Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Greece

A photograph of Greece
Photograph · George E. Koronaios · CC BY-SA 4.0

Greece has the longest coastline on the Mediterranean and somewhere between 1,200 and 6,000 islands depending on how an island is counted, of which 227 are inhabited. That figure is the whole planning problem. Around 10 million people live in the country's nine regions, and the three largest cities - Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras - are all on the mainland, while the 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites are spread across mainland and islands alike. Most trips split accordingly: the mainland for antiquity and the mountains that fill the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, the islands for the sea, with Crete, the largest of them, big enough to fill a week on its own.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Greek
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+30
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and F · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No single verified statement covers the mainland and all islands

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Byzantine and Christian Museum Byzantine and Christian Museum
    02 1 hr 30 min

    Byzantine and Christian Museum

    Βυζαντινό και Χριστιανικό Μουσείο

    The Byzantine and Christian Museum is a major museum in Athens, Greece, dedicated to the preservation and display of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art and culture.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  2. National Gallery - Alexandros Soutsos Museum National Gallery - Alexandros Soutsos Museum
    03 1 hr 30 min

    National Gallery - Alexandros Soutsos Museum

    Εθνική Πινακοθήκη - Μουσείο Αλέξανδρου Σούτσου

    The National Gallery–Alexandros Soutsos Museum is Athens's national museum for modern Greek art.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  3. Museum of the City of Athens Museum of the City of Athens
    04 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of the City of Athens

    Μουσείον της Πόλεως των Αθηνών

    The Museum of the City of Athens occupies the neoclassical residence of King Otto, Greece's first monarch following independence. Located on Klafthmonos Square, this historic mansion represents a significant period of Athenian urban development.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  4. Numismatic Museum of Athens Numismatic Museum of Athens
    05 1 hr 30 min

    Numismatic Museum of Athens

    Νομισματικό Μουσείο

    The Numismatic Museum of Athens is a museum dedicated to the study and display of coins, medals, and related objects. It occupies the former mansion of Heinrich Schliemann, the German archaeologist who excavated Troy and Mycenae.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  5. Hellenic Motor Museum Hellenic Motor Museum
    06 1 hr 30 min

    Hellenic Motor Museum

    Ελληνικό Μουσείο Αυτοκινήτου

    The Hellenic Motor Museum is an automobile museum located in Athens, Greece. It presents a collection of vehicles spanning multiple decades of automotive history.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  6. Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments
    07 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments

    Μουσείο Ελληνικών Λαϊκών Οργάνων

    The Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments occupies a historic townhouse in the Plaka district beneath the Acropolis. Established through private initiative, it preserves and displays the sonic heritage of Greek regional traditions.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  7. Jewish Museum of Greece Jewish Museum of Greece
    08 1 hr 30 min

    Jewish Museum of Greece

    Εβραϊκό Μουσείο Ελλάδος

    The Jewish Museum of Greece is a museum in Athens dedicated to preserving and presenting the history and culture of Greek Jews. It documents the long presence of Jewish communities in Greece, which spans over two millennia.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  8. Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum
    09 1 hr 30 min

    Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum

    Μουσείο Κοσμήματος Ηλία Λαλαούνη

    The Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum is a specialized museum in Athens dedicated to the art of jewelry and decorative arts.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  9. Frissiras Museum Frissiras Museum
    10 1 hr 30 min

    Frissiras Museum

    Μουσείο Φρυσίρα

    Frissiras Museum is a museum located in Athens, Greece. It is listed among tourist attractions in the city. The museum's specific founding date, architectural history, and institutional background are not recorded in available sources.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  10. Herakleidon Museum Herakleidon Museum
    11 1 hr 30 min

    Herakleidon Museum

    Μουσείο Ηρακλειδών

    The Herakleidon Museum is a private museum in Athens, Greece. It occupies a neoclassical building in the historic Thiseio district, near the Acropolis and the ancient Agora.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  11. Athens University History Museum Athens University History Museum
    12 1 hr 30 min

    Athens University History Museum

    Μουσείο Ιστορίας Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών

    The Athens University History Museum is a museum dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, founded in 1837.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  12. Epigraphical Museum Epigraphical Museum
    13 1 hr 30 min

    Epigraphical Museum

    Επιγραφικό μουσείο

    The Epigraphic Museum in Athens houses the largest collection of ancient Greek inscriptions in the world. It operates as a specialized institution dedicated to the study, preservation, and display of epigraphic material.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  13. Benaki Museum
    14 1 hr 30 min

    Benaki Museum

    Μουσείο Μπενάκη (Κτήριο Οδού Πειραιώς)

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  14. Old Parliament House
    15 1 hr 30 min

    Old Parliament House

    Εθνικό Ιστορικό Μουσείο

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  15. Athens War Museum
    16 1 hr 30 min

    Athens War Museum

    Πολεμικό Μουσείο

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Athens
  16. Aerides Bath
    19 1 hr 30 min

    Aerides Bath

    Λουτρό των Αέρηδων

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  17. Benizelos mansion
    21 1 hr 30 min

    Benizelos mansion

    Αρχοντικό Μπενιζέλων

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  18. Stathatos Mansion
    22 1 hr 30 min

    Stathatos Mansion

    Μέγαρο Σταθάτου

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  19. Museum of Greek Folk Art
    23 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of Greek Folk Art

    Μουσείο Ελληνικής Λαϊκής Τέχνης

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  20. Theocharakis Foundation
    24 1 hr 30 min

    Theocharakis Foundation

    Ίδρυμα Εικαστικών Τεχνών και Μουσικής Β&Μ Θεοχαράκη

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  21. Theatrical Museum of Greece
    25 1 hr 30 min

    Theatrical Museum of Greece

    Μουσείο Μελέτης Ελληνικού Θεάτρου

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  22. Marika Kotopouli Museum
    26 1 hr 30 min

    Marika Kotopouli Museum

    Μουσείο Μαρίκας Κοτοπούλη

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  23. Municipal Gallery of Athens
    27 1 hr 30 min

    Municipal Gallery of Athens

    Παλιά Πινακοθήκη Δήμου Αθηναίων

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  24. Aggelike Chatzimichali house
    28 1 hr 30 min

    Aggelike Chatzimichali house

    Μουσείο Λαϊκής Τέχνης και Παράδοσης

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  25. Benaki Museum of Islamic Art
    29 1 hr 30 min

    Benaki Museum of Islamic Art

    Μουσείο Μπενάκη Ισλαμικής Τέχνης

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  26. Digital Museum of Plato's Academy
    30 1 hr 30 min

    Digital Museum of Plato's Academy

    Ψηφιακό Μουσείο της Ακαδημίας Πλάτωνος

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  27. Greek Film Archive
    31 1 hr 30 min

    Greek Film Archive

    Ταινιοθήκη Της Ελλάδος

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  28. Industrial Gas Museum
    34 1 hr 30 min

    Industrial Gas Museum

    Βιομηχανικό Μουσείο Φωταερίου

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  29. Hellenic Cosmos
    38 1 hr 30 min

    Hellenic Cosmos

    Ελληνικός Κόσμος

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  30. Alekos Fasianos Museum
    40 1 hr 30 min

    Alekos Fasianos Museum

    Μουσείο Αλέκος Φασιανός

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  31. Makronisos Museum
    45 1 hr 30 min

    Makronisos Museum

    Μουσείο Μακρονήσου

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  32. Man and Tools Exhibition
    46 1 hr 30 min

    Man and Tools Exhibition

    Εκθεση Άνθρωποι και Εργαλεία

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  33. Museum of Greek Children Art
    50 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of Greek Children Art

    Μουσείο Ελληνικής Παιδικής Τέχνης

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  34. Museum of Illusions
    51 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of Illusions

    Μουσείο των ψευδαισθήσεων

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  35. Sketch Museum
    56 1 hr 30 min

    Sketch Museum

    Μουσείο Σκίτσου

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  36. Yannis Pappas Studio
    57 1 hr 30 min

    Yannis Pappas Studio

    Εργαστήριο Γιάννη Παππά

    • High
    • Museum
    • Athens
  37. Botanical Museum
    62 1 hr 30 min

    Botanical Museum

    Βοτανικό Μουσείο

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Athens
  38. Exile Museum
    63 1 hr 30 min

    Exile Museum

    Μουσείο Πολιτικών Εξορίστων Άη Στράτη

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Athens
  39. Museum of the Bank of Greece
    69 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of the Bank of Greece

    Μουσείο της Τράπεζας της Ελλάδος

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Athens
  40. National Glyptotheque
    72 1 hr 30 min

    National Glyptotheque

    Εθνική Γλυπτοθήκη

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Athens

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Greece be?

Eight to twelve days can cover Athens, one mainland archaeological route and one island group. Every ferry leg consumes real itinerary time, so collecting ports across several island chains is poor use of a first visit.

What entry documents are needed for Greece?

Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides the visa framework for entry. Passport nationality, stay length and the wider Schengen route determine whether an application is needed and where it must be lodged.

What is the best way to travel around Greece?

Athens is the main gateway, while ferries and domestic flights connect island groups and regional airports. Mainland buses and limited rail corridors require route-specific planning; ferry schedules should be rechecked close to travel.

When is a practical time to visit Greece?

April to June and September to October suit many archaeological and island itineraries without peak midsummer heat. Ferry exposure, island seasonality and mountain weather still vary by destination.

What money and payment basics apply in Greece?

Greece prices transactions in euros (EUR). National card-acceptance and fee details are Not recorded in this bundle; confirm payment expectations with small accommodations, boat operators and remote businesses.

What practical safety details should I save for Greece?

Greece uses 112 for emergency assistance and 230 V Type C and F sockets. A single nationwide tap-water recommendation is Not recorded, so use the relevant island or municipal guidance.