Greece

Yasas/Kalimera/Kalispera: Welcome to our guides on Greece 🙂

Ah, Greece.


Max’s favourite European country—for good reason. From sun-bleached ruins and deep-blue seas to perfect grilled octopus and warm-hearted locals, this Mediterranean gem never stops giving.


Whether you’re heading for ancient Athens, idyllic islands like Folegandros, or just following the scent of sizzling souvlaki, this is your ultimate guide to planning a trip to Greece—Sloth-approved. 

Key Info!

Language: Greek 🇬🇷 (but don’t worry—English is widely understood in tourist spots).
Scroll down for some essential phrases that will win you smiles everywhere you go.

Currency: Euro (€)
Cash is still king in many smaller towns and tavernas—especially on islands—so keep some on hand.

ATMs: Plentiful in cities and towns. All inhabited islands have at least one ATM.

💡 Sloth Tip: Card machines in bars may mysteriously “break”—so have cash, just in case.

Plugs & Voltage: Type C and F plugs. Standard voltage: 230V, Frequency: 50Hz.
Bring a universal adapter if you’re coming from the UK or US.

Safety: Greece is generally very safe for travellers. Just use common sense, and always travel with insurance (seriously, always).

When to Go:

🌸 Spring (April–May):

This is our top recommendation. The weather is perfect for outdoor adventures, and the Greek Islands are less crowded before the summer season. Just keep in mind that easter is a popular holiday here, so book in advance if this clashes with your plans 🙂 

 

☀️ Summer (June–August):

Hot. Busy. Still fabulous. Expect long ferry queues, fully-booked hotels, and €15 cocktails—but also unforgettable beach days and golden evenings.

We visited Santorini in late June, and though beautiful, it was crammed. Folegandros, by contrast, was serene and blissfully quiet.

 

🍂 Autumn (September–October):

Another sweet spot. Sea temps stay warm, crowds thin out, and prices dip.

 

❄️ Winter (November–March):

Greece in winter? Yes, really. Cheaper, quieter, and ideal for culture-focused city breaks (Athens, Thessaloniki, Nafplio). Just know that many islands shut down for the season.

 

SO ALL YEAR AROUND! 

Costs....

Let’s not sugar-coat it—the Greek Islands can be expensive (especially Santorini and Mykonos). But budget-friendly options abound with a little planning.

However, it is possible to visit these islands without spending too much, and we found islands like Folegandros to be perfect for budget travel!

Anyway, here are some average prices of what you can expect to pay in Greece (all in EUR of course):

ItemAverage Cost (€)
Hostel bed (dorm)15–25/night
Hostel private room30–60/night (up to 75 on Santorini)
Budget hotel/Airbnb40–60/night
Gyros (Max’s go-to!)2.50–3.50
Glass of wine (Mia’s fave!)2.50–4
Bottled water (shop)0.50
Bottled water (restaurant)1
Greek salad5.50–8
Main Greek dish (moussaka etc.)8–12
Seafood dinner15–20
Lunch specials10–12
Cocktails12–15
Local beer (e.g. Mythos)3–4
Entrance to major attractions10–20

💡 Sloth Tip: Gyros for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner? Don’t knock it till you try it.

Language Tips!

As a linguist (Max here), I absolutely love learning (at least some of) the local language of the countries I visit. It is not only fun and satisfying, but also respectful and allows for interactions with new people. So, here are some essential words and phrases that can help you during your Greek adventures, which I found to be quite helpful…

 

Sloth Tip: for those who enjoy a cold Mythos, a classic Greek lager, use the phrase ‘Thelo mia mpira’. Yamas!

 English                                                                            Greek                                                                               Pronunciation

Hello

Yassou

YAH-sue

Good Morning 

Kalimera 

kah-lee-mehr-rah 

Good Evening

Kalispera

kah-lees-peh-rah

How are you?

Ti kanis?

tee-kah-nis

Good night 

Kalinikta

kah-lee-neek-tah

Goodbye

Kherete

Khe-reh-tay 

Yes

Ne

Neh

No

Ohi

 oh-hee

I want a beer

Thelo mia mpira

 

the-loh me-ah be-rah

Our Sloth Approved Travel Guides:

santorini, greece, buildings-416136.jpg
Santorini Sloths: The Ultimate Guide to This Legendary Island
Renowned for its beautiful vistas and sunsets, we give you our rundown on this lovely Greek island.
Fole Church (1)
The Ultimate 7-Day Escape to the Greek Cyclades
Come with us to discover the well and lesser known Greek Islands around Santorini!