The Superpower of the Ancient World: Is Greece Worth Visiting?
Introduction
Greece is a country with an incredibly rich history. It is known as the “Cradle of Western Civilisation”. The Greeks were pioneers in philosophy, maths and medicine among other things. But despite its proud history, is Greece worth visiting today?
Greece is no longer the superpower it once was. But it still has a lot to offer.
Ancient ruins stand as a reminder of the past, most notably, the Acropolis in Athens. Mystical monasteries lie across the country. With the most famous being in Meteora. And Greece is also known for its beaches and party islands. It is a country attracting sun seekers and couples looking for a romantic getaway. The most popular spot being Santorini.
This article won’t focus on the beaches however. I haven’t been to any of them, therefore this will focus mostly on the places I have been: Athens, Meteora, and to a lesser extent Thessaloniki.
After all, I see far too many low quality blogs which have scraped Google/ChatGPT for information on a place they’ve never been to. My blog focuses on authentic information based on my own real life experiences.
I will also provide some advice on getting to and around Greece, as well as providing some information on costs, safety, and what to do in the places mentioned above.
Read on to find out whether Greece is worth visiting.
Background on Greece
Ancient Greece
The civilisation of Ancient Greece is believed to have been founded roughly around the 8th century BC.
The dark ages following the collapse of the Mycenaean Civilisation came to an end around this time.
Some of history’s most famous philosophers were produced during the Ancient Greek era. Socrates, Aristotle and Plato were among the most prominent.
Socrates encouraged critical thinking, which helped shape debate across the western world for centuries to come.
Plato was his student, who became famous in his own right. Plato was widely credited with helping create the foundations behind popular western education systems still in use today.
Aristotle in turn was a student of Plato who added his own philosophical ideas which have been adopted over the centuries in western society.
The Ancient Greeks contributed a lot to mathematics. Geometry stems from Ancient Greece, as does Pythagoras’ Theorem which is popular in engineering and computer science in the modern day.
Then there was the Olympic Games. This series of athletic events was created to pay tribute to the Greek god Zeus. Athletes from around the world would come to Greece every four years to participate in the games. They ran from 776 BC until 393 AD when they were banned by Emperor Theodosius. The emperor was a Roman and a Christian. The games had pagan roots, so he ended up banning anything that promoted non-Christian religions.
In 1896, the modern Olympic Games were created, eventually becoming one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. Just like the ancient games, athletes gather every four years to participate. This time, the location moves to different countries rather than only being held in Greece. And just about every country worldwide competes.
Greece in the Modern Era
Emperor Theodosius seemed to have a massive impact. Because 1,600 years after his reign, over 90% of Greeks still identify as Christians. Almost all of them being Orthodox Christians.
WWII and the Greek Civil War
As with large swathes of Europe, Greece fell under Nazi control during WWII, with over 100,000 Greeks starving to death, and many more being murdered by the Germans.
After the axis powers were defeated, Greece reclaimed a lot of lost land, only to fall into civil war as Greek communists and anti-communists clashed.
The civil war lasted a further 3 years from 1946-1949. Around 160,000 people were killed by this conflict, which ended as the Tito-Stalin split occurred, severing relations between Tito’s SFR Yugoslavia and Stalin’s Soviet Union (USSR).
Yugoslavia backed the communists in Greece’s civil war, whereas the USSR supported an end to the conflict, and Stalin voiced opposition to what he called the communist “uprising.”
Suddenly the communists were split between showing support for their ideological ally Stalin, and their war ally Tito. This caused a major divide between Soviet loyalists and Titoists, allowing the Western-backed anti-communists to gain an upper hand in the war.
Communist militants were defeated, and Greece eventually managed to move into peacetime.
Westernisation and Economic Struggles
It took around 30 years for Greece to recover from the economic fallout of WWII and the civil war.
They gradually cosied up to the West in the Cold War period. And became NATO members in 1952, three years after the military alliance was founded. In 1981 they joined the European Communities, which later became the EU.
Whilst Greece has avoided armed conflict since the civil war, it has had serious economic struggles to content with, most recently in 2009/2010.
The foundations of the country’s economic struggles began in 2001 when Greece adopted the euro.
The Great Recession in the late 2000s led to a skyrocketing budget deficit and public debt within the country. Having adopted the euro, Greece could no longer devalue its currency to combat economic woes.
This and other economic mismanagement led to the perfect storm which obliterated the Greek economy.
Years of turmoil followed, and bailouts of £259 billion ($330 billion in 2018, the year Greece turned a corner) followed. In 2018 the economy finally stabilised, and Greece was able to grow alone again. Although the economy had contracted by 25% over the past 10 years, and it will take decades to pay off its debts.
Greece in Euro 2004
There has been one undisputed positive in the recent history of Greece. In 2004, the unfancied footballing nation headed to Portugal to compete in major tournament Euro 2004.
For non-football fans, the Euros are held every four years, alternating with the World Cup, which is also held on a four-year cycle. The two alternate, with the Euros and World Cup bring played with a two-year gap between each tournament. The Euros are tough for outsiders to win, as most of the world’s best teams play in them. The competition is only open to teams in UEFA (The Union of European Football Associations).
Before 2004, Greece had only ever qualified for two major tournaments, losing at the earliest stage in both. At Euro 2004 they were 150-1 outsiders with only minnows Latvia less fancied than the Hellenic side.
Nonetheless Greece shocked hosts Portugal by defeating them 2-1 in the opening game. They drew 1-1 with Spain in the next game which was enough to qualify for the quarter-finals, despite a defeat to Russia in their last group fixture.
The shocks continued, Greece knocked reigning champions France out in the quarter-finals, before beating the new favourites, Czech Republic, in the semi-finals.
Against all odds, Greece faced Portugal again in the final, and defeated them once more with a 1-0 triumph giving the nation one of its greatest ever sporting moments.
Despite the struggles of the 2010s, this is one moment of national pride that can never be taken away from the Greek people.
Is Greece Safe to Visit?
Yes, Greece is a very safe country. Perhaps not as safe as many of its neighbours however, with thefts and pickpocketing becoming more common in recent years. However the risk of violent crime is still very low.
Greece is much safer than most Western European countries. It isn’t quite as safe as most Eastern European nations, although to imply it’s “dangerous” would be misleading.
The main crime spots are where tourists are most likely to congregate: notably Athens and many of the party hotspots.
Perhaps the main danger in Greece comes from the roads. The country has one of the highest road fatality rates in the EU. In 2022 it ranked 5/30 for the most road deaths per capita from all EU and EFTA states (excluding Liechtenstein, for which there is no data).
Greece is susceptible to earthquakes. Over 100 people died in 2020 due to an earthquake near Samos, in the Aegean Sea. However only two of these were from Greece. The majority of victims were in Turkey. The last major deadly earthquake to hit Greece this hard, was the 1999 Athens which resulted in 143 deaths and £2.5-3.5 billion’s worth of damage.
Therefore the earthquake risk is low, but not non-existent.
When is the Best Time to Visit Greece?
The best time to visit Greece is in April/May or September/October.
This is because you avoid peak summer pricing and heavy crowds of tourists. Yet the weather is still very good.
Avoid November-March as these are the colder winter months, and you won’t be able to enjoy the country so much.
If you’re travelling for the historical sights rather than the beaches, then your trip will be less affected by travelling off-season. Although popular sights attract a lot of tourists even in the winter.
For example, I visited Greece in late January and the Acropolis was still packed. However it will still be worse in the summer as more people arrive and crowds become even larger.
How to Visit Greece
Greece is a member of the Schengen Area, which means it follows Schengen visa policy. This means the following general rules apply:
Visa free entry for anyone from Europe or the mainland Americas. There are exceptions for Kosovo, Belarus, Russia, Belize, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana and Suriname.
Almost everyone else requires a visa to enter Greece. Notable exceptions are citizens of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and the UAE. A number of tiny island nations are also exempt.
How to get to Greece
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, Greece is also one of the best-connected countries.
There are 14 international airports across the mainland and popular islands. Athens, Corfu, Heraklion, Kos, Rhodes and Zakynthos all have international routes.
Athens connects with pretty much all of Europe, the Caucasus and the popular countries in the Middle East. It also has direct flights to Singapore, China, Ethiopia, Morocco, the USA and Canada.
Most other international airports connect with Europe, and sometimes the Middle East. One exception is the route between Heraklion on the island of Crete, and Almaty in Kazakhstan.
There are currently no rail routes leading to Greece. Buses run from all neighbouring countries, and large chunks of Europe.
Boats also operate from Italy, Montenegro, Spain, Turkey, Albania and Tunisia.
How to get Around Greece
Buses are the most popular form of transport in Greece, since they connect almost everywhere across the country, on land at least.
Trains run from the bottom of the Peloponnese peninsula, up through Athens and towards the Turkey, Bulgaria and North Macedonia borders. Although there are no routes in the west of the country, or linking through to Albania. On top of that, train travel in Greece is antiquated. Many lines no longer run, or are poorly maintained. Departure and arrival boards are a rarity. And many of the international routes haven’t been operational for years. The only reliable train route in Greece is between Athens and Thessaloniki.
Boats run regularly in the high season, but can face issues early in the year (January until March) as bad weather often leads to delayed or cancelled services. Greece is worth visiting in the warmer months if you wish to travel between the islands. In the winter it can be much trickier to get around.
Renting a car is inadvisable unless you are an experienced driver. Greece is infamous for its deadly roads.
Is Greece Cheap to Visit?
Greece is by far the most expensive country in the Balkans. Greece is cheaper than Western Europe, but much more expensive than any of its neighbours.
A big plus point of Greece is that it does at least have cheap dorm rooms. As a popular tourist destination, it has a lot of options for accommodation.
Food costs maybe double what you would expect to pay in neighboring Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia or Turkey. Although it’s nearer half the price of an average meal in Western Europe. Street food such as the popular Greek gyros can be found for a budget option.
Transport is one area where Greece is on a similar wavelength to neighbouring countries, with a long-distance bus or train ride costing around £20-30 ($25-38).
Where is Worth Visiting in Greece?
Athens
Athens is the country’s capital city. The most popular stop for anyone interested in Ancient Greek history. I’ll talk about where I went during my stay here, and let you decide whether it may be worth visiting the capital of Greece.
The Acropolis
The most popular attraction is of course the Acropolis. This series of Ancient Greek buildings stand on top of a hill in the Greek capital, overlooking the rest of the city. They were built initially for the purpose of defence. Although one particular building stands out within the Acropolis. The Parthenon is an iconic temple which was built as a tribute to the Greek goddess Athena. It still stands at the top of the hill today at almost 2,500 years old.
Unfortunately, the Parthenon is covered in scaffolding. Apparently this has been the case for over 20 years, meaning it probably won’t change soon.
In my opinion this, and the massive crowds (at the end of January, in the middle of the low-season) made the Parthenon a massive disappointment.
The Acropolis is more than just the Parthenon however. There is an incredible temple standing of the shadows of its famous neighbour, which makes a trip here worthwhile.
This is the Erechtheion. This much smaller temple was also built as a tribute to Athena. However, it is much more impressive. The beauty of this structure lies in the fact that a series of caryatids appear to be holding it up.
Caryatids are sculptures of females, popular in Ancient Greek architecture. And several of them make up the porch of caryatids which gives this structure its unique look.
The Changing of the Guard
Next to the Greek Parliament Building, some guards in traditional Greek dress stand to keep an eye out for unwanted intruders. Every hour they will change, with different guards rotating into position.
Come at 11am on a Sunday however and this event turns from a lowkey routine into a major spectacle.
The Evzones, as they are known, dress up specially in white kilts for the Sunday spectacle. A military band will march as crowds line the streets to watch this event occur.
It is free to watch and well worth going out of your way for on a Sunday.
Go to an Olympiacos Game
One of Football’s Fiercest Rivalries
Greece is not a big name in football, despite the famous Euro 2004 triumph. It does have a handful of teams however who make regular appearances in Europe’s top competitions. The big two being Greece’s most successful clubs: Olympiacos and Panathinaikos.
The two are embroiled in a bitter rivalry which is one of the world’s most passionate. Both are based in Athens, both are incredibly successful, and the two fanbases are generally split along social lines. These ingredients cook up the perfect recipe for division and hatred, in a similar way to other mega-derbies across the world.
In Argentina, and possibly the world, there is no bigger game than Boca Juniors vs River Plate. Boca is widely supported by the working classes, and River by the middle classes. They are both based in Buenos Aires and by far the most successful clubs in the country. There was a similar divide between Turkey’s Istanbul-based giants Galatasaray (upper class) and Fenerbahce (middle/working class). Again, when these two play each other, it is one of the biggest affairs in world football.
In Athens, it was Panathinaikos representing the upper classes and Olympiacos, generally supported by the lower and middle classes.
Watching Olympiacos Play at Home
If you get a ticket for an Olympiacos vs Panathinaikos game, it will probably be one of your most memorable ever experiences. However, demand is sky-high. Therefore you may want to try and watch one of the two teams play a league game instead.
Granted, it isn’t quite the same experience. But it’s still pretty good!
I went to a home fixture between Olympiacos and OFI. Tickets only cost £13 ($17), although you also require a fan card to purchase tickets. If you’ve never been to an Olympiacos game before, this will cost around £9 ($11). Although the combined £22 ($28) cost is still only around two thirds of what you would pay to watch Burnley vs Luton in the Premier League…
Meteora
Take a 4-hour train up from Athens, and you will arrive in the small town of Kalambaka. From this tiny town, you will see a large rock formation…
These rocks are known as Meteora. Meteora is probably the top place worth visiting in Greece. But what is it? Let’s find out some more.
Meteora once housed 24 Eastern Orthodox monasteries. Three quarters of them failed to stand the test of time, although 6 are still in operation today.
Hike up through the hills of Meteora, and you will be able to visit the remaining monasteries. There are currently 50 nuns and 17 monks living within the monasteries of Meteora. They were initially built high in the rocks as a refuge for monks to prey without the fear of invaders finding them. Today they are a UNESCO World Heritage Sight, unsurprisingly given how unique they are.
It costs around £2 ($3) to enter each monastery, and the opening hours and days of each one vary regularly. The Kalambaka Tourist Center have the most up-to-date information on which ones are open.
Thessaloniki
Must admit that I stopped in Thessaloniki mostly to settle down for a few days to apply for jobs teaching English in South Korea. Therefore I saw little of the city, but here is what I did see in the city:
The Agia Sofia Mosque is a Byzantine building left over from the past. If you like the famous Hagia Sofia, then you will probably also enjoy this place. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is almost 1,400 years old. It was a church, before the Ottomans converted it into a mosque, and it is now a church once more. This has been the case since Thessaloniki was liberated in 1912.
The waterfront is nice, with a few spots to eat and drink nearby. However the only other attraction of note I saw was the statue of Eleftherios Venizelos. He is known as “the father of modern Greece” for his work expanding the country’s borders and introducing constitutional reforms.
Where to Stay in Greece
My “where to stay” sections are never a list of the best hotels in an area. Instead they list the places I stayed in, explain a little of the pros, cons and overall vibe of each, and offer information that you can use to decide on whether or not you would want to stay there. I mostly stay in hostels, therefore this particular post reviews only hostels in Greece.
Athens – Iconic Athens Hostel (£12/$15 Per Night)
Pros
There were privacy curtains on the beds which allowed you to get some quiet space. The beds also have charging sockets and lights, which are a good additional touch. The wifi works well. The location is also reasonable, it’s also only a 20-minute walk from the Acropolis.
Cons
The bathrooms were tiny.
Speaking of tiny, the breakfast wasn’t the best. Options were limited and left you with little to choose from.
Overall
It’s not a bad hostel. Would I say it’s one of the best places I’ve ever stayed in? No. Would I stay here again? Yes. Would rate this place a 7/10.
Meteora – Meteora Central Hostel (£16/$20 Per Night)
Pros
Staff were very helpful here. They gave detailed information on the monasteries, how long you would need to visit them, how to get the bus up towards them, and more. The beds were very comfortable here, and the location was a good one in Kalambaka, close to the train station.
Cons
The wifi was awful, it didn’t work at all in the bedrooms. In the kitchen it wasn’t too bad, but the bedrooms couldn’t connect at all.
There was a cat which kept coming inside and roaming around the kitchen area…
Overall
It was a good place to stay. The staff definitely lift this place up in my rankings. They make the difference between it being “okay” and “good”. My rating: 8/10.
Thessaloniki – Stay Hybrid Hostel (£14/$18 Per Night)
Pros
There was good wifi here. Essential since I spent most of my time in Thessaloniki in the hostel working on a few things. The lockers were a good size. The location wasn’t bad either.
Cons
There were no privacy curtains on the bed. The hostel had no atmosphere, and the bathooms were low on quality. By that I mean they weren’t particularly clean, were poorly maintained, and they were freezing cold. There was no breakfast option here, and the communal kitchen areas weren’t the cleanest.
Overall
If you’re looking for the bare minimum, you’ll find it here. But beyond that, it isn’t a great hostel. If I went back to Thessaloniki, I would probably stay elsewhere. My rating: 6/10.
Final Thoughts: Is Greece Worth Visiting?
Yes, Greece is worth visiting. It’s a country with something for everyone. The history lover, the beach bum, the party animal and the romantic will all find positives in Greece.
My Thoughts on Athens, Meteora and Thessaloniki (Mixed Opinions)
Must admit however, that it underwhelmed for me personally. I guess it was a victim of high expectations in some ways. As someone primarily interested in the ancient history, Athens should have been the highlight of my trip.
However, the city itself was pretty run-down and uninspiring. Graffiti was commonplace and outside of the historical sites, it was a bit of a dump quite frankly. I also found the locals hard to warm to. I guess Europe isn’t the place to be for friendly locals. Both Asia and Latin America are so many levels ahead on that front.
Then we get to the Acropolis. The scaffolding on the Parthenon was disappointing. And many other Ancient Greek ruins across the city also had scaffolding covering them.
One place I did like? Meteora. It’s small but cool. Despite the bleak weather during my visit, it was well worth going out the way to see. Meteora is one of Europe’s most unique places and I would recommend it to anyone.
Despite spending a couple of days in Thessaloniki, I didn’t explore much and can’t really form an opinion. It was mostly a work spot for a couple of days, and a logical connection point to whichever country I decided to visit next (North Macedonia in the end).
Why you Should Consider Lesser-Known Countries Over Greece
Greece is worth visiting, there’s no doubt about that. But you should try and cool your expectations, or you may come away underwhelmed. Like other popular holiday spots, you are sold a dream by travel agents, social media, YouTube and more. In that respect, it has a lot in common with France, Spain or Italy for example. Yet as someone who has been to 67 countries at the time of writing, I can confidently say the best countries are not the ones that gather all the hype.
Countries the average non-traveller has never heard of had far more to offer than Greece. Guatemala, Nicaragua, Myanmar and more. Perhaps a little more rugged and lacking in comforts. But ultimately far more interesting and rewarding. These countries have a lot of awesome historical sites to offer, fascinating cultures, and beaches without the swarms of tourists you will find in Greece. Not to mention, they cost half as much as the Hellenic country in Europe’s Southeastern corner.
To reiterate, Greece is worth visiting. But it isn’t the best country out there. I’m confident you’ll find hidden gems you’ll prefer elsewhere.
Greece is a tourism Goliath. But as we know, David came out on top.
If you want to read about other countries I’ve been to on my quest to visit them all, I share every destination on my blog contents page.
