Key takeaways
Greece has good 4G coverage in Athens and on the main islands, but signal drops quickly on smaller islands, in rural areas and on long ferry crossings. The easiest way to stay connected is a Roamix Greece eSIM, which activates on arrival and keeps Google Maps, ferry bookings and Beat taxi hailing working from the moment you land at Athens airport. Budget 5 to 8 GB for a two week island hopping trip.
- Cosmote has the widest coverage across mainland Greece, the main islands and even smaller island settlements.
- A Roamix eSIM activates on arrival so you skip SIM counters and carrier roaming charges.
- Cash is still widely used in Greece, especially on smaller islands and at local tavernas.
- Greece is in the Schengen Area, so most Western passport holders enter visa free for up to 90 days.
- Budget 5 to 8 GB for two weeks, but cache offline maps before island hopping as ferry crossings can be entirely without signal.
Best way to get data in Greece
For nearly everyone visiting Greece, a Roamix eSIM on the Cosmote network is the simplest and most reliable way to stay online, from Athens to the smallest Aegean island with mobile coverage.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: Most travellers | Instant activation, local Cosmote network reach, no roaming bill and nothing physical to collect. |
| Local physical SIM | Best for: Long stays needing a local number | Available at Cosmote stores in Athens with ID registration, requires swapping your home SIM. |
| Pocket wifi | Best for: Groups sharing one connection | Another device to charge and manage, less useful when the group splits across different islands. |
| Carrier roaming | Best for: Very short trips with no setup time | The most expensive option and unreliable for island hopping where coverage varies. |
Free wifi is common in Athens cafes and hotels, and reasonably available in island resort areas, but speeds vary and rural and ferry wifi is unreliable. Mobile data is far more consistent for navigation and bookings.
How much data you need
Greece trips lean on Google Maps for navigating Athens and island roads, Ferryhopper for booking and checking ferry times, and Beat for taxis. Cache everything offline before a ferry crossing, as you will have no data on the water.
4 to 6 GB
One week in Athens and one island
City navigation, ferry app use, social sharing and messaging with hosts.
6 to 10 GB
Two week island hopping trip
Ferry bookings, navigation on multiple islands, regular photo and social sharing.
20 GB or more
Remote work base in Athens
Video calls, laptop tethering and cloud uploads alongside exploring the city.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation
- 5 MB
- Social media and browsing
- 100 to 150 MB
- Music streaming
- 70 MB
- Standard video streaming
- 700 MB to 1 GB
- Video calls
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
Download offline maps of every island you plan to visit before leaving Athens or the mainland. Ferry crossings can take several hours with zero signal, and island roads are difficult to navigate without an offline map.
How to set up a Greece eSIM
A Roamix Greece eSIM is best installed over wifi before departure. It activates automatically when you connect to a Greek network on arrival, so you are online before you reach the Metro Line 3 platform at the airport.
- 1
Buy your plan on the Roamix Greece eSIM page before you travel.
- 2
Install the eSIM over wifi by scanning the QR code.
- 3
Keep your home SIM for calls and set Roamix as your data line.
- 4
Enable data roaming for the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land in Greece and the eSIM connects automatically to a local network.
Works on eSIM capable phones including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy S models. The phone must be carrier unlocked.
The correct APN is configured automatically on most devices. If data does not start, apply the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode.
No data on arrival usually means data roaming is off for the Roamix line or the network needs manual selection. Restart the phone after checking both.
Visa and entry for Greece
Greece is a Schengen Area member. Most Western passport holders enter visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric registration launched in October 2025 and now applies at Greek international borders.
- eVisa or ETA
- ETIAS pre-travel authorisation for visa exempt visitors is expected to launch in late 2026. Until then, eligible visitors enter with only the EES biometric check.
- Passport validity
- Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area and issued within the last 10 years.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of onward or return travel and sufficient funds may be requested at immigration.
Keep digital copies of your passport and booking confirmations accessible offline, and use your Roamix eSIM to present documents at the border.
Entry rules change. Always confirm current requirements with the Greek consulate or official Schengen sources before travel.
When you land in Greece
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How people message here
WhatsApp and Viber are both widely used in Greece for messaging and calls. Viber has historically had a strong user base among Greeks, alongside WhatsApp.
Do you need a local number?
You generally do not need a local Greek number as a tourist. A Roamix data line covers WhatsApp, Viber and app based calling for most situations.
Install both WhatsApp and Viber before arriving if you plan to stay in contact with local accommodation hosts and guides.
Airports in Greece
ATH
Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos
Athens
Free unlimited wifi throughout the terminal, including in the arrivals hall and commercial areas.
ATH is 35 km from central Athens. Metro Line 3 (blue line) runs to Syntagma Square in 40 minutes for EUR 10.50. Activate your Roamix eSIM before landing so you can hail a Beat or Bolt taxi and book your first Acropolis timed-entry ticket at etickets.tap.gr the moment you exit customs.
SKG
Thessaloniki Macedonia Airport
Thessaloniki
Free wifi available throughout the terminal building. Coverage is reliable.
SKG is 15 km from central Thessaloniki. Bus line 78 connects to the city centre in 45 minutes. An active eSIM lets you download Thessaloniki city maps for the Aristotelous Square area and the Byzantine churches circuit without relying on slow airport wifi.
HER
Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis Airport
Heraklion, Crete
Free wifi in the terminal. Note that the new Kastelli Airport is under construction to replace HER, with opening planned for 2027.
HER is 4 km from Heraklion city centre. Bus line 1 runs every 15 minutes. Book Knossos Palace timed-entry tickets at odysseus.culture.gr on Roamix data before leaving the terminal; July and August walk-in queues can exceed two hours.
RHO
Rhodes Diagoras Airport
Rhodes
Free wifi in the terminal with good coverage in the arrivals area.
RHO is 14 km from Rhodes Town. Bus service to the Old Town takes 25 minutes. Download offline maps for the Rhodes Town medieval street grid in the taxi; the walled city is disorienting to navigate without a pre-loaded map.
Apps and internet access in Greece
Greece has an open internet, so all common apps work normally on a Roamix eSIM.
There is no general censorship of social media, messaging or search in Greece. No VPN is required for any mainstream service.
WhatsApp, works
Widely used in Greece for messaging and coordination.
FaceTime, works
Works normally over data and wifi.
Google Maps and Search, works
No restrictions, essential for island navigation.
Social media, works
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X all work.
Getting around Greece
Greece combines a good Athens metro with an extensive ferry network connecting the mainland to hundreds of islands, plus bus and car options for the mainland. A connected phone is essential for ferry bookings, taxi apps and navigating Greek island roads.
Athens Metro and tram
Athens has a three line metro covering most major attractions, from the airport to the port of Piraeus. Use the OASA Telematics app or Google Maps for live routing.
Island ferries
The backbone of Greek island travel, operated by multiple companies from Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio. Book on Ferryhopper or DirectFerries and keep your eSIM active at ports for boarding updates.
Beat and Bolt taxis
Beat (formerly Taxibeat) and Bolt are the go to ride hailing apps in Athens, replacing the need to negotiate with street taxis. Both need an active data connection.
Car rental
Essential for exploring Crete, the Peloponnese and northern Greece. Download offline maps of islands before picking up your rental car, as signal is unreliable away from main roads.
Use the OASA Telematics app or Google Maps for Athens transit planning. Book all island ferries in advance on Ferryhopper during July and August, as popular routes sell out.
Money and payments in Greece
Greece uses the euro. Cash is still widely preferred on smaller islands, at local tavernas and in village shops. Carry enough euros to cover several days on a remote island without ATM access.
- Cards and cash
- Cards are accepted in most Athens restaurants and shops, and in larger island resort hotels. Smaller tavernas, beaches and island ferry kiosks often prefer cash.
- ATMs
- ATMs are available in major towns but absent on smaller islands. Withdraw enough cash on the mainland or a large island before heading to remote destinations.
- Payment apps
- Apple Pay and Google Pay are increasingly accepted in Athens and on the main islands. A connected Roamix eSIM keeps your banking apps working when you need to find an ATM or check your balance.
- Tipping
- Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory in Greece. Rounding up the bill or leaving 5 to 10 percent at a taverna is customary for good service.
Daily budget
Budget travellers spend around 50 to 80 EUR a day, mid range 100 to 200 EUR, with Mykonos and Santorini at the higher end.
Local tips for Greece
- Language
- Greek is the official language. English is widely spoken in Athens and on the major tourist islands, but less common in rural mainland areas and on smaller islands. Learning a few Greek words earns warm appreciation from locals.
- Food
- Greek cuisine is intensely regional and seasonal. Look for fresh grilled fish on the islands, slow roasted lamb in the mountains and mezze spreads in Athens. Many excellent local tavernas do not take reservations.
- Plugs
- 230V, Type C/F plugs
Apps worth having
Ferryhopper
transit
Book and manage Greek island ferry tickets across all operators from one platform, with live departure updates.
Beat
rideshare
The leading ride hailing app in Athens for booking licensed taxis and avoiding street negotiation.
OASA Telematics
transit
Real time bus and tram arrival information for Athens, helping you navigate the city transit network.
Safety and health in Greece
Greece is generally safe for travellers. The main concerns are petty theft in central Athens and at tourist sites, and the practical risks of summer heat, sun exposure and swimming in rough sea conditions around the islands.
- Stay reachable
- Keep your Roamix eSIM active to receive ferry delay notifications, check sea conditions before swimming in remote coves, and reach emergency services on any island.
- Health
- Healthcare quality varies between Athens and smaller islands. EU residents use their European Health Insurance Card. Non EU visitors should carry comprehensive travel insurance. The summer sun in Greece is intense, so stay hydrated and use high SPF sunscreen.
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe in Athens and most major towns, but not always reliable on smaller islands where bottled water is recommended.
Networks and coverage in Greece
Greece has reliable 4G coverage in Athens, Thessaloniki and on the major tourist islands, with 5G beginning to roll out in the two main cities. A Roamix Greece eSIM connects to the strongest local network on arrival, giving you reliable data in Athens and across the popular Aegean and Ionian islands without SIM counter queues or carrier roaming fees.
Cosmote
The widest national reach, covering mainland Greece, all main islands and many smaller settlements that other operators do not serve.
Vodafone Greece
Strong coverage in Athens, Thessaloniki and on the most popular Aegean islands including Mykonos, Santorini and Crete.
Wind Hellas
Good urban coverage in Athens and competitive on the popular Ionian and Aegean islands.
- Typical speeds
- Expect 30 to 150 Mbps on 4G and 5G in Athens, with 15 to 50 Mbps on major island networks.
- 5G
- 5G is live in Athens and Thessaloniki. Most islands operate on 4G.
For island hopping beyond the main Cyclades, choose a Roamix plan on the Cosmote footprint, as it reaches the widest range of smaller and less touristed islands.
Signal drops significantly on remote island interiors, long ferry crossings between islands and in rural mountain areas of the Peloponnese and northern Greece. Download offline maps before island hopping. Greek networks use standard EU LTE bands compatible with most modern unlocked phones, so a Roamix eSIM works on virtually any recent device.
Where to go in Greece
Greece is one of the world's great travel destinations, combining 5,000 years of history in Athens with the turquoise waters, whitewashed villages and sunsets of the Aegean islands. A connected phone is essential for navigating the ferry network, booking island accommodation and finding your way around Athens.
Best time to visit
May to June and September to October offer ideal weather with fewer crowds and lower prices than high summer. July and August are hot and extremely busy on the popular Cyclades islands.
Attica and Athens
The Greek capital, home to the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, the Monastiraki Flea Market, vibrant street food in Psirri and Monastiraki, and a world class nightlife scene. Cape Sounion and its Temple of Poseidon are within an hour's drive.
- Acropolis and Parthenon
- Acropolis Museum
- National Archaeological Museum
- Monastiraki Flea Market
- Cape Sounion (Temple of Poseidon)
Excellent Cosmote 5G throughout Athens city centre including Plaka, Monastiraki, Syntagma and Kolonaki. Metro Line 3 maintains 4G in underground stations. Piraeus and Lavrio ports are well covered.
Thessaloniki and Northern Greece
Greece's second city is a vibrant university town with Byzantine churches, the Modiano and Kapani food markets, the White Tower on the Nea Paralia waterfront, and the Aristotelous Square. Northern Greece extends to the monasteries of Meteora, the royal tombs of Vergina, and the forests and stone villages of Zagori in Epirus.
- Meteora monasteries and rock formations
- White Tower (Lefkos Pyrgos)
- Modiano and Kapani food markets
- Vergina Royal Tombs (Aigai)
- Vikos Gorge, Zagori
Excellent Cosmote 5G in Thessaloniki city centre and along the waterfront. Strong 4G to 5G at the Meteora monastery viewpoints above Kalambaka. Zagori's Vikos Gorge trailheads have 4G; deep gorge sections lose signal.
Crete
Greece's largest island rewards a week-long stay: the Minoan palace of Knossos, the Samaria Gorge (the longest gorge in Europe), the walled Venetian city of Chania, the pink sand beach at Elafonisi, and the Spinalonga Venetian Fortress. Heraklion, Chania and Rethymno each have their own distinct character.
- Knossos Palace
- Chania Venetian Harbour
- Samaria Gorge (Farangi Samarias)
- Elafonisi Beach (pink sand)
- Spinalonga Venetian Fortress
Excellent Cosmote 4G to 5G in Heraklion, Chania and Rethymno. Strong coverage along the E75 north coast road. The Samaria Gorge (16 km from Omalos to Agia Roumeli) has zero coverage throughout; download offline maps before the descent.
Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos)
The Cyclades are Greece's most iconic archipelago: Santorini's caldera and blue-domed churches in Oia, the windmills and beach clubs of Mykonos, the marble villages of Naxos, and the quieter charm of Paros. The ferry network connecting them runs on Seajets and Blue Star Ferries from Piraeus. Milos, with its Sarakiniko lunar beach and Kleftiko sea caves, is the standout off-circuit island.
- Oia sunset viewpoint and caldera, Santorini
- Akrotiri Bronze Age ruins, Santorini
- Mykonos Town windmills (Kato Myli)
- Naxos Town and Portara (Temple of Apollo)
- Sarakiniko Beach, Milos
Strong Cosmote 4G to 5G in Fira and Oia (Santorini), Mykonos Town, Parikia (Paros), and Naxos Town. Mid-Aegean ferry crossings lose signal 15 to 20 km from shore. Manually set Cosmote GR on devices that wander onto weaker signals.
Dodecanese (Rhodes, Kos, Patmos)
The Dodecanese are Greece's southeasternmost islands, closer to Turkey than to Athens. Rhodes Old Town is the best-preserved medieval walled city in the Mediterranean. Kos has the ancient Asclepeion ruins alongside beach resort infrastructure. Patmos, where the Book of Revelation was written, is one of Greece's most serene islands. On Kos and Patmos, manually select Cosmote GR to avoid latching onto nearby Turkish networks.
- Rhodes Old Town (UNESCO Medieval City)
- Lindos Acropolis, Rhodes
- Asclepeion ruins, Kos
- Monastery of Saint John, Patmos
- Butterfly Valley, Rhodes
Strong Cosmote 4G to 5G in Rhodes Town and at Rhodes airport. Good coverage in Kos Town and Kardamena. On Kos and Patmos, manually select Cosmote GR in network settings to avoid accidental non-EU Turkish network connections.
Off the beaten path
One of Europe's longest gorges and a legendary hike through wild Cretan mountain scenery, ending at a remote seaside village accessible only by ferry.
Signal: No signal inside the gorge, which runs 16 km through a national park in the White Mountains. Signal exists at the start in Omalos and at the end in Agia Roumeli.
Sixth-century Byzantine monasteries perched on top of 400-metre sandstone rock pillars above the Thessalian plain. Megalo Meteoron, Varlaam and Agia Triada are the most striking. No place in Greece looks like Meteora.
Signal: Good 4G coverage in Kalambaka town at the base, with reasonable signal at the main monastery viewpoints. Trail paths between rock formations can be weaker.
Greece's first capital after independence, with Venetian architecture, the Palamidi hilltop fortress reached by 999 steps, the tiny Bourtzi island castle and the best seafood restaurants in the Peloponnese along the harbour promenade.
Signal: Cosmote 4G to 5G throughout Nafplio old town, Syntagma Square and the approach road to the Palamidi fortress. The Bourtzi island fortress in the harbour is reachable by boat and has coverage.
A complete Byzantine and Venetian walled city on a single Gibraltar-like rock connected to the mainland by a single causeway. No cars enter the rock town. The upper castle has an unobstructed view of the Laconian Gulf.
Signal: Cosmote 4G in Gefyra, the mainland causeway town. The walled medieval town on the rock has intermittent coverage; some streets within the walls are dead zones depending on orientation.
The Vikos Gorge is among the deepest gorges in the world relative to its width, 900 metres deep and as narrow as 1,100 metres across. The 46 Zagori stone villages connected by arched Ottoman bridges are among the most beautiful traditional settlements in the Balkans.
Signal: Cosmote 4G in Ioannina city and the Zagori stone villages including Papigo, Monodendri and Kipi. The Vikos Gorge trail from Monodendri to Mikro Papigo (15 km) loses signal in the gorge itself.
The island where the Venus de Milo was found in 1820, with the Sarakiniko beach of white pumice formations and Kleftiko turquoise water sea caves accessible only by boat, while nearby Santorini sees far heavier crowds.
Signal: Cosmote 4G in Adamas port and Plaka village. Sarakiniko beach and Kleftiko sea caves (accessible by boat) have variable coverage. Inland mining district roads are intermittent.
The only island in Greece that has banned all motor vehicles since 1984, with transport by donkey, water taxi or on foot. The 18th-century sea captain mansion architecture is the most beautiful in the Saronic Gulf.
Signal: Cosmote 4G throughout Hydra Town and the harbour area. Hiking trails into the island interior toward the monastery of Profitis Ilias have intermittent coverage.
Chios produces 80 percent of the world's mastic resin, and its mastichochoria mastic villages (Pyrgi with geometric sgraffito facades, Mesta with its enclosed defensive street plan) are unlike any villages in Europe.
Signal: Cosmote 4G in Chios Town and the main mastic villages including Pyrgi, Mesta and Olympi. The medieval village of Mesta has Cosmote signal at the main square. West coast beaches have variable coverage.
The ancient Greeks considered Delphi the omphalos (navel) of the world. The site overlooks the Gulf of Corinth from a mountain ledge of extraordinary beauty, and the Charioteer of Delphi in the museum is one of the finest bronzes in antiquity.
Signal: Cosmote 4G throughout the Delphi site including the Temple of Apollo, the Delphi Theatre, the Tholos of Athena Pronaia and the Delphi Archaeological Museum. The drive on the E962 through the Arachova mountain pass is covered.
The mythological home of the Centaurs and the launching point of the Argonauts, with dense chestnut forests, Byzantine and Ottoman stone villages perched on the mountain, and hidden coves including Damouchari (used in filming Mamma Mia). The narrow-gauge Pelion Railway (Moutzouris) is one of Europe's most scenic mountain trains.
Signal: Cosmote 4G in Volos city and the Pelion peninsula villages including Portaria, Makrinitsa, Milies and Mouresi. The road descending to Damouchari beach has intermittent signal on sharp bends. Download offline maps in Volos before driving the mountain roads.
Events and seasons in Greece
Late January to February
Patras Carnival
Patras, Peloponnese
The largest carnival in Europe by participant numbers, with over 1 million spectators at the peak Sunday parade events. The Patras Carnival runs for five weeks, culminating in the King Carnival float parade on the Sunday before Clean Monday. Patras is 2.5 hours from Athens by intercity bus.
Late January to February
Rethymno Carnival
Rethymno, Crete
Rethymno's Venetian-era town centre provides the most atmospheric setting of any Greek carnival. The main parade floats through the Renaissance Loggia and along the Venetian harbour. Smaller and more intimate than Patras, Rethymno Carnival is considered the most authentically Greek of the major carnival celebrations.
February or March
Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera)
Nationwide, best in Athens (Filopappou Hill) and Meteora
The first day of Greek Orthodox Lent, celebrated with enormous family kite-flying on hilltops and coastlines across Greece. Traditional Clean Monday foods (lagana flatbread, taramosalata, olives and seafood) appear on every table. Athens' Filopappou Hill fills with kite flyers with views across to the Acropolis.
April or May
Orthodox Easter (Pascha)
Nationwide, best experienced in Corfu, Olympos (Karpathos) or Monastiraki Square, Athens
The most important event in the Greek Orthodox calendar. The Anastasi midnight service on Easter Saturday sees entire villages emerge with candles, church bells ringing simultaneously across the country and the greeting Christos Anesti. Easter Sunday lamb roasting fills every courtyard and garden.
May 21
Anastenaria Fire Walking Ceremony
Lagkadas (near Thessaloniki) and Agia Eleni, Serres
One of the rarest traditional rituals in Europe: the Anastenaria fire walkers walk barefoot over burning coals while holding icons of Saints Constantine and Helen, in a ceremony believed to have pre-Christian origins. The ritual takes place in Lagkadas (20 km from Thessaloniki) and the village of Agia Eleni.
June 27 to August 23
Athens Epidaurus Festival
Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Athens) and Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
The most important cultural event in Greece: ancient drama, modern dance and world-class music performances in two of the world's most atmospheric venues. The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus (4th century BC, capacity 14,000) has acoustics so extraordinary that a coin dropped on the stage is audible in the back row.
July
Rockwave Festival
Terra Vibe Park, Athens
Greece's largest outdoor rock and alternative music festival, held at Terra Vibe Park north of Athens. International headliners have included major rock and electronic acts. The festival draws 30,000 to 50,000 attendees.
July to August
Epidauros Asklepieia
Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, Peloponnese
Ancient Greek drama performed in the 4th-century BC theatre of Epidaurus, the best-preserved ancient theatre in the world. The National Theatre of Greece performs Sophocles, Euripides and Aeschylus in the original language with surtitles. No venue for classical drama on Earth compares to this setting.
July and August
Cretan Music and Dance Festival
Rethymno, Heraklion and Chania, Crete
The summer months bring lyra music and traditional Cretan dance to every village square and festival stage on the island. The Rethymno Renaissance Festival in July focuses on theatrical and musical performances in Venetian-era venues. The Cretan lyra instrument is the musical identity of the island.
November
Thessaloniki International Film Festival
Thessaloniki, Northern Greece
The leading film festival in southeastern Europe and the Balkans, focused on independent, arthouse and Balkan cinema. The festival screens over 200 films across Thessaloniki's historic cinemas including the Olympion on Aristotelous Square.
Through the year
- Spring
- April to May offers wildflowers, Greek Easter celebrations and mild weather before the summer heat arrives.
- Summer
- June to August is hot and peak busy, with the Cyclades islands at their most crowded and expensive. Temperatures regularly exceed 35 degrees Celsius on the mainland.
- Fall
- September to October brings warm sea temperatures, fewer crowds and lower prices, making it arguably the best time to visit the islands.
- Winter
- November to March is the quiet off season when many island businesses close. Athens stays open and is worth visiting for its museums and food scene.
Working remotely from Greece
Athens is an increasingly popular remote work base with a growing coworking scene, fast urban internet and a high quality of life at lower cost than Western European capitals. Island working is possible but dependent on local network quality.
- Connection
- Athens 4G and 5G easily handles video calls and tethering. A Roamix plan of 20 GB or more suits a working week. On the islands, speeds and reliability vary, so rely on accommodation wifi for heavy tasks.
Athens coworking spaces are concentrated in Kolonaki and the centre. On the islands, use your eSIM for light connectivity and ask at your hotel or villa about the strength of their wifi for video calls.
