What to do in Greece: sublime beaches, ancient myths and postcard islands 🌏🇬🇷

Between millennia-old vestiges, waterside taverns and cliffs plunging into electric blue, Greece ticks all the boxes of the perfect trip. Whether you want a city break in Athens, a road trip in the Peloponnese, a trek in the Meteora or island hopping in the Cyclades, you'll always find an itinerary that suits you. And good news on the practical side: connectivity-wise, you can keep control of your data throughout the country thanks to an eSIM that works as well on the mainland as on the islands. If you're preparing your stay, don't forget to take a look at GoMoWorld's dedicated page for data in Greece to choose the plan that fits your itinerary.

Greece enjoys a Mediterranean climate: mild springs, hot and dry summers, bright autumns, generally mild winters on the coasts. The months of May-June and September-October are often ideal: the sea is pleasant, crowds are gentler than in midsummer, and accommodation prices more reasonable. July-August remains superb but can be very hot, with high attendance, especially in the best-known Cyclades.

To get around, you'll probably combine plane, ferry and car. Ferries efficiently connect the islands to each other and to the mainland. To explore the Peloponnese, Thessaly (Meteora) or Epirus (Zagori), the car is queen. In the city, favor walking and public transport, especially the metro in Athens.

Practical advice

In high season, book your ferries and accommodations in advance, especially in the Cyclades. Off season, check crossing frequencies which may be reduced.

Budget-wise, Greece remains generally accessible compared to other Southern European countries, even if some highly demanded islands (Santorini, Mykonos) display higher rates in summer. The rest of the country, such as Naxos, Paros, Milos, Crete, the Peloponnese or Northern Greece, often offers excellent value for money.

Impossible to approach Greece without Athens. The Acropolis sits above the city, with the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Propylaea, while the Acropolis Museum, bright and didactic, completes the visit. Then stroll through Plaka and Anafiotika for white alleys, then in Psyri and Koukaki for a creative scene, cafes and street art included.

In the evening, rooftops offer superb views of the illuminated Acropolis, and taverns introduce you to Greek cuisine: feta salads, dolmadakia, souvlaki, grilled fish, moussaka, and indigenous wines (assyrtiko, agiorgitiko, xinomavro). An hour's drive away, Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon are perfect at sunset, as is the Athenian Riviera for a quick swim.

Visit tip

At the Acropolis, arrive at opening time or in late afternoon to avoid the heat peak and the crowd. The combined ticket (subject to availability) may include other ancient sites in Athens and optimize your budget.

Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Milos, Serifos, Sifnos... The Cyclades are the essence of the Greek postcard: whitewashed cubic villages, blue domes, translucent waters. Santorini remains unique for its volcanic cliffs, Oia and Fira; Milos seduces with its lunar coves (Sarakiniko), Naxos with its beaches and terroir, Paros with its villages (Naoussa, Lefkes), Sifnos with its gastronomy, Serifos with its wild side.

The key to successful island hopping: stay flexible but realistic. Two islands (three maximum) for a week is already a lot if you want to enjoy without rushing. Check crossing times and the position of islands on the map to avoid long journeys. "Slow" ferries are more stable and often more pleasant in rough seas, while "high-speed" ones will save you time on calm days.

Navigation advice

In summer, the meltemi blows in the Cyclades. If you're prone to seasickness, favor classic ferries and place your crossings early in the morning, when the wind is often weaker.

The largest island in Greece, Crete easily deserves one to two weeks on its own. In the east, Heraklion and the Palace of Knossos plunge into Minoan civilization. In the west, the old town of Chania is irresistible; the Samaria Gorge promises a memorable hike; the beaches of Balos and Elafonissi display an incredible array of blues and pinks. Between two spots, let yourself be tempted by a "dakos", a local cheese (graviera, mizithra), Cretan olive oil and straightforward and tasty local cuisine.

Crete lends itself to the car, with mountain roads and villages where time seems suspended. If you travel off season, many tourist shops close, but you'll have nature to yourself and milder temperatures for hiking.

Further east, the Dodecanese offers a different atmosphere, marked by medieval and Ottoman influences. Rhodes seduces with its fortified old town, hospital history and beaches. Kos, more discreet, constitutes an excellent base for exploring neighboring islets and enjoying a peaceful pace. From these islands, you sometimes see the Turkish coast.

It's an excellent travel extension idea if you feel like going to Anatolia after Greece: Bodrum, Marmaris or Fethiye are easily accessible by ferry, in season. And if you continue, you can keep the same eSIM to connect in a flash, because GoMoWorld works with a single eSIM in more than 200 destinations, including Turkey.

To the west, the Ionian Sea unfolds green islands and milky waters. Corfu (Kerkyra) mixes Venetian alleys, secret beaches and olive groves. Paxos and Antipaxos are a turquoise duo accessible by boat from Corfu. Further south, Zakynthos amazes you with Shipwreck Bay and its spectacular cliffs (access regulated according to periods, inquire on site).

The Ionian Islands combine well with a road trip in the west of the country or an escapade on the mainland. Atmosphere-wise, it's often more "slow" than in the most festive Cyclades, with greener nature and gentle relief.

The Peloponnese is a sometimes underestimated gem. Base yourself in Nafplio to radiate towards Mycenae (Agamemnon's tomb), Epidaurus (theater with incomparable acoustics) and the beaches of the Argolid coast. Further south, the Mani, with its stone towers, offers mineral landscapes and a deep blue sea; Monemvasia, medieval city on its rock, is a jewel to discover in late afternoon.

Northwest of Athens, Delphi surprises with its mountainous setting, its vestiges and its museum. Further on, the Meteora impress with their monasteries perched atop rocky peaks. The Zagori area (Epirus) also deserves a detour for its stone bridges, villages and the Vikos Gorge, one of the deepest in the world relative to its width. Hiking here is a delight, especially in mid-season.

Safety and driving

On the mainland as on the islands, keep a cautious pace when driving. Mountain roads are winding, local goats are not careful, and parking can be limited in villages.

The Greek philosophy of the meal is sharing. Order several mezes, taste local products, chat with the tavern owner. For dessert, Greek yogurt with honey always does the trick. On the cafe side, try the "frappé" or the "freddo espresso/cappuccino", perfect in summer. At the end of the meal, a small glass of ouzo, tsipouro or raki (depending on the regions) will accompany the conversation.

In the evening, in the Cyclades or on the Cretan ports, let yourself go: music, sparkling glasses, sea spray and setting sun. That's Greece.

To stay reachable, book your ferries, navigate offline/online and translate a menu on the fly, nothing beats an eSIM designed for travelers. GoMoWorld works with a simple approach: a single eSIM for the whole world (200+ destinations), which you install once via the iOS/Android application, then you buy and activate data plans according to your needs. Concretely, you can buy your plan on the site or in the app; if you go through the site, just then log into the application with the same email to find your purchases and install your eSIM.

Installation is done only in the application, without QR code. You keep control over plan activation: they don't start automatically on arrival, you choose the right time in the app before starting your day. Good news if you plan ahead: purchased plans never expire as long as they are not activated. All plans allow connection sharing (hotspot), convenient if you travel as a couple, with friends or family.

Connectivity tip

Remember to manually activate your plan on the morning of your arrival in Greece, directly in the GoMoWorld app. Set the default data line to eSIM and keep your physical SIM as backup if needed.

Other useful advantages on the road: GoMoWorld relies on local mobile networks, often with several partners per country for a more stable connection. You benefit from a VPN integrated into the app, convenient on public Wi-Fi. And customer support is based in Europe, available every day in case of trouble. It's a data-only, prepaid solution that avoids bad surprises.

Here are the offers available for Greece, as displayed at the time of writing. Choose the volume according to your usage (navigation, social networks, video calls, connection sharing...).

These three options cover essential needs: a short city stay, a week of island hopping, or thirty days exploring the country, from the Peloponnese to the Cyclades. If you're unsure about the amount of data, favor a comfortable level and monitor your consumption in the app.

Card payments are widely accepted, but always keep some cash for small taverns, parking or beach chairs. In summer, protect yourself from the sun, hydrate, and take a nap if you hike in the afternoon. For the most popular sites (Acropolis, Santorini), early rising rhymes with tranquility.

Health and heat

Summer can be very hot. Favor physical activities in the morning and swimming in the afternoon. Bring water, hat and sunscreen, especially if you travel with children.

For driving, it's better to rent a small car on the islands, easier to park. Check insurance conditions and, if you're considering a ferry with car, book in advance. On some islands, the scooter is tempting but demanding: helmets and caution are required.

Ferries and luggage

If you're chaining islands, opt for soft luggage. Present yourself early at the port, as boarding is efficient and fast. Keep your documents and your eSIM operational to follow announcements and the state of crossings.

Here are two itinerary ideas adaptable according to your desires, with smooth transitions and reasonable travel times.

10-day itinerary (sea + culture)

• Days 1-2: Athens. Visit the Acropolis and its museum, lunch in Plaka, explore Psyri in the evening.
• Days 3-5: Naxos. Lazing on Plaka Beach, aperitif at the Portara at sunset, walk in the villages (Halki, Filoti), generous local cuisine.
• Days 6-8: Paros. Day in Naoussa, beaches of Kolymbithres and Santa Maria, escapade to Lefkes.
• Days 9-10: Delphi (via Piraeus + road) and return to Athens. The site and museum offer a perfect contrast after the islands.

14-day variant (adding nature and west)

• Days 1-2: Athens.
• Days 3-6: Milos. Surreal coves (Sarakiniko), boat tour around the island, fishermen of Klima.
• Days 7-9: Crete (Chania). Balos, Elafonissi, old town and Cretan cuisine.
• Days 10-12: Meteora. Perched monasteries, hikes at the foot of rocky pillars.
• Days 13-14: Athens or Nafplio (Peloponnese) for an antique touch (Epidaurus/Mycenae) before departure.

Easy extensions and combo ideas If you have more time or want a simple "multi-country", several options are available to you.

• From the Cyclades or Dodecanese, head east to Turkey via seasonal ferries (for example from Kos or Rhodes). Culture, cuisine and landscapes change, your GoMoWorld eSIM remains the same.
• From Corfu, a jump to Italy is tempting, whether by plane or by Adriatic ferries, and you stay connected in Italy without reinstalling eSIM.
• If you like coastal cities and the western Mediterranean, think about extending to Spain. The tapas spirit naturally succeeds the mezes!
• For another Ionian coast dotted with islands, Croatia is a magnificent sequel, especially if you like to alternate heritage and coves.

Multi-destination eSIM tip

A single GoMoWorld eSIM covers more than 200 destinations. Install it once in the app, then buy and activate a plan for each country when desired. No QR code, no reinstallation, just a click on "Start" when you're ready.

To vary pleasures, add one or two thematic experiences to your itinerary.

• Archaeology throughout: Athens (Acropolis, Agora), Delphi, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Knossos. Mix with a modern museum (Acropolis Museum, National Archaeological Museum in Athens).
• Hiking and wide open spaces: Samaria Gorge in Crete, Milos trails, tour of Naxos island, mountainous Peloponnese, Zagori and Vikos Gorge, Meteora viewpoints.
• Local gastronomy: Cretan cooking class, olive oil tasting, Naxos cheeses, Santorini wines (assyrtiko).
• Sea and boats: day cruise in Milos, tour of the small Cyclades from Naxos, sailboat from Paros.

Respect for the place

Natural and archaeological sites are fragile. Stay on trails, don't pick up stones or sand, and take your waste with you. It's the best way to preserve the magic of places.

To use GoMoWorld in Greece, download the application on your iOS or Android smartphone. You can buy your eSIM and your plans on the site or directly in the app. If you buy on the site, then log into the application with the same email to install the eSIM. Installation is done only via the app, without QR code. Once the eSIM is installed once and for all, you choose your Greece data plan, then activate it manually when you need it.

This activation freedom is convenient to match data to field reality: a 7-day plan for an Athens + Hydra city break, a 30-day plan for a month of islands, a 15GB for a continental road trip... You can share your connection (hotspot) with your computer or the kids' tablet, switch from island to island without thinking "coverage", and enjoy the integrated VPN for more peace of mind on public Wi-Fi in cafes and ports. And if your journey extends to Turkey, Italy, Spain or Croatia, you stay on the same eSIM: just buy/activate a corresponding local plan, without reinstalling anything.

Small memo

• A single eSIM for 200+ destinations
• Purchase on site or app, installation via app (without QR code)
• Plans activated manually, never automatically
• Unactivated plans never expire
• Hotspot allowed, integrated VPN, customer support based in Europe

Greece is multiple and generous. It's savored on a terrace in Athens, contemplated at the top of Meteora, tasted in a Cretan tavern, breathed deeply on a Cyclades trail, and lived to the rhythm of the sea, laughter and sunsets. On the practical side, staying connected has never been easier: with an eSIM installed once and for all, you buy and activate the plan that suits your trip, when you need it. All you have to do is trace your itinerary, choose your islands, and say "kalimera" to Greece – keeping the GoMoWorld page dedicated to data in Greece at hand to finalize your plan. No stress: your eSIM follows you everywhere, and so does your trip.