What budget for activities and outings Ionian Islands?
Inflation obliges, and Greece has decided to review its pricing policy. The country's most emblematic site, the Acropolis, will see its price rise from April1 , 2025, from 20 to 30 euros in summer. by the end of 2025, a total of 350 sites and museums will be affected, including some on the Ionian Islands.
Nevertheless, your museum budget will often still be halved (as will the price of many admissions) if you travel between November and the end of March. Otherwise, keep an eye out on the sites for free admission days: March 6 (Melina Mercouri Day), June 5 (Environment Day), April 18 (Historic Monuments Day), May 18 (Museums Day), the last weekend in September (European Heritage Day) and, above all, the first Sunday of every month between November1 and March 31.
And don't forget that many major sites, with their rather expensive tickets, are free for Europeans under 25 and minors.
If free activities are rare and complicated in the big cities, the Ionian islands, on the other hand, offer a thousand possibilities on land and sea. Most outdoor activities won't cost you a penny, whether it's swimming or hiking. For diving, kiteboarding, canoeing or mountain biking, unless you come equipped, you'll need to hire the equipment: many stores and associations offer quality equipment for hire, but it's often rather expensive in high season.
You'll find cheaper items in the markets or cooperatives where the locals go. Credit cards are generally accepted in all stores. Finally, without being smokers, we feel obliged to point out that the price of a pack of cigarettes in Greece varies from only €4 to €5, sometimes more than half the price in France..
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 a show, depending on the day. The reduced rate is usually applied on Mondays.
What budget to eat Ionian Islands?
With inflation, restaurant prices have risen slightly. But while restaurants(estiatório) are slightly more expensive than tavernas or ouzeries, eating out is still affordable in Greece and the islands. Unless you go to a trendy or very chic restaurant (in Corfu, for example...), you should expect to pay around 20 euros per person for a full meal, including a carafe of local wine or raki/ouzo. There is one exception: fresh fish, sold by the kilo, is always expensive. To avoid unpleasant surprises at checkout time, choose your fish in the kitchen and ask the price before ordering, as the bill quickly rises. In taverns, dessert (slices of watermelon, plate of halva, cake...) is often offered. Despite the crisis, the Greeks have not abandoned this pleasant tradition. But don't take it for granted: in the most touristy places, you can always wait!
Drinking coffee is an institution in Greece: you can stay for hours with a freddo or a frappé for just a few euros, without having to reorder. But be warned: coffees aren't cheap. At €4 for a frappé, it's not hard to see why some customers linger...
What is the budget for accommodation Ionian Islands?
The best plan, when you have the choice, is always to travel in June or September, when prices melt or before summer inflation (which can, in some places, vary by a factor of three...). In Corfu-City, on the other hand, prices hardly change and remain quite high, unless you negotiate in advance when booking (and if the period is off-peak). While not unique to Greece, the Airbnb platform has grown enormously, even on the most touristy islands. The competition is stiff for the traditional hotel business, as these apartments are often rented out for tourist purposes, and are therefore inexpensive and fairly well-equipped. Finally, you should be aware that many hoteliers continue to offer discounts in exchange for cash payment. We try to avoid it, but it does exist.
Travel budget Ionian Islands and cost of living
In Greece, and especially on the islands, accommodation prices can double between June and September/August. Prices are highest in Corfu Town, where supply is more limited, from €80/100 per night in season and beyond, or €150 per day including tavernas and excursions. Elsewhere, you can get away with €60/80 a day all inclusive out of season. No need to haggle. A discount is sometimes offered if you pay in cash. We don't encourage this practice, but it does exist.
