Greece is often found at the top of a travel bucket list, no matter where you are from in the world. With so many islands catering to so many different ways of life and travel styles, it’s critical to plan out your trip ahead of time so you can address any questions that come up. 

Here are five tips you should consider when planning your next Greek holiday to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. 

1. Check if you need a visa

Greece is included in the Schengen Zone, which is a block of European countries that use a common visa system. If you hold a passport from one of the twenty-six countries in the Schengen Zone, you won’t need a visa for your Greek trip. 

If you’re a passport holder from another country, including the United Kingdom, United States of America and Canada, you may be able to visit Greece for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a travel visa. The last thing you want to do is get stuck at customs at the airport because you don’t have the proper paperwork for your trip, so double check before booking anything. 

2. Pick the right accommodation

Where you stay can completely affect your trip, either for the better or for the worse, so it’s important to check out all of your options ahead of time and pick the one that makes the most sense for your holiday style and destination. There are a few factors that can help you decide what accommodation is best and deciding which factors are more important to you can help narrow down your options.

Proximity is one factor that usually dictates where people stay while on their trip. If you don’t have a vehicle to help you get around the city, you probably want to stay relatively close to all the sites and hot spots. This way, you’ll spend less time travelling to the spots you want to see and more time enjoying them. If you’re staying in a big city, you will most likely have more options to choose from, including what type of accommodation you want. 

Cost is another factor, so consider what your budget is before looking for places to stay. Villas and hotels will cost more than a hostel, but if you aren’t too concerned about spending a lot on accommodation, you will probably have more choice. 

If you’re looking for the most convenient option, you might want to consider booking a package villa. Your trip to Greece may seem like a luxury already, but you can always go all-out and upgrade your trip with full package villa holidays. These are perfect for the travelers who just want everything taken care of for them because that’s what being on holiday is all about, right? You get to kick back and relax while someone else worries about the details. Not only do you get to enjoy an absolutely beautiful villa with plenty of space, privacy, and top-notch food available anytime, but your flights and car hire or airport transfers are included as well. Your travel and accommodation will be stress-free and sorted already, ensuring all you must do is show up and enjoy your holiday. You can also add more to your package, including travel insurance, so you won’t have to worry in the event of a missed flight or if anyone in your party needs medical assistance. Everything is taken care of for you so you can get back to relaxing and taking in the beauty of the Greek Islands. 

3. Choose your itinerary

You’ve already decided on Greece as your destination, but there are so many world-renowned and famous places to visit that every traveler wants to check off on their bucket lists. You now have the task of picking and choosing what parts of Greece you want to visit, which islands you want to spend more time in, and what sites you definitely don’t want to miss. 

This is the phase of your trip planning that will most likely take the longest amount of time, especially if it’s your first time visiting Greece or you don’t know what you specifically want to see. Do your homework and research where you want to visit but be sure to take a look at everything Greece has to offer so you can be sure you’re making a well-informed decision. Check out all the most popular islands, beaches and tourist areas. Look for off-the-beaten-path type islands that people may not know as much about. Find the destinations that the locals feel is the most authentic. Learn about the unbelievable history and historical sites. 

Once you feel as though you’ve thoroughly researched everything and anything about Greece, you can decide which ones you’re the most interested in visiting. Maybe you pick one or two spots on the same island and stay there for the duration of the trip, making it a more slow-paced trip. Maybe you want to try and fit as much in as possible and try to island and beach hop your way around the country. Whatever your decision, make sure to plan it out in advance so you can prepare the rest of your trip details. If you’re picking multiple destinations, remember to give yourself plenty of travel time in between spots so you aren’t rushing to make an impossible connection somewhere. 

4. Plan your activities

Every island and every city will have different sights and activities to see and do, so taking the time to find them ahead of time will make it easier for you once you’ve arrived. You can also ensure you won’t miss anything because tickets are sold out or they require bookings in advance, so you’ll be able to actually see everything you want to see. 

Depending on where you’re visiting, you might want to look into the different day trips that are offered. It’s common to take a day trip to a nearby island. Some day trips include water and boating activities, but some don’t, so if these are activities you want to partake in, it’s best to check ahead of your trip. There is a wide variety of activities, sports, tours and history to take in, so whatever your trip style is and whatever your interests are, there’s plenty for you to do. 

5. Learn some Greek

For those who have never visited Greece before, it may be a bit shocking to see all their street signs, menus, maps, and other signs using the Greek alphabet. It makes it much harder to read if you don’t know any Greek letters, particularly if you’re planning on visiting more off-the-beaten-path areas where tourists aren’t as frequently found. Of course, in the more touristy areas, hotels and restaurants, it’s common for the locals to speak amazing English, but it always helps if you know the Greek alphabet and some common phrases. You might even be able to avoid awkward miscommunications if you practice enough before you travel.