From vivid blue water and sun-soaked beaches to unforgettable food and breathtaking sunsets, Greece is the perfect destination for a summer vacation. This past summer, my family and I spent five days gallivanting across two Greek destinations: Athens and Santorini. Here are some tips for visiting Greece and some non-negotiables you have to do during your visit.
Tip 1: In Athens, stay near Plaka, which is a shopping center in the heart of the city and is right near the Acropolis. Arrive in Athens in the morning or early afternoon to get the most out of your day. After getting settled and refreshed, head straight to Plaka for some shopping and dinner.
Tip 2: Look around before buying anything because a lot of shops sell the same things with varying prices. My family spent time walking around the shops to pursue all of the different vendors. Eventually, my sister and I bought bracelets and rings for ourselves and a few simple rope bracelets for our friends back home.
Tip 3: Stop for juice at Nova Gea. It is some of the freshest and most delicious juice I have ever tasted.
After you are done shopping in Athens, find a place for dinner! I recommend leaving Plaka for your meal because it is a very touristy area and some restaurants are pretty expensive for what you get. My family is vegetarian, so our restaurant options were slightly different, but we found an amazing all-vegan restaurant called Veganaki, just a 15 minute walk from Plaka. We ordered pizza, pasta and a mezze platter.
Tip 4: Stop for froyo on your walk back. Greek froyo is the best froyo and has so many fresh toppings. Now go back to your hotel and get a good night’s sleep because tomorrow you are walking over 20,000 steps.
I suggest waking up around 8 a.m., getting ready and eating a hotel breakfast.
Tip 5: Splurge on the private car, if your budget allows. My family booked a private car that drove us around the city, including to the site of the original Olympic Games and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Hellenic Parliament. Athens is spread out and having a driver made it much easier to see everything without wasting time figuring out transportation. Have the car drop you off at the Acropolis around 11 a.m. and then enjoy walking around the historic ruins. You can book a guided tour, but we opted to download an audio tour and explore at our own pace.
Tip 6: Bring water AND sunscreen. The heat in Greece is no joke — I had tan lines from my dress.
After exploring the Acropolis, head into the museum to see some of the artifacts recovered from the ruins. Afterward, take some time to relax at your hotel before going out for dinner. My family ended up at a really good Indian restaurant. One thing we did not have time to do was a Greek cooking class, so if you have the time, I highly recommend adding one to your itinerary.
Then head back to your hotel, pack your bags and get some sleep because tomorrow you are off to Santorini!
In Santorini, our hotel was in Fira, which was a little far from the city, but we liked the quiet. If you do not, I suggest staying closer to Oia. We spent most of the first day relaxing at our hotel and sitting at the pool.
When we got hungry, we walked into the Fira city center which was filled with tourist shops and restaurants. We grabbed a quick bite at Falafelland, which ended up being some of the most flavorful food we had on the trip.
Tip 7: Visit the places that are not as full of tourists. The next day was packed with sightseeing. We explored the gorgeous village of Pyrgos, with its charming streets and more relaxed atmosphere. We also visited the Monastery of Prophet Elias, located at the highest point in Santorini, where we saw breathtaking views of the entire island. Next, we went to Imerovigili to see some of the famous blue and white caldera views.
After a full afternoon of sightseeing, we went back to our hotel to freshen up before heading to Oia — the home of the iconic caldera sunsets.
Tip 8: Avoid the giant lines for pictures and find the hidden views behind the restaurants. We spent a while taking pictures then headed to dinner at Tramonto, which is a sunset view restaurant. They had great vegetarian options, and the feta in phyllo was one of our favorites.
We still had two more days in Santorini. We probably would have been fine with just one extra day, but we used the time to slow down, lay on the beach and enjoy the sun.
One day, we went to Kamari Beach, a stunning black-sand beach lined with beach clubs and lounges. There are plenty of places competing for your attention, so take your time comparing them.
Tip 9: Do not be afraid to haggle! Some beach clubs will initially charge a lot for chairs, so do not be afraid to negotiate.
We spent the afternoon relaxing by the water and then came my personal favorite part of the entire trip: the sunset boat tour. At 4 p.m. we got picked up from our hotel and taken to the marina. We did a four-hour sunset tour with food and drinks included and it was beyond worth it. Our boat was spacious and, although we shared it with other families, it was not cramped. They played great music, served incredible homemade food and we watched the sunset over the Aegean Sea.
Tip 10: The water is cold, but get in it. You are only going to be in Santorini once!
Our last day was spent, again, laying on the beach as we reminisced about all the great memories we made on the trip.
The five days went by way too quickly, but Greece gave us memories that will last much longer. From wandering the streets of Athens to watching the sunset from a boat in Santorini, every day brought something completely different. If you are planning a summer trip to Greece, my best piece of advice is to slow down, try the food, explore beyond the tourist spots and say “yes” to the experiences you will be talking about for years.