Guidebook

Do you have the Rick Steves Greece guidebook already?

I usually check various guidebooks out of the local library first.

One place to start-- an assortment that includes Greece

https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/guidebooks/turkey

Some tips for step 2:

After reading the guidebooks and before selecting places to see, look on a map to see where they are located. And above all: how to get there.

The common mistake new visitors make is to plan an unrealistic itinerary, wanting to see too much without taking into account travel times. Sometimes, some want to go from one place to another that doesn't seem that far apart, when it's actually not possible in less than two days.

A car is the best way to get around the mainland. Trains are almost nonexistent. Buses are slow, the lines and their schedules are managed regionally and they don't always stop to the "must-see".

Another very important factor to keep in mind: the time of year. An idyllic spot in May or October can turn out to be hell in August.

If you want to go to the Greek islands, there are over 150 to visit. Rick Steves' guide only includes 3 of them.
You should consult a specific guide for a specific group of islands (Cyclades, Dodecanese, Ionian, etc.).
Crete alone requires a dedicated guide, as does Athens & the Peloponnese on the mainland.

Also, don't create an island-hopping itinerary without knowing the possibilities for getting from island A to island B.
You won't do what you want just because you've seen great island recommendations in a guidebook or on the internet.

The official Greek tourism website:

https://www.visitgreece.gr/

The official Athens website:

https://www.thisisathens.org/

It can depend on what part of the country you are visiting. I like Bradt guides for mainland Greece

As always, Jo-Lui's advice for planning is GOLD. So often people hava a Wish List based on eye-candy from YouTube -- which too often are just promotional videos. You obviously know better, congrats!

J-L points out that in Greece, key to a successful plan is NOT choosing the Top Destinations (there are many great ones) but avoiding the Pitfalls. The biggest pitfall involves logistics --- choosing places not logically connected, and not understanding the best transit options (car - ferry - domestic flights) that are time-efficient and within your budget. People who've traveled elsewhere in Europe are used to moving quickly between regions & even countries using the fast & extensive rail networks -- only to find there is almost NO trains in Greece. As part of planning it is so useful to learn how to use key travel website for timetables & booking -- for domestic air, ferries and intercity bus service (latter has modern, large, comfortable vehicles used by all levels of citizenry). I can supply best links in another posting ... but first, Guidebooks:

ACTION PLAN: run to your big central library, check out an armload of Greek guide, browse & find which appeal. Alas, too many guides have slashed text to make room for color photos better seen online; don't fall for this. Also do NOT buy guidebook for tips on transport, hotels, dining -- use forums like this for most up-to-date info on such ... true value of a Guidebook is in background, history, ambience -- not HOW to get to a site, but WHY.

CHOICES: A good visual island overview (but not a take-along) is EYEWITNESS GREECE or GREEK ISLES (+Athens).... RICK STEVES book is v good on Ath & Pelopponnese (Not islands) & has BEST "phrase list" (photocopy & take) -- LONELY PLANET, once a "bible" now has become fact-fact-fact ... FODOR - middle-of-road, good itinerary, no discoveries ... For in-depth ancient site information, the "gold standards" are BLUE GUIDE to GREECE(mainland) and BLUE GUIDE to CRETE ( these are not overall guides). ... BRADT GUIDES to Pelopponnese - British title I hear great things about, doesn't cover islands... ROUGH GUIDE is my fave "all-in-one" guide, tho less text than past. It has the plus that you can (carefully) pull sections, like "Crete" "Athens" etc off the backing & add duct-tape "binding strip" and Voila! pocket "mini-guides" to take along. NOTE since not using a book for newest transport/hotel facts, consider buying online earlier RG editions - 2012 or so -- much much more background & insights. And for enthralling prose on history & legend, look at CADOGAN GUIDES to Greek Isles & Peloponnese. Last editions were 2010, but the writing is pure enchantment... great bedside books!

I totally agree with JuLoi & Janet's posts as they both are very accomplished and experienced travelers.

We like the Blue Guides. I've kept all of my older copies but buy the newer e-book regional guides. For up-to-date information about restaurants, hotels, site hours, etc. I check websites and apps. I really like the Musei Italiani app.

This year I purchased three new Naples guides, each of which has a release date of May 2025 or later. One has hours, one has prices, one has neither, and they all contradict each other. Additionally the paper quality is really bad; I don't think they would survive more than a trip or two.

We use a combination of Lonely Planet and the Eyewitness guides- altho I don't like the newer style of the Lonely Planet guides as much. For things like restaurants and hotels I normally look online as guidebooks get out of date quickly and can't cover as much as e.g. TripAdvisor can. Good luck with your planning!

I found Thomas Cook’s “Greek Island Hopping” invaluable when I first started researching Greek travel. I was mainly focused on the islands, and this book clearly explained the various island groups and how to sensibly organize a trip using the ferry system. The example itineraries were very helpful.

It is no longer being updated, but if you can find a copy in a library or used book store, grab it. My copy is from 2003 and still helpful.

Of course you’ll need to look up the current ferry schedules, hotel information, etc. online, but this gives you a good start.

Charlene, I still have that 2003 edition of Greek Island Hopping... makes me nostalgic... that's back when you could still "wing it" a little and not have to plan ahead so much ...

Thanks everyone for the advice and web links.

For me the best guide for anywhere in Greece are the Blue Guides.

Comprehensive, in-depth and more info than any other guides.

I still consider the Cadogan Guide to the Peloponnese as the best guide for that area. While last published in 2008 it's still relevant and filled with facts, figures, maps, photos and info no other guide can offer. It's available only as a used book from abebooks.