As a travel writer, friends, family, and readers often ask me, “Where should I go on vacation next?” And almost every time, my answer is Greece.
The southern European nation has long been a personal favorite, and not just because my family is from here. It’s also because it’s a place filled with culture, history, natural beauty, and, dare I say, the best food on Earth.
However, there is one potential downside to vacationing in Greece: It can be expensive, especially if you visit the famed islands during the peak tourism season from June through September. But don’t worry — there are still a few ways to see Greece on a budget without feeling like you’re missing out. Here’s how to plan your trip without breaking the bank.
Consider a Destination Dupe
Greece is filled with fantastic spots, including popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos, but as several locals note, visitors can save a little money by spending their time on under-the-radar islands.
“Traveling to the Greek islands on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty or charm,” Lena Korres, co-founder of the Greek skincare brand Korres, shared with Travel + Leisure. “While Santorini and Mykonos are iconic, these two islands annually welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors. However, there are several lesser-known sun-soaked islands, with their sandy beaches, turquoise bays, rocky cliffs, and white and blue houses, that offer affordability without compromising on stunning landscapes, rich culture, and delicious cuisine.”
Here are a few destination dupes that can help you score deals and explore with fewer crowds.
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Syros Instead of Santorini
While Santorini is famous for its sunsets and caldera views, Syros offers similar charm and equally alluring beaches. “In Syros, the capital of the Cyclades, tourism is not yet the first income for the island. It’s an interesting island to discover with a less expensive budget than the nearby Mykonos or Santorini,” Athens local and voice behind One Quarter Greek, Nicoletta Barbata, shared.
Thessaloniki Instead of Athens
Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is home to plenty of historical and cultural sites that will leave you just as satisfied as Athens. Here, travelers can explore Byzantine churches, ruins, and vibrant markets, and, it’s a spot where delicious food abounds. The city was even named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.
Naxos Instead of Paros
Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades Islands, is often overshadowed by its neighbor Paros, thanks to the more popular island’s party atmosphere and Instagram-ready cobblestone streets. However, Naxos offers just as much charm with far fewer tourists and, in turn, lower prices. From ancient ruins to pristine beaches, Naxos has it all.
How to Save on Flights
Courtesy of Play Airlines
Saving on flights to Greece is all about timing and having a little flexibility with your travel plans.
“For those looking to explore Greece on a budget, the shoulder seasons — late April to early June and September to early October — are ideal,” Eduardo Vega Augusto, editor at travel deals platform TravelPirates, explained. “During these times, the weather is delightful, the crowds are thinner, and accommodation prices are more reasonable.”
Augusto has two tips for finding affordable flights to Greece: Book with a budget airline, and buy tickets as early as you can.
“Numerous budget airlines, such as Play Airlines, offer affordable flights from major U.S. cities to Europe, making Greece an accessible destination,” Augusto said. “Norse Air also provides a direct summer route from New York to Athens at a fraction of the usual cost.”
Flexibility is key to saving on flights, too. “Flexibility with travel dates can lead to significant savings. Set up Google Flights alerts to monitor price fluctuations from nearby airports,” Augusto added. “Booking accommodations in advance, especially before the high season begins, can also secure lower rates.”
Finding Affordable Accommodations
Courtesy of Marriott
Even the best hotels in Greece offer great deals if you travel in the off-season.
“You can spend as much as you want or as little as you want in Athens, which is still a great-value-for-money European capital,” Andria Mitsakos, president of AMPR and owner of Anthologist in Athens, explained. “Luxury hotels such as our iconic Hotel Grande Bretagne (which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year) or the chic, boutique Dolli hotel have lower rates in the off-season. Both are perfect for a long weekend escape.”
Here are a few more budget-friendly hotels to consider.
The Zillers Boutique Hotel, Athens
Located in the heart of Athens, The Zillers Boutique Hotel offers a luxurious experience at an affordable nightly rate. The hotel offers excellent views of the Acropolis from its rooftop restaurant, which serves locally sourced Greek bites that will have you coming back for seconds.
Porto Naxos Hotel, Naxos
Taking a Greek island break on a budget is totally possible if you book stays at spots like Porto Naxos. The hotel perfectly balances luxury comfort and affordability, and it offers excellent deals for those who book well in advance. Its location near the city of Naxos and the island’s best beaches is a plus.
Artemis, Milos
The Artemis is still a bit of a splurge, but compared to other hotels on the island of Milos, it feels like a downright steal. And it may be worth treating yourself to a few nights here as the hotel sits directly on the beach and is home to one of the hottest beach bars on the island.
Getting Around for Less
Socrates Baltagiannis/picture alliance via Getty Images
Visitors looking to island-hop around Greece via ferry should consider the Eurail Greek Islands Pass, which allows travelers to explore for four days within a month starting at $84 or six days within a month starting at $192.
“Another tip is to make a trip to another port that is less known, the port of Lavrio in the Attica region,” Melanie Marten, Athens local and PR consultant at The Coup, said. As Marten additionally noted, it will take you to a hidden gem of an island, too. “This port has a ferry that takes you to the nearby beautiful island of Kea. Since there is no ferry from the mega-busy port of Piraeus, but only from Lavrio, Kea has never been overrun and makes a great destination from April to October.”
Free and Affordable Things to Do
The good thing about visiting Greece is there is no shortage of historical sites to visit — and you can do so for less than you think. Here are a few ways to save on some of its iconic attractions.
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Tour the Acropolis in Athens.
Visiting the Acropolis is practically mandatory when visiting Greece. The entrance fee is about $16 during the high season; however, admission is reduced during the winter, and the site offers several free visit days a year.
Browse the National Archaeological Museum.
See some of the world’s most important ancient artifacts on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. The general entrance fee is already modest, but the museum also offers free admission on the first Sunday of every month from November through March.
Go for a hike.
Mother Nature’s beauty is on full display throughout all of Greece. The country is home to hundreds of miles of hiking trails to explore for free, including trails across the mainland and on the islands. See all the best routes to explore — including the top-ranked Fira trail on Santorini — on All Trails, and plan a walk to remember for $0.
Hit the beach.
Greece is also a nation that believes access to the country’s beaches should be free for everyone — it even passed the “Beach Bill” in 2024, ensuring beaches wouldn’t be overrun by pay-for-play sun beds. So bring your towel and your sunscreen, and enjoy it all for free.
Use AI to Save Even More
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Greece is filled with ancient relics, but that doesn’t mean it’s living in the past. As Ross Borden, the CEO of Matador Network, pointed out, the official Discover Greece website has a brand-new AI chat buddy (built by Matador Ventures) that will help you plan every aspect of your trip, even on a budget.
Simply tell Pythia (named after the high priestess of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and known as an all-knowing oracle) your interests, your budget, and how long you’ve got to spend in Greece to get a tailor-made itinerary.
“Visitors to the Discover Greece website will find Pythia in the bottom right corner, and they can converse with the AI like a friend who knows everything about Greece, including the best deals,” Borden explained. “For instance, travelers can ask Pythia to plan an entire itinerary within a set budget. There are no ads, and Pythia’s responses are completely tailored to the question, so if you ask for stays and activities within a certain budget, that’s all you’re going to get.”