Greece comprises around 6,000 islands and islets, but only 227 are inhabited. A honeymoon in Greece is unforgettable. Stepping into this paradisiacal country in Southeast Europe is a beautiful and romantic way of starting your marriage off on the right foot.
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Is Greece a Good Place for a Honeymoon?
Greece sits between Turkey and Italy. The Mediterranean, Ionian, and Aegean Seas border it.
It’s an ideal honeymoon destination as it offers blue waters and gorgeous cliffside scenes, with bougainvillea flowers adding a pop of color. Apart from the stunning views, you can travel back in time and explore ancient roots or get acquainted with the local culture. Greece offers a guaranteed romantic getaway for every kind of couple.
What Activities Can You Do on a Honeymoon in Greece?
- Enjoy the beautiful beaches: You can go island hopping, do water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving, or hop on a catamaran cruise.
- Visit historic ruins and explore windmills: Step back in time as you wander through the Temple of Poseidon and the Acropolis.
- Eat and drink: Try the world-famous Greek coffee (which offers health benefits to help you prolong your lifespan) and enjoy a Mediterranean diet.
- Visit wineries: Take the time to do a wine tour, see vineyards, and be in awe of the country’s thousand years of wine-making experience.
- Party after dark: Chill out and enjoy the Greeks’ famous nightlife once the sun sets.
What Is the Best Month to Honeymoon in Greece?
Greece is a perfect honeymoon spot all year round, but if you want to take advantage of warm, sunny days, you should visit between late May and early October. July to September is a particularly great time to hit the beach (because of its warm temperature) and party (because it’s the peak tourism season).
For couples who want to visit Greece when the crowd is thinner, travel in April, early May, or late October. These shoulder months will offer a less touristy appeal but come with a slightly cooler climate.
Is a Honeymoon in Greece Expensive?
For seven days, a Greece honeymoon costs about $2,000 to $3,500 per couple, not including flights. This price can go up to $10,000 and beyond, depending on where you stay, what you do, and when you visit.
How To Plan a Budget Greece Honeymoon
- Travel outside the high season.
- Stick to free and low-budget activities (swimming, strolling around quaint towns, and visiting historical sites).
- Allocate a considerable chunk of your budget to your lodging, travel, and non-negotiable tours (e.g., a wine tour or a sunset cruise).
- Create your own itinerary and make your own reservations. It is often cheaper than booking a honeymoon package.
- Stay on the outskirts of popular areas to save money on accommodations.
6 Most Romantic Cities For a Honeymoon in Greece
Athens
The Greek capital is steeped in history with ruins of ancient temples and vibrant neighborhoods (like Plaka, located under the Acropolis). Brettos distillery, the city’s oldest, is a must-visit if you’re into wine. Also, from Athens, you have many day trips to consider, with trips to Corinth and Hydra being the most popular.
Where to stay: Syntagma Square
Santorini
Apart from Athens, Santorini is the place tourists typically associate with Greece. This island is where you can enjoy the crystal-clear Aegean Sea. It’s also known for Instagram-worthy towns and villages such as Oia, Fira, and Imerovigli (hailed as the “balcony to the Aegean”). The most popular destination in Santorini is the Caldera volcano: You can swim, dive, and have a good time at a cozy taverna.
Where to stay: Fira
Mykonos
Mykonos, one of the most popular Cyclades islands, is famous for its thriving night scene. It earned the moniker “Ibiza of Greece.” Apart from its nightlife, you will love Little Venice, a neighborhood filled with stunning old houses, great bars, and breathtaking sunsets. Ride a ferry and visit nearby, less touristy islands such as Naxos and Paros.
Where to stay: Agios Ioannis Diakoftis
Crete
Crete is the place to be if you want to taste Greek cuisine and traditions. The largest island in Greece is also home to the Palace of Knossos and the Samaria Gorge National Park, where you can hike and get close to Greece’s diverse flora and fauna.
Where to stay: Chania
Corfu
One of the more popular Ionian islands, Corfu boasts beautiful architecture. Venetian, French, and English cultures heavily influence the island’s visual appeal. Walk along its streets and see many charming and imposing palaces and mansions. Some sights to visit are the dramatic Cape Drastis, the fishing village of Agni Bay, and the canal d’Amour.
Where to stay: Corfu Town (Kerkyra)
Rhodes
Rhodes is a gateway to the Mediterranean Sea and boasts a rich history and magnificent beaches. Apart from its gorgeous aquatic scenery, it has cozy wineries and bustling nightlife. It also has its fair share of ruins and castles. If you’re looking for modern architecture, Kallithea Thermal Springs is the place to be. If you’re a foodie, visit Apolloniatises Agrotourism Shop and taste the dulcet dessert, melekouni.
Where to stay: Rhodes Town
What Is the Best Way to Travel to Greece?
The best way to travel to Greece is by air. The largest airport in Greece is Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, with direct flights from the US.
Traveling Within Greece
You must book a domestic flight or a ferry ride to visit your island destination (if it’s not Athens). On some islands, traveling by air isn’t an option, as only 25 Greek islands have their own airports. Fortunately, booking ferry rides is easy—you can even book a day before your travel date.
You can rent a car or hail a taxi to get around the Greek islands. The cheapest option is to ride public transportation (buses and trains).
What Types of Honeymoon Accommodations Are Available in Greece?
Accommodating millions of tourists annually, the country has several accommodation options. You can stay at luxury hotels, apart-hotels (an apartment with hotel-like services), and guesthouses.
For honeymooners who want a posh seaside honeymoon, consider staying at all-inclusive or adults-only resorts. These luxury accommodations offer infinity pools, private beaches, honeymoon suites, and overwater hut-style bungalows.
To save money and get closer to locals, book a boutique hotel. For those with an affinity for all things old, staying at any century-old historic hotel is a must-have experience.
3 Local Foods to Try in Greece
Greece tops many best honeymoon destinations guides, not only because of its aquamarine waters, cliffside buildings, and ancient ruins. Greek cuisine is also one of the best reasons why newlyweds love to spend the early days of their marriage in this archipelagic country.
Try these local dishes:
- Moussaka. Spotlighting beef or lamb, this meat dish is cooked in tomato sauce. Its fried eggplant and bechamel sauce layers further amp up this dish’s flavor.
- Tiropita. One of the most popular pies in Greece, this cheese pie is made of phyllo dough and various types of cheese.
- Choriatiki. This salad has cucumber, tomatoes, olives (a product that Greeks have been harvesting for millennia), and feta cheese.
Cultural Experiences to Include in a Grecian Honeymoon
Exploring towns and neighborhoods will give you a great insight into Grecian culture. However, if you want to relive the glory that was Greece, you must visit their top historic tourist attractions. The Acropolis of Athens (where you can find the Parthenon temple) is an ancient city perched atop Athens, while Knossos Palace is a Cretan archaeological site. A guided tour will bring these ruins to life.
Spend time at art museums and fall deeper in love with Greece’s beauty. There are the National Archaeological Musem in Athens and the Rhode Museum of Ancient Greek Technology by Kotsanas.
What to Pack For a Honeymoon in Greece
Pack comfortable clothes, sundresses, swimsuits, outerwear, and cover-ups when visiting Greece. It is best to wear sandals or comfortable rubber shoes when walking through ancient cities and visiting ruins.
Is Greece Safe to Visit?
A Greek honeymoon generally provides a safe experience for couples. However, as you should do in any other country you visit, exercise heightened precautions.
- Watch the news and avoid areas where rioting and protests have occurred.
- Be aware of your surroundings as pickpocketing and bag snatching happen.
- Never accept drinks from strangers to avoid drink spiking.
- To avoid credit card and ATM fraud, only use ATMs in banks and business establishments, and don’t use unusual-looking card readers.
- Obey warning flags mounted around the beaches (e.g., weather hazards like tidal changes).
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Greece?
Thanks to the Schengen Agreement, US citizens can go to Greece without a visa for no more than 90 days. Just make sure that your passports are valid for at least six months.
Bonus Info For Your Honeymoon in Greece
- Across the country, the majority of tap water is potable. If you visit smaller towns near the sea, you may prefer to buy bottled water.
- Greek is the official language, but many Greeks are multilingual.
- Tipping is not mandatory or expected.
- Cash is the preferred method of payment.
- Many businesses are closed on Sunday.
- Don’t flush your toilet paper; the sewage pipes are too small. Throw it in the bin.
- You can’t use US dollars in Greece, so you must exchange your pocket money for Euro ($1 is equivalent to €0.95 as of writing).