Greece Travel Guide

IzmirLiving in [location], Greece seemed distant to me. Europe It doesn't feel like his own country; it feels more like a familiar yet intriguing neighbor across the sea. FountainFrom the SakızWhen I switch to air travel, the journey sometimes takes less time than I spend stuck in Izmir traffic. But when I fly to Athens, the landing announcement starts before I've even finished my coffee.

It's not easy to get to know Greece in a single trip. Athens' ancient ruins surrounded by apartment buildings, Thessaloniki's taverns that fill up after midnight, the mountain villages of Crete, and... Cyclades IslandsThe white houses in [city name] are quite different from each other. Therefore, for those going for the first time... Athens and an island, for those making their second journey. ThessalonikiMeteora and halkidiki I recommend that route.

A one-way ticket from Izmir to Athens in July 2026 will cost around €58. flight ticket I found it. When I chose the sea route, the round-trip ticket from Çeşme to Chios cost €50. At the current exchange rate, these are approximately 3.115 TL and 2.685 TL respectively. Greece is not as cheap as it was a few years ago, but the budget can still be controlled if the right island, the right neighborhood, and the right season are chosen.

General Information About Greece

Approximately one-fifth of Greece consists of islands. This information is important when planning a route, because two islands that appear close on the map may not have direct ferry connections. I always check if the islands are on the same ferry route before buying tickets. The population data was announced as 10.372.335 as of January 1, 2025.

When to Go to Greece?

My favorite times to visit Greece are late May, early June, and the second half of September. The sea is warm enough for swimming, the streets are quieter than in July, and hotel prices are a bit more reasonable. If I'm planning a cultural trip focusing on Athens, Thessaloniki, Delphi, and Meteora, I prefer April, May, October, and November.

Walking long distances in Athens during the midday hours in July and August can be tiring. There have been days when the Acropolis was temporarily closed in the afternoons due to temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Therefore, in the summer... Acropolis I book my ticket for 8:00 or 9:00 AM and spend the afternoon at the Acropolis Museum or in an air-conditioned cafe. On the islands, strong sea breezes can cause delays or cancellations of the fast ferries, so I find it safer to go to Athens a day before my return flight.

In winter, many businesses close on summer islands like Santorini and Mykonos. In contrast, Athens and Thessaloniki are vibrant year-round. Between December and February, I can visit archaeological sites without crowds and pay less for accommodation than in the summer season.

How to Get to Greece?

Flight from Izmir to Athens.

A direct flight from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Athens takes approximately one hour. I found one-way tickets for around €58 in July 2026 and around €46 for September and October. €46 is approximately 2.470 TL at the current exchange rate. It's important to remember that the price increases when baggage is added.

I use Metro line 3 to get from Athens Airport to the city center. A ticket from the airport to Syntagma Square costs €9, or €16 if you buy a return ticket. The more economical X95 airport bus goes to Syntagma Square and costs €5,50. A standard 90-minute city pass costs €1,20, and a 24-hour pass costs €4,10. Being able to pass directly through the turnstile with a contactless bank card makes things easier, especially for short trips.

Ferry transportation from Izmir to the Greek islands.

The most practical sea crossing from Izmir is the Çeşme-Chios route. In the summer of 2026, an adult ticket costs €40 one-way and €50 round trip. Depending on the boat I use, the journey takes approximately 20 to 50 minutes. Although it's possible to leave in the morning and return in the evening, I prefer to stay at least one night to see the villages of Mesta, Pirgi, and Olimpi outside the center of Chios.

Lesvos There are two options for this: Ayvalık and Aliağa. On the Ayvalık-Mytilene route, I paid around €30 for a one-way ticket and €40 for a round trip; on the Aliağa-Mytilene route, it was around €35 ​​for a one-way ticket and €45 for a round trip. If you are traveling by car, the vehicle ticket is calculated separately from the passenger ticket.

Visa and Entry Requirements in Greece

Turkish citizens holding a burgundy passport need a visa to enter mainland Greece and the Schengen area. The application fee for a short-term Schengen visa for adults is €90. The application center's service fee and travel health insurance are paid separately. The €90 fee is approximately equivalent to 4.833 TL according to the exchange rate of July 10, 2026.

The passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and must be valid for at least three months after the planned departure date from the Schengen area. I don't apply with passports that have less than six months remaining to avoid issues at the border. I include flight or ferry reservations, accommodation documents, travel health insurance, bank statements, and documents showing my employment status in the application file.

In 2025, a more advantageous "tiered visa" system was introduced for Turkish citizens. Those who had complied with the rules of their previous visas could receive a six-month multiple-entry visa on their second application, and in subsequent stages, one, three, or five-year multiple-entry visas. A long-term visa is not an automatic right; the final decision still rests with the consulate.

Visa on arrival in the Greek islands.

Express visa application process continues for 12 islands in the summer of 2026: Chios, Lesbos, Samos, Rodos, Kos, Leros, Lemnos, Kalymnos, Symi, Meis, Patmos and Samothrace.

Although it's called a visa on arrival, I don't leave the process until the last minute. Photographs, passport and ID photocopies, ferry tickets, accommodation documents, and other paperwork must be submitted to the ferry company before travel. Some routes require documents at least 5 to 10 days in advance. Upon arrival at the port, I also queue for fingerprinting and passport control.

The express visa is single-entry and valid for a maximum of seven days. It does not replace a Schengen visa and does not grant entry to mainland Greece. Since fees and required documents can vary depending on the island and the agency, I confirm the final amount before making a payment. It has been announced that the program has been extended for another year in 2026.

Cities and Regions to Visit in Greece

Athens

On my first trip to Athens, I focused my entire itinerary on the area around the Acropolis. On subsequent visits, I discovered the true character of the city in the streets of Monastiraki, Psiri, Koukaki, Exarchia, and Pangrati. I paid €30 for entry to the Acropolis in 2026. Since the ticket is valid for a specific time slot, I arrive at the gate about half an hour before entry time.

Instead of lingering in Plaka after the Acropolis, we descended the narrow steps of Anafiotika. Rome I enjoy walking to the Agora and from there to the Monastiraki Flea Market. If I'm looking for a free view at sunset, I climb up Filopappou Hill.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is one of those cities that someone coming from Izmir quickly gets used to. The seaside, the apartment buildings, the long evening dinners, and the relaxed relationships feel familiar to me. I start from the White Tower, walk along Nikis Street, then to Aristotelous Square, and from there to Ladadika.

Choosing the right shoes is important when climbing up to Ano Poli, as the cobblestone streets are quite steep. The city view from around the Trigonion Tower is especially beautiful at sunset. For breakfast, I set aside around €3 to €5 for creamy bougatsa at old-fashioned shops like Bougatsa Giannis.

Meteora

Meteora shouldn't be seen only as a photo spot. Staying overnight in Kalambaka or Kastraki allows you to reach the monasteries before the tour buses in the morning. Since each of the six active monasteries may be closed on different days, I finalize the route by asking the accommodation owner in the morning.

It's necessary to cover your shoulders and knees when entering monasteries. Skirts are provided for female visitors at the entrance, but I carry a thin shawl in my bag. Monastery I usually keep some euro coins on hand because cash is required at border crossings.

Delphi

I went to Delphi on a day trip from Athens, but I think staying overnight would be more convenient since the journey takes about three hours. The Temple of Apollo, the ancient theatre, and the museum are all on the same route. In summer, there's little shade in the area, so I go with the morning bus and buy water before getting off.

Buses from Athens depart from the KTEL terminal in Liosion. The journey takes approximately three hours, and one-way tickets can range from €16,50 to €26.

Cretan

I'm planning my trip to Crete not as a single island, but as a country in its own right. Heraklion, OnlyRethymno and Agios Nikolaos The distances between them are long. For first-time visitors, I recommend allocating three nights in Chania and two nights in Rethymno.

For the Knossos Palace, staying in Heraklion is practical. While Elafonisi and Falassarna are lovely for a seaside holiday, buses and car parks get crowded during peak season. When I'm looking for a quieter route, I head to Paleochora and Plakias on the south coast.

Santorini

The most expensive mistake in Santorini is staying only in Oia. I stay around Fira, Karterados, or Perissa and take the bus to Oia. This makes a significant difference in both dinner and accommodation costs.

Instead of joining the crowds stretching to the main road at sunset in Oia, I find walking from Fira to Imerovigli more enjoyable. The Fira-Oia walk is about 10 kilometers. In summer, there's no shade, so I don't start this route early in the morning.

Mikonos

In Mykonos, the white streets of Chora are almost empty around 8:00 am. Navigating the narrow streets becomes difficult after the cruise ship passengers arrive. Small Venice I visit the windmills in the morning, and then I go to the village of Ano Mera in the afternoon.

In the summer of 2026, the average weekend rate for three-star hotels in Mykonos could exceed €300. Therefore, when I want to visit the island on a budget, I choose late May or late September.

Rodos

Walking early in the morning within the walled area of ​​Rhodes' Old Town is a completely different experience from the daytime crowds. After walking up the Street of the Knights to the Palace of the Grand Masters, I descend to Mandraki Harbour.

You can reach Lindos in the south of the island by bus, but renting a car is more convenient for seeing the beaches and small villages. The path up to the Lindos Acropolis is steep and unshaded. I don't leave it until midday in July.

Chios Island

For a short getaway from Izmir, my most frequent choice is Chios Island. Chios Town can be explored on foot, but to truly experience the island's character, you need to head south to the mastic-growing villages. Pirgi's geometric facades, Mesta's stone passageways, and the village of Olympi all fit within the same day's driving route.

When I go without renting a car, I pay around €25 for the island tour. To make sure I catch the ferry, I finalize the return point and time of the tour beforehand.

What to Do in Greece?

• I go up to the Acropolis in the early morning hours. Entry is €30. I'm wearing shoes with good grip because the stone floor is slippery. I'm careful not to be late as they have time-limited tickets.
• I'm watching the sunset for free in Athens: Filopappou Hill, Areopagus Rock, and Lycavitos Hill are places where I can see the city view without paying a fee. The marble of the Areopagus is very slippery, especially in the evening.
• I'm taking a walk at the market in Thessaloniki: I'm wandering through the olive, cheese, spice, and dried fish stalls in the Modiano and Kapani markets. It's more convenient to go in the morning because the area around the fishmongers gets crowded towards midday.
• I'm going on a sunrise route in Meteora: When I leave Kastraki early in the morning to go to the road where the monasteries are located, I can stop at the viewpoints before the tour buses.
• I'm doing a caldera hike in Santorini: The entire trail from Fira towards Imerovigli and Oia takes about three to four hours. In the summer, I take at least 1,5 liters of water with me.
• I'm going to a village tavern in Crete: Prices drop a few streets away from the tourist port line. The villages of Theriso, Vamos, and Apokoronas around Chania are my favorite stops in this respect.
• I'm visiting mastic gum villages in Chios: To see Pirgi, Mesta, and Olimpi in the same day, I rent a car or join a south island tour. Since buses outside Chios Town are infrequent, I don't miss my return trip.
• I'm making the most of free museum days: State-run archaeological sites and museums offer free entry on specific dates such as March 6th, April 18th, May 18th, the last weekend of September, and October 28th. Free entry may also be available on certain Sundays between November and March.

What to Eat in Greece?

Souvlaki and gyros

In Athens, pita gyros eaten on the go are much more affordable than a seated portion in a restaurant. Around Psiri and Monastiraki, I pay around €4 to €6 for a wrap-style pita gyros and €11 to €15 for a portion served on a plate. At Bairaktaris in Monastiraki, a plate of chicken gyros is around €11,90, and a skewer portion is around €12,90.

Moussaka

I prefer to eat moussaka in family tavernas a few streets away from the touristy squares. In Athens and Thessaloniki, portions are mostly €10 to €16, while in Santorini and Mykonos, they can reach €18 to €25 in restaurants with a view.

Bougatsa

In Thessaloniki, I have creamy bougatsa and coffee for breakfast. A single serving, sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon, costs between €3 and €5. They also have cheese and meat fillings, but I recommend the creamy one for first-timers.

sea ​​products

When ordering squid, octopus, and small fish, I ask if the price is calculated by the portion or by the kilogram. A portion of squid costs €12 to €18 in most taverns, grilled octopus €14 to €22, and fresh fish can be much more expensive by the kilogram depending on the type.

Greek salad

Horiatiki, a Greek salad, usually comes in a large portion, enough to share. In Athens, I can expect to pay between €8 and €12, and on the popular islands, between €12 and €18. For me, a thick slice of feta cheese on top is a good sign of a taverna.

Cretan cuisine

In Crete, I'm trying dakos, kalitsounia, lamb, and wild herb dishes. Dakos costs between €7 and €11, small meze platters €5 to €9, and the lamb main course €15 to €24. The small glass of raki and dessert served at the end are usually not included in the bill at most family taverns.

What to Buy from Greece?

On my way back from Greece, I buy olive oil, thyme, honey, feta cheese, and packaged Greek coffee from the market. From Chios, I bring mastic gum, mastic liqueur, and mastic jam; from Crete, I bring thyme honey, graviera cheese, and raki. In Athens, instead of the touristy Plaka shops, I visit the spice shops on Evripidou Street, and in Thessaloniki, I go to the Kapani and Modiano markets.

I check the packaging for "Mastiha Chiou" on mastic gum products. A small pack of mastic gum costs €2 to €4, mastic jam €5 to €9, and 500 ml of mastic liqueur costs approximately €15 to €25. When buying olive oil, I find tin cans safer in my suitcase than glass bottles.

Transportation in Greece

In Athens, the metro, tram, bus, and trolleybus all operate under the same city ticket system. A 90-minute ticket costs €1,20, a 24-hour ticket €4,10, and a five-day ticket €8,20. Airport transportation is not included in the standard ticket.

For intercity travel, I use trains and KTEL buses. The Athens-Thessaloniki train takes about five hours, and I can find tickets for between €30 and €50 depending on the date. Since departure times can change, I buy my ticket in advance rather than on the day of travel.

The bus from Athens to Delphi takes about three hours, costing €16,50 to €26 one way. To reach Meteora, you need to get to Kalambaka. During periods when train schedules change, a connecting bus from Athens or Thessaloniki can be more reliable.

To the islands WorstFerries depart from the ports of Rafina and Lavrio. Classic ferries on the Piraeus-Santorini route start at around €46,50, and the journey can take five and a half to ten hours. The fast ferry reduces the journey time to about five hours, but the price can rise to €80-€90. I buy a numbered seat instead of an open deck ticket for the overnight journey.

When I rent a car, I try to avoid the center of Athens as much as possible. The narrow streets, motorcycles, and parking problems make driving tiring. On larger islands like Crete, Rhodes, and Chios, a car saves a lot of time. On smaller islands, I specifically ask about insurance coverage before renting an ATV.

Accommodation in Greece

For those staying in Athens for the first time, I recommend the Koukaki, Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Pangrati areas. Koukaki is convenient for walking to the Acropolis. Syntagma is convenient in terms of transportation but more expensive. I don't book a hotel without checking its exact location, as the nightlife can change quickly in some streets of Omonia.

In the summer of 2026, I'm budgeting €25 to €45 per night for a simple hostel bed in Athens, €70 to €130 for a centrally located private room, and €120 to €220 for a mid-range hotel. Current bookings show the usual average nightly rate for budget hotels in Athens is around $89, but prices can go higher on last-minute weekends.

Aristotelous Square in Thessaloniki, ladadika And the area around Navarinou is convenient for those exploring on foot. Hostel beds cost €20 to €40, centrally located private rooms €60 to €110, and three-star hotels mostly range from €90 to €140. On a weekend in July 2026, the average price for a three-star hotel was around €96.

In Santorini, instead of staying in Oia, I stay in Karterados, Perissa, Kamari, or the outer streets of Fira. In high season, you need to budget €90 to €160 for a basic room, an average of €180 to €250 for a three-star hotel, and €300 and up for a property with caldera views. In the summer of 2026, the average weekend stay for three-star hotels on the island was around $208.

Finding affordable rooms in Mykonos in mid-summer is difficult. I'm looking around Ano Mera and Ornos, outside of Chora, but weekend prices can be high there too. Crete and Rhodes can offer larger rooms and longer holidays for the same budget.

Greek Currency and Budget Planning

The currency in Greece is the euro. On July 10, 2026, according to the European Central Bank's reference exchange rate, €1 was approximately 53,70 TL. Bank exchange rates, credit card rates, and commissions may differ from this value. When paying with a card, if the machine offers a choice between Turkish lira or euro, I choose euro. The option to pay in Turkish lira often applies a poor conversion rate.

• Economical travel: For a day in Athens or Thessaloniki, where I mainly eat hostel-style meals, bakery goods, and gyros, and use city transport, I spend between €70 and €110 per person, including accommodation. This amounts to approximately 3.760 to 5.910 TL.
• Medium level trip: I'm booking a central private room for €140 to €220 per day, which includes a museum or archaeological site, a restaurant with seating, and a few public transport trips. On the islands. Rent a car This amount increases when a ferry is added.
• Comfortable trip: It's easy to spend €300 or more per person per day on a holiday that includes a four-star hotel, taxi, paid beach, seafood restaurant, and fast ferry. In Santorini and Mykonos, the hotel alone can consume a large portion of this budget.

The card is common in Athens, Thessaloniki, and the tourist islands. I carry €50 to €100 in cash with me for small village tavernas, monastery entrances, some taxis, and small beach businesses. Since Turkish banks may charge additional fees on top of the Greek bank's commission for ATM withdrawals, I prefer to withdraw small amounts in one go rather than frequently.

Festivals and Events in Greece

Greek Public Holidays and Important Days

Most markets and shops are closed on Easter Sunday. Public transport and ferry schedules can also change on smaller islands. When I travel during the Easter period, I complete my grocery shopping before noon on Saturday.

Things to Consider When Traveling to Greece

• The marble floors at the Acropolis and ancient sites can be slippery even with sneakers. I don't wear thin-soled sandals.
• On the Athens metro, especially on the Monastiraki, Syntagma, and airport lines, I keep my bag in front of me. I don't carry my phone in my back pocket in crowded carriages.
• In restaurants, bread and water may be charged for when they are automatically brought to the table. If I don't want them, I send them back from the start.
• When ordering fish, I ask if the price is by the portion or by the kilogram. The price of the daily catch is only listed as "kg" on the menu.
• Bus services on the islands can end early in the evening. I especially arrange my transfer in advance when I arrive at Santorini port at night.
• Piraeus Port is not just a single terminal. The ferry gates are quite far apart. I never go to the port without checking the gate number on my ticket, such as E1, E6, or E7.
• In strong winds, fast ferries sway more than traditional large ships. I recommend that those who get seasick sit in the back, in the middle section.
• In churches and monasteries, I cover my shoulders and knees. In Meteora, I keep a thin shawl in my bag.
• I take fire, storm, or evacuation alerts from 112 seriously. Greece's 112 system can send mass alerts to phones based on location, and emergency calls are free.
• When renting a car, I ask if the full insurance covers the tires, windows, and undercarriage. I frequently encounter tight turns and rocky beach roads on the island.

What makes Greece special for me isn't just the ancient structures or the sea of ​​the islands. It's the fact that, despite being only a few hours away from Izmir, it reveals a different side of itself every time I visit. One weekend I can wander through the stone villages of Chios, and on another, I can be in Athens, visiting an ancient temple, and then eating souvlaki at midnight in Psiri. Walking along the seashore in Thessaloniki reminds me of Izmir, and crossing over to Crete makes me feel like I've arrived in a completely different place.

If I were to plan my itinerary for my first trip to Greece today, I would schedule three nights in Athens and two nights in Naxos or Paros. For a short getaway from Izmir, I would choose Chios or Lesbos; for food, city life, and history, Thessaloniki; and for a long summer vacation, Crete. Places to Visit in Greece It is possible to make the route more detailed by examining Greek Islands guides on a city and island basis.