This is a guest post by Kathleen, a travel blogger living in Greece.
Greece is a beautiful, fascinating country, and one that I’ve been lucky enough to call home for almost three years now (plus spending a few years here part-time as a digital nomad).
What exactly makes this place so special, and so welcoming for solo female travelers in particular? Let me walk you through everything you need to know to have a great solo trip to Greece based on my extensive explorations here:
Greece for Solo Female Travelers
Greece is well-known for two things: beautiful beaches and ancient history. But this country has so much more to offer than just the well-traveled paths.
From the incredibly rich and vibrant culture, to the stunning landscapes (and not just on the islands!), to the exceptionally welcoming people, Greece has it all as a destination for solo female travelers.
Incredible Food
Greek food is world-renowned for a reason—it’s truly fantastic. And the cuisine goes way beyond gyros and Greek salads (although those are delicious!).
From fresh seafood to rich traditional foods like moussaka and pastitsio to all the different kinds of cheese, Greece has a lot to offer visiting foodies. Each region, including the different island groups, has their own variations and specialities so you’ll never get bored. The produce grown here is also really high-quality so even the simplest of dishes is a feast.
And we can’t talk about drinks in Greece without talking about coffee. Going for a coffee is a national pastime, and you can sit for hours in a cafe sipping a coffee and watching the world go by (one of my favorite activities as a solo traveler!).
Definitely try the freddo espresso or freddo cappuccino, which is iced and frothed espresso or cappuccino—there’s nothing better on a hot day. Greek coffee is thick and strong and will definitely wake you right up.
Warm Weather
Greece has a mostly mild climate, with beautiful and temperate spring and fall seasons. Even winter is generally not too cold, compared to the Northern US (where I’m from) or Northern Europe.
We do get some chilly weather in January and February, but it almost never goes below freezing in most places. However, we get snow in the mountains (fun fact: Greece is 80% mountainous) so you can enjoy skiing in some areas if you want a little winter wonderland.
Summers these days do get very, very hot, especially in the concrete jungle that is Athens, but really just in July and August. Otherwise it’s mainly mild, sunny, and enjoyable to be here, eating outside and even going for a swim.
Beautiful Beaches and Much More
While Greece is (rightfully) super-famous for its beaches and islands—they’re truly incredible—it also has many other places and landscapes that are full of beauty.
Some beaches on the mainland, like in the Mani region or Halkidiki, rival even the best island beaches. Small traditional mountain villages in Epirus and Pelion offer a different side of Greece, and lots of opportunities for hiking.
And the ancient historical sites: well, there are simply too many to name, as this small country is unbelievably rich in history, from the Bronze Age to Alexander the Great’s empire to Byzantine times and beyond.
The islands themselves are full of more diversity than you might imagine—beyond just Santorini and Mykonos, there are 220+ inhabited islands in Greece, each with their own landscapes and traditions and cuisines (and of course, historical sites).
People and Hospitality
One of the best things about Greece for solo female travelers is how friendly and welcoming the people here are. It’s more than just a surface friendliness too—philoxenia is a Greek word meaning the love of the stranger, and it’s at the heart of their expansive and genuine hospitality.
Greeks will chat you up, offer helpful advice and tips, and tell you about their cultural traditions and history, especially if you’re traveling alone. Also they’ll always, always feed you.
You’ll never really be alone here unless you want to, and it’s lovely to feel that you always have people looking out for you and making sure you enjoy yourself.
Plus, English is very widely spoken especially in tourist areas, in Athens, and among young people. It’s easy to get around without any Greek, which is a beautiful but very difficult language to learn.
Is Greece Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Greece is a very safe country for solo female travelers.
Even Athens, which sometimes gets a bad reputation because it’s a bit dingy, is quite safe except for a handful of areas. I walk alone here at night all the time, take public transit all over the city and country alone regularly, and feel much, much safer here than I did in my hometown of Boston.
That being said, as a solo female traveler it’s good to take the same precautions you would take as a woman traveling (or just existing) anywhere. In Athens, as in any major European city, there are pickpockets especially in the Monastiraki and Syntagma metro stations, so just always be aware of your belongings and you’ll be fine.
Honestly the biggest safety hazard you’ll face here are the aggressive and careless motorcycle drivers. Do be careful of the traffic in Athens—it’s chaos for drivers and pedestrians alike!
Top Destinations in Greece for Solo Female Travelers
Athens
Athens is not the most superficially beautiful city, but just below the slightly decaying surface (thanks to a decade of non-investment after the financial crisis), she is a vibrant, young, arty, always interesting place. And yes, she’s a lady as she’s named after the goddess Athena. She’s also where I’ve lived the last three years, so I might be biased, but it’s a special place.
While the Acropolis and the picturesque Plaka district are must-sees, all of the center of Athens is filled with historical ruins and sites like the Roman Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the original modern Olympic Stadium built entirely of marble.
Athens also has lots of fascinating museums, like the National Archeological Museum, the Cycladic Museum, and the Byzantine and Christian Museum (to give you a fuller picture of the many different Greek periods of history).
And the food scene in Athens is incredible. From fancy Michelin-starred spots to simple neighborhood tavernas and cafes, you can eat anything here and you’ll eat well. Definitely hit a rooftop bar for a coffee or a drink while taking in the city from above at least once while you’re here.
Santorini
Yes, Santorini is over-touristed and crowded and all over Instagram, but for once, it’s a hyped-up place because it’s uniquely beautiful.
Around 1600 BC, the underwater volcano in the middle of the island erupted and created the caldera that makes the island famous. (The volcano is still active, and you can take a boat cruise and swim in its warm surrounding waters!) The sheer cliffs of the caldera are truly gorgeous, and there’s nothing like watching a sunset there over the Aegean Sea.
If you don’t feel drawn to Santorini, you don’t need to go, but if it’s on your bucket list it’s well worth a visit.
(Mykonos, on the other hand, is just overhyped and not so special unless you are dying to do some very expensive clubbing. There are a dozen other more beautiful islands with those whitewashed little houses and churches and beautiful beaches in the Cycladic island group alone.)
Crete
There’s not enough space in this one post to sing the full praises of Crete, which is the biggest island in Greece (and the fifth biggest in the Mediterranean).
It’s beautiful, with secluded beaches and snow-capped mountains and ancient Minoan palaces and Venetian coastal cities. It’s got everything, from hiking trails to some of the best food in Greece to charming little villages.
And with its size and diversity, you could spend a weekend here (which I do often) or three weeks, and never get bored. The people here are also extremely friendly and welcoming, and they’ve kept their traditions intact from dances to the beautiful music and more.
You can take an organized tour here (I recommend Taste the Local Crete), stay in an all-inclusive beachside resort for some R&R (Crete has several good ones), or rent a car and drive all around the island to explore some of the smaller places off the beaten track.
Crete also has a good bus network if you want to explore multiple cities and towns like Heraklion, Rethymno, and Chania but don’t want to drive.
However you choose to spend your time here as a solo female traveler, you’ll have a wonderful time in this very special place.
Peloponnese
While the Greek islands are famous and beautiful, you can stay on the mainland and still have a picture-perfect Greek experience in the Peloponnese peninsula. It’s just 2 hours drive from Athens to enter the area, and offers a wide range of activities and cities, towns, and historical sites.
Nafplio is a small coastal city that’s a favorite weekend destination for Athenians with pretty Italianate buildings and a relaxed vibe. Kalamata is another small coastal city with those famous olives. There are ancient Mycenaean cities all over like Tiryns, fascinating and remote regions like Mani, medieval cities like Monemvasia, and so much more.
Also the roads here are pretty good, so it’s a great spot for a road trip. And don’t miss the famous oranges which grow all over this area—the orange juice will change your life.
Sifnos
If you’re looking for that idyllic Greek island experience without a lot of crowds, Sifnos is perfect. It’s a Cycladic island with those white-washed buildings and blue-domed churches, and the sparse hillsides are full of olive trees and goats.
Plus, Sifnos is the birthplace of modern Greek cuisine so the food is really exceptional here. You can also easily walk all over the main town (not always a given in Greece!) and there’s a great bus system if you don’t want to drive on the narrow island roads.
Best Places to Stay in Greece
In Athens, staying in the center is the most fun for a solo traveler. Koukaki, Kolonaki, Thissio, and Monastiraki are all very central and walking distance to the main sites. I’ve stayed in and loved Athens Central Hotel, Athens 365, and Athens Gate Hotel, and they all have lovely rooftop bars with Acropolis views.
If you want something a little different, Exarchia is really hip and youthful, or the Modernist Hotel in Evangelismos which is in the area where I live!
If you’re in Santorini on your dream trip, it’s worth it to splurge on a cave hotel on the cliffside to really soak in those views. Fira is the central town and it’s easy to get around the whole island from here.
In Sifnos, there are a lot of great options but I loved the Smaragdi Hotel in Artemonas, which was very friendly and central.
Nafplio is a great base for exploring the Peloponnese, and the Epoch House & Orange Shop is heavenly to stay in (it also has a great breakfast!).
When I’m in Crete, I love to stay in the GDM Megaron Hotel in Heraklion which is luxurious and comfortable and has the best breakfast buffet I’ve ever had in Greece.
How to Get Around Greece
When you’re arriving in Greece, you’ll likely arrive through Athens. The Athens airport is lovely and efficient, and you have a few options for getting into the city center. The metro is safe, fast, reliable, and runs every 36 minutes (just be sure to buy the 9 euro ticket specifically for the airport trip).
If you’re arriving late at night, you can also take the 24 hour bus which runs every 15 minutes. There are a few lines, but the X95 will take you to Syntagma Square in the center. It’s 6 euros.
Or you can take a cab, as there are plenty of them at the airport and there’s a fixed fee to get to the tourist center (40 euros in the daytime, 55 euros from midnight to 5am). You can just grab one or use Uber to call you one.
Once you’re here, you have a few options for getting around Athens. I’d avoid renting a car in the city as it’s very traffic-choked these days and parking is a nightmare. Plus, the metro is very reliable and fast and a great way to get around (it’s cheap too!). Buses are hit or miss, some are nice and some are ancient and decrepit.
Cabs are easy to find outside of the summer high season, and you can use Uber to call one (Uber here just calls you a cab) or FreeNow. Taxis are safe and usually good but occasionally a driver will try to scam foreigners so I usually default to using the apps.
Getting Around Greece
For getting outside of Athens, you’ve got plenty of options.
Flying is fast and easy, and the big islands have airports. There are budget airlines but I love Aegean Airlines, which is the national carrier and has great service. They always give you a snack—true Greek hospitality.
If you’re going to an island, especially a smaller one, you’ll need to hop a ferry. There are fast ones and slow ones, and the slow ones are bigger and better if you get seasick as they’re more stable. The slow ones also let you get outside to marvel at the Greek seas. I book my ferry tickets with FerryHopper which makes it easy and lets you track your approaching ferry in real-time!
Buses also run all over the country and across the islands, they’re typically pretty good and pretty cheap. It can be a little confusing to find the schedules for each region’s bus routes but don’t be shy in asking at your hotel or at the bus station.
Renting a car is also a good option if you want to explore more out-of-the-way places and villages and beaches. They do have a lot of tolls on the main roads, but those are at least in good shape and not too crowded most of the time. Just be cautious as the smaller roads can be narrow and Greek driving is pretty… exciting.
The only mode of transport I would completely avoid in Greece is the trains. There was a head-on collision in Tempi in 2023 between two trains that killed 57 people, due to poor safety controls and outdated technology on the train system, and unfortunately the government has still not fixed any of these very serious issues and several similar incidents have almost happened since then.
What to Pack for Greece
The perfect packing list depends on when you’re visiting Greece and what you’re planning to do, but here’s a basic outline.
If you’re coming in winter: pack some warmer clothes and a light rain jacket (it’s the rainiest season).
If you’re coming in spring or fall: pack layers as it still gets nice and cool at night, but definitely also bring a swimsuit in case it’s lovely enough to get in the sea!
If you’re coming in summer: pack light, loose clothes in natural fibers for sun protection.
General tips: Greeks don’t typically dress very formally, but athleisure and sweatpants are not worn outside of the gym so keep that in mind if you want to blend in. If you’re going into a church, you’ll need to cover your knees and shoulders but that doesn’t apply anywhere else.
And while swimwear is fine at the beach and at beachside cafes and tavernas, it’s frowned upon to wear only that in town or nicer places, or even the supermarket. Toss on a tank and shorts or a little dress, just like you would at home.
I also recommend flat, comfortable shoes in Athens due to our cracked, uneven, slippery sidewalks. But in general, you don’t need to worry too much about what to wear except for your own comfort! Greece is a live-and-let-live kind of place.
***
Traveling in Greece brings me so much joy, even after 3 years of living here. The people, the culture, the food, and the landscapes never fail to thrill me, and they make this the perfect destination for a solo female traveler.
I hope you fall in love with Greece like I did on your trip!
About the author: Kathleen O’Donnell is the travel blogger behind My Lonesome Roads, where she shares travel tips for solo travelers and lots of Greece travel ideas. She’s a marketing writer and former digital nomad who has lived in Greece full-time since 2022, and her love for the country has only grown since then.
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