Greece: Athens, the Islands and Meteora — Where to Go and What to Try

Athens: the Acropolis and the old quarters

Above Athens rises the Acropolis with the Parthenon — one of the most recognisable sites of the ancient world. It's best to climb it early in the morning or towards evening, when it's not so hot. Nearby is the Acropolis Museum, with finds from the hill and a glass floor through which you can see the excavations.

After sightseeing, wander into Plaka and Monastiraki — old quarters with narrow lanes, tavernas and markets. At sunset, head up Lycabettus Hill or find any rooftop with a view of the Acropolis.

The islands: from Santorini to Crete

Santorini means white houses above the caldera and the famous sunsets in the village of Oia. Mykonos is known for its beaches and lively evenings, while Naxos and Paros are calmer, with plenty of villages where life moves at an unhurried pace.

Crete is the country's largest island, and you could easily spend a whole holiday there. It's home to the Palace of Knossos, linked to the myth of the Minotaur, the Samaria Gorge for hiking and beaches with pinkish sand. Rhodes has a medieval old town behind fortress walls, and Corfu has green hills and Venetian architecture.

Meteora and mainland Greece

In the centre of the country stands Meteora: monasteries perched on top of huge rocks. It's one of the most unusual places in Greece — some of the monasteries are reached by steps cut into the stone. In the Peloponnese you can see ancient Olympia, the theatre at Epidaurus and charming Nafplio by the sea.

What to try

Greek cuisine is simple and very tasty — it all rests on fresh produce and olive oil.

• Gyros and souvlaki — a quick and filling snack.
• Moussaka — a bake of aubergine and meat topped with sauce.
• Horiatiki — a real Greek salad with a big slab of feta on top.
• Tzatziki — a sauce of yoghurt, cucumber and garlic.
• Fresh fish and grilled octopus at seaside tavernas.
• Loukoumades — honey doughnuts — and iced frappé coffee.

Good to know before you go

Greeks are friendly and welcoming, and a few simple rules will help you feel at ease.

• Enter monasteries and churches in clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
• Summers are very hot: it's best to plan sightseeing for the morning and evening.
• Ferry timetables depend on the weather and the season — leave yourself some spare time before your flight.
• Tipping in tavernas is customary; people usually leave a little extra.
• Many shops in small towns close for a break in the middle of the day.

Staying connected

In Greece you need the internet from the very first minutes: to call a taxi, open a map, check the ferry timetable or show your hotel booking. You can install your eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, so after landing you won't have to hunt for a SIM card at the airport or stand in queues. When a plan's validity begins is shown on the checkout page before you pay: for some plans it starts at the first connection in the destination country, for others on installation or right after purchase. Your main number stays in your phone, and calls and messages to it keep arriving as usual, under your carrier's terms.