Modern Athens is truly a dream for budget travelers.

But rather than trying your luck at just any budget hotel, check out our five favorite budget hotels in Athens. These picks are clean, charismatic, and welcoming, plus most of them offer outstanding views to boot!

More Athens tips:
• 5 Tips for an affordable vacation to Athens
• Cheap eats in Athens that locals love
• Athens: Parks and gardens for some good, green fun

Marble House

Neighborhood: Koukaki & Makrygianni
Doubles from $49

Looking to truly escape? The Marble House is located in a quiet cul-de-sac in a relaxed neighborhood. Rooms feature bursts of color, plus mini-fridges and free Wi-Fi. There is also a wonderful patio and bar and an even lovelier staff. Read the full review

A chic seating area at the Art Gallery Hotel.

Art Gallery Hotel

Neighborhood: Koukaki & Makrygianni
Doubles from $107

The Art Gallery Hotel feels like home. Unsurprisingly, this hotel is filled with original artwork from the hotel’s owner, Ada. While decor and furnishings create an antique dreamland, the amenities are modern and up to today’s standards. Read the full review

A balcony room at Tempi Hotel.

Tempi Hotel

Neighborhood: Monastiraki
Doubles from $38

Don’t judge a book by its cover… and certainly, don’t feel discouraged when looking at the Tempi Hotel’s dreary exterior. Inside, clean, minimalist rooms sparkle. The staff is friendly, and there is a communal kitchen that also serves as a bar and lounge. Read the full review

You can’t beat the view from balcony rooms at Phaedra Hotel.

Phaedra Hotel

Neighborhood: Plaka
Doubles from $61

You might not be able to find it on your map (don’t worry, we’ll help!), but that seclusion and quietness make the Phaedra a great place to rest. Rooms offer charm from a long-gone era, and the balcony rooms are ideal for people-watching. Read the full review

Hotel Kimon is like staying in a modern townhouse.

Hotel Kimon

Neighborhood: Plaka
Doubles from $45

The Hotel Kimon knows how to make an entrance — it welcomes guests with a grand marble entryway. Rooms are simpler, but still appealing, with artwork, wrought-iron bed frames, and amenities such as air conditioning, TV, and free Wi-Fi. Ask ahead for a balcony room to make the most of your stay. Read the full review

The post Best budget hotels in Athens for 2024 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

From keeping Santorini off of your itinerary to catching views of the Parthenon without getting stuck in a crowd, here are 10 tourist traps in Greece to avoid on your visit (plus some better things to see, do, and eat instead!).

Take a bus instead of a cab from the airport. Photo: Nick Night

1. Don’t take a cab from the airport

Take the X95 bus from the Athens Airport to Syntagma Square/Plateia Syntagmatos for only 5.5 euros, then catch a cab from there to wherever you are staying in Athens. Otherwise, you’ll pay 40-55 euros for a cab ride directly from the airport to the center of Athens.

2. Stop searching for the restaurants you see all over social media

If you try to find all the new, internationally renowned spots where the cool kids hang out, you’ll spend a fortune trying to fit in. Instead, eat at a family-owned-and-run taverna, get pites from a fourno, or shop at a local market and enjoy your meals on a bench in the middle of a plateia. Here are some of our favorite cheap eats in Athens.

3. Look for simple souvenirs

Instead of buying cheaply made “souvenirs” that no one back home actually wants, buy a postcard with a magnificent image of the part of Greece you are visiting and mail it back home to your loved ones. They’ll be delighted to receive something through the post that is not a bill. Or, if your luggage has plenty of room before it reaches its weight limit, buy some locally made glyko tou koutaliou (“sweet of the spoon”) to take home. A taste of Greece or a glimpse of its beauty will cost you less than the mass-produced souvenirs and is a better choice ecologically, plus your food purchases will support the local economy.

You can still get great views of the Parthenon without running into crowds. Photo: Francesca Noemi Marconi

4. See the Parthenon, but without the crowds

See the Parthenon from a rooftop café in Thiseio. If you happen to be visiting Greece during the peak season, you will be jostled in the crowds of people attempting to take the perfect selfie in front of the Parthenon. Skip that experience and marvel at the jaw-dropping architectural and historical structure from outside its official perimeter. (Note: It’s not that entrance to the Parthenon is expensive, it’s just that visiting up close may not be as enchanting as basking in the Parthenon’s shadow from slightly farther afield.)

5. Visit lesser-known islands over Santorini or Mykonos

Santorini and Mykonos are indeed magical parts of Greece. But trying to avoid tourist traps on those islands is like trying to avoid humidity in Florida. Skip these two hot spots and instead visit a lesser-known island and/or mountain village on the mainland. Nearly every square inch of Greece is splendid — don’t succumb to the pull of Instagram-worthy photos of whitewashed homes with blue trim. There is so much more to see and experience!

6. Stay off the tour buses

Leave the tour buses, some of the most common tourist traps in Greece and many other destinations, for other travelers. Many of them include a stop at a “souvenir shop” in the middle of nowhere, holding you hostage for up to an hour, during which time you will no doubt throw money away on something you don’t need that likely isn’t even made in Greece.

Pay up for a beach chair — or lay a towel down for free. Photo: Nick Karvounis

7. BYOT(owel)

Don’t sit on a chaise longue on the beach unless you are prepared to pay for the privilege. Nowadays, that privilege can cost you upward of 25 euros in some places. Instead, take your beach towel (or sarong that doubles as one) and plop yourself down on the sand to enjoy your time on the beach for free.

8. Don’t pay for Wi-Fi

Forget about paying for Wi-Fi at your hotel. There is free Wi-Fi in many plateias and other public spaces, as well as in museums and libraries. Many of our favorite hotels in Athens even offer Wi-Fi for free.

9. Skip the beach eats

Eat before or after you head to the beach. One of the biggest tourist traps in Greece? Food prices at the beaches. Food ordered on the beach will run you 20-30% more than the same delectable food prepared with love at a nearby taverna.

10. Ditch the chain hotel rooftop views

Don’t buy into the very popular expat idea that you must have a drink at the Hilton hotel’s rooftop bar in Athens for the view. Athens is a city of hills — you can drink in an intoxicating view of the city from any number of places.

One of our favorites is free to visit: Lykavittos. If you are too hot or tired to walk up the hill, you can take the funicular for 7 euros one way or 10 euros round-trip. But if you’ve got energy, walk up and save that money for a ticket to the Benaki Museum or the Acropolis Museum, two of the best curated and organized museums in Athens.

Avoiding tourist traps in Greece

What are your favorite hidden gems of Greece? Let us know in the comments below!

The post 10 tourist traps to avoid when visiting Greece appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

• Related: 10 breathtaking views in Europe — for free!

A sliver of Amoopi Beach in Karpathos

1. Split Dishes at Ellinikon

Lunch or dinner at the mezedopoleion (restaurant selling lots of dishes to share — think tapas) “Ellinikon” in Pigadia. We returned here for meals numerous times, trying different dishes on each occasion, conversing with the friendly server and savoring our meals for hours on end. (Not making it to Karpathos on your upcoming trip to Greece? We also have advice on budget bites in Athens.)

2. Enjoy Food and Coffee at Asteri Café

Enjoy kolokithokeftedes (zucchini balls — think meatballs, but with zucchini instead of meat), tiropites, spanakopites and Greek coffee at Asteri Café in Pigadia. There are several hip cafés in Pigadia, and Asteri is not one of them. That’s why we like it so much. The owner is exceedingly kind and generous, the pites are made fresh at the bakery across the street and lots of local elders hang out there.

Karpathos’s Main Town of Pigadia

3. Spend a Day at the Beach

Visit Apella Beach, Kyra Panagia, Achata … or, for that matter, any of the dozens of beaches on the island. Walk, swim, nap, daydream, listen to the sea as it laps at the shore, watch the cloudscapes decorate the sky, and remember what it is to live in the moment.

If you venture down to Apella, make sure to stop at the sweet little cave chapel, Agios Loukas, about 500 feet up the road from Taverna Apella. The frescoes painted on and inside it are from the second half of the 13th century. Plus, its location, tucked into the mountainside, is enchanting. The local goats like the chapel, too! You may find them relaxing in the shade around it.

4. Walk Around the Village of Stes

Walk among the vineyards and down to the sea from Stes. This agricultural village without tourism on its mind may remind you of parts of the Napa Valley of yore. Walk through the village, take in the thoughtful architecture of the old homes and enjoy watching cats lounge in sunspots atop walls and steps. Drink fresh mountain spring water from a public tap outside the village chapel and meander down the hillside road to the sea.

Stes (Photo Credit: Becca Durkee)

5. Take a Local Tour

Hire locals to take you off the beaten path and introduce you to experiences you could only otherwise have if you had family and friends living in Karpathos. Go wine tasting, bird watching, hiking or camping. Prepare Karpathian delicacies. Try your hand at beekeeping.

Plan your own private tour to include the activities that interest you at a price point that works for you, or join in pre-organized activities and meet other like-minded wanderers.

6. Visit Panagia Mertonitissa Church

The church is located in in Mertonas/Mirtonas, by far the greenest village on the island. There are fresh mountain water taps along the path in front of the church. The view from the church and from the loop walk, which you can take down into the village and back up, is magnificent. Watch the sunrise here, or walk down to Kyra Panagia Beach (it will be a steep walk back up!) to take a dip in the sea there.

Olympos, Mountain Village of the Gods

7. Explore Olympos

Yes, that Olympos. Make sure to visit the cemetery. If you can take someone with you who reads Greek, all the better. The inscriptions on the headstones are unlike anything we have ever seen. If you get the sense that the mountain village is run by women, that would be correct. It is a matriarchal community. The views and hikes in every direction are glorious, so allow plenty of time for exploring.

8. Take in the Coves on Lefkos’ Shores

Meander around Lefkos’ expansive shoreline of coves. Whether you venture out by foot, by car or by bicycle, the area is a marvel of ever-changing topography to behold. After you’ve worked up a solid appetite, stop at Ellovos restaurant for a scrumptious, homemade meal with the offerings determined by what is freshly available that day.

Lucky Laki in Lefkos

9. Harvest Fresh Sea Salt

Harvest sea salt from the rocks along the water in Diakoftis. (If it rains the day before you go, the rain may wash all the salt water from the rocks, and when it evaporates there will not be any salt to harvest. It’s best to go when it’s been dry for at least a few days.)

The landscape is otherworldly. You may feel as though you are on the set of a Star Wars film but with a glorious sea just beyond the rocks. You may see goats here, despite how isolated the area feels. In fact, you may see goats everywhere on the island!

10. Stop by Spoa

Visit Spoa, a delightful village with winding pedestrian alleyways and stunning views around every corner. Fill up on delectable Greek staples at Folia. Venture down the hill from Spoa to the Agios Nikolaos marina, and stop part of the way down to stroll across the hillside. Vineyards dot the landscape, the views to the sea are amazing and very few cars will interrupt your reverie. If you are hungry again by the time you reach the marina, stop for a bite at Café Portobello.

11. Book a Budget Hotel

Before you head out on your trip, book a budget hotel in Karpathos. Many affordable lodgings on the island offer a lot of bang for your buck with perks like views of the sea from your room to free breakfasts and more.

Traveling around Greece? Make sure to check out these ways to save on a Greek vacation before your trip!

What are your favorite budget-friendly things to do in Karpathos? Share with us in the comments below!

The post Top 11 Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Karpathos appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Instead, consider these five great ways for you to enjoy a budget-friendly stay in Greece while also giving back to the local communities.

Related: Athens — 5 budget travel tips for a Greek vacation

How to Save Money in Greece

Fortunately, you can put your tourist dollars to good use and still save money in your travel fund with these simple tips.

Taking in the views from the spa town Therma on the island of Ikaria. Photo: KayMaria Daskarolis

1. Consider Less Touristy Islands

You may be surprised to learn that Mykonos and Santorini are not the only Greek islands. It’s true. There are, in fact, more than 6,000 islands in Greece, 227 of which are inhabited. Skip Mykonos and Santorini. Go to one or more of the other equally glorious and unique islands to save on your Greek island vacation. Everything is less expensive on these lesser-known islands. Really, everything.

2. Make the Most of Markets

Eat one of your daily meals at a taverna to support the local economy. Share several mezedes (think: tapas) with your companions. Then go to an open-air market or grocery store to get food for your other meals. Here are our suggestions for your shopping list:

• feta
• Kalamata olives
• tomatoes
• bell peppers
• cucumbers
• a loaf of bread
• fresh oranges
• a small bottle of Kalamata olive oil

Regardless of which Greek island you visit, there will be benches, tops of walls, parks, boulders, and beaches available for you to sit and enjoy your meal outdoors. Another scrumptious option for a budget-, body-, and soul-nurturing meal is to go to a fourno. This is a bakery — a zaharoplasteio is also a bakery, but typically only sells sweet baked goods.

At the fourno, buy tiropites (cheese “pies” in filo dough), spanakopites (spinach “pies” in filo dough), and other savory pites, with varied fillings to tantalize your tastebuds. For us, a single one of these is enough for a meal — which is not to say that we only eat one — and lightens our wallet by a mere couple of euros.

Related: Cheap Eats in Athens: 4 spots for Greek cuisine on a budget

3. Walk

Walk as your primary form of transportation. You can even walk around Crete, Greek’s largest island, to take in the sights. Not only will this save help you save on your Greek island vacation, but you are guaranteed to encounter ancient archaeological sites or natural hot springs.

You may meet some grandmothers whose families have lived on the island for too many generations to count. Perhaps you come across a herd of goats, a field of poppies, a grandfather selling honey on the side of the road, or any number of other magical happenstances you would miss if you were not on foot.

In fact, whether you’re in Greece or traveling elsewhere in southern Europe, hoofing it is a great way to get around.

4. Share a Taxi As Needed

Share a taxi to get from the ferry port or airport to the town where you and your companion(s) are staying. This is also a good way to make new friends. Since it is the time of COVID-19, make sure to fit your N95 on your face. Offer N95 masks to others who will be sharing the taxi with you.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Explore

Say “yes” to the multitude of opportunities that await you outside of the trendy spots. Just because a place has not been written about ad nauseam does not mean that it has less to offer than more popular spots. Get a bit off the Internet-beaten path. By doing so, you are sure to save money while you delight in a piece of your Grecian adventure you couldn’t have planned.

Bonus Tip!

And remember: It costs nothing to show respect and kindness. Show them both. Often.

Ready for your adventure in Greece? Check out our hotel picks in Athens.

If you’ve already visited the Greek islands, be sure to share your favorite budget-friendly tips with us in the comments below!

The post 5 Ways to Save on Your Greek Island Vacation appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Nevertheless, discovering the best Greek cuisine on a budget can be a bit tricky, despite the comparatively low Southern European prices. And telling the difference between a tourist trap and an authentic local restaurant can be a challenge unless you know what to look for.

That’s why we turned to the experts at Spotted By Locals to help us find the best cheap eats in Athens.

Athens travel tips:
• 5 Easy ways to save on a trip to Athens
• Athens hotels under $100 per night

Cheap eats in Athens: 4 restaurants locals love

Follow these tips by Athens locals and you’ll never have to worry about unpleasant surprises!

Feyrouz

Address: Agathonos 2

Feyrouz is a small street food bar specializing in lahmajoun (Middle Eastern pizza) and other delicacies based on traditional recipes from Antioch, Turkey, the home of the family running this joint. Their hearty vegetable- and meat-based pastries, pide bread, and soups and sweets are traditional with an experimental twist. Everything is cheap yet delicious, while the modern, minimalist atmosphere and huge windows are perfect for a quick bite throughout the day. A lahmajoun plus dessert won’t cost you more than €6 per person.

Santorinios

Address: Dorieon 8

There’s a lot going for having lunch or dinner in the Greek metropolis, but nothing beats enjoying some fava or kalamarakia (fried squid) at a taverna surrounded by the beautiful whitewashed walls on a Greek island. Thanks to the relaxed atmosphere at Santorinios, you don’t have to hop the next ferry to Santorini; instead, you can enjoy this feeling in the very center of Athens. At €4 per dish, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better place to sample Greek mainstays, such as the aforementioned fava, which local Margarita reckons is the best in Athens.

Syntrimmi

Address: Amfiktyonos 33

Syntrimmi has become a true local favorite since it opened a little more than a year ago. This century-old communal house turned-co-op, just a stone’s throw away from the Acropolis, is an all-day cafe and bar with a selection of excellent Athenian beer and organic wine (just €2 for a 250ml carafe). It also has a menu of locally sourced small plates — we recommend you try their filling gigantes (giant beans) and dakos (crusty bread topped with tomatoes and cheese). Each dish should set you back less than €4. Drop by on a Thursday evening, and you can listen to traditional live Greek music on the side for no extra charge.

Accommodations: Nearby cheap hotels 

Feast with friends at Kritiko Steki for the unique cuisine of Crete. Photo: Dimitris Hall
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Kritiko Steki

Address: Koilis 20

Crete is one of the most distinct parts of Greece — it has its own dialect, customs, and cuisine. In fact, the Mediterranean diet is actually based on Cretan culinary traditions. At Kritiko Steki (“the Cretan hangout”), you can discover many Greek specialties as well as local variations of dishes you’d only find in Greece’s largest island. Try the Sfakiani pita filled with cheese & honey or the snails in red sauce. You can expect the price to stay below €12 per person for the whole experience — including the obligatory raki.

Your favorite cheap eats in Athens

Have you been to Athens and know a good spot for local cuisine? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Cheap Eats in Athens: 4 spots for Greek cuisine on a budget appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

As things stay relatively cool, we think a walk in one of the city’s many parks makes for a perfect, cost-free way to spend time between visits to the Acropolis and the Agora.

National Garden of Athens

Metro: Exit at Syntagma (line 2 or 3)

Located in central Athens right behind the Greek Parliament Building, the National Garden of Athens makes a scenic place for a stroll. The garden is filled with plenty of gems to discover, including a smattering of ancient runes, a duck pond and a small zoo. For a fix of greenery in the city (and a nice spot to eat your Cheapo-friendly souvlaki), we can’t think of a better place.

Pedion tou Areos

Metro: Exit at Victoria (line 1)

The Pedion tou Areos Park is marked by a large statue of King Constantine I on a horse and a memorial to soldiers who fought in the Battle of Greece. Like the National Garden, the Pedio tou Areos Park offers plenty of greenery and no shortage of peaceful paths to explore.

One of the largest parks in the city, it also boasts a popular playground. Stop by before or after visiting the nearby National Archaeological Museum, but don’t linger past sunset; we’ve heard the scene gets slightly sketchy after hours.

Kifissias Park

Metro: Exit at Kifissia (line 1)

Kifissia is an attractive, affluent suburb on the northern side of Athens. In addition to some shopping and eating options, the neighborhood offers a lush botanical garden. If you’re itching for a taste of local life, take the metro out here and explore the expansive greenery. (Bonus tip: If you’re in town during April or May, you can catch the annual Kifissia Flower Show, which brings a colorful variety of flora to the neighborhood.)

Where else to walk?

Well, these are our Athens park picks, Cheapos. But we’re no Socrates: If you’ve seen better spots for strolling in the city, set us straight by leaving a comment!

And if you’re interested in reading more tips for Athens and Greece, have a look here.

The post Athens: Parks and gardens for some good, green fun appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

For the budget traveler, there are tremendous bargains to be found, but you also have to be careful to avoid some of the surprisingly more costly aspects of Athens.

Budget tips for Greece
• 10 Tips for saving in Southern Europe
• Visiting Crete: Exploring Greece’s largest island

5 Tips for saving on a trip to Athens

Take a look at some ways to save and have a wonderful time getting to know one of the world’s oldest cities.

1. Getting to and from the airport

Your first opportunity to save money will be immediately after you’ve landed on the ground. The international airport in Athens is 33 kilometers from the center, making it a relatively short but expensive cab ride (around €38). Cut down your costs by taking public transport from the airport, with a choice of either a €10 ticket on the underground metro (Line 3) or a €6 ticket by bus (X-95) to the city center (Station Syntagma). The metro runs until midnight and the bus runs 24-hours a day.

2. Indulge in Greek street food

Athenians adore their savory pita-filled munchies, and delicious, affordable street food is synonymous with Athens. As your sense of smell will let you know, throughout the city you are never far from a food stand grilling tasty meats. For €2, you can grab a chicken or pork souvlaki — otherwise known as a gyro or a kebab to the uninitiated — which comes packed into pita bread with creamy tzatziki yogurt sauce, fresh veggies, and a handful of french fries. You’ll never be so happy with eating cheap.

See famous sculptures like the Jockey of Artemision for just a few euros. Photo: Ryan

3. Find those museum discounts

Athens is an absolute dream for lovers of history and architecture, and admission prices to museums are quite moderate compared to most of Europe year round. Especially good news for those coming in the winter, the city decided to cut admission prices in half for many major sites in an effort to give locals easier access to their cultural treasures.

This means those lucky enough to visit between November and April can pay €10 to visit the Acropolis and €5 to visit The National Archaeological Museum. Students also get major discounts or free admission year round to many museums, just be sure to present your ID to get a reduced price or free entry.

Grab a table in the shade and a beer for a cheap cafe break. Photo: Mark H.

4. Not every drink is cheap

You’ll quickly realize that Athenians love to relax, chat, and enjoy a drink. There’s an abundance of cafes and bars all throughout the city. During the day it’s not hard to find yourself a cappuccino for less than €2 at a nice cafe or a glass of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice for only €1.30 from an outdoor vendor.

For alcoholic beverages, the prices can go up astronomically, with cocktails regularly costing €7 to 9! For the budget conscious, it’s best to stick to local wine (€5-7 per 1-Liter carafe) at the restaurant or to grab a bottle of beer for €1-2 from a shop and enjoy a drink outside on a square with a view facing the Acropolis.

We love airy rooms and the view from Phaedra Hotel. Photo: Booking.com

5. Take advantage of the affordable hotels

Good news, Cheapos! Athens is heaven for travelers that would rather save their money for an extra shot of ouzo than an expensive accommodation. There are tons of hotels that offer private rooms in Athens for $50 and under. If you book in advance, you can find even cheaper rates.

These budget hotels might not be the fanciest spots in town, but a lot of them ooze a friendly Greek charm that makes up for the lack of modern glitz. Search through our listings of 40+ budget hotels in Athens.

Have you been to Athens recently? Tell us how you saved money on your trip!

The post Athens: 5 budget travel tips for a Greek vacation appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

East to west across Crete

But distances say little about driving times in Crete. This is truly one of Europe’s great drives, a feast of serpentines and mountain passes. Along the way there are magnificent views. The terrain is so fearsome that you’d be hard pushed to do the drive in a day. And in truth only the most foolish of travelers would even consider trying to rush the journey. The drive across Crete deserves at least a week.

Christopher Somerville’s book The Golden Step.

The Golden Step

Or you could follow Christopher Somerville’s example and walk across Crete. Chris set off from the east coast of Greece at Easter, taking 50 days for the hike to Panagia Chrisoskalitissa, where he arrived just in time for Pentecost. His experience is recalled in a very fine book entitled The Golden Step: A Walk through the Heart of Greece (first published as a hardback by Haus in 2007 and now available as a paperback). The book’s title alludes to the monastery at the western end of the trail: Panagia Chrisoskalitissa, in English the Monastery of Our Lady of the Golden Step.

“Blessed is the man that walketh,” was the phrase that Christopher Somerville had in mind as he set out from the east coast early on the morning of Easter Monday. He may not have felt quite so blessed as, over the following weeks, he hiked through fierce mountain gorges and over arid plateaus. Yet only slow travelers encounter the rural Crete that Christopher discovered on his walk.

Make time for the trail

Crete is—by virtue of its size—well suited to taking time out, Somerville-style. If you are tempted, do as Christopher Somerville did, and leave every distracting piece of technology at home. No GPS, no smart phone. Take a few maps and don’t forget The Golden Step. It is a pocket-sized gem. And don’t live just for the moment of arrival. Slow travelers take life one step at a time, savoring each moment of the journey. And there is a glint of gold in each footfall on the pilgrim trail across Crete.

The post Discovering Crete: Exploring Greece’s largest island on foot appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Germany shuns Greece

Yet over the past year, Greek hotel prices have generally drifted down. A key driver here has been the growing German antipathy to all things Greek. News reports last weekend suggest that German bookings for Greek destinations are down well over a third on this time last year.

The German voter has yet to fully appreciate that Germany has itself been one of the primary architects of the Greek tragedy. To many observers across Europe, the high-principled Teutonic zeal with which many ordinary Germans now seek to punish Greece is very unbecoming.

The absence of Germans this year creates a big dent in the Greek tourism market, but we should remember that the growing Russian affection for Greece will certainly help plug that gap. Tourism makes up about one fifth of Greece’s GDP, but that broad figure masks substantial regional variations. The islands are of course more conspicuously affected than the mainland by any dip in the tourist trade.

Incentive planners don’t like uncertainty, so corporate junkets to Greece for the 2012 season are well down. But what does all this mean for the average punter?

Greece deserves a visit

Our view is that 2012 is most definitely a year when Greece deserves a look. The mid-June elections are likely to produce a government (though it may not be one that is willing to dance to Germany’s tune). Greeks are famously tolerant and traditionally give any incoming government a decent period of grace. All the prospects are that the upcoming peak tourism season will be peaceful.

Yes, Greece may slip quietly out of the euro, but we must recall that the majority of Greeks still seem keen to remain members of Europe’s premier currency. If you happen to be on vacation in Greece on the day (if it ever comes) when Greece leaves the euro, don’t immediately invest all your assets in the New Drachma. Just go back to the beach and remember that Greek hospitality is among the best in Europe. Greek smiles don’t easily fade. So all the more reason why one of Europe’s liveliest and most enriching countries should not be shunned just because Greece is having a tough time.

The islands may well be a better bet for this summer than overheated Athens. Fortunately, a new edition of Frewin Poffley’s book Greek Island Hopping has just been published. This excellent guide will help you on your way.

The post To Visit or Stay Away: The Greece Question appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s a run down of what the upgrade brings:

New and improved

A mere 400-meter shift from its previous spot at the top of Acropolis, the new museum sits at the start of the hill’s slope atop ancient ruins of the Byzantines. To compensate for sitting directly on artifacts, the entrance’s glass floors allow visitors to view excavations directly under their feet.

The museum itself is dazzlingly modern and almost 14 times larger than the old museum (closed in 2007). A budget of about €130 million was invested in the four-level structure, providing chic displays, light-senitive glass walls, and illuminated open floors. The café level on the third floor provides a gorgeous view of Athens, and the terrace is an ideal escape from the bustle and hustle of the touristy Plaka district.

What to see

The layout of new Acropolis Museum follow’s a timeline that’s captivating and easy to follow. Small placards in English run throughout the levels, offering short and simple explanations for displays, time periods, and cultural formations.

The ground floor slopes upwards as vases, tools, toys and jewelry from the Neolithic period (around 3000B.C.) line the walls. Dozens of sculptures (from 600B.C. to 79B.C.) that were once votives to the Greek gods make up the second floor display. The layout lets visitors inspect pieces from all sides, from the stunning four Caryatids to other impressive models of Greek gods and heroes.

Photo courtesy of http://www.newacropolismuseum.gr.

Perhaps the museum’s most magnificent display is the Parthenon exhibit on the top floor. A short informative video explains the Parthenon’s exhibit, history, and architecture in a simple and captivating way.

Both first timers and history buffs will ooh and ahh at the former Parthenon adornments of the metopes, frieze, and giant pediments. It’s a refreshing overview that’s fun and engaging for all visitors.

The best way to tackle the Acropolis

The Acropolis is as magnificent in size as it is in historical depth, and most of what is left in good condition remains indoors for protection. A good tip is to visit the new Acropolis Museum before trekking towards the Parthenon, ancient theaters and agoras; it does wonders to help visualize the past.

As a bonus the archeologists responsible for digging up the thousands of artifacts actually hang around inside the museum, waiting to give visitors a brief lesson about any questions that might arise.

The new Acropolis Museum is an excellent opportunity for visitors to wrap their heads around Greek history in a beautiful setting. It’s quite possibly the best bang for your euro on a Greek vacation.

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 8 AM to 8 PM. Closed Mondays.
Admission: €1
See www.theacropolismuseum.gr for more details.

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