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10 Best books to read before visiting Greece

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books to read before visiting Greece

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.

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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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The Best Books About Greece to Inspire Your Travels

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Be inspired by this engaging collection of books about Greece! Enhance both your trip to Greece and your time at home by extending your discovery and excitement for weeks, months, or years beyond your time in the country! Get started today and dramatically enrich your understanding of Greek history and culture, which will amplify your experience of the country. I have asked seasoned travel writers to share the books they most recommend to other travelers and hope you find a few books on Greece that are perfect for you!

Table of Contents

Books about greek history, the hemlock cup: socrates, athens and the search for the good life by bettany hughes.

The Hemlock Cup transports readers to Socrates’ Athens—the fifth century B.C.E. in the heart of ancient Greece’s Golden Age. The 528-page book is packed with historical information while remaining very entertaining and readable, which makes it one of the best books about Greek history.

Essentially a biography of the philosopher who left no writings yet is credited as the founder of Western philosophy, The Hemlock Cup recreates Athens as Socrates knew it during his 70-year lifetime.

The celebrated British historian and television presenter Bettany Hughes creates a vivid portrait of the ancient city devastated by war yet simultaneously giving birth to democracy.

First-time visitors to Athens will be struck by how many ancient structures still exist among the modern-day buildings. As Hughes muses, “Walking through the bleached bones of ancient sites, it is easy to forget how hectic they once were.”

But in The Hemlock Cup, she’s able to bring these remnants of ancient Greece back to life, enhancing your visit to Athens and encouraging you to seek out the streets that Socrates walked so many centuries ago.

Contributed by Carrie Ann at Should Be Cruising

The Greek Treasure by Irving Stone

The Greek Treasure is a historical novel about the German archaeologist, Heinrich Schliemann and is another of the best books on Greek history. Schliemann is still regarded as one of the most important and controversial archaeologists of all time, despite his lack of formal education in the field. Schliemann excavated the presumed site of Homeric Troy and the Mycenaean sites Mycenae and Tiryns. His profound love for Greek antiquity led him to live the second part of his life in Athens with his Greek wife, Sophia.

The book follows each step of his improbable marriage with a very young Greek girl and their journeys to unearthing ancient treasures. It also tells the story of their life at home in Athens from the 1870s-to 1890. Those pages will take you back in time. You will hear the horseshoes on Athens’ streets, the voice of the yogurt seller in the morning, and you will smell the fresh coffee in the Plaka neighborhood. 

When you look for the  non-touristy Athens , you can make your way to their mansion, now a numismatic museum , and learn more about the couple that dedicated a lot of their lives to Athens and Greek treasures. It will also enhance your visits to the archeological sites and to the National Archeological Museum where many think that the famous “Mask of Agamemnon” was altered to look like Heinrich Schliemann himself!

Contributed by Anda Bartos at Travel for a While

Books About Greek Mythology

Circe by madeline miller.

Circe   is the retelling of the life of the book’s namesake, Circe. Most of us only know her as the witch on the island that Odysseus visited who turned sailors into pigs. But Miller gives her a much larger role in Greek mythology than just that. As the daughter of Helios, the mightiest of the Titans, Circe is destined to live an extraordinary but difficult life. After Zeus banishes her to a remote island, Circe hones her skill in witchcraft and crosses paths with some of the most famous figures in Greek mythology – the Minotaur, Daedalus and his son Icarus, and, of course, Odysseus.

As a lone woman who stands against the wrath of the gods and refuses to conform to their will, Circe constantly finds herself having to make difficult choices to protect what she cares about. Madeline Miller’s story is beautiful, moving, and unlike any other retelling done before.

Circe  is an excellent introduction to some of the most famous characters in Greek mythology, which makes it one of the best books to read before a trip to Greece!

Contributed by Maggie at Pink Caddy Travelogue

Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold and Heroes: Mortals and Monsters, Quests and Adventures, Stephen Fry

Mythos and Heroes are modern retellings of classical Greek myths.  Accomplished actor and comedian Stephen Fry has performed extensive research in the field of mythology.  In these two books, he brings these stories to life with a modern, witty, and sometimes irreverent flair.

Mythos focuses on tales of the Greek gods and their ancestors, the Titans.  You’ll find stories ranging from Zeus overthrowing his father to become the king of the Olympians to Prometheus’ creation of mankind.

Heroes spins tales of mythological mortal heroes and their quests.  Some are well known, like Heracles and his labors, or Jason and his quest for the Golden Fleece.  Others may be lesser known, such as the tales of Atalanta or Bellepheron, but are no less entertaining.

Mythos and Heroes will paint vivid pictures in your mind of locations throughout Greece –from Crete, the island of Zeus’ birth, to the Minotaur’s labyrinth in Knossos.

If you’re a fan of audiobooks, these are self-narrated so you can enjoy Fry’s delightful British accent along with the myths!

Contributed by Lisa at Waves and Cobblestones

Mythology by Edith Hamilton

One of the most fascinating books about Greek mythology is this classic by Edith Hamilton. Interwoven into the best Greek vacations is an awareness of Greek mythology and how it permeates both ancient history and modern culture.

Taking a deep dive before your trip will reward you with a much more profound understanding of many Greek destinations ranging from archaeological sites, museums, and live performances to the constellations you’ll admire in the night sky (both in Greece and at home). Your study will enhance your understanding far beyond your Greek trip, giving you a greater appreciation of both historical and modern art, plays, operas, plays, movies and more.

Edith Hamilton’s interpretations of the myths brings them to life and make them memorable. She also includes Roman and Norse myths in this collection. They are all digestible and relatable to the modern reader, which connects us more intimately to the ancient Greeks.

Contributed by Erica at Trip Scholars

best travel book for greece

Travel Books About Greece

Rick steves greece: athens and the peloponnese.

A good travel guide is an inspiring early choice in planning many trips and Rick Steves Greece: Athens and the Peloponnese is one of the top books on Greece travel. Like all the guidebooks in the extensive series it is overflowing with tips, educational snippets, and helpful suggestions for what to see and how best to plan your trip. Even if you don’t like to have an itinerary, it is useful to know what sites are closed or have reduced rates on particular days and how to save money and time as you explore.

As one of the best Greece books, it provides plenty of ideas to kindle your excitement in the early stages of dreaming up your trip, as well as practical tips as you narrow in on your favorites. Just like most of the RS books, it is meant to be taken apart so you can bring smaller sections with you instead of lugging the whole book on each day’s adventures. The included walking tours are a highlight, although you might prefer his audio guides of the tours, which you can download for free before you leave. The downside to this guide is that the coverage of some of the Greek islands and the northern part of the country isn’t as extensive, and in many cases is lacking altogether. There are some color maps and photos, but most are black and white. If you are a visual learner and looking for eye-catching inspiration, consider watching his episodes on travel to Greece as a supplement.

Plan a Trip to Greece: The Guide for Curious Travelers

Greek philosophy books, the enchiridion by epictetus.

The Enchiridion by Epictetus is a book for those seeking to turn their chaotic life into a peaceful one. Enchiridion means “handbook” and is a compilation of the master’s teachings. Epictetus, a Greek born into slavery, is one of the most important teachers of Stoic philosophy.

This book is a simple guide for a great life. It is divided into short chapters, sometimes just a few sentences long. Each chapter focuses on a common human problem and provides simple yet effective and timeless advice to each. The first sentence of The Enchiridion encompasses Stoicism beautifully: “There are things which are within our power, and there are things which are beyond our power.” In an oversimplified nutshell, Stoicism seeks to teach us how to distinguish between those two and what to do with that distinction. It is really that simple and yet so difficult for us humans. No wonder this philosophy became a go-to personal operating system to many people during the pandemic.

Greece is where Stoicism began around 300 BC in Athens. To pay tribute to this practical philosophy visit the ruins of the Stoa Poikile in Athens. But if you wish to see where Epictetus himself taught, go to Preveza and look for the ruins of the ancient city of Nicopolis where this Greek thinker founded his school of Stoicism.

Contributed by Bea Cińska from  PackYourBags

Novels Set in Greece

Zorba the greek.

The masterpiece, Zorba the Greek is an excellent book about Greece to read before your trip. Nikos Kazantzakisis is thought by many to be the greatest Greek author of the modern age. Although he is most well-known for Zorba, he was a prolific and controversial writer. His book, The Last Temptation of Christ was banned but he was also nominated nine times for a Nobel Prize in literature.

It is one of the best Greece books in large part because of the memorable character Zorba himself. Zorba’s great zest for life and ability to laugh and dance despite, and alongside, his deep suffering is something most of us can reflect on at a very personal level. Zorba is sharply contrasted against the bookish and intellectual narrator. This difference invites exploration of the philosophical dichotomies of God and man, mind and body, and freedom and responsibility.

It is an excellent Greek book to read before a trip because it will provide a window into life in a small village in post WWII Crete (where the author grew up). It will also acquaint you with Kazantzakisis and his impact on Greece’s intellectual and literary history. If you visit Crete, you can stop to pay your respects at his tomb in Heraklion.

Read more about the film, Zorba the Greek and the biopic, Kazantzakis in our article Best Movies to Watch in Greece Before Your Trip.

Best Movies In Greece to Watch Before Your Trip

Captain corelli’s mandolin by louis de bernieres.

Kefalonia in Greece became widely known after the moving novel Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. This beautiful Ionian island provides the perfect setting for battle and romance. When WWII struck, Kefalonia was under Italian rule. But when the Italians switched alliances and joined the Allies against the Axis, the Italian troops stationed on the islands refused to obey German orders to leave. As a result, the Germans slaughtered 5,000 Italian soldiers in retribution, an event that inspired this wonderful novel Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres.

While the love story within the book is fiction, the novel itself is based on true events. The peaceful and remote island of Kefalonia, famed for its incredible beauty and light, is shaken to its core when World War II rolls on to its shores.

This book completely brings out the atmosphere of the era, the Greek idiosyncrasies, and will evoke the smells of pine trees and the ease of island life. It is a story about love and survival, an intimate love story set within massive conflict. It captures the soul of Kefalonia and easily transports you to colourful fishing villages on the edge of turquoise waters like Assos Kefalonia . It is definitely a must read before your next Greek holiday.

Contributed by Nicola at All About RosaLilla

The Island, Victoria Hislop

One of the most poignant fiction books about Greece is The Island, based on the history of a leper settlement in eastern Crete . The book follows the lives of several generations of one family – jumping from the present to the past. The story focuses mostly on the village of Plaka and the nearby island of Spinalonga which was home to a community of lepers during the 20th century.

The Island paints a vivid picture of life in the leper colony as well as life on mainland Crete, covering major events over the last hundred years including the Second World War and the development of medicines to treat leprosy.

This is an excellent book for visitors to eastern Crete – the story depicts Cretan village life, the landscapes and seascapes of Greece in beautiful detail. It is possibly to visit the island of Spinalonga today – easily accessible from resort towns such as Agios Nikolaos and Elounda.

Contributed by Annabel Kirk at Smudged Postcard

The King Must Die by Mary Renault

If you’re taking a trip to Greece, you might hear a lot about Theseus on your travels. He was the mystical king and founder of Athens, as well as a hero in Greek mythology. Mary Renault released the historic fiction novel The King Must Die in 1958 and it was hailed as one of the best historical novels of its time by New York Times critic, Orville Prescott.

It tells the story of Theseus and his adventures, but without the mystical elements – no monsters, paranormal creatures or gods. It’s written in a fictional style, which makes it really easy to digest, but she uses real life events to tell her story. As well as learning about Theseus, you’ll take a literary journey through Athens, Crete and Naxos, as well as other Greek Islands. As you learn more about Theseus, you’ll also learn more about Greek culture and traditions from these tales set in Greece. 

If you find historic non-fiction really dry and hard to read, but you want to learn about one of the most important kings in Greek history, you’ll want to give one of the best books about ancient Greece a try.

Contributed by Louisa Smith of Epic Book Society

Nonfiction Books on Greece

My ikaria by spiri tsintiziras.

Did you know one of the many   reasons to visit Greece   is because it’s home to one of only five “Blue Zones” in the world? These zones have the highest concentration of centenarians and supercentenarians globally – people who are live to be over 100 and even 110, respectively. But what is the secret to their long and happy lives?

Melbourne-based Spiri, fed up with her lack of energy and her daily wife-and-mum routine, realised there had to be a solution for her feeling poorly. Intrigued by the people of   Ikaria , a small Greek island considered one of the five Blue Zones, she takes it upon herself to start changing small daily habits and live more like the   Ikaria ns.

Eventually, the chance arises for Spiri to actually head to Greece and visit the   Ikaria ns for herself. She experiences first hand how much more connected people are to each other, their local cuisine and nature compared to her fast-paced lifestyle in Australia.

This is one of the best Greek travel books to help readers appreciate a different way of living, and to gain a better understanding of Greek culture and a new perspective on life. It also shares some delicious   Yia-Yia   (Greek grandmother) approved recipes and alternatives to modern nutrient-poor snacks!

Contributed by Alyse at The Invisible Tourist

Greek to Me by Marry Norris

Part travel memoir and part reference book, Greek To Me  describes Mary Norris’ love affair with Greece.  This book dives into all things Greek, its origins, words, gods, romances and more. It interestingly captures the beauty and complexity of Greece and its language.

Greek To Me is a brilliant book about the growing interest of the author in Ancient Greek, her travels, experiences with the Greek language and her reflections all described with great insight and humor.  The author also spends time discussing the history and mythology of Greece.

You should read this book before going to Greece if you want to learn interesting facts about the Greek language and how much our culture owes to the Ancient Greeks.  The more you known about Greece before you go, the more you’ll understand it when you’re there.

If you’re a fan of travel memoirs or a language geek, you’ll love this book. After reading Greek To Me, you’ll definitely want to book your flight ticket to Greece!

Camille from Everything Yoga Retreat

The Corfu Trilogy by Gerald Durrell

The Corfu Trilogy is a series of popular books set in Greece, the first of which is My Family and Other Animals. It is set in Corfu, one of the most beautiful  island destinations in Greece . Written in a memoir style, the book is a light-hearted account of the author’s childhood years spent on the island. Gerald Durrell, the author, beautifully weaves together the misadventures of his British family and the vivid details of the natural world. All through the humorous narration, you get a glimpse into the lives of the Durrell family and their interesting Greek friends. The book also takes you through the spellbinding landscape of Corfu – its quaint villages, a scenery of olive trees, busy marketplaces, and dreamy beaches. Some of these you can visit with a private tour. The books were also turned into a tv show, which is quite enjoyable as well. The story will certainly make you long for the idyllic life of Greek villages and inspire you to meet and learn the ways of the island’s locals.

– Contributed by Vidyut Rautela at triplyzer

Perspective: A Greek American Finding His Way in Greece by Peter Manouselis

This book is about a 31-year-old man named Peter who made good money as an investment banker on Wall Street and then unsuccessfully tried his luck as a screenwriter. He decides to leave America and move to his parents’ homeland, Greece, to live with his father on Crete. There he reconnects with his father and his other relatives.

On Crete he embarks on a personal journey, learning a new language and engaging with the new culture. He helps his father harvest grapes and olives, slaughters goats, and now lives a completely different life. The descriptions of the people, the food, and the stunning landscape of Greece are all really beautiful. His observations are often funny but also often emotional experiences, and there is so much adversity in his search for his identity as a Greek American.

The book reads smoothly and in a wonderful way it will show you to the island of Crete. A recommended read if you are looking to embark on a journey to Greece!

Contributed by Martina at  PlacesofJuma

Bucket to Greece by V.D. Bucket

One of the best books about Greece to read before your trip is Bucket to Greece. It’s a fun way to learn more about Greek culture, language, and history through a travelogue that feels more like a comic.

Bucket to Greece is a non-fiction book about a British couple who moved to a small mountain village in Greece. They bought a house from someone who left out a few details about the house and the people around it as he sold it to the couple.

There are currently eleven books in this series. So if you liked the first one, there is plenty more to read. It’s best to read the books in chronological order. Though technically, you would also understand the story if you started with a different book.

Reading the books of Bucket to Greece before your trip will give you some firsthand experience before you’ve even arrived. You will feel like you’ve lived in Greece for months.

Contributed by Lara at The Best Travel Gifts

Greek Cookbooks

My big fat greek cookbook: classic mediterranean soul food recipes, by christos sourligas, evdokia antginas, angelo tsarouchas.

My Big Fat Greek Cookbook is a great book to read before setting off to Greece as it will not only whet your appetite for all of the delicious Greek dishes waiting for you when you get there, but also provide some insight into Greek food culture! This cookbook includes a variety of recipes for Greek appetizers, main courses, and plenty of desserts. As a vegetarian, my personal favorite is the walnut cake.

I highly recommend reading My Big Fat Greek Cookbook, or any authentic Greek cookbook, before your first trip to Greece – because it will enhance your appreciation for all of the yummy food you’ll get to enjoy! It will add context to which of your dishes traditional classics – engrained into the culture – and which are modernly influenced. It will also enable you to know ahead of time which meals you would like to seek out when choosing restaurants so that you don’t miss any classics! Kalí óreksi!

Contributed by Jill Mascioli at onedaytravelguides.com

I hope you have found a book about Greece you can enjoy today! Even if your trip is months or years away, you can enjoy the wonder of Greece right now. Have you read any of these? What did you think of them? What are your top book recommendations for others who are visiting Greece. Tell me in the comments, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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9 thoughts on “The Best Books About Greece to Inspire Your Travels”

So many wonderful books to inspire your Greek holiday.

Wow what a great post! Tons of great recommendations! Thanks for sharing.

Planning a trip to Greece for September! Definitely saving this for getting inspired! thanks for sharing this list!

We do love to read about places before we visit. It is a great way to get a sense of a place before you land. You have provided an interesting collection of books to read about Greece before a visit. I am sure there is something for everyone here! I do like to read novels that provide good information on a place and tell a story too. Some good suggestions to load on my iPad before a return visit to Greece.

Oh, I’d love to read a few of the books on this list. The cookbook sounds interesting too, as I love Greek food, but who doesn’t?

Your list makes me want to sit down and start reading! ……great for travel inspiration!

I’ve read several from this great list already, but I’m adding The King Must Die to my Goodreads list now! That sounds right up my alley.

This is an awesome post! I actually haven’t heard of many of these books, but I was already convinced I need to go to Greece after seeing Mamma Mia, haha. I’ll need to check some of these out – I’d love to learn more about Greek mythology! Thanks for sharing 🙂

These are some incredible suggestions. I will definitely come back to this post when I start planning for Greece but for now, I believe I gotta add Circe by Madeline Miller in my cart stat!

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Love at First Adventure

12 Best Books Set in Greece To Travel Vicariously Through

The links in this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we receive a small commission from anything purchased on Amazon through these links. Thanks in advance for your support for our page!

Looking for the perfect book on Greece to cozy up with? Whether you’re wanting to learn more about Greek culture, searching for the perfect recipe for Greek night, or simply want to read a good mystery set in Greece, there’s certainly a book for you! 

We have gathered some of the best books about Greece. Whatever you’re looking for, each book will surely highlight all this amazing country has to offer. And through reading them, we hope you fall in love with the country even more.  

Keep scrolling for 12 of the best books that are set in the breathtaking and lively country of Greece.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Books About Greece

Get ready for the most tantalizing list of books, novels, and memoirs set in the land of Greece. Here are 12 of our favorites!

1. Eurydice Street: A Place In Athens (2005)

best travel book for greece

Quick snapshot : An  autobiographical memoir of Sofka Zinovieff and her love of Greece and everything she’s learned about Greek culture, and in turn, herself 

When studying in Athens, Greece, Sofka Zinovieff instantly fell in love with the city. Quite fittingly, she returned to Greece — particularly to a house on Eurydice Street — with her Greek husband and two young children. In Eurydice Street: A Place in Athens , the author describes her first year of being an official Athenian in Greece as the wife of a government employee. She goes beyond the surface, into Athens’ history and the Greek way of life, including how Greek holidays are celebrated. Although the book is set in Athens, readers will be pleased that Zinovieff also writes on the Greek islands and language.

2. Honey, Olives, Octopus: Adventures at the Greek Table (2013)

best travel book for greece

Quick snapshot : A memoir of travel literature and cuisine of the Greek culture, by travel writer, poet, and chef, Christopher Bakkan.

Honey, Olives, Octopus: Adventures at the Greek Table is a travel memoir focusing on Greek cuisine. Author Christopher Bakkan breaks down different traditions and history behind the eight key (and might we say delicious) ingredients of Greek cuisine: olives, bread, fish, cheese, beans, meat, wine, and honey. On his journey, he travels around the country to find the most authentic example of each. While doing so, he gives the reader insight into the area and Greek culture. Most notably, we see locals teach him the importance of friendship, healthy eating, and conversation at the dinner table. There are also unique recipes for light meals that you can make for Greek night at your very own taverna — your kitchen!

3. Greek Island Escape (2020)

best travel book for greece

Quick snapshot : A story of two mothers and how they will stop at nothing to find their daughters. Author Patricia Wilson also penned I slands of Secrets and One Summer in Crete

Greek Island Escape shows us how strong a mother’s love really can be while also giving us scenic depictions of Greece. Author Patricia Wilson also digs a bit into the history of Greece and describes two mothers who have suffered brutal treatment, leading to the loss of their daughters. Focusing on Sofia and Zoe, and weaving between past and present, these mothers will do whatever it takes to be reunited with their daughters before time runs out. A tearjerker, for sure!

4. A Thing of Beauty: Travels in Mythical and Modern Greece (2022)

best travel book for greece

Quick snapshot : A travel tale depicting Peter Fiennes’s road trip around Greece, exploring what Greek myths and legends mean to us today while describing their jaw-dropping locations 

We are all familiar with the mythological tales of Greek gods and their feats that mix the historical with the impossible. In a quest to explore these stories and their modern-day relevance lives, author Peter Finnes travels to where the myths began: Greece. In A Thing of Beauty: Travels in Mythical and Modern Greece , Finnes describes each of these locations, ranging from amazing landscapes to “the most beautiful beach in Greece” to cities and small villages. No matter your opinion on mythology, you’ll be itching to book a trip to discover these places for yourself when you put this book down!

5. It’s All Greek To Me: A Tale of a Mad Dog and Englishman, Ruins, Retsina and Real Greeks (2017)

best travel book for greece

Quick snapshot : A semi-fictional memoir of John Mole, who moved to Greece to take on a renovation project that was perhaps more than he bargained for, but filled with laughs, food and drink, and friendship

In It’s All Greek to me: A tale of a Mad Dog and Englishman, Ruins, Retsina, and Real Greeks, author Jon Mole portrays the story of how he moved to the small island of Evia and attempted to build a house. In the book, he wittingly showcases the trials of renovating an old property. At the same time, he describes Greek culture and village life — and just how helpful his neighbors could be — in a way that leaves you both laughing and contemplative.

6. Death in The Aegean (2022)

best travel book for greece

Quick snapshot : A fictional mystery novel set mostly in Crete, where the main character Stafanie winds up charged for crimes she didn’t commit

If you love mysteries and Greece, Death in the Aegean is the pick for you! The first of the Intrepid Traveler Mystery series, Banker Stefanie Adams heads to Greece for much needed vacation. Instead, she becomes the lead suspect in a murder case. To make things worse, when an archeological find goes missing, she’s accused of that, too! With nowhere else to turn, she turns to another traveler by the name of Thomas. Trying to avoid spilling his own secrets, he sets out to help Stefanie find the truth. Besides being a fun and intriguing book, you’ll also learn a bit about Greek history and its treasures. Plus, with the author’s scenic descriptions, you’ll easily imagine you’re right there in Greece, watching the mystery unfold.

7. The Girl Under the Olive Tree (2012)

best travel book for greece

Quick snapshot : This is a historical fiction focusing on an elderly woman who returns to Crete after serving as nurse on there during World War II to face long-buried secrets

The Girl Under the Olive Tree is a historical fiction novel based on Penelope who served as nurse on Crete during World War II. Now in England, Penelope returns to the island for the first time in 60 years with her great niece. The author jumps back and forth between past and present, depicting both the challenges on Crete during the war and the picturesque setting the characters enjoy today. With the help of her niece, she meets with old friends, and is forced to face some painful memories that will ultimately help her move forward in her life.

8. The Summer of My Greek Taverna: A Memoir (2003)

best travel book for greece

Quick snapshot : An autobiographical story of an American pursuing his dreams abroad, plus his favorite Greek recipes 

The Summer of my Greek Taverna: A Memoir is a story about a writer who falls in love with a woman on the island of Patmos — known as the locale where John wrote the book of Revelation — one summer when completing his novel. He ends up staying in Greece for 22 years during which he is more or less swindled by an old friend. Although he thinks he’s entering into a business partnership to run a beach taverna, he’s in for more than he bargained for… The memoir also features yummy Greek recipes including his own rendition of chicken retsina.

9. Traveling with Pomegranates (2010)

best travel book for greece

Quick snapshot : A mother and daughter journey to the sacred places of Greece and France, but discover a lot more than just their travels

Traveling with Pomegranates is an autobiographical book by author Sue Monk Kidd, who is widely known for her novel The Secret Life of Bees, and her daughter Ann. Each woman sets off to find themselves, Sue fretting over her next novel, and Ann wondering what to do with her life. The book switches between perspectives as they explore ancient sites, each woman deeply introspective of her journey. This one you may not read as much for the Greece descriptions as much as the change that happens through travel as well as the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter. Having traveled to Greece with my own mother, I especially love this!

10. A Greek Affair (2018)

best travel book for greece

Quick snapshot : An easy read by Linn B Halton, aka Lucy Coleman, that follows the life of prestigious travel blogger Leah to Greece after rebuilding her life

A Greek Affair follows travel blogger Leah, who has dedicated herself to her career after her husband left her and her young daughter. When offered a press trip in exchange for blog writing, Leah and her daughter Rosie head to Athens. Fortunately for us Greece lovers, she hits the sites, bringing the reader right along with her with vivid descriptions. Although Leah loves her career, she does wonder if there’s something missing in her life when she meets Daniel. Unfortunately, their romance is complicated by their pasts. Overall, it’s a feel-good story and a quick read for any Athens fiend.

11. My Map of You (2017)

best travel book for greece

Quick snapshot : A romantic fiction novel by Isabelle Broom about moving forward to forgiveness and learning to love yourself

After her mother’s death, Holly finds out a long-lost aunt has left her a house on the Greek island of Zakynthos. Uninterested in just about anything these days, Holly reluctantly clears out her aunt’s home. While doing so, she begins to discover family secrets that explain things of the past and help her to contemplate her future. After reading this novel, you’ll be ready to head to Zakynthos as the author describes the island in a way that would inspire anyone.

12. Afternoons in Ithaka (2015)

best travel book for greece

Quick snapshot : A nonfiction memoir about Spiri Tsintziras’ culinary, cultural, and spiritual journey over 30 years

In Afternoons in Ithaka, author Spiri Tsintziras takes us between Australia and Greece over the course of her lifetime. She shares stories and memories of her own which help her come to understand Greek food, culture, music, and language. When recounting her many visits to Greece, she doesn’t really talk much about the scenery or tourism. Rather, she talks a lot about family, which ultimately gives us a different picture of Greece, including how important family is in Greek culture.

We hope that you have enjoyed this list of 12 books, including novels and memoirs, that are set in Greece. Each book is available for purchase on Amazon. (If you need an Amazon Prime account, click here for a one month free trial!) Happy reading!

best travel book for greece

Blogger & Ex-Spanish Teacher

Tristina Oppliger has traveled to 35+ countries on five continents. Having previously lived in Spain, she loves studying foreign languages and cultures. In fact, she has a Master's in Foreign Language Education and is a former Spanish Teacher! Tristina is passionate about living free—remote work, exploring the world, and finding adventure wherever she goes.

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19 Best Books About Greece To Take You There

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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 !

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Table of Contents

19 Fantastic Books About Greece

By Dagney McKinney

Why I Killed My Best Friend by Amanda Michalopoulou book cover with pink background and red circles

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

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell book cover with family having a picnic and water behind them

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

The House On Paradise Street by Sofka Zinovieff book cover with woman in black dress walking down a blue and white alley

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

Deadline in Athens by Petros Markaris book cover with blue coloring and Acropolis

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

Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis book cover with blue background and person straddling a white line

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

Circe by Madeline Miller book cover with orange face

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

Scorpionfish by Natalie Bakopoulos book cover with bust of woman in pink top looking out a blue window

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

The Murderess by Alexandros Papadiamantis book cover with white palm

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

Eleni by Nicholas Gage book cover with picture of woman and boy

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

The Island by Victoria Hislop book cover with white woman with brunette hair face

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

Little Infamies by Panos Karnezis book cover with older man wearing a black hat and legs dancing

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

The King Must Die by Mary Renault book cover with greenish colored statue of person

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

Afternoons in Ithaka by Spiri Tsintziras book cover with sketched food like bread and fish on blue background

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

Uncle Petros and Goldbach’s Conjecture by Apostolos Doxiadis book cover with scroll on desk with window with palm trees and orange building outside

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

Back to Delphi by Ioanna Karystiani book cover with woman dancing

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

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint book cover

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 .

Love & Olives by Jenna Evans Welch book cover with heart inside Greek symbol

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

Elektra by Jennifer Saint book cover with woman's head with red hair and orange background

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:

Best Books Set In Greece and Greek Novels Pinterest Pin with book covers for Ariadne by Jennifer Saint, My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell, Deadline in Athens by Petros Markaris, Scorpionfish by Natalie Bakopoulos, Circe by Madeline Miller, Back to Delphi by Ioanna Karystianiou, The House On Paradise Street by Sofka Zinovieff, and Uncle Petros and Goldbach’s Conjecture by Apostolos Doxiadis with picture of Santorini at sunset with blue-domed white building

Grab some of the best books about Greece here:

Thank you to TUL contributor, Dagney McKinney

Writer Dagney McKinney white female with light brown hair wearing a purple shirt and smiling

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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Writer Dagney McKinney white female with light brown hair wearing a purple shirt and smiling

Dagney McKinney

Dagney (pronouns: any) is a neurodivergent writer and book nerd who is drawn to all things weird and macabre. She also loves anything to do with fast cars, unhinged anti-heroes, and salt. When she isn’t working or reading, you’re likely to find her eating Indian food, playing board games, or hiding out somewhere dark and quiet, stuck down an internet rabbit hole. The easiest way to win her over is through cats and camels.

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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best travel book for greece

Editor's Pick

best travel book for greece

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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.

best travel book for greece

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.

best travel book for greece

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.

best travel book for greece

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

best travel book for greece

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.

best travel book for greece

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.

best travel book for greece

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.

best travel book for greece

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.

best travel book for greece

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6 Compelling Greece Travel Books of All Time

Greece Travel Books

Dreaming of a mesmerizing Mediterranean getaway? Look no further than Greece, one of Europe’s most beloved tourist destinations. Greece offers an unforgettable experience for every traveler. 

Sure, you can scour the internet for information, but that could be overwhelming and time-consuming, not to mention the uncertainty of its reliability. That’s where Greek travel books come to the rescue! 

Flipping through the pages of the best Greek travel books, you’ll find yourself transported to the enchanting white churches with blue domes of Santorini or immersed in the ancient temples and ruins of Athens. 

Before you embark on your Grecian adventure, take a moment to explore our handpicked selection of Greek travel guidebooks. Let us help you make the most of your trip with the best books about Greek travel.

Table of Contents

6 compelling best greece books for every first time traveler, 1. rick steves greece: athens & the peloponnese greek guide.

Rick Steves Greece: Athens & the Peloponnese (The Rick Steves' Greece)

If you’re daydreaming about strolling through ancient ruins in the Mediterranean sun, then Rick Steves’s Greece: Athens & the Peloponnese is your best travel guide for Greece. This comprehensive Greece travel book is your ticket to an immersive and unforgettable experience in this captivating country.

With Rick Steves’s Greece travel books, you’ll unlock the secrets of Greece’s historical wonders, including the iconic Parthenon and the vibrant Agora.

But it doesn’t stop there! Venture off the beaten path and explore the charming small towns and beaches of the Peloponnesian Peninsula, soaking in the rich culture at every turn.

From recommended reading to a handy packing list, Rick Steves’s Greece travel books leave no stone unturned, providing you with over 500 pages of pure wanderlust without weighing down your backpack.

So, seize the opportunity to explore Greece like never before with “Rick Steves Greece: Athens & the Peloponnese.” Let this Rick Steves Greek Islands book be your trusty Greece travel book, making your journey an unforgettable and seamless adventure. 

2. Greece Travel Guide: The Most Up-to-Date Pocket Guide

Amazon

With a seasoned tour guide boasting 24 years of experience, this Greek travel brochure guidebook is the secret weapon you need to make the most of your dream trip to Greece.

From the iconic Acropolis in Athens to the sun-kissed beaches of Santorini and the mystical Meteora Monasteries, Greek travel books offer an abundance of wonders waiting to be discovered. 

But that’s not all – this guide goes above and beyond, revealing 15 tourist blunders to avoid, so you can skip the lines and sidestep common pitfalls. Uncover the 10 most unconventional things to do in Greece to elevate your vacation to extraordinary heights.

And with detailed maps conveniently tucked into this pocket-sized guide, you’ll always have a point of reference to plan your adventure like a seasoned explorer. Plus, equip yourself with essential tips to avoid unpleasant surprises and unnecessary expenses, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free journey.

Ever worried about getting lost in translation? Fear not, as this best Greece travel book includes frequently used phrases to comfortably ask locals for directions and immerse yourself fully in the Land of Gods.

3. DK Eyewitness Top 10 Greek Islands (Pocket Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness Top 10 Greek Islands (Pocket Travel Guide)

Search no further than “DK Eyewitness Top 10 Greek Islands (Pocket Travel Guide)” to make the most of your island-hopping adventure!

This is one of the best Greece Travel books with easy-to-follow lists of the top 10 must-see spots, including the historic Temple of Aphaia and the picturesque Corfu Old Town, ensuring you won’t miss out on any of the island’s delights.

Get ready for honest recommendations on the best areas for shopping, dining out, and sightseeing, as well as practical tips to stay safe and get around like a pro. 

And let’s not forget the convenience of detailed maps, including a laminated pull-out map of the Greek Islands, and seven full-color area maps, ensuring you never lose your way in this stunning island paradise.

From ancient history to breathtaking landscapes, “DK Eyewitness Top 10 Greek Islands” covers it all. So, pack your bags, grab your favorite Greek travel guides, and get ready for the trip of a lifetime filled with unforgettable moments in the enchanting Greek Islands. 

best travel book for greece

4. Moon Greek Islands & Athens: Timeless Villages, Scenic Hikes, Local Flavors (Travel Guide)

Moon Greek Islands & Athens: Timeless Villages, Scenic Hikes, Local Flavors (Travel Guide)

The “Moon Greek Islands & Athens: Timeless Villages, Scenic Hikes, Local Flavors.” is your ticket to soak up the sun, dance till dawn, and uncover the rich history and breathtaking beauty of Greece.

With strategic itineraries for every timeline, budget, and preference, you can choose the perfect islands to suit your wanderlust.

Whether you crave lazy days on pristine beaches, immersing in ancient villages, exploring the great outdoors, or island-hopping for a taste of everything, these Greek travel books have got you covered.

From the iconic Santorini to the lively Mykonos, and the hidden gems like Karpathos and Lefkada, its Greek travel pages take you on an unforgettable journey through Athens and 18 Greek islands.

Capture the picture-perfect blue and white architecture of Oia, take a boat to Apollo and Artemis’ birthplace, or hike through lush forests to discover mesmerizing waterfalls in Samothrace.

With the insightful tips from Athens local Sarah Souli, you can experience Greece like a true insider, supporting local businesses and avoiding over-tourism.

Complete with full-color photos and detailed maps, this guide provides all the background information you need on Greece’s landscape, history, and cultural customs. 

5. Frommer’s Athens and the Greek Islands (Complete Guide)

Frommer's Athens and the Greek Islands (Complete Guide)

Planning an epic adventure to Greece for pristine beaches, archaeological wonders, and island hopping? With Frommer’s, you’ll never fall into a tourist trap; consider us your insiders, spilling the beans on all the places locals love most. 

These Greek travel books are tailor-made for beach lovers, history buffs, and those seeking the vibrant vibes of Athens.

Discover rewarding day trips from the capital city before setting off to explore the most beautiful Greek islands, including the charming Cyclades, the historical Dodecanese, and the enchanting Ionian Islands.

Get ready for insider advice on the best historic sites, scenic drives, and activities to make your trip truly dazzling.

No more guessing game with prices; we provide exact pricing for hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more, so you can plan your budget with ease. And rest assured, every listing in this book is based on journalistic reporting, not paid advertising. 

With large, easy-to-read fonts and thin paper, our guide remains light and portable while offering helpful planning tips to get the most from your journey. From getting there to getting around, saving money, and experiencing Greece to the fullest, this Greek book has it all. 

6. Lonely Planet Greek Islands 12 (Best Greece Travel Books)

Lonely Planet Greek Islands 12 (Travel Guide)

With Lonely Planet as your trusted Greece travel book, you’ll uncover the most relevant and up-to-date advice on what to see, skip, and discover hidden gems. From

meandering through the charming alleys of Rhodes’ Old Town to venturing into the hollow caldera of Nisyros Volcano, and indulging in delectable fresh seafood and tangy cheese on Crete, every experience is covered.

Worried about post-2020 travel? Fear not! All featured businesses were rechecked to ensure they are still open after the COVID-19 outbreak.

The best Greek travel books mesmerize readers with a visually captivating collection of the Greek Island’s best experiences and handy planning tools for family travelers. Its pull-out, passport-size ‘Just Landed’ card provides essential info like Wi-Fi, ATM, and transport details.

Featuring color maps and images throughout, as well as insider tips to save time and money, this guide has you covered for every step of your journey.

From essential information at your fingertips to honest reviews on eating, sleeping, sightseeing, and hidden gems, you’ll have all the tools to make the most of your adventure.

So, pack your bags, grab Lonely Planet Greek Island Books, and get ready for a journey filled with unforgettable moments, authentic experiences, and the magic of Greece’s stunning islands. 

best travel book for greece

Our Final Words

Greece travel books are the ultimate companions for anyone seeking to embark on an unforgettable journey to this captivating Mediterranean paradise.

These travel books on Greek travel offer an abundance of valuable insights, from the must-see historic sites and breathtaking landscapes to the hidden gems known only to the locals. 

With up-to-date information, insider tips, and detailed maps, they ensure a seamless and enriching travel experience.

From exploring the ancient wonders of Athens to hopping between picturesque Greek islands, these books on Greek travel become your trusted allies, helping you make the most of every moment.

Now, pack your bags, arm yourself with the knowledge within these Greek travel books, and get ready for a journey that will leave you with cherished memories to last a lifetime. 

Expert World Travel

Best Books On Greece

Looking for the best books on Greece? We’ve got you covered with this detailed guide to all the best books about Greece you could possibly read!

We’ve covered everything, from fiction novels that are set in Greece, to popular travel guides and detailed accounts of Greek history and mythology. Whether you’re in the mood for some light reading, or you want to read a book that will prepare you for an upcoming trip to Greece, you’ll find all the best books on Greece below!

Top Product Overview

Top products, best books on ancient greece, national geographic the greeks: an illustrated history.

National Geographic The Greeks: An Illustrated History

This detailed account of Greek history by Diane Harris Cline is one of the best – and prettiest – books you can read on the history of Greece. It covers everything from the rise and fall of the Greek Empire to a detailed account of how the influence of Ancient Greece is still noticeable in our day and age.

Although this book is very detailed and comprehensive, it’s still very enjoyable and reads easily. That’s partly due to all the illustrations and photographs that make all the stories come to life!

Creators, Conquerors, and Citizens: A History of Ancient Greece

Creators, Conquerors, and Citizens: A History of Ancient Greece

Robin Waterfield manages to tell the story of 700 years of Greek history in this book while keeping the reader captivated the entire time. The author has somehow managed to include everything, from the first emergence of the Greeks to the final conquest of the last remaining Greco-Macedonian kingdom.

It’s fascinating that such a comprehensive story is told in less than 550 pages, especially since all the different periods of Ancient Greece’s history are covered equally. If you want to understand how the Greek Empire rose to prominence and what eventually caused its downfall, this is by far the best book to read!

A Brief History of Ancient Greece: Politics, Society, and Culture

A Brief History of Ancient Greece: Politics, Society, and Culture

A Brief History of Ancient Greece is a detailed study of Greek history written by the world’s six leading experts on the subject. The book explores the history of Greece from the Bronze Age to the Roman period, with a detailed account of all social, cultural, economic, and political happenings during the different periods in Greek history.

It’s the best and most comprehensive account of the history of Ancient Greece, and the perfect book for everyone who truly wants a masterclass in Greek history.

The Odyssey

Odyssey is one of the two epic poems associated with Homer, and a must-read for anyone who is trying to learn as much about Ancient Greece as possible. It’s a book about Ancient Greece, written during Ancient Greece, by an ancient Greek author and poet! The epic poem is divided into 24 books, and it follows Odysseus, a Greek hero, on his journey back home after the Trojan War.

The War lasted for ten years, and it took Odysseus about the same amount of time to return home. During this journey, Odysseus encounters many perils, all his crewmates get killed, he is presumed dead, and a plethora of other things happen.

The Rise of Athens: The Story of the World's Greatest Civilization

The Rise of Athens: The Story of the World's Greatest Civilization

The Rise of Athens by Anthony Everitt is a fascinating recount of the history of Athens. Although we don’t know as many details about the history of Athens as we do about some other famous world empires, Everitt does a spectacular job of explaining the key events and people in the city-state’s history.

This book is an excellent blend of great narrative and historical analyses, telling stories about famous Athenians and the culture and politics of the city-state, but also exploring what life in the city was like.

Although the focus of the book is the history of Athens, it’s much more wide-ranging than the title suggests, and a worthy read for those yearning to know more about Ancient Greece!

Best Books On Greek Mythology

Greek mythology: a concise guide to ancient gods, heroes, beliefs and myths of greek mythology.

Greek Mythology: A Concise Guide to Ancient Gods, Heroes, Beliefs and Myths of Greek Mythology (Greek Mythology - Norse Mythology - Egyptian Mythology - Celtic Mythology)

If you’re looking for a broad overview of Greek mythology, this is by far the best book to read . It doesn’t go into too much detail about the monsters and deities of Greek mythology, but instead, it tells the story of the creation of the world as it is imagined in Greek mythology.

The book covers the creation of the universe, the Greek gods, the Trojan War, and all its heroes, as well as all the other basics one should know about Greek mythology.

Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

This account of Greek mythology by Donna Napoli is the best book on Greek myths for children. It focuses on the various gods and goddesses, as well as the monsters and heroes that are most popular in Greek mythology. Although the book is primarily written for children, the stunning illustrations and immaculate writing make it very enjoyable for adults as well!

D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths

D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths

If you ever read a book on Greek mythology when you were a child, chances are that it was this exact book. Originally published in 1992, D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths remains one of the best accounts of Greek mythology that were ever written for children. It’s a bit out of date when it comes to certain references and the way some stories are told, but that’s something only adults would notice.

If you’re looking for the best book to get your child acquainted with Zeus, Persephone, Icarus, and all the other figures from Greek mythology, D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths remains one of the best books that were ever written on the subject.

Mythos: (Ancient Greek Mythology Book for Adults, Modern Telling of Classical Greek Myths Book)

Mythos: (Ancient Greek Mythology Book for Adults, Modern Telling of Classical Greek Myths Book) (Stephen Fry's Greek Myths, 1)

Mythos by Stephen Fry is a modern account of classic Greek myths. It’s a book written for adults, and it offers a fresh perspective on ancient Greek myths that we’ve been familiar with for centuries. It’s an amazing book for people who want to get into Greek mythology but can’t really relate to it.

Stephen Fry compares Cronus to Hamlet, even managing to throw in a casual Morrissey reference, in a spectacular effort to really help the reader better understand the ancient myths and find them more relatable.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Percy Jackson and the Olympians 5 Book Paperback Boxed Set (w/poster) (Percy Jackson & the Olympians)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a series of five novels by Rick Riordan. It’s the perfect series to gift to teenagers, young adults, and even grown adults who are even remotely interested in Greek mythology. The fictional series follows Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon, and his many demigod friends as they go on various quests in an attempt to save the Olympians.

The book has a little bit of everything in it, including Greek history, mythology, as well as fascinating characters that make the reader care about them in the first few pages!

Best Greece Travel Books

Greece: travel book on greece (wanderlust).

Greece: Travel Book on Greece (Wanderlust)

This travel book on Greece by Elyse Booth is the best to pick up if all you want is a book full of photos of picturesque Greek scenery. The photographs in the book are mostly from Santorini and Athens, making Booth’s book perfect for anyone who is planning a trip to one of the two popular destinations in Greece.

Pick up this book on Greece if you want to get acquainted with some of the country’s famous landmarks and landscapes but skip it if you’re more into reading than flipping photos!

Lonely Planet Greece

Lonely Planet Greece 14 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet’s travel guide to Greece is essential for anyone who is planning a trip to the Mediterranean country. The guide contains all the information you could possibly need for traveling Greece, from ATM and WiFi info to help you get settled, to colored maps and lists of best accommodations in the different cities.

Lonely Planet’s guide to Greece covers pretty much all the major regions, with detailed information on the best places to stay, highlights in every region, as well as personalized itineraries for everyone!

Best-Kept Secrets of The Greek Islands

Best-Kept Secrets of The Greek Islands

There are six island groups in Greece, and this travel guide covers them all, with photographs and key information on all the main islands in Greece. The guide by Diana Farr Louis features some of Greece’s most beautiful scenery, best-known vacation destinations, and popular landmarks that are situated on the country’s many islands.

From the best landscapes of Zakynthos to the most picturesque villages of Rhodes, this book is perfect for anyone who wants to get more acquainted with the different Greek islands.

Rick Steves Greece: Athens & the Peloponnese

Rick Steves Greece: Athens & the Peloponnese

This Greece travel guide by Rick Steves is a great read for anyone who is planning a longer trip to Greece. It covers all the top sights in Athens and the Peloponnese, from iconic landmarks like the Parthenon to the best-secluded beaches in the Peloponnesian Peninsula.

The guide also includes a list of the best restaurants, bars, and accommodation options in the area, as well as itineraries and suggestions for self-guided walking tours of popular museums and neighborhoods. It’s one of the most comprehensive travel guides for Athens and the Peloponnesian Peninsula, and a necessity for anyone traveling to the region!

A Guide to Biblical Sites in Greece and Turkey

A Guide to Biblical Sites in Greece and Turkey

Clyde E. Fant’s guide to Greece is rather unique as it focuses on all the Biblical sites that are located in Greece and Turkey. It’s a niche type of travel guide, and if this is something you are interested in, it’s the best guide on the subject you can pick up. In case you’re not specifically looking for a guide on all the biblical sites in Greece, skip this book and pick up one of the others instead.

Best Books Set In Greece

Eleni

Eleni by Nicholas Gage is an exceptional story of a man’s quest for the truth. It’s set in Greece, and it is based on a true story. The author’s mother had been kidnapped, tortured, and murdered in mid-20 th -century Greece, and Gage attempted to uncover who exactly was behind the gruesome task.

The event that the book is centered around is the main reason why Nicholas Gage became an investigative reporter, and one of the best ones in the business at that. If this was fiction, it would have been a brilliant read. But since it’s more of a faction, the novel is more harrowing than fascinating, but a page-turner, nonetheless.

Zorba the Greek

Zorba the Greek

Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis is thought to be one of the best modern Greek novels of our day and age. On the surface, it’s a story of a friendship between a mine owner and his foreman.

Kazantzakis uses this narrative to explore the battle between the material and spiritual worlds, delving even into the story of God and man, the Saints and the Devil, as well as the struggles of finding one’s purpose in life. It’s a captivating read and a must for anyone who is looking to read some of the best and most famous novels with stories that take place in Greece.

The Island

The Island by Victoria Hislop is a historical novel set in Crete during World War II . It tells the story of Alexios, a woman of 25 years who travels to Plaka, trying to learn more about her family’s past. Arriving at the small village in Crete, she discovers that the village faces Spinalonga, an islet that used to be home to a Greek leper colony.

The novel sheds light on the conditions of Europe’s leper colonies, all the while telling the story of Alexios’ emotional discoveries of her family’s past.

The Corfu Trilogy

Corfu Trilogy

The Corfu Trilogy is a series of memoirs by author Gerald Durrell . They’re autobiographical novels for the most part, but some stories in the books are fictionalized for story-telling purposes. The first book, My Family & Other Animals, follows a young Gerald during his move to a new country.

The books tell the story of the family’s struggles to adapt to a completely new life in Greece, as well as the boy’s discovery of the wonderful people, culture, animals, and flora of Corfu.

The Magus

The Magus by John Fowles is a metafictional novel set in Greece that has received widespread critical acclaim. It tells the story of Nicholas, a young man who graduates from Oxford and moves to remote Greek Island to be an English teacher.

It doesn’t take too long for him to become disillusioned and bored with his life, but then he meets a wealthy and mysterious Greek man, and that’s when the fun begins. It’s not a very easy novel to read, and the many twists and turns might leave you feeling like you’re not entirely sure what even happened in the book, but that’s exactly what makes The Magus deserving of a spot on this list!

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The 6 Best Books to Read Before Going to Greece

I love reading the literature of a place before arriving. It helps ground the idea of a place in reality, and gives an outline of a plan in your mind. And when I miss the places I love, because it’s not possible to be in all of them at once, I just pull out a book about Greece.

I highly recommend traveling (from your couch or while on the plane) via these books to read before traveling to Greece . 

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Mythos by Stephen Fry

best travel book for greece

If you’re looking to understand modern Greece, having a basic familiarity with the Ancient Greek myths is a must. It brings a whole new depth to everything you see and everyone you meet (like a cat named Aphrodite or the guy fixing your phone named Leonidas) while you’re visiting Greece.

Stephen Fry is a hilarious comedian, gifted writer, and also extremely knowledgable about the Ancient Greek world. His book Mythos dives into the major players of the Greek myths at a level that’s engaging enough for teenagers but also sophisticated and well-written for adult readers. It can even be a great beach read – one the best books on Greece that’s both fun and informative. Buy it on Amazon .

If you love Mythos, you’ll also love his other books set in Greece about the ancient myths. Troy is a wonderful telling of the tales about that great way (including but not limited to the Iliad), and Heroes gets into the wide range of Greek heroes like Perseus, Heracles, Jason, and more.

The Colossus of Maroussi by Henry Miller

best travel book for greece

This is the book on Greece that provided the inspiration for my first visit. I dove into a dog-eared library copy sitting by my grandmother’s pool on Long Island just a few weeks before I left for my year of travel . And once I’d finished it, I was completely obsessed with the idea of going to Greece for the first time. 

Miller took a year-long vacation to Greece just before the Second World War broke out, and his deep love for the country and the people comes out in every long and winding sentence. This is one of the wildest books on Greece—it’s a ride!

Come for the descriptions of debauched nights with the wild poet George Katsimbalis, stay for the tiny details of Greek life that still exist today. His thirst for life is perfectly matched by the landscape and people of Greece he encounters.  Buy it on Amazon .

The Mani by Patrick Leigh Fermor

best travel book for greece

A long and completely transporting read of travels through a remote peninsula of Greece after the Second World War. Ritual funeral poems sung over graves by keening black-garbed women, 9 am carafes of wine shared with a huddle of elderly men in a tiny town square, stone towers jutting out of the hard rock of the landscape as relics of long-nourished feuds – this book has the feel of a lost world.

Plus it has a good dose of Greek history to get you up to date on all the key names of Greek independence and the beautiful strange history of the painted ikons of the Orthodox churches. 

Leigh Fermor was a decorated and celebrated British war hero who had a life full of wild adventures – walking across Europe to Constantinople as an 18-year-old and falling in love with a Romanian princess along the way, masterminding a plan to kidnap a Nazi general in Crete during WWII, and much more (a BBC journalist once described him as “a cross between Indiana Jones, James Bond, and Graham Greene”).

He fell deeply in love with Greece and made a remote corner of the Mani home for much of his life. His home in Kardamyli is now a museum – and it’s rather a writer’s rite of passage to swim in the cove where he swam daily (adding that to my list of things to do in Greece).  Buy it on Amazon .

The Odyssey by Homer

best travel book for greece

I fell in love with this new translation of the classic travel narrative by Emily Wilson on my first visit to Greece, reading it while lying in the cool air of my tiny hotel under the hot Santorini sun .

One of the few translations of the epic poem by a woman, she brings a new and critical eye to the story and also a fresh approach to the language, getting close to the punchiness of Homer’s original language. He was an oral storyteller, not a high-society bard (well, we think! We know very little). The beauty of the language makes this one of the best Greek classics.

And her take on Odysseus is fascinating—Wilson brings a compassionate side to his travails and the struggle of adapting from a soldier’s life to a domestic one. It’s an ancient story, but like all the best ancient stories, it’s also just a tale of eternal human troubles, concerns, and joys. Buy it on Amazon .  

Outline by Rachel Cusk

best travel book for greece

This book was my introduction to the passive cool and interior beauty of Cusk’s writing, the first part in a trilogy of novels. Set in Athens , it has very little conventional narrative – it’s more stories within stories as the people around the sometimes nearly invisible narrator who is a novelist.

It has a few hallmarks of Greek vacation fantasies – a seat on the plane next to a billionaire who takes her sailing on his yacht, for one – but this isn’t a traditional novel at all, unlike many Greece books. 

It’s difficult to describe, but the incredible writing and her wonderful, canny sense of humor make it a must-read if you haven’t read her before. Her words in their sharp and surprising beauty often remind me of the peculiar light of Greece—hazy and clarifying all at once. (She’s also got a spot in my books about Italy list . If you love it, dive into the hilarious The Country Life before a visit to England too.) Buy it on Amazon .

Circe by Madeline Miller

best travel book for greece

A book by a teacher of Latin and Greek could seem like a pretty dull idea, but Madeline Miller brings her deep knowledge of the Ancient Greek world and a gift for language to her second book—one of the best Greek books about mythology. 

I started it because I love a witch, a woman who doesn’t do what she’s told is always a threat, even today, and an endless source of fascination for my rebel soul. And it’s an eternal tale of that, and what it’s like to be an outsider to your culture too. Her other Greek mythology novels (about Achilles and one coming soon about Persephone) are fabulous as well.

What does it mean for your sense of compassion and justice and beauty when you live forever? Miller doesn’t paint a pretty picture of the Ancient Greek gods and goddesses—which is accurate when you truly read the stories. They live in a cruel and beautiful world, not all that different from ours.  Buy it on Amazon.

Greek to Me by Mary Norris

best travel book for greece

Last but not least, this book about Greece might be where I met my literary and life soulmate. Mary Norris is the famous Comma Queen of the New Yorker, manning the copy desk there for years with precision and humor.

And then after years of a lovely but conventional life, she gets a wild idea—she wants to learn Ancient Greek. Who does that?! (Only the very coolest of people .) This leads her on a visit to Greece, and an obsession with the country and both the ancient and modern language. 

The things she loves about Greece—the people, the food, the language, the sky, and the men—are my loves too. Sometimes great books take you outside of yourself, and sometimes they reflect you back to yourself. This book, for me, is the latter. Read it and enjoy it deeply—it’s fun, it’s deeply knowledgable, and it’s kind of perfect. Buy it on Amazon .

Best books about Greece

For such a small country, Greece has produced an enormous amount of talented writers, poets, and philosophers. By reading one (or a few) of these books to read before visiting Greece, you’ll have an even better feel for the people, the culture, and the very ancient history of my favorite country (which I now call home!).

More Greece travel resources

Getting ready to visit Greece? Great choice! Here’s what you need to plan your perfect trip (aside from the best books on Greece).

  • What You Need to Know Before Going to Greece
  • How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Greece
  • 3 Days in Athens, Greece
  • Digital Nomad Life in Athens
  • Greece for Solo Female Travelers
  • The Best Time to Visit Greece
And don’t miss: My Favorite Books About Travel

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2 thoughts on “The 6 Best Books to Read Before Going to Greece”

Have you read Jane Cochrane’s ‘Odysseus’ Island’?

Oh I have not but I’ll add it to my reading list, thanks for the rec!

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A Well-Read Wanderer

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:

best travel book for greece

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 novels set in greece books set in greece

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 contemporary fiction recommendations

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. 

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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 tom holt historical fiction set in greece

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 books set in greece books by greek writers

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. 

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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.

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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

Mythos: (Ancient Greek Mythology Book for Adults, Modern Telling of Classical Greek Myths Book) (Stephen Fry's Greek Myths, 1)

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 jennifer saint greek mythology retellings books set in greece

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 haynes books set in greece mythology retellings

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.

best travel book for greece

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

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.

things can only get feta non fiction set in greece

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.

best travel book for greece

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?

Don’t forget to pin this post for later, and find me on Instagram !

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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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7 Best Travel Books About Greece

Greece travel books

“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!

Greece travel books - greece korina miller

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 !

greece travel books - scorpionfish

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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yachts in Kalimi bay, Corfu, Greece.

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

An ancient Roman mosaic of Odysseus on his ship

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

Cover of Mary Renault’s The King Must Die

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

Penélope Cruz as Pelagia in the 2001 film of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.

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

cover of 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

Milo Parker as ‘Gerry’ Durrell, with Keeley Hawes

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

cover of Uncle Petros and Goldbach’s Conjecture

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

Hills and olive groves in south-west Crete.

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

Cover of Lawrence Durrell’s The Dark Labyrinth

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

Fishing boats on clear water at Gerolimenas, on the Mani peninsula.

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

cover of atticus the storyteller’s 100 Greek myths

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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The Best Books about Greece

Greece › Books about Greece by Santorini Dave • Updated: November 1, 2023

On This Page

  • General Greece
  • Set in Greece
  • Greek History
  • Greek Mythology
  • Greek Language
  • Greek Cookbooks
  • Greece for Kids

The Best Books on Greece

The best books on Greece, Athens, Santorini, and the Greek Islands.

Some of my favorite books on Greece, Greek history, cooking, and culture. Greece: Biography of a Modern Nation (bottom right) is the best single-volume history of modern Greece and a great place to start for first-time visitors.

1. Greece: Biography of a Modern Nation – Roderick Beaton 2. The Rise of Athens: The Story of the World’s Greatest Civilization – Anthony Everitt 3. Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen – Mary Norris 4. Eleni – Nicholas Gage 5. The Odyssey – Homer 6. Zorba the Greek – Nikos Kazantzakis 7. The Colossus of Maroussi – Henry Miller 8. Santorini: Portrait of a Vanished Era – Robert A. McCabe and Margarita Pournara 9. Santorini: Volcano, Natural History, Mythology – Walter L Friedrich 10. My Greek Table: Authentic Flavors and Modern Home Cooking from My Kitchen to Yours – Diane Kochilas 11. Modern Greek Cooking: 100 Recipes for Meze, Entrées, and Desserts – Pano Karatassos and Jane Sigal 12. World Food Greece – Susanna Tee

Postwar: A History of Europe since 1945 – Tony Judt – The best single volume history of modern Europe. Has substantial content on Greece during World War II and after.

The Best Books Set in Greece

Eleni – Nicholas Gage A haunting and inspirational true story in which a New York Times investigative reporter returns to his northern Greek homeland to unravel the mystery of his mother, a heroic woman who struggled to ensure her children’s survival and escape from the violence of the Greek Civil War. Non-fiction that reads like a novel. Zorba the Greek – Nikos Kazantzakis An introverted and bookish narrator moves to Crete in the early 20th century to work on an abandoned lignite mine, and is soon accompanied by a lusty and larger-than-life Greek working man who eventually transforms his way of thinking and of experiencing the world. The Colossus of Maroussi – Henry Miller In this seminal work of travel writing, the famous author and his friend Lawrence Durrell (see Prospero’s Cell , below) explore the Grecian countryside, Corfu, and Crete just before World War II. Henry Miller has said that of all his books, this is his favorite. Corelli’s Mandolin: A Novel – Louis de Bernieres Sweeping and beautifully-written historical romance in which a young woman on the Greek island of Cephallonia is torn between two love interests amid the island’s Italian occupation during World War II. The Durrells of Corfu – Michael Haag For fans of the BBC series “ The Durrells in Corfu ” or the writings of Gerald and Larwence Durrell, this book chronicles the real-life story of the Durrell family. Included are details of their lives before and after living in Corfu, and lives of the characters that feature prominently during their lives on the island. The Corfu Trilogy – Gerald Durrell Charming series of memoirs ( My Family and Other Animals , Birds, Beasts, and Relatives , and Garden of the Gods ) that explores a young boy’s move (along with his quirky family, including his older brother Lawrence, whose Prospero’s Cell also features on this list) from Britain to Greece in the 1930s, and his discovery of the wonders of Corfu’s flora, fauna, people, and culture. Recently adapted as an award-wining television series by BBC Masterpiece. The Island – Victoria Hislop Historical novel set in a Greek seaside village in World War II. A 25 year-old British woman travels to Crete to untangle the secrets of her mother’s homeland and the former leper colony that haunts her family’s history. Little Infamies: Stories – Panos Karnezis Series of intersecting short stories featuring the disparate and colorful characters who live in a small, unnamed Greek village. Inventive, darkly funny, and lyrically-written. Mani: Travels in the Southern Peloponnese – Patrick Leigh Fermor A travel-writing adventurer, described by some as “a cross between Indiana Jones, James Bond, and Graham Greene,” explores the rugged southernmost tip of the Peloponnese peninsula. Alongside beautiful and florid descriptions of the country (a dictionary is sometimes required) are exerpts on Byzantine history, Greek culture and religion, and more. Companion piece to Roumeli , which chronicles the author’s journey through northern Greece, including the phenomenal Meteora monasteries. North of Ithaka – Eleni Gage The granddaughter of the heroic woman described in the book Eleni (see above) travels to her ancestral Greek village to rebuild her grandparents’ home. Prospero’s Cell: Guide to the Landscape and Manners of the Island of Corfu – Lawrence Durrell Eloquent and beautifully-written, this book of travel essays is compiled from the author’s 1935-1939 diary entries, during his time spent living on the island of Corfu. Musings on philosophy and Greek culture are found alongside evocative descriptions and day-to-day adventures with Durrell’s wife, Nancy, and his family. (Lawrence Durrell is the older brother of Gerald Durrell, whose Corfu Trilogy also features on this list.) Scorpionfish – Natalie Bakopoulos A Greek-American woman moves back to her family’s home in Greece after the tragic death of her parents, renews connections with old friends, and is inspired by new neighbors and the surrounding city. Very evocative of the modern-day city and culture of Athens.

The Best Books on Greek History and Culture

The Rise of Athens: The Story of the World’s Greatest Civilization – Anthony Everitt Entertaining overview of Athens’ rise as a city-state to a civilization between about 650 and 350 BCE. Highlights include discussion of the Pelopponesian War and the lives of famous Athenians (Themistocles, Pericles, Sophocles, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and more). Greece: Biography of a Modern Nation – Roderick Beaton This comprehensive survey of modern Greek history, culture, politics, and language is an excellent and well-balanced introduction to the formation and evolution of modern Greece. Santorini: Volcano, Natural History, Mythology – Walter L Friedrich Excellent overview of Santorini’s history that explores the island’s unique geology and its popular, cultural, and mythological histories. A great text for learning more about Santorini before embarking on a trip or after returning. Santorini: Portrait of a Vanished Era – Robert A. McCabe and Margarita Pournara Gorgeous black-and-white photography of the scenery, structures, and people from 1950s-60’s era Santorini, before the island was overrun with cruise ship tourists. The Odyssey – Homer A cornerstone of Greek history and literature, and perhaps of literature in general. Wonderfully-translated epic lyric poem that blends history and mythology in its retelling of Odysseus’ 10-year journey home from the Trojan War. 1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed – Eric Cline A compelling chronicle of the Late Bronze Age systems collapse that vanquished the sophisticated civilizations of the Minoans, Myceneans, Trojans, and and others; ushering in the era that is now known as the First Dark Ages. Ancient Greece: From Prehistoric to Hellenistic Times – Thomas R. Martin An approachable overview of ancient Greek political, military, social, and cultural history from the stone age to the fourth century B.C. The Greek Way – Edith Hamilton The author of the classic text Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes explores the culture and aesthetics of ancient Greece. The Iliad – Homer Epic lyric poem that recounts the Trojan War. This version features an excellent introduction, and each chapter begins with a synopsis in plain English. The Life of Greece (The Story of Civilization #2) – Will Durant This second volume in an eleven-book series that tracks human civilization from ancient China to the early 19th century concentrates on Greece’s contribution to the evolution of modern human civilization, culture, and politics. Minoans: A Captivating Guide to an Essential Bronze Age Society in Ancient Greece Called the Minoan Civilization – Captivating History A rough overview of the basics of Minoan civilization on the Aegean Greek islands. Likely won’t satisfy real history buffs, but makes a good primer before a trip to Crete. The Mycenaeans: A Captivating Guide to the First Advanced Civilization in Ancient Greece – Captivating History The title about says it all here. A quick-and-dirty review of the ancient Mycenaean people, culture, politics, and mythology in mainland Greece. National Geographic The Greeks: An Illustrated History – Diane Harris Cline Exhaustive and well-written overview of Greek history and culture, from ancient times to modern day. Chock-full of great photos, illustrations, and maps.

The Best Books about Greek Mythology

Circe – Madeline Miller The author of Song of Achilles returns to tell the suspenseful tale of Circe, misunderstood witch and banished goddess. New York Times bestseller. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes – Edith Hamilton Classic and perennially best-selling collection of stories from Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology. The 75th Anniversary edition includes beautiful color illustrations. Song of Achilles – Madeline Miller This New York Times’ bestselling novel retells the classic legend of Achilles and the Trojan War from the perspective of Patroclus, Achilles’ steadfast companion and soulmate. Captivating and beautifully-written. Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters – Donna Jo Napoli (National Geographic) Beautifully-illustrated and approachable, this book introduces 25 characters from classic Greek Mythology. A great reference or introduction to mythology for kids, the family tree and “cast of characters” page is especially helpful.

The Best Books on Greek Language

Greek to Me – Mary Norris Grecophile and New Yorker editor Mary Norris explores her love of all things Greek – and especially the Greek language. Charming and cheeky. Get Your Greek On!: Basic Greek in Two Weeks – Peter Schultz A good beginners’ guide to common words, phrases, and grammar in Modern Greek. It is not transliterated; in this book, Greek words are written in the Greek alphabet, rather than the English alphabet. GREEK a language map – Kristine K. Kershul A small, light, easy-to-pack list of common words and phrases that a visitor might need to use on a trip to Greece. In this guide, Greek words are written using the English alphabet. Learn to Read Greek in 5 Days – Georgios Papadakis (intro to Greek alphabet) A well-written introduction to the Greek Alphabet, useful for those who want to be able to read Greek, not just speak it.

The Best Greek Cookbooks

My Greek Table: Authentic Flavors and Modern Home Cooking from My Kitchen to Yours – Diane Kochilas A great companion to the author’s PBS cooking series of the same name, but a well-worthy cookbook in its own right. Excellent, easy to follow recipes for Greek and Mediterranean staples. Modern Greek Cooking: 100 Recipes for Meze, Entrées, and Desserts – Pano Karatassos and Jane Sigal Modern interpretations of classic Greek cuisine, from the renowned chef at Atlanta’s Kyma restaurant. Includes excellent photography and guide to Greek wine pairings. World Food Greece – Susanna Tee Great introduction to traditional Greek cuisine, including a history of Greek culture. Good step-by-step instructions, useful tips, and handy recipe variations.

The Best Books about Greece for Kids

DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient Greece – Anne Pearson Loaded with photos, illustrations, and maps, this is an excellent overview to get kids interested in Ancient Greek culture and civilazation. Greek Gods and Goddesses Coloring Book – John Green A good way for older kids to pass the time on the plane and learn about Greek mythology at the same time. (Some of the content might be too advanced for early elementary-aged readers.) Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series – Rick Riordan A modern children’s book phenomenon that’s second only to Harry Potter in its frenzied fandom, this series follows a young boy’s exciting adventures with the gods and monsters of Greek mythology. See also Riordan’s sequel series, The Heroes of Olympus . Ready, Set, OPA! (Young World Travelers) – Demetra Tsavaris-Lecourezos With the help of a magical crystal globe, the reader travels through Greece and experiences its history and culture through a child’s eyes. This is Greece – Miroslav Sasek Classic picture book that introduces children to Ancient and modern Greece, with fascinating facts and colorful illustrations of the country’s iconic scenes and landmarks. Written in the 1960’s, but recently updated to include information about modern Greece.
When To Visit Greece and the Greek Islands The Best Places to Go in Greece The Best Beaches in Greece Athens Travel Guide Crete Travel Guide Mykonos Travel Guide Santorini Travel Guide Greece Travel Guide Italy Travel Guide Itinerary for Italy and Greece Amsterdam – The Very Best Hotels Athens – The Very Best Hotels Barcelona – The Very Best Hotels Dublin – The Very Best Hotels Florence – The Very Best Hotels Istanbul – The Very Best Hotels Lisbon – The Very Best Hotels London – The Very Best Hotels Naples – The Very Best Hotels Paris – The Very Best Hotels Prague – The Very Best Hotels Reykjavik – The Very Best Hotels Rome – The Very Best Hotels Venice – The Very Best Hotels

Travel Guide Greece

The Best Greece Travel Books

  • Greece by National Geographic Travelers
  • Greek Islands & Athens by Moon Travel Guides
  • Greece by Michelin Green Guide
  • The Thrifty Guide to the Ancient Greece
  • GREECE TRAVEL GUIDE- The best of Athens, Santorini, Mykonos
  • Greece: The Peloponnese with Athens, Delphi, and Kythira (Bradt’s Travel Guide)
  • Comprehensive Traveling Guide for All Your Travelling Needs
  • Greece: 101 Coolest Things to Do in Greece (Greek Islands Travel Guide, Athens, Corfu, Kos, Santorini, Mykonos, Lefkas, Kefalonia)
  • Fodor's Essential Greece: with the Best Islands
  • Insight Guides Greece
  • Greece by Lonely Planet

Are you thinking of traveling to Greece with your family and need guidance about where to go and what to do? There are hundreds of websites about family travel to Greece, however, you would like to old traditional way of buying a hard copy of a travel guide on Greece.

We have compiled a list of the best travel guides for Greece 2021, all of which are Amazon’s Greece Bestsellers Travel Guides. We present those Greece Travel Guides to Greece and Greek Islands in no particular order.

Featuring a fascinating introduction to Greek culture and rich history . Focused sidebars that discuss Greek drama, the Olympic Games, the Battle of Crete, and where you can l earn the Greek language , or even learn to cook Greek food on Crete . This book is amazing!

Beyond the immersive cultural feeling you get going through its pages, it also delivers top-notch advice and insider tips on the best sites to explore in Greece.

Whether you read before you travel to Greece, or during your stay in Greece, you can be sure of an amazing time. This book is perfect for today’s experiential travel enthusiasts who want genuine, immersive exposure to Greece.

best travel book for greece

Greek Islands & Athens by Moon Travel Guides

Are you looking for a book that will bring you up to speed on the landscape, history, and cultural customs of Greece and each island?  A book that can help choose the right islands for you, with strategic schedules for different timelines, budgets, and activities, whether you want to lounge on the best beaches, linger in ancient villages, or island-hop for a little taste of everything?

Then, this is your best choice.

This text has a focused coverage of Athens plus eighteen Greek islands (Santorini, Rhodes, Kalymnos, Samothrace, Ikaria, Lesvos, Mykonos, Folegandros, Milos, Naxos, Anafi, Karpathos, Alonnisos, Skyros, Corfu, Zakynthos, Lefkada, and Crete) with Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout.

best travel book for greece

Published in August 2020, this 516-page update is ideal for travelers seeking enriching experiences and in-depth information about their destination. Make the most of your trip to Greece with this fully revised Michelin Green Guide.

It contains Illustrations , colour photographs and detailed easy-to-read maps throughout to help visualize your destination. Whether you are interested in shopping for local produce or eating at the local taverna, the Green Guide is the oracle with its dedicated address book, expertly researched with suggested walking and driving tours.

The book also suggests top-rated activities and gives detailed visitor information.

best travel book for greece

The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Greece is presented in the format of a travel guide for time-traveling tourists. The tone throughout the book is light and humorous with fake Yelp reviews (including one on the Oracle of Delphi), helpful hints and even an insurance waiver if you decide to go to war with the Spartans.

To add to the fun, this entire time travel book into Greece’s glorious past is written in Present Tense .

You would most likely find yourself giggling when reading the introduction (especially the Time Corp Limitation of Liability, which includes the detail that going back in time to kidnap Euclid does not get you out of geometry homework).

This book is both fun and informative and is sure to be a hit with kids who are Rick Riordan fans or just love ancient history in general.

best travel book for greece

Inside this book, you get tips on how to experience the Best of Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, exciting details about, where to eat, the best way to get around, museums and art galleries, coffee shops, Nightlife and Bars. It also features special things To Do with sample itineraries to draw inspiration from.

You Get 3 Manuscripts in one book because Athens, Santorini and Mykonos are 3 of the most famous destinations in Greece. Visiting these 3 places is a life-changing experience they say!

Unfortunately, many travelers don’t have the time for an extended stay in these cities. therefore, this box set is perfect for someone who has limited time in these amazing cities.

It is noteworthy to mention that the paperback version of this book only has black and white pictures. If you prefer colour illustrations and pictures, then we recommend you buy the Kindle edition of this book.

best travel book for greece

Despite Greece’s difficulties, tourism here has increased year after year, notably in the Peloponnese where the extended season now includes spring wildflowers and the autumn olive harvest, all covered in this guide. New reviews on accommodation and restaurants are featured in this book, along with a new mini-guide to the ancient sites of Athens and Delphi.

This book also offers coverage of the island of Kythira , one of Greece’s most guarded secrets, plus more information on regional wines and family travel.

The Peloponnese is said to be the beating heart of Greece: from the historical ruins of Olympia to the towering Taygetos mountains, from crystal-clear seas and pristine beaches to stone villages steeped in tradition.

It remains the only dedicated Travel-guide to the southern part of the Greek mainland and it provides a more detailed description of the peninsula than any other rival book.

best travel book for greece

Athens and the Peloponnese for Travellers . The Total Guide: The Comprehensive Traveling Guide for All Your Travelling Needs

Authored by Rick Steve, this travel guide book is a tourist favourite. Rick Steve’s guidebook to Greece is of course loaded with practical advice for trip planning and for consulting during a trip. It also has a large narrative thread commenting on the history, culture, and character of Greece and its people, and it has many focused threads addressing places and features.

Whatever your reason might be, this comprehensive traveling guide will help you discover hidden secrets about the city and will help you save as much as possible while still being able to enjoy an all-around incredible experience.

Let this book guide you to the many places that you must see in Athens to not let your once in a lifetime trip go to waste. This book contains a plethora of suggested places to stay, from budget to luxury, places to visit, local cuisines to try, and places to shop. All the advised itineraries have been experienced first-hand and are all highly recommended to tourists.

best travel book for greece

With this 74-page book, you can forget about having to carry a giant, heavy 2 pounds travel book You Have found Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Greece

Then you have found the right choice in this book! It is detailed and straight to the point . It however lacks pictures.

There is so much to see and do in Greece, so it is difficult to know exactly where to start on your journey. In this book, the author has curated the best places to see, things to do while visiting Greece to make your trip to this very special part of the world easier and memorable. After reading this book, you will know exactly what you need to do in Greece.

best travel book for greece

Fodor’s Essential Greece: with the Best Islands

Fodor’s “Essential Greece” covers destinations all around the country – beyond what is covered in all other guide books.  You might find this book a bit too hefty to accompany you during travel, but you will find it very useful during the planning stages of your trip. Written by local experts, Fodor’s travel guides have been offering advice and professionally vetted recommendations for all tastes and budgets.

The Guide contains brief introductions and spectacular colour photos that capture the ultimate experiences and attractions in Greece. Replete with beautiful full-colour photos, Fodor’s Essential Greece provides expert insider advice on everything from the best beaches in Crete to the best archaeological sites on Corfu .

Also included is full coverage of the wonders of Athens , the primary gateway for travelers to Greece. Fodor’s guidebooks are great for a colourful presentation of the various places you can visit in Greece.

best travel book for greece

In partnership with the Discovery television channel, this guide was first published in 1987. It provides general information about Greek history and culture and practical tips about visiting. Colour maps (cross-referenced to the text) and photos feature the country’s major regions, antiquities, customs, cuisine, and scenery and Tourist attractions.

With information on must-see top attractions like the Parthenon, Metéora in Thessaly and the Delphi Sanctuary , and cultural gems like the magnificent forests and beaches of Mt Pilio (Pelion) , the beautiful Byzantine palaces and monasteries of Mystras and the gorgeous stone-built villages in the shadow of the lofty Mount Gamila you surely can’t go wrong trusting this travel-book.

If you are looking for a specific guide to a city, then check out the Insight Guides Pocket Guide series for a detailed and entertaining look at all a specific location has to offer. The Insight Guides Pocket Guide series has an edition for Athens , the Greek Islands , Zakynthos , Kos , Corfu , Rhodes , Crete etc.

best travel book for greece

This list would not be complete without mentioning the world’s leading travel guide publisher. Lonely Planet’s Greece will give you most of what you want to know about the sites you intend on visiting. The maps are marked clearly and in the Kindle version, they can be enlarged to see the details more clearly.

Compared to other guides, this guide differs in its LGBTQ information and basic dictionary . In general, the guide includes more than basic information about Greece, and everyone, tourist or not can learn a lot from it.

The book also features an array of sample itineraries that can help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests. Excellent tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots. Lonely Planet’s Greece also showcases cultural insights that give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience.

The brand also features Region-focused editions, like Lonely Planet Crete , Lonely Planet Pocket Athens , Lonely Planet Greek Islands , Lonely Planet Best of Greece, and the Greek Islands .

best travel book for greece

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15 of the Best Towns and Cities to Visit in Greece

From historic hillside cities to island destinations, these are 15 of the best towns and cities to visit in Greece.

More than 27 million travelers made their way to Greece in 2022 , visiting the country's gorgeous islands and coastlines, rural towns, and historic capital city of Athens. One look at its landscapes and it's easy to see why travelers dream of visiting Greece — but there's so much more to this Mediterranean nation. 

"Everyone knows that Greece boasts stunning crystalline waters that make you want to dive right in and historical sites that whisper tales of the past. Its culinary delights are a perfect way to wrap up a day of exploring its unique cultural riches and vibrant art scene, but what truly sets Greece apart is its people," Christos Stergiou , a travel advisor with True Trips, shared with Travel + Leisure . "Greeks have this incredible gift called philoxenia: hospitality taken to a whole new level. Our True Trips guests always describe the feeling of having new local friends who'll go above and beyond to make their journey unforgettable." 

Ready to plan your getaway? Here are 15 of the best cities to visit in Greece.

Yes, a visit to Athens feels obvious, because not only is it the capital city, but it’s also home to the international airport you’ll likely fly into on your visit. That said, Athens is well worth a trip in its own right, as it’s home to some of the most important historical sites on Earth, including the must-see Acropolis. Need more? Here’s how to spend one perfect day in Athens .

Related: The Best Times to Visit Greece

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki, located in the northern part of the country, offers a blend of history and youthful energy that few cities can match. “I would recommend Thessaloniki for its long and epic history,” Peter Sommer, founder of Peter Sommer Travels , shared. “The historic center of Thessaloniki is filled with an extraordinary series of ancient monuments, many of them part of an imperial palace complex built by the Roman Emperor Galerius and vast in scope."

Sommer added that there are several museums to visit here, including the Museum of Byzantine Culture and the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. “But history and archaeology aren’t the only reasons to come to Thessaloniki. It’s justly famed for its gastronomy,” Sommer added. “You can savor a huge selection of glorious local dishes and sample a cornucopia of excellent local wines.”

Drive two hours east of Thessaloniki to find another northern city worth exploring — Kastoria. The scenic city sits perched on Lake Orestiada between the Grammos and Vitsi mountains. Visitors can enjoy peaceful boat rides on the lake with any number of outfitters lining the shores, or just watch the local fisherman go to work each day to reel in the catch. Or, book a tour with Adventures With Wine to bike the lake’s shoreline and see all the hidden nooks worth exploring. 

“Ioannina truly shines as a city that's a hidden treasure, especially for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers,” Stergiou shared of the city that sits on Lake Pamvotida. It’s a spot that has inspired many creative talents thanks to its epic vistas, but more than that, Stergiou explained, it’s a fantastic home base for exploring more of the northwest region of Greece. 

“In addition to the beautiful lake that stands proud as the city’s landmark, the Byzantine castle, the scenic historical center, and the lively neighborhoods, Ioannina is a gateway to countless incredible experiences within a drive of an hour or two. From there, you can take daily trips to some of the most beautiful villages in all of Greece, such as Metsovo or captivating Zagorohoria, filled with breathtaking landscapes and charming stone houses.” 

Kalamata, a city well-known for its olive production, is a place where travelers can get lost — in the best way possible. Come stroll its winding cobblestone streets, explore the castle, and visit museums like the Modern Greek Art Gallery for a well-rounded city escape in the Peloponnese region.

Kalambaka, a city located in central Greece, is famous for its unparalleled view of the stunning Meteora. The city sits at the base of the towering rock formations topped with historic monasteries that date back as early as the 11th century. The complex of monasteries is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , and you can visit many for a small fee.

There are more than 6,000 Greek islands , and while many come with small populations, the island of Rhodes is positively metropolitan thanks to the city of Rhodes. Home to some 50,000 people, the city is famed for its ancient history and the duality of its New Town and Old Town. While there’s nothing wrong with New Town, Old Town is a walled-off time capsule to the past, and it's one of the largest remaining medieval settlements in Europe.

Nafplio, located in the eastern Peloponnese, is a seaside dream packed with Venetian architecture to explore. As Alys Colayera, lead travel expert for Greece at Black Tomato , shared, it’s a “great place to wander through the old alleyways, grab a strong cup of Greek coffee at a local coffee shop in the square, and take a boat to Bourtzi Castle if you are interested in architecture and history.” As for the name of the town, Visit Greece explained that it comes from its mythological founder, Nafplios, one of Poseidon's sons.

One more island city to explore is Chania on the island of Crete. It too is famed for its Venetian harbor and quaint old town. Explore its cobblestone streets, duck into museums like the Maritime Museum of Crete , and shop for souvenirs in its endless boutiques. Pro tip: Leather goods are famously great here, so go ahead and splurge on a bag or a pair of shoes. 

While Larissa has a population of more than 130,000 people, it remains a place well in touch with Mother Nature. This city in central Greece is an agricultural hub, growing vegetables, grains, fruits, and more, so it's a great place to dig into some Thessalian cuisine. While in town, explore the Ancient Theatre of Larissa , dedicated to the god Dionysus, to learn more about the area's ancient history.

History abounds in the southern city of Corinth, thanks to well-preserved ruins including the iconic Temple of Apollo and the Acrocorinth fortress. Just an hour from Athens, Corinth and the surrounding coastal towns make a perfect day trip from the capital city, says Colayera.

If you’re making your way to the islands, odds are you’ll pass through the port city of Piraeus. Dozens of ferries come in and out of the harbor each day, but before you board one, spend a little time exploring the city by visiting places like The Hellenic Maritime Museum , which showcases Greece's rich seafaring heritage.

Head north along the Aegean coast to Kavala, a hillside city with gorgeous beaches, sweeping vistas, and an exciting mix of ancient history and modern city life. You can’t miss its imposing aqueduct, which runs for almost 1,000 feet and dates to the 16th century. Once you’re done viewing that, head straight to The Acropolis of Kavala to learn more about this city’s fascinating history.

Find the party in Patras, a university port city in western Greece. Yes, of course, you’ll find history here, including inside the Archaeological Museum of Patras , which showcases goods from the surrounding region dating back to prehistory. But in Patras, you’ll also find a bustling (and modern) nightlife scene across several neighborhoods, including down Riga Feraiou Pedestrian Street, where you can snag a delicious bite of Greek food, too. 

Explore one of the most beautiful places in Greece when you plot a trip to Corfu Town on the eastern coast of the island of Corfu. Here, travelers can explore the historic architecture that earned Old Town of Corfu a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Tour the fortresses, stroll through the town’s central market, and visit Spianada Square, the largest square in Greece.

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Greece Travel Guide 2024: The Best of Athens, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes

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best travel book for greece

Greece Travel Guide 2024: The Best of Athens, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes Paperback – February 9, 2024

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  • Print length 444 pages
  • Language English
  • Publication date February 9, 2024
  • Dimensions 6 x 1 x 9 inches
  • ISBN-13 979-8879100884
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Greece Travel Guide 2024: The Best of Athens, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CVF2BGJB
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (February 9, 2024)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 444 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8879100884
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.64 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches
  • #1 in Rhodes Travel Guides
  • #3 in Crete Travel Guides
  • #6 in Athens Travel Guides

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IMAGES

  1. Santorini, Greece: Travel Guide Book

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  2. Buy Greece by Lonely Planet, Books

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  3. Books Set in Greece to Read Before Your Greek Vacation

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  4. Greece Travel Guide 2023: Greece travel book and Greek Islands

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  5. 25 Unique Greek Gifts For Greece Lovers

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  6. Books Set In Greece

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VIDEO

  1. Moving to Greece. #expat #greece #travel

  2. "Discover Greece's Most Spectacular Destinations: The Top 10 Must-Visit Gems"

  3. Places to visit when you travel to Greece

COMMENTS

  1. 10 Best books to read before visiting Greece

    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 ...

  2. Amazon Best Sellers: Best Greece Travel Guides

    52 offers from $12.99. #2. Frommer's Athens and the Greek Islands (Complete Guide) Stephen Brewer. 45. Paperback. 54 offers from $14.46. #3. Fodor's Essential Greece: with the Best of the Islands (Full-color Travel Guide)

  3. 16 Best Greece Travel Guide Books of All Time

    The 16 best greece travel guide books, such as My Greek Family Table, Fodor's Essential Europe and DK Eyewitness Travel Guide.

  4. Fodor's Essential Greece: with the Best of the Islands (Full-color

    This new edition has been fully-redesigned with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos. Fodor's "Essential" guides have been named by Booklist as the Best Travel Guide Series of 2020! Fodor's Essential Greece travel guide includes: AN ILLUSTRATED ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE to the top things to see and do

  5. The best written and most evocative travel books about Greece

    The Flight of Ikaros: Travels in Greece During the Civil War. By Kevin Andrews. Why did I love this book? In 1947, archaeologist Kevin Andrews went to the Peloponnese on a Fulbright fellowship to study the Crusader castles and found a country in the midst of a civil war.

  6. Amazon Best Sellers: Best General Greece Travel Guides

    Best Sellers in General Greece Travel Guides. #1. Rick Steves Greece: Athens & the Peloponnese (The Rick Steves' Greece) Rick Steves. 74. Paperback. 45 offers from $17.18. #2. Frommer's Athens and the Greek Islands (Complete Guide)

  7. 10 Best Books on Greece to Read

    The Colossus of Maroussi by henry miller. Recognized as one of the five greatest travel books of all time, this travelogue covers Miller's travels around Greece back in 1939. The story consists of his adventures traveling to Athens, Crete, Corfu, Poros, Hydra, and Delphi, and it is now known to be one of his best works.

  8. The Best Books About Greece to Inspire Your Travels

    A good travel guide is an inspiring early choice in planning many trips and Rick Steves Greece: Athens and the Peloponnese is one of the top books on Greece travel. Like all the guidebooks in the extensive series it is overflowing with tips, educational snippets, and helpful suggestions for what to see and how best to plan your trip.

  9. 12 Best Books Set in Greece To Travel Vicariously Through

    2. Honey, Olives, Octopus: Adventures at the Greek Table (2013) 3. Greek Island Escape (2020) 4. A Thing of Beauty: Travels in Mythical and Modern Greece (2022) 5. It's All Greek To Me: A Tale of a Mad Dog and Englishman, Ruins, Retsina and Real Greeks (2017) 6.

  10. 19 Best Books About Greece To Take You There

    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.

  11. 18 Books that Will Take Your Mind to Greece

    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 ...

  12. Top 6 Compelling Greece Travel Books of All Time

    Search no further than "DK Eyewitness Top 10 Greek Islands (Pocket Travel Guide)" to make the most of your island-hopping adventure! This is one of the best Greece Travel books with easy-to-follow lists of the top 10 must-see spots, including the historic Temple of Aphaia and the picturesque Corfu Old Town, ensuring you won't miss out on any of the island's delights.

  13. Best Books On Greece ⋆ Expert World Travel

    Best Greece Travel Books Greece: Travel Book on Greece (Wanderlust) This travel book on Greece by Elyse Booth is the best to pick up if all you want is a book full of photos of picturesque Greek scenery. The photographs in the book are mostly from Santorini and Athens, making Booth's book perfect for anyone who is planning a trip to one of ...

  14. The 6 Best Books to Read Before Going to Greece

    II The Colossus of Maroussi by Henry Miller. III The Mani by Patrick Leigh Fermor. IV The Odyssey by Homer. V Outline by Rachel Cusk. VI Circe by Madeline Miller. VII Greek to Me by Mary Norris. VIII Best books about Greece. IX More Greece travel resources. *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  15. Best Travel Guidebooks for Greece

    Fodor's guidebooks are great for a colorful presentation of the various places you can visit in Greece. This Essential Greece guidebook features beautiful color photos that will inspire wanderlust. Fodor's "Essential Greece" covers destinations all around the country - beyond what is covered by Rick Steves.

  16. 25 Books Set in Greece to Read Before Visiting

    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.

  17. 7 Best Travel Books About Greece

    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.

  18. Lonely Planet Best of Greece & the Greek Islands (Travel Guide)

    Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher . Lonely Planet's Best of Greece & the Greek Islands is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Explore the elegant Acropolis, watch the sunset in Santorini and feast your way around Crete - all with your trusted travel companion.

  19. 10 of the best novels set in Greece

    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 ...

  20. 12 Best Books on Greece & Greek History

    The Best Books Set in Greece. Eleni - Nicholas Gage ... Eloquent and beautifully-written, this book of travel essays is compiled from the author's 1935-1939 diary entries, during his time spent living on the island of Corfu. Musings on philosophy and Greek culture are found alongside evocative descriptions and day-to-day adventures with ...

  21. Books About Greece: 23 Great Reads to Inspire You to Visit

    An Island in Greece: On the Shores of Skopelos. An Island in Greece: On the Shores of Skopelos, by British Author Michael Carroll, is a biography of one man's adventures around Skopelos island in the 1960s. Charming little Skopelos is 107km away from mainland Greece and not the easiest island to get to, even today.

  22. The Best Greece Travel Books

    We have compiled a list of the best travel guides for Greece 2021, all of which are Amazon's Greece Bestsellers Travel Guides. Request a family trip proposal. Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest. Tours. ... To add to the fun, this entire time travel book into Greece's glorious past is written in Present Tense.

  23. 15 of the Best Towns and Cities to Visit in Greece

    More than 27 million travelers made their way to Greece in 2022, visiting the country's gorgeous islands and coastlines, rural towns, and historic capital city of Athens.One look at its landscapes ...

  24. Amazon.com: Greece Travel Books

    Italy and Greece Travel Guide (2 Books in 1): The Essential Book to Discover All The Beauty of Mediterranean Europe (Journey Joy) Part of: Journey Joy (8 books) ... Greece Travel Guide: The Best Of Athens, Santorini, Mykonos. by Gary Jones. 4.1 out of 5 stars 81. Paperback. $19.99 $ 19. 99.

  25. Greece: Inside one of Europe's last golden visa programmes ...

    Greece launched its programme in 2013 during what became the country's 10-year financial crisis. The visas were intended to bring money into the country during its housing market collapse.

  26. Greece Travel Guide 2024: The Best of Athens, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos

    Greece Travel Guide 2024: The Best of Athens, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes Paperback - February 9, 2024 by Grace Strauss (Author) #1 New Release in Crete Travel Guides