Where to go? What to do? Here‘s how to plan the ultimate Greece itinerary — incl. how to score your own luxurious getaway with Citi Cards!
After spending a week in Greece, we can say it has stolen our hearts with its picturesque landscapes, stunning blue waters and luxurious experiences like wine-tasting and yacht tours.
But honestly, planning for the trip wasn’t simple: How can we get to the islands? Should we hire a automotive? What can we do there? Where ought to we keep?
If you’re heading to Greece with related questions in thoughts, we’ve give you the final word information on learn how to plan the right itinerary — together with issues to do and journey ideas!
Good information is, you may even use the identical components for a visit anyplace on the planet. And in case you’re a Citi Cardmember, don’t neglect to profit from Citi’s unique journey offers on flights, accommodations and experiences (learn until the top to learn the way to win S$10,000 in journey vouchers on your very personal dream trip too) ✨.
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Which a part of Greece to discover | Getting round Greece | Accommodation in Greece | Popular experiences in Greece | Tips for getting probably the most of your journey
Which a part of Greece to discover?
Did you already know? Greece consists of roughly 6,000 islands and whereas solely 227 are inhabited, that’s nonetheless a whole lot of islands to discover!
If it’s your first journey to Greece, listed here are some epic locations to start out with:
– Rich historical past and spectacular ruins: Athens, Aegina, Rhodes, Delos, Ikaria
– Scenic views: Santorini, Milos, Naxos, Paros, Skopelos
– Epic experiences: Crete, Meteora, Corfu, Zakynthos, Hydra
– Partying and nightlife: Mykonos, Kos, Ios, Skiathos, Kefalonia
But in case you solely have per week there, right here’s our prompt itinerary (Athens-Santorini-Crete) to cowl the historic, scenic and thrilling sides of Greece:
Day 1-2: Check off your listing of historic Greek cities in Athens and go to the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus and Ancient Agora. Don’t miss the hourly altering of guards ceremony at Syntagma Square and do some procuring at Monastiraki Flea Market.
Day 3: Take a day journey to Meteora — go to the varied monasteries suspended in mid-air or go on a climbing and scrambling tour of Great Saint.
Day 4-5: Explore Santorini’s well-known points of interest such because the Three Bells of Fira and Pyrgos Kallistis, and take a look at native wine at Santo Wines. The subsequent day, hop on a luxurious yacht and snorkel within the sea. End the day with an exquisite sundown at Skaros Rock.
Day 6-7: Last cease in your Greece itinerary is Crete! Kick-off day one with a scuba diving course at Agia Pelagia and a horseriding tour within the Finikia and Giouchtas mountains. On day two, head on a bus tour to find native gems like Agios Nikolaos, Plaka, Spinalonga, and Elounda.
*Pro-tip: Before your journey, keep in mind to get pre-essentials like insurance coverage and SIM playing cards! We acquired ours from Klook — get S$10 off Klook bookings together with your Citi Card (min. S$60 spend)
Best methods to get round Greece
Now that you simply’ve determined the place to go, how do you get round? There are many choices from airplane to ferry but it surely will depend on your finances and time in Greece, so right here’s a helpful abstract ????
Plane: This is the quickest and most handy option to journey from Athens to numerous Greek islands comparable to Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Naxos and Rhodes. We took a home flight from Athens to Santorini and arrived in 45 minutes, as an alternative of travelling by way of ferry which might’ve taken a minimum of 5 hours.
When securing your home flights, use your Citi Card on Traveloka to take pleasure in as much as S$100 off your reserving!
*Note: Greece solely has one airport, Athens International Airport, which serves each worldwide and home flights. Also, not all Greek islands are accessible by way of airplane.
Ferry: This is normally the cheaper choice however it would take an extended time to get to your vacation spot. For instance, a ferry from Athens to Crete might take round 9 hours and price round ~S$50. Compared to by way of airplane which might take lower than an hour however with airfares of round ~S$100.
*Pro-tip: Use Ferryhopper to examine the ferry schedule, in addition to pre-book ferry tickets on-line.
Public transport: Buses and trains are handy for travelling inside massive metropolis areas like Athens. In truth, most practice stations are close to native points of interest just like the Acropolis! However, on islands like Santorini or Crete, public transport is much less frequent and most of the people journey by automotive or scooter.
Car: Renting a automotive is the most well-liked and fuss-free option to get across the Greek islands the place public transport just isn’t as accessible. Pre-book your rental automotive by way of Klook with Citi Cards and get S$10 off with a minimal spend of S$60!
We rented ours in Santorini for €65/day (~S$95) together with insurance coverage protection, and managed to cowl varied iconic points of interest just like the Three Bells of Fira and Pyrgos Kallistis in a day. Parking can be tremendous simple with free parking tons close by the points of interest.
Scooter/ATV: Scooters and ATVs are cheaper to hire than a automotive — they’ll value round €45/day (~S$65) together with insurance coverage protection. While it might be simpler to search out parking area, there’s not a lot safety from unpredictable climate like robust winds or rain. So you may wish to take these elements into consideration too!
*Note: You’ll must get an International Driving Permit (S$20) to hire a automotive, scooter or ATV in Greece.
Accommodation in Greece
On our earlier journey to Greece in 2017, we opted for cheaper lodging so we might spend extra on experiences like a scrambling tour. This time spherical, we checked out a five-star lodging with a pool overlooking a scenic view.
Ultimately, the place you keep will depend on your priorities — handy location, budget-friendly or epic views? Here are some recommendations to get you began:
*Pro-tip: Get as much as S$100 off accommodations, flights, and experiences on Traveloka together with your Citi Card!
Splurge-worthy:
Volcano View Hotel (from ~S$250/night time) — During our time in Santorini, we stayed on the Volcano View Hotel, which sits atop the Caldera cliffs overlooking the volcano! We even had a non-public balcony the place we might catch an epic view of the Aegean Sea and caldera. Plus, the service right here is excellent, with a 24/7 reception and an enormous breakfast buffet served every morning.
Photo credit score: Canaves Oia Santorini by way of Facebook
Canaves Oia Suites (from ~S$580/night time) — Also perched on the sting of a cliff, this lodging is known for catching the well-known Santorini sundown — finest seen from the infinity pool. You can take a look at the spa and wellness centre right here or hire the resort’s personal motor yacht and sail throughout the islands!
Photo credit score: Traveloka
Electra Metropolis (from ~S$700/night time) — Waking as much as a view of the Acropolis? Sign me up! This five-star resort is actually positioned within the coronary heart of Athens, only a 10-minute stroll from points of interest like Syntagma Square and Plaka space.
Budget-friendly:
Photo credit score: Traveloka
Real Palace (from ~S$30/night time) — It might not be a actual palace, but it surely’s nice worth for its value — totally outfitted with an outside swimming pool, solar beds and a snack bar. Psst, your rooms additionally include a kitchen for some selfmade meals!
Photo credit score: Traveloka
Sunny Days (from ~S$60/night time) — Contrary to widespread perception, not all lodging in Santorini is dear. Sunny Days is pleasant on the pockets and even presents an outside swimming pool, shared lounge and terrace — decked in cute pastel yellow color!
Dunlin Hotel (from ~S$90/night time) — A worth-for-money choice in Athens is Dunlin Hotel — the room is absolutely spacious and there’s even a 24/7 hour entrance desk do you have to want something. Most importantly, it’s a brief walkable distance to Omonia Metro Station and we might simply journey by way of practice to points of interest just like the Acropolis in simply 5 minutes!
Popular experiences to pre-book upfront
Greece is understood for its epic experiences like sizzling air balloon rides and island-hopping excursions however slots can get snapped up shortly through the peak season. So we suggest reserving a minimum of per week upfront for peace of thoughts.
With that mentioned, listed here are some concepts on your future Greece itinerary!
Santorini
Known for its scenic blue-domed church buildings and beautiful sunsets, Santorini is Greece’s most iconic and romantic island! What’s distinctive in regards to the island is that its two most important cities, Fira and Oia, are perched on caldera cliffs overlooking the ocean.
Explore Santorini’s well-known points of interest — If you solely have a day in Santorini, a tour is probably the most handy option to catch all of its most important points of interest like Pyrgos Kallistis, Megalochori Village, and Perissa Beach. Alternatively, hire a automotive to discover these areas by yourself too — e-book by way of Klook together with your Citi Card to take pleasure in S$10 off (min. spend S$60).
Sail on a luxurious yacht — An opulent cruise is an all-in-one-package the place you may soak in Santorini’s lovely landscapes like Red Beach and Black Mountain, snorkel within the sea, and take pleasure in free-flow alcohol. On our yacht tour, we additionally learnt enjoyable info from our information, like how Red Beach has iron in its sand which oxidises with water to offer its pink color!
Indulge in wine tasting — Sample a few of Santorini’s well-known wines with an awesome backdrop of the caldera at Santo Wines. Our favorite was the Vinsanto, a candy dessert wine constructed from varied forms of white grapes like Assyrtiko and Aidani ????.
*Pro-tip: Pay together with your Citi PremierMiles Card to earn as much as 4 miles with each S$1 abroad spend — plus, your Citi Miles don’t expire!
Crete
Crete is the biggest island in Greece, and likewise the fifth largest within the Mediterranean Sea! Sure, it’s not as well-known as Santorini, but it surely has an adventurous aspect to it — with actions like scuba diving and even sizzling air ballooning.
Scuba dive in clear waters — There are totally different programs fitted to various skillsets. As first-timers, we took a newbie course at Agia Pelagia in Crete. Props to my teacher Philip, who was tremendous affected person in serving to me loosen up within the water. I finally managed to dive and noticed some barracudas and jellyfish!
Ride a horse up a mountain — Why climb up a mountain when you may discover it on horseback? We took a 2-hour horseriding tour to understand the views alongside the Finikia and Giouchtas mountains at a leisurely tempo. Plus, I didn’t have to fret as I used to be in excellent hooves — my horse Patty was well-trained and made me really feel protected through the experience.
Photo credit score: Hot Air Balloon Greece by way of Facebook
Hop on a sizzling air balloon experience — Take a scenic flight over Crete’s picturesque Lassithi Plateau, with a tremendous backdrop of the Dikti Mountains. After the 40-minute journey, get handled to a standard Cretan breakfast and a glass of glowing wine ????!
Athens
Delve deep into the guts of Ancient Greece and discover the house of the gods by way of historic ruins, museums and temples.
Visit historic ruins — If you didn’t go to the Acropolis, did you actually go to Greece? The Acropolis is positioned above town of Athens and consists of a number of historic websites just like the Parthenon and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Our favorite was the previous, which was once a temple devoted to the goddess of Athena. Apart from the Acropolis, different fascinating points of interest embody the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
*Pro-tip: Visit every attraction by way of a Hop-On Hop-Off bus service, inclusive of an audio information to be taught extra about every location. Plus, e-book together with your Citi Card on Traveloka and rise up to S$100 off experiences!
Feast on genuine native meals — Greek delicacies is a mix of Mediterranean, Italian, French, and even Turkish cuisines. Some native suggestions embody O Thanasis, the place we tried its tender signature beef souvlaki, and MIRONI Greek Restaurant, which generously crammed our tummies with its blended grill set of beef, hen and kebabs.
Day journey to Meteora — Meteora is one in all Greece’s most well-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with monasteries constructed on spectacular rock formations. On our day tour from Athens, we learnt that its identify interprets to “the one suspended in mid-air”! There are 24 monasteries in whole, however solely six are energetic right this moment — probably the most accessible one being the Holy Monastery of St. Stephan the place you don’t must climb any steps.
*Note: Entry to the monasteries are €3/pax, solely money cost is accepted.
*Pro-tip: Get S$10 off your Klook exercise bookings with a minimal spend of S$60 with Citi Credit Cards!
For different epic issues so as to add to your Greece itinerary, take a look at our final Greece bucket listing!
Tips for getting probably the most out of an epic journey in Greece
Being in Greece was actually an unforgettable expertise for me — I beloved its lovely landscapes and even acquired to strive issues I’ve by no means carried out earlier than comparable to scuba diving and horse using on a mountain!
So if Greece is excessive up in your bucket listing (like mine), listed here are some further ideas that will help you plan your future itinerary:
1) Bring adequate money
While most outlets settle for Visa or Master bank cards, some native points of interest and tour operators such because the Holy Monasteries in Meteora and Finikia Horseriding tour in Crete solely settle for money. So do keep in mind to vary sufficient cash simply in case.
2) Visit throughout off-peak season
Avoid summer time (June to August) because it’s sizzling and normally crowded with vacationers. Visit throughout spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October) as an alternative, when the crowds have cleared and the climate is cooler.
3) Ask locals for suggestions
There’s actually nothing like Greek hospitality — we’ve been handled to free desserts at a number of eating places beneficial by locals. So don’t be afraid to ask round for the most effective issues to eat or do!
My favorite place was The Fifty restaurant in Crete, whose proprietor was really a good friend of our horseriding tour information. And it pays to have connections as a result of, after our meal, we had a free aspect of pastry full of custard cream and a few native alcohol to strive ????.
4) Rack up miles
On vacation, you’ll positively be purchasing for souvenirs or indulging in a flowery meal or two. So use this opportunity to earn as much as 4 miles with each S$1 abroad spend from now until 30 June 2023 — just for these with a Citi PremierMiles Card.
The better part is your Citi Miles by no means expire so you may rack them up on your subsequent vacay too!
*Pro-tip: For those that don’t personal a Citi PremierMiles Card but, apply now and rise up to 30,000 bonus Citi Miles*
*T&Cs apply. Welcome supply is legitimate until 30 June 2023.
5) Look out for offers and giveaways
As they are saying, good issues should share, so listed here are some journey offers solely for Citi Cardmembers!
– Traveloka: Up to S$100 off flights, accommodations, and experiences
– Klook: S$10 off bookings with min. S$60 spend in your Citi Credit Card
– Singapore Airlines: Receive an American Tourister Flashflux 68cm/25inch Spinner Exp Luggage while you cost a minimal qualifying spend of S$2,000 on singaporeair.com or the SingaporeAir cellular app together with your Citi Cards
But right here’s probably the most thrilling one — the Citi Great Giveaways!
Five fortunate Citi Cardmembers will be capable to win S$10,000 in journey vouchers, to anyplace on the planet. Just comply with these easy steps:
Step 1: Login to the Citi Mobile® App and click on on the “Get More” tab to enrol.
Step 2: Charge a minimal of S$2,000 in qualifying spend in your Citi Credit Card from 15 February to 31 May 2023.
Terms and situations apply. Find out extra right here.
What vacation spot is in your journey bucket listing? Tell us the place and what you’d do within the feedback!
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