Solo travel in Greece

Traveling solo in Greece is a great way to see more of the islands, dive deeper into what interests you about Greek culture – or Greek gastronomy – and meet local people in the country. If you want a bit more company, consider joining our small group tours, or using our local experts to enhance your visit. Read our guide to solo travel in Greece to find out more.

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Solo travel in Greece

From Greek dancing to the ancient concept of xenia, Greece has always been wonderfully hospitable to solo travelers.

I remember walking towards the sound of music. It was coming from the harbourside in a tiny village in Ithaca. I turned a corner and reached the crowd. A band was playing on a makeshift stage with their backs to the water. Between them and the bar that had been built in the square, the space was filled with people dancing under the streetlights.

When you’re alone, sometimes there’s nothing to be done at a dance except stand with your back to the wall and watch. Not here. Every couple of songs, the band played a traditional dance, and the whole crowd came together – hands on shoulders, hand to hand and formed a circle to dance a traditional Greek dance. For hours and hours, I danced in circles – no longer a solo traveler: just another link in the chain.

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Why is Greece great for solo travelers?

Greek dances, which bring the whole community together, are emblematic of enduring Greek attitudes to hospitality. In the ancient world the concept was formalised as xenia. Xenia was one of the most fundamental laws of Ancient Greek society. It meant reciprocal hospitality and a strong social contract. A more relaxed form of Greek hospitality endures to this day; if you travel solo seeking company, you won’t be solo for long.

“Greece is one of the safest and easiest destinations for solo travelers,” says Annie Antonatou from our partner Mystic Blue. “Greece is easy to travel, well developed for travelers, with reliable transport, English is widely spoken, and locals are known for their kindness and hospitality.” Not only is Greece safe and easy, it is also super, super relaxed. You can nap on the beach, have a lazy swim and read your book for hours in front of a view. The original Med vacation destination is well used to travelers of all types.

If you do fancy a bit more structure in your Greek ‘me’ time, our vacations for solo travelers in Greece give you a small group to join, a place to stay and expert guides, or tailor made experiences. Whether you want to dance, paint or practice yoga, find your own circle.

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Where to go in Greece solo

My favorite experience was my late-night walk up the mountain to a small village, where I got to see live Greek music at a small restaurant, perhaps as the only non-Greek person there

– our traveler Nicholas Freilich

Crete resonated with me as a solo traveler. Greece’s largest island is fiercely independent in feel – relatable! If you fancy meeting others, opt for a center-based sojourn for an art vacation, or a group walk in the central White Mountains.

The Peloponnese peninsula is great for history buffs as it’s home to Mycenae, Sparta, Olympia and Nestor’s Palace. If you’ve got a car, site-hopping and beach-stopping (there are many here) make for a fun road trip.

In the Cyclades you can mix some well-known hotspots with lesser-visited islands, this well-trodden island group features those quintessentially Greek scenes: Santorini houses, Mykonos windmills and lots of bright blue water.

Evia – this island is close enough to Athens to make for a pleasant twin center trip and is large enough to offer lots of varied walking.

Island hopping – “Most towns and the islands feel comfortable to navigate on your own,” says Annie. unencumbered by others, you can often travel further when you’re solo, but if you fancy getting soimeone else to make the ferry reservations and plot the route, join one of our small group island hopping tours: our small ship cruises might take you round the major sights of the Dodecanese and Cycladic islands, or you could sail between the Ionian islands.

Before joining the trip, I was worried that I would not have a good time as a solo traveler, but I could not have been more wrong

– our traveler Yipsum Wu

Vacation ideas for solo travel in Greece

Pick up a brush

Love art but don’t know where to start? Start on a Greek beach with a group of like-minded individuals and you’ll soon find the scenery provides heaps of inspiration for your sketchbook, and an end-of-trip ‘exhibition’ provides ample motivation to get creating.

Stir the pot

Nothing brings people together like food, and eating in Greece isn’t just a social experience, but a nourishing one too, thanks to the miracles of the Mediterranean diet, extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, legumes and grains. Fiona Hall from our partner Maverick Chefs runs cooking vacations “with some talented/ eccentric / flamboyant Greek guest chefs,” and teaches participants how to make amazing dishes, including many that are vegetarian and vegan friendly.

Follow the mules

Greece’s islands are threaded with old walkways, originally trodden by beasts of burden but now tackled with a more sprightly spring in the step on relaxed walking vacations. Solo travelers may wish to join a small group – and get amazing expert guides. On Kythnos in the Western Cyclades, walk with a guide who wrote the book on the island’s walking trails, and on Crete walk with local guides who can point out rare wildflowers.

Let slip the lines

Our sailing vacations get a lot of solo travelers. Joining five other guests and a crew of two on board a small sailing boat, you’ll find you quickly bond. “Before joining the trip, I was worried that I would not have a good time as a solo traveler,” says our traveler Yipsum Wu, “but I could not have been more wrong. To say it was like living in a dream is not enough – you have to experience it for yourself!”

Salute the sun

Meditations by the beach, yoga before a Mediterranean sunrise, a family-style lunch with dishes fresh from an organic garden: our wellness retreats are a fantastic mix of solo and social. “We don’t really have many couples joining us,” says Pippa Dale-Harris, owner and director of our partner Dolphin’s Leap Pilates & Wellness Retreat. “It’s a trip that’s all about you – so traveling solo works.”

Advice for picking a solo vacation in Greece

Stick to a smaller group: Fiona at Maverick Chefs limits group sizes so everyone feels included: “We keep the courses small enough that everyone can learn and do what they want – even the shy ones.” Annie at Mystic Blue has reassuring words about integration on walking and sailing tours: “Rest assured you won’t feel alone – your guide fosters a relaxed, social environment and groups tend to bond quickly. You’ll have the freedom of solo travel with the comfort, support and camaraderie of a small group by your side.”

Nervous? Opt for locally-run trips where you stay with your host if you want to feel part of the family. Smaller operators mean you’ll probably meet your guide before you go – which can give you some more reassurance. “I had such a lovely time, met some wonderful people – and felt really cared for by Camille and her family,” says our traveler Heather McAdam, who went on our painting vacation in Crete.

Centre-based trips can give you more flexibility: “We tailor make our activities to everyone,” says Fiona. “Dimitris takes those who want to walk for miles on scenic afternoon hikes, Ralf (our resident historian) takes care of trips to the local archaeological sites and museums and Rosemary and I generally set up a base on one of the idyllic local beaches for the less mobile and those who love to swim, read and chill in the afternoon.”

Nurture your interests. Want to find someone as into pottery, or as keen on archaeology as you are? Solo special interest vacations are a great opportunity to indulge your niche interests without compromising.

Pick Greek vacations with no solo supplement – you will either share a room with a person of the same gender, or, on some of our trips, get a whole room to yourself for no additional cost – see our painting, archaeology and cooking vacations for inspiration. “There is no solo supplement and as the trips are tailor made for you individually, rather than for a larger group, you have our undivided attention throughout your stay,” explains William, owner of our partner William’s Greek Tours, who run speciality multi activity, food and wine, and archaeology tours in the southern Peloponnese.

A final word: prepare to never travel solo again. “Many of our guests have become friends for life,” Fiona explains. Her guests keep in touch after the trips. “I'm actually on my way to a reunion in London now!” – the circle remains unbroken.