As one of a handful of European destinations that will continue to enjoy warmer temps and constant sun this fall, Greece will be scrapping for an inflow of travelers in the coming two months.
With more than 220 islands to his name, it has no shortage of sun-drenched places, the Caldera views and blue domes Santorini are known for, to the lively party scene of Mykonos, to the painting fishermen and picturesque beaches of Paros.
However, if you are on island hopping around Hellenic Heartland this season, there are then 5 important things you have to keep in mind If you want to minimize costs, you will experience Greece in a meaningful way, and above all, ensure flexible sailing:
Mix and Match Islands
For cheaper prices
There is this common misconception among travelers that Greek islands are inherent inherent, but only a few we think that Mykonos, Santorini, Paros and LOs have-high rates.
These islands have become playgrounds for the rich and offer the kind of ‘bare feet of luxury’ experience that seems far removed from the largely rural, pastoral way of life of local communities, in particular in the cyclades, where the famous white -grown cities and blue domes are.
Most for the first time visitors to Greece will make the mistake of checking both Santorini and Mykonos in one go and later crying for their credit card account. Instead of just visiting too expensive, tourist islands, you can’t mix and match and choose a less well -known gem in the area to compensate for costs?
If you are in the Santorini area, options include the emerging folegandros, where the The average hotel rates is $ 75 per adult In the low season, Amorgos, the home of a historic chalkwit cliff side monastery ($ 54 per night), or the beautiful Astypaleia, the butterfly island of Greece ($ 80 per night).
Not all islands are beach destinations
And certainly not Santorini
Here is the deal if you hope for a beach outing in the late season in a Greek island in October. The seas can be turquoise blue, the weather can be nice and warm and the view can be unparalleled, but not all Islands are ideal for swimming.
Take Chios, for example: increasingly popular, there are becoming increasingly popular because of its off-path attraction, abundance of medieval villages frozen over time, and traditional mastic-heavy dishes, this northern Aegean island is the ultimate Greek destination, except that local beaches are too rough.
We talk hard, pointed gravel stones that will stop stabbing your soles while you walk on it, unless you wear suitable slippers, aD No grain sand in sight.
In Santorini, beach accessibility is (somewhat) better, but unless you are in order with pebbles mixed with dark, volcanic sand and deep blue seas, not the green -blue waters that you saw on the photos, you might want to give it a miss.
Now, if it is white sand and a crystalline Eexian Sea that you are looking for, instead you have to try Crete (it is the home of the pink-white sand elafonissi beach), Zakynthos (the ‘Schipwreck beach’ is sandy and surrounded by cliff), and a kolonie.
Watch out for insulting roaming costs!
Some Greek islands are Dangerous Close to Turkey
There is something that very few tour operators or even travel brothers prepare you for: you could pay exorbitant Turkish roaming costs when visiting certain Greek islands.
In the event that you have not realized, some of them are A stone’s throw away From the Turkish coast. We only have 1.25 miles in the Kastellorizo case, 4 miles for Kos and 11 miles for Rhodes. Although it is rare, your phone will occasionally pick up a Turkish signal.
If you use an EU-wide SIM, your mobile operator will inform you that you have gotten your roaming cap abroad, even if you are still in Greece, and well within the limits of use. That is when you know that you are connected to a Turkish antenna.
This must happen, the last thing you want to do Is the agreement with the operator’s offer to increase your roaming package. Again, although you are still technically in Greece, you are in Turkey for your mobile data provider. The moment you send that ‘yes’ text, then the crazy reimbursements are inside.
This happened to me personally in Chios, within just 4 miles of the neighboring country. I thought that for whatever reason I had indeed hit my cap, because I did not get an indication that the SMS referred to international roaming outside from Greece.
The next thing I do is to get ‘yes’ to regain internet access as soon as possible, in the conviction that I would be charged somewhere between $ 30 and $ 40 for extra information in Greece.
Imagine my surprise if I get the bill and I went back an eye-watery $ 216 For wandering in Turkey outside my EU data package. Yes, au.
Everything is closed in the low season
Visit For November
Given how busy some islands can be, especially in the Cyclades, where Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos and all the most famous tourist spots are located, you can be tempted to ‘wait’ until the season is over or even the low season.
After all, it is not as if the cruise economy is decreasing in Santorini in Santorini in September.
The only problem with visiting the islands later in the fall, or even at the start of winter, is That Most Service and Accommodation Providers to block. Simply put, those beautiful, lively white -covered choras Change ghost cities from November to March.
“Oh, that’s great, I’ll have them all for myself!”
That may be true … But we hope you enjoy cooking and longer journeys to the nearest available restaurant (probably only open during the weekend). You may also find it difficult to find tour operators, transfers and even car rental, which can be a difficult thing.
The best Period to islandhop is nowBetween September and mid-October: it is not burning, rather pleasant, there are many tourists in the area, but much less than the August-Augustus, and the islands are still two months away from Hibernating.
… then there is the mandatory fingerprints
(But don’t blame it on Greece!)
Last but not least we have bad to give bad news. Well, if you are not exactly enthusiastic about the growing travel -related bureaucracy, that is.
From October 12Americans will have to give their fingerprints when they travel to the European Union, and this includes Greece and the many islands. This is part of an EU-wide guideline that wants to tighten the border controls and makes it easier to catch criminals and over-players.
You cannot fly directly from the United States to the Greek islands, so you first stop in Athens. Once in Athens you will be led to a biometric registration machine, similar to a check -inkiosk, where you are instructed about how you can Give your fingerprints And have your photo taken.
The new required, dubbed ees (entry-out exit system) applies to all non-European travelers, so if you travel with an EU passport (even as a double citizen), you are exempt from registering as long as you present itself as a European citizen.
De Ees is one of a number of renewed travel rules that influence European travelers in the coming year, and if you do not want to miss important updates, we recommend that you monitor our top checker.
Whatever changes are made, it will first be shown there.
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