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The solo traveler’s guide to Greece
On a solo trip to Greece, you can dance, jive, and have the time of your life as you explore with new friends. Whether you’re called to beaches or ruins, here’s your guide to Greece solo travel.
The reasons to visit Greece are many: There’s the ancient history, beautiful beaches, friendly locals, and incredible food—just to name a few. And those same characteristics make Greece an ideal place for solo travelers to explore, too.
Whether you crave the buzz of a big city, the slower pace of island life, or both, you can find it all (and so much more) on a guided tour of Greece. When you go solo with us on our Greek Islands for Solo Travelers: Crete & Santorini tour or our brand-new Italy & Greece for Solo Travelers: Rome to Athens tour, say goodbye to guesswork and hello to the ease of exploring with an expert Tour Director, engaging local guides, and brand-new travel friends. Ready for an unforgettable trip? Read on to unpack our Greece Travel Guide for solo travelers.
When’s the best time to visit Greece solo?
Whether you opt to take one of our two designated Greece Solo Tours or go solo on any of our other guided tours of Greece, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is when to visit. And while there isn’t one best time to visit Greece, different times of year will best suit your specific Greek travel dreams.
Looking for thinner crowds and temperate weather? The shoulder-season months of April, May, September, and October may be your ideal time for visiting Greece. But, if having more people around makes you feel secure as a solo traveler, then summer could be the season for you. The warmer summertime months bring enthusiastic travelers (like you!) from all over the world to the country’s most stunning and storied locales.
For more in-depth seasonal tips, check out our guide on the best time to visit Greece.
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What are the best things to do in Greece as a solo traveler?
One of the best things to do in Greece while traveling solo is to explore Athens, the country’s dynamic capital city. With ancient sites like the Acropolis and a vibrant culinary scene of trendy restaurants, it’s no wonder it makes our list of the best cities to visit in Greece! There, you’ll find can’t-miss historical sites that’ll take you from ancient to modern times. Here are a few to add to your Athens itinerary.
Visit the Acropolis
Located in the center of the city, the Acropolis is home to the Parthenon—the iconic, pillared temple built to honor the goddess Athena. This world-renowned site tops our picks of bucket list things to do in Greece. It’s also where you’ll find the Acropolis Museum, which is filled with thousands of ancient archaeological artifacts.
See the Temple of Olympian Zeus
Also known as the Olympieion, this famous temple, which is located a short walk from the Acropolis, took several hundred years to complete. Once regarded as one of the most impressive temples in the country, the remnants continue to evoke awe.
Explore the Old Royal Palace
Located in Syntagma Square and completed in 1843, this Neoclassical structure that once was built for royalty is now home to the Hellenic Parliament. The highly choreographed changing of the guard is a spectacle solo travelers won’t want to miss.
Stroll through the National Gardens
You’ll find this oasis in the heart of Athens, directly behind the Parliament building in the city center. The beautiful grounds are free to enter, and there’s a small zoo, botanical museum, and even a coffee shop inside.
Check out the street art
Athens has become well known for its colorful murals and street art. Take a walk through the neighborhoods of Psirri or Gazi, and discover Athens’ contemporary art scene from the sidewalk. In fact, admiring these cultural highlights with new travel friends is one of our top reasons to go solo to Greece.
Where are the best places to go in Greece as a solo traveler who loves the beach?
With their sun-drenched beaches, stunning sunsets, and laid-back way of life, it’s no wonder the Greek Islands are beloved by travelers from around the world. You’ll find more in our guide of six Greek Islands to visit this summer, but here are a few solo travelers adore.
Santorini
On this volcanic island, travelers will find spectacular beaches featuring everything from igneous black sand to red, rocky cliffs. Check out more things to do in Greece while traveling solo in our Santorini Travel Guide.
Crete
Pink and white sand and crystal-clear water make beaches on Crete some of the most beautiful in the entire world. You may even spot a few dolphins in the waves around this majestic isle.
Mykonos
Chock-full of seaside restaurants, bars, and beach clubs, Mykonos is a must for social solo travelers who love making new friends from around the world. Whether you’re looking for a lively scene like Paradise Beach or some quieter shores like Kalafatis, this island has it all.
The Ionian Islands
Ever heard of Corfu and Kefalonia? On these islands off the western coast of Greece, you’ll find cerulean coastlines and Venetian old towns begging to be explored. Visit these gems on our Greece’s Ionian Islands: Athens, Kefalonia & Corfu tour.
The Dodecanese Islands
If you want to take an island trip closer to the Asia mainland, our The Greek Dodecanese Islands: Kos & Rhodes tour is for you. With pristine beaches and intricate ruins, these off-the-beaten-path isles deliver all the Aegean fun you’re craving.
Longing to fill your solo trip to Greece with a dose of vitamin D? Check out our guide to the Greek Islands, or uncover 19 of Greece’s most beautiful beaches.
What should I pack for Greece as a solo traveler?
Several items are essential for any traveler who’s heading to Greece. Here are a few you won’t want to leave home without before embarking on a trip like our Greek Islands for Solo Travelers: Crete & Santorini tour.
A lightweight backpack or tote bag
Whether you spend your time hopping between historical sites in Athens or posting up at the beach on Crete, a small backpack or tote bag will help keep the day’s essentials—water, camera, hat, SPF—at the ready.
Mesh water shoes
A pair of these lightweight, packable kicks will come in handy if you plan to visit any of Greece’s world-renowned beaches on our The Greek Islands: Mykonos, Santorini & Crete tour. They’re easy to slip on and off between snack bar and bathroom runs, and they’ll make walking on the islands’ rockier beaches a breeze.
A portable phone charger
Going off the grid can be nice, but for some solo travelers, the most important travel accessory is a fully charged phone. Not sure how to get back to your hotel? Call the front desk or fire up your favorite map app. Need to let friends and family know where you’re headed next? Use that juice to send a check-in text or email.
Prepare for your solo trip to Greece
Fill up on local food and drink
Greece’s mild climate is ideal for growing fruits, vegetables, and grains. Add in local specialties like extra virgin olive oil and seafood, and you’ll have plenty of fresh, flavorful dishes to choose from no matter where you go in Greece. As a solo traveler, you can opt for a culinary adventure like our Food & Wine: A Taste of Greece tour or delight your tastebuds going solo on any of our other tours of Greece. Whether you take your pick of neighborhood cafes in Athens or want to try different dishes in the islands’ seaside taverns, here are a few things to eat and drink to get a true taste of Greece.
Dolmades
This popular dish consists of ingredients like spiced rice, crumbled meats, and fresh herbs that are neatly wrapped in steamed vine or grape leaves. Enjoy them hot or cold!
Moussaka
This beloved Greek delicacy is comprised of layers of sauteed eggplant, minced lamb, tomato, onion, garlic, and spices, and topped with bechamel sauce and cheese. In short, moussaka [pronounced: moo-saa-kuh] is as enjoyable to eat as it is to say.
Feta cheese
Forget the shockingly salty, crumbly cubes on your local grocery store’s shelves. In Greece, feta is rich and creamy, and it makes everything from crispy spanakopita to crunchy salads taste downright dreamy.
Ouzo
Sip this anise-flavored aperitif like a local—at an ouzerie, or ouzo bar, alongside a selection of appetizers and small bites known as meze. This grape-based distillate is low in ABV but high in flavor.
Tsipouro
Not widely known outside of Greece, this distilled drink—a cousin of grappa—is high in alcohol and is best enjoyed sipped slowly, ideally in-between bites of fresh seafood.
Wine
Greece produces some world-class wines, with notes ranging from crisp green apple to bright, zingy lime. Order a glass of assyrtiko, moschofilero, or malagouzia and toast your fun-filled solo getaway to Greece.
Hungry for more? Here are five top dishes to try when visiting the Greek Islands.
Traveler photos from the Greece
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