What budget for activities and outings NorThern Islands Of The Aegean Sea?
Entrance fees to sites and museums are usually limited to a few euros, although tickets have increased in the last two years. In many cultural places, admission is free: a donation is always welcome in this case. Finally, there are discounts for young people and senior citizens of the EU, which can be claimed with proof of identity.
The nature of the North Aegean islands is rich in possibilities: the majority of outdoor activities will not cost you a cent, whether it is swimming, hiking, snorkeling... For kayaking, diving, windsurfing and kitesurfing, unless you come equipped, you will have to rent the equipment: many schools offer quality equipment for rent.
On the islands, tickets to bars and clubs are free. For the summer cinemas, you will have to pay about 5-8 € per session, depending on the island.
What budget to eat NorThern Islands Of The Aegean Sea?
Although restaurants(estiatório) are slightly more expensive than taverns or ouzeries, eating out is still very affordable in the North Aegean islands. Unless you go to a trendy or very chic restaurant - they are rather rare - you will have to count around 15-20 € per person for a complete meal with a carafe of local wine or raki/ouzo. Note, however, that fresh fish, sold by the kilo, is always expensive. To avoid unpleasant surprises at the time of the bill, go and choose your fish in the kitchen and ask for the price before ordering it, because the bill goes up quickly. Finally, it is quite common to order too much and ask for leftovers to take away. To pay, always bring cash as credit cards are not necessarily accepted everywhere, and leave a tip of about 10%.
Drinking coffee is an institution in Greece: you can stay for hours with a freddo or a frappé for a few euros, without having to reorder.
What is the budget for accommodation NorThern Islands Of The Aegean Sea?
Prices can vary from simple to triple between low and high season. Note that in low season, prices are open to haggling, which becomes impossible in high season. During this period, it is strongly recommended to make reservations. Luxury hotels have prices comparable to those in the rest of Europe, while small charming hotels offer more affordable prices. The most economical solutions remain domatia, studios to rent from individuals, or camping, well developed in the North Aegean islands. Last option, free of charge: wild camping. It is forbidden everywhere in Greece, but some islands tolerate it. This is the case of Samothrace and Ikaria, famous among Greek and international free campers.
The price ranges used in this guide are based on high season rates (from June on), for a standard double room.
Good and cheap: less than 90 € per night.
Comfort or charm: from 90 to 140 € per night.
Luxury: over 150 € per night.
Travel budget NorThern Islands Of The Aegean Sea and cost of living
Despite the galloping inflation, the cost of living in Greece remains globally cheaper than in France. On the islands, life is relatively more expensive than in Athens or on the mainland. Especially since the islanders only have a few months a year to earn their yearly income: the tourist season has seen an inescapable spike in prices, especially since the health and energy crises.
For the moment - and especially out of season - the traveler will still be surprised by the softness of some prices in bars and restaurants. And in hotels, it is still possible to find a room at a good price and negotiable outside the months of July and August, always saturated with tourists. Prices are quite variable depending on the islands and, above all, on the period. It is sometimes enough to postpone your stay by a week, towards the beginning of June or towards the end of September, to see your budget melt by 30%.
To have an idea of the budget per person, in season, you should count 50 € per day when sleeping at a campsite, 100 € in a studio at a local's house, 150 € per day with a night in a charming inn and from 200 € per day if you choose more luxurious hotels.
