Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Greece Vacation
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re discussing common mistakes we see from first-time tourists in Greece. Jocelyn’s family is from Greece, so we have visited many times and learned many lessons throughout the years. If you are about to embark on your first Greece trip, take care to avoid these travel mistakes…and please, don’t be an ugly tourist in Greece!
Only Seeing Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini
The top 3 destinations in Greece are Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. And they are great places to visit in Greece! But there’s a lot more to see beyond these three. Greece has so much to offer, from history and cuisine to architecture and nature. If you have time, there are so many fantastic Greek destinations. For example, Nafplio is one of the best cities in Greece; it has beautiful castles and a fabulous seaside, but it’s not usually on the first-time travel itinerary.
Additionally, planning a quick stay in Athens just to see the Acropolis and the Parthenon is a huge mistake! Athens is a big city, and you really need more than a couple of days to soak it all in. Yes, there are some important tourist sites in Athens, but there are also great neighborhoods to wander and museums to experience. Don’t sell yourself short in Athens!
The Best & Worst of Visiting Athens
Focusing on The Perfect Instagram Destination
A big reason that people focus on Athens, Mykonos and Santorini is because they are chasing the perfect Instagram photo. Those spots are going to be overcrowded, and you might even have to wait in line just to take a photo. Trust us, there are plenty of lesser-known Greek destinations where you can get pretty amazing photos to remember your trip.
Overspending in Greece
Greece is a great destination for all budgets, so there’s really no need to break your budget. Accommodation, transportation, and food are all super affordable. The portion sizes are huge in Greece, so you don’t even need to order a meal for each person in your party. In fact, that would be a mistake!
Looking for Solitude in Santorini
You see the photos online, with the white buildings built into the cliffside, with blue roofs mirroring the sea. You don’t usually see crowds in those photos, but they have most likely been edited out of the photos. There is no such thing as personal space in Santorini in the summer. It would be a mistake to skip Santorini, but just be prepared for crowds!
This means you should also pre-arrange your ferry tickets and transportation from the dock. It’s a long uphill walk from the ferry to most Santorini accommodation.
Not Researching the Greek Islands
Greece has over 200 inhabited islands, but many first-time travelers don’t take the necessary time to research the best islands. They are all unique; some are best for partying, while others are known for relaxation, history, culture or food. You’ll have a better experience if you do the research and choose the island that fits your travel style the best.
Although island hopping by ferry can be fun, you can fly and save a lot of time. So, once you’ve selected the best Greek islands for your party, you also need to research all of the transportation options.
Relying on Credit Cards
Credit cards are widely accepted in Greece at hotels, restaurants and attractions. However, you should always have a bit of cash in smaller bills as you explore Greece. Street vendors, mom and pop food stalls, and shops in smaller towns may not be as credit card friendly. We have often found that taxis don’t always have change, either.
Skipping Siesta
Siesta isn’t just a Spanish thing. It gets very hot in the late afternoon in Greece, and a lot of things will close down for a few hours. This is a good time to go back to your hotel and enjoy the swimming pool or the air conditioning. Once the sun goes down, the towns and cities will begin to stir again. Take a cue from the Greeks and give yourself a break mid-day.
Not Joining the Dance Line
If you see a dance circle forming, hop in! Don’t be embarrassed to get up and start dancing; we promise, you won’t regret it! If you are invited to a Greek wedding, you can be sure that you will be dancing by the end of the night
Wearing Beach Clothes to Church
Some of the best attractions in Greece are churches, and many of them require you to cover your shoulders and knees. So, if you are sightseeing after a beach trip, make sure you bring something to cover up with before you try to enter a church.
Being in a Hurry
When you are planning your Greece vacation, don’t cram too much into each day. Greek time is a bit slower and laid back, so things don’t move as quickly as what you are used to. You can’t rush it, you just have to slow down and enjoy the pace. Greeks are also very social, so chit-chat can slow things down, but it’s totally worth it!
Eating Only Familiar Greek Food
Many cities in the US and other countries have a lot of Greek restaurants, so Greek food isn’t necessarily foreign to travelers. However, most of us have tried the basics like dolmades and moussaka. When you visit a restaurant in Greece, try something new that you can’t get at the Greek restaurant back home. Ask your server what the local specialty is and try that.
Keep in mind when you are near the tourist sites, expect to pay more for dishes that are aimed at tourists. The food will probably still be good, but I’ve seen restaurants charge so much more for a “Greek salad” with feta on top and than other salad on the menu. Remember, in Greece, every salad you eat is a Greek salad.
When you order coffee in Greece, don’t gulp it down. First off, it’s very strong. But they also leave the grounds in the bottom of the cup, so you should drink it carefully and avoid getting the grounds in your mouth.
Shocks to Expect When Visiting Greece
Refusing the Ouzo or Raki After Dinner
After a big Greek meal, when you request your bill, they will often bring a round of ouzo or raki to the table. Don’t think you have to pay for this; it’s a complimentary gift from the restaurant. We’ve been offered dessert or fruit as well.
Now, the bread and bottled water at the beginning of the meal are NOT free. It seems backwards, but they do charge a small amount for the water and bread. Don’t bother with tap water; the bottled water is affordable and much better tasting.
Expecting a Large Breakfast
Based on the portion sizes of other meals, you might expect a big, hearty breakfast in Greece. But they aren’t big on breakfast here. You might get some yogurt with honey or a pastry, but that’s it. Hotels with international guests will likely have more options for breakfast, but sometimes it feels like it takes them a while to put out the “good stuff.”
Expecting a Smoke-Free Meal
If you are visiting Greece from the US, you are used to smoke-free environments wherever you go. That’s not the case in Europe, especially in Greece. If you are dining outside, you can expect there to be smoke in the air. There is no smoking indoors, but then you miss the beautiful views.
Underestimating the Sun
Greece is known for warm, beautiful weather. But it can be HOT. Especially if you’re standing in line in the heat of the day to get into ruins in Athens. Make sure you have a good hat that covers the back of your neck, and lots of sunscreen to reapply frequently.
It’s also really important to stay hydrated. Bring a refillable water bottle, and order water every chance you get when you’re out in the heat. Bottled water is affordable, so don’t skimp!
If you plan on hiking in Greece, plan them around the middle of the day. Get up early in the morning to hike before it gets too hot. Some hiking trails might even close mid-day because of the heat.
Relying on Public Transportation
If you want to go beyond Athens and “see Greece” you need to rent a car. It’s the only way to explore the smaller towns of Greece. Once you are out of the larger cities, it’s actually pretty easy to drive in Greece. Just don’t use the whole lane; stay to the right of the lane to leave room for others to pass you. Those small towns you pass through just might provide some of the best memories of your trip to Greece; if you stop and wander around.
Tip: You don’t even need an international driver’s license to rent a car in Greece! That has changed since we first started traveling to Greece.
Flushing Toilet Paper
Yep, Greece is one of those countries we warn you about where you aren’t supposed to flush your TP. If there is a sign and a bin next to the toilet, then don’t flush! It’s not an issue in many newer buildings, but better to be safe than sorry.
Not Trying to Speak Greek
Sure, most people you meet in the tourism industry will speak English, but it doesn’t hurt to learn a few Greek words before your trip. No matter where you travel, it’s never a bad idea to learn basic words in the local language. The Greeks really open up once they see you trying to make an effort to communicate. It can change the whole tone of your trip!
Meandering
It’s easy to get caught up in the sights around you as you walk down the street, but don’t be a meandering pedestrian. You never know when a moped or car is going to zip by, even when you’re in a pedestrian area.
Being an Ugly Tourist: What makes the Greeks mad
Some of these mistakes we’ve listed are just tips for getting the most out of your trip to Greece. But there are some mistakes we see travelers make that really do not endear them to the Greeks.
- Buy into the “lazy Greek” stereotype. Maybe their working hours are different from what you are used to, but that doesn’t mean they don’t work hard.
- Comparing Greece to Turkey; the food and culture may be similar, but they are not the same, and it’s best not to imply that Turkey does anything better than Greece.
- Confusing the Macedonia part of Greece with the country of North Macedonia; they are not the same! It can be a sensitive topic.
- Refusing any food or drink offered by a Greek person; even if you’re stuffed full, you keep eating until they stop offering. This goes for the fish eyeball, too. It’s often given to a guest of honor.
- Mixing up Greek heritage and being Greek. Many Americans have Greek heritage, including Jocelyn, and will come to Greece for that reason. And that’s a great thing they are friendly about. Just be careful about touting your Greekness too much unless you actually live in Greece.
- Don’t talk about the “Elgin” marbles or all of the fantastic Greek antiquities in the British Museum. It’s a sore subject for the Greeks.
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Greece is a beautiful country with friendly people, delicious food and so much scenery! It’s definitely one of our favorite travel destinations, especially once we learned not to make these mistakes in Greece!
Want more tips for visiting Greece? Check out some of our other blog posts: