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Beaches for days, history for millennia, and baklava for brekky.

Greece Travel Guide

Greece is old and new, land and sea, wine and…more wine. Known for its rich history, breathtaking islands, and unforgettable nightlife, Greece is nothing short of paradise.

Experience Greece

It’s about time you had some “opa!” in your life.

Majestic islands

Sun, shining. You, thriving. Wine and tan lines guaranteed.

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Snap a photo of Ios’ iconic cliff-top windmills

Gaze upon Santorini’s whitewashed & blue-domed buildings

Bask in the sun at any of Greece’s world-famous beaches

Admire the unique architecture of Chania

Stroll the narrow, pebble-lined streets of Parikia on Paros island

Snorkel around a shipwreck in Ios

Watch the best sunset of your life in Santorini

Explore the Blue Caves of Corfu by boat

Cruise the azure seas of the Aegean—and jump off of a boat

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Ancient history

Life in Greece goes waaaay back.

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Hike to the top of Athens’ ancient & famous Acropolis

Explore the Palace of Knossos, the setting of the myth of the Minotaur

Visit Santorini’s Akrotiri Ruins

In Ios, see the Tomb of Homer, one of ancient Greek’s greatest poets

Nerd out on Greek mythology in Delphi, the “center of the world”

Pose at the Parthenon, originally a temple to the goddess Athena

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Endless indulgences

Trust us, you’ll never run out of things to do, eat, or drink.

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Sample ouzo, the local anise-flavored aperitif, at a taverna

Enjoy a Gyro (or two, or three) covered in Tzatziki sauce

Dance the night away at a beachside nightclub in Mykonos

Visit Tabakaria, Chania’s leather district, for handmade goods

Shop ‘til you drop in Heraklion’s Old Port

Cool down with a Mythos beer or retsina wine at a local taverna

Eat your weight in olives & feta

Have a glass of wine overlooking the village of Oia

Hit the nightlife scene in Paros’ cosmopolitan Naoussa village

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The Aegan Sea to the left with the cliffs of Santorini and their iconic white buildings with blue domed tops.

Hotels. Activities. Rockstar Tour Director that knows a local taverna with the best fried calamari.

This is group travel with EF Ultimate Break. Expertly crafted itineraries, everything included. We keep your stress levels low and holy-s#!t-that-was-awesome levels high.

Lowdown

Language: Greek
Currency: Euro
Capital: Athens
Go-To Ingredient: Olive oil
Must See: Parthenon, duh
Must Instagram: Santorini sunset
Soak Up: The Aegean Sea
Sip On: Ouzo or red wine
Stay Up: Till sunrise
By the Beard Of: Zeus

Phrases to know

Hello / Goodbye: YAH-soo
Thank You: Eff-kha-ri-STOE
Where is...?: Poh-EE-nay
Cheers!: STIN-eh YAH-mas
Opa!: Excitement, enthusiasm, or surprise
Kafenio: Greek café
Ellinikos: Coffee
Peratzatha: People-watching
Filoxenia: Reflects Greece’s warm hospitality, meaning “friend to a stranger”

Eat like a local

More than just feta cheese, baklava, gyros, and olives—satisfy your Olympus-sized appetite with these other Greek staples.

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Gemista

Tomato, pepper, or zucchini stuffed with rice (or meat) and herbs, served with yogurt sauce for dipping.

Dolmadakia

Stuffed grape leaves with diced onions, scallions, dill, parsley, mint, rice, and other seasonings.

Kourabiethes

Almond cookie or biscuit usually covered in a sugar dusting—very rich and will melt in your mouth!

Moussaka

A dish of minced beef or lamb, tomato sauce, onions, garlic and more—with an eggplant or potato base.

Souvlaki

Meat on a stick, kabob-style, with tzatziki sauce—widely refers to any type of pita-wrapped meat.

Spanakopita

A savory, crispy pie made from phyllo dough and filled with spinach, feta cheese, and herbs.

Ekmek kataifi

Sweet shredded wheat soaked in honey, filled with almonds and walnuts, topped with vanilla cream.

Seafood

Always fresh from the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Classics include fried calamari or grilled octopus.

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Best ways to visit Greece

We've been building the best Greece itineraries since Zeus was in diapers.

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We know a spot or two

We could go on and on about Greece’s iconic destinations. And we’re going to. Right now.

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Athens

Geek out on ancient Greek history in the city that started it all (Western philosophy, democracy, the Olympic Games, clock towers, need we go on?).

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Corfu

Corfu is home to some of the world’s oldest olive groves, planted by 16th-century Venetians. Olive oil fans, repeat after me: “Thank you, Corfu. I love you, Corfu. You’re my everything, Corfu.”

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Mykonos

White sand, black sand, gold sand; party beach, empty beach, nap-off-the-all-night-dance-party-hangover beach—take your pick.

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Ios

Known for all-day ragers and all-night...well, ragers...Ios is the perfect place to let loose. Need some quiet? May we suggest gazing out at the breathtaking Mediterranean Sea?

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Santorini

Volcanic landscapes, cliffside vineyards, whitewashed villages with bright-colored pastel homes—Santorini feels like a straight-up watercolor painting.

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Paros

75 miles of coastline means world-class beaches are a given—but explore deeper and find charming, rural neighborhoods and lively villages.

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Crete

Marvel at the architecture of old Venetian mansions and elaborate churches, indulge at waterfront restaurants, and take in history on Greece’s largest island.

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Pro tips

  • Credit cards will mostly be accepted, but have cash on hand for some of the islands.
  • Bring a water bottle and stay hydrated in the sun at all times.
  • Bring some small bottles of sunscreen and tanning lotion. It will be more expensive by the beach.
  • Pack light! You will be carrying your luggage to and from the accommodations and sometimes the drivers can’t fit on the smaller roads.
  • The Orthodox Church holds a lot of presence in Greece, especially in the older generation. Prepare to cover your knees and shoulders if you want to enter a church or monastery.
  • There’s a Mediterranean belief that nothing needs to be hurried, so service in a restaurant or transportation is often slowed.
  • Locals usually have lunch around 3pm and dinner around 9pm-midnight. It’s polite to eat everything on your plate!

Greece inspo

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Traveler photos from Greece

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5/5 on the olive meter

Our travelers love visiting Greece, and they aren’t afraid to tell us.

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5 out of 5 stars

Best. Trip. Ever.

Traveler Sidney

Taking 35 days off was the best decision I have made in a very long time. The friends I made on this trip will last a lifetime. You get to see and experience so much of the world without the stress of planning all of the details of a massive trip like this. Our tour guide,...

5 out of 5 stars

Ultimate trip

Anonymous traveler

My experience going around Europe for 35 days was so worth it. The people I met and the things I did were just life changing. And being so young at 18 years old you just felt so included in the group so you were never alone. I would say to anyone that is going to do this trip is...

5 out of 5 stars

Don't think about it. Just go. You won't regret it.

Traveler Sonia

Marios was absolutely amazing he went above and beyond making sure that we got a different experience everyday we were there and making sure we went to spots that only the locals know. Honestly don't overthink about the trip. Just go, you will fall in love with the beaches, the...

5 out of 5 stars

Book this trip!!!!!

Traveler Hannah

Best thing I ever did for myself. If I could give it 10 stars I would. This was my first EF trip and I’m already looking into booking a few more. I went solo and didn’t know anyone on this trip and left with some of the best friends, we already have trips planned to see each...

5 out of 5 stars

Can I hit rewind and do it again?

Traveler Alice

Spain was absolutely magical! Of course traveling during an ongoing global pandemic can leave one a little apprehensive but EF definitely hooks it up and makes this first return to travel as easy as it can be. Our tour guide, Matt, was amazing. Having him around was like holding...

5 out of 5 stars

One of the best vacations

Anonymous traveler

This is one of the best trips I've taken. So well planned and executed. It has a more relaxed itinerary yet it covers everything you need to see on the island. Great tour guide and a whole bunch of wonderful people I'll be taking back as friends. Highly recommend the trip!

5 out of 5 stars

Egypt- book it now!

Traveler Diego

Egypt was amazing time! Our instructor, Heba, made this one of a lifetime experience. She was amazing and made sure we were well prepared for the events each day. We visited museums, temples, tombs, cruised Nile River, sailed off the Red Sea. Buffets all around. Pyramids,...

5 out of 5 stars

Thank you, David

Traveler Sloane

I was initially hesitant to book this tour because it is a bit short and I was worried I was not going to get a good look at everything. The truth it, I saw more than I ever would have if I had traveled alone for twice as long. This is a fast-paced trip but that doesn't mean you...

5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely amazing!!

Traveler Savannah

This is my first time traveling with EF as well as traveling out of the country so I was very nervous to take such a big step and travel to so many countries with strangers through a company I didn’t really know anything about but this was the best decision I could ever make !...

5 out of 5 stars

živjeli!

Traveler Kimberly

This was my first trip with EF and it was amazing! This is definitely such a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be able to cruise on a boat from each town in Croatia. The crew on the boat was amazing and so was the food. The towns in Croatia and the views are breathtaking. I would...

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Our kick-a** Tour Directors

We ❤️ them—and you will too.

Alexandra

“I’m a Greek girl and I live in Athens, my favorite place in the world—the place where theater was born (and yes, I’m an actress!). Being a Tour Director is the best gift I could ever ask for. I love traveling, meeting new people, making new friends, and sharing my knowledge of the places I’ve been. I also love dancing, singing, laughing, and chasing sunsets has become my latest obsession. My goal is to create a huge multinational family among my travelers all over the world. Join me to live out your own Greek myth and have the time of your life!”

Kyriakos

“I was born and raised on the island of Crete, famous for its beautiful beaches, delicious food and hospitable people. I’ve travelled to more than 30 countries and lived in two, but I’m always drawn back to Greece. It must be the warm sun, the blue of the Aegean Sea, and the beautiful people. As a Tour Director for EF Ultimate Break, I love introducing my travelers to the beauty of my country.”

Nikos

“Yassas! I was born and raised in Athens, a city full of myths and history. I am a gyro connoisseur and I love how my country combines natural beauty with archaeological wonders. Showing people the hidden corners of Greece is my passion—that’s why I love being a Tour Director for EF Ultimate Break.”

Andreas

“I grew up in Athens, a city rich in history yet so vibrant, and only a couple of hours away from any of the Greek Islands. Lucky me! I enjoy sailing, discovering new places in Greece, and meeting people from different backgrounds. Through exchanging ideas and cultures, I learn something new about myself. I think that is the essence of traveling and the reason I enjoy so much what I do as a Tour Director. As the ancient Greek proverb says: ‘I grow old, but I never stop learning.’ Let us learn and discover together!”

Eirini

“As a child of East Africans who immigrated to Greece, I feel I have traveling and exploring in my blood. Being a Tour Director has inspired me to ignite that same sense of exploration within travelers. Because exploration is all that matters! And traveling is one of the greatest experiences one can give themselves to challenge, reinvent, and accept who they are in this vast world. And when you’re on the plane home, staring from the window at the endless blue sea for your final goodbye, I hope you feel what a small but indispensable part of this world you are.”

Still undecided? We’ll help you find the perfect trip.

Our expert Trip Consultants are waiting to hear from you. Seriously. They freakin’ love helping travelers figure out their dream trips.