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I have a flight booked to Greece for a month this August and I'm trying to plan out the vacation. Beyond the mask requirements that I'm sure will be in place, I'm wondering how many businesses have survived the lockdown? Will there still be lots of little shops in tourist centers like Monastiraki in Athens? What about taverna's and local bars for nightlife? I'm worried from all I hear that it will be a completely different experience and I'm hoping it will still be as relaxing and fun as previous years. I hear the islands were less effected...anyone hear anything specific?
 
Sorry, I don't know anything specific about this year. My family friend went last summer and he said that everything was the same (besides masks), and that the streets and shops were still pretty busy. People weren't being very careful. I'm not sure how this upcoming summer will be, because the past year has been tough for Greece economically and I'm sure many businesses didn't survive the off season.
 
I've heard that they do plan on re-opening everything for tourism starting in Mid-May. Most hotels will be allowed to open on June 1st and tourist attractions will also be open so there will be a lot of things to do You will have to be vaccinated or have a negative test in order to enter the country and there will likely be protocols in place like masks but it's worth the sacrifice to be able to go!!
 
I have a flight booked to Greece for a month this August and I'm trying to plan out the vacation. Beyond the mask requirements that I'm sure will be in place, I'm wondering how many businesses have survived the lockdown? Will there still be lots of little shops in tourist centers like Monastiraki in Athens? What about taverna's and local bars for nightlife? I'm worried from all I hear that it will be a completely different experience and I'm hoping it will still be as relaxing and fun as previous years. I hear the islands were less effected...anyone hear anything specific?
I hope you make it there and post on this forum as you go. I, too, am wondering what traveling to Greece will be like and when it's most optimum to go.
 
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I hope you make it there and post on this forum as you go. I, too, am wondering what traveling to Greece will be like and when it's most optimum to go.
I would suggest waiting until procedures and protocols are announced for the summer travel months. Many things can change and it's best to be better safe than sorry. It's best to keep updated with this website often and check it before you plan everything: https://travel.gov.gr/#/
 
I hope you make it there and post on this forum as you go. I, too, am wondering what traveling to Greece will be like and when it's most optimum to go.
Everything will be in order. We hope after vaccination and support we have from our goverment that we will enjoy Greek summer once again.
 
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Which Greek island feels the least touristy in the summer?

I know that July and August are busy almost everywhere in Greece, especially on the more famous islands, but I’m curious about places that still feel relatively local and relaxed even during peak season.

I’m not necessarily looking for somewhere completely empty. I’d just love an island where you can still find traditional villages, local tavernas, quieter beaches, and a slower pace without feeling like the entire island is built around tourism.

Have you visited an island in the summer that still felt authentic and not overly crowded? I’d especially be interested in places where locals still seem to set the rhythm of daily life rather than visitors.

Which island would you recommend, and what made it feel less touristy to you? Was it the beaches, villages, restaurants, fewer cruise ships, or just the overall atmosphere?

Is Island Hopping Worth the Effort?

I've been thinking about trying an island-hopping trip the next time I visit Greece, but I'm wondering if it's actually worth the extra planning and travel time. In the past I've usually picked one island and stayed there for the duration of my vacation, which has been relaxing and let me really get to know the area.

Part of me loves the idea of experiencing several islands in one trip since they each seem to have their own personality, food, scenery, and traditions. On the other hand, I wonder if constantly packing, catching ferries, and checking into new accommodations takes away from the experience.

For those of you who have island-hopped, did you feel it was worth it? How many islands did you visit, and did you wish you had spent more time in fewer places? I'd love to hear your itineraries, tips, and whether you'd do it the same way again.

Festivals of Note for 2026 in Greece?

My family and I are starting to think about a possible trip to Greece in 2026, and this time we’re considering planning part of the trip around a festival or cultural celebration. We’ve been to Greece before, but we’ve never really organized a trip around a specific event.

I know Greece has so many interesting traditions throughout the year. Because of that, I’m starting to gather ideas early while we figure out where we might want to go.

Have any of you traveled to Greece specifically to experience a festival? If so, which ones would you recommend? It could be religious celebrations, food festivals, music events, or local village festivals.
I’d love to hear about any memorable festival experiences that might help us shape our 2026 plans.

Places to go for the first time in Greece?

A friend of mine is planning her first trip to Greece, and she asked me what she should prioritize for about 10 days. I’ve been lucky enough to go quite a few times, so I gave her a starting point: Athens for the history, Santorini for the views, and Mykonos for the energy and beaches.

She loved that outline, but she wants to add one more destination to round out the trip. That’s where I started second guessing myself a bit, because there are so many good options depending on what kind of experience she wants.

I was thinking maybe somewhere a little different to balance things out, but I’m curious what others would suggest. If you had 10 days and those three spots already planned, what would be your fourth destination for a first-time visitor?

Favorite small towns in Greece?

I realized recently that some of my favorite places in Greece haven’t actually been the major destinations everyone talks about, but smaller towns that just had a completely different atmosphere to them.

Sometimes it’s a mountain village with one main square and old stone houses, other times it’s a tiny coastal town where everyone seems to know each other and life moves slower. A few of the places I still think about most weren’t even places I had originally planned to visit.

I’m curious what small towns or villages have really stayed with people after traveling in Greece. Could be because of the scenery, the food, the people, the history, or just the overall feeling of the place.

Would love to hear everyone’s favorites, especially places that don’t always make the typical travel lists.
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