing connections then book by Ferry Hopper . This online booking platform is serious and lists a good number of shipping companies. Reservations and payment are made online and it’s not more expensive than at the port! And if you have complicated routes, contact the agency Leonidakos Travel and Tours who can make reservations for you and give you good advice.
Car
It is often indispensable for families on a trip to Greece. But the vehicles are taken by storm in the summer. It is therefore necessary to book well in advance. There are many rental companies in Athens and on the islands. If you are leaving from Athens airport, it is sometimes as easy to rent a car at the airport. This way you can go to the port and then take the car on the boat and optimize the transfers and avoid wasting time.
Our advice: We like to go through Rental Cars which compares prices and ensures low prices. The comparator refers both international players and local players, often less expensive.
And if you only need a simple transfer (for example from Athens airport to Piraeus port), then we advise you to book with Welcome PickUps a really serious Greek start-up that offers an excellent service. The driver will be waiting for you in the airport with a sign with your name on it, you will have received his photo beforehand to recognize him easily, he will help you carry your luggage and will take you directly to your destination.
3. Choosing your accommodation
As far as accommodation is concerned, the offer in Greece is quite vast.
- On the islands, you will find on Booking mainly small hotels (studios or rooms), often run by families. There are also villas for rent, most of which you can find on Airbnb or in specialized agencies. On our articles dedicated to the islands you will also find some addresses that we ourselves have appreciated.
- In Athens, you will also find rentals by individuals who leave the capital during the summer. As with any major city, rentals on Booking go from From the big hotel complex to the small boutique hotel, without forgetting theyouth hostel, but also more and more entire accommodations through Airbnb . We suggest you discover the neighborhoods and our recommendations in our article Where to sleep in Athens.
Our advice : Booking is a good way to get an idea and to book in a simple and worry-free way. However, be careful with the notations. They are generous, prefer notes above 9. More and more individuals are also offering accommodation on Airbnb . Call prices are sometimes misleading, beware of hidden costs (service, cleaning…).
4. Organize the visits of your vacations in Greece
If you come to Athens, you may want to visit the must-see places or go off the beaten track. Here again, don’t delay in making a reservation because French-speaking guides are few and far between and in high demand during the school vacations.
Classic guided tours: The must-see places in Athens take on a whole new dimension with a guide. Individually or in small groups, nothing beats the explanation of a guide to bring the old stones to life and understand the richness of Greek culture. We suggest you some guides that we particularly appreciate :
Fun tours: Other ways of discovering the city exist, fun and even sporty: by electric bike . For the children, we recommend you the City game Sherlock Holmes sur smartphone or smartphone treasure huntof Athens. We recommend them, they are truly unique experiences.
Once on site
You are finally there! Once there, feel free to use :
- our articles to find restaurants, stores, spas….
- but also our agenda to keep you informed of things to do
We wish you an excellent trip to Greece.
Laure and Sophie
