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Best Sellers in Greece Travel Guides

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10 Best books to read before visiting Greece

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

It’s important to make sure you research the best books to read before visiting Greece, and here’s why…

Greece is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, and for a good reason. Greece boasts some of the worlds most beautiful beaches, ancient architecture and history that blows your mind. From the stunning white churches with blue domes of Santorini to the temples and ruins of Athens.

With so many places to see and things to do you need to make sure you see the very best Greece has to offer. This is why we have handpicked and reviewed out 10 best books to read before visiting Greece. These guides will provide you with all the information you need from, island hopping, ferry, transportation, things to do, places to eat, where to stay, the culture, history and so much more.

Quick Answer:

Here are our top 3 books to read before visiting Greece, if you don't have time to read the whole post:

Lonely Planet Greece Travel Guide

Lonely Planet Greek Islands Travel Guide

Rick steves greece: athens & the peloponnese, our 10 best books to read before visiting greece.

If you are looking for the best books to read before visiting Greece, then we have hand picked and reviewed the best Greece travel guides to buy for 2018.

Simply click on the product for more information and to check prices below:

Greece Travel Book Reviews

If you are still unsure of what are the best books to read before visiting Greece, then carry on reading our Greece travel guide review and buyers guide. We have hand picked and selected the best travel books for Greece out there. Simply click on the links below for more information and latest prices:

The Lonely Planet Greek Islands Travel Guide is the perfect guide for island hopping around the beautiful greek islands. Providing up-to-date advice on what are the best things to see and what you can skip. It features insider tips to save you time and money helping you get around like a local and tailored itineraries to guide you to the best points of interest at the right times to avoid crowds. This handy Greek travel book also provides you with essential information like phone numbers, websites, emails, prices and so much more. This is the one of the most comprehensive guides to the Greek Islands, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. This is one of the best books to read before visiting Greece if you want to make the most out of your time there.

The Lonely Planet Greece Travel Guide is your passport to the most relevant up-to-date information for Athens, mainland Greece, the Peloponnese, island hopping, cruising and so much more, this book has it all. It features a top 20 list, detailed maps, where to eat, where to stay, how to save money, traveling Greece with children and toddlers. This book will give you a richer and more rewarding travel experience taking in the history, art, architecture, landscapes and the way of Greek life. Discover some of the best beaches in the world with crystal clear water and white sandy beaches, so get to the heart of Greece and begin your journey now with Lonely Planet at your side. This is one of the best books to read before visiting Greece if you want to explore more than just the surrounding islands.

DK Eyewitness Travel The Greek Islands

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide for the Greek Islands offers you the very best information to these picturesque islands of the Mediterranean. From the beautiful fishing town of Mykonos to the sparkling blue waters Zante to exploring more than 2,000 years of history in Rhodes. This travel guide features detailed itineraries and ‘don’t miss’ destination highlights at a glance, detailed floor plans of museums, illustrations and 3D drawings of important sights and detailed maps with marked points of interest. The DK Eyewitness guide has special recommendations on hotels, restaurants and the best things to do.

Frommer’s Athens and the Greek Islands

The Frommer’s Athens and Greek Islands travel book brings a up-tapped insight into how best to see and understand the ancient historic sights of Athens and the adjoining Peloponnese. This book contains helpful detailed maps, which even includes a handy larger pull-out map, exact pricing on everything from hotels, places to eat and sightseeing so there’s never any ugly surprises. It also features opinionated reviews of historic sights, hotels and restaurants.

Why not walk in the steps of Socrates or set sail for Santorini, with Rick Steves by your side, you will see the very best Greece has to offer. With nearly 200 reviews on Amazon there is good reason why the Rick Steves Athens & the Peloponnese Travel Guide is so highly rated, and here’s why. Rick provides strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, while ranking his must see favourite sights. You will explore the top sights and hidden gems, from the Parthenon and the Agora to the small towns and beaches of the Peloponnesian Peninsula. You will learn how to beat the crowds, skip the lines, avoid tourist traps and scams. Find out where the best places to eat, sleep, relax and the best hotels. This book also includes detailed maps, stunning photography and useful resources such as a Greece packing list, phrase book and historical overview for your pleasure. This is one of the best books to read before visiting Greece and with Rick by your side you can’t go wrong.

Fodor’s Essential Greece with the Best Islands

Fodor’s travel guides are written by local experts so you are sure to get the best and most relevant information. Fodor’s travel guides have been offering advice and professionally vetted recommendations for all tastes and budgets for 80 years. The Fodor’s Essential Greek Islands Travel Guide is no exception, featuring spectacular colour photographs capturing the very best things to do through Greece. You will find out the best new hotels, resorts, restaurants and the best things to do in each place. The ‘Top Attractions’ and ‘Great Itineraries’ features, make it really easy to plan each day and see the very best attractions avoiding the crowds and saving money.

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Greece, Athens & the Mainland

Packed with insider tips to make your Greek trip a memorable one. You will find guides to Greece’s stunning historic architecture and scenic drives that let you experience the best hotels, restaurants, beaches Greece has to offer. The DK Eyewitness Travel Guide for Athens and the Mainland provides all the essential information to find the best hotels for every budget, plus fun activities for solo travellers and families with kids. This book features detailed itineraries, don’t miss highlights, 3D illustrations of important sights, floor plans, details marked maps highlighting points of interest and essential information. DK Eyewitness also recommends the best hotels and places to eat making sure you see the very best of Greece and get value for money.

Fodor’s Essential Greek Islands & Best of Athens

Join Fodor’s in exploring one of the most exciting destinations in Europe. The Fodor’s Essential Greek Islands Travel Guide is written by local experts making this the perfect travel guide for real insider tips and wanting to make the most out of their trip to Greece. Complete with detailed maps and concise information, this Greek travel guide will help make exploring Greece a breeze. Fodor’s writers have scoured the islands to find the best new hotels, resorts, restaurants and sightseeing. The guide will help you find the perfect beaches, when best to go and how to avoid crowds, packed with top itineraries and tips this book makes traveling Greece simple. The guide features gorgeous photos, illustrations, detailed maps and recommendations.

Lonely Planet Greek Phrasebook & Dictionary

The Lonely Planet Greek Phrasebook and Dictionary is packed with the most relevant and useful Greek phrases and vocabulary. Get more from your trip with easy to find phrases for every travel situation. Order your meals with confidence and explain food allergies or try new foods with the menu decoder. You can save time and hassle as this book provides vital phrases at your finger tips. In case of an emergency this book prepares you for any situation with practical phrases and terminology. Combined with one of travel guides above this combination will be sure to provide you with the ultimate Greek adventure.

Best book to read before visiting Greece

Thanks for reading our guide on the best books to read before visiting Greece. These books will ensure you have a wonderful time exploring and island hopping around Greece. Whether it’s the beautiful beaches of Naxos, or the blue domes of Santorini to the ancient history of Athens you are guaranteed to fall in love with Greece.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

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18 Books that Will Take Your Mind to Greece

The ultimate list for bookworms jonesing for greece and the mediterranean..

Paulina Björk Kapsalis | April 30th, 2020

Movies, virtual tours and online guides are great, but if you’re an avid reader, you know that nothing can spark the imagination and make one’s mind travel like books. Here, we’ve gathered a collection of books that capture the landscapes, cities, images, smells and sensations of Greece, to help you remember past travels, or anticipate those to come.

For the heck of it, we’ve also included a few fun contemporary works for those who prefer poetry or graphic novels.

Special thanks to: Diamantis Diamantidis, Event Curator & Promoter at Lexikopoleio bookstore in Pangrati, and Areti Georgili, owner of Free Thinking Zone bookstore in Kolonaki, for their help in picking out the books to include in this list.

All-time Classics

Zorba the Greek (1946) by Nikos Kazantzakis

Even if you’ve read this book before (or seen the 1964 film adaption), now seems a particularly suitable time to re-read it. What the uptight indoor-type narrator of Kazantzakis’ novel (originally titled “The Life and Times of Alexis Zorba”) learns from the hero Alexis Zorbas on his trip to Crete is to pull his nose out of his books, and live life to its fullest. In these days of quarantine, the thought of looking up from our screens and venturing out into the world – and possibly a Greek island – is more alluring than ever.

What you get: Possibly a life lesson.

The Magus (1965) by John Fowles

Inspired by his own experiences on Spetses, Fowles describes the landscape on a Saronic island in a way that makes you feel like you are there in the flesh in his novel about teacher Nicholas Urfe, on the fictional island of “Phraxos.” If you’ve ever visited Spetses, you’ll be reminded of many places which appear in some detail. The protagonist becomes intoxicated with the island, and his loneliness is reflected in the silence of the forest and the vastness of nature.

What you get: Descriptions of nature so vivid you can smell it.

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (1994) by Louis de Bernieres

In this epic war time love story, the reader travels to the Ionian island of Kefalonia during the Italian and German occupation in the Second World War. Centered around the romance between the Greek Pelagia and the Italian Captain Corelli, it is also a story of the love between a Greek father and daughter, and a local community that won the sympathies their occupiers.

What you get: Romance.

Contemporary Fiction

Good Will Come From the Sea (2019) by Christos Ikonomou

Greece is more than beautiful landscapes and tragic history. If you prefer the real world to the romanticized and the present to the past, this book is a good option for you. In four connected stories, Ikonomou presents the many struggles endured by people in Greece today. It’s set on an unnamed Aegean island, to which a group of Athenian friends relocate, looking to start over after suffering the effects of the Greek economic crisis. Instead, what they find is more poverty, and struggling migrants.

What you get: A healthy dose of reality.

Dangerous Spring (2017) by Yannis Maris

Yannis Maris is often referred to as the father of Greek crime novels. In this story, he brings the reader to the upscale northern Athenian suburb of Kifissia, in the year of 1965. Maris’ hero, inspector Georgios Bekas, is tasked with solving a double murder of the wife and daughter of a wealthy shipowner.

What you get: A taste of grand Kifissia the way it was, and, to some extent, still is today.

The Island (2007) by Victoria Hislop

If the island that holds your heart is Crete, and you have yet to read this bestselling story by Hislop, it’s a must. Along with 25-year-old Alexis, who travels to the seaside village of her ancestors, the reader discovers the history of the island of Spinalonga across the bay, once home to a leper colony, through the tragic and intense stories of her family.

What you get: Family drama and history.

Graphic Novels

Democracy (2015) by Alecos Papadatos, Abraham Kawa, Annie di Donna

You don’t need to be an avid comic book reader to enjoy this graphic novel. While it might not make your mind wander to the Greece you know from summer vacations, the colorful images and characters by artists Alecos Papadatos and Annie DiDonna, paired with the stories provided by writer Abraham Kawa, will help young and old travel to ancient Greece, and live the birth of democracy.

What you get: An exciting mix of fact and fiction.

Erotokritos (2016) by George Goussis, Dimosthenis Papamarkos, Yiannis Ragos

One of Hellenism’s most popular works (and history’s most important piece of Cretan literature), Vikentios’ romance Erotokritos has been given new life in this modern graphic novel. The story centers around the love affair of Erotokritos and Aretousa, set in an imaginary pre-Christian Athens.

What you get: A cultural touchstone in an engaging format

Travel Journals & Autobiographies

Eleni (1989) by Nicholas Gage

In this autobiography, the author focuses on the painful story of his mother, Eleni, and how she fought to save her family from being captured by communist guerrillas during the Greek Civil War. While deeply tragic, the descriptions of the family’s home, the tiny village of Lia in northwestern Greece have inspired many to travel in the footsteps of its protagonist. Critically acclaimed and an international bestseller, the book has been translated into 32 languages.

What you get: The feels.

Passage to Paradise – Hellenic Sketches of the Mind (2019) by Yannis Zervos

In this memoir, Zervos describes his adventures after arriving in Greece in 1951, when the country had been devasted by occupation and civil war, in search of his roots and identity. The story begins and ends in his family home in Paradisos, while also journeying to a number of Greek islands such as Hydra and Kea, where he found his ancestral roots.

What you get: A taste of modern history from the second half of the 20th century.

Mani: Travels in the Southern Peloponnese (1958) & Roumeli: Travels in Northern Greece (1966) by Patrick Leigh Fermor

In these two travel books, the great Patrick Leigh Fermor writes about the Mani peninsula and about northern Greece in his personal, captivating way, mixing adventure, memoir, and travel writing. In the first book, he covers his journey around the Mani peninsula, an area then considered isolated and rough, with his wife Joan and his friend Xan Fielding. In the second, he travels all around the northern parts of Greece, from the monasteries of Meteora to the salt flats of Messolonghi.

What you get: A look into the history and culture (art history, icons, religion, and myths) of the Greeks, through the eyes of one of the 20th century’s great philhellenes.

The Colossus of Maroussi (1941) by Henri Miller

This impressionist travelogue from Miller’s travels in Greece over nine months in 1939 (before he was forced to leave due to the outbreak of the Second World War) is often described as his best work, and was his personal favorite. He paints a colorful picture of Athens, Crete, Poros, Corfu, Hydra and Delphi, where he spent time in the company of his wife Nancy, novelist Lawrence Durrell, poet Theodore Stephanides, and Greek writer George Katsimbalis (the Colossus, who some believe to represent a self-portrait of Miller himself).

What you get: A true classic.

No Appy Polly Loggies (2019) by Zelda Burns (aka Mayia Tsopela)

Burns’ modern prose poetry is raw, direct and unapologetic, delving into relationships in modern Greece, focusing on themes such as infidelity, deception, illusions, dreams that come true, and dreams that become nightmares. The publisher shares this snippet:

«Summer, a bitter sweet retrospect»: I was cheated as a child, I was cheated on as a wife, So as a young divorcee I decided to see what the fuss was all about. And what does that say about me? Well reader let’s find out. There are two types of married men. The ones that ultimately leave their wives for you, (A rare breed). And the ones who never do, no matter what they promise.”

What you get: A stark look at modern relationships in Greece in the modern era.

Short Stories

Passengers (2018) by Assaf al Asaf, Kyriakos Athanassiades, Christos Armando Gezos, Lucia Dervi, Zefi Kollia, Maria Liakou, Elena Maroutsou, Amanda Michalopoulou, Alexis Stamatis, Thomas Symeonidis, Soti Triantafyllou, Christos Chomenidis, Dimitris Fyssas

Twelve Greek authors and one Syrian share their thoughts, concerns, anxieties and hopes, through 13 short stories set in Greece in this trilingual (Greek, English and French) collection. The writers have offered their works pro bono, and part of the sales of the book are directed to the NGO Action Aid Hellas.

What you get: Views on Greece from multiple perspectives.

Cartes Postales from Greece (2017) by Victoria Hislop

An overarching story in which the character Ellie receives postcards from a stranger, inspiring her to travel to Greece, ties this collection of short stories by Hislop together. The postcards (and a notebook) arrive from various locations around Greece, creating a patchwork of images from the country the author is known to love. Each card is a snapshot of Greek life and culture, with a wide variety of themes such as the economic crisis, religion, family, history, and traditions. If day dreaming about Greek destination is not enough for you, this is the book to choose.

What you get: Possibly some help choosing which Greek destination you should choose next.

For Kids and Young Adults

Out of the blue (2019) by Christina V. Nella

With lively imagery depicting the beauty of the Mediterranean, Nella’s story depicts two children embarking on an underwater adventure they will remember for the rest of their lives. As they encounter various obstacles, nature is always there to protect them, with various endangered sea creatures making appearances, introducing young readers to ecological awareness.

What you get: Kids excited to learn how to swim, and an ethical message.

Wildcat under the Glass (1963) by Alki Zei

Young Melia, Zei’s narrator, is growing up in the 1930s, an important time in modern Greek history as she and her family, along with the nation, are forced into a fascist dictatorship. Despite this setting, the child’s perspective keeps the story light. This classic has been translated into 35 languages, and is repeatedly reprinted in several countries.

What you get: A healthy dose of modern history.

My Family and Other Animals (1956) by Gerald Durrell

This famous autobiography by Durrell about the years he spent living with his family in Corfu from the age of ten to fourteen, is the first out of three books he wrote about that time. A pleasant read for children and adults alike, the author humorously shares aspects of his life with his family, his obsession with animals and nature, and the locals he got to know on the island.

What you get: Laughs.

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19 Best Books About Greece To Take You There

This post may contain affiliate links that earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

What are the best Greek books to read before you go? Discover riveting and scenic books about Greece to take you there.

Greece is a popular destination amongst honeymooners, and we are guilty as charged.

We spent our honeymoon touring historical sites in Athens. OMG, the Acropolis at night . Then, we Greek island-hopped across Santorini and Mykonos.

Afterward, we flew to Istanbul to end our whirlwind but beautiful trip. We were exhausted but stuffed with delicious food and sights.

If you are headed to Greece, what Greek books should you read before you go? Or, if you are interested in armchair travels, what are the best books about Greece to take you there?

Below, find atmospheric books set in Greece to teach you more and spark that wanderlust.

Explore novels about Greek mythology – let loose with Dionysus – and famous Greek figures. Find books about Greece with themes of friendship, dysfunctional families, and love – both heavy and light.

We hope that you meet your next favorite Greek novel with these short stories, historical fiction novels, translated Greek literature, mysteries, and much more. Let’s get started!

Watch the best films set in Greece too !

Grab your favorite Greek books here:

• Audible Plus : From Amazon, listen to Amazon Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks. They add new titles every week.
• Book of the Month : Get the month’s hottest new and upcoming titles from Book of the Month. You might snag an early release or debut author. Along with selecting a book a month, find terrific add-ons, both trendy and lesser-known titles.
• Amazon Prime Video – Stream thousands of ad-free movies and TV series on demand with Prime Video.
• Express VPN – Using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allows you to view movies worldwide – and they help keep your information safe. Our writers couldn’t have such diverse film reviews without using a VPN.

Table of Contents

19 Fantastic Books About Greece

By Dagney McKinney

1. Why I Killed My Best Friend by Amanda Michalopoulou | Translated by Karen Emmerich

When young Maria arrives in Athens in the late 1970s, she hates it. The food, the people, the language, her new school. None of it compares to the happy life she was living in Africa before she was forced to leave.

Anna is in much the same situation. Having enjoyed a refined upbringing in Paris, she is none too impressed at finding herself suddenly in Greece’s capital.

It comes as no surprise that these two girls, with their different backgrounds, soon bond over their mutual “otherness” that sets them apart from their new Greek peers.

However, when your friendship group is just one person, you have no one else to compare yourself with. Soon, these new friends become “frenemies” as they both fight to outdo each other in all aspects of life.

This is one of the best Greek books that examines the fine line between the constructive and destructive aspects of such a close friendship. Buy a copy of Why I Killed My Best Friend | Add to Goodreads

2. My Family & Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

Published in the 1950s , there are not that many autobiographical books about Greece, but My Family and Other Animals is one of the best.

In three parts, each set in a different living situation, British naturalist Gerald Durrell gives the reader an autobiographical account of the childhood years he spent with his family on the Greek island of Corfu in the 1930s.

With each section, Durrell describes his early zoological efforts – as encouraged and mentored by Dr. Theodore Stephanides – as well as the activities and foibles of his family members.

As hinted at in the title, Durrell has full knowledge of the fact that humans are part of the natural world.

He wastes no time documenting their strange behaviors as he would with any of the numerous snakes, geckos, butterflies, or scorpions that populate the island.

This is the first in a series of three books written by Durrell, though it stands on its own as an excellent singular read. Buy a copy of My Family & Other Animals | Add to Goodreads

3. The House On Paradise Street by Sofka Zinovieff

When her only son Nikitas dies suddenly in a car accident, Antigone Perifanis returns to Greece for the funeral after 60 years in exile.

Nikitas’ English widow, Maud, tracks her down. The reunion of Antigone and her remaining family stirs up old feuds and arguments, not least because she left Nikitas when he was only 3 years old.

Soon, we are taken on a ride through an epic story of war, love, loss, difficult decisions, and contemporary strife.

Zinovieff contrasts past events of the Nazi occupation of Greece and Antigone’s involvement in the Greek Civil War with the contemporary troubles of the nation.

Zinovieff’s fair and frank view of historical events means that there is little sugarcoating in this most passionate of Greek books. Buy a copy of The House On Paradise Street | Add to Goodreads

4. Deadline in Athens by Petros Markaris

Just before she was about to go on-air with some breaking news, renowned TV journalist Janna Karayoryi is murdered in the studio.

This is more than troubling for Inspector Costas Haritos.

He had until recently been investigating the seemingly open-and-shut case of a dead Albanian husband and wife – a case that Karayoryi had insisted was closed too early.

When Karayoryi’s successor is also murdered, Inspector Haritos begins to wonder whether Karayoryi was about to reveal information about the Albanian couple.

Who would want her  – and seemingly anyone else connected to them – silenced?

This is the first in a series of books set in Greece featuring Inspector Costas Haritos. Fans of crime thrillers will have much to enjoy here.

Petros Markaris delves into the seedier side of the world of Greek media, and the threads begin to connect together. Buy a copy of Deadline in Athens | Add to Goodreads

5. Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis | Translated by Carl Wildman

If you’ve heard of any Greek books, it’s probably Zorba the Greek. It is the basis for the film of the same name, which is also one of the most popular movies about Greece.

In the book, our unnamed narrator is on his way to the island of Crete to open a disused lignite mine. When he meets Alexis Zorba, he is completely taken in by the man and hires him as foreman.

As the two men travel to Crete, Zorba philosophizes about life. He recounts events from his own life and espouses the importance of living each day to the fullest.

These talks are the bulk of the book, allowing the reader to learn snippets of Greek culture and history through Zorba’s stories and the men’s exchanges. Buy a copy of Zorba the Greek | Add to Goodreads

6. Circe by Madeline Miller

Madeline Miller has written two of the most popular and beloved books about Greece.

It’s almost impossible to choose between her two international bestsellers (the other being The Song of Achilles ), but what can I say, I’m a sucker for feminist tales and books about witches and witchcraft .

Based on the Greek goddess of the same name, we first meet the titular Circe when, upon birth, she is deemed unworthy of the gods.

She is neither strong and powerful like her father, the titan Helios, nor beautiful like her mother, the naiad Perse. Though she is not banished, she is lonely.

When she falls in love with a mortal man, Circe discovers she possesses the power of witchcraft. Afraid of how powerful she is, Zeus banishes Circe to the mythical Greek island of Aiaia.

Alone and isolated, she perfects her craft. Buy a copy of Circe by Madeline Miller | Add to Goodreads

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7. Something Will Happen, You’ll See by Christos Ikonomou | Translated by Karen Emmerich

Everyone is trying to survive financial ruin in this gritty yet very empathetic short story collection.

Set during the early years of Greece’s financial crisis, in a working-class area southwest of Athens, people are seemingly in one of two camps.

Either they are doing evil deeds to try and stay afloat, or they are suffering from the actions of such people.

In one story, a woman’s long-term boyfriend robs her of all their savings – including the meager contents of her piggy bank – and leaves in the night.

In another, a man stages a protest for his friend after he dies at work. He ends up being the only person to turn up.

Everywhere you look, children are going hungry, and people are losing their jobs.

But throughout this collection, there is still a unifying sense of solidarity and faith in the idea that it could all turn out OK in the end. Buy a copy of Something Will Happen, You’ll See | Add to Goodreads

8. Scorpionfish by Natalie Bakopoulos

Scorpionfish opens with Mira returning to her childhood home in Athens after the sudden death of both her parents.

On the way up to their flat, she meets their neighbor, The Captain, a man more familiar with the water than land – but is now retired.

Soon, the two are swapping stories and kindling a romance across their shared balcony. Although Scorpionfish was published in 2020, it does not take place in OUR 2020.

Nevertheless, it’s the perfect Greek book to read right now, especially with the way Mira and The Captain share a relationship almost exclusively across a balcony. This feels oddly comforting and familiar.

Rest assured, you can read it anytime, though!

If you are looking for plot-driven books set in Greece, you might be disappointed in Scorpionfish . But if you enjoy books and characters that ruminate on life, love, and grief, pick this one up. Buy a copy of Scorpionfish | Add to Goodreads

9. The Murderess by Alexandros Papadiamantis | Translated by Peter Levi

Written at the end of the 19th century (and published in 1903), The Murderess is a haunting book about the role and rights of women in Greek culture at the time.

The book opens with Hadoula, an elderly woman living on the Aegean island of Skiathos. She has been tasked with looking after her sick grandmother while her daughter (the mother) sleeps.

But as she rocks her crying granddaughter, Hadoula reflects on what it means to be a woman in Greece. Dowries have recently become the norm, and they are already struggling financially.

Hadoula wonders if maybe her granddaughter isn’t better off dead…

This short novella packs quite the punch. Despite its length, this is one of the more unforgettable and unsettling books about Greece. Buy a copy of The Murderess | Add to Goodreads

10. Eleni by Nicholas Gage

Nicholas was born in Lia, a northwestern Greek village near the Albanian border. After WWII, Greece was in turmoil.

Conflict with the Soviet Bloc left the country further fragmented, leading to the horrors of the Greek Civil War.

When Nicholas was just nine, his mother – Eleni Gatzoyiannis – arranged for the safe evacuation of him and his four siblings. Eleni did not go with them, and he never saw her again.

In 1980, Nicholas Gage left his job at the New York Times to go back to Greece and uncover exactly what happened to his mother during the Greek Civil War.

Eleni is one of the most heartbreaking Greek books, but a must if you are interested in learning more about the Greek Civil War.

For those looking for more nonfiction books about Greece during this period, Gage’s daughter, Eleni Gage, has her own memoir. North of Ithaka talks about uncovering her family’s history. Buy a copy of Eleni by Nicholas Gage | Add to Goodreads

11. The Island by Victoria Hislop

Alexis Fielding’s mother never talks about her past. Though she has asked, all Alexis knows is that her mother is from the Greek island of Crete.

When Alexis decides to visit Crete, her mother gives her a letter addressed to an old friend. This letter promises that the answers Alexis seeks lie with her.

Letter in hand, Alexis travels to the Cretan village of Plaka ready, she thinks, to finally learn about her mother.

She is shocked to discover that Plaka is swimming distance from the now deserted island of Spinalonga, which was home to Greece’s leper colony for most of the 1900s.

It is in Plaka that Alexis meets Fotini, from whom she learns about her family’s tragic history. She finally begins to piece together her mother’s past.

The Island is one of the best books about Greece for historical fiction lovers and will transport you to a fascinating place and time.

It’s also perfect for those looking for a little escapism. Buy a copy of The Island | Add to Goodreads

12. Little Infamies by Panos Karnezis

These intertwined short stories all take place in an unnamed Greek village during the 1950s.

The scars of WWII, the Soviet occupation, and the Greek Civil War are still fresh for the residents. They play an integral role in their interactions with each other throughout these stories.

Each story is imbued with dark humor and explores different facets of the town through its distinct characters.

We follow the mayor, the priest, the bird seller, the seamstress, and many more as their lives intersect in this small town.

Sometimes Greek books tackling their own complex history or unique social issues can seem daunting.

Little Infamies is a great starting place as you can get to know the politics of a small Greek village in bite-sized stories. Buy a copy of Little Infamies | Add to Goodreads

13. The King Must Die by Mary Renault

No one writes historical fiction books about Greece like Mary Renault. She brings ancient Greece to life in a way few other writers do.

In The King Must Die, we follow Theseus, the mythical killer of the Cretan child-eating Minotaur, and founder-hero of Athens.

The book is split into four parts: Trozien, Eleusis, Athens, Crete, and Naxos, each of which explores an integral time in Theseus’ life.

Utilizing archaeological and anthropological evidence available at the time, Renault constructs a believable life for the mythical being in ancient Greece.

And if you love this one, you get to dive further into Theseus’ life in the sequel The Bull from the Sea . Buy a copy of The King Must Die | Add to Goodreads

14. Afternoons in Ithaka by Spiri Tsintziras

We can all agree Greek food is delicious, right? Here is a mouthwatering memoir that celebrates Greek cuisine – and through food, Greek culture.

Although Spiri Tsintziras grew up in Australia after her parents emigrated there, her upbringing was as still as Greek as possible. Her parents spoke Greek to her, all of the food was Greek, and her parents spoke of Greece often.

Part-memoir, part-recipe book, Afternoons in Ithaka explores the ways that food has forever bound her to her parent’s homeland.

Sandwiched between stories and reflections, you’ll find family recipes that will have you rummaging for ingredients to satisfy sudden cravings.

Plus, they’re the perfect meals to pair with any future readings of books about Greece to help you travel without leaving your house. Buy a copy of Afternoons in Ithaka | Add to Goodreads

15. Uncle Petros and Goldbach’s Conjecture by Apostolos Doxiadis

Petros Papachristos was a child mathematical prodigy. Now, he is an old man, considered a failure and an embarrassment by his family.

Petros has spent his life trying to prove the mathematical idea of Goldbach’s Conjecture: that every number greater than two is the sum of two primes. Everything else fell by the wayside, and he lives as a recluse.

Into this comes Petros’ nephew, who narrates the tale of his efforts to try and understand his uncle, and the man’s obsession.

As a broken and defeated man, Petros makes his nephew swear that he will not pursue a career in mathematics. Will he abide by that promise?

As you might expect, this book contains more math than most books set in Greece. Fortunately, everything is laid out in a simple enough way for almost everyone to be able to follow along. Buy a copy of Uncle Petros and Goldbach’s Conjecture | Add to Goodreads

16. Back to Delphi by Ioanna Karystiani | Translated by Konstantine Matsoukas

While Linus is serving a life sentence for rape and murder, he is granted a five-day furlough.

To capitalize on the potential of this “vacation”, his mother Viv has decided to take him to Delphi to potentially repair the relationship between them.

Unbeknownst to Linus, it was Viv who led the police to him 10 years earlier, after which he was imprisoned.

As the two of them spend time together, it becomes clear that Viv has been leading a life not that much more pleasant than Linus’ since his arrest.

As his mother, she has had to try and avoid the anger of members of the public who would demonize her as the creator of such an evil man.

This is not the happiest book, with plenty of grim and grotesque moments. However, the novel’s exploration of the relationship between mother and son is something many can identify with. Buy a copy of Back to Delphi | Add to Goodreads

More books about Greece from Christine, TUL

17. Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

In one of our new favorite Greek island novels , Ariadne , get tipsy with Dionysus on Naxos. If you love books about Greek mythology , this recommendation is for you.

Ariadne, the Princess of Crete and daughter of ruthless Minos, helps the handsome green-eyed Athenian, Theseus, defeat her Minotaur brother. The Minotaur is the shame of the family and a constant reminder of her mother’s infidelity.

Ariadne flees for her own life after saving Theseus. Expecting to wed her hunk, Theseus not too surprisingly dumps Ariadne on Naxos, leaving her for dead. Trust us, it gets worse …

Dionysus rescues and marries Ariadne – and think wine, wine, wine. A narcissist, though, Dionysus cannot resist the adoration of being an Olympian god. He keeps a cult of women with interesting rituals.

As you read and mourn for Ariadne, be sure to look to the evening sky. Ariadne breathes life into the legend, giving a powerful and typically hidden woman her voice.

Find a Greek novel about sisterhood, too. Buy a copy of Ariadne by Jennifer Saint | Add to Goodreads

If you are looking for even more books set on Naxos, there are brief scenes and flashbacks in Alex Michaelides’ The Maidens , one of the best books with dark academia .

18. Love & Olives by Jenna Evans Welch

For YA books set in Greece, head to gorgeous Santorini in Jenna Evans Welch’s Love & Olives .

Welch is one of the best destination authors for teens, transporting readers to countries including Greece, Ireland , and Italy .

Love & Olives is both an intuitive and heartwarming novel about love, family, and forgiveness. This Greek book recommendation is especially perfect for history lovers (think Atlantis!) and if you enjoy books about bookstores.

Although labeled as ‘Book 3’ in a series, all three novels are standalones with different characters and stories.

In Love & Olives , we meet Liv Varanakis. Liz is heading to Greece to help her estranged father work on a National Geographic documentary. Her dad is obsessed with Atlantis.

Predictably, Liv falls in love with Greece and an incredibly sweet boy. However, she’s unsure if she can forgive her father for abandoning her. What Liv doesn’t know is that her dad is living with some pretty heavy secrets.

If you seek out stories about families, unique overnight accommodations , and themes surrounding mental health, you’ll champion multiple characters in this novel.

We dare you not to be jealous of the gorgeous bookstore Liv stays in, too. Buy a copy of Love & Olives | Add to Goodreads

19. Elektra by Jennifer Saint

While we try not to put the same author on our lists too many times, we cannot resist adding Jennifer Saint’s 2022 new book , Elektra.

Books about Greece and Greek mythology don’t get any more captivating than this. Plus, women’s stories at the forefront of history are far too tempting.

Enter the lives of Cassandra, Helen, and Clytemnestra from Greek mythology – set a little before and up to Homer’s Odyssey .  Watch as their actions lead up to the inevitable Trojan War. 

A tale about curses, prophecies, Greek Gods, hatred, and revenge, no one can escape the curse on the House of Atreus, which plagues the men in their lives.

Jennifer Saint is becoming infamous for her Greek mythology retellings that add spice and fire to stories that sometimes bored us in our youth.

Elektra was also one of the best novels to read in 2022 .

Buy A Copy of Elektra | Add To Goodreads

Save Your Favorite Books Set In Greece For Later:

Grab some of the best books about Greece here:

Thank you to TUL contributor, Dagney McKinney

Dagney (pronouns: any) is a neurodivergent writer who loves all things macabre and weird. She likes outrageously spicy food, long walks through graveyards, and historical tangents. You’ll most likely find her wandering around somewhere quiet or underground, buying salt, or whispering to camels.

What are your favorite Greek books?

Have you read any of these novels about Greece? What is your favorite Greek book? Let us know in the comments!

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Dagney McKinney

I recommend NAFPLIO: BIOGRAPHY OF A GREEK TOWN, which is the only published book in English about the history (and stories) of Greece’s first capital. The Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Turks used it as a trading station and fortress before it was the focus of Greek Independence in the 1820s. I lived in Nafplio in the 1990s and have written the book based on a lot of historical research and local knowledge.

The Naxos Mysteries series, set on Naxos in the Cyclades.

Thanks so much for the rec!

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25 Books Set in Greece to Read Before Visiting

You’re probably doing your Greece travel wrong.

Reading books set in Greece is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in Greek history and culture before, during, and after your trip. But, how do you know which are the best books set in Greece? Which ones are worth reading, and which ones aren’t worth your time?

Today, I’ll share with you the 25 best books set in Greece to read. All year, I’ve been seeking out the best books set in Greece and pouring through them. This list is not a generic amalgamation of an internet search like so many others you’ll find, but the summation of a year’s worth of seeking out and reading endless novels set in Greece, Greek mythology retellings, historical fiction set in Greece, Greek travelogues, and classic Greek literature.

I found these books through different avenues: recommendations from other readers, extensive internet dives, and also, my personal favorite, by perusing the shelves of bookstores in Greece (this is where you find the best books that you’d never otherwise know about).

There’s something here for everyone. So, whether you’re planning a trip to Greece, nostalgic for a past trip, or just looking for books like The Song of Achilles (because WOW!), you’ve found yourself in the right place.

In This Post

I visited Greece earlier this year and fell in love with it, from the archaeological sights to the ocean views from Cape Sounion to the beautiful Greek islands . Reading these books deeply enhanced my enjoyment and appreciation of all the beautiful sights to see in Greece. So without further ado, here are my personal recommendations for the 25 best books set in Greece. Trust me, your trip to Greece isn’t complete without reading some of the books on this list.

Don’t forget to pin this post to reference later:

As always, this post may contain affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you, shopping from them may generate small commissions to support the operations of this blog.

Whenever possible, I recommend buying books at local bookshops or through Bookshop.org , because shopping there puts the profits right into the hands of indie bookstores all over the country.

With a few exceptions where they aren’t available, you can these books on my Greek reading list on Bookshop. I’ve also linked to Amazon below.

Novels Set in Greece

I really enjoyed discovering the works of Greek writers this year. Some of these novels I’d classify as literary fiction, while others are historical fiction set in Greece, including some novels set in ancient Greece. These are not listed in any particular order, so comb through and see what draws your interest!

The Murderess by Alexandros Papadiamandis

The Murderess is a novella by a Greek writer that takes place in the 1800s on the island of Skiathos. The main character, Hadoula, has lived a life of trials and struggles— in other words, the life of any woman born in Greece during her lifetime. She is a servant to her parents, then her husband, her children, and now her grandchildren, always living between poverty and deprivation, always struggling. 

As she tends to the newborn daughter of her own daughter, she ponders on her life and on the value of a female life in Greece. Are female lives are really worth living, or would death would be a blessing to little girls and the families that must care for them? These ponderings lead Hadoula to commit an unspeakable act that sets her on a course over which she seems to have little control. 

Read this book set in Greece if you want something short, a bit of harsh reality of life on a Greek island in the 1800s, or if you enjoy crime fiction. 

Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis

Zorba the Greek is one of the best literary fiction novels I’ve read this year, although perhaps surprisingly, it’s not what I’d call a page turner. Still, it is a deeply moving novel set in Greece that should absolutely be on your list of must-reads.

This novel is set primarily on the Greek island of Crete, where the narrator, a writer often accused of living too much in his head and not in reality, journeys to try his hand at running a lignite mine. On a whim, he employs a Sinbad-the-Sailor type, a man named Alexis Zorba, to run it for him and live with him on the island. 

The two men frequently discuss their conflicting philosophies of life, and we see the friction between the one who is traditionally educated and the one who has been educated by the school of life. And let me tell you, it’s a fascinating study. Nikos Kazantzakis is one of the most internationally known Greek writers, and this novel set in Greece has definitely made me a fan!

Read this novel set in Greece if you love classics, modern classics, or novels with a deep philosophical underpinning.

Three Summers by Margarita Liberaki

Three Summers by Margarita Liberaki book has been compared to I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith, one of my favorite reads of 2022 . So you can imagine my excitement when I stumbled across a copy of this novel set in Greece at an indie bookstore in Berlin.  

Three Summers is the story of three teenage sisters living in the Greek countryside. We get immersed in their lives over three summers as they transition from adolescence to womanhood. Katerina, 16, and her sisters Infanta and Maria, together navigate growing up, falling in love, and deciding what kind of futures they desire for themselves.

It’s a lovely Greek novel, not at all heavy-handed, and definitely puts Margarita Liberaki up there with Greek writers you ought to know.  

Read this novel set in Greece if you enjoyed I Capture the Castle , or if you are looking for a lighthearted book by a Greek author. 

Athenian Series & The Golden Age Series by Conn Iggulden

This is an example of a book series I never found on any list of books set in Greece online, but I stumbled across it in a bookshop, and I’m so glad I did! Conn Iggulden is an exemplary historical fiction writer, and I couldn’t read his Athenian Series and Golden Age Series fast enough.

These four books are historical fiction set in Greece and follow on each other chronologically. With The Gates of Athens , we begin with the Battle of Marathon, following the Athenians marching to Marathon to prevent the invasion of longtime enemies, the Persians.

The Athenian Series , which includes The Gates of Athens and Protector , spans the lives of Xanthippus, Aristides, Themistocles, and Miltiades. These are some of the most important historical figures in ancient Greece and the early days of democracy, and Iggulden really brings them to life. They work together, and sometimes against each other, to protect Athens and its new democracy against the ongoing threat of Persia. They cover the thrilling and intense Battles of Thermopylae and Salamis and the burning of Athens.

The next two books make up the Golden Age Series: The Lion and Empire follow the next generation of important Athenian leaders, Cimon and Pericles, sons of the previous generation’s leaders who must now take over protecting Athens’ sovereignty against not only Persia but also a brewing rivalry with their former ally, Sparta.

I have to say, this is not my usual genre of reading, but I enjoyed them immensely. Even with each book at over 400 pages, I tore through each in only a couple of days. These historical fiction novels set in Greece are a great way to get an appreciation for the beginnings of democracy, and to bring ancient Greece to life.

Read these historical fiction novels set in Greece if you are visiting the ancient sites in Athens, like the Agora and the Acropolis, or if you enjoyed I, Claudius by Robert Graves.

Olympiad : An Historical Novel by Tom Holt

I have to say, Olympiad really surprised me and might be one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. I stumbled across a used copy of Olympiad in a Berlin bookstore this summer, and I’m so glad I did.

On its surface, Olympiad is a historical fiction account of how the Olympics first started in Greece in 776 BC, but this novel is so much more. It is, unpredictably, a comedy, and at a deeper level, a musing on recorded and remembered history, and its essential unreliability.

It is written as the dialogue of two Greek brothers who first come up with the idea for the Olympics, sharing their story with a reluctant Phoenician who really just wants to get to bed already. It’s a comedy of errors, with the cast of characters failing again and again, in the most ludicrous and humorous ways. These ancient Greeks aren’t glorious at all; they are foolish, self-preserving, and occasionally clever. The first Olympic games aren’t actually even mentioned until the last pages of the book.

Olympiad is the perfect foil to the Athenian Series and the Golden Age Series by Conn Iggulden. This historical fiction set in Greece upends the glorified, epic view we tend to take of ancient Greece and of history in general. It illustrates the arbitrariness of what’s remembered and recorded in history, and how unreliable that is. Because isn’t all of history just stories?

In a lighthearted, silly way, this historical fiction set in Greece makes the case that all of history is really just historical fiction. 

Read this book set in Greece to balance out all the glorified historical fiction novels about Greece, or if you just enjoy a good, irreverent story.

Why I Killed my Best Friend by Amanda Michalopoulou

Why I Killed My Best Friend is another novel set in Greece written by a modern Greek writer. It follows the complicated friendship of Anna and Maria from when they meet as school children in the 1970s to their adulthood in modern Athens.

It’s a great combination of literary fiction and modern Greek political history, as we see the tensions of dictatorship and democracy play out and are reflected in these two characters’ lives. 

Read this novel set in Greece if you loved the My Brilliant Friend series by Elena Ferrante . It has a similar feel and pace, with a similarly complex female friendship at its heart. 

Related : Enjoy reading books set in the places you’re visiting? Check out my list of the best books set in Italy , books set in San Francisco , and books set in Hawaii .

Greek Mythology Retellings

Greek mythology retellings are all the rage these days, especially feminist retellings. For many of us, we first fell in love with Madeline Miller, and from there, we’ve been searching for books like The Song of Achilles ever since. I’ve read so many of the popular Greek mythology retellings this year, and I’m here to tell you the best ones to read.

In fact, this section is the only section in this list of the best books set in Greece that I will give in order: from my favorite to least favorite (but still recommended) Greek mythology retellings. If you’re looking for books like The Song of Achille s, just start at the top, and work your way down!

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Let’s start with perhaps one of the most well-known Greek mythology retellings, The Song of Achilles , because it still holds its place as my favorite.

In this Greek myth retelling, we follow the story of the hero Achilles and his companion, Patroclus. Miller dives deep into the common speculations about the implied homosexual nature of their relationship. But the story of Achilles and Patroclus in this novel is not just a sexual one, but a true love story, a story that will move you deeply and also break your heart, even if you’re familiar enough with Greek mythology to know how it all ends. 

I know Circe has gotten more hype than The Song of Achilles , but in my opinion, The Song of Achilles is far superior. This novel set in Greece is un-put-downable. 

The House of Odysseus by Claire North

The House of Odysseus is a refreshingly original take on some common characters in feminist Greek myth retellings, and it’s beautifully written. It’s the second part of a three-part novelization of the Penelopiad, or Penelope’s story on Ithaca while her famous husband Odysseus is away for 20 years for the Trojan war and his long journey home.

Penelope is done full justice in this book, but perhaps even more notably, Claire North has written my favorite interpretation of Helen (of Troy, or Sparta, whichever way you look at it), who is so often unimaginatively depicted as a brainless beauty and either a victim or villain. I love that this book is narrated by the goddess Aphrodite, following up from Ithaca , which is narrated by Hera. I can’t wait for the final part of the Penelopiad trilogy by Claire North to be released in June, 2024.

Honestly, The House of Odysseus by Claire North is a strong contender for the top spot on my list of the best Greek mythology retellings and ended up being on of my favorite books I read in 2023. Even though it is the sequel to Ithaca (see below), I had to list it above the first in the series because I loved it so much. This series gets my top recommendation for anyone looking for books like The Song of Achilles .

Travel tip: My top tip for finding the cheapest flights, to Greece or elsewhere, is to search using Skyscanner . You can find the cheapest months and days to fly, so you spend less on airfare and more on your experiences while you’re there.

Ithaca by Claire North

The first in Claire North’s Penelopiad trilogy, Ithaca delves into what is happening in the Kingdom of Ithaca while Odysseus is away. Specifically, Penelope is cornered, with an island to defend against pirates while all the soldiers are off at Troy, and a palace full of suitors eager to marry her and take the throne.

This Greek mythology retelling is one of the best books like The Song of Achilles to read. It’s unique among other retellings, as it takes a little darker perspective, narrated by Hera, the Greek goddess of marriage and fidelity. It’s beautifully told, and presents some of my favorite interpretations of Penelope and Clytemnestra.

Related : If you love The Odyssey, put this on your bucket list: the Odysseus Cave in Croatia , where Calypso supposedly kept him captive for seven years of his journey home.

Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati

Just as Claire North gets Penelope right, so too does Costanza Casati get Clytemnestra. Clytemnestra is Casati’s debut novel, and it stands a head above many of the other Greek mythology retellings out there. In this retelling, we are presented with a strong Clytemnestra, Clytemnestra as the daughter of the Spartan king (so many retellings seem to forget this, or not use it as insight into her upbringing).

Clytemnestra is a Spartan woman, trained in combat, hardened and strengthened by her father and brothers, but also brave and loving and determined. I won’t give too much away if you’re someone who’s not familiar with Clytemnestra’s tale, but I will say, I was surprised with the ending, which doesn’t match the traditional one. I haven’t been able to find out if there will be a sequel, or if Costanza just wanted to give Clytemnestra a different ending.

Either way, definitely put Clytemnestra high on your list of Greek mythology retellings.

Mythos by Stephen Fry

If you’re relatively new to Greek mythology, then Mythos is a great place to start. Mythos by Stephen Fry is a great overview of the history and lineage of the Greek gods of Olympus. Reading this will give you a foundational understanding of the most prominent players in Greek mythology, like Zeus, Hera, Athena, Hermes, Ares, Artemis, and more.

You’ll learn about how Zeus came to power and the incestuous, complex relationships among the different Gods. Stephen Fry’s retellings are cheeky and entertaining, so this is far from textbook reading. It’s particularly delightful as an audiobook , as Fry is an excellent narrator (best known for narrating the Harry Potter audiobooks ).

Heroes by Stephen Fry 

This second part of the Mythos trilogy by Stephen Fry tells the stories of the most famous heroes of Greek mythology, including Heracles (Hercules), Theseus, Perseus, Jason, and more.

Heroes is a bit easier to follow than Mythos , probably because it consists of fewer subjects and lengthier sections dedicated to each. I really enjoyed reading about each Greek hero through Stephen Fry’s lens and comparing it with other interpretations from other Greek myth retellings on this book list. 

Again, consider this as an audiobook , which is narrated by the author.

Travel tip : Pair this Greek mythology retelling with a trip to see the Oracle at Delphi , which plays prominently in the stories of the classic Greek heroes.

Circe by Madeline Miller

Madeline Miller’s Circe has gotten a lot of attention from readers since its publication in 2018. It’s been a common entry point into discovering more Greek mythology retellings, with tons of readers searching for books like Circe .

While I prefer The Song of Achilles to Circe , I think Circe is a beautiful retelling. This one tells the story of Circe, daughter of the sun god Helios, who is banished to a deserted island for her witchcraft. Her isolation is interrupted by the arrival of Odysseus and his men. She turns his men into pigs (her signature move, and you gotta respect it), but Odysseus escapes her spell, and the pair become lovers.

Circe is a little slow-going in its storytelling, but most readers, myself included, end up loving it by the end.

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

After Madeline Miller, Jennifer Saint is probably the biggest name in Greek mythology retellings. Ariadne tells the story of the Princess of Crete who helps the hero Theseus defeat the Minotaur (her brother).

Ariadne has betrayed her family and flouted her father, believing that happiness at Theseus’s side is in her future, but Theseus has different plans. In Ariadne , we see the titular character grow into a stronger, wiser version of her girlhood self. While not up to the same literary standard as some of the first Greek retellings on this list, Ariadne is still a solid addition to the list of modern Greek myth retellings.

Elektra by Jennifer Saint 

Elektra by Jennifer Saint tells the stories of multiple women whose fates are tied up in the fate of the infamous Trojan War. Clytemnestra, the wife of Agamemnon, is left awaiting the return of her husband from the war. Unlike Penelope, Clytemnestra does not protect her husband’s throne for his return but occupies it herself, ruling the people of Mycenae herself and taking on a lover, her husband’s enemy, Aegisthus.

In addition to Clytemnestra’s perspective, we also get those of Elektra, her daughter, from whom we get the term “electra complex,” and Cassandra, the Trojan woman who is cursed to see the future but to never be believed. 

The pacing of Elektra is a bit uneven, and this isn’t my favorite interpretation of the characters, but it’s still a worthwhile book to read if you’ve worked your way through the others on this list and still find yourself looking for more books like The Song of Achilles.

Stone Blind by Natalie Hynes

By all appearances, Stone Blind by Natalie Hynes tells the story of Medusa, the infamous snake-haired gorgon of Greek mythology. In actuality, it tells a wider tale, including elements of the stories of Poseidon, Hera, Athena, Perseus, and King Nicodemus, among others. It’s an ambitious undertaking, to tie together so many stories at once, and the results make for an adequate Greek myth retelling.

A little too ambitious for its own good, Stone Blind misses the opportunity to flesh out the character of Medusa. What’s there is a little disappointing; she can best be described in this book as a shy victim, and pretty disempowered for a feminist Greek myth retelling.

Still, Stone Blind is an interesting read and can scratch the itch for Greek mythology retellings if you’ve already made it through my other recommendations.

Greece Travelogues

When looking for books set in Greece, it’s nice to mix up all the fiction and Greek mythology retellings with some good old-fashioned non-fiction. Greece is a popular travel destination for good reason. If you’re dreaming of visiting, check out these Greece travelogues that can give you some insight and maybe add some destinations to your Greece bucket list.

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

I first found out about My Family and Other Animals after watching and loving the PBS show , The Durrells in Corfu . I loved watching the shenanigans of the quirky Durrell family who uprooted their lives in England to move to the Greek island of Corfu in the 1930s. I was delighted when I found out it was based on a true story as written by the youngest Durrell, Gerald, or Gerry, as he’s called. 

Gerry is fascinated by animals and insects and has a hard time seeing the value in learning about anything else. While in Corfu, he collects so many animals he opens his own zoo. In this book, My Family and Other Animals , Gerry intermingles the funny happenings of his colorful family members with his observations of the animal life of Corfu. 

It’s charming and informative and worth a read. 

Read this book set in Greece if you’re as interested in the natural world as you are in the goings on of a very quirky family, because it’s at most 50/50. If you’re just into the family’s charming originality, stick with the PBS series. 

Walking in Athens by Nikos Vatopoulos

Walking in Athens is a compilation of one Athens’ resident’s experiences wandering the forgotten streets of Athens and simply paying attention. In each hidden corner of Athens, Vatopoulos finds a rundown building, or a new build, and breaks them down. Combined with photos he took, he uses these buildings to tell about the modern history of Athens.

Read this book set in Athens if your favorite way to explore a new city is by getting lost. You’ll find some great hidden corners of Athens but also be able to mentally immerse yourself in that kind of city wandering without leaving your comfy seat.

Things Can Only Get Feta: Two Journalists and their Crazy Dog Living through the Greek Crisis (The Peloponnese Series, Book 1) by Marjory McGinn 

Things Can Only Get Feta is a first-person account of a journalist, her husband, and their dog, who decide to move from Scotland to a remote mountain village in the Peloponnese . As the absurdly long title indicates, they do this in the middle of the Greek economic crisis, which began in 2009.

Once there, they try to live out the dream of immersing themselves in Greek language and culture, something that ends up being much harder than expected. This book is interesting — I learned a lot about the modern economic crisis in Greece, as well as remote village customs, told from the perspective of an admiring outsider.

It’s also quite lighthearted and fun, even if I do take issue with certain decisions and comments made (like, refusing to train their dog and then expecting Greek neighbors and readers alike to be charmed by its bad behavior; also, a not insignificant amount of condescension). 

Read this book set in Greece if you enjoy reading about expat life, you want to understand more about modern Greece, and you’re very much a dog person.

Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother and Daughter Journey to the Sacred Places of Greece, Turkey, and France by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor

Another Greece travelogue with an absurdly long title, Traveling With Pomegranates (etc. etc.) was one of the first books set in Greece that I read, years ago. It’s co-written by author Sue Monk Kidd (of The Secret Life of Bees fame) and her daughter, Ann Kidd Taylor. They alternate their storytelling as they describe their trips to Greece, Turkey, and France, over the period of a couple of years.

Both deep thinkers and both at transitional points in their lives, their travels take on significant personal meaning for them, as individuals and as mother and daughter. Traveling With Pomegranates is a memoir infused with stories from Greek mythology. As Sue and Ann visit locations in Greece and Turkey significant in Greek mythology , they reflect on what those stories mean in their own lives.

Read this book set in Greece if you are a deep thinker, like getting immersed in other people’s thoughts, and have a penchant for symbolism. It’s definitely not for everyone.

Classic Greek Literature

While classic literature might not be as popular nowadays as contemporary fiction, we can’t talk about the best books set in Greece without mention of at least a couple! And the truth is, we tend to have this perception that the classics are difficult to read, and that’s not always the case!

If you’re interested in delving into classic Greek literature that has inspired all of these modern Greek mythology retellings, here are my top two recommendations.

The Odyssey by Homer

The story of The Odyssey is so enmeshed in the western consciousness, it’s one of those books you might feel like you’ve already read, even if you haven’t. Everyone knows about this epic poem by Homer , and Odysseus’s long and fraught journey home to the island of Ithaca.

Still, The Odyssey is absolutely a book still worth reading. There. are so many rich details you’ll never know you’ve missed out on unless you read it yourself. Until recently, I’d have recommended the translation by Robert Fagles (still great), but in 2018, a new translation came out that’s even better as an entry point to The Odyssey .

Emily Wilson released this new translation of The Odyssey , and it’s both beautiful and highly accessible to modern readers. You’ll find the language easy to understand and the story easy to follow. The introduction is exceptionally well done, too. And if you’re more into audiobooks, the audible version is recorded by Claire Danes.

Fun fact — Emily Wilson is actually the first woman to publish a translation of The Odyssey . Her translation of The Illiad was just released in 2023.

Antigone by Sophocles

Antigone is another book to consider if you’re looking for books set in Greece and want to dip into its classic literature. Antigone is actually a play, one of the three famous Theban tragedies by Sophocles that have survived to modern times.

Picking up where the earlier tragedies, Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus, leave off, we have Oedipus (Antigone’s father) in exile. His two sons, her brothers, Polynices and Eteocles, have killed each other in a vicious battle for his vacant throne.

Now, Antigone’s uncle, Creon, has declared that Polynices will not be buried, but will be publicly shamed. Antigone is determined to give her brother Polynices a proper burial. The rest of the play is the story of her struggle to do so, and, as this is a famous tragedy, you can probably imagine there is no happy ending.

Read this book set in Greece if you want to experience the classic Greek tragedy. Also, if you want to pay homage to the fact that Greece is the birthplace of modern theater .

Traveller’s tip: When I visited Athens, a highlight for me was seeing a theatrical performance at the ancient Theater of Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Plays have been performed here since 160 AD, well over 2,000 years. Reading Antigone or another of Sophocles’s tragedies is a great way to appreciate this sight on your visit to the Acropolis .

Which of these 25 books set in Greece are you adding to your TBR? What other recommendations would you add?

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I'm Constance, an avid reader and traveler. I love tracking down the best literary sights everywhere I go, from the best indie bookstores to author's homes and fictional locations you can visit in real life. I'm also passionate about all things tea and chocolate. I have a BA in English literature and an MS in Nutrition Science.

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Great list. I always read books before traveling. It’s the best way to get ready for the trip. Thanks for this list.

Great choices if you are headed to Greece or just love to get lost in a good book.

what a clever post! I’d love more with various locations! My students love Circe….

My son is currently reading the Odessey. Such a great list of books. Perfect inspiration for a trip to Greece!

Great list! Saving The Murderess it sounds right up my alley.

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Lonely Planet's Greece is our most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the country has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences. Explore the elegant Acropolis, climb to the magnificent Meteora, and experience the vibrant culture of Athens; all with your trusted travel companion.

Inside Lonely Planet's Greece Travel Guide:

Lonely Planet's Top Picks - a visually inspiring collection of the destination's best experiences and where to have them

Itineraries help you build the ultimate trip based on your personal needs and interests

Local insightsgive you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - whether it's history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, politics

Eating and drinking - get the most out of your gastronomic experience as we reveal the regional dishes and drinks you have to try

Toolkit - all of the planning tools for solo travelers, LGBTQIA+ travelers, family travelers and accessible trave

Colour maps and images throughout

Language - essential phrases and language tips

Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Athens, Peloponnese, Central Greece, Northern Greece, Saronic Gulf Islands, Cyclades, Crete, Dodecanese, Northeastern Aegean Islands, Evia, the Sporades and Ionian Islands

ISBN: 9781838697945

Edition: 16th

Publication Date: June 2023

Averbuck, Alexis

Hall, Rebecca Hardy, Paula Iatrou, Helen Koronakis, Vangelis Maric, Vesna McNaughtan, Hugh Ragozin, Leonid Richmond, Simon Smith, Helena Souli, Sarah

Ver Berkmoes, Ryan

624 pages| Dimensions: 128mm width × 197mm height

Next edition due: March 2025

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7 Best Travel Books About Greece

“The problem with Greece is that she’s just too beautiful.”

Greece, the cradle of civilization, has captured the hearts and minds of people for thousands of years. This breathtaking country is split between nine different regions and thousands of small islands scattered across the Mediterranean Basin.

It is most famous for being the birthplace of Democracy, and its ancient states laid the foundation for modern Western philosophy , theatre, mathematics, and scientific principles. Greece is also home to rich, vibrant cultures and stunning natural scenery, fueled by myths and legends that continue to play a fundamental role in society. At What We Reading , we want to take you through the seven best travel books about Greece!

Greece – Korina Miller

Looking for the ultimate guide to Greece? Look no further than Korina Miller’s Greece, a part of the acclaimed Lonely Planet country guide series. This book is your one-stop shop for all the insider knowledge you need to experience Greece’s magic fully.

It covers everything from the country’s most unique features to the latest trends and events that are taking place. But that’s not all – this guidebook also comes bundled with a number of travel guides that will help you navigate Greece like a pro, whether you’re island hopping or exploring by car, train, or boat. With Korina Miller’s Greece, you’ll have everything you need to create the trip of a lifetime!

Wonders Of The Greek Islands – Denis Roubien

Meet Denis Roubien, an art and architecture teacher living in Athens with a keen eye for beauty. He brings this eye for beauty to his travel guidebook, Wonders of the Greek Islands – The Cyclades. Unlike other guidebooks that focus solely on the nitty-gritty details of planning, Roubien’s work is an ode to the magical sights and feelings that the Cyclades conjure up.

This book is jam-packed with high-quality pictures captured by the author, along with local myths and legends embodying the unique culture surrounding each location. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just starting out, Wonders of the Greek Islands – The Cyclades is the perfect book to fuel your wanderlust and inspire you to explore these incredible islands.

My Family And Other Animals – Gerald Durrell

If you’re looking for a timeless travel book about Greece, look no further than My Family And Other Animals. First published in 1956, this book is still widely regarded as one of the best travel books about Greece. Written by British naturalist Gerald Durrell, this autobiographical memoir takes readers on a journey to his childhood days living on Corfu with his siblings and widowed mother.

The book beautifully captures day-to-day life on the Greek Isles, with some sensationalized and fictionalized elements that make it an unforgettable read. Not only is My Family And Other Animals a classic piece of literature, it also provides a unique historical perspective on life in Greece during the mid-twentieth century. Whether you’re a lover of travel or literature, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to experience the magic of Greece.

Love our travel books on Greece picks? Check out these awesome books on Ancient Egypt !

Circe – Madeline Miller

If you’re a fan of fantasy and ancient mythology, you won’t want to miss Madeline Miller’s Circe . Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy, this book is a magical dive into the myths and legends of ancient Greece. It follows the story of Circe, a remarkable daughter born in the house of Helios.

Unlike her powerful father or alluring mother, Circe turns to the mortal world for companionship and discovers a world of magic, gods, and witchcraft. Miller’s masterful storytelling transports readers to the heart of ancient Greece, with stunning scenery and narratives that bring the story to life. Whether you’re a lover of mythology or simply enjoy a good fantasy novel, Circe is a must-read that will leave you spellbound.

Greece: The Peloponnese – Andrew Bostock

If you’re planning a trip to Greece, don’t miss out on exploring the historic Peloponnese region. Home to famous sights like Athens, Delphi, and Kythira, this region is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Fortunately, Greece: The Peloponnese is the perfect guidebook to help you uncover all the treasures this region has to offer.

From well-researched descriptions and guides to beautiful pictures, this book captures the magic of the capital and all the off-beat hidden gems along the peninsula. Whether you’re travelling solo or with a group, this mini-guide is your key to exploring the best of the Peloponnese. So why wait? Dive in and start exploring the wonders of this magical region today!

Check out the Best Spain Travel Books

The Island – Victoria Hislop 

If you’re looking for a heartwarming tale of discovery and connection, look no further than Victoria Hislop’s The Island. When Alexis sets off for Crete to learn more about her mother’s past, she’s given a letter promising to reveal more. What follows is a poignant journey through war, tragedy, and passion in one of Europe’s most beautiful spots.

As Alexis delves deeper into her roots, the magic of Crete comes to life through the connections she begins to feel. Hislop’s writing captures the essence of the island and the power of family ties, making The Island a must-read for anyone seeking an emotional and unforgettable journey. So join Alexis on her quest to uncover the secrets of her past, and let the beauty of Crete capture your heart along the way.

Scorpionfish – Natalie Bakopoulos

Are you in the mood for a gripping story of self-discovery and new beginnings? Look no further than Natalie Bakopoulos’ Scorpionfish. When young academic Mira returns to Athens after her parents’ sudden deaths, she meets a former ship captain and the two begin sharing stories of their lives, careers, families, and loves.

Set against the stunning backdrop of warm summer evenings, late-night bars, and the allure of the sea, Scorpionfish is a masterful work of Greek historical fiction that explores the themes of vulnerability and the art of creating something new from the past. Join Mira on her journey of self-discovery and let Bakopoulos’ beautiful writing transport you to the heart of Athens.

Check Out The Best Ancient Greek Historical Fiction Books !

Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).

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Real Greek Experiences

Greek Culture, Travel Information, Itineraries, Life in Greece

Greece Travel Guidebooks – Real Greek Experiences

“Real Greek Experiences” have published a few travel guidebooks for Greece. They are all available through Amazon , in both paper format and e-book.

Travel guidebooks about Greece

When it comes to visiting a new country, blog posts can be very useful. But we know that many people out there, including us, find great value in guidebooks.

Below, you will find our guide books about Greece, available on Amazon in both paper and Kindle format. Have a look:

Our latest guide > Travel book about Karpathos and Kasos! 

Karpathos , a large island located between Crete and Rhodes, is an upcoming destination, best known for its amazing beaches and strong traditions. Its smaller neighbor, the nearby Kasos , is one of the quietest Greek islands, where time seems to have stopped.

Click here to buy our Karpathos and Kasos travel guidebook .

Travel book about Milos and Kimolos

Milos is one of the most iconic islands in the Cyclades group. Its unique landscapes, rough terrain and beautiful beaches truly stand out. The nearby island of Kimolos is a quiet retreat, with super friendly locals.

Click here to buy our Milos and Kimolos travel guidebook .

Travel book about Andros and Tinos

Andros and Tinos are two more of the Cyclades islands. Andros has incredible beaches and a long naval history, while Tinos is well known for its beautiful, traditional villages.

Click here to buy our Andros and Tinos travel guidebook . 

Travel book about Schinoussa and Iraklia

Schinoussa and Iraklia are two of the Small Cyclades islands, close to the more famous Koufonisia and the much bigger Naxos. They are both ideal for relaxation, beach time and exploring nature! 

Click here to buy our Schinoussa and Iraklia travel guidebook .

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Dave's Travel Pages

Greek Island Hopping | Greece Travel Ideas | Bicycle Touring

Greece Travel Books

In addition to writing this travel blog, I have also co-written some Greece travel guidebooks about Milos, Karpathos, Andros and Tinos.

Travel Guidebooks To Greece

Whenever I prepare for a trip, I like to get my information from different sources. Sometimes it’s a travel blog (like this one!), other times it might be YouTube. Another source is the good old-fashioned book!

As such, Vanessa and myself have written four travel guidebooks in both Kindle and paperback formats to different parts of Greece. These are packed full of essential information to help you plan a trip, and showcase where to stay, what to see, and include tonnes of useful info about travel logistics.

So far we have four books, that cover two islands each. These are produced under our Real Greek Experiences brand, and are available worldwide through Amazon. The books are:

• Karpathos and Kasos
• Milos and Kimolos
• Andros and Tinos
• Iraklia and Schinoussa

And we have plans to write many more! 

Each of these Greek island travel books has been carefully researched by ourselves, and they’re ideal for planning your trip as well as when you are actually in Greece.

Here’s a look at them in more depth…

Karpathos and Kasos Guidebook

• Embark on an adventure to the captivating Greek island of Karpathos with this immersive travel guide by Real Greek Experiences. Nestled between Crete and Rhodes, Karpathos boasts a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty.
• Discover hidden gems along pristine beaches, perfect for soaking up the Mediterranean sun or diving into thrilling water sports. For the adventurous traveler, explore rugged mountains, charming villages, and secluded coves waiting to be explored.

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Milos and Kimolos Guidebook

• Updated with the latest information for 2024, Milos and Kimolos in Greece: Greek Islands Travel Guide offers everything you need to plan your perfect island getaway.
• Discover charming accommodations, pristine beaches, rich history, vibrant culture, delectable cuisine, and thrilling outdoor activities all in one easy-to-read guide. Whether youre seeking relaxation or adventure, Milos and Kimolos offer something for every traveler.

Andros and Tinos Guidebook

• Discover all you need to know about getting to Andros and Tinos, from accommodations and sightseeing to culinary delights and beach recommendations. Whether youre planning to immerse yourself in the unique charm of these islands or include them as part of your Greek island hopping adventure, this guide has got you covered.
• Designed to provide you with all the necessary information to plan your trip, this guide skips the set itineraries, encouraging you to embrace the freedom of exploration. From the best times to visit and ideal accommodations to must-see attractions, delectable dining spots, and top-notch beaches, this guide covers it all.

Schinousa and Iraklia Guidebook

• In this Greek Islands Travel Guide, uncover everything you need to know about reaching Schinoussa and Iraklia, including accommodation options, sightseeing recommendations, culinary delights, and the best spots to bask in the glorious Greek sun. Whether youre planning a tranquil getaway or including these islands in your Greek island hopping adventure, this guide has you covered.
• Both Schinoussa and Iraklia exude a quiet charm and authentic allure, offering a retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Easily accessible within a few hours from Athens by ferry, these islands seamlessly blend rustic charm with contemporary elegance. As part of the Smaller Cyclades, they offer a distinctively different experience from the more famous destinations of Santorini and Mykonos, making them ideal for those seeking solitude in stunning surroundings.

You might also like to read these latest Greece blog posts:

• Where To Put Luggage On Greek Ferries
• Best Ways To Travel From Athens To Zakynthos
• Best Ways To Travel From Athens To Corfu
• Mykonos Airport to Mykonos Town: All Ways To Travel

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10 of the best novels set in Greece – that will take you there

From the natural beauty of Corfu and Kefalonia to the caves and myths of Crete, Greece has inspired writers for millennia

• More literary trips to Italy , Spain and France

G reece may be one of the most written-about countries, so while choosing this list has been a pleasure, there has been agony involved as well. I first went there more than 30 years ago, and it was books that inspired me – not always novels, and I have cheated a couple of times in my choices here. There is a great deal of excellent non-fiction about Greece – I would pick out Patrick Leigh Fermor and Henry Miller, though I also wish I could have made more choices by Greek authors, particularly as the past few years have inspired some brilliant writing (check out Austerity Measures if you like poetry, and there are several novels). However, this is a selection for the English reader – “a transport to Greece” in troubled times. Hopefully, these books will take you there and lead you on to other things.

The Odyssey by Homer

First cheat – some would say this isn’t a novel; I would say it’s one of the first. I have never stood on the deck of a Greek ferry, watching the islands slip by, without thinking of the magnificent, mercurial character of Odysseus. And the descriptions of Greece! “Rosy-fingered dawn” is undeniable. Some people have problems with the “wine-dark sea”, but really, take a good look at the right time. The only problem is picking the best translation. I’m a fan of Lattimore, Fagles and Fitzgerald. I am also very excited to read a new one by Emily Wilson . In fact, I’ve read the same book in several different versions, which must count for something, including a bad attempt at the original Greek. It’s a foundation for all reading.

The King Must Die by Mary Renault

Mary Renault was one of the writers who sent me to Greece in the first place. I read her in my early teens and her “historical” takes on myth are still a firm favourite. This, and its sequel The Bull from the Sea, are a retelling of the life of Theseus, and the first book has action in the Peloponnese, Crete and Athens – all places that have played an important part in my life. Renault does not shy away from the difficult aspects residing in these tales. There is dark stuff here, and no real heroes, either. If you enjoyed Game of Thrones, Renault might be where to go next.

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières

When I asked people what novel conjures up the landscapes and scents of Greece, this was among the most popular replies. I’m not 100% behind it, but agree in general. It’s similar to the movie, which looks gorgeous but has off-putting aspects (the lead actor, for example); in the case of the book, it is some of the politically based caricatures of the communist resistance during the second world war. It caused a lot of controversy when it came out and some of my Greek friends won’t go near it. But its evocation of a lost Kefalonia, the still-beautiful island it’s set on, is perfect. Above all, Pelagia is a character that many who know Greece will recognise – feisty and passionate.

Little Infamies by Panos Karnezis

The location of the unnamed village in Little Infamies is not given, and Karnezis has said it is not necessarily even Greek, although all the names and details point in that direction. I like to imagine it in the Peloponnese, but perhaps only because that’s the region whose villages I know best. A series of interconnecting short stories lays bare the local life, and anyone familiar with this environment will find it deeply familiar. Even the mythological touches make sense – you’re always half-expecting a centaur to pop up in Greece and engage you in conversation. There are dark secrets beneath the surface of the village, but Karnezis always treats his characters with deep affection.

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

My second cheat, I’m afraid, as this is clearly more of an autobiography, but it does read like a comic novel and much of it contains an element of fiction – for instance, Larry, or Lawrence (see below), didn’t live in the same house as the others. He also called the book “very wicked [but] very funny”. As a description of an eccentric, dysfunctional family the book is a blast, making you half grateful and half sorry that your family is not similar; but it’s on this list for its descriptions of Corfu, and specifically the landscape and nature. A friend of mine, who has not read it since childhood, recently summed it up perfectly, “I can still hear the cicadas and see the lizards scuttling over sun-drenched rocks.”

Uncle Petros and Goldbach’s Conjecture by Apostolos Doxiadis

With all this myth and nature roiling around it is good to remind ourselves that the Greeks are also famous for science, maths and logic. Not that this book is without emotion. Uncle Petros is a mathematician laid low by an unsolvable problem, and generally considered a failure. Only his unnamed nephew still thinks he may be redeemable. Don’t be scared off by the maths: this is essentially a study of a human relationship. In between all this we get a superb rendering of a certain facet of Athens, with its old houses and apartments, courtyard gardens and elegant decay.

Freedom and Death by Nikos Kazantzakis

Crete, particularly its mountains and southern coast, was one of my first loves in Greece, so I have to include a couple of books about the island. I must also include some Kazantzakis. Zorba is too obvious, although I do recommend it, and it (secretly) took its inspiration from the Peloponnese, despite being set in Crete. This brooding tale of Captain Michalis (the original title of the book) takes place during the Turkish occupation, and the fact that the local Turkish bey is his blood brother shows the complications of the time. It all boils up into a properly Shakespearean tragedy while showing the characters’, and the author’s, deep love of their island.

The Dark Labyrinth by Lawrence Durrell

Caves are important in Greece, providing a connection between our world and the hidden one. Herakles and Orpheus both descended to Hades through one, and Theseus’s labyrinth is surely another. I once climbed down a steel ladder into a deep cave in the Cretan mountains. At the bottom was a rather macabre shrine to a local saint, lit only by my feeble torch. I had an absolute panic attack, and blame much of it on this book, an intriguing mix of adventure story, mythology and horror. It’s not a masterpiece – Durrell’s non-fiction on Greece is better – but it nails that chthonic feeling that rests just below the blue skies and waters of Greece.

The Names by Don DeLillo

Talking of dark undercurrents, this little-known book by a famous author gets beneath the skin of Greece magnificently. It is partly set in the Mani, a rocky and often barren part of the southern mainland where my family lived for several years. It is a starkly beautiful area, dotted with tower house fortifications and small Byzantine chapels, but there is always something lurking in the landscape. Imagine a breeze through olive trees for a moment, and then see what DeLillo does with it: “Wind blew across the olive groves, causing a wild tremor, a kind of panic, treetops going silver.” Anyone who has visited this part of the world outside of the somnambulant summer will instantly know this.

Atticus the Storyteller’s 100 Greek Myths by Lucy Coats and Anthony Lewis

This is possibly my favourite book on this list, mainly because I have spent many an evening reading it to my kids. The Greek myths can be deeply weird and confusing – check out the Robert Graves version if you don’t believe me – but children seem to cope with them much more intuitively than adults. The premise behind this collection is genius. Atticus, a tale teller, sets off from his home in Crete to a festival of stories near Troy, travelling through much of Greece. On the way, in exchange for food, lodging and transportation, he relates the myths that are appropriate to the area, starting with the birth of Zeus and ending with the Trojan war. It’s ostensibly a kids’ book, but I would happily read this to myself, and much of my knowledge of Greek mythology rests on it.

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Greece Best Travel Guides and Travel Books

• Post author: Avoid Crowds
• Post published: December 8, 2020
• Post category: Travel Guides / Mykonos
• Post comments: 1 Comment

Visiting Athens and Greece can be more than a bit overwhelming. The experience in Athens is not just the hustle and bustle of a busy European city . There are lots of fellow tourists, things work differently than what we are used to and there is an immense number of different activities to choose from. With large crowds and too many options availabe, you will have to make choices. While the Greek islands offer more relaxed vacations, it still gets busy. Especially when large cruise ships arrive in port. We highly recommend properly planning your visit to Greece. The travel books and travel guides in this post are here to help you on your way. We have hand picked all of these books!

This is one of Europe’s most famous destinations. It is also a country that has become known for overtourism. We know how crowds can make a city busy but also know where to find the quiet places. All our research has been done using the travel books we recommend here.

• All books have been handpicked by us!
• Books with bad reviews are left out.
• This post includes affiliate marketing links on which we can earn a commission.
• Updated in March 2024

Lonely Planet Pocket Athens

Lonely Planet Pocket Athens 6 offers a compact and comprehensive guide to discovering the best experiences in Athens, tailored neighborhood by neighborhood. From the historic Acropolis to the majestic Temple of Olympian Zeus and the scenic hike up Filopappou Hill, this guide is filled with insider tips, detailed maps, and honest reviews. Designed to help travelers navigate the city’s rich history and vibrant local life, it includes a pull-out map and over 21 color neighborhood maps. Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, enjoying local cuisine, or finding hidden gems, this guide ensures you can make the most of your trip to Athens.

Who Should Consider This Guide and Why:

• 🏛 History Enthusiasts: Perfect for those drawn to Athens’ ancient monuments and rich historical tapestry.
• 🚶 Walkers and Hikers: Ideal for travelers who enjoy exploring cities on foot and hiking scenic hills.
• 🍽 Food Lovers: A must-have for culinary explorers eager to dive into Athens’ gastronomic delights.
• 🛍 Shoppers and Culture Seekers: Great for visitors interested in local shopping, arts, and cultural experiences.

Lonely Planet Greece (Country Guide)

Lonely Planet Greece 16 is the ultimate guide for travelers seeking to explore the breadth of Greece’s landscapes, history, and culture. From the iconic Acropolis and the soaring monasteries of Meteora to the pulsating heart of Athens, this guide covers well-trodden paths and hidden gems alike. It offers a blend of top experiences, tailored itineraries, and local insights into Greece’s rich heritage, complemented by practical information on dining, navigating, and making the most of your journey. With tools for all types of travelers and detailed maps, this guide ensures a rich and immersive experience of Greece, covering diverse regions from the ancient ruins of Peloponnese to the sun-drenched Cyclades and the rugged beauty of Crete.

• 🏛️ Ancient History Buffs: Perfect for those fascinated by Greece’s ancient sites and mythological past.
• 🌄 Nature Lovers: Ideal for adventurers eager to explore Greece’s diverse landscapes, from pristine beaches to rugged mountains.
• 🍽 Culinary Explorers: A must-have for foodies wanting to dive into Greece’s rich culinary traditions and regional dishes.
• 🎒 Diverse Travelers: Equipped with information for solo, LGBTQIA+, family travelers, and more, ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience.

Rick Steves Greece: Athens & the Peloponnese

Rick Steves Greece: Athens & the Peloponnese offers an in-depth journey through the heart of Greece, from the historic streets of Athens to the serene landscapes of the Peloponnese. This guidebook is an invaluable resource for travelers planning to spend two weeks or more in Greece, providing Rick’s expert advice on maximizing both time and budget. It covers top sights and hidden gems, including the iconic Parthenon, the ancient Agora, and the idyllic small towns and beaches of the Peloponnesian Peninsula. With tips on connecting with local culture, avoiding tourist traps, and recommendations for dining and relaxation, this guide ensures a rich, immersive Greek experience. The book also includes self-guided walking tours, detailed maps, and useful resources like a Greek phrase book and a historical overview, making it the perfect companion for those looking to explore Greece authentically.

• 🏺 History Buffs: Perfect for those passionate about walking in the footsteps of ancient philosophers and warriors.
• 🌊 Island Adventurers: Ideal for travelers eager to set sail to iconic islands like Santorini.
• 🍇 Food and Culture Enthusiasts: Essential for anyone looking to immerse themselves in Greek culture, from sampling traditional cuisine to engaging in local customs.
• 🕊 Peace Seekers: Great for individuals seeking the tranquil beauty of Greece’s small towns and pristine beaches.

Fodor's Essential Greece: with the Best of the Islands

Fodor’s Essential Greece: with the Best of the Islands is a comprehensive guide designed to help travelers navigate the rich cultural tapestry and stunning landscapes of Greece and its islands. From the historic Acropolis of Athens to the breathtaking sunsets of Santorini and the vibrant nightlife of Mykonos, this guide provides all the essential information needed to plan a memorable trip. Updated with an easy-to-read layout, the latest information, and inspiring color photos, this guide includes detailed maps, honest local recommendations, and multiple itineraries to ensure you can make the most of your time in Greece. Special features delve into Greece’s history, mythology, and natural wonders, providing a deeper understanding of the destination.

• 🏛️ History and Mythology Enthusiasts: For those captivated by ancient ruins and the tales of gods and heroes.
• 🌅 Sunset Chasers: Ideal for travelers seeking the world’s most stunning sunset views, like those in Santorini.
• 🎉 Party-Goers: A must-have for visitors looking to experience the lively nightlife of islands such as Mykonos.
• 🌊 Island Hoppers: Perfect for adventurers eager to explore the diversity of the Greek islands, from the Cyclades to the Ionian Sea.

A Traveller's History of Greece

A Traveller’s History of Greece offers a thorough and engaging overview of Greece’s extensive history, from its early days to contemporary times. This guide illuminates Greece’s classical heritage, its conflicts with Persia, Roman conquests, the Byzantine era, Ottoman rule, the fight for independence, and the nation’s more recent tumultuous history. It’s designed to help travelers appreciate modern Greece within the context of its rich and varied past. The book includes a gazetteer that is cross-referenced with the main text to highlight significant sites, towns, and ancient battlefields, adding depth to the visitor’s experience. Additionally, a chronology of important dates and a brief overview of artistic styles from different periods provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of Greece’s cultural and historical landscape.

• 🏛 History Buffs: Ideal for those with a passion for delving into the depths of Greece’s past and understanding its impact on the present.
• 🗺 Site Seekers: Perfect for travelers eager to explore significant historical sites and battlefields, enhancing their visit with rich historical context.
• 🎨 Art Enthusiasts: A great pick for individuals interested in the artistic evolution of Greece, offering insights into the styles of various eras.
• 📚 Scholars and Students: Essential for anyone studying Greek history, providing a clear, comprehensive overview that spans thousands of years.

Mishi and Mashi go to Greece: Mishi and Mashi Visit Europe Series

“Mishi and Mashi go to Greece” is a delightful entry in the Mishi and Mashi Visit Europe series, designed to introduce young readers (ages 3-8) to the vibrant culture and landscapes of Greece. Through the adventures of sisters Mishi and Mashi, children are taken on a journey across Greece, from learning about olives to exploring the Greek islands by ferry. Along the way, they encounter Greek gods and goddesses, savor local foods, and even learn a Greek dance. Each page hides an animal native to Greece, adding an interactive element that educates children about wildlife while engaging their observational skills. This book, illustrated beautifully to captivate the imagination of young explorers, makes learning about Greek culture an exciting adventure. It’s perfect for children curious about the world, offering easy reading with large letters that cater to preschoolers and early readers.

• 🌍 Young Explorers: Ideal for children interested in learning about different cultures and places in an engaging way.
• 📚 Parents and Educators: Perfect for those looking to introduce cultural diversity and global awareness into children’s reading.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Adventure Seekers: Great for kids who love interactive reading experiences, like finding hidden animals on each page.
• 🏛 Mythology Fans: Suitable for young readers fascinated by tales of gods and goddesses, offering a fun introduction to Greek mythology.

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I am planning my trip to Greece for 2021, expecting everything is going better. Do you have any digital suggestions?

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10 things I wish tourists knew before visiting Greece, from a local

• I'm from Athens, and I've seen plenty of tourists make mistakes while traveling to Greece .
• Pace yourself if you're planning on staying out at the bars and clubs all night.
• It's worth it to do some research on smaller islands and local cuisine before your trip.

Thanks to its ancient ruins, picturesque beaches, and incredible food, Greece is one of the top tourist destinations. In 2023, over 32 million people visited.

I was born in Athens and currently split my years living between the US and Greece , so I've spent plenty of time in the beautiful European country.

Here are 10 things I think tourists should know before visiting.

There’s so much more to see in Greece than the popular islands.

It seems like everyone visits Mykonos, Santorini, and maybe Paros, but Greece has over 220 inhabitable islands. Plus, most of them are more budget-friendly than the popular spots.

I recommend looking into places like Kimolos, Astypalaia, Paxoi (also known as Paxos and Paxi), or Folegandros.

The Greek mainland is also beautiful. There's a lot to see there, from UNESCO sites at Delphi and Meteora and the turquoise waters of the Peloponnese to the stunning mountains and villages of Epirus.

Athens is more than the Acropolis.

Athens has great nightlife , restaurants, museums, and cool neighborhoods like Plaka, Exarcheia, Psyrri, and Pangrati.

Tourists who just swing by to check the Acropolis off their list are missing out. I've always found it to be one of the liveliest cities in the world.

You don’t need to tip 20%.

Greek servers generally rely on hourly wages, so there isn't the same tipping culture as the US .

I normally just round up the bill or leave a couple of Euros on the table as a tip — unless I had exceptional service or dined at a more formal (and tourist-oriented) restaurant.

Pace yourself when drinking alcohol.

A lot of travelers take advantage of Greece's lax attitude toward alcohol restrictions. Coupled with the fact that Greek bars and clubs close pretty late (like 4 a.m. late), some tourists get sloppy.

Locals usually intersperse drinks with food and water so they can last the whole night, and I recommend tourists do the same.

Slow down and take Sundays off.

Greeks have a pretty relaxed relationship with time — people often arrive late and stores may open half an hour after they said they would.

Service in Greece can seem slow to people from more fast-paced places, especially on the quieter islands . A lot of stores and supermarkets are also closed on Sundays, even in Athens.

I know this can be annoying at times, but I recommend just enjoying the slower pace of life.

Don’t try to visit too many islands on one trip.

So many people ask me if they can fit four or five islands into a seven-day trip, and I never recommend it. Take your time and enjoy each destination for at least a couple of days.

Half the joy of the Greek islands is getting to destress. If you're hopping from ferry to ferry and running around to cover the highlights, you'll miss out on the best parts of the country.

Be sensitive about natural disasters.

I never thought I'd have to say this, but I have seen multiple tourists in the last few years posting about how "pretty" the skies or sunsets are thanks to the glow from raging wildfires .

At a time when a lot of Greek people are wondering if their houses are still standing or their loved ones have gotten to safety, it's a pretty insensitive thing to do.

Don't skip out on experiencing a traditional taverna.

Athens and other popular Greek destinations now have a lot of upscale restaurants with cuisines from all over the world. But make sure to eat in a traditional taverna at least once.

A taverna is a casual restaurant with family-style dining. Diners can spend hours in them chatting with friends while sharing food paired with some great wine or ouzo (a Greek aperitif).

Greek food is more than just gyros.

Well-known dishes like gyros and souvlaki are truly delicious, but Greek cuisine is so much more than that.

For example, a lot of Greeks start their day with a tiropita (cheese pie) and freddo coffee. Each region also has local specialties that I recommend inquiring about.

In tavernas, popular menu items include calamari, octopus, all kinds of fish, grilled and fried cheeses (like saganaki and halloumi), and side dishes like fava.

Learn a few local words.

Most younger Greek people understand English, but you may run into problems communicating with older people — especially in more rural areas.

Even if a local person can understand you, I think it's nice to learn a few simple words and phrases like "good morning," "thank you," and "how are you?"

It's nice when tourists make a little bit of an effort.

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