This article may contain affiliate links. This site is reader-supported, meaning when you purchase something we recommend, we make a small commission. You don’t pay anything extra. 💘 For more details, check out our Terms of Use page.
There are two things I do well in life: stressing about money and tracking the money I spend.
I’m joking… kind of. But it’s been over 14 years of adulthood where I’ve always kept some form of monthly tracker.
It started with pen and paper, back in the pre-subscription, pre-everything-tools era. Over the last few years, it’s turned into a dedicated Notion board where I track everything — business income, expenses, personal spending, and travel.
So writing about the cost of travel in Greece (or anywhere, really) is something I take a bit too seriously.
At the same time, it’s surprisingly difficult to do it properly.
Most guides either oversimplify things or rely on numbers that just don’t reflect reality anymore. I still see articles mentioning €2.50 gyros and €10 hostels in Greece, which is… what? Maybe pre-2020? Definitely not now, and definitely not in high season. It makes me think they might be rage-baiting. 🤷♀️
That’s usually where I start to get a bit critical.
If you don’t trust me, check out this 2025 study on Greece listed 5th most expensive destination in Europe with an average daily expense of €168 ($197). The four spots higher were taken by Luxembourg, Iceland (can attest), France and Switzerland.
Of course, cost (like beauty) is subjective. What feels cheap or expensive depends a lot on where you’re coming from and what you’re used to spending.
In this guide, I’m going to break down what you can realistically expect to spend in Greece in 2026 — across accommodation, food, transport, and activities — based on real, current prices. It is in my humble opinion one of the most comprehensive guides you’ll find listed anywhere on the web, for prices around Greece and real data.
💭 I update guides like this regularly rather than rewriting them from scratch, so you’re always working with the most up-to-date information. If there’s something you think I’ve missed, feel free to reach out — I’ll either reply in the comments or update the guide.
🥳 TESTED TOP PICKS FOR GREECE
- 🚌 Airport transfer: Athens to City Centre — guide to cheapest options from Athens Airport
⛴️ Ferry tickets: There are a lot of ferry providers but I prefer Ferry Scanner for their simple UI.
- 📱Grab an eSIM to stay connected from Airalo
How much you will spend in Greece?
This is the million dollar question isn’t it?
The answer largely depends on where, when and how.
- Where: the islands that you are more likely to know are the most expensive. Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Lefkada, Zante or Rhodes. My rule basically is, if the average non-Greek person knows the name “it’s expensive”
- When: Anytime after June and before October will be about double what you would pay usually. That might not sound fair, but a lot of these places actually don’t open before April and close after October 28th. If you’re planning to hop around the Greek Islands in the summer, your budget will be different to visiting the Peloponnese region in April for example.
- How: Staying in nicer accommodation, eating out 2 vs 3 times a day, or doing a lot of activities will affect your budget accordingly.
But don’t worry if you are looking for more specifics. I can provide that too.
💰 BUDGET
- Off season and definitely not July or August in the islands
- Mainland destination with one island close to Athens
- Staying in one place for longer, or limiting to one or two places
- Less or no tours unless they are highlight activities
💰💰 MID-RANGE
- Nicer accommodation has gotten more expensive in 2026 (expect $100+ in most locations)
- Any island that is familiar is expensive
- Island hopping will increase your budget significantly
- More tours or cultural experiences like walking tours, boat tours and archeological sites
My Real Trip Budgets Around Greece
My hope by sharing real budget scenarios such as the one’s below are to help show what is possible. These don’t include flights to Greece and usually I’m using our own car (no rental). You might notice how prices have been increasing in the last 4-5 years in Greece, even in the off season.
While one valid criticism would be the amount of activities, I think everyone has “one” thing they spend on. I don’t really drink (so no bars) and don’t shop (no souvenirs or clothes hauls). Which leaves outdoor activities such as diving, hiking or cultural tours.
| Year | Location | Days | Season | Accommodation | Transport | Food | Activities | Total | Total Per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Kos | 3 | Off season (March) | $315 (for 2 ppl) $158 per person | $75 (return ferry ticket from Rhodes) | $111 (my share of 3 taverna meals, coffee and snacks) | $245 (scuba diving and bike rental) | $589 | $196 |
| 2026 | Thessaloniki - Northern Greece | 3 | Off Season | $200 | $80 (for gas and tolls- shared) | $115 (shared for 2) | $50 (Museum Entry Tickets) | $445 | $148 |
| 2024 | Samothraki (island) | 3 | Off season (October) | $244 (for 2 ppl) $122 per person | $30 (my share of ferry tickets + car and gas for 4ppl) | $87 (my share of taverna meals, grocery and coffee - 4ppl) | $7 | $246 per person | $82 |
| 2024 | Alonissos | 7 | Peak Summer | $280 (my share for 2ppl) | $150 (ferry tickets from Thessaloniki without a car, plus ATV rental) | $300 (my share for 2ppl - 1 taverna meal a day plus snacks and coffees) | $440 | $1170 per person | $167 |
| 2022 | Sailing Holiday | 8 | Peak Summer | $50 | $50 (gas + tolls share) | $150 | $750 | $1050 | $131 |
| 2022 | Serifos | 2 | Off Season | $117 | $80 (ferry) | $34 (family celebration was I didn’t pay for a lot of food) | $50 (scooter rental) | $281 | $140 |
| 2022 | Kythira | 4 | Summer Season | $360 (includes yoga retreat classes) | $100 (ferry tickets from Piraeus and around island) | $300 | $30 | $790 | $197 |
| 2022 | Montanema Central Greece | 3 | Winter (NY and Christmas) | $250 | $20 (train) | $200 (paid as one for room price) | $250 (spa, massage, hiking, and wine tasting) | $720 | $240 |
Average Prices in Greece
To get a better idea of prices in Greece in 2026, let’s explore each category that you’ll be interested in when travelling.
I’m skipping things like “average flight prices” or extreme budget scenarios because I don’t think they are useful for most people planning a trip.
📍Unpopular opinion: almost any country can be done cheaply if you strip the experience down enough. Housesitting, couchsurfing and avoiding all paid activities will lower your costs everywhere. I have done my fair share of backpacking, volunteering and working for food and board across various countries, but that doesn’t offer insight when you are holidaying.
Accommodation
The cheapest form of accommodation (within reason, and no I’m not including couchsurfing as an option) is hostels.
Hostels have become more common in Greece in the last 15 years so you can now find them in most popular touristy places.
Hostels
The cheapest hostel in Athens for summer 2026 is Zeus Hostel near Omonoia Square that has beds for around $20 per night in a quadruple shared bathroom room. But with a 3.4 rating on Google I wouldn’t be rushing to get there.
On the higher end of hostels, you have Athens Hub Hostel in Psiri which is a slightly better location in my opinion and will set you back about $43 a night in a 8-bed mixed dorm room.
An option that I’ve tested and is also reasonably priced (mostly for private rooms though) is City Circus Hostel where you’ll sleep for about $70 in a a 6-bed mixed dorm.
Personally, I would in under no conditions share a room in peak summer season in Greece. It is too much of a risk considering I travel with equipment for work, and I’ve had way to many encounters with drunk tourists peeing on suitcases.
Here is a handy table to browse difference between locations. The price is in USD and I used Booking.com and Hostelworld to compare prices for a 5 day stay throughout June/July and August of 2026. Some islands don’t have anything available for hostels during the summer months so I used cheap hotel rooms instead.
⚠️ A lot of popular Greek islands are not set up for backpacker or hostel accommodation. Instead, they might offer affordable hotel rooms. Party islands such as Ios are more likely to have hostel or shared room accommodation and romantic holiday islands like Milos usually have none.
| Region | Hostel Room (cheapest) | Hostel Room (most expensive) |
| Athens | $20 (4-bed mixed) | $43 (8-bed mixed) |
| Santorini | $32 (10-bed mixed) | $80 (8-bed mixed) |
| Mykonos* | $75 (shared space) | $106 (shared space) |
| Naxos | $30 (4-bed) | $50 |
| Crete | $22 (8-bed mixed dorm) | $42 (8 bed mixed) |
| Corfu | $34 (4-bed room) | $50 (10 bed) |
| Rhodes | $56 (shared room) | $62 (6-bed shared) |
Search was conducted in March/start of April 2026*
*Mykonos is a particularly hard place to find shared or affordable rooms. MyCocoon Hostel is a popular and stylish looking option in Mykonos but rooms are definitely on the pricier side going up to $150 per night in peak season and the ratings are not that good either. You will have a hard time finding something under $180a night even in budget hotels.
Hotels
Hotels in Greece come in all shapes and sizes, from ultra-luxury all inclusive resorts to small bed and breakfasts. The range here is quite vast, from $40 a night in the off season in small local run hotels, to spending $1400 per night minimum at The Dolli (voted best infinity pool for 2026) by ****Condé Nast Traveler.
⚠️ You may also benefit from checking out specific guides for the places you want to visit instead:
It is hard to draw a blanket average across such a diverse country, especially considering how seasonality affects the price.
Instead, I will list the stereotypically expensive vs non expensive islands that you can start with.
Most Expensive (Summer) | Balanced All Season | More Affordable Options |
|---|---|---|
Santorini | Thessaloniki | Serifos |
Mykonos | Mainland Greece | Sifnos |
Paros | Crete (non-touristy) | Leros |
Rhodes | Kalymnos | |
Corfu | Astypalea | |
Crete (popular areas) | Thassos | |
Skiathos | Andros | |
Milos | Lefkada | |
Nafplio | ||
Kalamata |
I still think people can debate that they have had a perfectly cheap holiday in Skiathos, or a very expensive holiday in Nafplio. But my aim here is to show you that:
- Greece has a lot more destinations and islands than you first realize
- Some places are just expensive. These include Mykonos, Santorini and I would argue Paros and Corfu.
- Some less expensive spots are up and coming, meaning prices might rise, but your chances are better.
- Sometimes the islands with cheaper accommodation are harder or more expensive to get to. For example, Kasos most probably requires a boat from Rhodes in addition to a domestic flight. The ferry for Sifnos takes 3-5 hours depending on if you book a slow or fast option. Flights to Ikaria in the summer month can be up to $200 each way or you will have to jump on a 6-7hour ferry that also costs about $80 each way (without a car).
Leros Island in Greece (pictured all above) is one of my favorite “unknown” islands that doesn’t have a strong tourism focus
Resorts (all inclusive hotels)
A lot of people love to hate resorts and all inclusive places. Those working in tourism hate resorts because the guests don’t leave the hotel, so they don’t spend elsewhere.
People that love experiential travel hate resorts because they consider them a lower form of holidaying. Whatever the case might be… resorts work because they can offer a cheaper price to value ratio (when done right of course).
And unfortunately, it is actually easier to experience a Greek island in the summer with a packaged resort holiday, than it is to book hotels, transportation and food separately.
While I neither promote nor discourage people from staying in resorts, I have some that I consider good value for money and some I consider awful.
This table has some of my favorite resort-like places in Greece, where you can get a good room, a nice setting with amenities and entertainment, but you’re not entirely locked in to the resort for food and sightseeing. Prices per night are listed in USD for the summer 2026 season. Considering that hotel prices for 2026 have skyrocketed 🚀 I would argue that some of these options at least offer more value for the money you’ll spend anyway!
Also… keep in mind that most guests book these rooms under certain package deals, or with credit card and loyalty points. Ain’t everybody there dropping $600 per night! Resort heavy destinations like Crete or Rhodes might also look outrageous on paper. But it’s because these rooms are sold under packages, for certain dates, with flights included.
And yes, as you can probably tell my favorite “resorts” are actually mountain escape eco-tourism and experience focused lodges.
| Region | Hotel | Price per Night (cheapest) | Amenities |
| Crete | Enagron Cretan Ecotourism Village | $180 | Cultural and nature activities (cooking class, hikes, cheese making, olive oil tasting) + pool and restaurant on site. |
| Central Greece | Montanema Handmade Village | $150 | Mountain escape best for summer and cold months. Fireplace, pool and spa plus various nature experiences. More retreat than resort. |
| Peloponnese | Costa Navarino | $550 | An incredible place if you love golf. |
Food
Food in Greece can be one of the highlights. I never get tired of fresh Greek salads, vegetable dishes or a nice meat taverna in the mountains.
if you are vegetarian or vegan, you will be happy to find a lot of options (especially during Lent season). From gemista (stuffed tomatoes and peppers) to gigantes (beans in tomato sauce) and horta (boiled greens) to zucchini and eggplant, a lot of fresh vegetables and beans are a highlight feature in Greek tavernas.
Of course, the national comfort food dish is also a highlight. Gyros or souvlaki (the pita wrapped sandwiches) that tend to come with tomatoes, onions, a sauce (tzatziki) and french fries.
When it comes to fish restaurants, expect a lot of smaller Mediterranean fish like gavros (anchovies) and sardela (sardines), as well as tsipoura (sea bream) and lavraki (sea bass) on the higher end. A crowd favorite is fried calamari (squid), but you’ll also easily find shrimp (garides), octopus (htapodi), mussels (midia), and other shellfish (ostraka).
There are various ways your budget can be spend here, depending on what you prefer to splurge on, but the following table offers a good overview.
Before you browse that though, here are my 6 very important rules to follow when dining in Greece. Follow these and you’ll avoid 90% of the tourist traps.
- If there is a large menu with photos and it’s translated into five languages (French, German, etc.), don’t eat there.
- If someone is trying to pull you in from the street and offering a “better price,” don’t eat there.
- If a Greek salad costs more than €10, expect the place to be on the expensive side.
- If the menu has everything (sushi, burgers, gyros, pasta), it’s probably doing none of them well.
- If the place sells gyros but you don’t see the meat rotating on the grill, don’t eat there.
- If you’re sitting right next to a main square, harbor, or major landmark, assume you’re paying for the view, not the food.
So where should you eat? Good question. The short answer is to go where the locals go. These are not foolproof rules but the places they go tend to:
- be less fancy in appearance and outside the main centre area
- get busy later in the day for dinner (after 9PM in the summer)
- have large groups or families of locals that stay for a while
- have a less polished service mentality and more sit-down and we’ll get to you vibes
| Type of Food | Budget in 2026 | Mid-Range – Expensive |
| Takeaway Food (Gyros or Similar) | $5 for a sandwich | $10-$20 for a platter, salad a drink |
| Meat Taverna in Touristy Location | $25 if you are dining as one person | $60-$80 for 2 people for 2 main portions, a salad, an appetizer and a small jug of wine |
| Fish Taverna in Touristy Location | $25-30 for one person | $60-$90 for 2 people for 2 main portions of “affordable fish” or one larger fish, a salad, an appetizer and some wine or drinks |
| Coffee and snack from bakery | $5 for coffee and koulouri or small pastry | |
| Brunch at a cafe | $10-$15 for sit down eggs and a coffee |
If you make blanket statements, like things are more expensive I think you should bring receipts.
Sure, we have data tracking.. but also I’ve checked. Both my lists, my tracking and the menus of places I’ve been going to for years. It also helps that I have physical receipts of business expenses stored in the cloud.
Progression of a price of a gyros sandwich in (non-touristy area) in Greece
| Year | Gyros Sandwich | Takeaway Coffee (Freddo Espresso) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | €4.80 (~$5.60) | €2.40 (~$2.80) |
| 2025 | €4.70 (~$5.50) | — |
| 2024 | €4.10 (~$4.80) | — |
| 2023 | — | €2.10 (~$2.45) |
| 2022 | — | €2.00 (~$2.35) |
| 2021 | — | €1.80 (~$2.10) |
| 2020 | €2.70 (~$3.15) | €1.70 (~$2.00) |
For the gyro comparison table , I’m using a place that is local, not centrally located and has huge volume of clients so they can usually keep prices low.
Oh, and if you want to add some sauce (tzatziki etc) it used to be €0.20 then €0.30 and now it’s up to €0.40. Meaning €5.20 for one. That’s $6.11.
In 2023 and 2024 I used to buy a particular tortilla sandwich from a chain in Thessaloniki, every week. It was slightly larger than a sandwich and a bit healthier, so it made sense to have it as a main lunch. The price in 2023 was €6.50. The price in 2026 is €9.
The idea that you can get a cheap meal for “pocket change” doesn’t apply to Greece anymore in 2026. Whether that is justfied or not, it is a different conversation. Energy, food prices and cost of living expenses have sky rocketed since Covid. So this is less of a rant and more of a reality check.
Let’s do the same for coffee, which is one expense I have daily and can track quite easily. This is for a takeaway coffee (freddo espresso) again from local, non-specialty places. I’ve been living in Greece since the end of 2019 when the pandemic started, so this data is as accurate as can be. I’m using prices from coffee spots in Thessaloniki (a non touristy location) that is mostly geared toward locals and is affordable.
If you prefer to sit down at a coffee place instead, the cost is closer to €3.50-€5 depending on location.
💡 A few more practical things that help when eating (and spending) in Greece:
- No local has ever ordered a Greek salad as a main in a taverna. Salads are usually ordered to share per table.
- Speaking of… its easier to overorder when you think individually. Taverna style restaurants are for larger groups and lots of small plates.
- Beach bars tend to have some of the most expensive and underwhelming food available. Great for drinks not so for food. Bring snacks or avoid the places that have a cover charge.
- Bread and small extras are added automatically and it’s normal to pay €0.50–€1.50 per person for that.
- House wine is the most common and best value for money if you’re eating out.
- Pre-drinking is a fairly new thing, not common and not socially approved. Greeks drink with food or while socializing not before going out. Heavy drinking stands out and is the source of many jokes.
- Fish restaurants are way more affordable if you order the small fish that locals order.
- Tipping is not mandatory but Greeks tip the leftover change of whatever bill. So if the bill is €46 they will €50. Alternatively, you can leave €2-5 euro on the table depending on the size of the group.
- Most smaller supermarkets in touristy areas will have bottled water for €0.50-€2 euro and soft drinks are €2. Wine from the supermarket or alcohol is also generally not expensive.
Alcohol Prices in Greece
Alcohol in Greece can be very affordable, especially if you stick to local options like house wine, beer on tap, or traditional spirits like tsipouro and raki. Imported brands and cocktails, on the other hand, can add up quickly, especially in tourist areas.
Cost of transport in Greece
Without including flights, it is important to do a section on the cost of moving around the country.
This is one of the most overlooked parts of a travel budget. Most guides will mention flights, maybe public transport or getting a few taxis and then stop there. But if you’re actually moving between different parts of the country – especially the islands – transport can easily become a big expenses.
If you are hopping to island-hop (see what I did there), then you need to check the ferry prices closely, since they can be quite expensive and long, depending on the destination.
Ferries
A good option is to land in Athens and then move to an island with a domestic flight or ferry. For some islands, it makes sense to fly there, whereas others are harder to get to.
- Cheaper to fly: Longer routes like Rhodes, Crete, or Ikaria are often the same price (or cheaper) by plane — typically €50–€150 ($60–$175) one way — and save you 5–8 hours of travel.
- Cheaper to get a ferry: Shorter routes (1–3 hours) like Aegina, Andros, Tinos, or Kea are usually better and cheaper by ferry — around €20–€50 ($25–$60) one way.
- Cheapest ferries from Athens: Nearby islands in the Saronic Gulf or northern Cyclades (Aegina, Agistri, Andros, Tinos, Kea, Kythnos) typically cost €20–€50 ($25–$60) one way.
- Most expensive ferries from Athens: High-demand or long routes like Santorini, Mykonos, Milos, Crete, and Rhodes can reach €60–€120+ ($70–$140+), especially on high-speed ferries.
- Cheap island hopping (clusters): Moving between nearby islands like Paros–Naxos–Antiparos or Syros–Tinos–Mykonos is often €10–€40 ($12–$45) per leg, instead of repeatedly returning to Athens.
Starting Point: Athens
Best for: first-time visitors + Cyclades
Prices are for summer 2026 for 1 person without a vehicle.
| Route | Ferry Time | Typical Price (one way) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens → Aegina | 40 min – 1h | €20–€35 ($25–$40) | Cheapest + easiest island trip |
| Athens → Andros | ~2h | €25–€45 ($30–$50) | Underrated + less touristy |
| Athens → Tinos | 2–4h | €30–€60 ($35–$70) | Great alternative to Mykonos |
| Athens → Paros | 3–4h | €40–€80 ($50–$95) | Popular but manageable |
| Athens → Naxos | 4–5h | €40–€80 ($50–$95) | Good value for size |
| Athens → Santorini | 5–11h | €50–€90 ($60–$100) | Expensive + long route |
| Athens → Mykonos | 3-6h | €50–€100 ($60–$110) | Expensive + long route |
Starting Point: Rhodes
Best for: Dodecanese island hopping (cheaper once you’re there)
| Route | Ferry Time | Typical Price (one way) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhodes → Symi | 1–1.5h | €10–€25 ($12–$30) | Very popular day trip |
| Rhodes → Kos | 2–3h | €20–€40 ($25–$45) | Good transport hub |
| Kos → Kalymnos | ~30–50 min | €10–€20 ($12–$25) | Great for climbing/diving |
| Kalymnos → Leros | ~1h | €10–€20 ($12–$25) | Quiet + affordable |
Starting Point: Corfu
Best for: Ionian islands + relaxed travel
| Route | Ferry Time | Typical Price (one way) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corfu → Paxos | ~1–2h | €25–€50 ($30–$60) | Beautiful but slightly pricey |
| Lefkada → Kefalonia | ~1–2h | €10–€25 ($12–$30) | Very affordable |
| Kefalonia → Zakynthos | ~1–2h | €15–€30 ($18–$35) | Easy connection |
If you are feeling confused, just keep in mind that the picture clears up when you decide on a base island, and don’t try to do tooo much in one go. Most islands are quite far away from each other, and require a few days in each place to experience fully. So pick an area of Greece to stay longer in, to make your budget stretch longer.
Car and bike rentals in Greece
The other expense to look into is car rentals. This is especially useful for large islands, where you need a vehicle to see things.
Here are some islands where I recommend renting a car, and some where it is optional or not needed at all.
- Where you’re likely need a car: Crete, Naxos, Rhodes, Kefalonia, Peloponnese (mainland), Lemnos, Samothraki, Kythira, Leros
- Where it’s optional: Paros, Corfu, Zakynthos, Milos, Serifos, Sifnos,, Nafplio (mainland)
- Probably would skip: Mykonos, Santorini, Hydra (no cars allowed), Central Athens, Aegina, Salamina, Elafonisos (tiny)
- Where I’d rent e-bikes/bikes: Hydra, Aegina, Nafplio, Lemnos
- Where I’d rent an ATV/Scooter: Milos, Santorini, Mykonos, Serifos, Sifnos, Kythira, Alonissos
Of course, the choice is not always about car vs ATV vs bike, but how much you want to explore and which beach towns or areas you want to reach.
Car and Bike Prices in Greece (2026)
| Type | Typical Price (per day) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small car (manual) | €30–€50 ($35–$60) | Best value option |
| Automatic car | €50–€80 ($60–$95) | Higher demand in summer |
| SUV / larger car | €70–€120 ($80–$140) | Good for groups |
| ATV / quad | €25–€65 ($30–$75) | Popular but not always cheaper |
| Scooter / motorbike | €20–€40 ($25–$45) | Good balance of price + flexibility |
| Bike / e-bike | €10–€25 ($12–$30) | Only works in smaller areas |
Be very careful renting ATVs. While they can be a great way to explore, you need to watch your speed. Smaller less busy islands like Alonissos (pictured) are great places to rent one.
Cost of activities in Greece
Unlike the rest of the expenses, activities you can control. If you’re happy exploring beaches, towns and hiking trails, you can spend very little. But if we start adding tours, rentals or experiences and museums your daily cost will increase by $40-$100 per day.
| Activity Type | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Museum / archaeological site | €10–€20 ($12–$25) |
| Guided walking tour | €15–€40 ($18–$45) |
| Boat tour (half day) | €30–€80 ($35–$95) |
| Full-day boat trip | €80–€150 ($95–$175) |
| Scuba diving (certified) | €60–€120 ($70–$140) |
| Wine / food experience | €40–€120 ($45–$140) |
Activities I Recommend in Popular Islands
This is not an extensive list but it includes the activities most people will do in these spots, or famous attractions.
The good news when it comes to activities is that most beaches, hikes and other nature related stuff are free. You will just need to have transport (gas, tolls, parking, rental fees). In terms of the beaches, be aware of beach bar pricing (per umbrella or sunbed plus minimum spend) in popular locations.
If you want to keep costs low you might want to buy an umbrella and make use of the public parts of the beach, where you won’t have to pay for rentals.
| Place | Must Do Activity | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kefalonia | Melissani Cave tour | €10–€15 ($12–$18) | Short but unique experience |
| Kos | E-bike rental + boat tour | €10–€50 ($12–$60) | Very bike-friendly island |
| Lefkada | Boat tour around beaches | €40–€90 ($45–$105) | Best way to access hidden beaches |
| Milos | Speedboat / catamaran cruise | €90–€150 ($105–$175) | One of the best-value splurges |
| Mykonos | Delos cruise or boat day | €80–€140 ($95–$160) | Mix of culture + beach |
| Crete | Palace of Knossos | €10-€20($12 -$24) | One of the most famous sites. |
| Rhodes | Acropolis of Lindos | €28 ($30–$32) | One of the nicest viewpoints and most important archaeological sites |
| Samothraki | Sanctuary of the Great Gods | €6–€10 ($7–$12) | Combine with waterfalls |
| Santorini | Volcano + Thirassia cruise | €40–€120 ($45–$140) | Very common activity |
| Serifos | Boat day / beach hopping | €30–€70 ($35–$80) | Simple but worth it |
| Zakynthos | Shipwreck + turtle tour | €25–€60 ($30–$70) | Popular but still worth it |
Activities I Recommend in Popular Mainland Spots
| Place | Must Do Activity | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peloponnese | Mycenae – Epidaurus – Olympia | €15–€25 ($18–$30) | Easy cluster of major ancient sites |
| Meteora | Monastery entry + guided tour | €20–€60 ($25–$70) | One of the most unique places in Europe |
| Delphi | Archaeological site + museum | €20 ($25) | One of the most important ancient sites |
| Thessaloniki | Food & walking tour | €20–€90 ($25–$105) | More about food than “activities” |
| Vikos Gorge | Hiking / viewpoint stops | Free | One of the deepest gorges in the world |
| Zagori villages | Stone bridges + village hopping | Free | Very unique architecture |
| Pelion | Hiking + beach combo | Free–€20 ($0–$25) | Sea + mountains in one day |
| Mount Olympus | Hiking / guided climb | Free–€150 ($0–$175) | Can be simple or very challenging |
| Nafplio | Palamidi Fortress climb | Free (hike) €20($20) entry to site | 999 steps + one of the best views |
| Nemea | Wine tasting | €15–€40 ($18–$45) | Easy add-on to Peloponnese trips |
| Voidomatis River | Rafting | €40–€70 ($45–$80) | One of the best-value adventure activities |
Practical Tips for Booking Activities in Greece
While Greece is very touristy, a lot of popular attractions, boat tours or activities in general are not on GetYourGuide and Viator. On the other hand, some tours are better priced online (discounts and timed deals), so it pays to look at both.
Here are some more tips to help you score deals.
- In many islands, the best way to book a boat trip is to walk around the marina or port and compare prices. You can often negotiate slightly, especially if you’re booking as a group.
- Major sites like the Acropolis of Athens or Palace of Knossos now operate on timed entry slots. If you’ve visited Greece before, this is a newer system — and in peak summer, tickets can sell out.
- Experiences that combine multiple elements (like walking tours + wine tasting, or cultural visits + food stops) are often better value than booking everything separately. They also give you more context about the place you’re visiting.
- Some islands are super bike friendly. It’s a fun and low-cost way to explore — especially if you don’t want to rent a car.
- Compared to other European destinations, diving here is well-priced in my opinion. It’s a great place to get certified or build experience. Night dives in the summer are especially worth it if you’re already certified. I highly recommend this provider in Halkidiki area (northern Greece).
Diving or snorkel trips are one of the best activities to spend money on, in my opinion. Here are some of my favorite scuba centres in Northern Greece.
Can you travel to Santorini affordably in 2026?
Most people are curious about Santorini, so let’s start here.
Short answer is yes, but maybe not in peak summer, or while doing fancy activities.
But that might not answer your question completely so let’s be reasonable and troubleshoot, a 7-day holiday in Santorini in 2026, at the end of July.
Since I’ve been to Santorini multiple times, I am using averages from previous trips on food, plus current hotel rates for a week in July.
Let’s say you travel in mid July as a couple
- You book a decent well-priced 2* 3* start hotel, outside the main touristy areas for $900 for 7 nights with parking
- Since you booked a better price hotel outside town, you need a car to move around
- You find a good deal on the car rental for $40 a day or a total ($280 with insurance)
- You spend about $70 for one week of gas to explore the island and $20 for parking
- You eat breakfast at the hotel instead of dining out
- For food, you have a snack at lunch for €10 per person
You rotate between one average dinner and a nicer dinner with wine every other day (average dinner €60 and nice dinner €100 for 2 people)
You avoid restaurants with a caldera view or overly expensive places
- You book 3 activities to do during the 7 days
- Volcano & Hot Spring Boat Trip – $29 per person (affordable cruise)
- Akrotiri Archaeological Site ($24 entry ticket)
- Winery visit (with your car so no transport and less wine, $20 per person)
- Instead of renting sunbeds, you go to the beach with your own towels.
- You do the free hike from Fira to Oia
7-Day Santorini Budget Breakdown (Mid-July, 2 People)
Category | Cost (Total for 2 people) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Accommodation (7 nights) | $900 | 2–3* hotel outside main areas (with parking) |
Car Rental | $280 | ~$40/day including insurance |
Gas + Parking | $90 | $70 fuel + $20 parking in Oia |
Food | $740 | €10 lunch pp + rotating €60 / €100 dinners |
Activities | $146 | Volcano ($58) + Akrotiri ($48) + Winery ($40) |
Beach / Extras | $0 | Using own towels, minimal extras |
Total (2 people) | $2,156 | |
Per Person (7 days) | $1,078 | |
Per Person / Per Day | ~$154 |
This budget does not include flights, or special occasional tours and other activities.
One way to make it more affordable though, would be bakery meals and sandwiches. That would bring the total per person/per day to about $120.
Is Greece Expensive in 2026?
As mentioned in the beginning, I don’t think Greece is the type of “cheap European destination” it once was.
If I had to rank the mistakes I see people make when trying to have a non-expensive vacation, these would be:
- not researching the touristy appeal of certain places
- not looking into the distances between certain islands and transport costs
- waiting till last minute to book hotels
- only thinking of peak summer months
My average daily prices, based on tracking expenses across various trips realistically fall into one of three categories:
€60–€100 ($65–$110) per day → budget / off-season travel
€120–€200 ($130–$220) per day → mid-range, most travelers
€200–€350+ ($220–$380+) per day → peak summer islands or higher-end travel or with more activities
Anything less than €60 per day, requires either traveling as a larger group to save on accommodation or being creative with food and hotels, while doing no paid activities.
Santorini is obviously the most expensive Greek island you could pick – but it’s also kinda worth it to see once!
Short on time? Top Greece recommendations
📲 Best eSIM for Greece: The easiest way to stay connected in Greece is with an eSIM you install before departure. I’ve tested several options. Use my code BACH20 for 20% off with Superalink
🚖 Airport Tip: Skip waiting for a taxi and book your Athens airport transfer in advance with Welcome Pickups. For under $50 you’ll have peace of mind and comfort. This guide Athens to City Centre will give you more cheaper options
🏺 Best THINGS TO DO: Greece has a ton of interesting cultural sights, here are some ideas of my favorite things you can plan in regions that you might not know about:
50+ Amazing Things to Do in the Peloponnese (By Region and Interest)
30+ Things You Can do in Crete Island in Greece (Read Before you Book)
How to Get from Piraeus Port to Aegina Island (2026 updated)
Best Rated Food Tours in Athens (and Suggestions from a Local)
⛴️ Ferry tickets: There are a lot of ferry providers but I prefer Ferry Scanner for their simple UI.
