Mistakes American Tourists Make in Greece - Don't Do This in Greece! 

There is only one big mistake you can do : Act as if Greece is a theme park and Greeks are all employees. All other mistakes are small and can be corrected by making some new greek friends and exploring.

Mistgake #1: Not eating "everywhere" !!!!! Seriously, I've been to over 50 countries around the world. There s NO PLACE like Greece when it comes to food. It's ALWAYS superb, NEVER miss the opportunity to eat everywhere, you will never regret it. :) Btw, I was invited to a wedding on Crete. It was the most fun I've ever had in any vacation. If you get the opportunity, DO NOT miss it :)

The most important thing to remember is that Greece has a history that goes back thousands of years so there is plenty to see, most important avoid the tourist season, go in May or September.

Such a small country on the map but so massive when being there. I can't believe it, it's my 6th time there and in not even half way through. It's an awesome place.

My first meal in Greece was at a huge truck gas stop. They had a small buffet; it was only vegetables.......one of the best meals I've ever eaten. Definitely always go to small towns.

There is one old saying...With 10K euros you can go to Naxos island for 2 months, you can go to Ikaria island for 2 years or for a coffee to Mykonos/Santorini.:p

Hmm no you’re wrong about the white buildings and blue domes, it can be found all over the Cyclades islands, so Paros, Naxos … have the same architecture, it’s not just Santorini. But yes outside of the Cyclades it’s a different architecture

I have been to Greece several times, and you are correct that it is not just Athens, Mykonos and Santorini. Ironically of those three I have only been to Athens. Instead I have been to several of the the islands (8 I think at last count) and the all have their own character, yet they have one thing in common, and that is their beauty.

I learned about the Greek coffee at a Greek Festival in St Louis at Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and I bought a coffee & pastry and the nice Γιαγιά warned me not to drink the sediment at the bottom of the cup.

Hi Greece is paradise nature from North to South to East. To West one needs many lives to see the beauty. Of this country mainland and the Greek islands is such a beautiful GIFT to YOUR EYES AND SOUL BEAUTY EVERYWHERE

I live here in Greece. The other mistake people make is only visiting in the summer! Greece is *amazing* all year round - come in autumn, winter and spring too! They have beautiful ski resorts (Kalavryta, Metsovo, Arachova...), for a fraction of the price of the Alps... hiking in beautiful forests, swimming in lakes... and you'll hardly see any other foreign tourists here.

Two additional mistakes, first ouzo, tourists fail to understand the strength and then they get a very bad hangover. There is a reason it's served in a small glass! Secondly failure to check if the accommodation is air conditioned and which areas are covered. Celling fans are common for bedrooms in greece, if you visit during july or august maybe double check that there is an AC unit.

Oh God, please don't let Americans know there are places in Greece other than Athens, Mykonos and Santorini!

I rented a car in Greece, and it is one of my favourite countries to drive around. No problem with other drivers or anything like that at all.

Just went to athens and corfu and i fell in love with Greece. So safe, so beautiful. I cant wait to go back one day and explore nore

@WoltersWorld My parents are from Chios and not many people heard of Chios. But, Chios is a great island to visit if people want to relax , do lowkey activities such as hiking in nature, visiting many historic villages, historic buildings, and so many more. Chios is well known for its nature and Mastic or as we called it mastika. Chios is the only island in Greece and in the world that grows it. So, book your tickets to Chios and you will be amazed!

Nafplio is my favorite town in Greece! It's so relaxed and beautiful. The Mani region is also gorgeous, incredible people, food, nature and architecture.

Greece is affordable from a tourist point of view. But the locals have to watch every penny carefully. 02:13

It’s Ariel from The Urbanist @ 20:34!…his series on Athens was incredible!❤ Great and very useful information Mark! Can’t wait to go this summer!🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷

15:54 we made that mistake our first night in Greece. Ordered several appetizers for the table AND individual main courses. We did not make that mistake again. We either did all apps or split main courses the rest of the trip.

Hi. So ,white buildings and blue domes are not in Santorini exclusively, but in Cyclades in general. A universal tip for tourists is when you go to a place , ask the locals where to eat local food. If you go to a tavern and see locals sit, if you see only tourists leave.

Greece is an Orthodox country. So there is a certain level of conservativeness. But even in the Vatican you may be refused entry if you’re not dressed up appropriately. 07:56.

I have been 9 times over the last 11 years, and I agree with everything you noted here. I would add that a great way to enjoy a few days on your chosen island is to buy groceries locally and have a lunch or two on your patio as some stays are ideal for that.

This was the best review of Greece - wonderful, honest and helpful. Thanks for sharing

Thanks Jocelyn and Mark. Great advice as usual. I love orange cake like my mum used to make for special occasions. It was delicious 😋 ⭐✨👌🍊🧡

Hiked the Northwestern mountains of Greece back in November. It was amazing!

Those are a lot of really good tipps, thanks a lot for sharing Mark ! I also like your obvious passion for Greece (and the food, the people, the culture etc. in Greece). I had never heard of Nafplio, it looks really beautiful !

We love Kefalonia, and have returned several times, there are amazing views and scenery and still quiet areas with not too many tourists

Greek time is my absolute favourite part of going to Greece, the people are so laid back it forces me to slow down and appreciate the moment rather than being anxious about always being a stickler for times and plans

Wow Mark, just watching your video, I can tell you've got so much experience and knowledge to share about Greece. I recently went to Nafo and loved exploring the seaside, castles, and of course, that amazing orange pie. One thing I wish I had known beforehand was not to make the mistake of only relying on tourist brochures for information. You're right, those beautiful white buildings with blue domes are just a small part of what Greece has to offer. I totally agree with you about trying local food and drinks - the Greek salads, moussaka, and water, and all these hidden gems we wouldn't have found if we just stuck to what we already knew. Your point about not only considering the party scene when choosing an island is really helpful because there's so much more to Greece beyond just parties and beaches. We loved exploring the history and culture here. Thanks for the great tips on transportation, food, and etiquette too. I wished someone had told me about the strong coffee and the whole siesta tradition before I went, haha And yeah, not being afraid to talk to locals really does make a huge difference. We had a local guide show us around the Acropolis, and it was amazing to learn so much about the history and secrets behind those ancient walls. Keeping a cool head when it comes to driving and being a pedestrian is also crucial. I was surprised by how crazy drivers can be here, so thanks for the heads-up on that. Your advice on staying hydrated, sun-safe, and comfortable will definitely help future travelers . The Instagram-focused tourism really does change the way people travel, doesn't it? Focusing on experiencing Greece beyond just the famous spots is super important. Lastly, I appreciate your mention of not comparing Greece to Turkey-let's just appreciate each country for its unique beauty and experiences. Your videos really paint a wonderful picture of this beautiful country. Can't wait for my next return.

Thanks for promoting Greece as it should. You did more than our state ever did! Also good point to suggest to tourists to not overpay. It's a HUGE problem for us the locals, because the higher prices affects us too.

Your video is valuable because it prompts tourists to visit beautiful mainland Greece too, which can help the economy. Thank you, that's totally appreciated!

❤❤❤. My dad and I were there in August of 2023 - Athens, Santorini, and Crete. One of the best days we had was driving from Heraklion to Chania.

I totally agree with you! Nafplio is one of my favourite towns in Greece. My parents and I used to visit often when I was little; it's a popular day or weekend trip for people living in Athens. Speaking of lesser-known islands, I read in the news today about a new helicopter service connecting several islands in Greece with scheduled flights. This isn't for day trips or private hires but for regular flights. It may not be the cheapest option, but it allows travellers to "hop" from island to island in less than half an hour. You can take longer journeys, like from Athens to Antiparos, or shorter ones, like from Santorini to Folegandros. No more excuses for just going to Mykonos and Santorini! 😅

I miss Greece so much. The sunshine, the people, the beauty, the food and pastries. Nowhere like Greece. When it comes to public transportation I've moved around everywhere I've been in Greece with ease using only public transportation.

I used to know a lady who was half French and half Greek. I never knew which way to turn.

I've been visiting Greece for the last 30 years, at least twice a year. Never been to Mykonos or Santorini. All I hear is 'overpriced and overrated' and you can find similar buildings and views elsewhere in Greece too. The islands are great, but so is the mainland! Peloponnese, Chalcidice, Epirus, Thessaly... fly to Athens, Thessalonica of Preveza, rent a car and start road-tripping. April, May, September and October are the best travel periods for Greece imo.

I did enjoy today's longer version 👍 , especially when you talk about Greece !

Flying to Santorini saves so much time and you are on top and don't have to climb up the caldera!

Thank you for this video! Nafplio was amazing! Loved Olympia, Delphi, Thermopylae and Tolo too. Greek history is what attracted me to this beautiful country. I saw some of the same mistakes as you especially people getting sunburned!

Thanks for the advice, I’ll be heading to Greece soon and I’ll be glad to be able to respectfully admire the historic beauty!

Great video! We went to Greece for the first time last year. Had an amazing time. You are on point with all your advice. I especially agree with doing your research on the different islands and what they offer. Figure out what kind of experience you are looking for to have. Also loved exploring Athens. Definitely worth staying there for more than two days! 💙

Hey Mark, great video

I agree! When I went last year I caught the train north to Kalambaka. I also went to Syros island to avoid the crowds, beautiful pastel colored buildings.

The city of Kavala and the nearby Thassos Island is one of the most underrrated tourist spots of Greece. On your next visit, please come!

Thank you. Good to know about the drivers license😊

I love Napflio! There's so much to do within a short drive from there. I recommend staying in one of the small villages nearby.

So nicely summed up

I love these videos with all the tips! And yes! Totally agree with Jocelyn on SPF. I love seeing her in the videos!

Cool, another video about Greece. Thank you . You should make a video about the places we can visit .I know Greece has plenty of places

Made it to Greece in 2018. Mykonos, Naxos, tour to Delos, Santorini - Akrotiri is a must, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, and Athens. I went up to Phillopopus Hill, then over to the Acropolis, early in the day (May). Lycabettus Hill is taller than the Acropolis and you can visit the stadium where the first modern Olympics was held. The other mistake folks make is NOT having good walking/hiking shoes and good walking/hiking socks and orthotics if needed. Also, when booking your accomodations, always check if the room has a mini fridge and elevator. Smaller, older buildings/hotels often do not. I would love wolters World to do a take on Peru. Just got back from spending 3 weeks there and it was amazing.

You seem like such a genuine happy soul, it makes your videos such a pleasure to watch even when you're talking about negative stuff 🙏

I ordered a second iced coffee for my dinner in Athens and the waiter said "oh no! too strong!" and, hilariously, mimed a strongman's pose. But it didn't keep me awake; coffee never really does.

Hi Mark! Love your videos!

So helpful, thanks!

Wolter never fails me to prepared me. I watched ur videos since i was 16 now then years later Im preparing myself for greece and the timing for this new video was just perfect ❤

Caffeine content is ok for Europeans just for reference. It’s probably the American watery coffee that Americans are used to that doesn’t have so much caffeine 👍🏻

Always wanted to go, maybe one day. History is so fascinating, so many sites to go to.

These videos are so helpful. I may not go anywhere, but I can travel with you.

2:17 Holy cow! I hope they have that in Mykonos when I go in July. :)

Good stuff, Mark, efharisto. My take on the blue domed churches is not that they are only in Santorini, they are I think more widely found in the Cyclades, which of course, includes Santorini. One I have seen in photos, not yet in person, is in Naoussa, Paros. The whole white washed houses and blue shutters/doors thing is a Cyclades thing. Nafplio and Crete, and the incredible Ionian islands for that matter, are much more Venice influenced. What an amazing country all around, with so many interesting, beautiful, and different places. I had the great experience living in Athens (technically Voula) for almost 3 years growing up.

Skiathos, Crete and Rhodes are the islands for me and I haven't been to any of those three. I was in Paros which was very nice. The three I mentioned interest me the most though.

Hello from Boston! My friend just sent me this link and I will forever grateful. This is wonderful! I want and need to go to Greece but struggling with whether I should do the cruise or just fly to Athens. Any suggestions please 😊

Thank you!

The ferry system between the mainland and various islands is quite good if you have the time. The ferry system goes more places and more often during the summer tourist season.

Mistake that Wolters world makes: Did not see Northern Greece yet. 😅

Γεια σου φιλαράκο μας καλέ!!!! Είσαι φοβερός!!!

We had Greek salad a few times during our trip last year, it was good but nothing memorable. The best salads we had were the green salads in Crete. We tried so many different kinds and they were all delicious!!

Thank you for another informative video. We are coming to Greece for the first time this fall. Decided not to go to any islands so that we can take our time and focus. We'll spend 5 days in Athens to start, do a couple of day trips from there, go to Nafplio for 2 nights (including stops along the way), then finish with another 2 nights in Athens before flying out. If we enjoy our time on this trip, which we expect, next time we'll head to a couple of islands as well but know there is still more to see on the mainland too.

Santorini: One time is one time too many. Crete for me. Just my opinion.

FYI: plane tickets, if you buy in advance, they're not a huge price difference from the ferries

4:32 Naxos and Paros offer similar view, with white houses and blue outlines. Yes, no domes, but that's just a local thing because of the volcano and the design people could come up with back then. Now they build them that way on purpose :D

I made a HUGE MISTAKE. I decided to go in end of April - beginning of May because I wanted a quiet time. I never though ORTHODOX EASTER CAN BE IN MAY and this year it was May 5th Ferries were full, flights super expensive, museum and archeological sites closed, some May 1st strikes and closures were postponed to May 7th because May 1st was on Ash Wednesday, so all Museums and Archeological sites were closed both May 5th and May 7th, etc. Planning and doing this trip was a real pain.

13:00 - no joke, that how much I was eating there (as vege) for breakfast, and im 70kg 185. Love greek food - their pasta sos? best I ate in my life.

I had to re-watch my favorite Travel Show...The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy (AppleTV) to see if his Greece episode picket up on some of the things you did. 😎

love from greece.we love you.xxxx

I would go to Skiathos over Santorini.

OMG, going to Meteora where defensible monasteries were built on top of amazingly tall volcanic plug rock formations was a revelation. They are stunning, and we'd never heard of it. And the places that the Greeks go are often the ones other tourist don't, and they're less crowded.🤍💙🤍💙

My daughter & I just left Nafplio for Athens by bus. It's definitely a must see town. Been to Santorini, Naxos, Paros as well. Meteora overnight in 2 days. Will definitely be exhausted. The heat is miserable this time of year, I wouldn't recommend it. My wish list for next visit is Crete, Corfu

The Greeks drink their coffee with some water to wash it down. 0:13:25

He’s not kidding about the food portions. When I visited Greece with a tour group of people from America, I thought that I never want to hear anyone make fun of large American restaurant portions again. We all ordered responsibly and shared food with each other so that we could try as many different dishes as possible, but we were all stunned by how much food there was and none of us could finish an entire meal. That said, I would love to go back, if only to have a real gyro and some actual Tzatziki again. I grew up in a coastal area with beautiful beaches and lots of tourism, so I am a respectful tourist myself. I understand how annoying certain ones can be. There are always some who are demanding, entitled, and go around trashing everything. Those people might be surprised how far just being a decent human being can get you and that they are securing the opposite experience for themselves with their own selfish behaviors. So be nice! Be knowledgeable about local customs and at least some of the history of the place. My then 19 year old daughter had an interest in Greek and Roman mythology. She surprised and delighted many of our local guides with her knowledge and interest. Everyone who met her loved and doted on her. Just be a good person! It’s not that hard!

You are at Nafplio at the same time with Daniel from “ my Greek Lifestyle “ RU-vid channel contact and do collab. With him. Would be fun

Also don't go out alone hiking in 36 degrees heat without water or a mobile phone.

If arriving to Santorini by cruise ship, I highly recommend watching the Greece Explained channel on RU-vid. He has an entire video on the subject. It literally saved us a lot of grief on our visit last September, especially regarding the gondola situation to get to the top of the island and back. This is the main way to get to the top when arriving by ship and then to get back to the ship. If you don’t plan for the possible couple of hours long wait, you could miss your ship.

Just been to Greece) and we dont seem to have made any of the mistakes mentioned. However, the problem was that it was tremendously hot both on Crete and in Athens, especially on Crete. The heat on Crete partially ruined our vacation. i.e. we were not able to see as much as we inteded to, but overall Greece is a wonderful place to visit! btw: we never ate at touristy places. Our apartment in Athens was in a residential area a bit aside from the city center and we ate one of the best food in our lives ) guess only Turkish food - also outside of tourist places may top it, no offence) been both to Greece and Turkey. Thanks for the great video!

Hi!! I’m going to Greece on a solo trip in mid July and would love to know budget islands to travel as popular ones are out of my budget during peak season

Thanks for your great vids. We are planning a trip to Athens - Santorini and Milo’s from approx September 28 to October 10. Can you and/or others here please confirm that the majority of restaurants, nite life and paid attractions will still be open? I’ve read that by mid-October things start shutting down?

In touristic places (Athens, Rhodes, Santorini, Delphes, etc.), everybody speak English. I was the only one to bother to say hi and thank you in Greek and local were surprise I could say these couple words.

White building and blue dome only in Santorini ? Someone hasn't been to Paros :) Actually, don't tell anybody, it will get too crowded if you do ! 😄

I’m sure it must have been mentioned in other videos, car rentals are usually manual transmission. If you want an automatic transmission, book it well in advance and be prepared, it will cost you.

Greek coffee is consumed in a small cup,no straw. Frappe, Freddo Espresso and Freddo Cappucino is consumed WITH a straw. Don't drink cold coffee without a straw. It makes you look weird and you don't enjoy the coffee this way cause u drink the froth on top. This is some advice with your enjoyment in mind,not trying to tell you what to do.

Loved your video on Greece. We are planning to visit Patra from Athens with another couple in September and thought we would take the bus but it sounds like we should consider driving ourselves. We are then taking ferry (assume they are car ferries) to Zakynthos and Kefalonia. We only have 7 days is that too much?

I'm from Crete and I always enjoy your videos. Just want to say, if you go to Santorini: please avoid using the donkeys. They are not treated well, are often overloaded and have to work in the heat. Multiple organisations in Greece have been fighting to change this. So it's great to have your luggage or yourself transported, but avoid using the donkeys (same way e.g. you should avoid those elephant rides in SE Asia, etc).

21:41 ('hiking in the blazing sun') - a certain British doctor made this mistake.

Also, I didn’t understand what word you called the cheaper salad. I ask because I will be in Greece in a couple weeks.

(Avoiding) smoking is important to me because it actually makes me sick. At least there’s no smoking inside

Yes !!!! Ice coffees ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I will stay away from the frappes but YES!!!!! Finally ice coffee ❤️❤️❤️

💙 What truly bothers me; even as a Dane, is the > bikini & bare upper body < tourists that sit down for food & drink, without putting anything on!! 😵‍💫 and NO a towel isn't enough!! 😡 I lived in Greece as a kid, and that was never allowed, came back 15yrs later++ - and I am disturbed at the amount of indifference tourists have for other people and the Greek culture!! I adore Greece and will always come back, but as ever...I go small & local, in the summer - the museums and such, I leave for the off season trips 😉💙 Yassou from Denmark 🌸

Some of the islands are very popular amongst European teenagers and young adults for partying. I think Kos and Chersonissos are the most notorious ones. Definitely something to be aware of.

You can find white & blue buildings all over the central Aegean. It' not a Santorini only thing. Just go to any island of the Cyclades complex.