Not sure where to go to Greece for the first time? We have selected for you the 4 most popular and favorite destinations among travelers from all over the world, talked about their features and shared tips on how to spend time, where to stay and what to see. Read and make your choice!

Where to go to Greece for the first time?

In Greece, you can get acquainted with ancient culture and mythology, enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Aegean Sea, soak up the Greek sun on the white sandy beaches of Greece, walk in the mountains with the cleanest air, admire the white buildings and taste delicious Greek cuisine.

If you are going to Greece for the first time and do not know where to go, this article is for you. Here I have selected 4 of the most popular destinations:

First time to Greece: Mykonos

Mykonos is the most famous and cosmopolitan island of Greece. It is here that the notorious white buildings, so unusual to the Russian eye, are located. But keep in mind, Mykonos is quite an expensive island compared to the rest of Greece. The capital of the island is the city of Chora, here you can get acquainted with the famous Greek architecture.

Where to go and what to see

• Church of Panagia Paraportiani (Panagia Paraportiani);
• "Little Venice";
• an area with buildings of the 18th century, where the mansions of the great captains stand everywhere with colorful balconies and stylish windows;
• strange windmills, impressively located on the slope;
• snow-white sandy beaches stretching along the perimeter of the island.

Where to stay

Mykonos tourist island, and therefore you will not have problems finding housing. - from luxury hotels to budget guesthouses and hostels, you can also search for hotels through the form on the left. For the very economical, there is Couchsurfing.

Things to do

• In Mykonos, many holidays and festivals are held in the summer, all this is accompanied by rivers of delicious wine and mountains of delicious food.
• Also, this "Isle of the Winds" is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts, surfers and sailors come here from all over the world. Mykonos has a wide range of windsurfing beaches. The most isolated beaches are considered the best: Kórfos, Fteliá, Meyáli Ámmos and Kalafátis. Almost all beaches teach surfing.
• In Mykonos you can play tennis or minigolf at Ayios Stéfanos, beach volleyball at Ayia Ánna, skydiving or jet skiing at Eliá or Kalafátis. Even diving enthusiasts will not be left behind and will be able to explore the beauty of the underwater life of the Aegean Sea.

Mykonos is the standard choice for both hanging out and being like interesting excursions and enjoy your beach holiday. Therefore, if you are going to visit Greece for the first time, and your budget allows, visit Mykonos, you will not be disappointed.

First time to Greece: Paros

Paros is one of the most popular holiday destinations for young people. Unlike Mykonos, this island is more budget option. Unparalleled natural beauty, developed tourism infrastructure, beaches with clear waters, Byzantine footpaths connecting traditional Greek villages, breathtaking scenery and pulsating night life– all this awaits you on the island of Paros.

Parikia, the capital of the island, is also home to famous whitewashed rectangular buildings and impressive neoclassical mansions.

Where to go and what to see

• the village of Naousa, here the ruins of a Venetian fortress stand at the entrance to its small port;
• Lefkes is also a village, it is built into a mountain and surrounded on all sides by greenery, located in the very high point the islands of Paros, from here a breathtaking view of the island opens;
• Márpissa is a traditional village with a strong medieval character dating back to the 15th century;
• marble quarries in Marathi, where the famous Parian marble was mined.

Where to stay

It all depends on how much you plan to spend. There are options for every taste and budget.

Things to do

• Attending a religious festival is a great opportunity to taste the sweet wines produced in the Monemvassiá and Mantilariá vineyards. On August 15, one of these events is traditionally organized near the Panayia Ekatontapyliani church.
• Explore the island on horseback. There are two "horse rentals" here, one near the sea in Ambelás and the other in Ystérni. Such a walk around the island is a great way to see with your own eyes the most Beautiful places Paros.
• The sun-drenched beaches of Chrissí Aktí, Santa Maria, Poúnda and the crystal clear waters of the sea will captivate all beach lovers. You can also go surfing here.
• Surrounded by red and green clay cliffs, Kalóyeros Beach provides you with an effective and natural spa for free. Cover your body with clay and let it dry in the sun, after a while wash the clay into the sea - your skin will be soft and velvety.

Price statistics for tours to Greece

If you are not yet ready to travel on your own, then price statistics for tours to Greece will help you. Here you can find the most low prices for holidays in Greece from leading tour operators.

First time to Greece: Skiathos

Skiathos is the most popular resort island in the Northern Sporades. Despite the rapid growth of the tourism sector, the countryside is still picturesque and unspoilt. The island is adorned with more than 60 beaches with absolutely clear waters, the most famous of which is Koukounariés beach, which is rightfully considered the third most beautiful beach in the Mediterranean. Add to all this a vibrant nightlife, and you will understand why thousands of travelers travel to this island every year.

Where to go and what to see

• the capital of the island - the city of Skiathos with its cobbled stone, cozy streets and white buildings;
• a picturesque harbor surrounded by 4 islets;
• the small island of Boúrtzi, where the ruins of a Venetian fortress nestled among dense vegetation;
• home, and now a museum of the famous author Alexandros Papadiamantis (Alexandros Papadiamantis);
• Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, which houses 4 museums.

Where to stay

Skiathos has plenty of hotels, hostels and lodging. affordable prices. You can also stay at Camping Koukounariés.

Things to do

• Every summer the island hosts colorful cultural events, concerts and art exhibitions.
• Take a breathtaking trail that starts from Asélinos, past Kounistra monastery, small Asélinos beach and Alygariés beach, and ends at Kehriá beach.
• The entire nightlife of the island is concentrated on the street near the Old Harbor. Bars and nightclubs are open here all night until morning and are always full of fun young people. The Ammoudiá area often hosts open-air parties (it's easy to find them, you just need to follow the road leading to the airport).

First time to Greece: Chios

The island of Bos is practically in no way inferior to the famous and sometimes overrated Mykonos and Santorini. Walk the picturesque streets, enjoy the elegance of the buildings, swim in the warm clear waters of the world-famous beaches of Mylopótamos and Maganári, taste the obscenely delicious Greek delicacies.

Where to go and what to see

• Be sure to visit Hóra, perched on the famous hill with its snow-white cubic buildings and covered lanes.
• See 12 windmills.
• Panayia Gremiótissa (Madonna of the Rocks) is located at the highest point of Hòra, with amazing views of the bay and neighboring island Sikinos.
• The Byzantine castle of Paleókastro, built on the very top of a hill.
• The summer theater "Odysseas Elytis", built in one of the favorite places of the poet Odysseas Elytis and well preserved from 2800 BC.

Where to stay

There are many wonderful hotels and hostels, there are cozy family pensions near the beaches. There are also several camping areas on the island. Keep in mind that Chios does not have the same luxury as Mykonos and Santorini, but there are many beautiful places to walk.

Things to do

• I think you already understood that August 15 is a special day for the Greeks, Ios is proof of this. On this day, one of the most impressive Panagia Gremiotissa celebrations takes place here, when the procession carries the famous icon of the Virgin Mary around the Hóra, all this is accompanied by a banquet, playing national instruments and dancing.
• Walk along the ancient paths Ayia Theodóti-Hóra, Ayia Iríni-Valmá beach, Hóra-Pýrgos-Psáthi, Hóra-Áyios Spyridonas-Perivolia-Áyios Prókopas-Pelekaniá, which are still used by local shepherds, so you will see the most beautiful locations of the island.
• The mountains of Ios are ideal for climbing, mountaineering or cycling. On the peaks, you will have an unforgettable view of the island and the endless expanse of the Aegean Sea.
• On the beaches of Mylopótamos and Manganári you can rent equipment for aquatic species sports, all the same surfing, water skiing, diving. Here you can learn how to surf and canoe.
• There are plenty of clubs, bars and restaurants on this island as well. Every day, crowds of young people enjoy colorful cocktails, dancing until dawn and night swimming here.

That's all, if you are going to Greece for the first time and still don't know where to go, listen to our advice. IN

The idea to travel independently arises among tourists for various reasons: someone is tired of standard, similar tours, someone wants to exclude communication with representatives of travel agencies and guides, and someone just wants to save money. What are the advantages and disadvantages of self organized recreation in Greece? Let's try to figure it out.

Is there any savings?

When it comes to a self-guided trip to Greece, most often we hear the comments “Oh, this is very cool! You'll save a lot of money!" But in fact, this is not entirely true. Save or not - it all depends on the type of your trip.

If the main goal is beach holiday in good hotel with food, animators and a lot of other entertainment - then it is more profitable to buy a tour from the operator. They most often buy places in such hotels in blocks, for which they receive a significant discount.

The second option is a holiday with local flavor. In Greece, there are a lot of cozy hotels with rooms at affordable prices. Here you get a chance to get close to local life without unnecessary tourist props, but you will be deprived of the benefits that hotel complexes promise: free pools, discos, cocktails, etc.

And the third option for recreation is traveling around the country, and this is always a cost. In this case, you are unlikely to be able to save enough money to end up with a smaller amount than the cheapest package tour.

director himself

So, what do we get when relaxing in Greece without a tour operator?

• The responsibility for everything lies solely with you. What does this mean? Many tourists tend to blame the tour operator for all the errors associated with the rest, ultimately blaming him for the “ruined vacation”. Flight delay? Blame it! Is the air conditioner broken in the room? Blame it! At the resort, rain is again his tricks! But when you organize the trip yourself, perhaps all the minor flaws will not look so terrible.
• free excursion program. You decide what and when to watch, and hotel guides do not impose their services on you at inflated prices. A good Russian-speaking guide can be found via the Internet, and if it’s really “cheap and cheerful” - go sightseeing only with a guidebook!
• Are you tired of Crete? And why not live a couple of days on the famous Santorini? Is the weather bad in the Cyclades? Then let's go to the Peloponnese! By the way, we haven't seen Olympia yet! Absolute freedom of movement - this is how a real vacation should be, and this is how it is, if organized according to your scenario!

But, as you know, in every barrel of honey there is a fly in the ointment. We list the main pitfalls in the field of independent tourism.

• The main disadvantage of this type of recreation is the lack of time. Not every working person can afford the luxury of spending precious hours on paperwork, bookings, confirmations, transfers, etc. It is easier for busy people to give money for a ready-made tour and calmly wait for the day of departure.
• Feelings, self-doubt. Many people, especially older ones, will feel much more comfortable under the wing of a travel agency than left to their own devices. Even if the thought of independent organization causes you to panic, it is better not to torment yourself and boldly go for a ready-made tour.
• The language barrier. Let's say you're not a polyglot, and you don't know any language other than Russian. Constant walks with an English dictionary in your hands make you feel sad, and learning Greek in a short time does not work out at all - then the journey will not be as easy for you as you would like.

photo: travelswithpersephone.blogspot.com

And one moment…

In April, news sites and travel portals spread the news that the Greeks were going to issue Schengen visas to Russian citizens for a period of 5 years. To do this, you must have at least one Schengen in your passport, preferably multiple. In practice, this is not entirely true: you should not console yourself with hopes for a coveted 5-year multivisa, especially if you are not an experienced traveler.

However, almost everyone can now get an annual Schengen. In 2014, the Greeks intend to attract at least 1.5 million Russians to the resorts of the country, which means, among other things, the loyal attitude of the consulates.

• Do not rush to make an advance payment for the hotel, as there is no guarantee that you will like the chosen room and the surrounding area in general. In this case, you will either have to lose the money that the hotel freezes on the card, or spend the whole vacation where you don’t like it.

On booking.com, you can choose options for hotels, hotels and apartments without prepayment or with free cancellation: such documents are also accepted at consulates.

• Study the customs regulations well. Organized groups of tourists always warn what and how much you can buy so that there are no problems at the border later. If you are relaxing on your own, there is a temptation to buy everything and a lot - and it’s not a fact that all souvenirs can be taken out of the country and brought to the territory of Russia.
• The Internet is your main assistant when traveling in Greece. Therefore, it is worth deciding in advance which card of which operator you will buy. Compare prices and calculate what will be more profitable for you.

Greece is one of the best places in order to try their hand at organizing recreation. Tourists here do not feel the consequences of a protracted economic crisis: food prices in Greece are lower than ours, the quality of life is an order of magnitude higher. There is practically no question of security here, so tourists can safely travel around the country without worrying about the level of crime. And in general, Greece with its many islands looks like a specially created scenery for bright vacation photos - perfect place for traveling!

Many offer a trip to Greece travel companies, but sometimes it is much more correct, cheaper and more interesting to organize your trip yourself. Let's find out how to do it and where to start.

Getting ready for the trip

You need to start planning an independent trip to Greece in advance. This country is part of the Schengen area, so you will need a visa to visit it. You can get a document at the consulate, after preparing a package of documents and filling out a questionnaire. To simplify the procedure, it is better to use the help of the visa center vizaweek.ru, where you will be relieved of all formalities.

Next, you should decide on the itinerary of the trip and tickets. The best solution for independent travel will be the fly&drive format, when you get to the designated point by plane, and then just rent a car. This will allow you to be as mobile and free as possible, as well as visit many interesting places Greece.

When packing for the country, do not forget to take a first aid kit with you (the medicines we are used to are sometimes difficult to find in Europe) and leave a place in your suitcase for souvenirs and gifts that you will take home.

Traveling in Greece opens up many opportunities for tourists. By laying out the route yourself, you can relax on the beach, walk around museums, see the sights and generally discover your Greece. Here are some tips to help you choose a direction.

Green corners

Halkidiki is considered to be the coziest and greenest region of Greece. It's great to walk, swim and enjoy life. Also, for such a holiday, you can consider the western part of Crete (the regions of Chania and Rethymnon) and the island of Corfu. These places are perfect for families with children.

Historical places

In fact, Greece amazing country where there is something to see everywhere. But it's hard to imagine the journey through historical places Greece without Athens. If you are a fan of wandering around the city, be sure to leave yourself 2-3 days for walking around the capital and stock up on comfortable shoes.

Night life

If you are sick of a sleepy vacation by the sea and want a hot party, think about the place Malia (Crete). Here you will find huge sandy beaches and non-stop night discos. IN Northern Greece stop by Paralia Katerina - the amount of entertainment and nightlife restaurants will pleasantly surprise you. And not far from Athens there is the resort of Loutraki, which will also be remembered for its fun parties.

Romantic getaway

Traveling to Greece on your own can also be planned in such a way that this trip will be remembered as the most romantic event of your life together with your loved one. Corfu is considered one of the most picturesque islands for romance. Here you can endlessly walk, enjoy delicious food and be just the two of you. And what could be better for strengthening relationships?

Why Choose Greece

Planning a trip to Greece on your own is a simple task. This is a small, comfortable country, very loyal to tourists and visitors. It will be easy for you here even with minimal knowledge of English.

Also in Greece there are a lot of hotels and hotels, both large chains and small family ones. So you can easily find yourself a room for the night in any city and for any budget, even without prior booking. By the way, in general, hotels offer a breakfast or breakfast and dinner system, since gastronomic pleasures in local restaurants are one of the obligatory parts of a trip to Greece.

In addition, holidays in Greece can be very versatile. Here, young and active people, families with children and elderly couples will find resorts and entertainment to their liking. If you want to please your parents with a trip to Europe, Greece will be the best choice, and they will definitely be satisfied.

How to prepare for an independent trip to Greece? What are the prices in the country in 2019? What you need to know when going on vacation? Helpful Hints and reviews of tourists.

Visa to Greece on your own in 2019

How to get to Greece cheaply?

The easiest way, in our opinion, is to get into the country by plane, especially since tickets are not too expensive. The cheapest way to fly on vacation to Greece in the off season is flights from Moscow to Thessaloniki and Athens cost from 6 thousand rubles round trip. You can fly to Crete, Corfu and Rhodes in the low season from 9 thousand rubles. In summer, air tickets are more expensive - from 10-11 thousand rubles. Tickets from St. Petersburg cost from 12-14 thousand rubles.

(Photo © carlisle617 / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

How to book a hotel for a holiday in Greece?

If you have planned independent rest in Greece in the summer of 2019, we strongly recommend booking a hotel in advance so that it is not excruciatingly painful: good inexpensive rooms are sold out very quickly. It is better to search for a hotel on the Roomguru.ru service, as it compares prices in several booking systems - no need to search manually.

Prices depend on where and when you are going to rest in Greece. Double standard in a 1-3 * hotel will cost 25-45 euros in the low season (in high price maybe twice as high). 4 and 5 star hotels cost from 70 euros and up. Want to save money and unpretentious to the conditions? You can check into a hostel, where a bed costs from 10 to 35 euros.

Food prices in Greece - 2019

(Photo © cecilevanmeensel / pixabay.com)

Transport

Public transport is well developed major cities it can take you to almost anywhere. The most common - bus and tram, in Athens there is a metro.

bus carrier- KTEL company. Tickets are inexpensive and depend on the distance (for intercity flights - about 5 euros per 100 km). A trip around the city costs from 1.10 euros, the ticket needs to be validated. Before stopping, press a special button, and if you want to get on the bus, wave your hand to the driver to stop. You can buy tickets in special machines, in kiosks and from the driver.

According to the reviews of tourists, the schedule often changes, it is better to constantly check it. Arrive early to buy your ticket and secure your seat (loose seating is common, even if seats are listed on tickets). By the way, buses have an unpleasant habit of leaving a little earlier than the appointed time.

If you plan to actively travel independently in Greece, for greater mobility, we recommend taking rent a moped or automobile(just follow the traffic rules). You can rent a car online at Skyscanner Car Hire, so you don't have to depend on the Greek intermittent bus schedules.

taxi drivers, as elsewhere, they try to cash in on tourists. Deception schemes are the most common: a "forgotten" counter, the longest path. Do not sit down with private owners, look for official companies. Landing costs about 3.20 euros, 1 km - about 0.80 euros. You can order a car online at the service (it is also possible to order a transfer between cities or from / to the airport) - this is convenient, reliable and safe.

Do you plan to move between the islands during your independent vacation in Greece? There is nothing easier, because the country has an extensive network water transport: catamarans, high-speed and conventional ferries, hydrofoils, taxi boats. Navigation is carried out from May to October. The schedule is unstable, check on or . The range of prices is large, the cost depends on the type of vessel, distance, carrier, conditions. This type of transport cannot be called cheap: for example, a ferry from Athens to Rhodes costs from 47 euros, from Santorini - from 30 euros. You can save on ferries by booking tickets a couple of months in advance. It is also cheaper to cross at night - this way you will save not only on the ticket, but also on accommodation.

(Photo © lukasbieri / pixabay.com)

Like snow on his head, fell suddenly. One wonderful evening I was flipping through tapes social networks and then bam - amazing photos of a classmate from Greece. Want Want! I immediately opened the site of one of the travel agencies in parallel and sat down on my ass in surprise - the cost! This prices! And I want to go to Greece with even greater force.

I decide to fly savage, especially in my practice it already was. ;)

Well, what are you with me? Let's fly!

How to travel to Greece on your own

To start, I made plan actions:

• route;
• Schengen visa;
• insurance;
• tickets;
• hotel reservation.

If you act according to plan, then not far off. ;)

Of course, you won’t be fed up with concepts alone, now I’ll tell you how I performed plan independent travel inGreece.

Where to go

At the outset, you need to decide route. To be honest, it was difficult for me, I wanted both in and on Crete warm up the ass, and before Rhodes get. I was literally torn to pieces, as a result, Crete won in my internal duel. :)

Schengen visa

Nobody canceled the visa regime, so the second important matter is an obtaining a visa! Of course, if you are the owner of a multi-visa or Schengen visa, then you can skip this section, and if not, then read on. I thought it would be difficult to get a Schengen visa to Greece, but I was wrong, in Embassy of Greece in Moscow me her done without any problems, to Russian tourists very loyal ;)

Insurance

This obligatory condition If you already have a Schengen visa, you can risk your health and go without insurance.

And if you, like me, needed to draw up Schengen then I want to tell you without insurance it is impossible to get it! In general, if you want to relax in Greece with peace of mind, then I advise you to purchase an insurance policy, if something happens - you will have to pay crazy money for treatment. I think everything is clear with insurance, we move on.

Tickets

Since I flew during the tourist season, from Moscow to the island of Crete itself was straightflight you could say lucky. :) I know from experience that the easiest way to find direct flights from mid May to mid September, at other times there is an opportunity to get to the island with transfer in Athens or Thessaloniki.

Hotel reservation

When the visa and ticket are in your pocket, the route plan has been drawn up, it's time to move on to hotel booking. I always compare the cost of staying in hotels in different booking systems, for example, I choose the most advantageous option where I make the reservation.

So, the hotel is booked, it remains only to pack your suitcase and board the plane, have a nice trip! ;)