A solo female traveler's guide to Greece

Solo female travel in Greece

What do you think of when we say solo female travel, Greece or the Greek islands? Blue-capped white stone buildings? Sunshine on cobbled streets? Cliffside views over the glass Aegean Sea? What if we told you that solo travel to Greece is all this… and more?

Not only do we want to recommend the best Greek island for solo female travel, but we also want to show you what else this amazing, ancient acropolis has to offer. Today, we’ll tell you why traveling to Greece alone should be at the top of your travel list, and how pet sitting could be the best way to blend in with Greek culture.

So, we say kalos irthate (καλως ηρθατε) - that’s welcome in Greek - and invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy our tips on solo travel to Greece.

Best time to visit Greece

If you’re someone who loves to soak up the sun with a good book and a cocktail, you shouldn’t be too put off by the summer heat. However, temperatures can easily reach the mid-30s °C (low 90s °F) on the mainland, as well as on the islands. In recent years, the whole country has been affected by heatwaves reaching over 40 °C (nearly 100 °F) which has caused severe wildfires.

For those who want to explore the ancient ruins and towns as much as possible, you can beat the heat and the crowds by going between May and June, or September and October. You’ll still be able to enjoy the Greek sunshine without melting outside the Temple of Athena. Plus, these times of the year don’t clash with school holidays, so you may find fewer queues to some of the country’s must-see attractions. Speaking of which…

Must see places in Greece

Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about the Greek islands, we’ve just saved that for later. However, on the mainland, there is still a ton of stuff to see and do…

Athens

The capital of Greece is a wonder to behold and insanely pro-pet! Amongst the scattering of ancient ruins and outdoor museums, Athens is a hubbub of trendy cafes and bars, excellent yet affordable restaurants, and has a fantastic art and music scene. As expected from a capital city, there’s plenty of shopping to be done as well as something happening every night.

Because of its international airport and dock, there is an eclectic diversity of food and experiences available. As you’ll probably be traveling via Athens, we recommend stopping off for at least a day or two.

Delphi

North-west of Athens on the Greek mainland, you’ll find Delphi. Famed for its ancient sanctuary ruins dedicated to the god Apollo, these ruins are nearly 3,000 years old! The town itself is situated at the top of a valley overlooking the hills, so you won’t be short of breathtaking views. There are loads of places to eat, drink and relax after a day of sightseeing.

If you’re planning to hire a car, you can expect about a two-and-a-half-hour drive, or else you can catch a bus, but this takes about seven hours.

Peloponnese

We’ve grouped the region of Peloponnese into one simply because there are so many amazing places to stay here. As mainland Greece’s southernmost peninsular, it holds some of the most well-preserved ancient ruins and is one big, beautiful history lesson. For those who are Greek mythology fans, Peloponnese is said to have been the region that Agamemnon saw, though, in the story of Troy, it’s known as Mycenae.

Crystal blue seas surround rustic sandy stone homes which are neatly set into the rock. Why Agamemnon chose to leave there for dusty Troy, we’ll never know!

Thessaloniki

Although Greece’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki is often overlooked by travelers. However, it contains just as much vibrance and culture as Athens. With its international port, Thessaloniki has a rich and vast history which you can see from some of the city’s old, worn buildings.

Mount Olympus

The home of the Ancient Greek Gods themselves! Standing at an impressive 2,918-m, it is Greece’s highest point surrounded by beautiful national parks. For outdoor lovers and hikers, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to walks and camping, as well as being a great place to bring a new pup pal if you happen to be pet sitting.

The best Greek islands for solo female travel

Greek island hopping is a must when visiting Greece. But which are the best Greek islands for solo female travel? Well, here are a few known and not-so-well-known Greek island recommendations.

Naxos

If you’re looking to enjoy Greek food, Greek wine, and Greek island beauty without the crowds and tourists, Naxos is where you should head. Despite its size, it’s not difficult to find a quiet beach or shoreline to walk along while the Aegean Sea gently laps against the shores.

The towns are quiet yet bursting with history and culture. It’s a wonderful place if you fancy a bit of time away from the hectic buzz of a city or a more well-known island.

Santorini

Arguably one of the most iconic Greek islands with its round blue capped roofs on pure white stone buildings, stunning sunsets across the caldera and crystalline sea, and charming hotels and hangout outs dotted along the cliff edge. It’s a beautiful place and a great island for a solo trip to Greece.

Although small, it’s easy to spend a day strolling down the winding cobbled streets and little hideaway corners all of which end in a breathtaking view of the sea. The main port is one of the largest on the Greek islands with ferries connecting to many other islands, as well as Athens. Food and accommodation wise, the majority of the buildings are either hotels, restaurants, or both!

However, as one of the most popular places to visit in Greece, it is one of the most expensive places to holiday. Similarly, crowds and packed streets are a common sight, so it’s best to explore before the summer high season.

Crete

The largest of the Greek islands, Crete is a separate country in itself. Crete holds its own culture and cuisine, as well as pieces of unknown history to many non-Greek visitors. There are regular flights to the island from Athens, but also other neighboring countries too. It has a little bit of everything - from relaxing beaches to rugged mountainous terrain, everyone can find something for them on Crete.

Sifnos

This Greek island is a real unknown gem. Like Santorini, it’s small in size but packs a lot of beauty. Unlike Santorini, not many people know about it or travel there. It’s very much an island populated with more locals than visitors, meaning it is an excellent way to experience Greek culture at its best. 

Corfu

For those traveling to Greece alone and who’re keen to meet new people, Corfu may be the island for you. As a popular holiday destination for people all over the globe, its lively towns and coastlines are great for finding new friends. Needless to say, the island itself is also surrounded by stunning coastlines and gorgeous sunset views.

Ios

When you see pictures from Ios next to those from Santorini it’s quite difficult to tell which is which. Truly! The island is populated with iconic blue and white buildings, stunning views, and relaxing resorts. It lacks none of the same charm whilst also not being as well known as the infamous Santorini. Walks and driving tours are among the various fun options to see the island, so it’s also a great place for adventure.

Transport around Greece

Public transport in Greece is generally seen as being pretty good. Local buses and trains are available all over mainland Greece, and often at only a few Euros for a ticket. Ferries to the islands and mainland coastline are very regular and cheap, and the ferries themselves are well-maintained. 

Hiring a car, especially on the islands, is a good idea. However, there are a couple of things to note. Firstly, some of the islands have a limit to how many cars can be on the road due to issues with severe traffic jams (Santorini is notorious for its endless queues of cars), so driving short distances isn’t recommended. Secondly, the road accident rate has been above the European average since 2001. The requirements to pass a driving test in Greece are lower than in the US and UK, so do be cautious if you decide to drive and always buy insurance.

Weather in Greece

As mentioned earlier, summer in Greece can reach the high 30s °C (high 90s °F) and it’s very dry. Spring and autumn can still be warm during the day at around the mid to high 20s °C (low 80s °F), but the evenings can be cooler. Finally, winter can be quite cold, particularly in the mountains and this is when it’ll most likely rain.

Accommodation for solo female travelers in Greece

Call us biased, but we think house and pet sitting as a TrustedHousesitters member is by far the best way to stay in Greece. Caring for local pets - who will be regarded as key members of the community - will allow you to explore and experience local neighborhoods and islands as you were if you were living there.

If there aren’t any sits available for when you want to travel, there are plenty of hotels, hostels, and even guesthouses around the country. Local B&B style guesthouses are the next best thing to sit, particularly near the coast where you’ll be able to sample some of the very best in Greek cuisine.

Is Greece safe for solo female travelers?

It’s always important you feel safe throughout your trip to Greece. Whilst we recommend you always abide by the most common and useful safety tips, we’ve done some further digging to help offer some additional insight.

When reviewing the Safe Cities Index 2021, the Global Peace Index, and Kipling’s Solo Female Traveler City Index Greece ranked as the 35th societally secure country in the world. However, when looking at capital cities in Europe, Athens is currently regarded as being quite low on the list for safety. The smaller Greek islands have a very low crime rate, however, the larger cities are where tourists should constantly stay alert and use their common sense if a situation doesn’t feel safe. 

Meeting people and connecting with locals

When it comes to meeting people, particularly as a solo female traveler, Greece is possibly one of the easiest places to do this, especially on the mainland and the larger islands like Crete. Athens has a large community of expats and most local people will speak some English.

However, on some of the quieter islands, using a language-learning app might come in handy for some conversations. Keep an eye out for evening entertainment - including music and traditional theatre performances - or art exhibitions which often attract other explorers to meet and talk to.

Tips from a local

• If you’re in a rush to eat anywhere, you’d be best finding something pre-made! The island mentality of living life in the slow lane is universal across Greece. It’ll be difficult for you to find a bad meal, just don’t expect anything close to fast food timings!
  
• Food is central to Greek culture! Try everything, if you can, and always ask the servers or owners of restaurants what they would recommend.
  
• If you’re a wine drinker, always order the house wine. It’s the cheapest and often the most locally sourced vino available. You’ll be able to taste it before committing to a glass, but we reckon it’ll be hard to say no to!
  
• If English is your first language, Greek is a tricky language to pick up. Not only is the alphabet different, but it can also be difficult to understand verbally and the Greeks know that! Any effort made to try and speak the language, or even to try and strike up a conversation, is always hugely appreciated.
  
• Yes, there are stray cats everywhere and, yes, the locals feed them and treat them as if they were their own. Feel free to do the same when you visit!
  
• Be respectful of the ancient monuments and ruins. Although Greece has abundant old stuff, all outdoor museums should be treated with care. Although many places can end up being crowded - particularly in Athens or Corinth - avoid having loud conversations and take your trash with you.

Greece for solo female pet sitters

As expected, mainland Greece holds many pet sitting opportunities, but there are also some available across the different islands. Integrate yourself into the Greek culture with an adorable fur baby by your side.

Things to do with dogs in Greece

Walks! Lots and lots of walks on all kinds of terrain. City walks through the ancient streets of Thessaloniki, hikes around Mount Olympus, or strolls along the beach are all dog-walking friendly.

In many of the cities, there are various parks dotted around the place to take your new pooch pal for a wander. Even most of the outdoor museums of old ruins are dog friendly too, so you can soak up some history together.

Dog-friendly bars and restaurants in Greece

Athens is a very dog-friendly city (and cat-friendly, in fact - the strays there are fed daily by the locals who also allow them to visit their homes) with almost every bar, restaurant and cafe allowing dogs to accompany you inside. This is also a paw-some way to meet people as Greek culture is very pro-pet.

House and pet sit

For an Athenian adventure, check out these cozy homes with a variety of new furry friends and even some with views of the Acropolis! If you’re raring to jump aboard the next ferry from the capital, have a look at some of these beautiful island fur homes, some even have a pool!