4 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Greece

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Greece is a country everyone should visit at least once, although once won’t be enough to experience all that it has to offer. It’s a beautiful place for a relaxing or active vacation and it’s filled with a rich and deep history.

It’s best to take some time and prepare for your visit so that your schedule isn’t too packed and that you have at least some time to simply wander around and enjoy your stay while mixing with the locals. You also have to plan your accommodation early to avoid hassle on the day of your arrival. Book one of Mykonos villas if you’re looking to spend your vacation in Greece in luxurious way.

Find a Laiki

A Laiki is a local fruit and vegetable market that you can find in any town. It usually takes place on Friday and it will be there regardless of the time of the year and weather. The markets themselves are beautiful to stroll through and it’s a great way to find your place in the local community and to feel like a part of it.

Every neighborhood has its own Laiki market and you’ll enjoy it regardless of where it is. The most famous Laiki’s out there are probably: Pagrati, on Archimidous Street right behind the Panathenaic Stadium.

Rent a Car

The most convenient way to explore Greece is in a car you’ve rented. It gives you more freedom when it comes to setting a schedule and making sure you have enough time to visit each of the famous historic sites you’ve planned to.

You’ll need to get an international driving permit for Greece in order to do that. It’s relatively easy to do so since the document can be obtained based on your national license. There are no tests or exams to take and the permit is going to be valid for a year or when your national license expires.

Crete is a Thing of Its Own

Make sure to leave time in your plans to visit Crete separately. It’s the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean and a one-day trip won’t be enough to see all that you plan to see. It’s also home to famous historic sites such as Heraklion and Chania.

You can take a ferry to the island or you can fly to it from Athens. Crete’s landscapes are somewhat different from what you may expect from a Greek island and the island also has other sources of income beyond tourism. Make sure to set plenty of time to really visit Crete and you’ll want to come back to it.

You Don’t Have to Visit in Summer

Most think of Greece as a summertime location, but it doesn’t have to be so. It’s true that some of the islands are best visited in July or August, but the swimming season can start as early as May and last all the way to November.

Crete and other smaller islands are also worth a trip even when you can’t take a swim, due to their cultural offer. It also gives you a chance to experience Greece when it’s much less hectic and beautiful in a whole other way.