Top 10 things to do when visiting Greece
By
Staff, AccuWeather
Published Nov 18, 2019 9:55 PM EDT
Photo by Sven Hansche
Sven Hansche
Greece has been luring visitors to its clear blue waters, sunny skies, and easygoing lifestyle for centuries.
In Greece, you can learn about the rich mythical and vibrant greek history while you're casually sightseeing, enjoying beautiful beaches, and eating amazing food. This small country left such an imprint on the world and still has a lot to offer. Below, we have listed the best time to visit Greece and what to do with your time there so you can have a fantastic vacation to this top tourist destination.
Unlike the tropics or the Caribbean, Greece doesn't get high humidity. Most of the year, it's warm and sunny with fresh ocean breezes. The beautiful year-round weather is just one of Greece's many attractions.
August is the hottest month. Temperatures climb into the mid 80s throughout the country and can be as high as 88 on some of the islands.
The coldest month is January. Temperatures during December and January can drop to 59 in Crete, 50 in Athens, and 42 in the northern cities.
The sea is at its warmest from June through September. During those months, it stays at a steady 76 to 78 degrees.
Sounds pretty perfect, doesn’t it?
That depends on what you plan to do.
If you want to spend most of your time sightseeing at the major cities and historic sites, the best time of year to visit is autumn. You can spend hours walking outdoors each day without worrying about getting overheated in the sunshine.
If you want to spend most of your time on the beach, spring is the ideal season. It is warm, sunny, and the water temperature is perfect for swimming.
Although Greece is relaxed and friendly, people there are a little more conservative when it comes to clothing than Americans generally are.
It's fine to wear shorts and sandals on the beach, but when you go into town or to a nightclub, you may need to dress up a little more. Men should pack a few long-sleeved shirts a lightweight blazer and closed-toe shoes to wear in the evening. Women may want to bring sundresses, long pants, a plain black dress and a pair of flats.
You should also plan to cover up if you're visiting churches or other religious sites.
Many people are surprised by how cool Greece can get in the evening. Packing a warm fleece jacket and a couple of sweaters is a must do. Jeans might be too hot to wear in the daytime, but they'll be just right at night.
Greece gets wind from all directions as it is the home to many wind systems.
The best-known are the Meltemi, which blow from May through September. These are strong, hot winds that can blow steadily for days at a time. While they help to keep the country cool in the summer, strong Meltemi can send sand everywhere and make the water too rough for swimming.
The Meltemi winds blow from north to south, so if you're on one of the southern islands, you'll only feel a mild effect.
If you're not staying on one of the islands, put them on your itinerary. Spend the day on the beach, enjoy lunch at a tavern with a bottle of Greek wine and bask in the beautiful sunsets. These are the classic elements of a true Greek holiday, and a Greek island is the best place to enjoy them.
Know what to expect before you go. Use a weather checker like AccuWeather to figure out what you’ll need to wear/pack and know what to expect from your days out and about. . Keep checking it while you're there to plan your itineraries.
The Acropolis
The Acropolis seems to be in every postcard of Greece and it never fails to impress. The massive complex of the Acropolis is an important archaeological site that's right in the middle of downtown Athens. You can spend hours exploring the site, including the grand Parthenon that sits on the top.
Ancient Corinth
The birthplace of Jason and his Argonauts, ancient Corinth is a mix of Greek and Roman ruins. The relics of the Temple of Apollo and an ancient theater sit just outside the modern village of Corinth. This intriguing contrast is something you see all over Greece and is definitely worth popping over to see.
Wine Regions
Greece has made wine for thousands of years and its bright, fresh wines have been famous for just as long. The vineyards of Thrace and Macedonia are beautiful and inviting. The Thrace and Macedonia vineyards are also some of the best places to see how wine is made.
The Monasteries of Meteora
The village of Meteora is known worldwide for the ancient monasteries that cling to the top of rock formations in the mountains.The monasteries were built by Eastern Orthodox monks who fled to the mountains during an invasion. There are currently six active monasteries in Meteora that you can visit today!
Corfu
A ferry ride to the lovely island of Corfu is a must do. Visit the ancient city of Kérkyra and stroll its narrow cobblestone streets. Corfu is also the best place to find a quiet, pristine beach. There are many restaurants, bars and taverns on Corfu. Keep in mind that many of them close during the winter.
Museum of Olive and Olive Oil
Learn how the olive became a central part of Greece's history, cuisine, and economy by stopping by the Museum of Olive and Olive Oil, located in the coastal town of Patras. If you've been chowing down on some local food, you probably already know how delicious the olives and olive oil are and if you’re looking to know more, the museum is the perfect place to go.
Olympia
Located in the richly historical Peloponnese district, Olympia was the site of the original, ancient Olympics. Even today, the Olympic Games begin with a torch lighting that starts here in Greece at the temple of Olympia before traveling around the world.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki, a northern city, is the second largest city in Greece and is home to many Greek and Roman ruins. Thessaloniki has a lively waterfront area full of bars and taverns. A must see here is the famous White Tower, a former prison that is now an icon of the city.
The Cyclades Islands
The Cyclades Islands consist of 25 islands, Santorini and Mykonos being two of the most well-known and popular. Naxos, Paros, Andros, and Tinos all offer something special if you want to experience the beauty of a Greek island. If you’re wanting to go to one of the Cyclades Islands and aren’t sure which one, you really can’t go wrong in your choice so don’t worry.
Rhodes
Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands. In addition to beautiful beaches, a must see here is the well-preserved medieval city of Rhodes. Within the island, Lindos, a charming port town, has many attractions that you can fill a day with easily, from food to history to sand.
Greece is a warm, colorful country where every tourist is made to feel welcome. Greece is packed with vibrant history, stunning seascapes, lively nightlife, and some of the world's best food. You’ll find it will be easy to enjoy every minute of your Greek vacation no matter what you choose to do with your time there.
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News / Travel
Top 10 things to do when visiting Greece
By Staff, AccuWeather
Published Nov 18, 2019 9:55 PM EDT
Photo by Sven Hansche
Greece has been luring visitors to its clear blue waters, sunny skies, and easygoing lifestyle for centuries.
In Greece, you can learn about the rich mythical and vibrant greek history while you're casually sightseeing, enjoying beautiful beaches, and eating amazing food. This small country left such an imprint on the world and still has a lot to offer. Below, we have listed the best time to visit Greece and what to do with your time there so you can have a fantastic vacation to this top tourist destination.
Expect Sunshine and Good Weather
Unlike the tropics or the Caribbean, Greece doesn't get high humidity. Most of the year, it's warm and sunny with fresh ocean breezes. The beautiful year-round weather is just one of Greece's many attractions.
August is the hottest month. Temperatures climb into the mid 80s throughout the country and can be as high as 88 on some of the islands.
The coldest month is January. Temperatures during December and January can drop to 59 in Crete, 50 in Athens, and 42 in the northern cities.
The sea is at its warmest from June through September. During those months, it stays at a steady 76 to 78 degrees.
Sounds pretty perfect, doesn’t it?
What's the Best Time of Year to Visit Greece?
That depends on what you plan to do.
If you want to spend most of your time sightseeing at the major cities and historic sites, the best time of year to visit is autumn. You can spend hours walking outdoors each day without worrying about getting overheated in the sunshine.
If you want to spend most of your time on the beach, spring is the ideal season. It is warm, sunny, and the water temperature is perfect for swimming.
Related:
What to Wear and Pack
Although Greece is relaxed and friendly, people there are a little more conservative when it comes to clothing than Americans generally are.
It's fine to wear shorts and sandals on the beach, but when you go into town or to a nightclub, you may need to dress up a little more. Men should pack a few long-sleeved shirts a lightweight blazer and closed-toe shoes to wear in the evening. Women may want to bring sundresses, long pants, a plain black dress and a pair of flats.
You should also plan to cover up if you're visiting churches or other religious sites.
Plan for Cool Evenings
Many people are surprised by how cool Greece can get in the evening. Packing a warm fleece jacket and a couple of sweaters is a must do. Jeans might be too hot to wear in the daytime, but they'll be just right at night.
Get to Know the Winds
Greece gets wind from all directions as it is the home to many wind systems.
The best-known are the Meltemi, which blow from May through September. These are strong, hot winds that can blow steadily for days at a time. While they help to keep the country cool in the summer, strong Meltemi can send sand everywhere and make the water too rough for swimming.
The Meltemi winds blow from north to south, so if you're on one of the southern islands, you'll only feel a mild effect.
Plan to Visit the Islands
If you're not staying on one of the islands, put them on your itinerary. Spend the day on the beach, enjoy lunch at a tavern with a bottle of Greek wine and bask in the beautiful sunsets. These are the classic elements of a true Greek holiday, and a Greek island is the best place to enjoy them.
Check the Weather Reports
Know what to expect before you go. Use a weather checker like AccuWeather to figure out what you’ll need to wear/pack and know what to expect from your days out and about. . Keep checking it while you're there to plan your itineraries.
Top 10 Places to See in Greece
The Acropolis
The Acropolis seems to be in every postcard of Greece and it never fails to impress. The massive complex of the Acropolis is an important archaeological site that's right in the middle of downtown Athens. You can spend hours exploring the site, including the grand Parthenon that sits on the top.
Ancient Corinth
The birthplace of Jason and his Argonauts, ancient Corinth is a mix of Greek and Roman ruins. The relics of the Temple of Apollo and an ancient theater sit just outside the modern village of Corinth. This intriguing contrast is something you see all over Greece and is definitely worth popping over to see.
Wine Regions
Greece has made wine for thousands of years and its bright, fresh wines have been famous for just as long. The vineyards of Thrace and Macedonia are beautiful and inviting. The Thrace and Macedonia vineyards are also some of the best places to see how wine is made.
The Monasteries of Meteora
The village of Meteora is known worldwide for the ancient monasteries that cling to the top of rock formations in the mountains.The monasteries were built by Eastern Orthodox monks who fled to the mountains during an invasion. There are currently six active monasteries in Meteora that you can visit today!
Corfu
A ferry ride to the lovely island of Corfu is a must do. Visit the ancient city of Kérkyra and stroll its narrow cobblestone streets. Corfu is also the best place to find a quiet, pristine beach. There are many restaurants, bars and taverns on Corfu. Keep in mind that many of them close during the winter.
Museum of Olive and Olive Oil
Learn how the olive became a central part of Greece's history, cuisine, and economy by stopping by the Museum of Olive and Olive Oil, located in the coastal town of Patras. If you've been chowing down on some local food, you probably already know how delicious the olives and olive oil are and if you’re looking to know more, the museum is the perfect place to go.
Olympia
Located in the richly historical Peloponnese district, Olympia was the site of the original, ancient Olympics. Even today, the Olympic Games begin with a torch lighting that starts here in Greece at the temple of Olympia before traveling around the world.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki, a northern city, is the second largest city in Greece and is home to many Greek and Roman ruins. Thessaloniki has a lively waterfront area full of bars and taverns. A must see here is the famous White Tower, a former prison that is now an icon of the city.
The Cyclades Islands
The Cyclades Islands consist of 25 islands, Santorini and Mykonos being two of the most well-known and popular. Naxos, Paros, Andros, and Tinos all offer something special if you want to experience the beauty of a Greek island. If you’re wanting to go to one of the Cyclades Islands and aren’t sure which one, you really can’t go wrong in your choice so don’t worry.
Rhodes
Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands. In addition to beautiful beaches, a must see here is the well-preserved medieval city of Rhodes. Within the island, Lindos, a charming port town, has many attractions that you can fill a day with easily, from food to history to sand.
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
Greece is a warm, colorful country where every tourist is made to feel welcome. Greece is packed with vibrant history, stunning seascapes, lively nightlife, and some of the world's best food. You’ll find it will be easy to enjoy every minute of your Greek vacation no matter what you choose to do with your time there.
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