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1 week in Greece: Epic 6-7-8 Day Itinerary (First Time Visit)

Itinerary: one week in greece – what to do + where to stay.

You want to go for a 1 week trip to Greece and you’re looking for the best Itinerary?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay , I have prepared this recommended Itinerary for a week in Greece . You will discover some of the best places to visit in the country!

In this itinerary, you will visit Athens , the capital as well as the world famous Santorini island located in the Cyclades archipelago.

A quick note: If you prefer to visit Central Greece (Athens and Peloponnese ) , you should read my other itinerary article: How to spend 6, 7 or 8 days in Central Greece?

For this itinerary, in addition to the best things to do and must-see attractions , I will also give you all my best tips as well as a list of the best accommodations depending on your budget.

So, what to do during one week in Greece?

Where to stay in Athens

Where to stay in santorini, best hotels in oia, best hotels in fira, other best places to stay in santorini island, greece tours, renting a boat in greece, cyclades (greek islands), 1) athens (3 days).

To visit Greece, the best is to directly land in Athens , the capital city.

It’s very easy to visit Athens on foot , so you won’t have to rent a car for your first 3 days in Greece!

To reach the city centre from the international airport, you have 4 options:

• Take a taxi : it takes about 50 minutes and costs 40€ to reach the centre of Athens. Don’t be afraid of the waiting line. It can seem impressive, but it’s rather fast.
• Take the Metro: the line 3 (the blue one) will allow you to avoid traffic jams on the road, especially during busy hours! You will reach the city centre in 45 minutes, for 8€.
• The Bus : the line X95 goes to Syntagma Square in 1 hour, 24 hours a day. It’s the cheapest solution to go to the centre, and it will cost you only 6€.
• There is an other option : you can ask your hotel if they offer an airport shuttle service. They can wait for you at the airport when you will land, and take you directly to your hotel.

Let’s start the visit of Athens with The Acropolis , the most iconic site of the captial . You can reach the Acropolis on foot or use the Metro, depending on your hotel location. The closest Metro Station is named “Acropoli”, making it very easy to remember!

There, you will get a better understanding of the historical context and the construction of the Acropolis. In the Museum, you can also admire all the remains discovered on the site. And don’t forget to end your visit at t he top floor terrace, it offers an amazing view of the Acropolis.

As it’s Athens’ most popular museum, you should really buy your skip the line tickets here:

Now that you’re immersed in Athens History, it’s time to visit the Acropolis!

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most visited ancient sites in Greece . During your visit, you will admire its most famous monument: The Parthenon . It’s the first building in the world that was entirely made of marble.

• The propylaea , the monumental gateway to the site
• The Erechtheion (or Erechtheum), where 6 young girls statues are used as columns.
• The Temple of Athena Nike
• The ancient Theatre
• The Odeon of Herodes Atticus

If you need to rest a fter this busy morning, how about a lunch break at one of the many restaurants in the area?

You can also try a typical Greek sandwich: the Gyros (there are 2 versions, chicken or pork). I must admit that Gyros and ice cream were my daily lunch during my tour in Greece! It might seem unhealthy, but it was compensated by the busy days 😋.

After that, continue your visit with a short walk in Plaka district , located at the foothill of the Acropolis. This picturesque district, with its neoclassical houses and Byzantine buildings, is one of the oldest of the city . As it’s quite touristic, y ou will also find many souvenir shops there.

Then, continue your tour of Athens’ historical sites with the Ancient Agora. Nowadays, the site is mostly in ruins, except for the restored Temple of Hephaestus.

In ancient Greece, the A gora was the cultural, political and social centre of the city. T he museum, located within the site, displays the objects and statues found during the archaeological excavations.

After leaving the Agora, go to Monastiraki district. There, you’ll find lots of small shops, with souvenirs, clothes or jewellery. It feels a bit like the Arabic souks!

To end this great day in Athens, climb to the top of Philopappos hill to watch the sunset over the Acropolis and the Parthenon.

And when the night comes, if you want to celebrate the beginning of your holidays in Greece, just go to Gazi neighborhood . It’s the best place to have a drink, or even party all night in a night club!

Spend the night in Athens.

For this second day of your one week trip to Greece, let’s continue this tour of Athens.

Your 1st visit of the day is the Panatheic Stadium or Kallimarmaro. It was built to host track-and-field competitions as well as chariot races . G ladiator fights were also organized! It was rebuilt in the 19th century to host the 1st Modern Olympic Games .

You can visit the Stadium for 5€, but you can also see it very well from the outside. If you don’t want to pay, the best is to go to the public park near the stadium, it will allow you to go to the top of the bleachers for free. From there , the view on the Acropolis is breathtaking.

After that, make a short photo stop to see 2 other ancient sites, the Arch of Hadrian and the Temple of Olympian Zeus (visible from the outside). You will also enjoy a bit of greenery in the Zappeion Park and National Garden . I f you are on a family trip with kids, they will be happy to enjoy the playgrounds.

Crossing the park will take you to Syntagma Square , Athens’ main square. There, you will see the House of Parliament and the Changing of the Presidential Guard ceremony. It takes place every hour and allows you to admire the traditional uniforms of the guards (the Evzones) with skirts, tights and pompom shoes!

From Syntagma Square, head to Ermou Street, Athens’ main commercial street. There, y ou’ll find most of the big international brands. Prepare your credit card!

Then, visit the National Archaeological Museum of Athens , where you can admire many ancient objects discovered in Greece , from the Neolithic era to the Roman period.

End this day by going to Mount Lycabettus, one of the best places to admire the sunset in Athens . You’ll have the choice between walking or riding the cable-car to go up there.

Spend another night in Athens.

For the third day of your 1 week itinerary in Greece, You should visit Athens surroundings. There are some really nice day trips to do from Athens. Y ou either can go to the beach, Cape Sounion, Peloponnese, Delphi or the Saronic Islands .

If you want to be independent, the best website to rent a car is Booking.com Cars .

And if you don’t want to rent a car for just 1 day , you can also book a full-day trip from Athens.

My favorite place to visit is the ancient site of Delphi , located 2:30 drive from Athens. It’s quite far from the city, but it’s really worth it! On Mount Parnassus , you will discover the Temple of Apollo , where the oracle of Delphi, the Pythia, transmitted Apollo’s directives from gods to humans.

You will also visit the theater, the stadium a nd enjoy a breathtaking view over the valley. Don’t miss a visit to the Delphi Archaeological Museum either.

This Day Trip includes the transfer from Athens, all entrance fees, guide and lunch. All you have to do is get on the bus and enjoy the trip!

Click on the following button for more info about your trip to Delphi:

If you wish to stay closer to Athens, several other excursions are available:

• From Athens – Visit the Temple of Poseidon and Cape Sounion : During this Day Trip, you will go to Cape Sounion, located at the end of the Attic Peninsula. On the road, you will see the famous beaches of the Coast of Apollo. Then, you will visit the Temple of Poseidon. This temple is built on a hill, and the landscape around is breathtaking, especially at sunset!
• From Athens – Visit the Saronic Islands: How about a full-day cruise to the Saronic Islands? There, you will visit the islands of Poros, Hydra and Aegina. The lunch is included.
• From Athens – A full-day Mycenae and Epidaurus trip: This bus Day Trip starts with the archaeological site of Mycenae, that was once King Agamemnon’s home. After that, you will make a stop in Nafplio to admire the Palamidi Fortress. You will end this trip discovering the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. Entrance fees, transfer, guide and lunch are included!

After this amazing day of visits, it will be time to spend one last night in Athens.

You can find all the best places to go and must-see attractions in Athens in my article: Visit Athens: the definitive guide.

If you wish to visit Athens’ 6 most famous ancient sites such as:

• The Ancient Agora
• Hadrian’s Library
• The Temple of Olympian Zeus
• The Roman Agora
• The Aristotle’s Lyceum
• The Kerameikos.

You should buy the 30€ combined ticket . It’s valid for 5 days, and it’s a s kip the line ticket .

To get this combined ticket, it’s very simple, you just have to book it by clicking on the button below:

To make them most of your visit to Athens, you should opt for the Athens City Pass. It includes all the must-see attractions , such as:

• The combined Acropolis ticket mentioned above
• The Acropolis Museum entrance ticket
• An audio guide for your visit to Athens
• A 10% discount on all other attractions in Athens

To book it, simply click here:

And if you want to learn everything about the Acropolis History , the best is to opt for a guided visit (it’s also a skip the line ticket).

The best guided tour in English is the one from GetyourGuide Originals. It’s so great that they will give you a full refund if you don’t enjoy your time!

To book it, you just have to click on the button below:

• Bedbox Hostel: A Youth Hostel located 300m from Monastiraki Square, and 700m from the Acropolis. Dormitory room starting from 18€ per night. Strong points: the location, the really kind staff and the cleanliness!
• Evripides Hotel: Located 400m from Ermou Street and 500m from Monastiraki. The rooms are simple but comfortable, starting from 70€ per night, with breakfast included. What I loved: the breathtaking view of the Acropolis from the rooftop, the location (perfect to visit Athens on foot) and the friendly and helpful staff! A great choice in Athens for its exceptional value for money!
• Amalia Hotel: Located on Syntagma Square, just in front of the National Gardens. The double rooms are modern and spacious. Some of them even have a balcony with a nice view of the gardens. The price starts at 155€ per night with breakfast included. Strong points: The comfort, the generous breakfast, and the location in the centre of Athens.
• Wyndham Grand Athens: 5-star Hotel located 1km from Ermou Street and 1.5km from the Acropolis. You’ll love the elegant and design double rooms here, starting from 200€ per night. Breakfast will cost you 16€. Strong points: the outdoor pool on the roof, the view of the Acropolis, the spa center, and the location right next to a metro station!
• Electra Metropolis: This 5-star hotel is located only 200m from Syntagma Square and 600m from the Acropolis. The price for a spacious and comfortable double room starts at 270€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: the ideal location, the view of The Acropolis from the rooftop, the amazing restaurant, the pool. The best choice for a luxury stay in Athens!

2) Santorini (3 days)

For the 2nd part of your one-week trip to Greece, how about a complete change of scenery? Let’s go to Santorini, in the Cyclades!

You can go to Santorini from Athens by boat or by plane.

In my opinion, the best is to take the plane : it’s not necessarily more expensive than the boat, and you will not be wasting a whole day for the transfer. For a one-week itinerary, I think it’s by far the best choice.

Now that you’re in Santorini , I will give you the best itinerary and tips to visit the most famous and romantic island of the Cyclades.

First of all, if you wish to visit Santorini in 3 days, you really should rent a car . Take a look at Booking.com Cars to compare car rental prices and choose the one that suits your needs.

I recommend you to get an insurance that will cover your car in case of damages or accident. Booking.com Cars offers the “Full Protection Insurance” , which is very effective (they refunded me more than 1200 euros to date).

It can be really useful in Santorini , as the streets and the parking lots are often narrow and some people aren’t very careful, so a scratch or bump that will cost you a few hundreds euros can happen very quickly.

Once you’ve got your car, let’s go to one of Santorini’s most famous villages: Fira.

Located on the edge of the caldera , Fira feels like a postcard landscape . There, you’ll discover pretty white and blue houses, luxury hotels with infinity pools and premium shops. You just have to walk down its narrow alleys to enjoy splendid views .

From Fira, a walk takes you to 2 other adjacent villages located on top of the caldera: Firostefani and Imerovigli , the caldera’s highest point.

After your lunch break, how about a hike on Santorini’s most beautiful walking trail? Starting from Fira, this trail goes to Oia town . You’ve already done a small part of it from Fira to Imerovigli!

Follow the path along the Caldera to reach Oia . Don’t forget the photo stops: you’ll enjoy wonderful views and you will never get tired of looking at those landscapes!

And if you don’t feel like walking , you can take your car to drive directly to Oia.

Once in Oia, you’ll enjoy walking in the typical alleys of Santorini’s other most visited village.

And at the end of the day, 1 hour before sunset , pick a good spot admire it. Don’t leave your spot: thousands of tourists (including you!) are coming to enjoy the most famous show in Santorini.

Spend the night in Santorini.

Let’s continue this one-week in Greece itinerary with your 2nd day in Santorini.

Cruises are among the island’s most popular tourist attractions. So, how about a boat trip to visit the surroundings of Santorini? The classic one-day cruise includes 3 stops:

• Nea Kameni island, with its still active volcano. You can even climb to the top of the crater.
• Palea Kameni Hot Springs, a must do swim!
• The island of Therasia , located in front of Santorini.

This 39€ per person tour includes a transfer from and to your hotel, audio commentaries, the cruise and the 3 stops.

Those one-day boat tours are very popular. You must book it in advance, especially during high season! You can book your tour directly here by clicking the button below.

You can also book a more luxurious cruises. There, you will sail on a catamaran , and have 3 different stops (including the Hot Springs) to go swimming.

Snorkeling equipment, a full barbecue lunch and unlimited soft drinks are included.

You will also have the opportunity to watch the sunset over Santorini from the sea!

For your last day in Santorini , you should do a road-trip on the island, to discover other nice places.

Santorini is not just Fira and Oia. There’s so much more to discover! You just have to t ake your car and explore the island .

You can visit the picturesque villages of Pyrgos, Megalochori and Emporio.

If you are interested in Santorini’s History, visit the ancient site of Akrotiri. This ancient Minoan city was destroyed by an eruption, like Pompeii, in Italy . The only difference is that Akrotiri was uninhabited when it happened.

The Ancient Thera is another archaeological site of Santorini that’s also worth visiting. There, you’ll also enjoy a magnificent view from the hill of Mesa Vouno.

Wine enthusiasts are aware that Santorini also produces excellent white wines and that there are some vineyards on the island . So if you wish, you can also book a wine tour . During 5 hours, you will visit the vineyards, and of course, taste some wines! Wine tours are a great opportunity to taste a dozen of Santorini’s best wines.

These wine tours are very convenient: t hey will come and pick you up at your hotel. During the tour, you will have an Oenologist guide as well as the explanations of the winemakers. Another strong point is that you will be in a small group of 8 people maximum.

Then, you can end your day on one of Santorini’s best beaches!

The most famous and popular beaches are Khamari and Perissa, with its volcanic black sand. The Red Beach, surrounded by high ocre cliffs is also quite famous. There, you can rent deckchairs and beach umbrellas.

If you are spending one-week in Greece with your family, then you will enjoy Monolithos beach. The shallow water makes it an ideal place to play with children!

Spend a last night in Santorini

The next day, it will be time to take your return flight or the boat. Santorini has an international airport, so you can either go home directly from here, or take  a connecting flight in Athens.

For more details about the best things to do in Santorini, you can read my article: Visit Santorini: The definitive guide.

You must know that staying in Santorini, especially in the villages of the caldera like Oia and Fira , is quite expensive.

If you want a less expensive accommodation , it’s better to choose a hotel outside these 2 cities .

And of course, even more in Santorini than in any other place, book your hotels as early as possible!

To help you choose, I have made a selection of the best hotels in Santorini , depending on where you want to stay and your budget.

• Aethrio Hotel: Located in Oia, only a few steps away from the main square. You can rent double rooms, studio flats or apartments with balcony for most of them. The price starts from 160€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the swimming pool, the large rooms, the rooftop to admire the sunset. It’s one of the cheapest places in Oia, and it offers a great value for money!
• Caldera Premium Villas: Located in the centre of Oia. You will love the troglodyte suites with a breathtaking view of the sea and the caldera, starting from 290€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the pool, the design of the rooms, and the location.
• Theodora Suites Apartment: Located in the heart of the city. Studio flats with small kitchen, fridge, private terrace and hot tub, starting from 350€, breakfast included. What I loved: the hot tubs, the breathtaking view, the kind staff.
• Andronis Boutique Hotel: 5-star hotel located in Oia. You’ll enjoy large suites with a view of the caldera, private balcony and private hot tub or pool, starting from 800€ with breakfast included. Strong points: the idyllic scenery and the calm. It’s my recommendation for a one-week romantic stay in Greece!
• Katikies Hotel – The Leading Hotels of the World: This luxurious hotel offers rooms and suites with a great view, bathtub and spa. The price starts from 1000€ with breakfast included. What I loved: the pools, the spas, the splendid views and the food! It’s my recommendation for a luxury stay in Santorini!

• Galatia Villas: Located 10 minutes away from Fira’s city centre. The double rooms are quite basic but nice, and the price starts from only 80€ per night. Strong points: the hot tub on the roof, the kind staff, the great value for money for Santorini.
• Lilium Santorini Villa: Located on the edge of the caldera. These elegant and modern double rooms with sea view are available starting from 315€, breakfast included. What I loved: the pool, the exceptionnal location, the warm and welcoming staff.
• Cosmopolitan Suites – Small Luxury Hotels of the World: Located in the heart of Fira. You will enjoy lovely rooms with private balcony, decorated in the purest Cycladian style, starting from 550€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the infinity pool over the cliff, and the luxury hotel services. This is the perfect place to stay with your lover in Santorini!
• Aria Suites: Located in Fira, this high standard hotel offers only 6 suites and luxury villas, fully equipped (you even get a laptop), starting from 700€ per night. What I loved: the magnificent place, the pool and the staff availability. This is a great choice for a luxurious and romantic stay in Fira!

• Memories Beach Hotel: Located just accross Monolithos beach. These comfortable modern rooms starts from 65€ per night, with breakfast included. Strong points: the pool, the calm and the adorable staff.
• Rose Suites: Located in Vourvoulos, only 4 kilometers away from Fira. Those studio flats and apartments are well equiped and decorated, with a small kitchen and a private terrace. The prices are starting from 75€ per night. What I loved: the pool, the calm, the decoration. The fridge is also full with everything you need for breakfast. This is the best choice in Santorini for its exceptional value for money!
• Hippocampus Hotel: Located in Kamari, only 50 meters away from the beach. The rooms, with a view on the swimming pool or the garden, are starting from 85€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the pool, the ideal location close to the beach, and the really kind staff.
• Meltemi Village Hotel: Located in Perissa, only 5 minutes away from the Black beach. The rooms and suites with hot tubs are starting from 100€ per night, with the breakfast included. What I loved: the pools, the spa, and the great breakfast. A great choice for a stay on Santorini’s shore!

On Voyagetips.com , I give you all my best tips and itineraries to plan your trip to Greece by yourself. (Click here to read all my articles about Greece)

However, if you prefer to book a Greece tour with a travel agency , I recommend you to check the 10 best Greece tours by clicking the button below:

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your trip to Greece, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental.

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Greece? 😊

If you need help to plan your one week itinerary in Greece, don’t hesitate to ask me your questions in the comments.

Greece travel guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Greece guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the DK Eyewitness Greece guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

You’re traveling to Greece ? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Greece : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Greece are listed there

• The 20 Best Things to do in Greece – The Ultimate Bucket list!
• The 15 Best Things to do in Peloponnese – All the must-see attractions
• Itinerary: 6, 7 or 8 days in Greece – The definitive guide to visit Athens + Peloponnese in a week
• Athens: The 20 Best Things to do and see
• The 15 Best Cyclades Islands to visit – With all the must-see attractions
• Itinerary: 1 week in Greek islands – How to visit the Cyclades in 6, 7 or 8 days
• Amorgos: The 8 best places to see
• Andros: The 7 must-see attractions and activities
• Naxos: Top 10 things to do
• Paros: The 10 best places to visit
• Santorini: The definitive guide
• Tinos: The 10 best things to do
• Rhodes: Top 12 best places to visit

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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Discussion 8 comments.

We are two peoples planing to tour visit in Greece for 6/7 days in April 2019 so how may you help us to book our tour ?

Do you plan to organize your 1 week trip to Greece by yourself or to book with a travel agency?

If you are planning to go by yourself, I can for sure help you to plan your stay.

Do you have an idea of what you would like to see during your one week trip to Greece?

Hello Vincent,

Thank you for your great articles. It’s informative and I enjoyed reading them.

I have 9 days to visit Greece in late October. I want to visit Athens, Peloponnese Region and either Santorini or Mykonos. Do you have any maps to show how I can do a walking tours from Fira to Oia Town, or yet is there any visitor center there that I can drop by? Thank you in advance for you reply.

Hello Linn,

I am glad you enjoy my articles about Greece!

For the walking tour from Fira to Oia, there is just 1 walking path, you really can’t miss it. When starting from Fira, you can visit the adjacent towns of Firostefani and then imerovigli. Simply walk on the path that is the closest to the sea, on the border of the Caldera – Here again, impossible to get lost! And then the hiking path to Oia starts from the end the end of Imerovigli village, near Avaton resort and Spa hotel ( Here is a Google map link ).

Enjoy your trip to Greece and Santorini, and if you have any other question, don’t hesitate to ask me.

this is so helpful! thank you so much for sharing. we’re planning a trip in march 2023.

Thanks Naima!

Don’t hesitate if you have questions about this one week itinerary in Greece. Regards,

Thank you for your great articles. It’s informative and I enjoyed reading them. I do have a few questions: 1, How do you get Euro? I have transfer wise card (ATMs card will work with most bank?) I’m coming from United States 2. For car rental, Is the car automatic gear,driver on left side? or is it all Manual car? I had a hard time renting Autonomic gear in France 3. Speaking only English will get you around okay? 4. I plan to go Greece for 1 week solo, your article above would woks for my situation? Is the price up to date since Article written Nov 21, not that old but inflation is not in our favor. Thank you in advance

Hello Louann,

Regarding your questions about your one week itinerary in Greece: 1) You can change your money at the airport. The Transfer Wise card should work too, but you should always have some change as sometimes it is not possible to pay by card. 2) In Greece they are mostly manual cars (if you look on Booking Cars by clicking on the link in the article, it always says if it’s manual or automatic) – Right hand drive (like in France, Italy, Spain…) 3) Yes, no problem for English 4) Yes, you can follow this route as a solo traveler, no problem! For the prices, it will always depend on the season/month where you want to do this itinerary, and how many months in advence you book your hotels/car rental/flight etc.. It can easily go from 1x to 5x! To check how much it would cost in your case, at the dates you want, simply click on the names of the hotels in the article (orange links) to see the price. And yes, there is a lot of inflation on car rentals and hotels all over Europe (because of Covid).

Enjoy your one-week itinerary in Greece!

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Experience Greece

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Lonely Planet's  Experience Greece  is your guide to unforgettable experiences and local surprises. Marvel at Athens' ancient Acropolis, island-hop through the Aegean Sea, and relax on pristine beaches - all guided by local experts with fresh perspectives. Uncover Greece's best experiences and get away from the everyday!

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Covers  Athens, Thessaloniki and northern Greece, Delphi and central Greece, the Peloponnese peninsula, the Saronic Gulf islands, Ionian islands, Crete, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, and the Aegean islands.

eBook is available in ePub, MOBI and PDF.

ISBN: 9781838697501

Edition: 1st

Publication Date: June 2023

Averbuck, Alexis

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258 pages | Dimensions: 140mm width × 180mm height

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Lonely Planet's Greece

The latest edition of the Lonely Planet travel guide to Greece is a comprehensive 750-page guidebook to the whole country.

When it comes to guides to the whole of Greece, there are in our view only two contenders: Lonely Planet and Rough Guides. Other series may be good for different things, or for certain places.

A guide to the entire country is never going to cover Athens , say, as well as a dedicated guide to Athens. But for comprehensive coverage of everywhere, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet are hard to beat. We’ve already reviewed the Lonely Planet guides to Crete and to the Greek Islands .

The latest guide to the whole of Greece from Lonely Planet weighs in at 750 pages and covers Greece from Avdira (a small town and archaeological site in Thrace ) to Zia (a mountain village on the island of Kos ). 

Lonely Planet's Greece Top 20

After an introduction and an overview map, the guide begins with Greece’s Top Twenty. Picking only twenty places to represent the best of Greece is no easy task, but it would be hard to argue with the choices here, including the Acropolis, Meteora , Delphi , the Samaria Gorge , Knossos and Cretan Cuisine . We’re especially pleased to see that last one as we’ve been to Crete many times and the food and wine there just gets better and better.

First Time Greece

A useful spread for beginners is First Time Greece, which is an overview of what to expect. This ranges from what clothes to take and the standards to expect in hotels and restaurants, through to helpful advice on tipping and etiquette. (You can also read our Greece for Beginners page.)

Itineraries

There are three suggested itineraries, if you have 2-3 weeks to devote to Greece. First is a 2-week Grand Tour, which we have to say is definitely overly ambitious. No-one should attempt to take in everything on this trip. You would be totally exhausted and have very little time in each of the suggested places. Although if you do attempt it you’ll tick off many of Greece’s Top 20 places in one go.

More leisurely and more sensible are the other two itineraries, which are two weeks covering Crete and the Dodecanese , and three weeks visiting the Ionian Islands and the Peloponnese . In the spread on Island Hopping there’s another suggested island hopping itinerary for 2-3 weeks, although in our view the whole purpose of island hopping is to be totally unplanned and go wherever the fancy (and the ferry) takes you. 

Lonely Planet's Greece Spreads

Other feature spreads to help you plan your trip to Greece cover cruising, cuisine, outdoor activities, travelling with children and a month-by-month guide to the main events in the Greek calendar.

At the back of the book a section called Understand covers topics that help you appreciate different aspects of Greece and Greek culture, such as history , architecture, the arts and wildlife .

On the Road in Greece

The bulk of the book is of course the guide to the places, large and small, that you might want to visit in Greece. Well, not every small place is covered. We looked in the index for one of our favourite little islands, Pserimos , and it isn’t listed (although it is covered in Lonely Planet’s Greek Islands guide .) 

We checked another of our favourite places, the town of Zaros on Crete, and the description here is spot on. We’re delighted they single out Vegera as a place to eat. Our meal there was memorable, and the atmosphere was exactly as the book describes.

Most places get comprehensive coverage, with everything you need to know – what to do, where to stay, where to eat, activities, shopping, nightlife, local transport and how to get there in the first place. This level of information is impressive – buses, ferries and flights are all covered in great detail. Even the bus fares are listed, although these will inevitably change a little during the life time of the book.

Is Lonely Planet's Greece Worth Buying?

Absolutely! You can find the latest edition on Amazon .

Other book pages

Greece Book Reviews on the Greece Travel Secrets website with reviews of the best guidebooks to Greece, the Greek Islands, Athens, Crete and elsewhere.

The Ikaria Way

Greece Travel Secrets reviews the Greek cookbook, The Ikaria Way by Diane Kochilas, containing 100 delicious plant-based recipes.

Great Greek Poets: Cavafy, Sappho, George Seferis, Odysseus Elytis

There are many great Greek poets, with two authors winning the Nobel Prize for Literature and names include Sappho, Cavafy, George Seferis and Odysseus Elytis.

A Thing of Beauty

A Thing of Beauty by Peter Fiennes describes ‘Travels in Mythical and Modern Greece’ and places the Greek Gods in the context of modern-day Greece.

Lonely Planet Greek Islands

The Lonely Planet guide to the Greek Islands is a thorough and helpful guide to all the Greek island groups, with Athens included.

Lonely Planet Crete

Lonely Planet Crete is an excellent and thorough guide of almost 300 pages to the largest of the Greek islands.

Bradt Guide to the Peloponnese

The Bradt Guide to the Peloponnese is the best book on the Greek region which includes attractions like Mycenae, Epidavros, Olympia, Monemvasia and Nafplion.

A Rope of Vines

A Rope of Vines by Brenda Chamberlain is an evocative memoir of the author’s time living on the Greek island of Hydra in the early 1960s.

Wild Abandon

Wild Abandon by Jennifer Barclay and published by Bradt Guides is A Journey to Deserted Places of the Dodecanese islands in Greece, including Rhodes and Kos.

The Summer of My Greek Taverna

The Summer of My Greek Taverna by Tom Stone is a memoir of his time on the Greek island of Patmos in the Dodecanese, running a restaurant.

Taverna by the Sea

Taverna by the Sea is an account by Jennifer Barclay of her summer spent working in a taverna on Karpathos and a welcome new book of Greek travel writing.

Northern Greece Guide

The Bradt Guide to Northern Greece is a detailed guide to Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Macedonia, Thrace, The Pelion, The Sporades and the rest of Northern Greece.

Monemvasia Book Review

Greece Travel Secrets reviews the photography book Monemvasia with extracts from works by Yiannis Ritsos and Nikos Kazantzakis.

Mermaid Singing: Kalymnos Travel Writing

Mermaid Singing by Charmian Clift is a fine example of 1950s travel writing about the Greek island of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese.

Margarita’s Olive Press

Margarita’s Olive Press is a modern gem of a book of Greek travel writing, in which the author falls in love with and renovates a property on Zakynthos.

Ikaria Book Review

Ikaria by Meni Valle, brings together the best and healthiest Greek recipes with an evocative travelogue about Ikaria, one of the world’s Blue Zone places.

Hydra Travel Writing Classic

Peel Me a Lotus by Charmian Clift is a Hydra travel writing classic, describing her family’s life on this tiny Greek island near Athens in the 1950s.

Fire on the Island

Fire on the Island is a romantic thriller novel by Timothy Jay Smith set on a fictionalised version of the town of Molyvos on the island of Lesbos.

Eurydice Street

Eurydice Street, A Place in Athens by Sofka Zinovieff is an honest account of what it’s like to move to Athens and live as a foreigner, learning Greek customs.

Culture Trails

Greece Travel Secrets reviews the book Culture Trails by Lonely Planet, which has a section on Artistic Athens and 51 other perfect weekends for culture lovers.

A-Z Travel Guide to Kos

The 2022 edition of the A-Z Travel Guide to Kos is the 15th edition of the best and most comprehensive guidebook to Kos in the Dodecanese islands of Greece.

A-Z Guide to Santorini

The very thorough A-Z Guide to Santorini by Tony Oswin is now in its 15th edition, a sure sign that the guidebook is both popular and kept up-to-date.

Heaven on Earth

Heaven on Earth is a collection of 19 travel pieces about Greece by Mike Gerrard.

If planning a trip to Greece, what are the best books about Greece to read before you go, or to take with you, to give you a sense of place?

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Lonely Planet Greece 14 (Travel Guide) Paperback – Folded Map, April 21, 2020

There is a newer edition of this item:.

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher

Lonely Planet's Greece is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Experience the Acropolis of Athens, get lost in Rhodes' Old Town and watch the sun set in Santorini - all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Greece and begin your journey now!

Inside Lonely Planet's Greece :

• NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel
• Improved planning tools for family travellers - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids
• What's New feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas our writers have uncovered
• NEW Accommodation feature gathers all the information you need to plan your accommodation
• NEW Where to Stay in Athens map is your at-a-glance guide to accommodation options in each neighbourhood
• Colour maps and images throughout
• Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
• Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
• Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics
• Covers Athens, Peloponnese, Central Greece, Northern Greece, Saronic Gulf Islands, Cyclades, Crete, Dodecanese, Aegean Islands, Evia, the Sporades, Ionian Islands, and more

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Greece is our most comprehensive guide to Greece, and is perfect for discovering both popular and off-the-beaten-path experiences.

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers.

'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times

'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveler's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia)

• Print length 800 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Lonely Planet
• Publication date April 21, 2020
• Dimensions 5.4 x 1.25 x 7.9 inches
• ISBN-10 1787015734
• ISBN-13 978-1787015739
• See all details

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From the Publisher

Welcome to Greece

Ancient sun-bleached ruins pierce blue skies as the Aegean laps at the endless coastline. And Greek culture is alive with passionate music, inspired cuisine and thrill-seeking activities.

This guide includes information on:

• Visiting Greece for the first time
• Greece's Top 20
• Island Hopping
• Eating & drinking like a local
• Outdoor activities
• And much more

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lonely Planet; 14th edition (April 21, 2020)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 800 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1787015734
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1787015739
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.4 x 1.25 x 7.9 inches
• #341 in General Greece Travel Guides
• #1,221 in General Europe Travel Guides

About the authors

Simon richmond.

Simon Richmond is a UK-based author and photographer with over 25 years of experience of developing, researching and writing travel guidebooks and other non-fiction titles for major publishers including Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, DK Eyewitness, Insight Guides and Thames & Hudson. Specialist areas include Japan (his Rough Guide to Japan won the guidebook of the year in the Travelex awards of 2000), Southeast Asia, South Africa, Russia, Eastern Europe, Australia, the UK and USA. Other major topics covered during his career include consumer affairs, personal finance, food and the arts. He has also researched and presented radio and TV programmes and created online content for websites and social media.

I’m an author, editor and photographer, and I live in St Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex, England.

I work primarily for Lonely Planet and Rough Guides. For Lonely Planet, in the last few years I’ve written new editions of Lonely Planet Kauai and Best of Hawaii; written a Pocket Guide to Oxford & The Cotswolds; covered the whole of Texas for Lonely Planet USA; contributed to the North Carolina section of Georgia & The Carolinas; and updated the Corsica chapter of Lonely Planet France. I’ve also updated three editions of Lonely Planet Greece, and updated New Mexico for Lonely Planet Southwest USA.

I was for several years a senior editor with Rough Guides. I have written sixteen travel, history and music books for Rough Guides as sole author, including Hawaii, Brittany and Normandy and Southwest USA, and shared authorship on many more, among them Barcelona, Japan and Australia.

I also recently updated the DK Eyewitness guide to Brittany, while for Insight Guides I've worked on the latest updates to California, West Coast USA and Southwest USA.

In total I’ve written 23 books on the Hawaiian islands, which besides the Lonely Planet guides mentioned above include six complete editions of the Rough Guide Hawaii; individual Rough Guides to Maui, Oahu and the Big Island; and other guides including Insight Hawaii, DK Eyewitness Hawaii, Berlitz Hawaii, Smart Hawaii and Inside-Out Oahu.

My Rough Guide to the Titanic is a definitive guide to history’s most famous maritime disaster.

As an editor, I co-edited Rough Guides’ Make The Most Of Your Time On Earth with my wife Samantha Cook. I also edited Elvis Has Left The Building by Dylan Jones; Inferno Decoded by Michael Haag, for which I also wrote three chapters; and Lloyd Bradley’s Sounds Like London, published by Serpent’s Tail. I also edited the original Rough Guides to India and the USA, and guides to Elvis, Soul and the Blues.

My photographs have been published in my own books, and also in magazines, newspapers and elsewhere.

Kevin Raub is a Italy-based travel and entertainment journalist and certified Brazilianist who grew up in Atlanta and started his career in entertainment in New York, working for Men's Journal and Rolling Stone magazines and "freelancing" (i.e. interviewing hot young actresses about their sex lives over a few too many cocktails) for men's magazines like FHM, Stuff and Maxim. He spent five years in Los Angeles as the senior writer for allstarnews.com, CDNOW's now-defunct (thank you, Amazon.com!) groundbreaking online music news site.

The rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle took its toll, so he needed an extended vacation and took up travel writing. For the last decade, Raub has scoured the globe for a variety of publications, including CNN, Travel+Leisure, Condé Nast Traveller, Afar, Robb Report, New York Times T Magazine, Departures, Town & Country, American Way (American Airlines), Rhapsody (United Airlines), Culture Trip, Celebrated Living, Angeleno, Guitar Aficionado, Time Out: Sao Paulo, BBC History, and New York Post, among others. From the top of the El Toco volcano in Chile’s Atacama Desert (18,372) to the Dead Sea in Israel (-1,385 ft), Raub has nearly seen it all, covering both high-end luxury travel and backpacker bargains – just to keep it all in perspective. Along the way, he’s snapped a few photos as well.

Raub spent seven years on Brazilian soil, canvassing the South American Giant one caipirinha at a time on his way to getting to know 22 Brazilian states for a variety of American and international publications. A well-known Brazil expert, he also handled all of Lonely Planet's on-the-ground social media coverage during the FIFA 2014 World Cup before relocating to Portugal the following year. In late 2019, he relocated to Italy.

Raub is the co-author of over 95 Lonely Planet travel guides, including Brazil (7th Ed.; 2008), Mexico (11th Ed.; 2008); Chile & Easter Island (8th Ed.; 2009), The Carolinas, Georgia & The South: Trips (1st Ed.; 2009); Colombia (5th Ed.; 2009), Lonely Planet's Best In Travel 2010 (2nd Revised Edition, 2009); South America on a Shoestring (11th Ed.; 2010); Venezuela (6th Ed.; 2010), Central America on a Shoestring (7th Ed.; 2010), Brazil (8th Ed.; 2010); India (14th Ed.; 2011), South India & Kerala (6th Ed.; 2011), Discover India (1st Ed.; 2011); Dominican Republic & Haiti (5th Ed.; 2011), Caribbean Islands (6th Ed.; 2011), USA (7th Ed.; 2011), Eastern USA (1st Ed.; 2011), Discover USA (1st Ed.; 2011), Colombia (6th Ed., 2012), Chile & Easter Island (9th Ed., 2012), Peru (8th Ed., 2013), South America on a Shoestring (12th Ed., 2013), Discover Peru (2nd Ed., 2013), India (15th Ed., 2013), Discover India (2nd Ed., 2013 and Brazil (9th Ed., 2013); and the forthcoming Dominican Republic (6th Ed., 2014), Discover Caribbean Islands (1st. Ed., 2014), Colombia (7th Ed., 2015), India (15th Ed., 2013), Discover India (2nd Ed., 2013), Brazil (9th Ed., 2013), Dominican Republic (6th Ed., 2014) Discover Caribbean Islands (1st. Ed., 2014); and the forthcoming Colombia (7th Ed., 2015), India (16th Ed., 2015), Discover India (3rd Ed., 2015), Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra (4th Ed., 2015), Chile & Easter Island (10th Ed., 2015), USA (9th Ed., 2016), Discover USA (3rd Ed., 2016), Eastern USA (3rd Ed., 2016), Lonely Planet’s Best of USA (1st Ed., 2016), Civil War Trail: Road Trips (1st Ed., 2016), Brazil (10th Ed., 2016) and South America on a Shoestring (13th Ed., 2016); and the forthcoming Portugal (10th Ed., 2017), India (17th Ed., 2017), South India & Kerala (9th Ed., 2017), Discover India (4th Ed., 2017), Best of India (1st Ed., 2017), USA (10th Ed., 2017), Discover USA (4th Ed., 2017), Eastern USA (4th Ed., 2017), Florida & the South’s Best Trips (3rd Ed.; 2017), Italy (13th Ed., 2018); and the forthcoming Dubai & Abu Dhabi (9th Ed.; 2018), Colombia (8th Ed., 2018), Chile & Easter Island (11th Ed., 2018), Pocket Lisbon (4th Ed., 2018), Georgia & the Carolinas (2nd Ed., 2019) and Brazil (11th Ed.; 2019), Eastern Europe (15th Ed.; 2019), Western Balkans (3rd. Ed.; 2019), Portugal (11th Ed.; 2019), Discover Portugal (2nd Ed.; 2019), Best of Portugal 2 (2nd Ed.; 2019), India (18th Ed.; 2019), South India & Kerala (10th Ed.; 2019), Goa & Mumbai (8th Ed.; 2019), Discover India (5th Ed.; 2019), Best of South America (1st Ed.; 2019), Discover South America (1st Ed.; 2019), South America (14th Ed.; 2019), Italy (14th Ed., 2019), Greece (14th Ed., 2020), Crete (7th Ed.; 2020), Greek Islands (14th Ed.; 2020), Best of Greece & the Greek Islands (1st Ed.; 2020), USA (11th Ed.; 2020), Eastern USA (5th Ed.; 2020), New York City (12th Ed.; 2020), Hawai’i the Big Island (5th Ed.; 2020), Best of Hawai’i (2nd Ed.; 2020), Europe’s Best Trips (2nd Ed.; 2020) and Lonely Planet’s Best Places to Eat in Every Country (1st Ed.; 2020).

On the few days he's home, Raub once spent an inordinate amount of time slathering on organic cosmetics for his bi-monthly organic grooming column for men, The Green Guy's Grooming Guide, which appeared in Organic Spa for several years, but constant battles with the Brazilian food and drug administration caused it to meet its demise in 2011. Now, he just slathers it on for fun.

Raub also scoured Brazilian soil as the 'Brazil Insider' for LATAM airlines' Only in South America blog for a few years as well.

Raub happened upon his 100th country and territory in 2018, becoming a member of the long-coveted Traveler's Century Club. His country count currently stands at 108.

Follow Kevin @RaubontheRoad on Instagram and Twitter. Visit his personal web site at www.kevinraub.net.

Andrea Schulte-Peevers

Andrea Schulte-Peevers has been a professional travel journalist and photographer for over 20 years. Her destination expertise is especially strong when it comes to Berlin, Germany in general, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, the Greek island of Crete, and various Caribbean islands. Andrea has had a curiosity for other cultures and people for as long as she can remember. Despite a passion for her German home town, she packed her bags right after school, decamping first to London, then to Los Angeles, where she haunted the hallowed halls of UCLA in pursuit of a degree in English literature. Equipped with such credentials, she fearlessly embarked on a career in journalism, soon getting tapped by Lonely Planet for her Germany expertise.

Andrea has traveled the distance to the moon and back in her visits to some 75 countries. In the process she has authored or contributed to well over 150 Lonely Planet titles as well as to other guides, newspapers, magazines and websites around the world. Among her favorite memories are swimming with sharks in the Galapagos, eating lobster in a rain storm on a deserted Australian island and greeting the new millennium in a village in Andalucia.

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New England maples vs Colorado aspens: which US region has better fall foliage?

Sep 11, 2024 • 8 min read

Do you want to tromp through New England's classic red and orange-clad hills or hike through Colorado's golden hues? Left, Sara Winter/Shutterstock. Right, Craig Zerbe/Getty Images.

Some destinations will always get pitted against one another. In this series, two passionate writers go head-to-head to explain why you should visit their chosen destination.

We're finally wearing sweatshirts in the morning, and you know what that means. It's time to book that fall foliage tour and soak in the cozy awesomeness that is nature putting on its biggest show of the year. But which cabin in the woods do you want to light that first fire in? Which woods do you want to spend your days hiking through?

Do you wear classic duck boots, jeans and a wool sweater to tromp through New England 's red and orange-clad hills, or do you don your Patagonia puffer jacket and hikers to be bathed in Colorado 's golden hues? Whichever captures your imagination, these two Lonely Planet writers will have you wondering, should you tap a maple or listen to the whispers of the aspens?

Why New England is the best place to go for fall foliage

Growing up and currently based in Upstate New York has positioned travel writer Lauren Breedlove in an ideal spot to explore the entire New England region for many years…and that she has. After attending college in Burlington, Vermont , and becoming a photographer, she has road-tripped with her camera all over the northeastern region to capture the foliage display every autumn. She has written extensively on New England for several publications, including Lonely Planet. 

While New England is beautiful year-round, there’s one time of year that I make sure I’m not traveling elsewhere: fall. I’ve experienced autumn in numerous destinations, including Colorado, and although each foliage spot has its allure, there’s nothing quite like fall in New England . Crisp mornings at a picturesque lake, a layer of fog burning off as a vibrant foliage mirror appears in the still water. Hiking boots crunch fallen leaves on the summit approach to a high peak , my camera’s shutter attempting to keep up with palpable excitement over the endless sea of mountains cloaked in a rustic autumnal quilt. The crackle of the campfire while the sun tucks behind mountains dotted with zesty reds, deep golds and fiery oranges. Like I said, unbeatable. 

New England has a cocktail of hues 

Look, I’m an aspen-lover, too. Those bright, sunshine-y beauties that come with the fall season in Colorado are stunners – but in New England , we have so much more variety in our fall foliage lookbook. Our vast forests and mountains burst with a vivid spectrum thanks to our maple tree collection; special shout-out to the red and sugar maples for gifting us all those red and orange hues. Other players that fill out the palette nicely range from beeches and birches to oaks and hickories. One tree can don a few different colors all at once, even. It’s not just about the variety in color, it’s also about the intensity. New England has an ideal mix of the right environment, temperatures, and rainfall to produce extraordinary pigments. But you don’t have to take it from me – the proof is in the pudding with the sheer amount of visitors that flock to New England each year in September and October.

Ok, so most of Colorado’s major mountains are taller than ours, I’ll give you that. But that doesn’t mean it’s flat over here. We’ve got giants such as New Hampshire ’s Mount Washington, Maine ’s Katahdin and Vermont’s Mount Mansfield, as well as challenging treks and varied terrain to offer. We also have the coast ! It’s not every day you can smell the ocean air while gazing upon a foliage fête. New England does have some big cities, but we also have a massive amount of wild backcountry to explore. In places like Maine’s remote Baxter State Park , you’re more likely to come across a moose than another person. It feels easier to get further off-grid in New England and find solitude. In Colorado, many of the backcountry trails require four-wheel drive vehicles down logging roads that can be tricky to navigate, whereas in New England, you can get to most of the great trails with a regular car, making them more accessible. We also have the opportunity to view foliage in different states within one season since the colors kick off in northern Maine first , and work their way south. New England in the fall is made for road-tripping .

Fall in New England is a whole vibe

Autumn isn’t just about the leaves (though, yes, it’s important). It’s about the whole atmosphere, and New England nails it. Sorry, Colorado, but fall is cozier over here. We have small, historic towns all over the place that’ll charm your socks off with handmade scarecrows, roadside farmstands, and pumpkins adorning the porches of seemingly every Victorian or Colonial home. Old churches and covered bridges abound, and cute, catch-all general stores are hidden gems to come across, selling fresh cider, donuts, and other local goodies like our quintessential maple syrup, of course.

Why Colorado is the best place to go for fall foliage

Since moving to Colorado more than a decade ago, you could say writer Sarah Kuta has become a bit obsessed with leaf-peeping . From mid-September through mid-October, she spends every weekend adventuring around the Colorado Rockies to soak up the views of the state’s golden-yellow aspens.

At the end of every summer , I eagerly await the first crisp morning that signals the arrival of fall in Colorado. For me, this moment also means it’s time to partake in one of my all-time favorite pastimes: leaf-peeping. I take scenic drives, I hike, I mountain bike, I picnic, I ride gondolas at ski resorts – all so that I can immerse myself in Colorado’s flashy fall foliage .

Colorado is famous for its quaking aspen trees – there’s even a famous mountain town and ski resort named after these tall, white-barked beauties. Aspens (Populus tremuloides) are one of the few species of deciduous trees that are hardy enough to survive in the Colorado Rockies. Growing at elevations between 5,600 and 11,000 feet above sea level, they cover 5 million acres – or roughly 20 percent – of the state’s forests, according to the Colorado State Forest Service . 

You might think that aspens turn a uniform, golden-yellow hue. But, if you take a closer look (and if you look at enough trees in different locations and at different times throughout the fall), you’ll see their foliage actually represents more of a spectrum of colors – from neon yellowish-green to vibrant orange to bright red. The varying shades result from a combination of weather conditions and the trees’ genetics.

Aspens are usually interspersed with evergreens. The contrast between the dark green needles, the yellow leaves and the bright blue sky (because the sun is nearly always shining in Colorado) makes for a seriously beautiful color palette. When a cool breeze blows through, it also causes the aspen leaves to “dance” (or “quake,” which is where their name comes from). I could spend hours looking up at the shimmering leaves as these flutter in the sunshine – truly, nothing is more magical. I feel calmer just thinking about it. 

Aspens play an important role in the ecosystem

Aspens are not only gorgeous, but they’re also scientifically fascinating – and as a self-described nerd, that’s another reason why I adore them so much. Since summers in the mountains are so short, aspen seeds often don’t have enough time to germinate. Instead, the trees send out suckers from their roots, which eventually spring up into new mature trees. Because of this unique reproduction method, all of the aspen trees in a particular patch are clones of one another – identical twins that share an interconnected root network. (In neighboring Utah, a stand of cloned aspens called “ Pando ” is one of the largest living organisms on the planet, with around 40,000 trees spread across 106 acres.)

And, because aspens love sun, they can thrive in places where other trees would shrivel up and die – including areas that have been burned by wildfires . Once enough aspen trees flourish, they provide much-needed dappled shade that allows other plants to grow. Moose and elk like to snack on aspen leaves and bark, and the trunks provide nesting habitat for woodpeckers and other birds. On a camping trip a few years ago, I watched a moose skillfully strip the leaves from branch after branch in an aspen grove. 

The best time to see Colorado’s aspens

Colorado’s aspens put on a rolling show from about mid-September to mid-October, though the exact timing each year depends on the weather. The trees at the highest elevations begin to change colors first, followed by those at progressively lower and lower elevations. 

Visit pretty much any Colorado mountain town during that window –  Aspen , Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Silverthorne, Leadville, Winter Park, just to name a few – and you’ll likely see at least a few stands of aspens that are still gold. I also recommend planning a road trip along one of Colorado’s Scenic & Historic Byways (many of which are now conveniently equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles ). 

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