Epic Greece Road Trip: 10 Days In Greece & Tips [2024]

Greece is one of my favorite countries in Europe. I mean… who doesn’t like its pristine beaches, delicious food, and unique culture, right? I visited Greece many times, guiding a group of American travelers to the best Greek spots. Besides, I went on a road trip and a solo trip to explore even more sights.

I’ve designed this road trip itinerary for you from my Greek adventures so you can experience the highlights of the mainland, history, and culture.

Let’s explore mainland Greece (with 1 island at the end) together!

Overview Of The Greece Road Trip For 10 Days

Here is an overview of this 10-day Greek road trip.

DAY:	DESTINATION:
1.	Athens
2.	Athens
3.	Athens: Day Trip To Corinth Canal
4.	Athens ⇒ Meteora
5.	Meteora
6.	Meteora ⇒ Thessaloniki
7.	Thessaloniki ⇒ Kavala
8.	Kavala
9.	Kavala ⇒ Ferry ⇒ Thasos island
10.	Thasos Island

Greece Road Trip Map

Here is a map of this Greek itinerary for 10 days. Save it to your phone and navigate to the sights when you’re in Greece.

How To Get To Greece

You can get to Greece by plane, bus, or by car. Train travel isn’t well-developed in Greece, so consider only flying or land travel.

Athens has an international airport with great connections. So the fastest and most convenient way is to fly to Greece.

➡ Get the best flight deals to Athens via Skyscanner here.

Alternatively, you can also take a bus if you’re arriving from neighboring countries such as Albania, Turkey, or Serbia.

➡ Check out bus connections to Athens from other countries via Busbud.

How To Get Around Greece & Make This Itinerary

The best way to get around Greece is by car. Buses won’t take you anywhere, only to the main cities and tourist attractions. You’ll also have to change the buses several times, and the rides take a long time.

So I’ve designed this itinerary as a road trip and recommend renting a car in Athens for 8 days on day 3. of this itinerary.

Then return it to Thessaloniki after your trip. Thessaloniki also has great connections to other countries, so you can fly from there or take a bus.

Getting Around Greece By Bus

If you don’t want to rent a car, you can also do the entire itinerary with local buses. The bus company in Greece is called KTEL. Their buses are comfortable and have a regular timetable for the routes you’ll cover on this itinerary.

PRO TIP: I recommend you book your tickets directly to the bus station a day before your trip. Their websites are not easy to navigate and are most often in Greek. Staff at the bus station speak English so they’ll help you by reserving your ticket.

✅ NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE? Check out Safety Wings: Cheap & Flexible Insurance For Travelers

0. DAY: ARRIVE IN ATHENS

We’ll start our itinerary in Athens, the capital of Greece. Take your time checking in to your accommodation and getting the first impressions of Athens going to Monastiraki Square in the evening.

In the evening, go to the 360 Cocktail bar and enjoy the first sights of the Acropolis. It’s super cool. But make a reservation beforehand as it’s usually packed with people (especially in the summer months).

Where To Stay In Athens: My TOP TIPS For Accommodation

WAKE UP WITH ACROPOLIS VIEWS – budget-friendly apartment
PHILIA BOUTIQUE HOTEL – mid-range hotel
ACROPOLIS CITY LIFE – mid-range hotel
ELECTRA METROPOLIS – luxury hotel

1. DAY: ATHENS

Good morning to the Greek capital. Athens is the oldest European city. It’s also a cradle of democracy. You’ll find many different architectural styles, from Greco-Roman to Neoclassical to modern architecture. The city has been named after the Greek Goddess of wisdom and war – Athena.

You’ll have time to explore the city in the next two days. Here are the sites I suggest you see:

Sightseeing In Athens

🔆 National Archaeological Museum
🔆 Syntagma Square
🔆 Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier
🔆 Church Of The Assumption Of The Virgin Mary
🔆 Monastiraki Square

🔆 Syntagma Square

Syntagma Square is a great place to get some snacks and coffee before you explore it further. It’s the home of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Old Royal Palace, hosting the Hellenic Parliament.

🔆 Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier

It’s in front of the Old Royal Palace, commemorating those who died during the wars. There are inscriptions with names of soldiers who died in the First and Second Balkan War, the Greco-Turkish War, and World War I and II.

PRO TIP: What you can’t miss is the changing of guards in front of the tomb. They’re called Evzones presidential guards, and the changing ceremony is every hour.

🔆 Monastiraki Square

Monastiraki Square is one of the busiest squares at the heart of Athens. You can visit the Monastiraki Flea Market, wander the streets, and buy some local Greek products and souvenirs.

It’s my favorite place to be in Athens and experience its atmosphere.

Get The Best Chocolate Cake In Athens

In the afternoon, I highly recommend you visit the bakery called Nancy’s Sweet Home. You can treat yourself to the best chocolate cake ever here. It’s the best chocolate cake in Greece. But maybe in the whole of Europe.

Evening In Athens

Athens is very famous for its theatre stages, as it hosts all together 148 of them. Check out some of them and enjoy a performance even in the open air in one of these old Athens theatres in the evening.

If you’re interested, learn more about the open-air theatres in Athens.

Tomorrow, we’ll continue our sightseeing in Athens, visiting the most famous landmark.

2. DAY: ATHENS

Let’s see the highlights of Athens today. We’re going to explore the famous Acropolis and its museum. In the afternoon, you’ll wander through one of the oldest Greek neighborhoods in Athens.

Have some delicious Greek yogurt with honey for breakfast, and let the city tour start. Here is the suggested itinerary for today:

Sightseeing In Athens

🔆 Acropolis
🔆 Parthenon
🔆 The Greek Flag
🔆 The Erecthion
🔆 Acropolis Museum
🔆 Plaka District

🔆 Acropolis

Visit Acropolis in the morning (best right after opening when it isn’t so hot in summer and there are fewer tourists). This is where democracy was born in the past. It used to be one of the most important political and cultural centers worldwide. Back then, everything was ruled by the Acropolis.

In Greece, the cities have been built around the Acropolis. Acropolis always served as a refugee for the inhabitants during a war or any threat.

That is why the most important buildings were constructed on the Acropolis. These are the Parthenon, The Greek Flag, and the Erecthion.

FUN FACT: ‘acros’ means hill, and ‘polis’ is a city in the Greek language

💡 PRO TIP: Visit Acropolis early in the morning and get a skip-the-line ticket before. There is always a huge line of people waiting to enter. It can take up to an hour. So make sure you have these skip-the-line tickets.

➡ Get a skip-the-line ticket to the Acropolis with an audioguide here.

🔆 Parthenon

The Parthenon is the symbol of Western civilization and democracy. It was dedicated to the Greek Goddess Athena and is translated as the ‘apartment of the virgin.’ Even though it has been reconstructed several times, it’s one of the most important buildings today.

🔆 The Greek Flag

It’s situated in the northeast corner of the Acropolis. The Greek Flag symbolizes Greek culture and statehood and the place where the Evzone (Greek guard) was protecting and guarding Athens city during the Nazi occupation.

You’ll get a fantastic view of the whole city from this spot, so don’t miss it.

🔆 The Erecthion

It’s the most sacred place of the Acropolis. It was where Athena and Poseidon were competing for the honor of being the city’s patron.

As Greek mythology says, Athena touched the ground with a spear, where an olive tree grew. Poseidon hit his trident into a rock, and a spring burst. Athena scored the victory and was named the Patron of Athens.

🔆 Acropolis Museum

After visiting the Acropolis, I also highly recommend checking out the Acropolis Museum. You’ll learn a lot about the history of the Acropolis and Athens.

I’m not the biggest museum fan, so you must believe me when I say the Acropolis Museum is really worth visiting. It’s built over the ancient ruins and has many glass floors so that you can see the excavations.

🔆 Plaka District

Walk through this beautiful Greek neighborhood full of small family shops. You can buy local products and eat great food.

Evening In Athens & Traditional Zorba Dancing

In the evening, have a delicious Greek dinner in a restaurant in the Plaka district and watch the traditional Greek dancers performing Zorba dancing. Join them after dinner and let your soul and mind control your body dancing.

That’s how they do it. Just forget about everything and dance based on your feelings.

I highly recommend the Geros Tou Moria Restaurant. It has delicious food, and the Zorba dancers are amazing.

ADDRESS: Geros Tou Moria Restaurant Address: Mnisikleous 27, Athens

3. DAY: ATHENS ⇒ CORINTH DAY TRIP

Today, we’ll visit one of the most ancient cities in Greek history. The main site we are going to see is the Corinth Canal. Its construction was one of the most important milestones in Greek history, and you’ll soon find out why.

It’ll be a day trip from Athens, so you can book your hotel in Athens for 3-4 nights, depending on when you arrive in Athens.

Today is the day when you’ll also need a car. So I recommend renting a car for 8 days starting today.

Let’s hit the road!

Distance Athens ⇒ Corinth Canal: 1 hour by car (77 km/48 miles)

Corinth Canal

Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea. In the past, the ships had to cruise from the Ionian Sea around the entire Peloponnese Peninsula to get to Athens (Aegean Sea).

So, the construction of this canal made it much easier for the ships to get to the Aegean Sea.

Nowadays, they can get to the Aegean Sea much faster. It’s saving them almost 700km (430 miles). Moreover, it has converted the Peloponnese into an island, separating it from the Greek mainland.

Interesting Facts About Corinth Canal

💡 Corinth Canal is 25 metres (81ft.) wide and 6,4km (4 miles) long
💡 Connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea
💡 Saves the journey for ship by almost 700km (430 miles)
💡 Separates the Peloponnese peninsula from the Greek mainland, making it a Peloponnese island

PRO TIP: If you’re an adventurous soul, you can do bungee jumping from one of the bridges straight into the Canal.

Get A Snack Near The Corinth Canal

There are two bridges over the Canal, from where you can get the best view. I recommend you go to the old Corinth Canal bridge.

When approaching the Canal by car, descend from the main road E8. There is a lovely coffee shop where you can get Greek snacks and great food. It’s called Coffee food Μαργαρίτα.

There is a parking lot, so you can stop your car there, see the Canal, and have a snack in the bar/shop.

Afterward, you can continue to Corinth City, just a 10-minute drive from the Canal.

Corinth City

After seeing the Canal, you may also visit Corinth. It used to be the wealthiest city of the ancient world and a crucial commercial center until Athens gained its importance.

Nowadays, it’s a nice town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beach. Enjoy the walk through the city, get great food, and go to the beach – Paralia Kalmia.

Drive Back To Athens & Visit Olympic Stadium

In the afternoon, go back to Athens. On the way, you can check out the Olympic stadium in Athens – the Panathenaic Stadium. The Greeks built it for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

It’s the only stadium in the world constructed from white marble. Nowadays, they organize many concerts and performances here.

Enjoy the evening in one of the neighborhoods in Athens.

Option: Day Trip To A Greek Island

If you want to visit one of the most beautiful Greek islands, you can do so on day 3. of this itinerary. I recommend visiting Poros Island. It’s close to Athens; you can take a ferry in the morning, get there within just an hour, and enjoy its beaches and delicious food.

Tomorrow, you can still visit the Corinth Canal when driving towards Meteora. It’ll be a detour, but not a big one.

Learn more about Poros Island as a day trip from Athens in my article about the best island day trips from Athens.

4. DAY:  ATHENS ⇒ METEORA

Good morning to Athens. Today, we’re leaving the Greek capital to explore other unique places in this country. The impressive Meteora is the next on our itinerary.

You’ll be driving north today. But before, you must decide where to spend the night. That place will also be your starting point tomorrow to explore Meteora.

Greek Towns Near Meteora

📍 Kalabaka town
📍 Kastraki village
📍 Trikala

Kalabaka Town

🚔 Distance Athens ⇒ Kalabaka: 4 hours & 12 minutes by car (353 km/219 miles)

Kalabaka is the main town near the Meteora monasteries. There is a sightseeing bus to the monasteries, or you can drive.

If you want to stay in a bigger town with more facilities and tourists, Kalabaka is for you.

Kastraki Village

🚔 Distance Athens ⇒ Kastraki: 4 hours & 15 minutes by car (355 km/220 miles)

Kastraki village is the closest to Meteora monasteries, only 5 minutes from Kalabaka. It lies just below the rock formations you will explore tomorrow. It’s a tiny village with less tourists.

So, if you want to stay away from the crowds in a quiet area, you’ll love Kastraki. Tomorrow, you can access Meteora by the same sightseeing bus from this village as from Kalabaka.

PRO TIP: Kastraki is my favorite place to stay; it’s in nature, right under the Meteora rocks, and has a unique atmosphere.

Trikala

🚔 Distance Athens ⇒ Trikala: 3 hours & 50 minutes by car (333 km/ 207 miles)

Trikala is a city located 30 minutes’ drive from Kalambaka. 

If you want to explore another Greek city and don’t mind being slightly further from Meteora, book accommodation in Trikala.

Where To Stay Near Meteora: My TOP TIPS For Accommodation

Based on your preferences, decide where you want to drive and stay overnight. Tomorrow, we’ll head to explore Meteora. Here are some of the best hotels I recommend in each place:

Best Hotels In Kalabaka:

HOLIDAY METEORA B
OIKIA GUESTHOUSE

Best Hotels In Kastraki:

DELLAS BOUTIQUE HOTEL
SPARTAKUS HOUSE
GUESTHOUSE KASTELIA

Best Hotels In Trikala:

VINTAGE SUITES TRIKALA
TRADITIONAL GUESTHOUSE

👉 READ ALSO: 27 Best Places To Visit In Europe In November

5. DAY: METEORA

Let’s explore the incredible Meteora monasteries on the rock formations.

✅ Women visiting Meteora monasteries have to cover their shoulders and knees, so they either wear clothes with long sleeves or a scarf to cover themselves when entering the monasteries. Otherwise, you can’t go inside the monasteries.

Interesting Facts About Meteora

💡 It’s a large and significant complex of Orthodox monasteries located on the steep rocks of Meteora.

💡 In Byzantine times, monks built their monasteries high on the top of these rock formations as they believed they would be closer to God.

💡 Weathering and earthquakes formed these rock sculptures some 60 million years ago.

💡 The monasteries were constructed in the 11th century, and there were initially 24 of them. Nowadays, only 6 are left, which are also accessible to the public.

FUN FACT: Meteora means ‘in the heavens above,’ and this name perfectly describes its position.

How Did Monks Access Meteora Monasteries?

Are you wondering how the monks accessed these monasteries in the past? There were no bridges and pathways to them at that time.

The monks used large nets to haul them up or climb up a long ladder to reach the monasteries. You can still see the nets nowadays.

Meteora Monasteries

These are the 6 monasteries you can visit today. Visiting all of them might be a lot. So I recommend seeing the first 3 of them. They’re the most beautiful and interesting:

1. Great Meteoron – is the largest, highest, and the oldest monastery of all 6
2. The Holy Monastery of Varlaam – the second largest monastery in the complex
3. Roussanou
4. St. Nikolaos Anapafsas
5. Holy Trinity
6. St. Stehpen’s

Practical Information For Your Meteora Visit

You can visit all 6 monasteries or only a few of them. They all have a lot in common – a chapel, rooms where Monks used to live decorated with frescoes, and cellars for food storage.

I recommend you start at the top, the furthest monastery (Great Meteoron Monastery), and then continue down the road, visiting other monasteries on the way (Varlaam and Roussanou monasteries).

The entrance to each of them is 3 Euros, so if you don’t want to pay extra to visit all of them, I suggest you stick to the first three monasteries and see the others from the outside.

You’ll buy the tickets right at the entrance to each monastery. There is no need to purchase anything in advance.

6. DAY: METEORA ⇒ THESSALONIKI

Today, we’ll continue our trip, going to a new Greek region. On the way, you’ll be passing by Mt. Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and the home of the Greek Gods.

Distance Kalambaka ⇒ Thessaloniki: 2 hours & 50 minutes by car (227 km/ 141 miles)

Thessaloniki

Welcome to Thessaloniki, a city with a rich cultural and historical background. In the past, Thessaloniki was part of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire). Later, it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire (Turks).

All these historical events led to a wide cultural diversity.

Check in to your accommodation and head to the city. Below, I’m giving you suggestions for what to see in Thessaloniki.

You can plan to see some of them today, but leave some for tomorrow, as you’ll have almost the entire day to explore the city.

Interesting Facts About Thessaloniki

💡 The name Thessaloniki comes from the Macedonian princess and half-sister of Alexander the Great. This name consists of two words – ‘Thessaly,’ the Greek region south of Macedonia, and ‘Nike,’ meaning a victory.

💡 Paul the Apostle visited Thessaloniki back in 50 AD. Thanks to this visit, Thessaloniki was one of the first places where Christianity was evangelized.

💡 Thessaloniki is also the birthplace of brothers Cyril and Methodius, who invented the oldest Slavic alphabet. Their theory and teachings later led to the creation of the Cyrillic script, which many Slavic languages use in their alphabet nowadays.

💡 You’ll find many Christian and Byzantine monuments, as Thessaloniki was one of the most important cities within the Byzantine Empire.

Sightseeing In Thessaloniki

🔆 Aristotelous Square
🔆 Hagia Sophia
🔆 Rotunda
🔆 White Tower
🔆 Ladadika

🔆 Aristotelous Square

Most public celebrations and cultural events in Thessaloniki took place in this square. It’s a great starting point for your tour. If the sky is clear, stand on the square facing the sea – you might spot the peak of Mt. Olympus from here.

🔆 Hagia Sophia

Back in the times, the construction of this church was inspired by the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul (former Constantinople). It was the main church in Thessaloniki. Admire its impressive Byzantine architecture.

🔆 Rotunda

Rotunda is a temple with a fascinating history. It was a pagan temple and Christian church, and it served as a mosque in the Ottoman Empire. So go inside and learn more about the sight and its history.

🔆 White Tower

The White Tower is today’s symbol of Thessaloniki. It wasn’t always a white tower in the past. It was used as a prison, where they tortured people during the Ottoman times.

To ‘clean’ the tower’s history and reputation, it’s been named the White Tower nowadays. It’s also a museum about the history of Thessaloniki.

🔆 Ladadika

Ladadika is a beautiful district with colourful houses. It has many restaurants, bars, and local shops and is the place to go out at night.

Enjoy the evening walking on the sea promenade and have a good dinner in Ladadika street.

Where To Stay In Thessaloniki: My TOP TIPS For Accommodation

GATTO PERSO LUXURY STUDIO – budget-friendly apartments
BLUE BOTTLE BOUTIQUE HOTEL – budget-friendly hotel
SEA & THE CITY – mid-range apartment with sea views
NOA HOTEL – mid-range hotel with sea views

7. DAY: THESSALONIKI ⇒ KAVALA

I hope you had an amazing day exploring a little bit of Thessaloniki yesterday.

Today, you still have the whole morning and afternoon to explore the rest and enjoy its atmosphere. Let yourself take time to see what you missed yesterday. We’ll continue our road trip in the late afternoon and head to Kavala.

Here are the sites you can see today in Thessaloniki.

Sightseeing In Thessaloniki

🔆 Roman Forum
🔆 Museum Of Byzantine Culture
🔆 Heptapyrgion

🔆 Roman Forum

Since Thessaloniki was also part of the former Roman Empire, it hosted the cultural and political center in its own Roman Forum. You can check it out as part of your walking tour today.

🔆 Museum Of Byzantine Culture

If you don’t know much about Byzantine culture, this is the opportunity to learn more. The museum has many art pieces collected from Macedonia, from Constantine’s period, when Christianity was introduced to the Ottoman Empire.

🔆 Heptapyrgion

Heptapyrgion is a fortress up on a hill above Thessaloniki. In the Byzantine period, it was the main fortress of the city. During Ottoman times, it had a military purpose and served as a prison.

Go up and enjoy beautiful views of Thessaloniki and the sea. It’s also a nice walk.

Drive To Kavala

Walk through the promenade towards the White Tower and have some Greek food before departure. In the late afternoon, pack your bags and set off again – let’s head to Kavala.

Get to your accommodation. If you feel like it, go to the streets of Kavala for your first impressions.

Distance Thessaloniki ⇒ Kavala: 1 hour & 50 minutes by car (153 km/95 miles)

Where To Stay In Kavala: My TOP TIPS For Accommodation

THE ANTHEMOIN HOUSE
ZERO SPOT
CASTELLO BOUTIQUE ROOMS

8. DAY: KAVALA

Welcome to Kavala, a Greek city also part of the Macedonian region. Kavala is quite different from any other Greek city. It wasn’t always part of Greece.

In the past, Bulgarians fought for Kavala to be in their territory. It used to be home to Romans and Slavs in the Middle Ages.

For many centuries after, it also belonged to Turkish territory. Only at the end of the 20th century did Kavala become part of Greece.

Sightseeing In Kavala

🔆 Kavala Castle
🔆 Kamares Aquaduct
🔆 Imaret
🔆 Philippi Site

Kavala Castle is a fortress that protected the city in the past. Get there for the best views of Kavala.

The Kamares Aquaduct was built with 60 arches. It’s a dominant architectural site of Kavala city, which used to supply water. Watch the old houses built into it.

Imaret used to be an educational center. Nowadays, it’s a luxury hotel with stunning views of Kavala.

Enjoy the walk around Kavala Castle, stroll through the tiny streets, and get to the lighthouse for beautiful sea views. Walk back to the promenade and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of this city.

Check out the Wood & Rock bar; it’s built in a traditional house and has a unique atmosphere.

Half-Day Trip To Philippi Site

In the afternoon, you can also drive to see the archaeological site of Philippi. It’s a small ancient city with excavations and a museum.

It was named after King Phillip II of Macedonia and is famous thanks to Apostle Paul, who started to preach Christianity here. Philippi is the place where Christianity was spread all over the globe. I loved exploring the site.

Ferry Tickets From Kavala To Thasos Island

Once you arrive in Kavala, I suggest going to the Kavala ferry port and book your tickets for tomorrow’s ferry to Thasos.

Alternatively, you can also book the ferry tickets online via FerryScanner.

➡ Book your ferry tickets to Thassos island here.

9. DAY: KAVALA ⇒ THASOS

What would a Greek itinerary be without visiting at least one Greek island? Don’t worry; we’ll now balance all these sightseeing days with some chilling on a beach.

Today, we’ll head to the Greek island of Thasos.

Have a good Greek breakfast and coffee in the Mikel Coffee Shop (highly recommended – my favorite coffee shop in the world).

After you are ready, head to Kavala’s port and catch the ferry to Thasos Island.

How To Get From Kavala To Thasos Island

The ferry departs from the port of Kavala and takes you directly to Skala Prinos Port in Thasos. The entire journey takes about 1 hour & 15 minutes. It goes several times daily; check the ferry departure times from Kavala to Thasos Island.

Another ferry port is in Keramoti (35 minutes drive from Kavala). The ferry from Keramoti departs more frequently throughout the day. It only takes 40 minutes to reach Thasos. From Keramoti, the ferry takes you to a different port in Thasos called Limenas.

I recommend taking the ferry from Kavala. It’s much easier to depart from Kavala, so you don’t have to drive those 35 minutes to Keramoti.

PRO TIP: Depending on where you book accommodation, you can also take a car to Thassos Island. Or leave it in Kavala, and then you can drive back to Thessaloniki after visiting Thassos and return the car there.

Where To Stay In Thasos: My TOP TIPS For Accommodation

IPSARIO GARDEN HOTEL
MELI SUITES ISLE – ADULTS ONLY
ATRIUM HOTEL THASSOS
ILLIO MARE HOTEL

10. DAY: THASOS

Good morning to Thasos. Today marks the end of our itinerary.

Make the most of your stay on Thasos; enjoy the Greek food and some activities on this Island. You can do water sports, cycling, hiking, scuba diving, horse riding, or even a Jeep Safari tour.

If you have time, you can continue your journey to Turkey and visit Istanbul. If that’s the case, you can take the ferry from Limenas port in Thasos to Keramoti (Greece mainland). After, continue to Turkey.

Alternatively, hop on a ferry and check out other Greek islands.

Or drive back to Thessaloniki and return your rental car there.

Practical Tips For Visiting Greece

To help you plan your road trip even further, I’ve got more tips for you. See when the best time to visit the country is, how many days you should spend, what driving tips you need, and what budget you’ll need.

Passport & Visa To Greece

Check the expiration date of your passport. Most airlines don’t even take you on board if your passport expires in 6 months. Avoid issues with boarding and on the road. Ensure your passport won’t expire in the next 8 months.

Check if you need a Visa to Greece. iVisa will give you detailed information on whether you need a Visa and other necessary documents you might need to travel to Greece.

➡ Click here to see what kind of travel documents you need for Greece.

How Many Days In Greece Is Enough?

10 days is the perfect time to explore the main sights in mainland Greece. 14 days is also a great time to visit additional things on the way.

I recommend spending 20 days if you also want to visit some of the most beautiful Greek islands like Santorini, Milos, Sifnos, Naxos, or Mykonos.

Best Time To Visit Greece

The best time to visit Greece is May, June, September, and October. These months are generally less crowded, and the weather is perfect. Temperatures range from around 20°C/68°F up to 27°C/80°F.

You can also visit Greece in the peak summer months (July and August), but they’re the most crowded and very hot.

I don’t recommend road-tripping through Greece in the winter. Many things are closed and on a winter break, and there might even be some snow.

Tips For Driving In Greece

Driving in Greece is pretty easy. The main roads are well-developed, and the views are stunning. The rural roads are less developed, so pay attention to these.

Greek people sometimes drive very crazy and can seem to be aggressive when driving. Give way and pay attention on rural roads as people might drive fast.

Greece has the best roads in the Balkan peninsula, so you’ll love driving around. Here are my general tips for your road trip:

🚔 Drive on the right side in Greece and can drive when you’re 18 years old

🚔 If you’re from the USA and outside of the European Union, you need an International Driving License to drive in Greece.

🚔 For all US travelers – if you’re not familiar with the European roundabouts – these serve as an intersection and keep the traffic flow. So you can drive through the roundabout whenever there is no car.

🚔 The speed limit in the city is 50km/h, open roads are 110km/h, and highways have a 120km/h speed limit.

🚔 Greece has 8 highways on which you have to pay tolls. There is no vignette system. You pay the road regularly on the toll gateways when driving through the highway. Have EURO cash with you just in case you can only pay cash.

🚔 Wearing a seatbelt while driving in Greece is compulsory.

Cost Of A Road Trip In Greece

The budget for a 10-day road trip to Greece per person (mid-range traveler) is $915. This is a very realistic budget for mid-range travelers who want to stay in nice hotels, rent a car and travel conveniently, enjoy the sights, and each location’s activities.

Here is a breakdown of this Greek itinerary budget for each travel category:

➡ Accommodation: $40 per night in a nice mid-range hotel = $400 per person ➡ Car Rental: $230 for 8 days = $115 per person ➡ Gas: approx. $300 for the entire trip = $150 per person ➡ Food & Drinks: $20 per day p.p. = $200 per person ➡ Activities & Attractions: approx $5 per person per day = $50 per person

Budget Breakdown For Different Traveler Styles

Here is a quick overview of the budget for every type of traveler:

➡ 10-day itinerary budget for backpackers and travelers on the budget: $300
➡ 10-day itinerary budget for mid-range travelers: $915
➡ 10-day itinerary budget for luxury travelers: up to $1800

NOTE: This is an approximate budget based on my calculations and spending during my 10-day trip to Greece. The budget will vary based on every traveler’s preferences.

FAQs

I’ve also answered some of the frequently asked questions. Check my answers below:

Can You Do A Road Trip To Greece?

Yes, it’s possible to go on a road trip through Greece. Greece has, indeed, great roads and you can go everywhere easily.

Where Can I Go By Car In Greece?

You can get to the main sights in Greece by car, including the entire Peloponesse peninsula, Olympia, Corinth Canal, Meteora, Thessaloniki, Kavala, Alexandropouli, and anywhere from these big sights and cities.

You can also drive on the Greek islands. If you have a car, you can transport it on a ferry to the Greek Islands.

Is It OK To Rent A Car In Greece?

Yes, it’s fine to rent a car in Greece. To avoid the language barrier and further issues, I recommend renting a car online and picking it up in a designated location in Greece. This way, you’ll have time to read the terms and conditions and will have everything confirmed online in your native language.

Is It Hard To Drive In Greece As An American?

No, it’s not difficult to drive in Greece as an American. The roads are well-developed, and you won’t have any issues. The only difference between the roads in the US and Greece is that the Greek roads are narrower than in the US. But overall, you’ll be fine driving in Greece.

WRAP-UP: Road Tripping Greece

This is my ultimate road trip through Greece for you. It’ll show you the main sights in Greece, and you’ll also have enough time to explore the sights nearby and visit one of the most beautiful Greek islands, Thassos. I recommend spending more time in the country and, after, going Greek island hopping. Visit islands like Sifnos and Milos for the beaches or Santorini for a romantic gateway.

If you have any questions or need help planning your trip, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com. I’ll gladly help you. Or check out my favorite travel resources and plan by yourself.

Happy Travels!