Travelling to any European country can burn a hole in one's pocket. However, Greece is one of the most economical destinations in Europe. Additionally, visiting Greece in the winters is ideal for backpackers on a shoestring budget. Travelling to Europe in winters may not sound enticing but it comes with many benefits - smaller crowds, cheaper accommodations, cheaper airfares and discounted prices at tourist attractions. Also, the winters in Greece is not as harsh as other parts of Europe.
I booked myself on Turkish Airlines in the winter month of January which cost INR40k. Read on to know more about my budget itinerary to Greece.
As I landed in Athens, I headed straight to my hotel. I took the metro from across the airport to the city centre, where my hotel was located. One also has the option of taking the city bus from outside the airport. The metro costs 10 Euros to and from the airport and the bus costs 6 Euros. One can even opt for private taxis for transfers to the city centre but that costs much more, throwing the travel budget out of gear.
As I checked into my hotel room (a budget hotel which is a lot cheaper in winters than what it would cost in summers), I dumped my luggage and set off to explore the city centre. I headed to Syntagma Square, which is the famous central square of Athens. This is the commercial hub of the city with a long stretch of pedestrians' street laced with a wide range of designer stores and glitzy bars and restaurants. The square, which is adorned with two water fountains lit up in pretty colours, is buzzing in the evening with the people gathered. At the top of the square, stands the formidable Greek Parliament House.
Next day, I went to the most iconic landmark of Athens, 'The Acropolis'. The imposing structure of Acropolis sits on a rocky hill overlooking the city. The Acropolis, from the fifth century BC, is a citadel that reflects the ancient Greek civilization. Some of the major monuments include the Erectheion, Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike which are the ancient Greek temples dedicated to Goddess Athena (the city of Athens gets its name from this Goddess). The Theatre of Dionysus, on the southern slope of The Acropolis, is the world's first theatre from where the Greek drama was born. A few blocks from The Acropolis stands tall the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the ruins of temple dedicated to Zeus, the chief of Olympian Gods. Entrance to The Acropolis is at a discounted rate of 10 Euros in winters as against 20 Euros in summers.
After The Acropolis, I headed to Plaka, the ancient neighbourhood of Athens. The narrow winding cobblestone streets with old Greek houses alongside in pretty colours makes for a perfect setting for a stroll on lazy cold afternoons. Enter into one of the many cute cafes and tuck into some delectable Greek cuisine (Spanakopita, which is a spinach and cheese pie and Greek Salad with lots of feta cheese are the must eats).
I left for Santorini on Day 3. I booked budget airline Ryan Air which I got at a giveaway rate of 20 Euros one way (psst..winter deals). I landed in Santorini after a 50 mins flight journey. You can take a bus from outside the Santorini airport which costs just a couple of Euros. The bus dropped me at Oia, where I booked myself a cave house (again, cave houses are a lot cheaper in winters; they will cost a bomb in the high season of summers). By the time I reached my destination, it got dark and I had to wait till the next morning to view the island's beauty.
Next morning, I woke up and stepped out to the patio. The view out there was simply stunning. The sun was out and shinning in the clear sky. Its golden rays falling on the vast stretches of sea made it perfectly blue and sparkling. The houses perched precariously on the cliffs over a caldera. The whitewashed island of Santorini matched perfectly with the blues of the sea and the sky. A picture postcard perfect island.
I spent my day exploring the idyllic town of Oia, considered the most picturesque in Santorini. Absence of crowds on the island due to off season seemed like I had the whole island all to myself. In the evening, I hiked up to the sunset point in Oia to get a glimpse of the best sun setting views.
I left for Fira, commercial centre of Santorini. Lots of souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. I took a leisurely stroll from Fira to Imerovigli, marching past beautiful white cave houses with blue painted windows and doors and adorned with colourful flower pots. The calm air and a light breeze just added to the romance of the island. As the sun goes down, the island is beautifully lit with golden lights which only enhances its beauty.
I flew back to Athens from Santorini. The cons of travelling to Santorini in the winters could not be ignored - no beaches, no water sports or swimming as the water is icy cold, no sailing or cruising in the waters as all the companies are shut during this time of the year. However, if you like the quiet atmosphere minus the boozy crowds, then this is the perfect time to go.
I landed back in Athens. I picked up some souvenirs and other knick-knacks and enjoyed my last day in Greece before flying back to India the next morning.
