9 Things Nobody Told Me About Greece Before I Visited
When I first visited Greece, I expected sunshine, beaches and good food. I got all of those things. What I wasn’t expecting was how much Greece would get under my skin.
Over the years, I’ve visited islands including Corfu, Rhodes, Crete, Kefalonia, Santorini, Zakynthos and Thassos. Every one of them has been different, but there are a few things that seem to be true wherever you go.
These are the things nobody told me before I visited Greece.
The biggest surprise wasn’t the beaches or the sunshine. It was discovering that one trip to Greece is never enough.
1. Greece Smells Different
The first thing I notice isn’t the sea. It isn’t the scenery.
It isn’t even the heat. It’s the smell.
The moment you step off the plane, there’s a warm, dry, sun-baked smell that tells you you’ve arrived. I can’t properly explain it, but every frequent visitor seems to know exactly what I mean.
Before you’ve even collected your suitcase, your brain has already switched into holiday mode.
2. The Pace Of Life Is Completely Different
I’m not saying nobody works in Greece. Clearly they do. But life feels slower. Meals are leisurely. People stop to talk.
Dinner isn’t something you rush through before doing the next thing. It’s an event in its own right. One of the reasons I love Greece so much is that it reminds me that not everything needs to be done at full speed.
3. You’ll Spend More Time Thinking About Tavernas Than Beaches
People assume holidays are all about the beaches. For us, they’re often about the food. My husband and I have developed an unofficial holiday tradition.
During the first week, we try as many tavernas as possible. Then we narrow down the favourites.
By the end of the holiday, we’re debating where to have our final Greek meal before flying home.
Some couples bring home souvenirs. We bring home lists of favourite tavernas.
4. Mosquitoes Are Tiny But Determined
Nobody should visit Greece without mosquito repellent.
You might get lucky. You might not see a single mosquito. Or you might discover that you’ve somehow become the most attractive thing on the island.
I’ve had holidays where they barely appeared and others where they seemed to regard me as an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Pack the repellent. You’ll thank me later.
5. Every Day Somehow Ends Up Revolving Around Water
I never realised this until I started thinking about it. Every Greek holiday day seems to involve water.
Beach days. Boat days. Pool days. Swimming stops. Harbours. Hidden coves.
Even on adventure days, we somehow end up finding somewhere to dip our toes. Water has become such a big part of how we experience Greece that a day without it almost feels incomplete.
6. You’ll Start Judging Accommodation By The Balcony
At home, a balcony is just a balcony. In Greece, it’s an extra room. It’s where you have a drink before dinner. Where you sit and read. Where you play cards. Where you reflect on the day. Where you watch the world go by.
I never thought I’d become a person who gets excited about balconies, but Greece has changed me.
7. Air Conditioning Is Worth Every Penny
Particularly if you’re travelling in the height of summer. Some Greek apartments include air conditioning, others charge extra.
There is no feeling quite like returning from a day in the Mediterranean heat and walking into a beautifully cool room. I’ve done holidays with air conditioning and holidays without.
Whatever the cost is, pay it. Trust me. It’s worth it.
8. Greece Is Much More Diverse Than People Realise
People often talk about “the Greek islands” as though they’re all the same. They’re really not.
I’ve sunbathed on a beach in Crete whilst looking at snow-covered mountains. I’ve watched flamingos in Corfu. I’ve travelled through volcanic landscapes in Santorini. I’ve explored mountain villages in Thassos. I’ve seen sea colours around Zakynthos that I still can’t properly describe.
Every island has its own personality. That’s one of the reasons people keep going back.
9. You’ll Start Planning Your Next Trip Before You’ve Left
This is probably the biggest surprise of all. Long before the holiday is over, you’ll find yourself saying things like:
“We should come back here.”
“Next time we could stay over there.”
“I wonder what that island is like?”
I do it every time. In fact, I often spend part of my Greek holiday looking at future Greek holidays.
Some places are lovely. Greece somehow becomes a habit. And once it’s got hold of you, it’s very difficult to let go.