Pictures of picturesque calderas, light-colored homes perched on steep inclines, and radiant azure seas come to mind when one considers backpacking through Greece. It is clear why Greece is a very popular destination for vacations.
There are numerous impressive journeys through Greece for any type of traveler to consider on a backpacking trip.
Exploring the Greek Islands has been a really amazing experience for me. The country of Greece is filled with lovely and relaxed vibes, and I can’t recommend it enough. The picturesque landscape isn’t the only draw to this destination – it’s also known for its cuisine, beaches, hospitable people, and rich past.
Why Go Backpacking in Greece?
Venturing through Greece, what stands out most is the exquisite experience of its islands! With plenty of exciting excursions and memorable moments to be had, island life has so much to offer! Many travelers to Greece allocate at least two weeks to island-hopping and enjoying the sunshine.
There are several groups of Greek Islands. The Cyclades are the most sought-after, with Crete and the Ionian Islands close behind (located to the west of the Greek mainland). The Saronic Gulf Islands, which are located close to Athens, are often the destination of weekend visits from local Athenians. They make a great day trip from Athens.
You have the option to explore the stunning Dodecanese and Northeastern Aegean Islands close to Turkey. The Sporades islands, which are the least-frequented, have Evia as the largest (located east of the mainland of Greece).
Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking Greece
Here are some ideas for backpacking trips through Greece. If you have a month or more to journey through Greece, it is simple to add together a few of these itineraries to create a more in-depth plan for your trip.
Backpacking Mainland Greece – 10-Day Itinerary
This is an excellent plan of travel for those interested in the history of Greece!
Take a few days to explore the attractions of Athens, savor the local cuisine, and experience the cafe culture. You could venture away from Athens for a two-day getaway to Hydra, a motor vehicle-prohibited isle featuring an enduring Byzantine settlement. After you have gotten a nice tan, extend your journey to the middle part of Greece and explore the sights of Meteora and Delphi.
Tours are available that let you see Meteora and Delphi in a short period of time, but I highly suggest stopping at both of these places on your own if you have an interest in the past. You can take a hike to all of the Meteora Monasteries if you are feeling bold. By journeying to these areas on your own, you can investigate these sights and attractions at your own rate, and stay away from most of the groups of people!
You can finish up your journey by spending some time in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest urban area, or return to Athens.
Hopping the Ionian Islands – 3-Week Travel Itinerary
This is an awesome plan for travelling through Greece if you are into backpacking and dream of exploring the turquoise waters and verdant islands full of tranquil beaches and caverns. The Ionian Islands are recognized for their mountainous landscape, warm weather, old-style villages, and amazingly velvety beaches. If you have a fortnight to take a trip to the Ionian Islands, I would advise you to select 3-4 of them.
This trip can easily be linked up with Italy and Albania since the Ionian Islands are located near them.
You can start your journey by staying in Corfu, and then proceed southward towards Athens through the use of ferries. The peaceful isle of Paxi is celebrated for its stunning port towns. The following stop on your journey is Lefkada, a destination renowned for its long, sandy beaches and luminous, azure waters! If you plan to explore several beaches, you’ll want to make sure to include Lefkada in your trip to Greece
Backpacking Crete 10-Day Itinerary
It is worth making a separate journey to Crete due to its significant distance from the Greek mainland. It is essential to create a separate plan for this excursion. It is likely that Heraklion, the capital of Crete, will be the beginning and/or end of your journey. In Heraklion, you can take a journey to view the Minoan relics of Knossos, as well as travel to the small islet of Spinalonga that served as a leper settlement until 1957! Drive west to Rethymno, a vibrant town with cobblestone streets, to experience its exciting nightlife. From this location, one can travel to Plakias Beach, Prevali Beach and Bali Beach.
Secure lodgings in Chania, Crete for a 5-day stay or longer. When journeying to Chania, don’t forget to make a stop at Lake Kournas, an inland body of freshwater located on the island of Crete. If you’re making a trip to Crete, Balos Beach should be high on your list of activities! It’s viewed as one of the very best beaches in the region and is renowned for its exceptionally beautiful scenery and azure water. In addition, there is Stefanou Beach, Elafonisi Beach with its rose-colored sand, and the picturesque Seitan Limania Beach. One can also go for a hike in Samaria Gorge, the biggest canyon in Europe.
Hopping the Dodecanese Islands – 3-Week Itinerary
This is an excellent route to take if you don’t need to rush, and feel the need to get away from it all. This region offers incredible seasides and customs, yet the ferry services can be unreliable. If you are thinking of taking a journey that includes both Greece and Turkey, you should consider seeing the stunning islands.
Begin your journey by visiting Karpathos, where you can take in the ambiance of hiking paths, stunning backdrops, white-painted windmills, and the transparently electric blue hue of the sea for a satisfying day of swimming and snorkeling. This island is popular with kite surfers. The next location is Tilos, an isle that has numerous concealed inlets that can be attained only on foot and abundant, verdant meadows. After you take a boat ride, you could head to Rhodes. This place is renowned for its history, vibrant nightlife and its captivating medieval town.
It is possible to take a ferry from Rhodes to the vicinity of Kos island and then move on to Leros, an ideal spot to relax, and eventually to Samos. This island is known for secluded waterfalls and beaches. If you go further North, Lesvos awaits with its olive oil, ouzo and hot springs, while Kalymnos is an ideal destination famous amongst rock climbers for its limestone cliffs. Then it’s back to Athens!
Backpacking Greek Islands 2-Week Backpacking Itinerary
It would be unfeasible to take in all of the thousands of isolated islands that make up the Cyclades on a single visit! This is an outstanding plan of travel if you are hoping to experience Greece’s iconic attractions.
If you have a sufficient amount of time to journey around the Cyclades Islands, think about exploring a couple of lesser famous islands as well. Mykonos can be found to the South of Andros, which is popular for its hiking paths. Amorgos is known for its monasteries and mountains.
You can end your journey by spending two to three days exploring Athens. See the gorgeous monuments, such as the Acropolis, or maybe enjoy the bustling coffee shops and nightlife.
How to get around the Cyclades?
While many of the Greek islands are considered to be little in size, they are not so diminutive that traversing from one end to the other by foot is possible.
Public transport on the Cyclades
Every island has a pretty reliable public transport system. The frequency of buses varies depending on the time of year. You can find out the times of the buses by searching for the island’s name and timetable online.
The bus service that operates on each island is known as KTEL. Using public transportation like a bus is an inexpensive and convenient method of traveling around the island – tickets range from €1-2.50.
You have to be prepared, as certain lines have very limited service and it would be a shame to miss your chance to take them.
Renting a car in the Cyclades
Hiring a car to explore the Cyclades could be the ideal solution to see all of the islands. I would only advise it for larger islands, such as Naxos.
A group outing is more cost-effective and fun than taking a bus.
For the most economical vehicle during the low season, recall to move around and inquire about the cost. You could potentially be offered lower rates if you arrange your booking directly onsite instead of reserving it through the internet.
This advice does not apply if you come during the summertime! Secure a rental car for your backpacking trip to the Cyclades Islands beforehand if you go there during the peak season.
Renting a bike
Hiking through the Cyclades islands seemed to fit nicely with biking.
However, you should not be tricked, these islands are not something to laugh at. They are hilly! The hot weather coupled with this makes it a recipe for catastrophe. Riding a bike around Antiparos is a great suggestion!
Cycling around the isle of Paros was an amazing experience that wouldn’t have been even close to as pleasant if it wasn’t for an electric bike.
Taxi
All the islands have taxi services, but I wouldn’t think of it as an economical choice. It is reassuring to have these resources available should an emergency arise.
Scooter/4×4
Some people suggest renting a scooter or 4×4. Remember that you must possess a valid permit in order to hire a scooter in this area. This isn’t Southeast Asia, so if you don’t have the right scooter license, riding a scooter is out of the question. If you decide to take a car, it can be a great option since they usually cost less than buses if there are two passengers. The prices average around 20€ per day.
Budget for backpacking the Cyclades
The amount of money you allocate for your vacation to the Cyclades will be determined by when you choose to visit.
The most significant expense, the accommodation, varies greatly. No matter how much you try to reduce spending, it will still have an effect on your finances.
Backpacking the Cyclades in the summer months budget
If you travel to the location during the summer months, anticipate higher prices for all products and services. It’s not necessarily overly pricey, however it is pricier than anywhere else in the land. Nonetheless, different types of cost-effective accommodations exist, including hostels on top tourist sites such as Santorini and Mykonos.
Assuming you want to stay in decent accommodation and not spend a lot of money on food and activities, I would budget something like this:
Accommodation: 30-80€ Transportation: 10€ Food: 20€- 30€
If you are a single individual traveling, you should plan to spend between 60€ and 120€ per day. If you and your partner are taking a trip together, anticipate that your individual housing allocation will be divided in two.
Backpacking the Cyclades in the offseason
The primary variance if you opt to journey during times not during the summer season would be the cost of lodging. A quick look at the booking information shows that a reservation in July would cost 80€, while the same place in September would only be 40€. Your spending for transportation and food will remain constant as those prices will remain stable.
If you are going on a trip during the off-peak season, allocate anywhere between 40€ to 80€ per day for spending.
Disclaimer, I am talking about budget travel here! Backpacking style, but staying in private studio/rooms. If you’re looking for upscale accommodations, nightly cocktails (which usually cost about 10€ apiece!), and dining out for every meal, that will have a drastic impact on your budget.
Where to eat/vegan/water?
There is an abundance of food options available on the islands, except if you adhere to a vegan diet. If you follow a vegan diet, you will need to plan ahead since you are likely familiar with doing so. I was anticipating having access to nutritious and inexpensive fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, but that did not turn out to be true.
The islands bring in almost all of their goods from outside sources, and the farming industry is virtually non-existent, so do not expect a tropical Eden as you may be imagining.
Traditionally vegan Greek food
Thankfully, there are some standard meals that happen to be vegan which you can rely on. On the list of items, there could be spread made of fava beans, dolmas, Greek salad without the feta, and if you don’t see anything else, gyros without meat and with tzatziki. Yes, the pita pocket will be stuffed with French fries and various veggies.
You could also ask for fasting food. In Greek, it is called “nistisimo”.
Can you drink tap water on the Cyclades?
No. Tap water is not drinkable. You will have to buy bottled water. It is not ideal. I propose acquiring a large 5 liter container that you will use during your stay and filling up your smaller, eco-friendly water bottle to bring along with you. What to do on the Cyclades?
When backpacking through the Cyclades, there are plenty of activities to pursue. If you go during the summertime, going to the beach is a great option. Some islands have better beaches than others.
If you are going on a trip during the lower peak months, all islands make great places to go hiking since they all tend to be hilly. Hiking during the summer is an option, but be aware that it will be very warm. Lots of water and SPF are required.
In conclusion, it is truly remarkable to explore these areas on foot. If you enjoy walking down narrow, cobbled roads and admiring beautiful homes, you will find immense pleasure simply by wandering around on the islands.
Also, there are cats everywhere. They are very cuddly and taken care of. If you’re a fan of felines, you’ll have a blast.
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