Greece

Good to know

1. 1Athens is among the oldest cities in Europe, and the Acropolis, with the Parthenon on top, still looks over the modern city from its rocky hill.
2. 2Greek has its own alphabet, which is easier to pick up than it looks. Learning to read street signs and menu headings takes only an afternoon or so.
3. 3The country is known for olive oil, feta, grilled fish and meat, and a table of shared small dishes. Many meals are built around vegetables, bread and olive oil.
4. 4Greece has thousands of islands and islets, but only a fraction of them have people living on them year-round. They differ a great deal, from the whitewashed Cyclades to the greener Ionian islands.
5. 5Greece uses the euro, and cards are widely accepted in towns, though small island tavernas and kiosks may still prefer cash.
6. 6Orthodox Christianity shapes much of the calendar, and Easter is the biggest holiday of the year, with church services, lamb on the spit and family gatherings.

Tips for a first visit

• Pick a small number of places and stay a few nights in each. Moving every day wastes time on ferries and in transit.
• Carry some cash for small villages, beach bars and taxis, even if you mostly pay by card.
• Try a simple village taverna rather than the restaurant with the best view. Order a few dishes to share, and ask what is local or in season.
• Cover your shoulders and knees when entering monasteries and churches, and keep your voice down inside.
• Sun is strong from late spring onward, so bring a hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle, especially when visiting archaeological sites with little shade.
• Ferry schedules depend on weather, particularly when the wind is strong, so leave some slack before a flight home.

When to go

Late spring and early autumn are the easiest times for most people: warm enough to swim, with softer heat and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy, especially on the islands, though they are the most dependable months for beach weather. Winter is mild on the coast but quieter, with some island businesses closed, which suits city breaks in Athens and Thessaloniki or visits to the mainland mountains.

Getting around

Most people combine a flight with ferries. Athens is the main hub, with frequent domestic flights to the larger islands and to Thessaloniki, and ferries leave from the ports of Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio to the islands. On the mainland, buses connect most towns and run between cities, and there is a rail line between Athens and Thessaloniki. On islands, local buses, taxis and rented cars, scooters or quad bikes are the usual ways to reach the beaches and villages.