Backpacking in GreeceIt is possible to tick all of the boxes that a European tour requires when backpacking in Greece. There’s history and culture, perfect island beaches and an eclectic nightlife. It is for these reasons that Greece is one of the most popular holiday and sightseeing destinations for Europeans, a fact that speaks volumes about it as a backpacking destination. Plus, by the standards of many other European countries, Greece is cheap. If you’re looking for somewhere pleasant to chill out for a few weeks and take stock of you European escapades, then backpacking in Greece really is a great option. Greece really is where it all began. It is the birthplace of democracy, of Western philosophy, and many of the mathematical and scientific principles that have enabled us to develop as a modern civilisation were conceived within Greece’s borders. So if it’s history and culture you’re looking for you can fill your boots — or if it’s beaches and parties you’re after you’ll be spoilt for choice too. Or why not do both?! Where is it and what’s there?Greece lies at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. Mainland Greece is bordered by Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria to its north, and Turkey to its east. Greece is one of Europe’s most mountainous countries, with around three quarters of the country made of up of mountainous or hilly regions. The most famous Greek mountain is, of course, Mount Olympus, believed by the ancient Greeks to be the ‘throne of the Gods’.The geography of the western side of the country is dictated by the Pindus mountain range, which is over 2500m at its highest point, and many of the famous islands surrounding Greece are actually the tips of the rest of this now underwater range. It’s Greece’s famous islands that are such a perennial draw for European tourists (and not beyond the reaches of a backpacking budget), and ‘island-hopping’ is a popular way of spending a few weeks. There are islands to the east (Aegean Islands), south (the main one being Crete) and west (Ionian Islands). Some of these islands are infamous for their wild package tour nightlife (Zakynthos, Mykonos and Páros being some of the more popular) and either worth staying well clear of, or making a bee-line for depending on what you want to get out of your travels! The climateGreece has three distinct climactic areas – although you can easily find yourself between two areas, when the weather can be anyone’s guess! The Islands and the centre and west of the country have a Mediterranean climate, characterised by long hot summers and mild, often wet, winters. The Alpine climate covers the more mountainous areas of the north east of the country, and the more central northern part of the country has a ‘temperate’ climate, where you can expect sudden thunderstorms seemingly out of nowhere in the summer.
Return from Backpacking in Greece to the Home Page Getting thereAlthough there are numerous airports in Greece, the primary one for international flights is Athens’ Elefthérios Venizélos Airport. If you are beginning your tour in Greece (which can be a good option if you are looking to go ‘east to west’) then this is a good place to head for.If you’re arriving from another European destinations then you’ll find that, due to the extensive tourist trade, there are a higher proportion of flights to regional airports than elsewhere in Europe. Most of the larger islands have airports, and it’s worth keeping your eye out for discounted flights from the budget airlines to the more far flung areas of the country and beginning your travels from there. You can arrive by car or train from any of Greece’s northern neighbours, and an InterRail Pass will get you into and around the country. Another option is to catch a ferry (car or passenger) over from southern Italy which can be a fantastic way to avoid retracing your steps. Getting aroundTravelling between Greece’s major towns and cities is straightforward on the country’s rail network and, although not appropriate for reaching the more rural (and beachside) areas, or the islands, trains are a good option for any longer legs of your travels.If there are a few of you, then hiring a car can be a great option. The road network has been much improved over the last couple of decades, and the motorway system is now pretty good. Plus, as Greece is a big country and you may want to cover some ground to see all that you want to see, a hire car could be a good investment. Uniquely to Greece, one type of transport that you will be making a lot of use of is ferries. In fact, this is very much part of the Greek experience. If you’ve hired a car then you can take this around the Islands, or you can generally get around the Islands fine once you’re there without a car. Ferries are – especially in summer – dependable and cheap, and you get a real sense of freedom as you move from island to island across the idyllic Mediterranean.
Things to doThe fact that Greece is home to not one, but a staggering 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites sums up the amount to see in Greece. Many of the main sights are centred around the capital, and basing yourself here for a few days will give you the scope to take in all of the ‘must-sees’. Having seen the sites and taken the pictures, you can then head for the beaches and islands guilt free, and find some of the other thousands of other backpackers who’ve had the same idea...Olympia. You can run around the track and see where the world’s most famous sporting event began. Check out the site, and then visit the Museum of the Olympic Games. Diving. Many of the islands have dive centres and offer some exceptional diving, including the chance to dive the Titanic’s ‘sister-ship’, the Brittanic. Many centres, hotels and hostels teach the initial PADI qualification, and Greece could be the perfect place to begin your diving career. Party on the Islands. Although maybe not a truly ‘Greek’ experience, you can find feverish nightlife on many of the islands, and you’ll be guaranteed to meet a lot of like-minded people... Athens. The true centre of modern civilisation and with plenty of places to take a few moments and ponder where it all began (and to note all of the obvious parallels between Ancient Greece and the ‘modern’ world). The logical place to begin is at the Acropolis (‘highest city’ in Greek), which is a staggering site in itself, and also affords great views over Athens. Most of the other main sites are close to the centre of the city, including Ancient Agora – the former political and civic centre of the city. Whether history is your thing or not, if you’re in Greece (or fly in to Athens) you really do need to spend a couple of days investigating the city. Wind or kitesurfing. Due to its numerous islands, Greece actually comes 10th in the ‘miles of coastline’ tables! This equates to hundreds of miles of quiet beaches, and some great spots for watersports. Factor in the dependable afternoon breezes, and anything wind related is a safe bet. Mount Olympus. Despite its height, Mount Olympus is classed as a non-technical hike, and — if you feel the need to burn off a few calories — it’s worth taking on. It’s generally a 2 day hike, with a stop off at Refuge A (a hostel on the way up) for one night. Island hopping. You really can lose yourself for a few days (or weeks!), just cruising around from island to island. The further you get from the main islands the slower the pace of life, and the cheaper it gets. Backpacking in Greece is fantastic. Life feels pretty laid back, and you can spend a while here without breaking the budget. Athens is, of course, one of the most important cities in Europe, and a staggering place to visit, and the rest of the country has a seductively slow pace of life that suits most backpackers just fine! Return from Backpacking in Greece to the Home Page
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