Planning a three-month vacation in Greece? Lucky you! You’ll have plenty of time to recharge your batteries to 100% as well as explore the country’s highlights thoroughly, the way they deserve to be experienced, slowly and without rushing.
But before you start mapping out your vacation days, keep in mind that Greece is in the Schengen Area, which means your stay is capped at 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. The math of the 90/180 Schengen rule isn’t complicated, but it’s not forgiving either. One extra day and you could be looking at fines or trouble re-entering the EU later.
But don’t let this discourage you! All you need to do is plan your trip right, and you’ll get the full experience without overstaying your welcome.
Working Around the 90/180 Schengen Rule
Okay, so the first thing you need to do is simple: decide whether Greece is your main event or just part of a bigger European itinerary. If you’re coming straight from a non-Schengen country and going home afterward, it’s easy: you can use the full 90 days in Greece. But if you’ll also spend time in Italy or Spain (or anywhere else) before or after, you need to count those days against your total.
Here’s a tip from frequent travelers: set up a spreadsheet or use a calculator like Schengen Visa Calculator and you’ll avoid slip-ups. Remember, the rule works on a rolling basis, not by calendar blocks, so you can’t “reset” by crossing into Albania, for example, for a weekend. This is important! You’d need to stay outside Schengen for 90 consecutive days to start fresh.
Choosing Your Base: Islands vs Mainland
Most long-term travelers choose one main base and a couple of side trips, so we’ll work from this assumption for you, too (not sure that being in constant motion for 90 days would be considered a relaxing vacation!).
So, islands. There, you’ll get that postcard Greek life you’re probably after: narrow streets, slower pace, wonderful sea views… But it’s important to mention that the costs can climb in high season.
The good news is, you can stretch your budget further on the mainland and explore historical sites without catching a ferry every time you want to move around. Athens is the obvious choice for convenience and because it’s the capital, but secondary cities like Thessaloniki have great food scenes and lower costs, so consider them, too.
Budgeting: Ferries, Rentals, and Daily Life
Ferry travel isn’t very expensive but use it often, and it adds up. A one-way ticket between Athens and a Cycladic island can be €40–€70 in high season, and prices spike on weekends. So, if you’re staying on an island, we recommend clustering your travel days and booking in advance to keep costs down.
Monthly rentals vary widely:
- Island shoulder season (May–June, Sept–Oct): €600–€900 for a modest one-bedroom.
- Mainland mid-range cities: €400–€700 for a similar setup.
- Athens prime areas: €800–€1,200+.
Extra tip: house swaps and shoulder-season sublets can drop your costs by 30–50%, especially if you negotiate directly.
Essentials: Mobile Data, Banking, and Bureaucracy
First thing you want to do when you arrive is get a local SIM (Cosmote has the best coverage nationwide) because it’s cheaper and faster than relying on roaming.
For banking, many expats use Wise or Revolut to avoid ATM fees, though most Greek ATMs still charge €2–€3 per withdrawal regardless of your bank. It’s best to do your own research here. But if you’re staying for the full 90 days, having an EU-friendly bank card helps with recurring expenses like utility bills or car rentals.
What happens if you want to stay longer?
You have options, but they require planning. You could look into a national long-stay visa before you arrive or transition into residency through investment, study, or family ties. Housing-wise, you’ll be moving toward long-term leases (12 months+) or even buying property.
If you’re considering real estate, it pays to work with a trusted Greek property agency that’s familiar with the legal side of extended stays and second-home purchases.
Shoulder Seasons Are Your Friend
If your budget is modest, don’t fret; you can still see and experience plenty in Greece as long as you plan your stay in spring or fall. This way, you’ll avoid both the summer surge in prices and the winter closures common on smaller islands.
As a bonus, the shoulder months will let you experience a more balanced version of Greek life. Ferries run often enough to make island-hopping practical, restaurants usually keep full menus, and the weather stays warm enough for swimming without the July heatwave.
Wrapping Up
A 90-day stay in Greece works best when you’ve locked down your Schengen days, chosen a practical base, and mapped out the logistics before you go. So yes, to have a relaxing vacation, you do have to dedicate some time to properly plan the trip (not very relaxing but absolutely necessary).
Think of those three months as a test run for a deeper connection with the country. If you leave wanting more, you’ll already have a foundation of contacts, neighborhood familiarity, and an understanding of how life works beyond the tourist lens. And that puts you in a much stronger position if you ever decide to make Greece a second home.
