Greece on a Budget
Today I wanted to give some ideas for a cheap itinerary for a trip to Greece. I went a few years back and will incorporate some of the locations I visited that were especially nice. Unfortunately I can’t find many of the pictures from the trip, so words will have to suffice.
Like other posts where I discuss travel plans I’m not going into the cost of flights to Greece because these will vary wildly depending on where you are coming from. If you are flying from within Europe be sure to take advantage of budget airlines. If you are travelling to Greece from further away consider using miles and points to pay for your long haul flight rather than using cash.
I recommend going to Greece in May or even late April before the full Summer heat arrives. Places to stay will also be more affordable during this time prior to the more popular Summer months.
Athens
Let’s start in Athens. There are many cheap hostels, such as “Baloo Hostel” for example that starts at $25 per night. There is a ton of stuff to do and see in Athens, but since we have other places in Greece to see, let’s give ourselves 3 nights here. Of course the most famous thing to see is the Parthenon. To avoid the heat and tour groups it might be best to go as early or late in the day as possible. Having great light isn’t necessarily critical because the artworks of the Parthenon have been removed. Part of the frieze is located in the nearby Acropolis Museum. The entrance fee for the Parthenon and Acropolis Museum are 30 and 20 euros respectively. Famously, if you want to see the other portion of the frieze you will have to head to the British Museum in London.
A cool free activity to do is to walk up the Pnyx hill that still has many olive trees and is considered the birthplace of democracy. The top offers amazing views of the city and the acropolis. I would recommend going up around sunset (or sunrise if you’re that kind of person). Socrates’ prison cell is also here.
Be sure to visit the many bakeries and have some yummy Greek salads.
Hydra
Next we’ll be taking a ferry ride to the lesser known island of Hydra for 28 euros on the transportation app, Omio. I had a great time here and it has a much more relaxed vibe and lower prices compared to other popular islands like Santorini. It can still be pricey though, but one great thing about Hydra is that there aren’t any cars. You can pretty easily stick to grocery store food and enjoy the nature rather than the commercial aspects of the island. I found a little restaurant by the water that had a fantastic octopus salad for like 10 euros. Unfortunately I can’t remember the name. There were quite a few sea urchins in the water so beware of those. I think it would be easy to get a hammock or mat and sleep on a secluded hill somewhere. If you want to stay above the law though, splitting an airbnb with friends or staying at a guesthouse might be better options. “Ippocampus” looks fairly nice and would cost $123 a night, for example.
Nafplio
After two or three nights on the Island of Hydra we are going to return to the mainland with a ferry to the town of Nafplio for 12 euros. Nafplio’s most imposing feature is the former military fort atop a rugged hill. The fortress can be seen from all around the town and has some interesting Greek vs. Ottoman history. Beautiful orange trees line the streets of the town. Nafplio is also a great place to use as a base for day trips. A visit to Mystras is definitely worth it, located in the hills near Sparta. In some ways it feels like a lost city that has been covered in trees, but many of the buildings you enter have ornate byzantine frescoes dating to the 1400s. After a few days here it is a simple bus ride to return to Athens.
I enjoyed this trip thanks to the variety of historic sites you can see and the fact that it kind of makes a circle back to the starting point in Athens. I also liked that I got to experience a city, island/nature, and a town. I think this weeklong trip I have outlined here is doable for around $650 or so. The island accommodation added quite a bit, so maybe opting for a cheaper island with some cars could be a better option for some.
