Islands, UNESCO sites, Orthodox Easter, ferries, the meltemi wind and coffee culture: what first-time visitors to Greece notice and how to plan around it.
Greece is a country where the sea, the mountains and several thousand years of history sit very close together. This is an editorial guide for people arriving for the first time, on a holiday or a viewing trip. It lists what visitors tend to notice and, where we could check it, the source behind the fact.
1. A country of islands, most of them empty
The Hellenic Military Geographical Service has counted tens of thousands of islands, islets and rocks of every size, but only a small share of them has residents. One tourism source, citing the latest census, reports 119 inhabited islands (we could not confirm the exact figure on the statistics office site, so read it as "about 120"). More than half of those have over a thousand people; dozens have fewer than a hundred. Islands differ enormously: Crete is a large island with its own airports and motorways, while some Cycladic islands have a single village and a daily ferry.
2. Around twenty UNESCO World Heritage properties
The Acropolis of Athens and Delphi were inscribed in 1987, Meteora and Mount Athos in 1988, Delos in 1990. More recent entries include the Zagori cultural landscape (2023) and the Minoan Palatial Centres of Crete (inscribed on 12 July 2025), among them Knossos and Phaistos. Check the UNESCO World Heritage List for the current total, because it changes with each committee session.
3. Mythology is attached to real places
Mount Olympus, the mythical home of the twelve gods, is a real mountain and the highest in Greece (about 2,917 m). Delphi was the seat of the oracle of Apollo; Knossos is tied to the legend of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur. For a first-time visitor it is easy to link a story to a place, which is why even a short trip can feel like walking through a textbook.
4. The Acropolis is only the beginning
Athens has several layers: classical, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. In the city centre you can stand in one spot and see ancient columns, a Byzantine church and a modern building. The separate guide to Athens is here.
5. Orthodox Easter is the main holiday of the year
Most Greeks are Orthodox Christians and Easter is the most important holiday. Its date often differs from the Western Easter date. The midnight Resurrection service, candles and fireworks, and Easter Sunday lamb on a spit are the details most visitors remember. Another major date is 15 August, the Dormition of the Virgin, when many towns and islands hold festivals (panigiria). In these weeks transport and accommodation are busy, and some shops are closed for a day or two.
6. Food: simple, seasonal, shared
The Mediterranean diet was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list on 4 December 2013 by seven countries, Greece among them (the Greek community named in the nomination is Koroni). In practice a Greek meal is often a table of shared dishes: salads with olive oil, vegetables, grilled fish, meze. Olive oil is poured generously and is part of daily cooking; small producers sell bottled oil directly in villages, which makes a good gift.
7. Ferries are public transport
Between the mainland and most islands, the ferry is an ordinary bus on water. Ports such as Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio serve the Aegean; Heraklion and Chania serve Crete. Tickets are sold online and at port agencies. Timetables are denser in summer and thin out in winter.
8. The meltemi wind
From mid-May to the end of September the Aegean is often swept by the northerly meltemi, strongest in July and August (weather and sailing sources give force 5 to 7). It cools the heat but can rough the sea, delay ferries and make some beaches uncomfortable. Locals simply choose the sheltered side of the island.
9. Coffee is a slow ritual
Greeks tend to spend an hour or two over one coffee. Cafes are social spaces for all ages: strong Greek coffee prepared in a small pot, iced coffee in summer, a glass of water on the side. Do not expect fast service; the point is to sit.
10. Rhythm of the day
The day starts early in summer and ends late. Many shops close in the afternoon heat and reopen in the evening; dinner is often after 20:00 or 21:00. It is worth planning visits to archaeological sites for the morning.
11. The language
The Greek alphabet is not hard to decode after a few hours. Road signs and ferry schedules usually carry Latin letters as well, and major tourist areas work in several languages. A few words (kalimera, efharisto) are always appreciated.
12. Honest note: heat and crowds
July and August are hot and crowded at the best-known sites and islands. Many visitors prefer May, June, September and October, when the sea is warm and the sites are easier to visit.
Practical tips for your first visit
- Athens International Airport has a direct metro line to the city centre (Syntagma in about 40 minutes, reported).
- The currency is the euro; cards are widely accepted, but keep some cash for villages and small tavernas.
- Book timed tickets for the Acropolis and ferries in advance in high season.
- Bring a hat, water and sunscreen; sandals with grip for marble, which can be slippery.
- Cover shoulders and knees in monasteries and churches.
- For island hopping, check the ferry timetable and have a spare day when the meltemi is strong.
- European emergency number: 112.
FAQ
How many inhabited islands does Greece have? Roughly 120; one source cites 119 in the latest census. Most of the thousands of islands and islets are uninhabited.
When is the best time to visit? Many visitors choose May to June and September to October. July and August are hot and crowded, with the strongest meltemi.
Do I need to speak Greek? No, but a few words help. Tourist areas and transport usually offer English information.
Is it easy to move between islands? Yes, in season there are many ferries and domestic flights, but plan time for delays in windy weather.
Can I combine a holiday with looking at property? Yes. Read how to plan a viewing trip and the Greece property guide.
How we help
This article is editorial and is not legal, tax or investment advice. D.H. Realting is a trilingual platform (Russian, Polish, English). If your trip to Greece includes looking at homes, you can browse listings in Greece and read the country page. We coordinate independent local lawyers and tax advisers for those who decide to buy. Please check current rules and opening times on official sources before you travel.