been to greece??

Question

from your past experience, how was your trip to greece? to their islands? which ones were the best? which ones are to avoid?

most of all, was it ever safe? or did you ever feel a little uncomfortable at certain places in greece?

the reason im asking is because this week my bf came up with the wild idea of taking off to greece (im currently living in italy) this thursday with only 2 backpacks and leave by boat, from italy to greece. get there, rent a little 'motorino' and take off to athens, then from there go from island to island, no reservations, nothing, no plans ahead, just on the road for a week. sounds like a fun, but it gets me kinda worried, what if we never find a hotel to stay for one night? what if all of them are booked? have people done this before? can you actually sleep on the beach? is it safe in general? here in italy its safe, its only UNsafe to be pickpocked, is it the same in greece?

any info at all would help, thanks!!

Answer 1

The main places to visit in Greece is the city of Athens (and Thessaloniki if you can) and some islands.

You have to surf in the internet for pictures of greek islands and find which is more interesting for you to visit. The most famous is Rodos, Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini, Creta, Paros, Hydra, Lesbos.

I suggest you to search for pictures because they have different architerture and you better choose your style. My choises are corfu and santorini. If you will go from italy with ship, you better book to stop in corfu (wich is in your way) stay there for a day or two. The town of corfu is the main attraction. Then take another ship to Pereus or wherever you want to go in greece.

about secutity, criminality is similar with italy, mostly imigrants like albanians commit crimes.
also you have to be carefull with the taxi drivers because they may charge more (report them to the police).

in the islands is not dangerous to camp at the beach but you never know, you better check for campings and hostels since you are a backpaker. in every city there is an office of the greek organization of tourism, they will give you all the information you need, I think that they are open from moring until afternoon on weekdays (not 24/7)

greece is less expensive than italy but you have to compare prices of hotels and restaurants in tourist areas because at this time of the year they may charge more.

the best think to eat (cheap) is souvlaki and giros (since you are in greece) there are many kinds of other take away too.

ps. don't drink tub water

Answer 2

Actually you're in luck. I just got back from Greece. It was definitly a fun time. I only went to a few islands, Evia Chalkida and Santorini were the best of them though. I wanted to see Crete but I didn't get to though. They had great beaches and stuff to do. A little tip though, a lot of the islands start looking the same after a while.
I didn't feel uncomfortable in Greece. I stayed in Athens most of the time, but I felt really comfortable and people were nice.
Being that it is summer its good to check into a hotel a little early like if you're in Athens because places get filled fast in some places. If you plan on taking ferries or boats, it may be hard because the ferries are being shipped to lebanon and israel to evacuate people, so it can sometimes be hard to find a ferry to travel on.
As for sleeping on the beach, the only thing You probably should be worried about is someone stealing your stuff. I really dont think it will be really hard to find a hotel.
I was warned of human trafficking before I went over, but I never felt uncomfortable, but I recommend you have your bf with you wherever you go. I thought it was really safe, and there is a lot to do, and the trip was just overall a lot of fun.
Good luck with your trip, and I hope you have fun!!!

Answer 3

I went on a boat with my bf about 6 years ago from Italy to Corfu Greece and stayed at the Pink Palace...it was the most wonderful hostel I've ever been to (and VERY cheap). We planned on staying for 3 days and ended up staying for more that a week....I'm sure you can find it online. From the Pink Palace on Corfu you can take the "Pink Bus" to Athens and stay there in the Pink Place-Athens ...the men in Athens are always trying to propose to you but really they were pretty friendly. Good Luck!

Answer 4

DON'T WORRY Greece is very safe, Greeks are friendly, free camping is allowed in many many areas (if you don't find an hotel), hotels and rooms (I suggest you to find one) are cheap, the weather is fine and THE FOOD IS VERY GOOD.
Try the small islands near Athens, Aegina, Poros, Spetses or Hydra (the first one has cheaper prices) or Aegean islands Kythnos, Serifos, Sifnos, Paros, Naxos, Santorini, Ios (the first three are not very crowded) Best of all is Santorini. If you have time go to Rhodes or Corfu. Stay in Athens three days minimum. See Acropolis, Plaka area, museums, Cape Sounion e.t.c. Good luck.

Answer 5

Absolutely YES!

Grab a boat in Athens ("deck" class) to the islands (I'd suggest Paros). Party all night on the boat, get off in the morning, hike or grab a bus to the far side of the island and set up camp. Stay there for the week and repeat in reverse to get home.

I stay'd there for 10 days - fantastic. Let me know if you find the nude beach...

Answer 6

Greece is a very safe country.The only problem is that in this period of time is not very easy to find a place to stay.It has a lot of people to every island,everywhere!You are going to find a hotel or something wherever but maybe is not going to be so good.

Answer 7

I don't think you should worry too much. He should be as careful as usually, not too cautious. I don't find Greece a dangerous country. In Athens you should watch out a bit more, like in every big city. But that's it.

Answer 8

There are islands both Italian and Greek listed on the page below. There are plenty of links from each page you go to including tourist information sites. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

check out hostels.com - or something similiar. I've taken those types of trips before and they rock! as you go along check out internet cafes for hostels where you'll be - w/ a little luck you'll find places.

Answer 10

heaven't been there but I've heard Mikonos Island is the best.