What budget for activities and outings Central Greece?
New rates in 2025. The Greek Ministry of Culture is due to introduce new rates for 350 national museums and archaeological sites from April 2025. As this guide was being finalized, the locations concerned and the new prices had not yet been announced. Reduced winter rates are set to disappear. In some cases, combined tickets such as those for archaeological sites and museums will also be abolished. And there are fears of sharp price rises at the most visited sites. In the case of the Athens Acropolis, for example, the ticket price is set to rise to €30 all year round for the Acropolis alone, compared with the current €20 (and €10 in winter): not only will the price remain the same all year round, but the coupled ticket with the other Athenian archaeological sites (Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Keramikos Cemetery, Hadrian's Gate...) is also set to disappear.
Free admission. Admission to national museums and archaeological sites is free all year round (on presentation of one or more supporting documents) for various categories of foreign visitors: EU nationals under 25, students from EU countries, EU teachers accompanying a school group, disabled people from all countries (and an accompanying person in the case of a disability of 67% or more), children under 5 from all countries, people with refugee status and journalists from all countries. In addition, admission is free for all visitors on the following days: March 6 (Melina Mercouri Memorial Day), April 18 (International Monuments Day), May 18 (International Museum Day), the last weekend in September (European Cultural Heritage Days), October 28 (National "No" Day) and the first Sunday of the month between November and March.
Churches and monasteries. Most places of worship are open to the public. Some, however, are classified as historical monuments and/or have been converted into museums. There are six monasteries in Meteora (Thessaly), all of which charge a fee but are open to all, and twenty monasteries on Mount Athos (Macedonia), all of which are free but only accessible to men with a pass.
Free sporting activities are rare in the big cities, but it's still fun to jog around the acropolis in Athens or along the waterfront in Thessaloniki. Elsewhere, nature offers a thousand and one possibilities: swimming on the beaches, hiking in the mountains and so on. For diving, canoeing or mountain biking, numerous stores and associations offer quality equipment for hire.
You'll find cheaper items at markets and cooperatives. Credit cards are generally accepted in all stores. Some local products are well-priced, such as honey, olive oil... or cigarettes (€4-5 a pack).
Going out doesn't have to be expensive. Many students (among others) take a drink to go and happily line the sidewalks of concert venues. Summer cinemas cost between €5 and €8, depending on the day.
What budget to eat Central Greece?
Tavern. The taverna is the most common type of restaurant. It's an establishment serving Greek cuisine. Local customers usually have several starters/mezzés and a salad to share, as well as one main course each. And most authentic tavernas don't actually have dessert on the menu. Bread is often charged extra. In popular taverns, expect to pay around €15 per person, with the main course costing between €7 and €12. Some taverns continue the tradition of offering dessert, usually fruit or a portion of homemade cake. House wine is served by the jug: ask for ena kilo for a liter, miso kilo for half a liter, kokkino for a red, lefko for a white. Note that there is a wide variety of tavern types: ouzeri, mezedopolio, tsipouradiko, psarotaverna... They are all originally specialized: ouzo, mezzés, tsipouro, fish and seafood... But the differences are sometimes subtle and the dishes served are often the same. In any case, credit cards are now accepted almost everywhere.
Gyros and souvlaki. Gyros is the traditional Greek sandwich, the equivalent of the Turkish doner kebab. It consists of lamb or pork meat grilled on a rotating spit and served in pita bread with a little tomato and onion, oregano, tzatziki and French fries. You can also opt for souvlaki: a skewer of lamb, pork or chicken served in the same way. A gyros or souvlaki costs between €3.50 and €6.
The price of a café varies greatly: from "Balkan" fare in less touristy villages, to "Parisian" fare in the fine establishments of city centers and the most popular panoramic locations. Here are some average prices: €3.40 for a cappuccino, €4.50 for a pint of Greek beer, €2 for a soda. The good thing is that you can stay for hours at the same café table without having to renew your drink.
What is the budget for accommodation Central Greece?
Rates vary widely, from region to region and from summer to winter. And there's a wide range of accommodation on offer, including campsites, hotels, Airbnb apartments and luxury resorts. In high season, to visit the most important sites (Athens, Delphi...), you need to budget at least €80 for two in a medium-comfort hotel. If you can come outside school vacations, ideally in June or September, you'll enjoy the sunshine and lower rates. In winter, accommodation prices are at their lowest almost everywhere. Almost, because the hotels around the ski resorts are at capacity. And many hotels in coastal areas are closed. Finally, seasonal variations are less marked in the two largest cities, Athens and Thessaloniki.
Travel budget Central Greece and cost of living
Accommodation prices can vary from single to double between June or September and August. There's no need to haggle. But sometimes a discount is offered if you pay cash..
