First time going to Greece in November - any pro tips?? :)
October 17, 2023 8:56 AM Subscribe
My spouse and I will be staying mostly in the Athens area, but definitely looking for a few days to explore. It's likely we will have a rental car for a few days. Any good recommendations for day trips or any other 'off the beaten path' type destinations? Any other shares regarding travel, food, experiences, etc. are welcome!
Quick turn, yes I know! Only a couple of weeks away. Travel dates are Nov 4 - 15. Here are my main questions. Thank you in advance for all info!!
1. Phone: Looking for the cheapest phone to be able to text my spouse (his phone is US-based) and call locally. Bonus if it can also be used for pictures. Bring one from the States or purchase when I get to Greece? What specifically do I want to look for?
2. Car rental: Will possibly have a car rental for a few days. Would likely pick it up in Athens (vs. at the airport). Any safety / other tips about renting a car in Greece (other than what I've read online)?
3. Exploring outside of Athens: Since we'll have a rental car for a few days, we'd love to explore outside of Athens, see surrounding villages, towns, sights, etc. Do road signs include English?
3.a. I've read previous posts here and I've seen alot about the Meteora Monasteries. Was that area affected by recent floods? Is it accessible? We may have a 3rd party with us who is older, how hard is it to climb the stairs? I've also read posts here about the Monastiraki neighborhood, to browse flea markets, antique shops, etc.
4. Tips on visiting the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus? Any off the beaten path must see/do?
In summary, we're interested in the famous sights (#4), as well as day trips to rural-ish, mountain scenery, maybe short-ish hikes/walks, seeing small towns, villages, etc.
*On November 15, when I leave Athens, I am considering stopping off by myself (I'm a woman) in another country for a few days. Any recommendations for that as well? I'm thinking Croatia, Budapest, Austria or really any one of the countries in that region - Belgium...? (I know this is quite a general ask!) When considering a cheap phone for Greece, can I look for one that would also work/adapt to any one of those other European countries. (I'm such a noob and I want to go everywhere all at once ;)
Thank you!
Quick turn, yes I know! Only a couple of weeks away. Travel dates are Nov 4 - 15. Here are my main questions. Thank you in advance for all info!!
1. Phone: Looking for the cheapest phone to be able to text my spouse (his phone is US-based) and call locally. Bonus if it can also be used for pictures. Bring one from the States or purchase when I get to Greece? What specifically do I want to look for?
2. Car rental: Will possibly have a car rental for a few days. Would likely pick it up in Athens (vs. at the airport). Any safety / other tips about renting a car in Greece (other than what I've read online)?
3. Exploring outside of Athens: Since we'll have a rental car for a few days, we'd love to explore outside of Athens, see surrounding villages, towns, sights, etc. Do road signs include English?
3.a. I've read previous posts here and I've seen alot about the Meteora Monasteries. Was that area affected by recent floods? Is it accessible? We may have a 3rd party with us who is older, how hard is it to climb the stairs? I've also read posts here about the Monastiraki neighborhood, to browse flea markets, antique shops, etc.
4. Tips on visiting the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus? Any off the beaten path must see/do?
In summary, we're interested in the famous sights (#4), as well as day trips to rural-ish, mountain scenery, maybe short-ish hikes/walks, seeing small towns, villages, etc.
*On November 15, when I leave Athens, I am considering stopping off by myself (I'm a woman) in another country for a few days. Any recommendations for that as well? I'm thinking Croatia, Budapest, Austria or really any one of the countries in that region - Belgium...? (I know this is quite a general ask!) When considering a cheap phone for Greece, can I look for one that would also work/adapt to any one of those other European countries. (I'm such a noob and I want to go everywhere all at once ;)
Thank you!
I agree - aim to be at the Acropolis as soon as it opens at 8am. I got an early boat back from Crete last time I was in Greece. I sat out a rainstorm in a cafe as I waited for it to open, which cleared just as I went inside and the sun came out. Everything was sparkling and I had the whole of the Acropolis to myself, it was breathtaking!
Also yes, road signs are in latin script (English) as well as Greek. Greek drivers aren't great, so be careful!
posted by sarahdal at 10:50 AM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
Also yes, road signs are in latin script (English) as well as Greek. Greek drivers aren't great, so be careful!
posted by sarahdal at 10:50 AM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
Who's your current phone provider? If it's T-Mobile, it's simpler to just use your own US phone and get their international data add-on for the week/month of your trip. IIRC it's something like $30 or $50 depending on how much data you want. If you're not with T-Mobile, check with your provider and see if they offer anything like that. Even if your provider doesn't offer something like this, you don't need to get an entirely new phone, just use yours with an e-sim card.
FYI, due to overtourism, you now need to book your Acropolis visit time in advance and get tickets. Visits are capped at 20,000 people per day. Though I tried getting a ticket for Nov. 4 and it said this wasn't available. Not sure if that's because it's too far in advance, or if they simply don't bother with it in November since it's no longer the tourist high season. Anyway, something to keep in mind before you make the trek up that hill!
As for tips, the musuem at the Acropolis is a must! Also their cafe there is pretty good, with great views.
posted by yasaman at 11:13 AM on October 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
FYI, due to overtourism, you now need to book your Acropolis visit time in advance and get tickets. Visits are capped at 20,000 people per day. Though I tried getting a ticket for Nov. 4 and it said this wasn't available. Not sure if that's because it's too far in advance, or if they simply don't bother with it in November since it's no longer the tourist high season. Anyway, something to keep in mind before you make the trek up that hill!
As for tips, the musuem at the Acropolis is a must! Also their cafe there is pretty good, with great views.
posted by yasaman at 11:13 AM on October 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Get lost at GreeceTravel.com.
disclosure: I know the guy.
posted by amtho at 12:10 PM on October 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
disclosure: I know the guy.
posted by amtho at 12:10 PM on October 17, 2023 [3 favorites]
Rental car trips: I loved visiting the temple of Aphaea on Aegina. It’s on a hill, you can drive most of the way up but there’s some walking involved. Aegina is a 40 minute ferry from Piraeus (Athens’ harbour). My Greek friend informed me that it has the best pistachios in Greece, and therefore by extension, in the world.
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:27 PM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:27 PM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
Definitely definitely go to Delphi! If you’re renting a car you can stay in the area and see the ruins before the tour buses start to arrive. It’s an unmissable destination.
This is my Greece planning Ask from last year - I used Matt Barrett’s Greece Guide a lot!
posted by rabbitbookworm at 12:46 PM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
This is my Greece planning Ask from last year - I used Matt Barrett’s Greece Guide a lot!
posted by rabbitbookworm at 12:46 PM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
For a country to visit by yourself after Greece, consider Slovenia. The capital city of Ljubljana is wonderful and has a different feel than Athens. There is no language barrier as nearly everyone seems to speak English. As a nice thing to do as a solo traveler, book a food tour. We really enjoyed hearing about the local history while sampling great wines and interesting foods. If you have a day to spare, Lake Bled is just an easy bus ride away.
posted by Don_K at 1:06 PM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Don_K at 1:06 PM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
1) Read the first essay in The Hot Gates [free-if-registered text] by William Golding: take you 10 minutes. 2) drive North to Θερμοπύλες Thermopylae: take you 2 hours. Lunch in Λαμία Lamia: take you three hours.
posted by BobTheScientist at 1:52 PM on October 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by BobTheScientist at 1:52 PM on October 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Seconding both Aegina and Delphi. Those would be exactly my choices. But also don't underrate Athens, as many do. Athens is a more gritty city than Rome or Paris, but it is full of great places, good food and warm atmosphere. Enjoy the less touristy areas for their street life and humanity. For instance, we had a great time in the National Gardens, not because they are an astounding work of landscape art, but because everyone there was so friendly and just hanging out with a cup of coffee was so joyful.
The Plaka is a tourist trap, but it is also really charming, like no other place in a big city. Obviously the Akropolis and its museum are wonderful, and pay attention to the surrounding park, designed with great care during the 1950s. The Neoclassical center of the city, with the parliament, academy and library are also works of great cultural significance that are overlooked, because Athen in general is overlooked. Oh wait, this reminds me of a hidden gem, the observatory. Go see that. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre is perhaps the best public building of this century. In general, I am not a fan of high tech architecture and not at all of prestigious monuments, but this is different.
posted by mumimor at 1:57 PM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
The Plaka is a tourist trap, but it is also really charming, like no other place in a big city. Obviously the Akropolis and its museum are wonderful, and pay attention to the surrounding park, designed with great care during the 1950s. The Neoclassical center of the city, with the parliament, academy and library are also works of great cultural significance that are overlooked, because Athen in general is overlooked. Oh wait, this reminds me of a hidden gem, the observatory. Go see that. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre is perhaps the best public building of this century. In general, I am not a fan of high tech architecture and not at all of prestigious monuments, but this is different.
posted by mumimor at 1:57 PM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
I did a Greek Isles cruise followed by a few days in Athens in November a few years ago with my husband, mom and stepdad... it was absolutely amazing.
I wish we'd had more time for the Acropolis museum... I'm a museum lingerer and like to take time to read all the signage and soak everything in, and I think you'd really need more than a day for that. Ideally I'd have split my visit up with the Acropolis one day and the museum another.
Ama Lachei was recommended to my husband right before we left so he made us a dinner reservation. It's a small-plates place in an old school, definitely out of the touristy parts of the city, and my mom still says the butter beans there changed her life. My mom and stepdad went back to Athens last year and she called me specifically to get the restaurant name so they could go back.
Breakfast at the Electra Metropolis Roof Garden restaurant came with stunning views of the Acropolis and the rest of the city. I'd definitely suggest a morning meal or coffee on a rooftop if you can - the aerial vantage point from right in the midst of the tightly-packed districts of the city is quite different from the above-it-all views from the Acropolis.
The Athens Marathon happened while we were there, looks like it's during your stay as well (Nov 12). That'll affect traffic, of course, but also brings some great opportunities for serendipity, with lots of people coming in from all around. We happened to be grabbing a coffee at Agora Square by Hadrian's Library when a group of musicians in town because of the marathon walked past and the street literally filled with people gathering around them to dance. The host from our cafe told us they were playing regional songs from his part of Greece so he had to go dance, most of us joined as well and it's one of my favorite memories of the trip.
There was lots of English signage in shops, restaurants, etc as well as on the roads, and we didn't meet many people that didn't speak at least some English. However, we made sure to learn a few key Greek words (greetings, please/thank you, you're welcome, etc) and use them regularly and it was very much appreciated.
posted by polymath at 2:01 PM on October 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
I wish we'd had more time for the Acropolis museum... I'm a museum lingerer and like to take time to read all the signage and soak everything in, and I think you'd really need more than a day for that. Ideally I'd have split my visit up with the Acropolis one day and the museum another.
Ama Lachei was recommended to my husband right before we left so he made us a dinner reservation. It's a small-plates place in an old school, definitely out of the touristy parts of the city, and my mom still says the butter beans there changed her life. My mom and stepdad went back to Athens last year and she called me specifically to get the restaurant name so they could go back.
Breakfast at the Electra Metropolis Roof Garden restaurant came with stunning views of the Acropolis and the rest of the city. I'd definitely suggest a morning meal or coffee on a rooftop if you can - the aerial vantage point from right in the midst of the tightly-packed districts of the city is quite different from the above-it-all views from the Acropolis.
The Athens Marathon happened while we were there, looks like it's during your stay as well (Nov 12). That'll affect traffic, of course, but also brings some great opportunities for serendipity, with lots of people coming in from all around. We happened to be grabbing a coffee at Agora Square by Hadrian's Library when a group of musicians in town because of the marathon walked past and the street literally filled with people gathering around them to dance. The host from our cafe told us they were playing regional songs from his part of Greece so he had to go dance, most of us joined as well and it's one of my favorite memories of the trip.
There was lots of English signage in shops, restaurants, etc as well as on the roads, and we didn't meet many people that didn't speak at least some English. However, we made sure to learn a few key Greek words (greetings, please/thank you, you're welcome, etc) and use them regularly and it was very much appreciated.
posted by polymath at 2:01 PM on October 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
I forgot to comment about the second place. I think Ljubljana is a genius idea that I hadn't thought of, so I'll second that, but if you haven't been to Rome, that would be my first choice. It's such a nice place to be, walkable, full of culture and also full of mundane pleasures, like gelato and pizza and just hanging out on a piazza or in a garden.
I love Belgium, and someone in my family lived there for more than 25 years combined, but I feel there are other places that you should see first, if you aren't European.
About your elderly travel partner. Athens is not an easy destination. But it is really friendly, which helps more than you would imagine. I travelled with my gran for several years and I really noticed the difference between helpful cultures and those who didn't give a damn.
posted by mumimor at 2:14 PM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
I love Belgium, and someone in my family lived there for more than 25 years combined, but I feel there are other places that you should see first, if you aren't European.
About your elderly travel partner. Athens is not an easy destination. But it is really friendly, which helps more than you would imagine. I travelled with my gran for several years and I really noticed the difference between helpful cultures and those who didn't give a damn.
posted by mumimor at 2:14 PM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
Meteora!
There are monasteries there, which are cool and all, but looking at icons gets old. On the other hand, I could look at those amazing rock formations all day long. I was there in early October, 2018, all misty mornings and crimson sunsets.
It's a bit far from Athens for a day trip, but if you could arrange to stay overnight that would be ideal.
posted by basalganglia at 2:42 PM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
There are monasteries there, which are cool and all, but looking at icons gets old. On the other hand, I could look at those amazing rock formations all day long. I was there in early October, 2018, all misty mornings and crimson sunsets.
It's a bit far from Athens for a day trip, but if you could arrange to stay overnight that would be ideal.
posted by basalganglia at 2:42 PM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]
It's always worth checking the Atlas Obscura.
posted by Too-Ticky at 4:14 AM on October 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Too-Ticky at 4:14 AM on October 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: MeFites never let me down! Much appreciated and alot to research so far :)
posted by foxhat10 at 2:04 PM on October 18, 2023
posted by foxhat10 at 2:04 PM on October 18, 2023
Response by poster: And wow - Matt Barrett's Greece Guide...!!!
posted by foxhat10 at 2:11 PM on October 18, 2023
posted by foxhat10 at 2:11 PM on October 18, 2023
It's been his main job since the 90s, and he's very creative and dedicated. It really is incredible.
posted by amtho at 2:18 PM on October 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by amtho at 2:18 PM on October 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
We were in Greece in September. We canceled our Meteora side trip because of disruptions and water-borne diseases in the flood zones.
In Athens, the Acropolis Museum is top on the list. Take the time to absorb the structure of the museum -- it is a spiral that covers the Acropolis from foundation to roof. Don't get bogged down in the small items in cases, focus on the temple.
We revisited the National Archaelolgical museum and the Benaki Museum this year. Make sure you pace yourselves so you don't get swamped by small items in the cases-- when you get museum fatigue you should visit the cafe and decompress.
The Kotsanis Museum of Ancient Greek Technology is a half day museum, very interesting.
I recommend bus tours over car rental. Gas is quite expensive, and GPS can be cryptic going through villages. Delphi is highly worthwhile, the museum there is outstanding. Many Delphi bus tours also stop at Ossios Lukas, which is an outstanding early medieval monastary.
In November, restaurants will only serve food that is in season. Salads are not in season. Ask about food that is cooked in the oven ("sto fourno") which is the most tasty and homestyle winter food. Often Oven Dishes are not listed on the menu because they change day by day.
Drink local wines, they will be delivered in 1/2 litre or litre pitchers.
posted by ohshenandoah at 8:39 AM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
In Athens, the Acropolis Museum is top on the list. Take the time to absorb the structure of the museum -- it is a spiral that covers the Acropolis from foundation to roof. Don't get bogged down in the small items in cases, focus on the temple.
We revisited the National Archaelolgical museum and the Benaki Museum this year. Make sure you pace yourselves so you don't get swamped by small items in the cases-- when you get museum fatigue you should visit the cafe and decompress.
The Kotsanis Museum of Ancient Greek Technology is a half day museum, very interesting.
I recommend bus tours over car rental. Gas is quite expensive, and GPS can be cryptic going through villages. Delphi is highly worthwhile, the museum there is outstanding. Many Delphi bus tours also stop at Ossios Lukas, which is an outstanding early medieval monastary.
In November, restaurants will only serve food that is in season. Salads are not in season. Ask about food that is cooked in the oven ("sto fourno") which is the most tasty and homestyle winter food. Often Oven Dishes are not listed on the menu because they change day by day.
Drink local wines, they will be delivered in 1/2 litre or litre pitchers.
posted by ohshenandoah at 8:39 AM on October 24, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Our trip was rescheduled to Jan which means my itinerary changed overall. But I was planning on staying in Napfoli for a couple of days. January will likely bring about a few different ideas!
posted by foxhat10 at 1:53 PM on December 17, 2023
posted by foxhat10 at 1:53 PM on December 17, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
We did not spend enough time in Athens to be considered any kind of Acropolis expert. But I would suggest going as early as possible. We went in early January. Even then it was getting crowded by the time we were coming down. The area around Acropolis is quite nice. I would block good time to wander around, but then if you are spending Nov 4-15 in Athens, you may not have needed to hear this :).
posted by justlooking at 10:37 AM on October 17, 2023 [2 favorites]