With its impressive history, delicious food and beautiful beaches, it’s no wonder Greece is a popular tourist destination.
Last year, 33 million tourists visited Greece, which is more than three times the country’s population. But according to one travel enthusiast, many of them make mistakes when visiting the country.
Priyanka Juneja, a traveling TikToker from the United States, revealed the three mistakes that tourists often make. On her page @psjuneja, she said: “You definitely don’t want to make these mistakes when planning a trip to Greece.”
She then lists the so-called mistakes, which have to do with visiting times and where people stay. Priyanka also points out some hidden gems you should know about, so check out her tips below.
Do not visit during rush hour
Priyanka said: “(Firstly) if you can, try to avoid travelling to Greece during peak season because it will be very crowded and you will have less chance of finding hotel deals.”
The TikToker noted that June, July and August were among the busiest months to visit Greece, which is not surprising considering it is during school holidays, which is when families typically travel.
Plus, it can be extremely hot this time of year. Tourists in Greece were recently told to “stay home” during an extreme weather alert, which doesn’t bode well for those looking to explore the country.
Greece’s most popular tourist spots are less crowded during May, September and October. The weather is also likely to be sunny and pleasant during these times, which is a big plus.
Keep an eye out for hidden gems
Many people flock to the blue-roofed houses in Santorini they’ve seen on Instagram and don’t bother to venture off the beaten path.
Believe it or not, Greece is made up of no less than 6,000 islands, of which only 227 are inhabited. Kefalonia, Icaria, Sifnos and Folegandros are among the most overlooked hidden gems of the Greek islands, according to Original Travel.
Kefalonia in particular is also frequented by loggerhead turtles and even boasts a stunning red sand coastline known as Xi Beach.
Priyanka added: “Don’t make the mistake of only travelling to Santorini or Mykonos for example (…) there is so much to discover.”
Don’t miss Athens
It seems like an obvious tip, given that Athens is the Greek capital. But contrary to popular belief, many people forget about the city that was once at the heart of Ancient Greece.
Priyanka continued: “Don’t forget Athens. It’s an amazing city and a lot of people overlook it and go straight to the Greek islands. I think that’s a big mistake.”
The TikToker’s advice went viral online and many viewers also agreed with her perspective. One person wrote: “I visited Crete, Milos, Athens and Santorini. My least favorite destination was Santorini.”
Another added: “How can people skip Athens?” while someone else chimed in: “I just visited Athens and literally loved it so much it was my dream to see it.”