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Fit for the gods

From the coasts of the Mediterranean to the top of Mount Olympus, Greece is a place grand enough for mythical gods and friendly enough for travelers alike. Uncover its ancient ruins and relics and take in an iconic landscape of whitewashed homes. This is only the beginning of the endless wonders you’ll find when you first set foot on Greek soil.

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Destination Must-See's

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This is the most spectacular destination in the Mediterranean and holds the most prehistoric settlement in the region. The ancient town of Akrotiri was once destroyed and consequently preserved by a volcanic eruption around 1450 B.C. The excavation site of this city is known as the “Minoan Pompeii.” But perhaps the island’s greatest draws are its vineyards, whitewashed chapels, volcanic cliffs, and famous wines of Santorini.

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Known as the “whitewashed jewel of the Cyclades islands” or the “Island of the Winds,” it is said that the island was formed from the petrified bodies of giants killed by Hercules. It also gets its name from the grandson of Apollo - “Mykonos.” In the island’s capital town you will find the church, town hall, castle, the Archaeological, Folklore, and Maritime Museums, and a shopper’s paradise – Matoyianni Street.

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Athens is the capital city of Greece and the historical capital of Europe. It is home to many celebrated ancient monuments including the imposing Acropolis, the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, the Royal Palace, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Olympic Stadium, and Hadrian’s Gate – the symbolic entrance to the city. It also has the charming Plaka neighborhood which has been without interruption since antiquity.

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One of the most well-known tourist destinations in Greece, Olympia is located in the western Peloponnese, known as the “Valley of the Gods.” Surrounded by beautiful scenery from the Arcadian Mountains, it is home of the first Olympic Games that were held in 776 B.C. You can walk through the ruins of the ancient Olympic stadium, witness amazing sculptures at the museum, or even attend one of the many festivals held throughout the year.

Destination Must-Do's

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Meteora Monastery:

Over 600 years ago Byzantine monks chose to build their monastic community atop limestone rock “towers” that extend nearly 900 feet into the air, making them virtually inaccessible. It is one of the greatest monuments in the world, and is the most important monastic center in Greece. You can climb these rocks and travel the paths hidden behind the massive rocks.

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Delphi ruins:

Delphi was regarded as the center of the world and had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. The site includes two sanctuaries dedicated to Apollo and Athena, and other buildings that were mostly intended for sports. The earliest finds in Delphi date back to 4000 B.C. from the Korykeion Andron, a cave where the first rituals took place. The ruins are filled with an enormous amount of history and beauty.

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Greek Olive Farm:

Olives and olive oil are staples of the Mediterranean diet, and Greece is a major grower and producer of olive products. A visit to a Greek olive farm can provide a taste of Greek culture and serve as a window into everyday life in the country. Tours, tastings, meals, and cooking classes hosted at olive farms are all wonderful options on the table when venturing into Greece’s countryside.

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Travel back in time with a visit to Athens’s old city – the Plaka. The hilly cobblestone streets are lined with historic buildings housing small shops, sidewalk cafes and family-owned restaurants making this neighborhood Athens’ crowned jewel. The neighborhood comes alive at night. The alleyways fill with music and dancing and locals and visitors alike dine on their favorite traditional dishes.

Expert Advice

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Getting around is easier than you would expect. Greeks can speak English enough to assist travelers, and street signs are in both Greek and English.

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Much of your trip may focus on the ancient past yet I suggest you also take time to explore the vibrant traditions that still live in today’s Greek culture.

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Greece is a welcoming destination year-round. Consider visiting October through May to beat the summer bustle, and with Greece’s 250+ days of sunshine in an average year, don’t forget your sunglasses.

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Divergent Travelers

15 Essential Greece Travel Tips: Things to Know For Your First Visit

From golden sandy beaches and dazzling blue skies to mouth-watering food, Greece offers a plethora of charms and irresistible attractions all year long. 

What’s more, the country is filled with warm-hearted and hospitable people who will help you enjoy a fabulous escape from your overworked and hectic life. 

That said, we wanted to share some essential Greece travel tips with you to help ensure that your trip goes smoothly. We also don’t want you to miss out on any of the classic Greek experiences!

15 Essential Greece Travel Tips

Table of Contents

1. Don’t forget to buy Travel Insurance

Lina and David Stock at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece

With all that’s been going on in the world, we can’t stress enough how important it is to protect your trip and the money you spent on it. We do not travel without travel insurance.

There are a lot of options out there for insurance, but we use and stand by  Allianz Travel Insurance . Full disclosure, we receive financial compensation as ambassadors for their company.

That said, we’ve been purchasing plans through them for the past 7 years and they have never let us down. Canceled flights, delayed flights, lost luggage, and a global pandemic, they’ve been there for us.

We always renew their  AllTrips Premier  annual plan that covers all of our trips over a 12-month period. If you take more than 2 trips a year, it’s worth considering an annual plan.

For single trips, we recommend looking at their  OneTrip Prime  or  OneTrip Premier  plans.

2. Be prepared for the heat during Greece’s summer

David Stock taking a photo in Oia, Santorini

Greece’s summer sun isn’t forgiving for tourists who don’t protect themselves against its scorching heat. Heatstroke and sunburns are common for tourists visiting Greece in the summer. As is dehydration, which commonly presents as a stomach bug.

In Greece, summer temperatures can go beyond 95 F (35 C). On some days, it even rises above 104 F (40 C). 

To protect yourself, always wear a wide-brim sun hat, and a pair of sunglasses. Bring a refillable water bottle, and drink frequently to help keep yourself hydrated on your sightseeing and beach trips in Greece. 

Sunblock is a must too, especially if you’re hitting the beaches and outdoor archaeological attractions in Greece. And, even if you’re wearing sunblock, try to avoid direct sunlight as often as possible. 

Wearing light-colored clothes is one of the most important Greece travel tips. Black is cool, but it’s not ideal in a place as sunny and warm as Greece in summer. Also, opt for skirts, or loose long wide pants, and wide, airy, and long sleeves. 

If you’re visiting ancient sites in Greece, do it as early as possible, to avoid walking under the heat of the sun. Afterward, you can stop by a couple of museums, and take advantage of their air-conditioning as the temperature gets hotter during midday. 

3. Consider visiting Greece in September or June 

Lina Stock at a monastery in Mykonos, Greece

June and September are truly the best months to visit Greece. With lower rates for accommodations and flights, these months are perfect for those who want to save some cash on their Greece vacation. 

Last-minute ferry tickets to the Greek islands are easier during these months, too. Don’t get me wrong, June and September are still part of the country’s peak season, but most Greece attractions and places have fewer crowds during these months. The weather is also less windy and cooler.  

4. Buy your ferry, airplane, and train passes in advance 

Boats in an old harbor in Greece

Greece is an extremely popular destination, especially in the summer months. And, that means you should expect tickets for ferries to be sold out weeks in advance, especially if you’re visiting Greece in June, July, August, and September. 

Try to plan as far in advance as you can and book all the needed tickets in advance. A lot of Europe travels during the summer holiday season, so it’s not just overseas tourists you’ll be up against when it comes to accommodation, ferries, tours, etc.

5. Spend more than a week in Greece 

Island fortification in Nafplio, Greece

Despite the country’s small size, it is packed with attractions and places to visit. I honestly think this is one of the most overlooked aspects of Greece travel.

People don’t do enough research and only realize once they are in the country that they don’t have the time they need for everything that interests them. Don’t make this mistake!

Also, don’t try to do too much in a short period of time. If you have less than a week to explore the country, focus on 3 destinations instead of trying to fit in 6 or 7 areas. Travel between the islands takes time and is often met with delays or even cancellations due to the wind.

For a first-time visit to Greece, we’d recommend 2 weeks if you can. This will give you time to visit Athens, a couple of sights on the mainland, and spend a week in the Greek Isles.

6. Learn a little Greek lingo 

Greek family teaching us about sourdough and olive oil in Greece

Learning some Greek phrases will do wonders for your Greece vacation. To me, it’s one of the most important Greece travel tips we can offer. 

Not only will it make your vacation more immersive, but Greeks also love it when you can speak a few of their phrases or words. 

Since English is prevalent in Greece, learning their lingo isn’t exactly necessary. But, they will have a deeper level of respect for those who show effort in speaking their language. 

7. Check out the less explored beaches in Greece

Sandy beach scene in Greece

The beaches on Greece’s most popular islands, like Santorini and Mykonos, can be extremely crowded. No matter when you visit.  

If you want to steer clear of the crowds, head to the more serene islands, like Astypalaia, Ithaca, Donoussa, Sikinos, Kimolos, Tinos, and Andros.

Furthermore, you can enjoy a road trip along Greece’s coast in South Crete, Evia, Chalkidiki, Pelion, Epirus, and Peloponnese. 

8. Consider visiting during an annual festival or event 

Greece flag flying over a white washed monastery in Greece

Some of the best and most exciting festivals in Greece take place in summer. The Athens Epidaurus Festival, for one, is one of Europe’s oldest performing arts festivals. 

Inaugurated in 1955, this festival features numerous shows of music, dance, and theater. Even better, this festival gives you the chance to enjoy the ancient Greek Epidaurus amphitheater, which is known for its acoustics and is fully operational. 

The amphitheater’s acoustics are so phenomenal that performers won’t need a microphone to be heard in the remotest tier. 

You can also experience Panyigiria (Greek folk festivals). These folk festivals are scattered throughout the country in summer and are fun social gatherings. 

9. Bring a refillable water bottle 

Luckily, tap water in Greece is, in general, safe to drink. So, bring a refillable and reusable water bottle to reduce plastic use and save money during your trip.

This practice goes a long way toward being a mindful traveler and engaging in the principles of Leave No Trace while you travel.  

10. Greece safety tips to be mindful about

Empty street in Mykonos - Greece travel tips

Greece is generally a safe destination, even for female solo travelers. Violent attacks in Greece are a rarity. Still, there are a few important safety tips you should take note of. 

Pickpocketing is prevalent, specifically in Athens. Though Greek police have cracked down on some of these perpetrators, you should be aware of your surroundings, and hide your valuables when you’re in busy streets, markets, or using public transportation. 

11. Give Athens at least 3 days  

Sunset over the Acropolis in Athens, Greece

There’s no better place to start a Greece vacation than Athens. Not only is it the main international gateway to Greece, but it also has a host of fantastic, world-class attractions. 

You could spend an entire week in this city, hitting known attractions, such as the Ancient Agora and the Parthenon. 

Athens is also home to tons of first-rate museums. And, luckily, most of these attractions are air-conditioned, giving summer visitors a respite amid the scorching summer heat. 

If it feels too hot outside, step inside the National Historical Museum and the National Archaeological Museum of Greece. You may also stop at Monastiraki’s covered markets, and pick up some Greek souvenirs.

Spending 3 days gives the perfect balance to see the main sites, hit up a few museums, and slow down just enough to enjoy the cafe life.

12. Don’t miss the Greek Islands 

View of windmills in Oia, Santorini - Greece travel tips

Greece is home to around 1,200 to 6,000 islands. And, these islands are divided into six island groups: the North Aegean, Saronic, the Cyclades, Ionian, Sporades, and the Dodecanese. 

No matter what your travel style or interests are, you’ll find a Greek island that suits you. Some islands offer tranquility, peace, and solitude, while others have raucous nightlife and a party ambiance. 

While Santorini and Mykonos are the typical poster children for the Greek Islands, and their beautiful, we also love Samos and Patmos for a quieter experience.

13. Eat Greek Salad

Lina Stock with a greek salad in Greece

One of the most delicious things you can eat while in Greece is a Greek Salad. I am not exaggerating when I say that every time we set foot in Greece, we eat weight in these salads!

Made from plump ripe vine tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, and green peppers, this salad is topped with a generous brick of Greek feta cheese. It is then sprinkled with a seasoning that contains a variety of herbs, salt, and pepper. It is then dressed with olive oil and vinegar.

It is not only refreshing but insanely delicious!

14. Try a Cappucino Freddo

Lina Stock drinking a cappuccino freddo on the street in Athens, Greece

Or as we like to call it, Greek rocket fuel. Coffee is a rite of passage, and with the heat of the summer months, it’s best to drink it ice cold. Enter the Freddo.

You can have it straight up or with milk – we prefer it with milk. They also offer it sweet or unsweet. But be warned, the sweet option is very sweet.

This national drink can be found pretty much anywhere and we suggest you try it in one of the charming street cafes you’ll find in Athens or on any of the Greek Islands.

15. Bring good shoes

Lina Stock at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece

Lastly, and in my opinion, most importantly, make sure you bring solid shoes with you to Greece! You’re going to be exploring ancient ruins and walking on cobblestone streets.

I can’t tell you how many people I saw wearing shoes with heels or slippery soles struggling to enjoy their time in Greece. Not to mention, bad footwear is dangerous and can lead to injury.

We both lived in our Chaco sandals while in Greece. They offer the coolness of a sandal but have an insanely good grip for exploring. They also have comfortable soles and give good support for long days of walking.

This article is sponsored by Allianz Travel Insurance. As ambassadors we receive financial compensation. However, all opinions, stories, advice, and insane love for Iceland are 100% ours, as always.

You might also like:

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  • When is the Best Time to Visit Europe? (Not when you think!)
  • 10 Cheapest Places to Travel in Europe
  • Train Travel in Europe: Ultimate Eurail Pass Guide

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Lina is an award-winning photographer and writer that has been exploring the world since 2001. She has traveled to 100 countries on all 7 continents. Member: SATW, NATJA, ATTA, ITWA

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The Best Ways To Fly to Greece With Points and Miles

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The Best Ways To Fly to Greece With Points and Miles

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Located in southeastern Europe with its fifth-century B.C. capital in Athens, Greece is a mountainous country with the longest coastline in the Mediterranean. The country is known for historic sites, such as the Acropolis and Parthenon, as well as picturesque island beaches, like those found at Santorini and Mykonos.

The main airport in Greece is Athens International (ATH). For this post, we’ll focus on how to fly to Athens from the U.S. using a variety of point and mile options.

Best Programs To Use To Book Flights

The great thing about Greece is that it’s easy to get there from the U.S. You have both nonstop and 1-stop options helping to limit the amount of travel time.

We recommend searching for flights as far out in advance as possible to have the best award availability . The only scenario where you’ll want to search close to your departure date is for first class Lufthansa flights , whose award flights are typically released within 2 weeks of the departure date.

Greece is served by airline partners in the Oneworld , Star Alliance , and SkyTeam alliances. In addition, non-alliance airlines like Emirates offer flights from the U.S. to Greece.

It’s important to note that all award pricing in this article is round-trip . Depending on the program, you can cut the award price in half if you only need a one-way flight.

American Airlines 777 Flagship Business Class GIG MIA

The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program is known for having sweet spots with its airline partners. Alaska Airlines is now in the Oneworld alliance and also has individual partnerships with airlines.

When flying to Athens, you have the option to fly its partners in American Airlines, Aer Lingus, British Airways, Condor, Emirates, Finnair, and Icelandair. When weighing fuel surcharges , award costs, and routing options, American Airlines is the partner we recommend .

Hot Tip: In addition to its sweet spots, Alaska Airlines is also known for the ability to book a stopover on one-way award flights. 

When you’re ready to book a flight, here are a couple of examples of seasonal flights that you can book to Athens (ATH):

  • Chicago (ORD) – Athens (ATH) for 45,000 Alaska miles in American Airlines economy
  • Philadelphia (PHL) – Athens (ATH) for 115,000 Alaska miles in American Airlines business

You’ll want to follow these steps when the Alaska Airlines miles are in your Mileage Plan account:

  • Head to the Alaska Airlines website .
  • Search for your routing, dates of travel, cabin class, and number of passengers.
  • Click the flight that you want, click Add To Cart , and then click Next.
  • Book the award ticket and pay the taxes and fees with a credit card.

Earning Alaska Mileage Plan Miles

Alaska Airlines only has 1 partnership with a transferable point program in Marriott Bonvoy, making it hard to earn Alaska Airlines miles . In addition to its partnership with Marriott Bonvoy, Alaska Airlines offers co-branded Bank of America credit cards that earn miles directly with your credit card spend.

For those of you looking to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Alaska Airlines, the point transfers take 2 days at a 3:1 ratio.

We cover the large number of Marriott credit cards available in our detailed guide.

Bottom Line: Earning Alaska Airlines miles is ideal because you can book a stopover on one-way flights and the Mileage Plan program has a number of sweet spots that open up a ton of value for your miles. 

American Airlines 777 Flagship Business Class rear facing seat

In addition to using Alaska Airlines miles to fly American Airlines to Greece, you can use American Airlines’ own miles for these flights. What’s great about using American Airlines miles for flights to Europe is that the AAdvantage program has off-peak pricing for economy flights.

The AAdvantage program also allows you to use miles to fly British Airways and Iberia to Greece. Due to the fuel surcharges when flying British Airways, Iberia is the only partner airline flight we recommend.

Hot Tip: You’ll want to search for Iberia flights on the British Airways website and then call American Airlines at 800-433-7300 to book the flight. 

If you have enough American Airlines miles in your account, below are a couple of flight options to Athens (ATH) to consider booking:

  • Boston (BOS) – Madrid (MAD) – Athens (ATH) for 45,000 American miles in Iberia economy
  • Chicago (ORD) – Madrid (MAD) – Athens (ATH) for 115,000 American miles in Iberia business

To make the AAdvantage award flight booking process easier, we recommend using these steps:

  • Go to the American Airlines website .
  • Book the flight, and pay the taxes and fees with a credit card.

For Iberia award flights, follow these steps:

  • Go to the British Airways website .
  • Write down all of the flight information.
  • Call American Airlines at 800-433-7300 to book the flight.
  • Pay the taxes and fees with a credit card.

Earning American Airlines AAdvantage Miles

American Airlines miles are relatively easy to earn because it partners with Marriott Bonvoy and has a number of co-branded credit cards that can come with substantial welcome offers. By putting your spend on Marriott Bonvoy and American Airlines credit cards , you’ll be well on your way to booking your next award flight.

If you already have Marriott Bonvoy points and want to transfer them to American Airlines, the point transfer takes 2 days at a 3:1 ratio. With Marriott Bonvoy point transfers, you’ll receive a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points that you transfer.

Bottom Line: Keep your eye on the American Airlines AAdvantage program as it’s highly likely the airline will move towards dynamic award pricing in the near term. This means that there will no longer be an award chart and instead, the award price will be tied to the cash cost of the flight. 

ANA The Room Seat 2

The ANA Mileage Club program is the first Star Alliance partner to keep your eye on. Mileage Club has a number of sweet spots, including partner airline flights, with one of those being flights between the U.S. and Europe.

Before getting too excited about the competitive award pricing shown above, it’s important to note that ANA partner flights must be booked round-trip . Another drawback is that the ANA search engine isn’t as easy to use as the United Airlines search engine.

Hot Tip:  We recommend searching for Star Alliance partner flights first on United’s website, and then confirming the same award availability on the ANA website. 

There are a number of Star Alliance options that you can consider for flights between the U.S. and Greece. You’ll want to focus on LOT Polish, Singapore Airlines (economy), TAP Portugal, and United award flights. Austrian, Brussels, Lufthansa, and SWISS Air award flights have high fuel surcharges, so keep that in mind before booking your flights.

Below are a couple of options to consider when you have the required number of Mileage Club miles in your ANA account:

  • Chicago (ORD) – Warsaw (WAW) – Athens (ATH) for 55,000 ANA miles in LOT Polish (ORD-WAW), Aegean economy (WAW-ATH)
  • Newark (EWR) – Athens (ATH) for 88,000 ANA miles in United business

We recommend following these steps when you’re ready to book a flight with your ANA miles:

  • Start on the United website .
  • Confirm the same availability on the ANA website.
  • Book the flight.

Earning ANA Miles

ANA is an Amex airline partner  and Marriott Bonvoy , so the easiest way to earn ANA miles is to transfer your points from these programs to ANA. Unlike many airline programs, ANA doesn’t offer co-branded credit cards for the U.S. market.

If you have enough American Express and/or Marriott Bonvoy points to book a flight, the Amex point transfers take 2 to 3 days at a 1:1 ratio and Marriott Bonvoy point transfers take 7 days at a 3:1 ratio. With that said, below are best American Express credit cards that we recommend you should consider:

Recommended American Express Cards (Personal)

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card ® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
  • Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment ( airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit )
  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
  • Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
  • Access to Amex International Airline Program
  • No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
  • $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card ® , Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card ® . Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
  • $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card ® . Learn more.
  • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck ® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card ® . An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

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American Express® Gold Card

American Express ® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

The American Express ® Gold Card  is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

  • 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
  • 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
  • Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com , Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
  • Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash : get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees )
  • Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
  • Access to American Express transfer partners
  • $250 annual fee (see rates and fees )
  • No lounge access
  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express ® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Find the Amex Gold 75k or 90k Welcome Bonus Offer
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If you’re a business owner, there are several Amex business credit cards that we recommend.

Bottom Line: Aeroplan and United Airlines have the ability to book one-way partner airline flights, so only consider using ANA miles if you’re interested in booking round-trip flights. 

United Boeing 787 Dreamliner Polaris Business Class at night

Asiana Airlines Asiana Club is a second Star Alliance program to consider. Asiana continues to fly under the radar but Asiana Club can provide value if you know how to use it.

The main downside with Asiana Club is that Star Alliance partner flights require a phone call to Asiana to book flights. In addition, you can’t use the Asiana Airlines website to search for Star Alliance airline partner flights.

Hot Tip: Like ANA, we recommend searching for Star Alliance partner airline flights on United’s website, and then calling Asiana to book the award flight. 

With the Asiana miles in your account, here are a couple of flights to Athens (ATH) that you can book:

  • Boston (BOS) – Lisbon (LIS) – Athens (ATH) for 50,000 Asiana miles in TAP Portugal (BOS-LIS), Aegean economy (LIS-ATH)
  • New York (JFK) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Athens (ATH) for 80,000 Asiana miles in Singapore Airlines (JFK-FRA), Aegean business (FRA-ATH)

Using Asiana Club is more challenging than other programs, so we recommend the steps below to help you book your flight:

  • Go to United.com to search for award availability.
  • Enter your route, travel dates, number of passengers, and cabin class.
  • Write down all the flight information, including flight numbers, dates, and times.
  • Call Asiana Airlines at 800-227-4262 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. PST Monday to Friday.
  • Tell the representative that you want to book a Star Alliance award flight.
  • Provide the flight numbers, travel dates, and any other flight information.
  • Once Asiana confirms the award space, provide them with your credit card to pay for taxes and fees.

Earning Asiana Miles

It’s not easy to earn Asiana Airlines miles because the airline only has 1 transfer partner in the Marriott Bonvoy program. If you have Marriott Bonvoy points, the transfer takes 10 days at a ratio is 3:1 and you’ll receive a 5,000-mile bonus when transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Lufthansa A380 First Class Seat

The Avianca LifeMiles program is yet another Star Alliance airline program that you should consider using for flights to Greece. One of the best uses of Avianca miles is to book Lufthansa first or business class . You won’t have to pay fuel surcharges like you would with ANA and Asiana Airlines.

One major drawback with Avianca is the fact that it doesn’t have access to the same award availability as United and Air Canada, which may mean that you miss out on some flights.

Hot Tip: Before booking a flight with Avianca Lifemiles, keep in mind that Avianca charges a $25 award booking fee for one-way award flights, and that open-jaws and stopovers are not allowed.

For those of you who have Avianca Lifemiles, here are a couple of flight ideas to Athens (ATH):

  • Houston (IAH) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Athens (ATH) for 174,000 Avianca miles in Lufthansa first (IAH-FRA), business (FRA-ATH)
  • Miami (MIA) – Warsaw (WAW) – Athens (ATH) for 126,000 ANA miles in LOT Polish (MIA-WAW), Aegean economy (WAW-ATH)

The booking process with Avianca can be challenging, so use these steps to help make the process easier:

  • Go to Avianca LifeMiles .
  • Change the language as necessary by clicking on the flag icon in the top right corner and choosing English.
  • Click  Log in on the top right corner using your LifeMiles number and password.
  • Click  Fly at the top banner.
  • Type in your origin and destination airports, number of passengers, and cabin class.
  • Click  Find Flights .
  • Click and select your flights.
  • Book the flight and pay the taxes and fees with your credit card.

Earning Avianca LifeMiles

American Express , Capital One , Citi , and Marriott Bonvoy partner with Avianca. These partnerships make it easy to earn Avianca LifeMiles that can then be used to book an award flight.

Before transferring any points, keep in mind that points transfer instantly at a 1:1 ratio for American Express, Capital One, and Citi. Marriott Bonvoy point transfers take less than 24 hours at a 3:1 ratio. In addition, for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer to Avianca, you’ll receive a 5,000-mile bonus.

Additional ways to earn Avianca LifeMiles is by putting your spend on its co-branded credit cards or by buying LifeMiles when a discount is offered.

Recommended Citi Cards

Citi Premier® Card

Citi Premier ® Card

Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.

The Citi Premier ® Card is an excellent option for anyone looking for an all-around travel rewards credit card. The card helps you earn points fast with great 3x bonus categories such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels. Plus, it offers access to airline and hotel transfer partners, doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, and has a reasonable annual fee!

  • 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotel purchases
  • Access to Citi transfer partners
  • Annual hotel credit
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • $95 annual fee
  • Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou ® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou ® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
  • Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
  • Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
  • Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
  • 60,000 ThankYou ® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
  • No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
  • APR: 21.24% - 29.24% Variable

Citi ThankYou Rewards

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Iberia economy seat IFE

Cathay Pacific is our second Oneworld program to use in addition to American Airlines. There aren’t a ton of sweet spots within the Asia Miles program , but one potential one to mention is to use Asia Miles to fly Iberia.

Not all Cathay Pacific airline partners can be booked online, so that’s one major drawback to using Asia Miles. In theory, you should be able to book Iberia flights online. However, the booking process will likely not piece together the Iberia flights that you want. So you’ll want to call Cathay Pacific to book Iberia flights .

American Airlines is one of the Cathay Pacific airline partners that you can’t book online. Like Iberia, you’ll have to call Cathay Pacific to book American Airlines flights.

With that out of the way, it’s important to note that the Asia Miles program doesn’t have an award chart when you’re flying a Oneworld airline partner.

Hot Tip: To figure out the number of miles needed for an award flight, you’ll need to reference the Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Standard Award chart and add 5,000 miles  to the award pricing shown in that chart.

American Airlines and Iberia are the 2 Cathay Pacific airline partners that we recommend for flights to Greece. British Airways is an option, however, the fuel surcharges are high and will eat up the value of your Asia Miles. With that said, here are the partner award flights to Athens (ATH) that you should consider:

  • Boston (BOS) – Madrid (MAD) – Athens (ATH) for 54,000 Cathay Pacific miles in Iberia economy
  • Boston (BOS) – Madrid (MAD) – Athens (ATH) for 100,000 Cathay Pacific miles in Iberia business

When you’re ready to book an award flight, reference the steps shown below during the booking process:

  • Head to the British Airways website .
  • Write down all of the flight’s details.
  • Call Cathay Pacific at 866-892-2598 to confirm award availability.

Earning Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

American Express, Capital One, Citi, and Marriott Bonvoy are all Cathay Pacific Asia Miles partners, making it easy to earn Cathay Pacific miles .

Before transferring any points to Cathay Pacific, keep the transfer ratios and transfer times in mind: American Express point transfers take 1 to 4 days at a 1:1 ratio, Capital One point transfers take 36 hours at a 1:1 ratio, Citi point transfers take 24 hours at a 1:1 ratio, and Marriott Bonvoy point transfers take 5 days at a 3:1 ratio.

Another way that you can earn Cathay Pacific Asia Miles is by putting your spend on the co-branded credit cards from Synchrony Bank. The spend that you put on these cards will directly earn Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.

Recommended Capital One Cards (Personal)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card   is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

  • 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
  • No foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees )
  • Access to Capital One transfer partners
  • $95 annual fee ( rates & fees )
  • Limited elite benefits
  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Capital One Miles

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

  • 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
  • $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
  • Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
  • Add authorized users for no additional annual fee ( rates & fees )
  • $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
  • Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
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Bottom Line: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles are easy to get a hold of because of Cathay Pacific’s partnerships with American Express, Capital One, Citi, and Marriott Bonvoy. 

Brussels Airlines business class

Etihad is not in an airline alliance; instead, it has partnerships with individual airlines that allow you to use Etihad Guest miles to book an award flight on that airline partner. The Etihad Guest program is full of sweet spots, including flights between the U.S. and Europe, and the U.S. and Africa.

Hot Tip: One main downside with using Etihad Guest miles is that you’ll have to call Etihad to book a partner award flight. From personal experience, the Etihad Guest agents are competent making the booking process relatively easy.

Etihad offers 2 different types of options for flights to Greece with a couple of ideas shown below. You can fly to Athens (ATH) nonstop on American Airlines with lower fees or fly Brussels or Royal Air Maroc with higher fees and fewer miles than American Airlines would require for business class.

  • Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Brussels (BRU) – Athens (ATH) for 44,000 Etihad miles in Brussels economy
  • Miami (MIA) – Casablanca (CMN) – Athens (ATH) for 88,000 Etihad miles in Royal Air Maroc business

The booking process is different depending on the partner that you fly. Here are the steps for each option:

  • Go to the British Airways website for American Airlines flights.
  • Go to the United website for Brussels Airlines flights.
  • Go to the Royal Air Maroc website for Royal Air Maroc flights.
  • Write down all of the flight details.
  • Call Etihad at 877-690-0767 to confirm award availability.

Earning Etihad Guest Miles

It’s easy to earn Etihad Guest miles because the airline partners with American Express, Capital One, Citi, and Marriott Bonvoy. The points and miles that you earn in each of these programs can be transferred directly to Etihad to book an award flight.

It’s important to keep the transfer ratios and transfer times in mind before transferring any points or miles: American Express points transfer instantly at a 1:1 ratio, Capital One point transfers take 36 hours at 1:1 ratio, Citi point transfers take 6 days at a 1:1 ratio, and Marriott Bonvoy point transfers take 5 days at a 3:1 ratio.

Etihad doesn’t currently offer credit cards for the U.S. market, so you’ll want to earn points and miles in these programs and then transfer them to Etihad.

Bottom Line: Etihad Guest is a program that you can use to fly its partner airline flights, including American Airlines, at competitive award prices. 

Iberia A350 business class seat in reclined position

Our third Oneworld Alliance airline program to consider is Iberia. It’s a program travelers in the U.S. may be familiar with as you can use Iberia Avios (miles) , similar to British Airways Avios, to book American Airlines flights.

Hot Tip: The primary difference when booking American Airlines flights with Iberia versus British Airways is that Iberia requires you to book round-trip partner airline flights. 

When booking flights to Greece using Iberia Avios, you’ll want to book Iberia’s own flights. You do have the option to book Oneworld partner airline flights. However, Iberia offers the best option when taking into account fuel surcharges, award pricing, and routing.

Flights options to Athens (ATH) that you can book include:

  • Boston (BOS) – Madrid (MAD) – Athens (ATH) for 85,000 Iberia Avios in Iberia business
  • Miami (MIA) – Madrid (MAD) – Athens (ATH) for 51,000 Iberia Avios in Iberia economy

Once the Iberia Avios are in your account, follow the steps below when you’re ready to book an award flight:

  • Go to the Iberia website .
  • Book the award flight and pay the taxes and fees with your credit card.

Earning Iberia Avios (Miles)

American Express, Chase, and Marriott Bonvoy partner with Iberia, making it easy to earn Avios to book an award flight.

You’ll want to keep these guidelines in mind before transferring any points as the transfer times and ratios across the programs are different: American Express point transfers take 2 days at a 1:1 ratio, Chase points transfer instantly at a 1:1 ratio, and Marriott Bonvoy point transfers take 24 to 36 hours at a 3:1 ratio.

For those transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to Iberia, remember that you’ll receive a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer.

Iberia also offers a co-branded Chase credit card that allows you to earn Iberia Avios with your spend. The Avios that you earn can then be used to book an award flight . A combination of the Iberia co-branded credit card and these Chase credit cards will ensure you have enough Avios to book your next award flight:

Recommended Chase Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

  • 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
  • 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
  • 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
  • 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
  • 2x points on all other travel worldwide
  • $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
  • 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
  • Excellent travel and car rental insurance
  • 10% annual bonus points
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
  • $95 annual fee
  • No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards ® .
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards ® , 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards ® . For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC

Chase Ultimate Rewards

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

  • 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
  • 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
  • 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
  • 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel SM
  • 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit
  • Priority Pass airport lounge access
  • TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
  • Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
  • Rental car elite status with National and Avis
  • $550 annual fee
  • Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
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Bottom Line:  U.S. travelers should turn to Iberia when looking to book American Airlines flights. The award rates can be lower than what you’ll find when using British Airways to book American Airlines flights. 

Emirates first class

A fourth Oneworld Airline partner to consider using for flights to Greece is the Japan Airlines Mileage Bank program . Award pricing in the Mileage Bank program continues to be competitive, especially for those looking to book a luxurious experience on Emirates .

Japan Airlines uses a distance-based award chart so we recommend that you calculate your distance first, and then use the mileage calculated to see how many miles you’ll need to use in the Japan Airlines Oneworld and Partner airline award charts.

Hot Tip: Great Circle Mapper is the site we use and recommend if you need to calculate the distance of your flight. 

For those looking to use Japan Airlines miles for flights to Athens (ATH), American Airlines and Emirates will be your 2 best options. Here are a couple of routes to show you what’s possible to book:

  • Chicago (ORD) – Athens (ATH) for 110,000 Japan Airlines miles in American Airlines business
  • Newark (EWR) – Athens (ATH) for 135,000 Japan Airlines miles in Emirates first

When the time comes to book your flight, we recommend using the steps below as you go through the process:

  • Head to British Airways for American Airlines flights.
  • Head to Emirates for Emirates flights.
  • Enter your travel dates, origin and destination airports, number of travelers, and desired class of booking.
  • Confirm the same award availability on the Japan Airlines website.
  • Book the award flight and pay the taxes and fees.

Earning Japan Airlines Miles

Japan Airlines only has a partnership with Marriott Bonvoy, so earning Japan Airlines miles isn’t easy. On top of that, Japan Airlines doesn’t offer a co-branded credit card to the U.S. market that has a sizeable welcome offer.

For those of you who have Marriott Bonvoy points and are looking to transfer them to Japan Airlines, the transfer time takes 2 days at a 3:1 ratio. It’s also important to remember that for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer, you’ll receive a 5,000-mile transfer bonus.

Bottom Line:  Japan Airlines requires the least number of miles to fly Emirates to Athens. You can use Alaska Airlines miles, however, the number of Alaska Airlines miles that you’ll need to book an Emirates flight is significantly more. 

Delta One Suites A350-900 seat 8B

The lone SkyTeam partner making our list is the Korean Air SKYPASS program . The award costs are competitive, however, fuel surcharges and the difficulty in earning SKYPASS miles lowers the overall value.

Korean Air uses a zone-based award chart meaning it’ll cost the same number of miles no matter what route you fly from the U.S. to Greece. For example, you’ll need the same number of SKYPASS miles to fly from New York (JFK) nonstop to Athens (ATH) as you will to fly from Detroit (DTW) through Amsterdam (AMS) to Athens (ATH).

Hot Tip: The SKYPASS search engine is challenging to use so we recommend using Air France, Delta, and KLM to search for SkyTeam award flights . 

When you have the required number of SKYPASS miles for a flight to Athens (ATH), here are a couple of SkyTeam partner airline flights that you can book:

  • Detroit (DTW) – Amsterdam (AMS) – Athens (ATH)  for 80,000 Korean Air miles in KLM business
  • New York (JFK) – Athens (ATH) for 50,000 Korean Air miles in Delta economy

The booking process is straightforward with Korean Air by using these steps:

  • Go to Air France , Delta , or KLM .
  • Confirm the same availability on Korean Air or call Korean Air 800-438-5000 to confirm availability.
  • Book the flight online or over the phone.
  • Pay for the taxes and fees with a credit card.

Earning Korean Air SKYPASS Miles

With only 1 transferable point program partner in Marriott Bonvoy, it’s not easy to earn Korean Air SKYPASS miles. If you have enough Marriott Bonvoy points for this redemption, keep in mind that the transfer ratio is 3:1 and points take 7 days to transfer from Marriott Bonvoy to Korean Air.

Another way to earn Korean Air SKYPASS miles is to sign up for a Korean Air credit card. The welcome offers on these co-branded credit cards can be up to 45,000 Korean Air miles helping you to earn the miles that you need.

Bottom Line: The Korean Air SKYPASS lost a ton of value when its partnership with Chase Ultimate Rewards ended. Outside of flying Korean Air or SkyTeam partner airline flights, the main way to earn Korean Air miles is through Marriott Bonvoy.

United Polaris 787-10 seat

United’s MileagePlus program  doesn’t feature a fixed award chart. Instead, it prices its flights according to the cash cost of your ticket, though its Saver level awards are semi-fixed.

Hot Tip: It’s important to note that you can book both Star Alliance and United flights for ~60,000 miles. If you’re looking to fly business class, you’ll need ~120,000 miles to fly United and ~140,000 miles to fly a Star Alliance airline partner. 

The Star Alliance has a number of European-based airline partners, so here’s a couple of routes to Athens (ATH) that you should consider:

  • Newark (EWR) – Athens (ATH) for 120,000 United miles in United Airlines business
  • Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Vienna (VIE) – Athens (ATH) for 60,000 United miles in Austrian economy

When you have enough United Airlines miles in your account, the booking process you’ll want to follow is:

  • Go to the United website .
  • Select the flight that you want.
  • Pay the taxes and fees with a credit card to book your flight.

Earning United Airlines MileagePlus Miles

United Airlines is both a Chase transfer partner and a Marriott Bonvoy partner , so you’ll have no problem earning United Airlines miles . Each partner has a number of personal and business credit cards; the points that you earn in each program can then be transferred directly to United.

If you’re transferring points from Chase, the points transfer instantly at a 1:1 ratio. If you’re transferring points from Marriott Bonvoy, the point transfers take 2 days at a 3:1.1 ratio. Marriott Bonvoy point transfers have a 10% added bonus in addition to the 5,000-mile bonus you’ll receive when transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Another way to earn United miles is by applying for its co-branded credit cards from Chase . When you put your spend on these credit cards, you will earn United Airlines miles.

Greece is a popular destination with a rich history and so much to offer. Its location also makes it a great place to jumpstart a trip to Northern Africa, the Middle East , Eastern Europe, and West Asia.

We recommend earning transferable points when planning your next trip to Greece. That way you have the most flexibility when the time comes to book your flight.

The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the United Club℠ Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® card, click here . For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Which oneworld airline program offers the cheapest economy and business class to greece.

Iberia requires the least number of miles book an economy flight.

Iberia and Japan Airlines require the least number of miles to book a business class flight.

Which Star Alliance airline program offers the cheapest economy and business class to Greece?

Singapore Airlines requires the least number of miles to book an economy flight.

Asiana Airlines requires the least number of miles to book a business class flight.

Which SkyTeam airline program offers the cheapest economy and business class to Greece?

Korean Air requires the least number of miles book an economy and business class flight.

We recommend checking both Air France, Delta, and KLM to see how many miles each of these programs will require.

Which non-alliance airline program offers the cheapest economy and business class to Greece?

Etihad requires the least number of miles book an economy and business class flight.

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About Michael McHugh

Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Michael took his first international trip in 2013 with friends to the Bahamas. Although he didn’t travel much in his younger years, on that trip, he caught the travel bug and has been hooked ever since.

Michael first caught wind of the points and miles game in 2014 while at a bar in Washington, DC where the conversation amongst friends was quickly derailed because of an alert on a friend’s phone about a mistake fare.  That’s where the love affair with points and miles began.

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13 things to know before you go to Greece and the Greek Islands

Alexis Averbuck

Mar 6, 2024 • 8 min read

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These top planning tips can help you prep for a trip to Greece, from health and safety to local etiquette © EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS / Getty Images

Get out your bucket list; it’s time to cross off a major line item: Greece . 

The fabled land remains tops for culture , food, outdoor travel, art and, of course, beaches and islands . As part of the border-free Schengen Area, it’s also incredibly easy to visit for many travelers worldwide. From advance booking to local etiquette – and health and safety issues when you're there – here's everything you need to know to plan a memorable trip to Greece.

1. Choose your season wisely

Your experience in Greece will be wildly different depending on when you visit . Summer is tops for action, family fun, and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, but prices are at their highest and pre-booking is necessary for everything since it’s all so popular.

The shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) are a delight – prices are lower, and rooms and resources are more readily available. Winter offers a moody and budget-friendly retreat, great for walking, hiking and sedate travels where you will often be the only visitor around. Bear in mind that some businesses will shut down completely during the low season.

2. Prioritize your wishlist and make a plan

Do you want a grand tour, taking in the not-to-be-missed highlights all over Greece, or would you prefer to focus your time on exploring your favorite islands  or regions, like the Peloponnese ?

The best way to choose from the dizzying array of options on offer is to focus on what is important to you – relaxing on beautiful beaches, learning more about Greece's fascinating history and culture , museums and archaeology, off-the-beaten-track wildlife, or partying until dawn – and plan accordingly.

Mykonos Greece, woman on vacation at the Greek Island Mykonos, girl in dress at the white streets of little venice Mykonos Greece Europe

3. Find the perfect island or region for you

Greece merits multiple trips as every island offers something different , and each of its regions is equally dazzling – you're never going to see everything on your first visit, and you'll ruin your trip if you pressure yourself to do just that. Also, don’t be fooled that the biggies are the only islands worthy of your attention. Though Mykonos , Santorini and the major names have plenty to offer, lesser-known islands (there are hundreds!) like Amorgos or Kythira are also a delight. They've also got the added bonus of smaller crowds and lower prices if that's a key consideration for you.

4. Athens isn't the only gateway to Greece

In many cases, you will find it useful to transit in or out of Greece via Athens , as its airport has connections with numerous international destinations, and the city itself is a gem . However, there are other international airports around the Greek mainland (such as in Thessaloniki ) and on some major islands (such as Mykonos , Santorini  and  Corfu ).

If you need any internal flights to get to your destination of choice, it's worth checking the price of these individually. Due to government subsidies, it can work out significantly cheaper to book each part of your Greek itinerary separately from your international flights.

5. Book everything in advance during peak season

In peak season , prices are high, and demand for car hire, accommodations and ferry tickets is even higher – this is not the time for ad hoc bookings on the fly. Greece is an incredibly popular summer destination, and the best options get snapped up well in advance.

Two women sit on the beach chatting in front of their parked four-wheel drive vehicle

6. Roads in Greece are for confident drivers

No one who has traveled on Greece’s roads will be surprised to hear that the country’s road fatality rate is one of the highest in Europe. Overtaking is listed as the greatest cause of accidents. Heart-stopping moments aside, your own car is a great way to explore off the beaten track if you are confident in your driving and keep a few key points in mind.

  • The road network has improved enormously in recent years; many roads marked as dirt tracks on older maps have now been sealed, and a lot of the islands have very little traffic.
  • There are regular (if costly) car-ferry services to almost all islands.
  • Greece is not the best place to initiate yourself into motorcycling. If you're not confident on a motorbike, it may be best to park this option until you have more experience.
  • All the big multinational car-rental companies are represented in Athens, and most have branches in major towns and popular tourist destinations. The majority of islands have at least one outlet.

7. Greece is not very wheelchair-friendly beyond Athens

Access for travelers with disabilities has improved somewhat in recent years, but the majority of accessible sights, hotels and restaurants tend to be located in Athens. While improvements are on the horizon for beach access,  much of the rest of Greece remains inaccessible to wheelchairs, and the abundance of stones, marble, slippery cobbles and stepped alleys create frustrating barriers for those with mobility issues. People who have visual or hearing impairments are also rarely catered for.

Careful planning before you go can make a world of difference. There are specific resources online that provide links to local articles, resorts and tour groups catering to tourists with physical disabilities.

8. Pack the right kinds of clothing

Athenians are well-dressed, and the younger crowd is trendy, so keep your smart clothes for the urban catwalk of clubs and bars. Nevertheless, in Athens and other metropolises such as Rhodes , Thessaloniki and Iraklio , everyday attire such as shorts or jeans and casual tops are just fine.

Bars or fashionable restaurants require more effort – the scene is stylish rather than dressy. Think tops and trousers rather than T-shirts and cut-offs. In out-of-the-way places, you can wear casual clothing, and in summer, the heat will make you want to wear the least amount of fabric you can get away with – bring quick-drying tank tops and cool dresses.

Sturdy walking shoes are a must for the cobbled roads, and proper hiking boots are key if you're exploring the countryside on foot . It's respectful to cover up before entering churches.

9. Learn some basic Greek phrases

Greek is a tough language to learn thoroughly, but mastering a few basic greetings and niceties will make a world of difference in how Greek speakers receive you. In touristed areas, many people speak English, so rest assured that you can get by as long as you know some key phrases.

A group of people sit around a wooden table at a beachside restaurant

10. Carry cash and don't rely on cards or ATMs

As part of the EU, Greece uses the euro. In restaurants, a service charge is normally included in the bill, and while a tip is not expected (as it is in North America), it is always appreciated. Taxi drivers normally expect you to round up the fare, while bellhops who help you carry your luggage to your hotel room or stewards on ferries who take you to your cabin normally expect a small gratuity of between €1 and €3.

ATMs are found in every town large enough to support a bank and in almost all the tourist areas. Be aware that ATMs on the islands can lose their connection for a day or two at a time, making it impossible for anyone (locals included) to withdraw money. It’s useful to keep some backup cash just in case this happens during your visit.

Credit cards are now an accepted part of the commercial scene in Greece, although they’re often not accepted on many of the smaller islands or in small villages. Don't rely on your cards alone, and check in advance when dining or drinking if it's your only option.

11. Make sure you have good travel insurance

Although medical training is of a high standard in Greece, the public health service is underfunded. Hospitals can be overcrowded, and relatives are expected to bring in food for the patient – often a problem for solo travelers. Conditions and treatment are much better in private hospitals, which are expensive. All this means that a comprehensive travel insurance policy is essential.

There is at least one doctor on every island, and larger islands have hospitals. Pharmacies can dispense medicines that are available only on prescription in most European countries. If the situation isn't critical, it's often best to consult a pharmacist first for minor ailments.

Woman on Mount Lycabettus which offers stunning views of Athens

12. Stay hydrated and remember how powerful the sun can be

Tap water isn't safe to drink on many islands – if in doubt, ask. Keeping a supply of bottled water to hand is essential for hydration as well as safety; many tourists underestimate how hot it can get in Greece, and heatstroke and serious sunburn are common on beaches with little shade.

Break up your sun-drenched siestas with time in the shade getting hydrated, and pack plenty of high-factor sunscreen. Mosquitos are an irritant rather than a danger – packing insect repellant is recommended.

13. Pickpocketing and other petty crime is common in busy places

The major risks of theft in Greece are pickpockets in the large cities and theft of belongings when lounging on busy, popular beaches (leave passports behind in hotel safes). Never leave your belongings unattended, and don't leave your bags hanging from the back of your seat where you can't keep an eye on them. 

The tourist police work in cooperation with the regular Greek police. Each tourist police office has at least one member of staff who speaks English. If you need to report a theft or loss of passport, go to the tourist police first, and they will act as interpreters between you and the regular police.

Some unscrupulous taxi drivers will try to charge you extortionate rates from the airports to the city centers. Always make sure the meter is running or pre-negotiate and agree on the price before you get in.

This article was first published March 2022 and updated March 2024

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15 of the Best Towns and Cities to Visit in Greece

From historic hillside cities to island destinations, these are 15 of the best towns and cities to visit in Greece.

More than 27 million travelers made their way to Greece in 2022 , visiting the country's gorgeous islands and coastlines, rural towns, and historic capital city of Athens. One look at its landscapes and it's easy to see why travelers dream of visiting Greece — but there's so much more to this Mediterranean nation. 

"Everyone knows that Greece boasts stunning crystalline waters that make you want to dive right in and historical sites that whisper tales of the past. Its culinary delights are a perfect way to wrap up a day of exploring its unique cultural riches and vibrant art scene, but what truly sets Greece apart is its people," Christos Stergiou , a travel advisor with True Trips, shared with Travel + Leisure . "Greeks have this incredible gift called philoxenia: hospitality taken to a whole new level. Our True Trips guests always describe the feeling of having new local friends who'll go above and beyond to make their journey unforgettable." 

Ready to plan your getaway? Here are 15 of the best cities to visit in Greece.

Yes, a visit to Athens feels obvious, because not only is it the capital city, but it’s also home to the international airport you’ll likely fly into on your visit. That said, Athens is well worth a trip in its own right, as it’s home to some of the most important historical sites on Earth, including the must-see Acropolis. Need more? Here’s how to spend one perfect day in Athens .

Related: The Best Times to Visit Greece

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki, located in the northern part of the country, offers a blend of history and youthful energy that few cities can match. “I would recommend Thessaloniki for its long and epic history,” Peter Sommer, founder of Peter Sommer Travels , shared. “The historic center of Thessaloniki is filled with an extraordinary series of ancient monuments, many of them part of an imperial palace complex built by the Roman Emperor Galerius and vast in scope."

Sommer added that there are several museums to visit here, including the Museum of Byzantine Culture and the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. “But history and archaeology aren’t the only reasons to come to Thessaloniki. It’s justly famed for its gastronomy,” Sommer added. “You can savor a huge selection of glorious local dishes and sample a cornucopia of excellent local wines.”

Drive two hours east of Thessaloniki to find another northern city worth exploring — Kastoria. The scenic city sits perched on Lake Orestiada between the Grammos and Vitsi mountains. Visitors can enjoy peaceful boat rides on the lake with any number of outfitters lining the shores, or just watch the local fisherman go to work each day to reel in the catch. Or, book a tour with Adventures With Wine to bike the lake’s shoreline and see all the hidden nooks worth exploring. 

“Ioannina truly shines as a city that's a hidden treasure, especially for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers,” Stergiou shared of the city that sits on Lake Pamvotida. It’s a spot that has inspired many creative talents thanks to its epic vistas, but more than that, Stergiou explained, it’s a fantastic home base for exploring more of the northwest region of Greece. 

“In addition to the beautiful lake that stands proud as the city’s landmark, the Byzantine castle, the scenic historical center, and the lively neighborhoods, Ioannina is a gateway to countless incredible experiences within a drive of an hour or two. From there, you can take daily trips to some of the most beautiful villages in all of Greece, such as Metsovo or captivating Zagorohoria, filled with breathtaking landscapes and charming stone houses.” 

Kalamata, a city well-known for its olive production, is a place where travelers can get lost — in the best way possible. Come stroll its winding cobblestone streets, explore the castle, and visit museums like the Modern Greek Art Gallery for a well-rounded city escape in the Peloponnese region.

Kalambaka, a city located in central Greece, is famous for its unparalleled view of the stunning Meteora. The city sits at the base of the towering rock formations topped with historic monasteries that date back as early as the 11th century. The complex of monasteries is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , and you can visit many for a small fee.

There are more than 6,000 Greek islands , and while many come with small populations, the island of Rhodes is positively metropolitan thanks to the city of Rhodes. Home to some 50,000 people, the city is famed for its ancient history and the duality of its New Town and Old Town. While there’s nothing wrong with New Town, Old Town is a walled-off time capsule to the past, and it's one of the largest remaining medieval settlements in Europe.

Nafplio, located in the eastern Peloponnese, is a seaside dream packed with Venetian architecture to explore. As Alys Colayera, lead travel expert for Greece at Black Tomato , shared, it’s a “great place to wander through the old alleyways, grab a strong cup of Greek coffee at a local coffee shop in the square, and take a boat to Bourtzi Castle if you are interested in architecture and history.” As for the name of the town, Visit Greece explained that it comes from its mythological founder, Nafplios, one of Poseidon's sons.

One more island city to explore is Chania on the island of Crete. It too is famed for its Venetian harbor and quaint old town. Explore its cobblestone streets, duck into museums like the Maritime Museum of Crete , and shop for souvenirs in its endless boutiques. Pro tip: Leather goods are famously great here, so go ahead and splurge on a bag or a pair of shoes. 

While Larissa has a population of more than 130,000 people, it remains a place well in touch with Mother Nature. This city in central Greece is an agricultural hub, growing vegetables, grains, fruits, and more, so it's a great place to dig into some Thessalian cuisine. While in town, explore the Ancient Theatre of Larissa , dedicated to the god Dionysus, to learn more about the area's ancient history.

History abounds in the southern city of Corinth, thanks to well-preserved ruins including the iconic Temple of Apollo and the Acrocorinth fortress. Just an hour from Athens, Corinth and the surrounding coastal towns make a perfect day trip from the capital city, says Colayera.

If you’re making your way to the islands, odds are you’ll pass through the port city of Piraeus. Dozens of ferries come in and out of the harbor each day, but before you board one, spend a little time exploring the city by visiting places like The Hellenic Maritime Museum , which showcases Greece's rich seafaring heritage.

Head north along the Aegean coast to Kavala, a hillside city with gorgeous beaches, sweeping vistas, and an exciting mix of ancient history and modern city life. You can’t miss its imposing aqueduct, which runs for almost 1,000 feet and dates to the 16th century. Once you’re done viewing that, head straight to The Acropolis of Kavala to learn more about this city’s fascinating history.

Find the party in Patras, a university port city in western Greece. Yes, of course, you’ll find history here, including inside the Archaeological Museum of Patras , which showcases goods from the surrounding region dating back to prehistory. But in Patras, you’ll also find a bustling (and modern) nightlife scene across several neighborhoods, including down Riga Feraiou Pedestrian Street, where you can snag a delicious bite of Greek food, too. 

Explore one of the most beautiful places in Greece when you plot a trip to Corfu Town on the eastern coast of the island of Corfu. Here, travelers can explore the historic architecture that earned Old Town of Corfu a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Tour the fortresses, stroll through the town’s central market, and visit Spianada Square, the largest square in Greece.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure .

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Founded in 1981, Gate 1 Travel is known for offering quality vacations at competitive prices. Gate 1 has a wide selection of attractively priced escorted tours, river cruises and independent vacations in destinations worldwide.

The company’s escorted tours feature the latest-model motorcoaches and comprehensive itineraries. One upfront price covers your accommodations, transportation, some meals and guided sightseeing. Professional tour directors who lead each group are carefully selected for their extensive knowledge and attention to detail. River cruises include some of the same components, but instead of traveling via motorcoach and staying in hotels, you’ll move between cities and sleep aboard a well-appointed riverboat.

Independent vacations with Gate 1 are also popular. These trips are perfect for travelers who want to utilize Gate 1's planning and rate negotiation services but prefer maximum freedom to explore a destination.

Trip ratings on this site are based on the quality of accommodations, the number of included meals and activities and the level of service delivered. Gate 1's vacations are categorized as first class or deluxe on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe).

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Cape Matapan Caves: Why These Caves Are Called The 'Gateway To The Underworld'

Also known as the "Gateway to Hell," Cape Matapan proves to be as eerie as people say. Let us be your guide to the Greek wonder.

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Where are the cape matapan caves are they hard to access, are the cape matapan caves cursed, are the cape matapan caves free to visit.

Nestled at the tip of the Greek mainland, the caves of Cape Matapan, also known as Tenaro or Cape Tainaron, have long intrigued explorers and enthusiasts with their mystique. Aptly nicknamed the "Gateway to the Underworld," these ancient caverns hold a profound connection to the mythical realm of Hades, the domain of the dead in Greek mythology. For the Ancient Greeks, the concept of the underworld was more than mere folklore—it was a tangible place that intrepid individuals could access, provided they knew where to look.

Dating back to the times of Homer's epic tales, the idea of venturing into the underground world of the deceased was a recurring theme in classical literature. Today, one of these fabled entrances to the underworld still beckons the living to embark on a captivating journey. The entrance to the Cape Matapan caves lies at sea level, leading into a network of chambers concealed beneath the cliff face. Marked by the remnants of a Spartan temple atop the cliff, this particular gateway holds unparalleled significance among the various entrances believed to lead to Hades.

As visitors venture into the depths of Cape Matapan's caves, they find themselves treading upon the same path traversed by mythic heroes and heroines. This could be the perfect trip for those into Greek lore and anyone up for an adventure. Greece is filled with folklore, mysterious beaches , and other quaint towns, so why not dive in?

Related: Why Tiny Delos Island Is One Of The Most Important Sacred, Archeological, & Mythical Sites Of Ancient Greece

  • The Cape Matapan Caves are located in Laconia, Greece.
  • These caves are located at the tip of the Greek mainland and are easy to access.

For those wanting to experience the " Gateway to Hell ," getting to the Cape Matapan Caves should be pretty straightforward. Because these are located on the Greek mainland, tourists can access them in Laconia without hopping on a boat or plane. Furthermore, the Cape Matapan Caves are tucked away in the southernmost point of the Balkan peninsula, often being tricky to find via car. Some tourists that have ventured into the area claim there are winding roads and not-great signage for the attraction: so if anything, bring some glasses.

However, residents on the Mani Peninsula, where the caves sit, are not always as eager to help lost visitors and may even warn against going to the location. After all, according to Greek mythology, the Cape Matapan Caves are a place leading to evil. Like any folklore, this still permeates the idea of coming here to see it, not always sitting well with those in the area.

This complete guide to visiting Athens may also be useful.

Related: Why The Stunning Aegean Greek Island Of Lesbos Should Be On Everyone's Bucket List

  • It is believed that the Cape Matapan Caves led to the underworld.
  • Over the years, this location has been deemed safe and does not indicate danger to tourists.

Even though ancient Greek mythology mentions the Cape Matapan Caves being the gateway to the underworld (hell), that doesn't mean they're necessarily cursed. First, this location is incredibly popular, often seeing droves of people each day. Furthermore, the Cape Matapan Caves are partially underwater, boasting sea creatures and other stunning rock formations. The surrounding town is filled with rock buildings and ancient architecture, making the Mani Peninsula a must-see for many. Because the caves are said to be the home of the Greek god Hades, this may spook people into thinking the caves hold dark magic.

These beautiful beach towns in Greece may also be worth seeing .

However, over the years, that has also sparked interest from travelers near and far, turning the caves into an everyday spot for photos, videos, and sea-life watching. On the hill situated above the cave lie the remnants of an ancient temple dedicated to the sea god Poseidon, which has since been transformed into a Christian church. Another interesting tidbit is that Titanic's would-be rescue ship, the SS Californian, was torpedoed and sunk by German forces in 1915, so these waters hold many memories.

These are the best towns to retire in Greece .

  • It is free to visit the famed Cape Matapan Caves.
  • Visitors may need to charter a boat to enter them.

Yes! Anyone who would like to see the Cape Matapan Caves in Greece is welcome to. However, as the sea levels rise, these caves have become increasingly submerged in the water, requiring boats to go into them. However, according to local myths, this is not recommended. Instead, people should look at them from the shore.

For those not wanting to spend the money to see Greece, here are some affordable alternatives !

Regardless, make sure to read the signage and don't end up in the underworld!

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Pocket WiFi in Greece: Best Options for Travelers 

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Key Takeaways

  • Pocket Wi-Fi devices, also known as mobile hotspots or portable routers, provide convenient and portable internet access wherever you go in Greece.
  • Pocket Wi-Fi devices in Greece typically use 4G or 5G networks , offering reliable and fast internet connectivity.
  • Pocket Wi-Fi devices allow multiple devices to connect to the internet simultaneously.
  • Renting or purchasing a pocket Wi-Fi device in Greece can be a cost-effective option, especially for travelers who require continuous and reliable internet access throughout their trip.

yard wifi in greece

Imagine relaxing at a cafe with a cup of  Greek coffee  overlooking the sparkling Aegean Sea.

You probably want to share this moment with friends and on Instagram, but your stunning photos will have to wait until you have an internet connection and everyone knows you cannot rely on the free Wifi most service establishments offer.

Unless, of course, you have portable WiFi in Greece . As you plan your  trip to the Greek Isles , consider renting or buying a pocket mobile hotspot to ensure internet access wherever you go. 

What Is Portable Wifi?

computer wifi in greece

As the name implies, portable WiFi is a device you can take with you to provide an internet connection anywhere you go.  It's a personal hotspot that connects your phone, laptop, or tablet to the internet. 

To use portable WiFi, you need a device that typically isn't much bigger than a credit card.

Connection speeds and strength vary by provider, but most portable WiFi devices in Greece work well enough to keep you connected throughout the country.

Streaming movies might not be possible, but you should be able to check your email, get directions, buy tickets, and browse the internet in Greece at affordable prices while exploring Greece . 

Why You Need Pocket WiFi in Greece 

tablet wifi in greece

For most, a mobile device is a necessity. Even if you don't intend to make phone calls while visiting Greece, your phone most likely serves as your camera, google maps, translator, calculator, and more.

You need a reliable connection to order transportation from a rideshare service or buy advance tickets to the  best museums in Athens .

It's  easy to find public WiFi in most major cities , particularly in hotels and restaurants , but the unlimited Wifi that is promised isn't always reliable, especially in remote areas. 

wifi in greece 3

Once you leave the hotel reception, you might not find a public WiFi connection when needed. Public internet can also present a  security risk  around the world if you don't use a VPN, especially in crowded tourist areas.

One way to overcome this challenge is to purchase a local SIM card that allows you to use your wifi enabled device on the company address's local network.

SIM cards in Greece are affordable and easy to find, but they require purchasing the right plan with an adequate data allowance so you can stay connected.

Most programs also include local and international calling minutes, which you may not need or use, so make sure to look for the one with unlimited internet instead. 

If you don't plan to make phone calls while you explore the many regions of Greece and the Greek islands , pocket wifi may be the better option for a good signal and fast, unlimited internet. 

wifi in greece

Travelers can purchase or rent a portable wifi device and a data plan that best meets their needs and price.

Many companies offer unlimited data plans for specific periods (such as seven days), so you have peace of mind that you can get internet service whenever and wherever you need it. 

What to Look for in Portable WiFi in Greece 

wifi in greece 4

When shopping for pocket WiFi in Greece, consider the following factors. 

  • Location:  If you're searching online for WiFi rental before your trip, ensure the device you select will work in Greece.
  • Some devices only work in certain countries or parts of the country. Confirm that you'll be able to use your pocket WiFi in the places you plan to visit. 
  • How long you will need pocket WiFi in Greece:  Most WiFi rental device providers charge a daily fee for the hotspot device plus the data plan. Universal pocket WiFi that you can use in many countries is a good investment if you travel a lot. Some devices even provide a wireless internet connection on airplanes.
  • Depending on how long you plan to visit Greece and how often you travel, it may be most cost-effective to purchase the device outright rather than renting.
  • Your data needs:  Knowing how you plan to use the internet connection during your trip to Greece determines how much data you need to purchase.
  • If you only plan to check ferry schedules or get directions, you won't need as much data as you would if you plan to upload hundreds of photos. 

The Best Pocket WiFi in Greece

athens wifi in greece

To stay connected during your trip to Greece , whether you're soaking up the sun on the beaches of Santorini  or driving in Greece through the countryside of Peloponnese , check out these reliable pocket WiFi options. 

1.  TravelWiFi

Enjoy a reliable wireless internet connection anywhere in Greece by renting a TravelWifi Portable Hotspot.

Plans in Greece start at $7.95 per day for the device and up to 1GB of high-speed data per day. Up to five devices can connect to the hotspot simultaneously, making this an ideal solution for families or groups traveling together. 

TravelWiFi hotspots don't cut off your internet connection if you use more than the allotted data each day. You can still connect, albeit at a slower speed. 

wifi in greece 2

2.  Solis Lite

If you travel frequently, the Solis Lite may be the most convenient and affordable option for pocket wifi in Greece and beyond.

After you purchase the device for $139.99 and download the app, you can choose from European data plans ranging from $6 to $49 per month.

The device provides unlimited high-speed internet, accommodates up to ten devices at once, and can charge devices. 

3.  My WebSpot

MyWebSpot offers easy and convenient pocket WiFi rentals in Greece.

For about $9 per day, you can get a personal hotspot that provides unlimited internet and up to 3GB of high-speed internet per day. The hotspot can accommodate up to five devices at a time. 

How to Arrange Pocket WiFi Rental

hellas wifi in greece

The best way to ensure connectivity when you arrive in Greece is to arrange a hotspot ahead of time.  This requires four simple steps:

  • Choose a provider. 
  • Choose the device you want to use, and enter the dates of your trip.
  • Select a data plan (without hidden costs). 
  • Decide whether you want the device delivered to your home or your hotel. Ordering advance delivery gives you time to set it up, and you may be able to use it on the plane to Greece.

Final Thoughts

santorini wifi in greece

If a reliable unlimited internet connection is a priority when you travel, consider renting pocket WiFi in Greece.  If you need additional help planning your vacation, contact a travel planner from Greeking.me at (518) 406-8975.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does pocket wi-fi work.

Pocket Wi-Fi devices work by creating a portable Wi-Fi hotspot using cellular data networks. The device connects to the local mobile network in Greece, and you can then connect your smartphones, tablets, or laptops to the Wi-Fi network provided by the device to access the internet.

Where can I rent or purchase a pocket Wi-Fi device in Greece?

Pocket Wi-Fi devices can be rented or purchased from various sources, including online rental platforms, local mobile network providers, electronics stores, and tourist information centers in Greece. Research and compare different options to find the most suitable provider for your needs.

How much does it cost to rent a pocket Wi-Fi device in Greece?

The cost of renting a pocket Wi-Fi device in Greece can vary depending on the provider, rental duration, data allowance, and any additional services offered. Prices typically range from a daily rate to weekly or monthly packages. It's advisable to compare prices and check for any hidden charges or security deposit requirements.

Is there a data usage limit with pocket Wi-Fi in Greece?

Pocket Wi-Fi providers in Greece may have different data usage limits depending on the plan or package you choose. Some providers offer unlimited data, while others may have a fair usage policy or data caps. It's important to clarify the data limits and understand the implications if you exceed the allocated amount.

What is the coverage area for pocket Wi-Fi in Greece?

The coverage area of pocket Wi-Fi in Greece depends on the specific mobile network provider. Generally, coverage is available in most urban areas, towns, and popular tourist destinations. However, remote or sparsely populated areas may have limited coverage. Check the coverage map of the provider to ensure your desired destinations are covered.

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IMAGES

  1. Greece Travel Guide: All the Resources you Need for Your Trip to Greece

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  2. Gate 1 Travel

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  3. 35 Most Beautiful Places in Greece For an Ultimate Bucket List

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  4. Check out the 21 most-beautiful Islands in Greece

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  5. Greece Travel Guides

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  6. 20 of the most beautiful places to visit in Greece

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