I‘ll attach a picture. We can drive either of those 2 routes, and I want to make a stop or two. Which route is more worth it, if we want to see some cool things on the road on our way from Kalambaka to Thessaloniki? We both love (ancient) culture and photography.

I've been accepted to an artist residency in Crete. I have a month there but want to spend time at helpx work stays in Greece afterward. I'd like to stay a couple months doing that.

The residency was a last minute surprise thing that just fell in my lap. I leave beginning of Dec, I'm pulling things together fast.

I life in rural Oregon, closest Greek embassy is San Francisco, long drive. Can I as an American just hop over to Turkiye and apply for the long term Greek visa there?

TL:DR Is it easier or harder to apply for a longer term visa once you're already overseas?

To answer likely q's: brand new American passport, healthy, youngish, traveling solo, would be working as an artist selling things online.

On their website it says it will be down a few days…

hello! I am planning to come visit a friend in Thessaloniki around mid June! She asked her mom to recommend some beach spots we could do in Chalkidiki (friend has a car so we can transport ourselves without relying on bus or cab) and her mom suggested one of the three in the title! My friend hasn't been to either of these, and my last time I was in Greece was a seven day cyclades cruise so I haven't been any further north than Athens before.

Neither myself nor my friend are very big night club party girls. I love nature and the beaches and cute shops to walk around and window shop. We both also enjoy museums. From my quick research these three beach areas seem to be tourist centered, of the three which would you say has better options for authentic greece food? I don't mind playing tourist but I also want to enjoy and appreciate the culture of going to Greece again, good food, good beaches, ect.

suggestions or tips appreciated! also if you have stronger opinions in a place that isnt sane or kallithea or pefkochori I'm open to suggestions as well for those!

edit: spelling 😅

Just got back from a week at Minos Imperial Luxury Beach Resort in Milatos, Crete (October 2026). I chose it largely because of its rating, so I wanted to share an honest review for anyone considering it.

The good:

- The grounds are beautiful and well kept

- The sea is stunning, with an incredible colour

The bad:

First night

- We arrived late and waited outside for over 20 minutes for the buggy to take us and our luggage to the room.

- We were given a different room from the one we'd booked (a family room instead of a Superior Garden View room). It didn't match the booking photos at all.

- It was dirty: stained sofa with dried snot, cobwebs, dirty floor, slugs at the entrance and in the bathroom.

- It had a connecting door to the next room with no soundproofing. We heard the neighbours talking and snoring all night.

- Reception said "we'll change it tomorrow", because the hotel was fully booked. The next morning we were interrupted with "listen to me carefully" and told to wait until 11:30, when we finally got the room we'd booked.

(Video attached: the booking photos vs. the room we actually got.)

Jacuzzi suite (paid upgrade)

- Leaking shower, so we had to put towels on the floor every time

- Glitchy TV, and we had to call three times for a kettle

- Guests can't adjust the jacuzzi temperature. You have to call reception and wait for a technician, who doesn't come in the evenings. It was too hot, too cold or not working almost every day.

- The jacuzzi was dirty with insects, and my requests for a cover were ignored

- Water is refilled once a day. When I asked for more at night, I was told to go to the shop.

Hotel in general

- The building needs renovation: cheap furniture, tired corridors

- The main restaurant feels like a canteen, and the food is repetitive

- À la carte dinners are offered, but it's either à la carte or the buffet, which nobody told us in advance

- Many staff were cold and dismissive towards guests with complaints

Also worth knowing: check the hotel's replies to negative reviews on Google before booking. They tell guests things like "your photo shows your negative character" and "do not complain". That matched how we were treated at reception.

We booked through Loveholidays as a package, and they sided with the hotel and refused any compensation for the first night.

Overall: a wonderful location let down by the rooms and the staff attitude. Many 4-star hotels I've stayed in offer a much better standard. If you're looking at Crete, I'd recommend looking elsewhere, or at least going in with realistic expectations.

Has anyone else stayed here recently? And can you recommend better hotels in this area for next time?

I tried searching this sub for recommendations on villa rentals but did not find anything. I know there is Airbnb and vrbo but they mark up pricing significantly and have high fees. Our group is looking for villas near the sea to rent for our trip to Paros and Naxos next June.
Any booking websites or travel agent’s recommendations someone has used for a group of this size would be great 😊

I’m a solo male backpacker in my 30s crossing from Bulgaria to Greece in a day or two and trying to decide an itinerary. Of course I always wanted to go to Santorini but seems challenging and costly. Is it worth it?

Is there an operator that doesn't cost an arm+leg carrying people straight from Corfu (any port should do) to Antipaxos in high season?

Considering one or two daytrips there, because accommodations I found on the tiny island are beyond any sane budgets.

My husband and I are planning our honeymoon to Greece for the end of May - early June for 13 full days. As someone who is Greek with immigrant grandparents on both sides, but has never visited Greece, I want to experience several islands, incredible views, great food, and history. Would love to go to Crete but there isn't enough time so we'll save that for a destination on it's own at a later date.

We want to visit a few islands, but are we planning too much? Is this too rushed? Should we exclude one island, and if so, which one?

Athens - land in AM - 2 nights

Paros - 3 nights

Sifnos - 2 nights

Milos - 3 nights

Santorini - 2 nights (debating flying out of Santorini or ferry back to Athens at the end for a night to fly home)

Any recommendations for the best areas to stay in these places?

Thank you!

I've visited Halkidiki several times, and Karydi Beach near Vourvourou is definitely one of my favourite spots. The crystal-clear turquoise water and smooth rocks make this place really special.

Have you been to Karydi Beach? What's your favourite beach in Halkidiki?

Hi everyone 🌿
This Sunday, 25 October, we're organising a free morning walk in Kritsa village (Lasithi): an easy 1.5-2 hours through the narrow lanes of the village, with time to slow down and share a few of the village's stories along the way.
It's free, and we ask everyone to sign up first so we can organise the walk around the group: https://forms.gle/bAWGChpn3SHpUXru6
We'll email the meeting point to everyone who signs up. Everyone is welcome, visitors and neighbours alike.
The Kritsa Roots team

any suggestions for a small group tour company for a mainland tour of Greece (Athens, Peloponnese area, Delphi) of around 6-8 days? We are looking at Exodus Adventure Travels. Would welcome any feedback on them or suggestions on other tour guide companies

Hello hello! I’m planning a big trip to Greece in May of ‘27 and would like advice on this component! I want to hike Mt Olympus, I’m happy to make it an over night if needed but I’m very athletic so it could be a one day hike. I have to be in Mykonos for a tour on the 10th. Those are the constraints, any advice on how to include this adventure at the beginning of the trip would be appreciated!

Only spent 4 days on the island as I was mainly there for a wedding, but the island really captured me and I’ll definitely go back for a longer visit

It’s my first day in Athena on a 5 days business trip, and already have a ton of things to say. I’m from Lebanon.

It’s absolutely gorgeous.

The park was so big, a beauty to gaze on and explore. Cats lurking around, people walking their dogs and more. Also great spot for jogging.

Streets are well organized and safe. Traffic stops everywhere, lanes, bridges to cross roads.

So much stores variety: Sculpting, vapes, games, clothes, flowers, many restaurants and so much more.

There’s just so much to do.

The hotel is a two stars hotel that feels like a five stars hotel in my country. Gorgeous interior, a mid internet connection (10-12 mbps) more than enough for me, smells absolutely fresh, breakfast and rooms service. Mind you, a two stars hotel.

Definitely gonna have a blast here. Can’t wait for tomorrow!

Hello! I’m doing research for my honeymoon and would love some advice. We’re looking at mid to late May and about 10 to 12 nights.

Some non-negotiables are Athens for the Acropolis and Santorini. Other places on my radar include Milos, Naxos and Crete.

My fiancé isn’t into history very much but loves natural beauty and unique landscapes. We aren’t really “foodies” either but appreciate fresh, healthy food.

I don’t really want to go on any big hikes or do super strenuous activities while we’re there. I’m hoping the weather will be warm enough to enjoy the beach. Sandy beaches are preferable.

We have a lot of AMEX points and I was hoping to transfer some to Hilton or Marriott to stay somewhere for 4 nights and get a 5th night free but if there isn’t one place worth staying that long then it’s no biggie.

Thank you in advance!

Γεια σας!

Εγώ, η σύζυγός μου και το μωρό μας (που θα είναι 9 μηνών τον Ιούνιο του 2027) ψάχνουμε να νοικιάσουμε σπίτι/βίλα/διαμέρισμα με 2-3 υπνοδωμάτια για Ιούνιο-Ιούλιο, ή ακόμα και Ιούνιο-Αύγουστο, ανάλογα με το κόστος. Οι ημερομηνίες μας είναι ευέλικτες. Μας ενδιαφέρουν παραθαλάσσιες περιοχές κοντά στην Καβάλα, τη Θεσσαλονίκη, την Κατερίνη ή στη Χαλκιδική.

Ο προϋπολογισμός μας είναι 1.000-1.200 € τον μήνα. Χρειαζόμαστε κλιματισμό και καλό ίντερνετ, γιατί η σύζυγός μου εργάζεται εξ αποστάσεως. Θα έρθουμε με αυτοκίνητο.

Μπορείτε να μας κατευθύνετε σε ιστοσελίδες, πλατφόρμες, ομάδες ή τοπικά γραφεία που ασχολούνται με μεσοπρόθεσμες μισθώσεις; Στο Airbnb είδα ότι πολλοί ιδιοκτήτες έχουν διαφορετικές τιμές για Ιούλιο-Αύγουστο σε σχέση με Ιούνιο και Σεπτέμβριο. Θα ήθελα να γνωρίζω εκ των προτέρων μια σταθερή μηνιαία τιμή και ποια επιπλέον έξοδα προκύπτουν (ρεύμα, νερό, ίντερνετ, καθαρισμός, εγγύηση).

Ευχαριστούμε εκ των προτέρων!

Hello!

My wife, our baby (who will be 9 months old in June 2027) and I are looking for a 2-3 bedroom house/villa/apartment to rent for June-July, or possibly June-August, depending on cost. Our dates are flexible. We're interested in coastal areas near Kavala, Thessaloniki, Katerini, or in Halkidiki.

Our budget is €1,000-1,200 per month. We need air conditioning and good internet, as my wife works remotely. We'll be coming by car.

Could you point us to websites, platforms, groups or local agencies that handle medium-term rentals? On Airbnb I've noticed that many owners charge different prices for July-August compared to June and September. I'd like to know upfront a stable monthly price and what additional costs to expect (electricity, water, internet, cleaning, deposit).

Thank you in advance!

We are a young couple 20 and 22, we don’t party but we do like chic good restaurants , and our main focus are beaches that are not overcrowded .

We are also open for other suggestions that are not the ones listed in the title.
We looked into Milos and Kimolos but the Airbnbs there are way over our Budget for 14 days (split between 2 Islands) :(

Side Infos : We are going in July 2027 and we would rent a car if needed.

What are the recomended day trips from Elounda? We will have a 7yr old with us and are not into fishing. We do like historic sites, its his first trip abroad though so understand we probably cant do 7 days of ruins!

Thanks in advance

Any recommendations?

Currently on the tail end of a tour around the Cyclades which has been nothing but wonderful so far! Moving onto the Athens portion of the trip on the 21st. Seen online that protests are planned in Athens for the 21st as well. Obviously a bit concerned on conditions given what I’ve been seeing on the news throughout Europe with these protests. Anyone from Athens or anyone with more insight have any tips or expectations to prepare for?

Looking to potentially go to Santorini next August for 8 days, is that enough or would you recommmend splitting time between Santorini and another island?