As someone who recently experienced this for myself, if Greece solo travel plans are in your future I am SO excited for you! Last October, I visited Greece for the very first time for three full weeks – alone. I frequently take solo trips and have to say, Greece was such a great solo female travel destination. 

If you’re planning to take a solo trip to Greece my guide below will help you narrow down some specific destinations within the country, think through the logistics and prepare for a safe journey.

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Greece solo travel – initial considerations

Safety first! As solo female travelers I know, this always has to be our first consideration when planning an adventure anywhere. But I have good news regarding Greece.

Is Greece safe for solo female travellers? 

Yes! Based on my own experience of Greek island hopping across 5 different islands and spending 4 days in Athens over a period of three weeks – yes.

Of course, you should always practice street smarts and I’ll share more safety tips down below. But overall I felt safe throughout my trip. 

Is Greece a good place to travel alone? 

Not only — is Greece safe to travel alone – it’s also fun! Here, you can really strike a balance between touristing and relaxing.

Sure, there are some logistics involved especially if you want to go Greek island hopping, but the time you spend planning this out in advance will be rewarded in the end. 

Additionally, you’ll be able to get by in English for the most part. Although as always, please be sure to learn some basic phrases in Greek to show respect for local culture and customs. 

Choosing the best Greek islands for solo travel

What Greece itinerary is complete without some island hopping? The thing is, there are so many to choose from. To help you decide which islands you’d most like to visit, consider the things you like to do and the vibe you’re after.

For instance, do you want somewhere livelier with a lot of people or somewhere quieter where you can have more alone time?

Would you like to see the hotspots or hidden gems? Do you want to stick with destinations that are walkable or are you open to renting a car to get around? 

Keep these considerations in mind as you finalize your plans. Here are some suggested stops: 

Hydra 

If you have limited time, simply want to stay closer to Athens or are looking for somewhere that’s super walkable then consider Hydra.

Within a two-hour ferry ride from Athens, Hydra is a car-free island and one I was considering visiting on my own trip (although I didn’t make it there in the end). 

For somewhere that’s picturesque and charming with plenty to do, visit Hydra. 

Peloponnese Region

Two hours from Athens by car (look into private transfers or public buses) is the Peloponnese Region.

I’ll be honest, this wasn’t even on my radar until the very end of my trip, when the chef leading my cooking class in Athens mentioned that’s where he was from. 

The more I look into it, the more I decide that’ll be a main stop on my next visit to Greece. You’ll find charming towns here with an authentic feel despite the tourists.

Nafplio is often the city that gets the most attention within this region, known for its romantic coastal setting. 

Santorini

Is it even a post about Greece if Santorini isn’t mentioned? I really doubted whether or not Santorinin was worth a visit, but it turns out – yes.

Because it’s so popular, it’s hard to really feel alone in Santorini. You’ll always have people around you, and that contributes to a fun energy. 

While it’s one of the more expensive destinations to visit in Greece, it also doesn’t have to break the bank.

You can also limit your time here to a couple days, which will give you plenty of time to get a feel for Santorini before moving onward. 

I appreciated being able to get around with a combination of walking and taking the bus at only 2 euros a ride. Plus, it was easy enough to avoid the crowds by going to lesser visited parts of the island or getting an earlier start than others. 

Crete

I wish I could’ve spent more time on Crete to explore more. I was only in Chania, and only for a few days. In reality, there is a lot more to Crete than the Old Town in Chania where my stay was concentrated. 

If you’re a solo traveler comfortable with driving, this is a place where you’ll want to rent a car and spend some time in different towns across the island. Crete is large, and you could easily spend most of your trip exploring this island alone. 

Even locals hold Crete in high regard. Anytime I shared with one that I had Crete on my itinerary, they’d gush about how lovely it is. The people are kind, the food is delicious and there’s plenty to do to keep you occupied on Crete. 

Sifnos 

As much as I like to cross off visiting bucket list destinations like Santorini I also love exploring lesser known places. Sifnos island is a gem for anyone looking for a quieter side of Greece. 

Sometimes it feels like it’s harder and harder in this age of social media to stumble upon an undiscovered destination. But Sifnos still offers that sense of calm yet striking beauty that such places exude. 

As a solo traveler, I felt completely comfortable on Sifnos. I even hiked alone from one area to another in search of the perfect meal at a local tavern. Sifnos offers a blend of beach and small village life. Aim to experience both if you go. 

Syros

Everytime I think about Syros, I want to go back there. I truly feel like I could set myself up there for at least a month as a digital nomad, that’s how comfortable I felt on this island. 

Syros is actually the capital of the popular Cycladic island group, but it felt like there were far fewer tourists than locals wandering around. 

This island felt grounded and fun. It’s got beautiful architecture, is very walkable and is fairly affordable as well. Although I enjoyed the quietness of Sifnos, I appreciated how Syros felt similarly laid back yet much livelier. 

Paros 

Paros was on my original Greece itinerary, but after a chat with a friend of mine I swapped it out for Sifnos instead. While I loved my decision, I haven’t completely written Paros off. 

Many who go here love it. Although it’s becoming increasingly popular amongst tourists, it offers a quieter scene than Santorini does but a similar Greek aesthetic. 

Plus, there are great cafes, restaurants, nightlife options, day trip opportunities and more to be had on Paros. 

You may need to rent a 4×4 or hire a taxi to get around a bit if you’re not comfortable driving yourself. On the other hand, Paros also has public buses you could rely on to get around. 

Helpful tips for your solo trip to Greece

Figuring out your itinerary is only one part of the equation. It’s also important to set yourself up for a successful solo adventure in other ways. 

Safety tips for Greece solo female travel:

While Greece is safe for solo travelers, you should always have your own back by taking some standard precautions: 

• Limit your alcohol consumption so you can keep your wits about you and remain in control 
• Don’t get caught without a portable charger on you to ensure your phone is always charged
• Similarly, make sure you have an eSIM set up so you can stay connected to the internet for navigation and communication purposes 
• Wear an anti-theft, crossbody bag to keep your valuables safe. Whenever you’re walking through a crowded area, ensure the bag is turned around to be on your front side and place a hand over it for extra protection against potential pick-pockets
• Make sure you ask for and save the contact information for whatever accommodations you’re staying at, in case you need to contact them for help at any point 
• Ensure someone you trust has a copy of your itinerary, and contact information for your accommodations as well 
• Get travel insurance, just in case. It’s a little bit of money up front to save you potentially hundreds in case anything goes wrong. I use Safetywing
• Always have some amount of local currency on hand
• Dress in a way that you feel comfortable and can blend in a bit. 
• Be mindful of your surroundings and trust your gut.
• Avoid walking around alone at night in dark and deserted areas

Getting around Greece alone: 

Having a plan for how to get around will help your travels go smoothly: 

• Book your ferries between islands in advance. I use Ferryhopper, make sure you download the app for easy access to your trip tickets and details. 
• If you’re driving a car or 4×4 at any point, drive cautiously and ensure you truly feel confident doing so. Have insurance to cover yourself. 
• Sometimes when you’re walking, you may find there are no sidewalks! If you find yourself walking roadside some places proceed with high alert. Know that this is fairly typical, I experienced it in Santorini and Sifnos, but still proceed with caution
• If you plan to take buses, make sure you are referencing the most up-to-date schedule. These schedules change seasonally
• When in doubt, book private transfers or taxis. You can ask your accommodation hosts to arrange this for you. I did this on arrival in Sifnos to get to my hotel, and to depart early morning from Athens to the airport

Meeting people as a solo traveler in Greece: 

Solo travel doesn’t have to mean isolated travel. Meeting people while solo traveling is part of the adventure! Here’s how: 

• Book yourself a spot on group tours or activities such as day trips, food tours or cooking classes. This is a fun, low-stakes way of meeting fellow travelers 
• Look for and join relevant Facebook groups for the destinations you’ll be in, and put an invite out to see who in the area wants to meet for a coffee or a stroll, etc. Of course, choose a public meeting place and don’t share precise details of where you’re staying 
• Strike up conversation, if you dare! In Syros, a couple sat down at a restaurant next to me. The woman asked me what I’d ordered, and thus began an hour-long conversation where we all basically had dinner together. We’re now all Instagram friends. 
• Stick to the more popular islands if you want to increase your chances of meeting people

Final Thoughts: Greece Solo Travel Guide

If you follow my tips and guidance above, I have no doubt you’ll have an epic Greece solo travel adventure of your very own!

I adored my solo trip to Greece and am itching to go back soon. It’s truly a beautiful and special place to be, so set your plans in motion and go make the most of it!