Wallaroo Wanderlust: Getting Lost in Greece
In this edition of Wallaroo Wanderlust, we travel to Greece—a destination that conjures up visions of whitewashed buildings, delicious Mediterranean cuisine, a relaxed pace, and sun-drenched coastlines against the deep blue Aegean Sea. It seems that just hearing the mention of “Greece” reduces stress or at least has us looking for a glass of red wine and olives, and a spot on the beach to relax. Our founder, Stephanie Carter, recently traveled to Greece and shares a bit about her trip and why you might want to add the destination to your bucket list.
Greece 101: Getting to Know the Country
If you’re looking for sunshine, you’ve picked the right spot - Greece has been called one of the sunniest places in the world, thanks to its over 300 days of sunshine. Located along the southeastern edge of Europe, its coastline stretches for miles (roughly 8500 miles) along the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, and features approximately 6000 islands, with just 200 of them inhabited.
The most visited city is Athens, where visitors flock to the Acropolis and the nearby Plaka, Athens’ oldest historic neighborhood. Santorini is one of the most photographed islands, and Mykonos is a great choice for nightlife, beach clubs, and hip village vibes. Visitors choose Crete for its beaches, hiking, and historic towns like Chania, while Corfu and Zakynthos are known for their turquoise water and lush landscapes. Rhodes, meanwhile, draws travelers with its medieval Old Town and long, sandy beaches. The bottom line? There’s really no “bad choice” when it comes to a trip to Greece.
Now let’s turn things over to Stephanie for a bit about her trip and recommendations if Greece is on your travel radar.
First Stop: Athens
Our trip began in Athens at the beginning of May, where we stayed in an amazing two-bedroom Airbnb with a lovely outside patio and a view of the Acropolis Museum and gardens. The location was perfect - tucked away in a great neighborhood backing up to the museum.
We decided to visit in May, right in the middle of the shoulder season, and found the temperature to be perfect. The shoulder seasons, April to early June and September to October, are always a great time to visit Greece - before it gets too hot or too cold and before the very busy tourist season.
We chose Athens for its many fabulous sites, including the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, and the surrounding grounds. The Plaka is Athens’ oldest historic neighborhood. It’s a wonderful place to wander as there are many charming streets lined with cafes, restaurants, tavernas, shops, and archaeological sites tucked in the area. Don’t miss all the ruins scattered around the Plaka.
Drawing on my own recent trip, here’s how I’d suggest you spend your time in Athens: take a tour of the Acropolis, the Panathenaic Stadium where the Olympics were held, the Ancient Agora of Athens and its ruins, walk through Monastiraki, and visit the Temple of Hephaestus, the museum, and the old town. Since we traveled in mid-May, we avoided the heavy tourist season and the heat of the summer, making all these sites a much more pleasant experience.
Incredible Gastronomy
While there, we enjoyed the delicious Greek fare served in many restaurants, including salads (tomato, cucumber, olives, and feta), hummus, and other Mediterranean favorites. Other specialties include souvlaki and gyros (pita wraps stuffed with seasoned meat and tzatziki), flaky spanakopita (spinach and feta pie), shared meze plates (small dishes meant for lingering over), slow-roasted lamb (lemony, oregano-rich comfort food), and honey-soaked loukoumades (Greek doughnut-style bites).
For beverages, you’ll find Greek coffee (strong, slow-sipped and brewed in a small briki), frappé, and freddo cappuccino (iced coffee), Ouzo, rakomelo (a warm mix of raki, honey, and spices), local wines, and options like mountain tea (herbal “mountain” infusion) and visinada (sweet-sour cherry drink).
Dining Times
Breakfast is simple in Greece - strong coffee, fresh bread or a sesame koulouri, and maybe yogurt with honey or a slice of spanakopita from the bakery. Lunch is the main meal of the day, and typically eaten between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Dinner comes later in the evening, often after 8:30 p.m., with many locals eating around 9:00 or 10:00 p.m.
Next Stop: Amorgos
After a few days in Athens, we took a seven-hour ferry trip to the small island of Amorgos. If a seven-hour ferry ride seems too much, you can also fly to Santorini and take a shorter ferry. The flight to Santorini and shorter ferry ride is probably a better option if you don’t do well on boats, as the ferry can be a bit rough if the seas are stormy.
Amorgos is a gorgeous island that is sparsely populated except in the summertime. It has a few small city centers where you can shop and eat, but the true magic of the island lies in its gorgeous, nearly empty beaches. Amorgos also features the cliffside Panagia Hozoviotissa Monastery—dating back to the 11th century. Here visitors can climb up, step inside, and meet the monks who still live there.
The island’s capital, Chora, is another spot to visit. This medieval hilltop village has whitewashed houses, windmills, and a Venetian castle that adds a storybook charm to the area.
Recommendations from Stephanie
Packing for Greece
Packing for Greece is similar to other warm-weather destinations: opt for light, breathable clothing like linen tops and dresses, easy skirts, shorts, and comfortable pants, plus a simple layer for cooler evenings. If beaches are on your agenda, add swimsuits and cover-ups. Also, make sure you have supportive sandals and sneakers for walking.
And, since Greece is sunny most days, of course don’t forget to pack sunscreen and a couple of Wallaroo hats to offer UPF protection while you elevate the look of your outfits. For women, the Sanitas, Elise, or Victoria Fedora are great travel options, and for men, a wide-brimmed Logan, Explorer, or Fairway Fedora are always on point. Looking for a smaller profile? Check out the unisex Justin trilby or the women's Rio fedora. Head to our website to check out our travel‑friendly designs, including numerous packable hats that fold or roll easily into your carry-on or suitcase.
Getting to Greece
You can fly into Athens (ATH) and then take the ferry to any of the nearby islands or all the way out to the far Cyclades islands. Other airports include Thessaloniki (SKG), Heraklion on Crete (HER), and island hubs like Santorini (JTR), Mykonos (JMK), Rhodes (RHO), Corfu (CFU), and Zakynthos (ZTH).
Where to Stay in Athens
The First District, or historic center, is a great place to stay because you’ll be close to restaurants, the Acropolis, museums, and key neighborhoods like Plaka and Monastiraki. It’s very walkable and offers easy access to the metro and tram, making it simple and convenient to get to other parts of Athens or to the ferry ports.
Places to Visit
Great choices are the Acropolis and Ancient Agora—iconic ruins, incredible views, and a great way to get oriented in the city. In addition, plan some time just to wander Plaka and Monastiraki, with their narrow streets, shops, and cafés right in the historic center.
● The Acropolis Museum is our top pick: beautifully designed, easy to navigate, and perfectly combined with a visit to the Acropolis itself.
● The National Archaeological Museum is amazing if you enjoy history—thousands of artifacts and the famous Antikythera mechanism (a small ancient Greek machine that worked like a hand‑powered mechanical computer for astronomy)
● We loved starting with the Acropolis and Ancient Agora—iconic ruins, incredible views, and a great way to get oriented in the city.
● Plan some time just to wander Plaka and Monastiraki, with their narrow streets, shops, and cafés right in the historic center.
● A late‑afternoon trip to Cape Sounion is a favorite: stunning coastal drive and sunset over the Temple of Poseidon.
● If you have a free day, consider a quick island trip to Aegina or Hydra for charming harbors and a relaxed change of pace.
Transportation
● For most travelers, the metro, tram, and buses are the easiest way to get around—they’re inexpensive, safe, and connect all central areas.
● If you want to explore beyond Athens, you can rent a car for a day; we suggest picking up in central Athens or at the airport. Note that parking and traffic in the center can be tight.
Working Out
● If you’d like a yoga class during your stay, Earth Yoga Loft in nearby Koukaki is a cozy studio with highly rated English‑friendly classes.
● There are several gyms and boutique fitness studios around the center, many bookable for single visits via apps like ClassPass.
Tours
● A guided Acropolis + Acropolis Museum tour is a great way to dive into the history and avoid confusion around tickets and timing.
● Food tours through the historic center (around Syntagma, Monastiraki and the central market) are fantastic for trying local specialties and learning about everyday life in Athens. Two companies to consider are Athens Food on Foot or Culinary Backstreets.
Restaurants
● We always recommend trying a traditional taverna in Plaka or Psiri for grilled meats, fresh salads, and relaxed outdoor seating—perfect for a first night in the city.
● For a more modern take on Greek cuisine, look for contemporary bistros around Syntagma or Koukaki, where chefs use local ingredients and offer excellent wine choices.
Our trip to Greece in mid-May was wonderful and proved that Greece really does live up to its reputation as a Mediterranean paradise. From Athens with its ancient ruins, café-lined streets, and easy access to ferries to quieter spots like Amorgos, we found it easy to slow down, enjoy incredible food, and soak up amazing views wherever we went.
Whether you plan to explore bustling neighborhoods or find your own quiet corner by the water, Greece invites you to relax, wander, and enjoy the journey… and as always remember, it’s a sunny life—wear your hat.
