Travel to Greece in November!
Greece is one country that you can visit all year round and it would still be one of the most picturesque destinations. Travelers generally visit Greece in Summer which is mostly from April to June or max up to August…it is also known that tourism is at its peak during these months.
Well, since my husband and I hadn’t traveled for a while due to the pandemic, we did the most unusual thing and traveled to Greece in November. Everyone questioned us…November and December are known to be one of the coldest times and then from December onwards, it tends to rain more. But, we were desperate to explore and travel. So we went through various itineraries available online and chalked out an entire plan for us, which believe me, we would never regret! We explored Greece as locals and saw much more that could not have been possible during the busy period. Let me share with my readers some important points that you need to consider;
Fares (Hotel / Flight)- November is one of the cheapest months to visit Greece, all hotels are hardly occupied and the tariffs are really affordable. Even three-star properties are well managed and the service is exemplary. Best hotels to stay in Greece (Athens).
Budget- Ibis Styles Athens Routes Hotels
Luxury- Hilton Athens
Car Rental – Autounion Car rental
This is one of the best car rental companies we have ever come across, their service and delivery are impeccable. We had a situation wherein our car refused to move and all its electronics stopped working. We called the company and they were there within 15 minutes in the middle of the night. Also, one of the cleanest and well-sanitized cars and has extremely helpful staff.
What to pack?
Greece in November can get extremely cold especially if you are planning to travel around the country and not just Athens. however, it really depends on the villages and towns you are planning to cover. Even the islands like Santorini tends to get really cold (around 12o C – 15o C). Thick pullovers are a must with rain boots or shoes since the weather gets slightly unpredictable when it comes to rain. Additionally, it may not be that cold at times but if you are considering heading to UNESCO archaeological sites then it gets quite windy too. All in all, I really enjoyed the weather since it was a respite for us.
Our Itinerary!
We had planned an 11 day trip to Greece, had also rented a car since we wanted to cover the Peloponnese region of Greece during our stay.
Day 1- Landed at the Athens International Airport + hired the car.
Day 2- Stay in Athens, explore the city.
Day 3- Drive to Patras via Nafpaktos and stay the night at Patras
Day 4- Leave for Gythio (the southernmost beautiful village) via Olympia (Preferably have lunch at Olympia..you could also visit the archaeological site.
Day 5-7 – Stay at Gythio ..spend the day here or visit Sparti which is about 45 minutes from Gythio and the drive is beautiful.
Day 7 – Leave for Athens (Either you could stay in Athens and end your trip here) or one night at Nafplio is worth it. It is one of the most picturesque towns.
Day 8-9 – Stay in Athens and explore the city a bit more.
Day 10 – Fly to Santorini or any island you wish to cover; I would suggest flying as it saves time (45 minutes via flight); in case you would like to spend more time leisurely, the ferry is another great option however takes a minimum of 04 hours. Additionally, in November you do not need to purchase the tickets before unlike other tourist seasons.
Santorini is known for its sunset, this island can be explored in a day, in case you have time one could stay a day or more in Santorini.
Food and Greek Delicacies?
Greek food would leave you with no regrets or complaints. Most delicious food served to you with all the love and respect. Their bread is worth trying. Olives and olive oil cannot be missed. Above all, there is so much to try that for food there would never be a dull moment. This weather also demands greek coffee and it is super addictive.
Things that should not be missed;
- Olive and Orange trees all around greece.
- Greek coffee – coffee breaks are a must.
- UNESCO archaelogical sites in small towns/ villages
- Sunsets
- Gyros with greek salad makes your day even better
Greece is more than a country! and it’s a must-visit…