By mid-to-late November, temperatures in Greece drop considerably lower than what you would expect; especially after seeing endless pictures of bright blue seas and sunny skies. When we travelled to Greece it was the first two weeks of December and the lowest the temperature dropped to was about 7 degrees Celsius. Here are some important travel tips to Greece that might come in handy during the winter season!
Key Travel Tips to Greece
- Pack for the Season – This is obviously a no-brainer. While I did pack my swimsuit in the hope of swimming in the beach; when the time came, I couldn’t get out of my warm clothes to wear a swimsuit; but instead swam in my shorts and T-shirt instead (yes, I did suffer later with wet clothes until I ‘dried’ off from a few mellow rays of sunshine).
- What to Pack for Greece? While I wasn’t completely, ‘winter ready’, for the cold winds of Greece, I did have ample winter wear packed up; to include jeans, pants, leggings, stockings, a jacket, a hoodie and my favourite red beanie. However, my favourite dresses and skirts managed to fit in as well. Couple all this with boots, and some walking shoes- you’ll need it once you start exploring Athens, in particular. A small backpack is essential and useful; try to get one with a double zipper that you could lock. However, keep your suitcase light enough to carry around!
- How Cold is Athens in December? One morning, we woke up and the temperature was 7 degrees Celsius. The nights are as cold too, as the winds from the Aegean Sea wash over the city. The warmest it got was probably in Kalamata; where the temperature rose to about 12 degrees Celsius by midday.
- Travelling Around Athens – The metro is the easiest and cheapest method of transport. Each stop is marked in each compartment and the metros are generally right outside the big tourist spots. There’s a metro station right outside the airport too! Metro passes include a daily pass which lasts for 90 minutes to a 5-day ticket. Get either of these to travel around Athens.
- Protect Your Belongings – Ah the sad lesson we’ve learnt from experience. Protect your belongings, wherever you are! We got robbed on the metro from the Acropolis to Syntagma – a 2 minute train ride! So always Protect Watch and Observe! Protect your wallet, passport and any valuables. If your stuff is in a backpack, ensure to wear the backpack on the front of your body. If you have a sling bag, always clutch it with your free hand. Watch and Observe those around you. Distractions are often caused on purpose right before you get robbed, so always be on alert.
- Eat Local – Eating from small, local restaurants proved to have the best food we’ve ever eaten. Skip eating from the tourist-heavy areas; as the food is often prepared in a rush and large crowds might distract you from enjoying true Greek cuisine. Drink local wine and try local beer, with your meal too!
- Where to Stay in Athens – There are tons of places to stay in Athens. But we found that the key is to look for a superhost at Airbnb and you’ve got the best deal for your holiday. Our first host treated us to free wine, and two local pies and they were absolutely delicious! Make sure your apartment has hot water and a kitchenette too!
- Taxis in Athens – If you’re using a taxi in the city, download the Beat App. It’s the local equivalent to Uber. Thereby ensuring all your rides are metered and safe. I’ve read plenty of tips on avoiding local taxi scams; so be careful!
- Withdraw Cash from the ATMs – The main point being, it’s much safer than going to a Money Exchanger. If you’re like me and horrid with numbers, the last thing you’ll want to do is calculate rates or hope to Zeus that you’ve got the right amount back. Make your life easier and withdraw it from one of the ATMs in the city instead.
- Is Greece Safe for Female Travellers? – I travelled with my best friend (also a girl) to Greece, and we made it out in one piece. So yes, while it is safe, you do need to be on alert; as you would be when travelling to other countries. Avoid walking the streets at night, be alert in bars/clubs, and stick to main roads instead of alleys – there’s tons of these in Greece and most of them are dimly lit and creepy. Keep your phone with you always and always look for the quickest route home at night.
While these are only 10 crucial tips every first-time traveller to Greece should know, there are tons more you should read up on as well. Stay tuned for more updates on how to plan your trip to Greece in a cost-effective way and more from Imperfect Traveller.
Yours Truly,
Imperfect Traveller