Mapped by April

Planning your first trip to Greece is incredibly exciting, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. From decoding the local language to figuring out how to navigate the ancient ruins without melting in the sun, there is a lot to know before you go.

I recently explored Athens and the stunning island of Crete. To help you plan your own Mediterranean getaway, I’m breaking down everything you need to know: from essential Greek phrases and must-try street foods to my exact itinerary.

💡 Quick Cultural Tips & Logistics

Before we talk about ruins and beaches, let’s cover a few essential logistics that will save you some serious awkwardness.

• The Toilet Paper Rule: In many places in Greece, do not flush toilet paper. Because of old, narrow pipes, you need to place it in the small trash can next to the toilet. If you aren’t staying in a major city Marriott, play it safe and use the bin, especially in smaller beachside cafes and restaurants.
• Pack the Essentials: Always throw a small roll of toilet paper and some hand sanitizer in your day bag just in case!
• Language & Connections: Most everyone under 40 speaks excellent English. However, if you approach locals with even a tiny bit of Greek, they will absolutely love the effort.

Mini Greek Vocab Cheat Sheet

Try practicing these before you land:
Σας ευχαριστώ – Sas Efharisto / Thank you
Παρακαλώ – Parakaló / Please
που είναι το μπάνιο – Pou eenai toh banyo? / Where is the bathroom?

🍽️ The Ultimate Greek Food Guide (What to Order)

The food in Greece is out of this world. Forget what you know about Greek food at home; here is what you need to order straight off the menu:

• Gyros (“eeryos”): It’s pita stuffed with meat, tzatziki, lettuce, onion, tomato, and in some cases, french fries. Note: In Athens, it usually comes without extra sauce, but in Thessaloniki, they add ketchup and mustard!
• Souvlakia (“soovlahkyah”): Grilled meat skewers (pork or chicken) seasoned with lemon, pepper, and oregano. You can get them on a platter, wrapped in a pita, or right on the stick. Pro-tip: Choose the spot where you can smell the grill from a block away!
• Horiatiki: Traditional Greek salad. You won’t find a single shred of lettuce here —just perfectly chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, oil, vinegar, and a massive block of feta. The tomatoes taste like Jersey heirlooms, rich, deep, and not watery at all.
• Bougatsa (“boohgahtsah”): The absolute best breakfast pastry. Flakey phyllo dough stuffed with a sweet, creamy cheese filling. They sell out fast because they are made fresh daily!
• Seafood – For obvious reasons, Greece has a ton of amazing seafood. If you’re into fish, I highly recommend ordering whatever peaks your fancy on the menu!

How to Order Coffee Like a Local
You have to try a Frappe, the original Greek iced coffee made from whipped instant Nescafe, sugar, ice, and milk. It’s frothy, strong, and highly addictive. When you order, specify your milk and sweetness level.

🏛️ Part 1: Exploring Historic Athens

We based ourselves in Piraeus, a gorgeous waterfront neighborhood just outside the city center right by the original port of Athens. We stayed in a fabulous, highly walkable Waterfront Airbnb which made catching day-trip ferries incredibly easy.

Top Things to Do in Athens:

• The Acropolis Museum: Hands down one of my favorite museums in the world. Do this first before you actually climb the Acropolis so you can understand what you’re looking at. Go early or late to avoid the midday crowd.
• The Acropolis: The ancient citadel on the mountain where the Parthenon sits. It features stunning views, but there is zero shade and nowhere to sit. Wear great walking shoes, bring tons of water, and consider a guided walking tour (we loved Athens Walking Tours).

• Monastiraki: A massive outdoor marketplace perfect for wandering. Shopping Tip: Look for the local vendors selling raw Athenian leather. I bought a real leather purse here for around 30 Euros years ago and still use it every single day! The leather starts out stiff, but it molds to your body and deepens in color beautifully over time.
• Thissio Neighborhood: A gorgeous, old-school pedestrian neighborhood right under the Acropolis. It features an outdoor movie theater and tons of cafes where you can dine with a direct view of the Parthenon lit up at night.
• Lycabettus Hill: The highest point in Athens for a panoramic view. Have your taxi drop you off directly at the tram/train station, which will take you smoothly up to the top where there’s a tiny church and cafe.
• Take a Day Cruise from the Port: Because Piraeus is the original port of Athens, it is the perfect launching pad for island hopping. If you want a break from the city heat, I highly recommend booking an all-day luxury sailing cruise. We took this exact Viator Day Cruise which took us to three stunning islands: Agistri, Moni, and Aegina. It came fully stocked with delicious food and drinks, and getting out on the water was an absolute highlight of our Athens stay!

• Ferry Pro-Tip: If you decide to book your own local ferries to nearby islands like Mykonos instead of a guided tour, always aim to catch the first ferry out and the second-to-last ferry back. That way, if anything goes wrong or you accidentally miss your boat, you still have one final safety net to get you back to the mainland!

Church Etiquette: When visiting Greece’s beautiful historic churches, dress modestly. Keep shoulders and knees covered. I always pack a couple of light beach sarongs in my bag to quickly tie around my shoulders or waist before heading inside.

🌊 Part 2: Falling in Love with Crete

From Athens, we took a quick 50-minute flight over to Crete, and it instantly became my favorite place on Earth.

We stayed in the city of Chania at this absolutely beautiful Chania Airbnb with the sweetest host ever. Chania is perfectly split into Old Town (picturesque, narrow European streets filled with local artisan shops) and New Town (modern shopping), both within easy walking distance.

Why Chania Steals the Show:

• The Waterfront Dining: The harbor is lined with endless restaurants right on the water. You honestly can’t go wrong with the food here, just pick a view you like!

• Lots of Local Shopping: There are so many beautiful local shops and artisans. Take a peek inside each one, and take your time! They are so beautiful!
• The Old Lighthouse: You can walk all the way out along the stone wall to the historic harbor lighthouse. This spot is incredibly special to me because it is exactly where my husband proposed! 💍

• Endless Relaxation: While you can take glass-bottom boat tours or catch ferries to neighboring islands like Santorini and Mykonos from here , we barely left Chania. It’s the kind of place where you just want to wander the shops, hit the local beaches, and slow down.
• Cats! Yes there are so many cute cats. Mostly just hanging around and taking naps. Truly a bonus for a cat lover like me!

🍇 The Magic of Cretan Hospitality (and the Raki Tradition)

You cannot talk about Crete without mentioning the hospitality! It is on a completely different level. The locals are incredibly warm and welcoming, and they have a beautiful dining custom that you will experience at almost every single sit-down meal.

When you get your bill at the end of dinner, the restaurant will typically bring out a complimentary platter of fresh fruit or a small dessert, accompanied by a little glass carafe of Raki (also known as tsikoudia).

Raki is a clear, twice-distilled grape pomace brandy. It is very strong, and it is served as a gift from the house.

Mapped by April Culture Tip: Because it is a gesture of hospitality, they generally expect you to drink it! It’s considered polite to clink glasses with your table and take at least a sip. However, if you don’t drink alcohol, don’t panic, it is completely fine to politely tell your server you don’t drink, and they will not be offended. Otherwise, sit back, enjoy the free fruit, and toast to an amazing meal!

✈️ Heading Home: One Final Day in Athens (and a Special Souvenir!)

After an unforgettable time in Crete, we caught a quick flight back to the mainland. Since our international flights departed out of Athens Airport, we decided to spend our very last day back in the city to ensure we didn’t run into any transit delays.

But I didn’t spend my last day just killing time at the airport.. I actually had a very special appointment booked! Months before leaving for Greece, I had researched and booked a session at a local tattoo shop called Ritual Tattoo Athens.

I was a bit nervous about the logistics of doing it on my final day, but they were absolutely awesome. The artists were incredibly professional, the shop had a fantastic vibe, and the overall experience day-of was flawless. If you are looking for the ultimate, permanent travel souvenir from Greece, I cannot recommend them enough!

📸 A quick note on visuals: All photos featured in this post were taken by me. Please do not download, copy, or reuse them without my written permission. Thanks for supporting Mapped by April!