Travel Budget for Cities inGreece

Athens is the sprawling capital of Greece and is most famous for its historical significance as the birthplace of Classical Greece. The city is surrounded by Mount Ymettos, Mount Parnitha, and Mount Pendeli. Within the city are the famous twelve hills, seven of which have historical significance. These include Acropolis, Areopagus, Hill of Philopappus, Observatory Hill, Pnyx, Lycabettus, and Tourkovounia, with the Acropolis and Lycabettus being the most prominent. The Acropolis is perhaps the most famous with many beautiful marble temples.

As a traveler, you will spend most of your time in a relatively small area around Syntagma Square, which houses the largest number of tourist sites. If you're looking to get further out and explore Athens on a greater level, there is a convenient metro system that makes most places accessible for a cheap price. There are some great walking areas around Athens, and some popular streets have recently been pedestrianized. There's a great archeological walk beginning at Vasilisis Amalias Street and taking you by a handful of famous sights. Another enjoyable walk is through Plaka or in Kolonaki. If you're looking for a place to enjoy a peaceful stroll, consider heading over to the National Garden, which will give you a break from the urban chaos that is Athens.

There is some absolutely wonderful food in Greece and it ranges in cost from very affordable to extremely expensive. For cheap eating options there are the traditional fast food options, or you can enjoy some roasted meat served in an informal setting. Known as souvlaki, the grilled meat is usually served with onions and tomatoes with a side of a yogurt based dipping sauce. Sandwiches are another popular alternative, some made with grilled meat, others more comparable to cheese or spinach pies. At higher end restaurants you can expect multi course meals that are delicious, and quite filling. The food in Greece in known to be fresh, and this quality makes it hard to replicate at home.

Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. Perhaps the best beach on the island is Perissa, but there are also black pebble beaches in Kamari. There are also many spectacular towns around the island. Some of them, such as Fira, are brilliantly situation on the cliffs overlooking the water. The buildings are whitewashed, offering a striking contrast to the rich blue water below.

You have several options to travel around the island if you do not have access to a car. There is a public bus route that circles the island. You can expect a but every thirty minutes to every hour, but on occasion the bus proves to be unreliable and you must wait much longer. Alternatively, there are some private bus companies that run "hop on hop off" bus systems. You can purchase one day passes that allow you unlimited rids on these buses over the course of the day. There are also boats that connect many of the larger towns on the island. For about 45 euros a day you can rent your own car and explore the island. While definitely the most expensive option, this route gives you the most flexibility, and if you are short on time it will easily allow you to see the most.

As for food, Santorini has some wonderful specialties, including whte aubergin, fava caper, and tomato keftedes. You can also find some delicious dolmades, which are vine leaves stuffed with rice or meat. Seafood is ubiquitous as well, given your close proximity to the ocean. There are some reasonably priced restaurants down the side streets, but if you choose a place right on the water with a view, expect to pay a markup. The views may be worth it though. If you're on a particularly tight budget, gyros are available all over the island and are quite cheap.

Rhodes City is the capital city on the island of Rhodes. Rhodes Island is one of the largest and most visited in Greece both because of its diversity and its wonderful climate. On the island are some beautiful beaches, well preserved historic sights, and lovely towns. The most popular beaches include Lindos, Kalithea, Faliraki, Ladiko Beach (Anthony Quinn Bay), and Gennadi Beach. Other fascinating sites around the island include Asklipio, Cape Prasonisi (the most southern tip of Rhodes), Castle of Kastellos, and Castle of Monolithos.

Rhodes City is famous as the former site of the Colossus. Colossus is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the oldest inhabited medieval town in Europe. Today Rhodes City has an interesting old town that is surrounded by the medieval wall. Inside you'll find countless souvenir shops and restaurants that cater to tourists. Cruise ships also frequent the island, so it's best visited during the off season when the crowds may be slightly less. You will also find prices drop when the crowds are thinner and the cruise ships are scarce.

Another great side trip on the island of Rhodes is to head to the Castle of Monolithos. The best way to reach here is if you have access to your own car. Drive to the town of Gennadi and just north of the village, take via Vati across the island to Apollakia. There are some great views along the way. You want to make your way to Monolithos and behind the town you will find the castle, which is an impressive sight overlooking some wonderful views.

Food on Rhodes can be quite expensive, but if you venture of the main roads and get a little out of the way you'll find some good, quality food at a reasonable price. It's typical Greek food, and if you find a good restaurant, the ingredients should be quite fresh and delicious. Always add a salad to your meal as they are some of the best salads you will get.

Thessaloniki is the second largest country in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

You'll likely find yourself using the public bus system to make your way around the city most of the time. You can purchase your tickets ahead of time at a kiosk, or, if you have exact change, you can buy them from the driver. You really have three ticket options. The one way ticket costs 80 cents and is good for one trip. You can get a two journey ticket for 90 cents. This is good for two trips in a ninety minute period. There's also the option of a day pass for four euros. This will give you unlimited trips during that time period.

There are a good number of historic sights worth visiting throughout the city. Head to the northern side of the city where the Byzantine walls are still standing. You should also visit the White Tower, which dates back to the 16th century and is an important landmark for the city. There's also a great seafront promenade that enjoyable to walk down. The entire promenade covers a length of 12 kilometers in its entirety. Make sure you head to the upper town where you can see traditional old houses, quaint cobbled streets, a Byzantine citadel, and the Eptapyrgion fort. There is also no shortage of museums and galleries throughout the city, many of which are quite impressive and informative.

If you're interested in purchasing some local food specialties, head to Modiano market. Here you'll find sweetened breads, baklava, pastries and desserts. They are all quite delicious and many are freshly made.

One of the oldest towns in Peloponnese, Corinth is a port city with a population of about 37,000. The area is thought to have been inhabited since at least 6000BC. In the main part of the city, "new" Corinth, there is little left to remind you of the city's rich history. Much of this area has been destroyed by earthquake. Most of the interesting archeological sights are find in "old" Corinth, a short distance away.

The city is conveniently very close to Athens, making it easy to travel between the two cities by either bus, train or car in an efficient manner. Most transportation arrives in the "new" Corinth area, but your final destination is likely to be the ancient part of the city. This area is about five kilometers away. You will want to catch a bus from there to the "old" Corinth area where you will find most of the archeological sights of interest. As the locals where to catch the bus as most people will be helpful and informative. The bus stop is just beside a cafe in the middle of town. Some of the more interesting sights in the old town area include the Temple of Apollo, the Acrocorinth, Ancient Theater, and Roman Odeum.

When you're ready to head back to Athens, you can find the best bus station near the ocean. Ask around and residents can point the way for you, as it is somewhat hard to find. If you're still in "old" Corinth, first catch the bus back to the newer part of town. If you let the bus driver know you are going back to Athen, he may drop you off directly at the bus station and save you the hassle of finding it yourself. Buses back to Athens are frequent and fast so you shouldn't have a problem catching one.