Greece’s oddities can threaten to complicate already riddled family adventures. What do you need to know so you don’t feel the impulse to smash plates in a taverna, or your Airbnb kitchen?

1. Water on most islands is not drinkable

Our first order of business on arrival is always to stock up on a small tower of multi-pack 1 litre bottles. You are likely to need this for cooking too. Local bottled water is subject to price controls at €1 per litre, whether you are buying it at a restaurant or the periptero (newsstand). Imported water (e.g. Evian, San Pelligrino) is more expensive.

2. Odd opening hours

Most shops, supermarkets and pharmacies included, are closed on Sundays. They might also close in the afternoon for a siesta (2pm to 5pm). And on Wednesdays, decide not to open after 2pm at all. Exceptions are made in popular tourist areas (e.g. downtown Athens and some islands in summer), thankfully.

Archaeological sites are open on Sundays but close on Tuesdays. When they are open, they have early closing times at 3pm, so evening visits are not an option.

Seaside tavernas aside, restaurants may not open for lunch, just for a late lunch or dinner from 4pm. Always check ahead of your visit before you count on being served.

3. No flushing of toilet paper down toilet bowls

Even the toilets of Greece are the stuff of ancient history. More often than not, throwing toilet paper down toilet bowls threatens to choke up antiquated sewage systems. All the more reason for choosing an aparthotel over an Airbnb if you don’t want to deal with, on a daily basis, the messy business of everyone’s messy business. Trash aside (as you will have to transport this to the community trash bin), getting the kids in the car with beach gear in tow is already difficult enough.

4. The wind and the beach

While one Google reviewer might check off a beach as “crystal clear and calm”, another might find choppy waters muddled with seaweed. As the seasoned beach goer will know, the wind is an important factor in determining its conditions. Check the direction and strength of the wind on a wind app before heading to your beach of choice. If it’s blowing from the north, the southern, sheltered beaches will be calmer. This is usually the case in the Cyclades with prevailing north meltimi winds.

5. Google maps and dirt roads

Take directions from Google Maps with skepticism. It often mistakes small dirt paths and narrow village streets for roads, so it might be better to continue on a main asphalt road and wait for a re-direct.

6. Use only licensed taxis and tour guides

Freenow or Uber are the popular apps for hailing taxis in major Greek cities. On islands, ask your hotel or Airbnb host for taxi service contacts that may be available.

It was all too easy for Nikos, our local photographer – “Sit here…Stand there… Hold hands and walk…now look back.” He didn’t have to coax a single smile, or line the steep village climb with a trail of sweets. The girls obeyed like soldiers. For such is the ironic behavioural phenomenon with children, making it impossible for mom to take a coordinated snap otherwise.

Guided by his easy way, the family photoshoot turned out to be an enjoyable way of discovering Serifos‘ stunning Chora (main village). It was also the best way to capture its magic. And the depth of such intense surrounding beauty my phone can’t seem reproduce. Nikos, and all 10 inches of his DSLR lens, did it better. He had two, each slung over one shoulder with leather straps, like a cowboy ready to draw out his guns.

As Nikos gave us directives, he mixed up the girls’ names curiously often. A tactical move or not, his absent mindedness seemed so genuine, like that of papus (their Greek grandad), we had to laugh. In turn, Little A made a habit of teasing him by planting herself like a tree stump in his path, flashing her cheekiest smile. Everyone was tickled. So while the shoot was directed, it was natural. And I couldn’t have been happier with the result.

To my husband’s likely appal, I’m already envisioning more – one on a beach (with a striking backdrop like Sarakiniko in Milos or Vlychada in Santorini), and one in rolling pastures of countryside fields (perhaps our home in North Evia)…Why Greece? Cloudless blue skies, sublime sunsets, picture-perfect Cycladic villages, and countless stunning landscapes. 

For now, these are the most precious keepsakes I have after 15 years of travelling in Greece.

Every country has its peculiarities. If you’re travelling with children, kids are already full of surprises – you don’t need more from your vacation apartment rental. What are the less obvious things to look out for so you don’t get caught off-guard in Greece?

1. An “air conditioned holiday home” without air conditioning in bedrooms

When my husband said there was air conditioning in his parent’s home in Evia, I was a little surprised to discover that meant one air conditioning unit in the hallway to cool all three bedrooms in the apartment. So everyone sleeps with the doors open at night.

Greeks are not big on air conditioning, quick to cite its health-inducing hazards from stiff necks to sore backs. And while summer nights are usually cool enough in Greece to sleep with the windows open, who’s ready to wake with the sun on a holiday? If you anticipate the need for air conditioning, check to ensure all the spaces you require them in have their own unit (sometimes the room picture will tell you).

2. Cycladic villas with one-too-many child-unfriendly features 

Cycladic houses (an architectural style unique to the Cycladic island group in Greece) have a special beauty for me. Shaped by necessity,  cubic shapes and minimal lines used little resources in spartan conditions of the time, while an all-white façade is heat reflective in the blistering summer sun. 

Children, however, are clearly not a design priority here. Staircases often have no railings, while balconies feature low slung rails with child-sized gaps in between. There’s also concrete everywhere – built-in sofas made of concrete, concrete bedside tables, concrete wardrobes, concrete walls for shower cubicles, concrete floors…it’s all just a little harder on falls than wood and other softer material alternatives. 

3. Floor plans with odd layouts, particularly with multi-level units

Many Airbnbs in Greece are designed primarily as a holiday home to rent. As a result, some have unusual layouts that are not quite ideal for long-term living. A recent beach house in Paros had the third bedroom connected to the rest of the house by an external staircase – quite beyond the point of booking a three-bedroom apartment for a family. If you need to be next door to sleeping infants and toddlers, check to make sure you have two bedrooms situated on the same level.

4. Bedrooms in basements (unless you like bedrooms in basements)

I’ve often booked a three-bedroom villa for a tidy sum, only to find myself descending into not-so-idyllic basement level rooms on the arrival house tour. Not the end of the world, but something I prefer avoiding. Particularly since, ambience aside, basements tend to get musky and dusty when windows open up into the ground level.

Look closely at the window placement of bedrooms in featured photos to avoid a similar disappointment. If they are placed in a strangely high position (see picture below), this is likely to be a basement-level room.

Why does this happen in Greece? “Agricultural” land plots (also allowed to accommodate commercial facilities like hotels) allow for a maximum allocation of built-up area, in addition to a maximum of two floors. Clever developers try to maximise this allocation by converting basements into room space, inserting small windows at the top to make them less jail-like. Others do a more impressive job by digging extensively around the entire house to create a sunken area. They might even manage to put in full doors and full windows here, but these are essentially basement-level rooms.

5. Accommodation in the thick of busy Choras (town centers) and a car to park

Staying in the Chora might sound like a great idea for convenience, but the Choras of popular islands (e.g. Corfu, Chania in Crete) almost always have their parking challenges. Circling the area in search for parking space for 20 minutes to an hour before finding a lot is not unheard of. And having to do that each time you return from a day’s outing with a baby in the car can easily ruin a fun day out.

Any actions you undertake based on the information provided in this website is at your own risk. Please read disclaimer before proceeding.

While we used to stay in island village centres and bus to beaches in our younger days, it’s hard to do that with family now. Especially with all our gear (ours often include beach umbrellas and chairs) in tow. Public transport is usually not well established on islands (there are exceptions of course, like Naxos), and there are often too many secret coves, off-grid tavernas, and far-flung archaeological sites to explore.

Whether you’re going on a road trip or navigating a small island, these are the main things to know about driving in Greece:

1. An overview: driving in central Athens, on motorways, and in small towns and island villages 

In and around Athens

Driving through the inner-city of Athens is chaotic. A tangle of already narrow street arteries clog up with cars parked half-on, and half-off the pavement. I wouldn’t rent a car just for driving around in Athens. The metro and taxis will serve you well enough. But if you did, and must find parking in the city, Park Around will help you locate private parking facilities to take the stress out of the hunt for a street-side spot. If you spot something on the street, remember it needs to be a white lot designated with the P69 sign. Parking here is available for a maximum of three hours between 9am and 9pm on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Purchase a scratch card from a street side kiosk (or “periptero” that also sells sweets, refreshment, and what not) to make payment. You can also use the MyAthensPass app for payment if you don’t mind downloading yet another app.

On motorways

Greece’s motorways have undergone extensive upgrades and provide a smooth journey on long road trips. Also furnished with a series rest stops for fast food, coffee, and clean toilet breaks, the only thing to reckon with are Greek drivers (see point 5 below).

In small villages and islands

Driving through small towns and islands challenge with narrow (two-lane roads are often mistaken for one-lane roads), pot-hole ridden streets. But is still do-able enough for me not to mind taking the wheel. There are no traffic lights on most islands, so watch out for STOP signs. Keep in mind that Google maps sometimes mistake small dirt paths for roads – we’ve had to reverse out of some to get back to the main road. Go painfully slowly on mountainside roads that  twist sharply around vertiginous cliff faces with no barriers to falling off. Parking is usually free on side streets, beaches and attractions. 

2. Motorway tolls

When approaching the toll booth, there are 2, sometimes 3 lane types to watch for: one with an attendant (the blue sign with the guy in a hat), the electronic pass lane (If you’re in a rented car, you’re probably not signed up for this – an automatic electronic debiting system tied to a local bank debit card), and one with an automatic machine to throw in coins and bank notes into. Head for the lane with an attendant when in doubt. They should accept cash and credit cards, but we always have small notes and coins in hand for the lanes with the automatic machines. Toll fee prices range from €2 to €20. 

3. Rest stops along motorways

Don’t worry about packing food for the road. Modern rest stops offer a selection of fast food options like Goodies burger, Flocafe (for coffees and snacks), Everest (for salads and sandwiches), and Gregory’s (for pastries savoury and sweet). There’s likely to also be a small gift shop to reward little ones for good car seat behavior. I’ve never had a highway public restroom nightmare, but I usually bring a portable potty for the kids for an easy pit stop.

4. Navigating 

Google Maps works well for us for the most part. Set up Google Fi before you arrive or get a local SIM card with unlimited data (attractive plans are often on offer in summer from Cosmote) to stay connected. We also bring a dashboard phone mount for easy viewing. Just remember that small dirt paths (encountered frequently on islands) can confuse Google Maps. When Google tells you to turn into one that doesn’t seem at all road-like, reconsider and stay on the main road instead.

MapsMe does not need an internet connection. You can download destination maps as a backup for when you’re out of wifi.

Signs are often in Greek and English, except if you’re in a small town or village.

5. Greek drivers 

I’m not sure if I can put Greek drivers into any special category so as to be generally afraid of, but I’ve seen some pretty outrageous behaviour on the road. Like the time someone accelerated to overtake us just 50 meters before a series of cones stood to split the two-way street. Inflaming my Greek husband, he sped up. The angered driver attempted overtaking again, this time running through the said cones to achieve his original intention, and permanently damaging road infrastructure. 

Always drive defensively. Expect unpredictable behaviour. Be attentive.

6. Road rules 

Greeks drive on the right. Of course, everyone should be in seat belts, kids in car seats, and no one under 10 in the front. Drivers should not use mobile phones, or drink and drive. 

A few more rules to be aware of:

• Speed limits: Generally this is 50 km/h in the city, and 90 to 130 km/h outside. Check the traffic signs.  
• At an intersection with no STOP sign, cars on the right have the right of way. 
• Roundabouts – a little unintuitive, but cars entering have the right of way. 
• Don’t park within 3 metres of a fire hydrant, 5 metres of an intersection, or 15 metres of a bus stop. 

7. Renting a car

Manual transmission is usually the default option car rental agencies provide. If you prefer an automatic, make sure you specify this (usually more expensive).

The minimum age for renting a car in Greece is typically 21 years old. This varies from company to company. They also usually require 1 year of driving experience.

8. Your license

EU-issued licences and licences from countries that are party to the Vienna convention are valid in Greece.

As of November 5, 2021, driving licenses issued by Australia, Canada, Gibraltar, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America are also recognized in Greece. 

Otherwise, an international driving license must be accompanied by your current national driving license. 

9. Gas stations

Gas stations in Greece are manned by an attendant. In small villages they might close at 7 pm, in larger towns and off highways at 9 pm or 10 pm. Some are 24 hours. At least one gas station must remain open in each area at night and on Sundays by law. Ask a local to point you in the right direction. Credit cards are mostly accepted, but don’t be surprised if the odd station in outlying areas asks for cash. 

10. Useful contacts while you are on the road:

Ambulance service: 166

European emergency number: 112

Police: 100

Tourism Police: 171

Fire service: 199

Lastly,

Lookout (on Google Maps) for archaeological sites to check out along the way. Greece is peppered with exciting stops where you can touch ancient history in relative solitude as you cruise these lands of many legends.

Trip planning is an artform. Weave in airplane crying fits, weaning feeding frenzies, mid-swim poo changes, and the stroller-mangling sidewalks (if any) of Greece, and it takes extra guts and grit. So how do you go from surviving, to enjoying the holidays with kids? At the risk of overgeneralising, we’ve whittled down eight years of hard-fought wisdom into nine quick tips to get you started:

1. Avoid summer

The most popular months of July and August are actually the worst times to visit, with soaring afternoon temperatures limiting outdoor activities between 11am and 5pm. Climate change has also led to the increasing prevalence of heatwaves pushing daily highs to over 40 degrees Celsius, along with wildfire risk. All conditions that are especially brutal in a country that grapples with investment in infrastructure, and has yet to construct sufficient shade at its busiest ferry port. If the beach is still a key feature in your planned itinerary, aim for the last 2 weeks of June or the first 2 weeks of September.

2. Get a beach house

Is anything better than a villa meters from the shore for families with kids under two? Perhaps only if that seaside location also happens to be in the vicinity of a mid-sized village (e.g. Platis Gialos in Sifnos, Livadi in Serifos, Panormos in Skopelos, Mylopotas in Ios, Myrina in Limnos). When baby slips into a snooze, snag a chance to swim, wander village shops, and even linger for a Greek coffee. You might have to compromise on the beach’s dreamy factor, but the convenience of doorstep proximity is priceless.

When you’re looking for beach houses, like the coveted ski-to-door accommodation set-up of a winter vacation, don’t downplay the need for the shore to really be at your doorstep. If you’ve ever had to herd multi-level bubs and beach toys in the blazing sun through a 200 metre dirt path to the shore, you’ll understand why.

3. When selecting an island, small (and less busy) is beautiful

Unless your kids love lengthy car rides, anywhere you can drive from one end of the island to the other in 30 to 40 minutes is ideal (e.g. Milos, Paros, Skopelos, Alonissos, but not Mykonos for other reasons). Too large (e.g. Crete, Kefalonia, Evia), and you might have to suffer hour-long road trips to get to key attractions (and back). Small is simple, and simple, oftentimes less stressful. Just remember that small islands are limited with fewer accommodation options, so it’s critical to book early (more than six months ahead, ideally) to secure star finds.

4. Research your beaches

Even lazy beach days require pro-planning prowess. A little foresight and some research goes a long way: Are the waters calm and shallow? Where should you go on windy days (check wind strength and direction here)? Is it organised (i.e. with sunbeds and umbrellas) or without shade? Where will you go for food and drink? Is parking right behind or do you have to descend 300 steps to get there? And then, there’s what to bring. If you like to pack light, make sure you select an island with enough organised beach options for you.

5. Apartment rental vs hotel? The aparthotel is the real ideal

While I’m generally weary of Airbnbs because of the lack of consistency in how they are run, in Greece, many are managed professionally. Appreciating all the space we can get, and extra free time while the kids are preoccupied with bug hunts in the garden, it’s usually our preferred type of accommodation. Better equipped, breakfasts, snacks and the occasional home-cooked meal are easier to prepare in a full kitchen. And of course, there’s the benefit of having additional bedrooms so we don’t have to tiptoe around the kids in the dark after bedtime.

For short-term stays of 3 days or less, I am inclined to say hotels are the least stressful way to go. Especially after a disaster 2-night trip in a highly-rated Athens Airbnb, when we found ourselves waiting until 10pm on Christmas Eve for hosts to provide complete bedding (the duvets were missing duvet covers in winter) and clean towels (the ones provided were soiled). Hotels are more predictable in terms of what you’re going to get. You also don’t have to worry about loathsome details like taking out the trash (often especially messy business in Greece where you can’t flush toilet paper down the bowl), and cleaning up the constant trail of crumbs on the floor.

Which leads us to the real, often elusive, ideal – apartments with the full service of the hotel. Combining the benefits of an apartment with daily cleaning services, this is where you are in parent heaven. Please tell me when you find this.

6. Pack light (especially if you’re travelling by ferry)

As first-time parents, we took flight with all our best arsenal – travel cot, portable high chair, inflatable bath tub, towels and linen, feeding equipment, a week’s supply of frozen purees …So silly. We now drop the cot and portable feeding chair thanks to well-equipped holiday rentals. Linen for baby cots was never needed (strangely absent in our US and UK Airbnb rentals, in our experience). Don’t forget to check the amenities section (a washing machine helps to lighten your load) in Airbnb listings and contact your host for requests and clarifications. An inflatable tub is low on the list. Instead, we ask our hosts for a plastic wash basin (“lakani” in Greek) to use as a baby bath tub (or get one from a mini mart for €5) and for handwashing swimsuits. We go light on pampers, wipes, and snacks, since the supermarket is always a first stop when we arrive to stock-up on bottled water (tap water on most islands is not drinkable).

7. Rent a car

Greece is for exploring. Secret beach paradises down dirt tracks, tranquil tavernas perched by the sea, untouched mountain villages, the precious ruins of ancient monuments strewn along the way … With or without kids, without a car your destination would be limited to bus terminals (smaller islands may not even offer bus services).

But if you have a strong preference for travelling without a car, find accommodation within the Chora (main village) or a seaside village, and pick an island with established bus routes (e.g. Skiathos, Skopelos, and Naxos).

8. Take it slow

Island hopping with kids is more like a laboured leapfrog crawl. With luggage spilling over with assortments of packing cubes, and new spaces to adapt to with little ones, spend at least five to seven days on a small to medium-sized island.

9. Skip the Athens stopover

Athens is a beautiful, hot mess. Unmissable, but probably best left until they can walk without whining, see beauty in ancient ruins, and enjoy the stillness of museums. Stopovers in general tend to be stressful for families (mine at least), so we suggest skipping Athens entirely unless it’s a starting point for a road trip. Trading in flights or ferry transfers for a continuous car journey, once you’ve filled your boot for a road trip, you’re set until your final stop. From Athens, you can still experience island living on the glorious shores of southwest Peloponnese (e.g. Voidokilia and Elafonisos island near Mani), or Lefkada and its stellar beaches, connected to the mainland by bridge.

Last updated: 15 Jan 2026

Touched with island magic, this curated list of keepsakes, body care, and edible souvenirs uncover special ateliers and smart finds. Uniquely Greek, stylish, and of the moment, they make winning gifts for loved ones back home. Not enough time to shop? Many are available at Athens airport.

Perhaps the secret to Aphrodite’s beauty is not as elusive as one might think. But little known are Greece’s homegrown skincare brands drawing from its rich bounty of herbs and botanicals.  Newcomer The Naxos Apothecary is one, created by the founders of Korres (a pioneering local pharmacy staple – hand cream set pictured here). Combining homeopathy and phytotherapy in formulations packaged in modern-elegant luxe, it’s Greece’s answer to Aesop or Diptique. Both brands are available at the Athens airport.

There’s always an archaeological site to explore somewhere nearby in Greece. The Benaki Museum Shop in Athens allows you to take home memories of special encounters with objects of old. Carrying a selection of faithful museum replicas reproduced by craftsmen using ancient techniques, we love the elegant simplicity of their Cycladic collection (Cyladic bowl and tablet pictured here).

Here are toys that grown ups get just as excited about. Playmobil’s 12 Gods of Olympus take imaginations to the mythological worlds of ancient Greece. Another collection features characters from Aesop’s fables classics. Available in store from Forget Me Not, check out other fabulous memorabilia from this treasure of a gift shop in Plaka – the ancient heart of Athens. We’ve also seen the range in island toy shops and some mini marts.

In a variety of Greek motifs from Cycladic architecture to Evzones soldiers, Thalassa’s ties and scarves (available in shops in downtown Kolonaki and Kifissia) continue to diffuse vacation vibes to its beholder post-holiday. Sea You Soon’s Pareos are the perfect multi-tasking beach and travel accessory, doubling up as a shawl for planes and chilly evenings, or a pram cover.

Vefa’s Kitchen is a compendium of recipes providing enough guidance to open a Greek restaurant. Also bearing a striking cover, it works as a coffee table book if ever one’s culinary enthusiasm runs dry. Or step right into a Greek home kitchen with Alexandra Stratou. Cooking with Loula uncovers the soul and spirit of Greek cooking. Busy moms will appreciate the section on simple and healthy weekday dishes. Lastly, our favourite go-to chef on YouTube released an English cookbook (Akis Petrezekis – Greek Comfort Food) in 2019. With easy to execute and reliable recipes, it’s the next best thing if you can’t bring Akis home with you. A selection of Greek cookbooks is usually available at the airport in Athens.

Greek sweets don’t get a lot of attention, and are often misunderstood. Until you try something from yiayia’s (term for a Greek Grandmother) oven, or select confectioneries that don’t overdo the servings of sugar. One such confectionery is Thessalonki-born Terkenlis, available at Athens airport. Eye-catching tiffany blue boxes of chocolate-coated tsoureki (a sweet bread a little like challah) aside, they also have the classic baklava, and our favourite Christmas-time cookie – melomakarona. And then there are “spoon sweets” (fruit preserved in syrup – quince is our favourite type pictured here). Heap them over a good Greek yoghurt for a most luscious quite-healthy sweet treat. Its a revelation.

Greece is an Eden of aromatic herbs. Mountain tea or sideritis is mild, floral, rich in antioxidants and beautifully paired with honey. Brew, sweeten, and shake with ice until frothy for cool summer drink that will refresh any a hot day. Or drink hot as is. Elegantly packaged and tinned, Anassa (available from most supermarkets) knows the importance of packaging design for gift-giving.

Wine producers since the Neolithic era 6,500 years ago, the Greece’s wine scene is, just now, up-and-coming. Indigenous varieties like volcanic soil grown Assyrtiko (Santorini’s Sigalas Assyrtiko will not disappoint) and Moschofilero (try Semeli Mantinia) are exclusively grown in Greece, and great wines to try and gift. Its white wines generally have a better reputation that its reds.

Any actions you undertake based on the information provided in this website is at your own risk. Please read disclaimer before proceeding.

Greece has a funny way of working with odd operating hours, but a healthcare system that tries to ensure you always have access to help. Whether you are looking for a pharmacy at midnight, or in search of a doctor on a small island, we highlight important information and contacts for emergencies and the unexpected when in Greece. 

HEALTHCARE

While the economic crisis left public healthcare in a less-than-desirable state, Greece’s healthcare is still rated well. Increasingly a hub for medical tourism, the per capita availability of physicians is higher than the EU15 average (+67%)*. There is a doctor on every island in Greece, and small government healthcare centers or hospitals on larger islands.

With public services being close to free, they tend to be plagued by overcrowding woes and in need of facilities upgrades. At the same time, doctors in the public sector are highly experienced in specialised and critical cases.

For out-patient visits, we tended to choose private options being faster, smoother, and for access to newer and better facilities . Available at comparatively reasonable cost, our average trips to a private doctor ranged from €30 to €50. Private care is not, however, always available on smaller islands.

– – – MINOR AILMENTS – – –

For minor maladies, you can visit a pharmacist for help with appropriate medication. They should also be able to direct you to a local doctor or health center where required. Most doctors and pharmacy staff speak English.  

To find a pharmacy, look for the lighted green cross, easily spotted in their abundance throughout village and city centers. While opening hours are odd and vary (e.g. pharmacists on a small islands keep different hours from those in downtown Athens), they generally close for an afternoon siesta (on Wednesdays they might not open after the siesta) between 2pm to 5pm, and close all day on Sundays.

There is always one pharmacy in the area providing 24–hour services, and on Sundays or public holidays. Locate this by heading to the pharmacy closest to you – there should be a notice posted on the door showing which pharmacy is on duty. The notice is usually in Greek, so enlist local help or use Google Translate App’s visual translation ability. You can also try Vrisko’s search or call 1434.

– – – EMERGENCIES – – –

Emergency public healthcare is generally free in Greece, even for tourists, to the bewilderment of most foreigners. Go to the emergency department of a hospital or call the National Center for Emergency Care (EKAV) ambulance: 166. 

For a private ambulance in Athens, Thessaloniki and central Greece, you can contact SOS Iatroi.

If you are on a small island with no hospital facilities and are in need of critical assistance, you will be transferred by an EKAV helicopter or ferry to a major city with a public hospital. Private air ambulance alternatives include Gamma Air Medical and Athens Medevac .

SUMMARY OF CONTACTS

General Emergency Line for Greece and the EU: 112 (in Greek, English, French) for the Hellenic Army, Greek Police (ELAS), the Coast Guard, and the national ambulance service EKAV. 

• National Center for Emergency Care (EKAV) ambulance: 166
• National Public Health Organisation (e.g. to report Covid-19 symptoms): 1135
• Poison Control: 210 779 3777

• Police Hotline: 100
• Tourist Police: 171 (in English, French and German)

• Roadside Assistance (ELPA) for car problems: 10400
• Fire: 199
• Coast Guard: 107
• Telephone Directory Inquiries:  11888
  

It’s easy to feed children well on the road in Greece. Whether you’re navigating a taverna menu for a Bolognese pasta taste-alike (quick answer: Pastitsio), assembling an easy, locally-inspired breakfast, or looking for a shortcut to dinner (skip to end of post), we list some tips and sometimes-healthy ideas for feeding first eaters and beyond in the land renowned for its culinary heritage.

BREAKFAST, DESSERT & SNACKS

TAVERNA APPETIZERS & SIDES

TAVERNA MAINS

SEAFOOD LOVE

MEALS OF ULTIMATE CONVENIENCE

Too tired to even deal with the restaurant experience with kids on the verge of a meltdown? Aside from pizza, there are always pita gyros (pita bread stuffed with meat slices and fries) wraps to go. Also good to know is the “mageireio”, a home-style kitchen with ready-cooked food (e.g. moussaka, oven backed chicken or lamb, vegetable stews) that gets dished out for takeaway.

With more than 200 inhabited Greek islands for a lifetime of summer escapes, where do you start? If you’ve only heard of one or two, it’s likely to be Santorini or Mykonos. I would avoid Mykonos entirely, for reasons explained here. Santorini truly is a slice of magic, but only if you know how to dodge the crowds.

I will also venture to say that I don’t think cruise ships with afternoon-long stopovers are the best way to appreciate its islands. Nor are all-inclusive resort bubbles designed to keep you hotel-bound. Greece is for exploring.

And loving Greece, without some luxe city comforts and with its idiosyncratic ways, can require patience. But once you cast-off certain seasoned traveller expectations and allow its multifaceted character to unfold, it’s hard not to love deeply.

Time is required. It would be remiss to sweep through Greece in 3 to 5 days. Also depending on where you are travelling from, and how long you take to get over jet lag, allow for at least 8 to 14 days on a large island like Crete, or on 2 or so small-ish islands within an island group. Unless you’re trying to satiate a voracious travel appetite, or have lots of time, we wouldn’t pack too many islands into a trip.

Ready to start? Here’s how:

PICK AN ISLAND GROUP

Geographically clustered and usually well-connected by ferries with near neighbours, Greece’s 6 island groups include:

• The Cyclades – This fairytale of sugar-cube village jewels and blue-domed churches are the country’s most popular island group. Islands with airports include Santorini, Mykonos, Milos, Paros, Naxos, and Syros.
• The Saronic Islands – The closest island group to Athens (and all without airports), these include Aegina, Spetses and Hydra.
• Ionian Islands – Famous for fantastic beaches, stunning landscapes and incredible swims in Zakynthos and Lefkada. Also of Corfu fame. Most islands here have airports.
• The Sporades – Lush and leafy, these evergreen islands include those of Mama Mia! fame like Skiathos and Skopelos. Skiathos and Skyros have airports.
• Dodecanese Islands – Rhodos, Kos and Patmos are perhaps the most well-known here. Far-flung and requiring long ferry journeys, most visitors fly into these islands.
• The Northeast Aegean Islands – A scattering of islands in the northeast that lie outside the other island groups including Lesvos, Chios, Ikaria and Limnos.

I always suggest the Cyclades for first-timers. An island group I have a singular fondness for, they captivate with the original charm of whitewashed villages set in bare rock surroundings, and a high concentration of mesmerising beaches (Paros, Naxos, Koufonisia, and Milos in particular). Well-connected to a diverse array of neighbours by high-speed ferries, this group also lends itself well to easy island hopping.

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CYCLADIC ISLAND-HOPPING ITINERARIES

Planning an island hopping itinerary isn’t just about selecting your favourite islands, even if they look close together on the map. Consider which islands have airports you can fly into. For those that don’t, research how they are connected by ferry. Ferries.gr provides a good overview of routes and schedules to determine the best island combinations transport-wise. There is a route that connects Sifnos, Serifos, and Milos (with an airport), for example. Another connects Syros, Paros, Naxos, Ios, and Santorini (Paros, Naxos and Santorini have airports), so some combination of these islands are a possibility.

You can add day trips to some island pairings e.g. while on Milos, sail or ferry over to Kimolos.

IONIAN ISLAND-HOPPING ITINERARIES

Striking good looks don’t stop with the Cyclades. The Ionian islands display drama and distinct personalities of their own. This would be our second island group of choice after the Cyclades. You can start by flying into Corfu, Kefalonia or Zakynthos, and continue with inter-island explorations by ferry.

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ONE-STOP DESTINATIONS & ROAD TRIPS

If car travel sounds more appealing than braving the sea, fly into the first destination listed below and continue with a road trip:

1. Crete: In its expanse, you won’t get bored even with 2 weeks on the island. Combine Crete (departing from Heraklion) with Santorini (1 hour 50 minutes via high-speed ferry) and other Cycladic destinations if you like.
2. Athens > Messinia, Peloponnese (3 hours and 30 minutes by car). Enjoy luxe hotels? An opulent string of properties (and their Aqua Parks) have mushroomed on the mammoth coastal development of Costa Navarino. In the region is locally-famed Voidokilia beach (15 minutes away) and the Mycenean Palace of Nestor. Off southern Peloponnese is the island gem of Elafonissos you can also drive to from Athens for more swims in Greece’s sparkling, spectacular waters.
3. Thessaloniki > Halkidiki (1 hour 30 minutes by car), with some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean, and more acclaimed family-friendly resorts (check out Sani), campsites and glamping grounds.
4. Athens > Lefkada (4 hours and 15 minute by car). There are just two islands connected to the mainland by land – Lefkada and Evia. Lefkada’s beaches are far more impressive. Make a stop at Corinth Canal en route.

Last updated 5 June 2024

Bathed in more than 250 days of sunshine a year, is there ever a bad time for a holiday in Greece? Depending on your interests, here’s how to make the most of the weather, local events, and budgets.

No time for the five-minute read? My quick answer on the best months to visit Greece – June and September. And the worst months? July and August.

SPRING – ONSET OF THE TOURIST SEASON

From April, tourism to the islands starts to build. Santorini is an exception, already busy with year-round visitors. While smaller islands remain quiet until late spring. Days get longer, already with nine hours of sunshine in May. Afternoon temperatures hover around a perfect 20 degrees Celsius, but expect some risk of rain. This shoulder season is a beautiful time climate-wise and price-wise.

EASTER (24 April 2022)

Easter is one of the biggest religious festivals of the year. Greeks return home to their villages to roast lambs and participate in the season’s festivities with family. If you’re in Greece at this time, lookout for local events. Church processions (Epitaphios) take place on Good Friday morning, and on Easter Sunday, there’s feasting and fun in village squares of islands such as Corfu, Sifnos and Kalymnos. Good Friday and the following Monday are public holidays.

BEACH VACATIONS (JUNE – SEPTEMBER)

The beach – a summer staple in Greece, and one of its key attractions. Mediterranean waters get warm from June (hovering around 21°C) and remain balmy through to September. The Greek summer solstice with the year’s brightest and longest day in 2022 is June 21. It marks the end of spring.

July and August are the hottest months in Greece, and months I would avoid wherever possible. Temperatures average around 32 °C, occasionally rising to 40 °C with the increasing occurrence of heatwaves. The sun scorches between 10am and 5 pm, making afternoon plans difficult. This is also the peak of summer and the most expensive time for hotels and flight bookings.

I would avoid the first 15 days of August in particular, when domestic tourism surges as Greeks take to the islands for their own vacation. Airports and ferry ports are a chaotic squeeze. And on smaller islands that are popular or quickly gaining popularity, infrastructure is stretched, making it an uncomfortable experience for all.

For me, early June and early September are the best times to visit, especially with young children. The waters have warmed up, and there’s a good dose of sunshine that’s less intense so you can still enjoy the beach in the afternoon without burning. The tradeoff? The odd chance of rain and cloudy skies. But fewer are the crowds, and by the third week of September, the smaller islands start to wind down for the season.

Summers are longer in the southerly isles of Crete and Rhodos, which remain warm through Spring and Autumn, albeit with increased chance of rain and even storms. These are good options if you’ve been procrastinating and need smart options for a last-minute summer.

For island specific weather updates, including beach specific swimming conditions (type of sand, depth, weather it’s organised, and more), visit Meteo.gr.

1 TO 15 AUGUST (VIRGIN MARY ASSUMPTION DAY) IN ATHENS

1 to 15 August Annually

The city starts emptying out as Athenians take to the islands from 1 to 15 August. The 15th is a public holiday celebrating the Virgin Mary’s ascension to heaven after death. It’s also when the biggest Panagiri (traditional festival with feasting, music and dancing in celebration of religious dates) of the year is held. Expect an especially wild night out in Paros, Kefalonia, or Ikaria. Ikaria in particular is famous for her “Panagiria” throughout Greece.

Businesses in Athens generally close for the week after 15 August, apart from major shops downtown catering to tourists, large departmental stores and supermarkets. It’s a hot, hot time, not helped by the summer smog of the concrete jungle. 

AUTUMN & WINTER SIGHTSEEING

Apart from Santorini (which now opens throughout winter through the coordinated efforts of hotels, businesses, travel companies and local authorities) and islands with larger cities like Crete, Rhodos, Corfu and Evia, smaller islands close for the season from October to March. Syros is an exception as the administrative capital of the Cyclades and a thriving cultural scene.

Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit archaeological sites, as most have little or no shade from the sun’s blaze. The clocks change for daylight savings towards the end of October. When the sun starts to set earlier which may be a holiday mood dampener, you may want to travel before then.

Head to mainland mountain village attractions like Arachova and neighbouring Delphi, home of the ancient sanctuary that served as the seat of the Oracle. To the surprise of many, Greek winters can attract a considerable amount of snow. If you’re around in January and February, Kalavrita and Parnassos ski resorts are just a 2-hour drive from Athens.

Meteora in Central Greece, another “bucket-list” destination and UNESCO Heritage Site, is an other-worldly display of the engineering feats of men. The inspiration behind The Eyrie in the Game of Thrones, 24 monasteries sit atop sandstone peaks towering over 300 meters into the sky. Also in Central Greece, Pelion is beautiful for ambient drives through lush, wooded mountain slopes and walks through rustic villages.

There’s plenty more mountain villages to delight nature lovers. And yet untouched by mass tourism, it’s a good opportunity to see the cozy, romantic side of Greek culture and its traditions.