🇬🇷Greece

Greece is a member of the Schengen Area, a zone of 27 European countries that have abolished internal border controls. If you hold a passport from an EU or EEA country, you do not need a visa to enter Greece. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and several other countries can visit the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

The 90-day limit applies to the whole Schengen Area combined, not just Greece — so time spent in France, Italy, or any other Schengen country counts against your allowance. If you plan to spend longer than 90 days in Greece, or if you travel frequently, check whether you need a national visa or a longer-stay permit. Requirements and entry rules can change, so it is worth verifying current information with the Greek consulate or embassy in your country before you travel.

Greece is broadly safe for travellers. Violent crime is uncommon, petty theft is the most likely issue — bag snatching in tourist areas happens, and it's worth keeping phones and wallets secured on crowded ferries and busy streets. Healthcare is good in major cities and on larger islands, though facilities on smaller islands may be limited; travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is wise.

Two natural risks require awareness. Greece is seismically active — earthquakes happen, though major ones are infrequent. Wildfires are a genuine concern during the hot, dry summers, particularly in the Peloponnese and on islands like Evia. During summer heatwaves, carry water on walks, seek shade in the hottest hours, and check any active fire warnings before heading into mountainous or rural areas.

Road safety varies considerably. Main highways between Athens, Thessaloniki and major destinations are reliable, but mountain roads — especially in the Zagori region, the Peloponnese highlands and parts of Crete — can be narrow, winding and poorly lit at night. Drive defensively, and consider whether you want to be behind the wheel in unfamiliar terrain after a long flight.

Summer in Greece is hot and often humid, particularly in Athens, the Peloponnese and the southern islands. Light, loose-fitting fabrics work well, though you'll want a layer for evenings in the mountains of Epirus or the Pindus, where temperatures drop sharply after dark. In winter — December through February — rain is common on the Ionian coast and in the mountains, and you may need a proper waterproof layer.

For entering Orthodox churches, which you will pass in towns and villages throughout the country, the rule is straightforward: no bare shoulders and no shorts or skirts above the knee. This applies to all visitors regardless of gender. A lightweight scarf or small sarong folded into your daypack takes up almost no room and means you never have to miss a church interior you want to see.

Footwear matters more than many travellers expect. Archaeological sites, mountain paths and cobblestoned island lanes are uneven, loose and often sun-baked. Sturdy shoes with good grip serve you far better than fashionable sandals, especially in autumn and spring when paths turn muddy after rain.

Tap water in Greece is safe to drink in most urban areas and on the mainland, though it often carries a strong chlorine taste that locals and travellers alike have learned to expect. Water quality varies considerably by region — on many Aegean islands, particularly smaller ones, supply depends on tank water or desalination plants, and the taste shifts through the year as reserves are replenished. In mountain villages on the mainland, you may be directed to public springs, though local advice on each one is worth following before you fill your bottle.

Carrying a reusable bottle is practical almost everywhere you go. If you are staying somewhere for a few days, ask your host: they will know whether the tap water tastes fine or whether bottled is the simpler option in that neighbourhood.

Tipping in Greece is welcomed but never obligatory. In restaurants, a service charge is sometimes added to the bill — check before assuming. Where it is not, leaving the change or rounding up by a few euros is perfectly adequate; five to ten percent is considered generous. On islands such as Santorini or Mykonos, where tourist prices run higher, the same modest approach applies.

For other services, a small tip reflects appreciation rather than expectation. Hotel porters, taxi drivers and local guides will accept a euro or two without awkwardness. Beach attendants on organised stretches of Aegean coast sometimes receive a tip to reserve a sunbed, but this is a courtesy rather than custom.

Greek mobile networks—Cosmote, Vodafone and Wind—provide 4G coverage across most of the mainland and larger islands. EU travellers can use their home tariffs without roaming charges. Prepaid SIMs are straightforward to pick up if you're coming from outside Europe or want a local number.

On smaller islands, particularly the remoter Cyclades and Dodecanese, coverage can drop to 3G or vanish in mountain villages. When island-hopping, download offline maps and keep booking confirmations accessible offline.

Hotels, tavernas and cafes in tourist areas typically offer free WiFi, though speeds vary. In Athens and Thessaloniki, connectivity is reliable year-round. Outside the summer months, some smaller establishments reduce their internet capacity, so check ahead if you need a stable connection for work.

Walking in Greece means moving between ancient villages, olive groves and coastal paths. Spring and autumn are the best seasons — April and May bring wildflowers to Crete's valleys and the Peloponnese, while September and October offer cooler temperatures and quieter trails in the Zagori mountains. Summer is too hot for sustained walking, particularly on exposed terrain.

Paths vary from wide tracks between terraced fields to rocky mountain routes that demand careful footing. Your leader will set a pace that works for the group. Lunches are unhurried — expect a plate of grilled meat or fish, village salad with feta, and bread straight from a wood-fired oven. Walking boots with good ankle support are the one piece of equipment worth getting right before you arrive.

Eight people is small enough to split across two tables at a harbour taverna, to travel in a single nine-seater minibus, and to move through a Byzantine church without it feeling crowded. At a site like Olympia or Delphi your group fills a corner of the stoas without dominating the space. This size means your leader can linger over a village market in the Peloponnese, or shift a walk to catch afternoon shade on Crete. You eat where the kitchen cooks for twenty, not two hundred — lamb on the spit at a portside table on Hydra, a spread of mezedes in a Naxos kafeneio. Solo travellers make up a significant part of most departures, so joining a group where you know no one is unremarkable.

The practical rhythm is unhurried. Mornings tend to be the active part — travel between destinations, a walk before the heat builds. Lunch is often a long, social affair, and the afternoon may include a shorter visit or simply time to yourself. By evening the group reconvenes for dinner. In the shoulder seasons — April, May, September and October — the pace feels gentler. Summer in Greece means early starts and midday shade. Your leader, who lives in the country, will adapt accordingly: knowing which village bakery shuts early on a particular day, or where a ferry timetable has changed.