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  The Greek National Tourism Organisation presents its brand-new stand at WTM 2022  

For World Travel Market 2022, the Greek National Tourism Organisation /Visit Greece introduces a new multifunctional stand. The new stand design highlights the corporate identity of Visit Greece and its co-exhibitors, as well as individual elements of their advertising campaign, Greece | You will want to stay forever, while maintaining a slick and simple approach that exudes timelessness. The choice of simple, historical and architectural elements as basic components of the structure of the pavilion, and their translation into a contemporary aspect of Greece aims to help the visitor to interact with the basic concepts of Greek culture and history through a modern prism and facilitate three main pillars “Experience Greece”, “Feels like Greece” and “Delve into Greece”   

 The new Visit Greece stand incorporates the necessary flexibility and adaptability to meet the multifunctional needs of the GNTO including a brand-new area for presentations, channelling the concept of the ‘Ancient Agora” – an open public space that throughout Greek history was a meeting place for gatherings – commercial, political and social – and where on Tuesday 8 November, the GNTO will host a sustainability focused event. In addition, there will be the “Taste of Greece” space where stand visitors will have the chance to taste some local delicacies and explore the gastronomic traditions of the different Greek regions.    

Visit Greece moves towards a more sustainable future in travel  

 Visit Greece has been focusing in a more sustainable tourism future by making changes to become as sustainable as possible and by highlighting some of the amazing initiatives taking place in Greece in hope to inform British travellers on the many ways to visit Greece responsibility. As part of those efforts, the GNTO UK and Ireland Office has recently introduced a useful new tool for the travel trade, an online hub that will shed light on a wide array of Greek tourism destinations, some of which are still relatively undiscovered in the UK market, as well as providing inspiration for new itineraries, particularly those focused on responsible travel.   

The sustainability hub, sustainablegreece.co.uk, will focus on five themes: Sustainable Best Practices, Future Green Projects, Sustainable Initiatives, Sustainable Experiences and Sustainable Holidays in Greece.    

Browsers can easily find information under each category and click through individual pages to delve deeper. Eco-conscious travellers searching for Greek holidays and trade partners looking to enrich their responsible product, will find inspiration, approved as responsible and sustainable and taking in some of the country’s most cultural, historic and beautiful places. The platform will be malleable with new stories, innovations and examples added regularly as the country continues its sustainable journey. The website officially launched on 5th October 2022 and will be presented to WTM visitors on the Visit Greece stand on Tuesday 8th of November alongside presentations of initiatives focusing on the proactive sustainable actions by representatives of the islands of Astypalea, Naxos and Halki and the ECTAA.  

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13 things to know before you go to Greece and the Greek Islands

Mar 6, 2024 • 8 min read

These top planning tips can help you prep for a trip to Greece, from health and safety to local etiquette © EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS / Getty Images

Get out your bucket list; it’s time to cross off a major line item: Greece . 

The fabled land remains tops for culture , food, outdoor travel, art and, of course, beaches and islands . As part of the border-free Schengen Area, it’s also incredibly easy to visit for many travelers worldwide. From advance booking to local etiquette – and health and safety issues when you're there – here's everything you need to know to plan a memorable trip to Greece.

1. Choose your season wisely

Your experience in Greece will be wildly different depending on when you visit . Summer is tops for action, family fun, and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, but prices are at their highest and pre-booking is necessary for everything since it’s all so popular.

The shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) are a delight – prices are lower, and rooms and resources are more readily available. Winter offers a moody and budget-friendly retreat, great for walking, hiking and sedate travels where you will often be the only visitor around. Bear in mind that some businesses will shut down completely during the low season.

2. Prioritize your wishlist and make a plan

Do you want a grand tour, taking in the not-to-be-missed highlights all over Greece, or would you prefer to focus your time on exploring your favorite islands  or regions, like the Peloponnese ?

The best way to choose from the dizzying array of options on offer is to focus on what is important to you – relaxing on beautiful beaches, learning more about Greece's fascinating history and culture , museums and archaeology, off-the-beaten-track wildlife, or partying until dawn – and plan accordingly.

3. Find the perfect island or region for you

Greece merits multiple trips as every island offers something different , and each of its regions is equally dazzling – you're never going to see everything on your first visit, and you'll ruin your trip if you pressure yourself to do just that. Also, don’t be fooled that the biggies are the only islands worthy of your attention. Though Mykonos , Santorini and the major names have plenty to offer, lesser-known islands (there are hundreds!) like Amorgos or Kythira are also a delight. They've also got the added bonus of smaller crowds and lower prices if that's a key consideration for you.

4. Athens isn't the only gateway to Greece

In many cases, you will find it useful to transit in or out of Greece via Athens , as its airport has connections with numerous international destinations, and the city itself is a gem . However, there are other international airports around the Greek mainland (such as in Thessaloniki ) and on some major islands (such as Mykonos , Santorini  and  Corfu ).

If you need any internal flights to get to your destination of choice, it's worth checking the price of these individually. Due to government subsidies, it can work out significantly cheaper to book each part of your Greek itinerary separately from your international flights.

5. Book everything in advance during peak season

In peak season , prices are high, and demand for car hire, accommodations and ferry tickets is even higher – this is not the time for ad hoc bookings on the fly. Greece is an incredibly popular summer destination, and the best options get snapped up well in advance.

6. Roads in Greece are for confident drivers

No one who has traveled on Greece’s roads will be surprised to hear that the country’s road fatality rate is one of the highest in Europe. Overtaking is listed as the greatest cause of accidents. Heart-stopping moments aside, your own car is a great way to explore off the beaten track if you are confident in your driving and keep a few key points in mind.

• The road network has improved enormously in recent years; many roads marked as dirt tracks on older maps have now been sealed, and a lot of the islands have very little traffic.
• There are regular (if costly) car-ferry services to almost all islands.
• Greece is not the best place to initiate yourself into motorcycling. If you're not confident on a motorbike, it may be best to park this option until you have more experience.
• All the big multinational car-rental companies are represented in Athens, and most have branches in major towns and popular tourist destinations. The majority of islands have at least one outlet.

7. Greece is not very wheelchair-friendly beyond Athens

Access for travelers with disabilities has improved somewhat in recent years, but the majority of accessible sights, hotels and restaurants tend to be located in Athens. While improvements are on the horizon for beach access,  much of the rest of Greece remains inaccessible to wheelchairs, and the abundance of stones, marble, slippery cobbles and stepped alleys create frustrating barriers for those with mobility issues. People who have visual or hearing impairments are also rarely catered for.

Careful planning before you go can make a world of difference. There are specific resources online that provide links to local articles, resorts and tour groups catering to tourists with physical disabilities.

8. Pack the right kinds of clothing

Athenians are well-dressed, and the younger crowd is trendy, so keep your smart clothes for the urban catwalk of clubs and bars. Nevertheless, in Athens and other metropolises such as Rhodes , Thessaloniki and Iraklio , everyday attire such as shorts or jeans and casual tops are just fine.

Bars or fashionable restaurants require more effort – the scene is stylish rather than dressy. Think tops and trousers rather than T-shirts and cut-offs. In out-of-the-way places, you can wear casual clothing, and in summer, the heat will make you want to wear the least amount of fabric you can get away with – bring quick-drying tank tops and cool dresses.

Sturdy walking shoes are a must for the cobbled roads, and proper hiking boots are key if you're exploring the countryside on foot . It's respectful to cover up before entering churches.

9. Learn some basic Greek phrases

Greek is a tough language to learn thoroughly, but mastering a few basic greetings and niceties will make a world of difference in how Greek speakers receive you. In touristed areas, many people speak English, so rest assured that you can get by as long as you know some key phrases.

10. Carry cash and don't rely on cards or ATMs

As part of the EU, Greece uses the euro. In restaurants, a service charge is normally included in the bill, and while a tip is not expected (as it is in North America), it is always appreciated. Taxi drivers normally expect you to round up the fare, while bellhops who help you carry your luggage to your hotel room or stewards on ferries who take you to your cabin normally expect a small gratuity of between €1 and €3.

ATMs are found in every town large enough to support a bank and in almost all the tourist areas. Be aware that ATMs on the islands can lose their connection for a day or two at a time, making it impossible for anyone (locals included) to withdraw money. It’s useful to keep some backup cash just in case this happens during your visit.

Credit cards are now an accepted part of the commercial scene in Greece, although they’re often not accepted on many of the smaller islands or in small villages. Don't rely on your cards alone, and check in advance when dining or drinking if it's your only option.

11. Make sure you have good travel insurance

Although medical training is of a high standard in Greece, the public health service is underfunded. Hospitals can be overcrowded, and relatives are expected to bring in food for the patient – often a problem for solo travelers. Conditions and treatment are much better in private hospitals, which are expensive. All this means that a comprehensive travel insurance policy is essential.

There is at least one doctor on every island, and larger islands have hospitals. Pharmacies can dispense medicines that are available only on prescription in most European countries. If the situation isn't critical, it's often best to consult a pharmacist first for minor ailments.

12. Stay hydrated and remember how powerful the sun can be

Tap water isn't safe to drink on many islands – if in doubt, ask. Keeping a supply of bottled water to hand is essential for hydration as well as safety; many tourists underestimate how hot it can get in Greece, and heatstroke and serious sunburn are common on beaches with little shade.

Break up your sun-drenched siestas with time in the shade getting hydrated, and pack plenty of high-factor sunscreen. Mosquitos are an irritant rather than a danger – packing insect repellant is recommended.

13. Pickpocketing and other petty crime is common in busy places

The major risks of theft in Greece are pickpockets in the large cities and theft of belongings when lounging on busy, popular beaches (leave passports behind in hotel safes). Never leave your belongings unattended, and don't leave your bags hanging from the back of your seat where you can't keep an eye on them. 

The tourist police work in cooperation with the regular Greek police. Each tourist police office has at least one member of staff who speaks English. If you need to report a theft or loss of passport, go to the tourist police first, and they will act as interpreters between you and the regular police.

Some unscrupulous taxi drivers will try to charge you extortionate rates from the airports to the city centers. Always make sure the meter is running or pre-negotiate and agree on the price before you get in.

This article was first published March 2022 and updated March 2024

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Expedia Group Media Solutions

Visit Greece

Multi-channel and holistic destination marketing approach resulted in an 130%+ increase in traveler bookings year over year

Greece is traditionally a top of mind destination for the Expedia audience. Still, the Brand Partnership activation allowed Visit Greece and Expedia to both raise awareness about Greece’s multi-diverse offer that goes beyond the popular beach holidays and introduce the audience with many more exciting experiences and products such as city breaks, Greek gastronomy and overall lifestyle. The results in terms of awareness but also conversion KPIs exceeded by far our expectations, setting a new benchmark for our future advertising plans. Dimitris Fragakis, Secretary General, Visit Greece

increase in room nights YOY

increase in bookings YOY

increase in average daily spend YOY

Idyllic, majestic, archetypal — these are a few of the words that spring to mind about the Hellenic Republic, more commonly known as Greece. And the images those words conjure are a few of the reasons many travelers long to visit the country.

Visit Greece , a long-time partner of Expedia Group Media Solutions, was keen to continue its strong growth trajectory during its post-pandemic recovery. Because of this, the destination marketing organization wanted to launch a new campaign built around the theme of “all you want is Greece.”  

The goal was to expand their footprint in 10 major markets: the U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. Looking to engage travelers with the various experiences Greece offers — natural, stunning beauty that runs from mountains to shore, renowned historical sites and notable cuisine — Visit Greece needed a strategic marketing campaign with multiple solutions to capture the vast array of what travelers can experience in Greece.

The Opportunity

To best target the travelers Visit Greece wanted to reach, our Media Planning and Insights teams provided the destination with in-depth and actionable traveler demographic insights to help them begin their campaign planning and determine what would be the best campaign strategies and solutions to reach their goals.

Visit Greece launched a multi-faceted, holistic campaign across the 10 key markets with the primary goal of driving visits and continuing to increase awareness of Greece. Anchored to the overall campaign theme of “all you want is Greece,” the campaign showcased the destination’s beauty and splendor.

From sailing in sparkling blue waters, visiting the islands that ring the country’s coastline and scuba diving in undersea caves to absorbing magnificent historical sites like the Acropolis, the campaign used inspirational imagery and copy to drive home the campaign’s theme and let travelers know that Greece is a destination where “you’ll want to stay forever.”  

The Solution

Visit Greece and our Media Studio team designed a creative campaign that showcased everything Greece has to offer and anchored this multi-channel approach to its campaign messaging and theme.

To meet the campaign’s goals, the destination took advantage of our full-funnel solutions that spanned multiple platforms and included on- and off-site solutions to inspire, influence, and convert travelers.

This allowed Greece to reach travelers at every stage of their journey and resulted in an impressive 131% increase in bookings year over year.

Let’s look at how Visit Greece addressed each of these stages.

1. INSPIRATION

To engage travelers to visit Greece, the destination’s marketers wanted to capture travelers at the beginning of their journey by using high-touch, high-awareness channels. The solutions they used included, Media Studio , PassportAds Audience Extension and social media advertising .

2. INFLUENCE

While travelers are searching for their next experience, it’s important to connect with them at this stage of consideration. This campaign used our email marketing solutions to reach travelers who already showed interest in the Mediterranean and Greece. This campaign also reached travelers who were actively searching for flights to Greece to ensure the destination was front and center.

3. CONVERSION

Finally, Visit Greece ran highly-targeted ads across Expedia, Vrbo and Hotels.com to reach travelers who recently searched for Greece, ensuring the destination was always top of mind for those actively considering a trip.

The Results

The campaign ran for six months, from June to November and delivered an impactful return on ad spend of 126.5 to 1 – the strongest return Visit Greece has seen from a campaign.

The destination further benefited from Expedia’s brand presence in the U.K., where the creative partnership between Media Solutions and Visit Greece drove high visibility. The co-branded campaign was activated programmatically and through YouTube, reaching 15.5 million unique users and delivering more than 57 million impressions throughout the duration of the campaign.

With a video view-through rate of 85% on programmatic performance and 27% on YouTube performance, the campaign delivered significantly higher results than average.

By the close of the campaign, global awareness of Greece increased, which was evident in the increase in traveler searches for Greece year over year and double-digit growth in the U.S., Canada and U.K. with a 20% search uplift for Greece overall.

Connect with our digital media consultants to learn how to best engage, influence, and convert your target travel audience

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Greece Travel Secrets

plan your trip to Greece here

Greece Travel Secrets is a website committed to helping you get the most out of your visit to Greece and the Greek islands

Yassas and hello!

We are Sandy and John Papas, from Brisbane, Australia.

Thanks to Johns fabulous Greek heritage we visit Greece each year, sometimes twice,  and explore as much of the country as we can, as well as returning to old favourites. We love to cook (and eat) Greek food and are huge advocates of the wine, the way of life and the ‘Filotimo’, ( love of honour and other virtues).

Like you we are visitors, and have become experts at wrangling suitcases, ferry hopping and airport intricacies. We think we’ve learnt a trick or two and hope to pass on those tips to make your visit the best it can be.

We are parents to 3 great young adults who have been to Greece with us many times, and two furry daughters too, Penelope and Pandora.

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10 things I wish tourists knew before visiting Greece, from a local

• I'm from Athens, and I've seen plenty of tourists make mistakes while traveling to Greece .
• Pace yourself if you're planning on staying out at the bars and clubs all night.
• It's worth it to do some research on smaller islands and local cuisine before your trip.

Thanks to its ancient ruins, picturesque beaches, and incredible food, Greece is one of the top tourist destinations. In 2023, over 32 million people visited.

I was born in Athens and currently split my years living between the US and Greece , so I've spent plenty of time in the beautiful European country.

Here are 10 things I think tourists should know before visiting.

There’s so much more to see in Greece than the popular islands.

It seems like everyone visits Mykonos, Santorini, and maybe Paros, but Greece has over 220 inhabitable islands. Plus, most of them are more budget-friendly than the popular spots.

I recommend looking into places like Kimolos, Astypalaia, Paxoi (also known as Paxos and Paxi), or Folegandros.

The Greek mainland is also beautiful. There's a lot to see there, from UNESCO sites at Delphi and Meteora and the turquoise waters of the Peloponnese to the stunning mountains and villages of Epirus.

Athens is more than the Acropolis.

Athens has great nightlife , restaurants, museums, and cool neighborhoods like Plaka, Exarcheia, Psyrri, and Pangrati.

Tourists who just swing by to check the Acropolis off their list are missing out. I've always found it to be one of the liveliest cities in the world.

You don’t need to tip 20%.

Greek servers generally rely on hourly wages, so there isn't the same tipping culture as the US .

I normally just round up the bill or leave a couple of Euros on the table as a tip — unless I had exceptional service or dined at a more formal (and tourist-oriented) restaurant.

Pace yourself when drinking alcohol.

A lot of travelers take advantage of Greece's lax attitude toward alcohol restrictions. Coupled with the fact that Greek bars and clubs close pretty late (like 4 a.m. late), some tourists get sloppy.

Locals usually intersperse drinks with food and water so they can last the whole night, and I recommend tourists do the same.

Slow down and take Sundays off.

Greeks have a pretty relaxed relationship with time — people often arrive late and stores may open half an hour after they said they would.

Service in Greece can seem slow to people from more fast-paced places, especially on the quieter islands . A lot of stores and supermarkets are also closed on Sundays, even in Athens.

I know this can be annoying at times, but I recommend just enjoying the slower pace of life.

Don’t try to visit too many islands on one trip.

So many people ask me if they can fit four or five islands into a seven-day trip, and I never recommend it. Take your time and enjoy each destination for at least a couple of days.

Half the joy of the Greek islands is getting to destress. If you're hopping from ferry to ferry and running around to cover the highlights, you'll miss out on the best parts of the country.

Be sensitive about natural disasters.

I never thought I'd have to say this, but I have seen multiple tourists in the last few years posting about how "pretty" the skies or sunsets are thanks to the glow from raging wildfires .

At a time when a lot of Greek people are wondering if their houses are still standing or their loved ones have gotten to safety, it's a pretty insensitive thing to do.

Don't skip out on experiencing a traditional taverna.

Athens and other popular Greek destinations now have a lot of upscale restaurants with cuisines from all over the world. But make sure to eat in a traditional taverna at least once.

A taverna is a casual restaurant with family-style dining. Diners can spend hours in them chatting with friends while sharing food paired with some great wine or ouzo (a Greek aperitif).

Greek food is more than just gyros.

Well-known dishes like gyros and souvlaki are truly delicious, but Greek cuisine is so much more than that.

For example, a lot of Greeks start their day with a tiropita (cheese pie) and freddo coffee. Each region also has local specialties that I recommend inquiring about.

In tavernas, popular menu items include calamari, octopus, all kinds of fish, grilled and fried cheeses (like saganaki and halloumi), and side dishes like fava.

Learn a few local words.

Most younger Greek people understand English, but you may run into problems communicating with older people — especially in more rural areas.

Even if a local person can understand you, I think it's nice to learn a few simple words and phrases like "good morning," "thank you," and "how are you?"

It's nice when tourists make a little bit of an effort.

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Acropolis now: Greek skies turn eerie orange as North African dust blows in

Skies over southern Greece turned an orange hue on Tuesday as dust clouds blown across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa engulfed the Acropolis and other Athens landmarks.

Strong southerly winds carried the dust from the Sahara Desert , giving the atmosphere of the Greek capital a Martian-like filter in the last hours of daylight.

The skies are predicted to clear on Wednesday as winds shift and move the dust, with temperatures dipping. On Tuesday, the daily high in parts of the southern island of Crete topped 86 Fahrenheit, some 70 degrees F higher than what was registered in much of northern Greece.

The strong southerly winds over the past few days have also fanned unseasonal early wildfires in the country’s south.

The fire service said Tuesday evening that a total 25 wildfires broke out across the country in the past 24 hours.

Three people were arrested on the Aegean Sea resort island of Paros on suspicion of accidentally starting a scrub blaze on Monday, it added. No significant damage or injuries were reported, and the fire was quickly contained.

Another blaze that broke out on Crete near a naval base was brought under control Tuesday.

Greece suffers devastating, and often deadly, forest blazes every summer , and last year the country recorded the European Union’s largest wildfire in more than two decades.

Persistent drought combined with high spring temperatures has raised fears of a particularly challenging period for firefighters in the coming months.

The Associated Press

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Source: National Observatory of Athens / meteo.gr

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Visit the mystical   tower town   of Mystras, located olny six klm NW of Sparta, and let yourself be captivated by this destination’s medieval splendour.  Wander around the castle city and sense through the silence the city's sheer grandeur: the Palace of the Despots (Anaktora), the Houses of Laskaris and Frangopoulos, the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Dimitrios and the impressive Monasteries of Our Lady Pantánassa, and of Οur Lady Perivleptos.  Take the opportunity to explore the   breathtaking tower town of   Monamvasia ,  this   mystical stone-built settlement, nestled at the edge of a big rock by the sea, and immerse yourself in a unique medieval atmosphere! Peer into the history of the fortress –the so-called “Gibraltar of the East” –, which was occupied by the Byzantines, the Crusaders, the Venetians, and the Ottomans in the past.

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Germany takes aims at Spain and Greece for not giving Ukraine Patriot missiles

Defence minister Boris Pistorius ‘honestly can’t understand’ why Nato allies refuse to help Kyiv combat Russian bombardment

Germany has criticised its Nato allies Spain and Greece for not donating their Patriot air-defence systems to Ukraine.

Kyiv has said it needs at least seven of the American-made surface-to-air missile batteries to protect its cities from Russia’s long-range bombardments .

Despite pressure from Berlin , Brussels and Washington , European nations with the system have failed to fulfil the Ukrainian request.

Boris Pistorius , Germany’s defence minister, said: “Many countries have Patriot systems  or comparable.”

“Let’s say if a country has, for instance, six Patriot systems or four and is not in the front line to the east, it can easily hand over a Patriot system,” he added in a television appearance on Tuesday.

Asked by the host whether it was a pointed criticism of Spain and Greece, Mr Pistorius replied: “We’re talking to them right now. I honestly can’t understand.”

His intervention is a sign of the struggles Berlin is failing in convincing its allies to part with the complex systems – which cost up to $1 billion each and can shoot down Russian hypersonic missiles.

Germany this month wrote to dozens of countries to appeal for more air-defence systems for Ukraine as part of a campaign to plug gaps in Kyiv’s defences.

But since the initiative’s launched, only Berlin has decided to send a Patriot system to Ukraine from its arsenal.

Jens Stoltenberg , Nato’s secretary-general, has revealed there are spare systems stockpiled by the alliance’s member states that were discovered after an internal audit.

Six European states – Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Spain – operate Patriot.

Many of them argue they cannot spare them to Kyiv because of their own national or Nato defence plans.

But particular focus has fallen on Madrid and Athens because their systems are used to defend areas that aren’t considered high risk at the moment.

Three of Spain’s Patriots are deployed on Nato’s southern flank, while the fourth has been stationed in Turkey since 2013 to protect against missile attacks from Syria.

Greece has the largest stock of Patriot systems that it claims are vital to security because of long-standing territorial disputes with fellow Nato member Turkey.

Nato officials believe the Mediterranean countries should consider sparing Patriots for Ukraine as the systems used in Poland and Romania are more vital because of their proximity to the Russian border.

The White House’s $1 billion announcement of weapons transfers to Kyiv made no mention of Patriot deliveries.

Some European countries, including Sweden and the Netherlands, have suggested they could contribute funds towards the purchase of systems if other governments are willing to transfer from their own stockpiles.

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