Skip to main content
EF Ultimate Break logo
EF Ultimate Break logo
Loading video

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.

Skip to end of carousel

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

Skip to start of carousel

Ancient history

Life in Greece goes waaaay back.

Skip to end of carousel

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

Skip to start of carousel

Endless indulgences

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

Skip to end of carousel

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

Skip to start of carousel
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.

Skip to end of carousel

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.

Skip to start of carousel

Best ways to visit Greece

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

We know a spot or two

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

Skip to end of carousel

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?).

Skip to start of carousel
Skip to end of carousel

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.”

Skip to start of carousel
Skip to end of carousel

Mykonos

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

Skip to start of carousel
Skip to end of carousel

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?

Skip to start of carousel
Skip to end of carousel

Santorini

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

Skip to start of carousel
Skip to end of carousel

Paros

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

Skip to start of carousel
Skip to end of carousel

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.

Skip to start of carousel

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

Skip to end of carousel
a hand holding a gyro
Travel stories

Is a Hot Dog a Sandwich? What About a Gyro?

A group of travelers posing for a photo in their running attire and number cards post Run-Athens Marathon.
Destinations

A Tour Director Dishes on Running the Athens Marathon with Ultimate Break

Three women posing and smiling with mountains and a river in the background.
Travel stories

From 3 to 70: The Ultimate Sorority Bonding Experience in Greece

Exploring Athens' historical sites. A female traveler sitting above ancient ruins.
Destinations

Exploring Athens’ Historical Sites: 10 Ways to Soak Up Ancient (And Not-So-Ancient) Greek Culture

woman standing in the wind on rocks with arms raised
Destinations

7 Best Things to Do in the Greek Islands to Experience All Their Glory

A man and three women smiling for a photo inside an Olympic stadium
Destinations

I Ran the Athens Marathon with EF Ultimate Break and It Was Legendary

Woman splashing in the water near the beach
Destinations

6 Best Beaches in Mykonos: From Where the Locals Go to Where the Party’s At

A charming streetside cafe in Athens, Greece with people eating and drinking.
Destinations

Greek Out Over Athens’ Food Scene: How to Eat & Drink Like a Local

Two travelers standing on a cliffside in Santorini
Destinations

Exploring Santorini’s 6 Coolest Villages

A group of girls in a sorority enjoying wine on a Santorini cliffside
Travel stories

Growing a Community of Passionate, Globe-Trotting Women Through Sorority Travel

Best European Christmas markets
Destinations

5 Festive AF European Christmas Markets to Visit

A woman looking through a stone arch at a river and a grand, ornate building below.
Travel advice

You Can Include Travel on Your Resume. No, Really.

Travel stories

6ish Miles. 600ish Baklava. An Oral History of the Athens Marathon 10k.

Large white castle perched on a tree-lined hill with green grass and blue sky in the background
Destinations

Discovering Deutschland: 7 Reasons to Visit Germany

River gorge running through the Grand Canyon
Destinations

Grand Canyon Sightseeing: 8 Coolest Attractions & Viewpoints

Travel stories

Ultimate Break Tour Directors React to American Snack Foods

A woman holding a basket of red, unprocessed coffee beans.
Destinations

Local Flavor: Supporting Cultures Through Experiences

A traveler standing on a rooftop overlooking the ocean in Greece
Travel stories

Young, Cash-Strapped, and Obsessed with Travel. Here’s Why That’s Okay.

Travel stories

Quiz: Who is your perfect travel companion?

Epic outdoor activities on Hawaii's Big Island
Destinations

7 Epic Must-Do Outdoor Activities on Hawaii’s Big Island

Skip to start of carousel

Traveler photos from Greece

5/5 on the olive meter

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

Loading reviews

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.