Greece Travel Guide for Indians: Visa, Islands & Itinerary

Last updated: June 27, 2026

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Greece is the dream that lives up to the postcards — whitewashed villages tumbling toward an impossibly blue sea, ancient temples on every hilltop, and some of the most relaxed, hospitable people in Europe. For Indian travellers it offers a rare combination: world-changing history, island-hopping beach holidays and genuinely good vegetarian-friendly food, all at prices a little kinder than western Europe. This guide covers the Schengen visa, the best time to go, realistic costs in rupees, how to island-hop, where to stay, what to eat, a sample itinerary and the practical details that make a Greek trip effortless.

Part 1 of 6

Why visit Greece

Greece splits neatly into two trips that most people combine into one. There is the Greece of antiquity — the Acropolis crowning Athens, the oracle at Delphi, the monasteries perched on the rock pillars of Meteora — and the Greece of the islands, where the day’s biggest decision is which beach or taverna to choose. The contrast is the whole point: a couple of culture-packed days on the mainland followed by slow, sun-drenched island time.

The islands themselves vary enormously. Santorini delivers the famous caldera sunsets and blue-domed churches; Mykonos brings beaches and nightlife; Crete is large enough for mountains, gorges and Minoan ruins; and the lesser-known Cyclades and Ionian islands reward anyone wanting fewer crowds. Distances are short and the mood is unhurried, which makes Greece an easy, joyful destination whether you are travelling as a couple, a family or a group of friends.

Part 2 of 6

Visa and entry for Indians

Greece is part of the Schengen Area, so Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa. Apply through Greece’s official visa application centre with confirmed return flights and hotel bookings, travel insurance covering at least €30,000 in medical expenses, three to six months of bank statements, income tax returns and proof of employment or business. If your trip involves island-hopping, include your ferry and inter-island flight bookings in the itinerary to show a clear plan.

Apply four to six weeks ahead, since appointment slots are scarce in the spring and summer rush and processing takes a couple of weeks. A single Schengen visa covers the whole Schengen zone, so Greece can be combined with Italy or another European stop. Present consistent dates across all your documents and a well-funded plan, and always re-check the current requirements on the official portal before applying, as they are revised periodically.

Part 3 of 6

Best time to visit

Greece is at its best in late spring and early autumn, when the weather is warm, the sea is swimmable and the islands are lively but not overwhelmed. July and August are peak — hot, crowded and expensive, with ferries and hotels booked out — while winter is quiet, with many island businesses closed but Athens and the mainland still very much open.

For the classic Athens-plus-islands trip, target June or September — you get warm water, long days and lively tavernas without the August madness or prices. If you only care about the historical sites and want them crowd-free, spring and autumn shoulder months and even mild winter days are excellent for the mainland.

Part 4 of 6

Costs and budgeting

Greece is mid-range for Europe and can be done affordably outside peak season. Budget travellers using guesthouses, ferries and tavernas manage on around ₹5,500–₹7,500 per day. Mid-range travellers spend roughly ₹8,000–₹16,000 per day, and Santorini in particular can push a romantic trip well above that with its famous caldera-view hotels. Return flights from India typically run ₹45,000–₹85,000 depending on season and how early you book.

The biggest variable is the islands you choose and when you go: Santorini and Mykonos are premium, while islands like Naxos, Paros and Crete offer similar beauty for noticeably less. Save by travelling in shoulder season, eating at family-run tavernas (a Greek salad, grilled vegetables and bread is cheap and filling), taking ferries rather than flights between islands, and booking caldera-view rooms months ahead if they are a priority. Tap water is fine in Athens; on some islands stick to bottled or filtered.

Part 5 of 6

Getting around, food and where to stay

Greece is easy and rewarding to travel independently once you understand the ferry network, which is the backbone of any island trip.

Getting around

Athens is compact and walkable, with a clean metro linking the airport, centre and port of Piraeus. From Piraeus and Rafina, ferries fan out to the islands — high-speed catamarans are faster and pricier, conventional ferries cheaper and more scenic. Book ferries online in advance during summer, when popular routes sell out. A few islands have airports for short flights from Athens if time is tight. On larger islands like Crete or Naxos, renting a car or scooter unlocks the best beaches and villages.

Food

Greek food is a vegetarian’s delight: Greek salad, fava, gigantes (baked beans), dolmades, spanakopita, grilled halloumi, tzatziki and warm pita appear on every menu, alongside souvlaki and fresh seafood for others. Portions are generous, ingredients are simple and excellent, and a long taverna lunch by the water is a core part of the experience. Finish with Greek yoghurt and honey or a slice of baklava, and don’t rush — meals here are meant to linger.

Where to stay

In Athens, base yourself in Plaka or Monastiraki for walkable access to the Acropolis and the lively old town. On the islands, decide your priority: a caldera-view room in Oia for sunsets, a beachside studio for swimming, or a main-town guesthouse for restaurants and ferries. Family-run studios and apartments are great value and come with warm local hospitality.

Money, SIM and connectivity

Greece uses the euro. Cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, but carry €50–100 in cash for small island tavernas, kiosks and ferries, some of which still prefer cash. Use a card that waives foreign-transaction fees or a forex card, and always choose euros, not rupees, at ATMs and card machines. A European eSIM bought before you fly or a Greek SIM on arrival both give solid coverage, though signal can dip on remote islands — download offline maps and keep your bookings saved offline.

Experiences worth planning for

A handful of Greek experiences are worth building your trip around. The sunset over Oia on Santorini is genuinely as magical as the photos — arrive early to claim a spot, or watch it with fewer crowds from a boat on a caldera cruise that also stops at the volcanic hot springs. On the mainland, the clifftop monasteries of Meteora are unforgettable at dawn, and Athens rewards an evening walk when the floodlit Acropolis glows above the city. A Greek cooking class, a wine tasting in Santorini’s volcanic vineyards, or a lazy day on a remote beach reached by scooter all turn sightseeing into memories.

For the more active, the Samaria Gorge in Crete is one of Europe’s great day hikes, and the caldera path between Fira and Oia is a stunning three-hour walk past chapels and viewpoints. Slow travellers should leave room for the simplest Greek pleasure of all: a long lunch by the water with nowhere to be, watching fishing boats come and go while the afternoon drifts by. These are the moments people remember long after the monuments blur together.

Safety

Greece is one of Europe’s safest countries for tourists, including solo and women travellers, with low crime and famously friendly locals. Normal precautions apply — watch for petty pickpocketing in crowded parts of central Athens and on the metro, take care on scooters, and respect the strong summer sun and sea conditions when swimming off remote beaches.

Part 6 of 6

A sample 8-day itinerary

This route pairs Athens’ ancient sites with two contrasting islands, all linked by short flights or ferries. Adjust to taste — swap Mykonos for quieter Naxos, or add Crete with a few more days.

With ten to twelve days, add Crete for gorges and Minoan history, or slow down with a third island. Build in a buffer day before your international flight so a delayed ferry never costs you the journey home.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

The bottom line

Greece blends extraordinary history with the most relaxing island holidays in Europe, and it does both with warmth and value that Indian travellers love. Sort the Schengen visa, give Athens a couple of days, then let the islands set the pace — ferries, tavernas and sunsets. Travel in June or September, keep a buffer day for ferries, and you will leave already planning your next island.

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In-body photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons under their respective Creative Commons licences.