Greece vs. Italy: Which Should You Visit?

Greece vs. Italy is one of the great travel debates. These two Mediterranean neighbors have so much in common that choosing between them can feel almost impossible. Both offer world-class food, legendary history, breathtaking landscapes, and the kind of welcome that makes you feel instantly at home.

Yet each has its own rhythm, its flavors, and a way of capturing your heart—making the decision more about which kind of magic you prefer. Italy may sweep you up in Renaissance splendor and Roman grandeur. Greece counters with ancient myths and sun-bleached island villages.

In both, the simple pleasures—a relaxed stroll through a historic square, a dish shared at a family-run restaurant, or a glass of wine with a view—can feel every bit as memorable as the big-ticket attractions.

Whichever way you lean, you can’t lose. Perhaps the easiest answer is the most tempting: do both.

Weather

Athens, Greece

If the weather is going to determine which destination you visit when it comes to Greece vs. Italy, you’ll be hard-pressed to choose. Given that the two countries are adjacent to each other in the central-eastern Mediterranean and have similar topography, it’s no surprise that there is little difference between their weather systems and seasons.

Both have long, hot summers, with temperatures hitting the 90s Fahrenheit on a regular basis, punctuated by occasional extreme heat waves.

Acropolis in Athens, Greece

Shoulder seasons still see warm weather, but with the occasional downpour, especially in the fall. Winters can be crisp and cool, but days can remain bright. Rain does appear—and there can be an occasional dusting of snow—but neither lingers for long.

Best Time to Visit

Amalfi Coast, Italy

In the Italy vs. Greece debate, timing can make all the difference. Summer is peak season, with blazing sunshine and beaches in full swing.

Key summer spots such as the Amalfi Coast, the Italian Riviera, and Greece’s most popular islands can feel quite busy at this time of year. The flip side is that major cities have a quieter vibe in summer, and if you can handle the heat, museum and attraction lines may be shorter.

The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are just right for many visitors. The weather is warm, crowds are lighter, and a more relaxed pace pervades everywhere from coastal villages to inland towns and big cities.

Hospitality

Amalfi Coast, Italy

In both countries, hospitality has been turned into an art form. In Greece, the very word for it —“filoxenia”—means “friendship to foreigners.”

In Italy, there is a concept called “la bella figura,” which translates to “making a good impression”. It plays a crucial role in how Italians greet visitors.

Wherever you go, expect to be welcomed like a long-lost relative, have your plate piled high, and be gently encouraged to stay for longer than you planned.

History

Acropolis in Athens, Greece

The histories of Greece and Italy have been entwined for millennia, beginning with Magna Graecia in the 8th century B.C., when Greek settlers colonized parts of Southern Italy.

Though there are many similarities between Greece and Italy, each has its own distinct history too. Greece is often called the cradle of Western civilization—the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, theater, and many of the sciences.

Florence, Italy

Italy’s story is equally rich. The Roman Republic and Empire saw its roads, laws, and engineering feats shape much of Europe and beyond.

Greece’s classical era was followed by the conquests of Alexander the Great and the rise of the Byzantine Empire, which coexisted with—and at times overlapped—the Roman Empire.

Venice, Italy

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Italy fractured into a series of kingdoms, duchies, and city-states, each leaving its own mark on art, politics, and culture. Florence blossomed into the cradle of the Renaissance, Rome grew as the seat of the papacy, and Venice developed into a maritime and trading powerhouse. The art, culture, and architecture of all three continue to fascinate visitors today.

Old Town of Rhodes, Greece

Greece’s Byzantine and Medieval era saw it play host to the Knights Hospitaller crusaders, who left behind the remarkable Old Town of Rhodes. Many other islands came under Venetian rule, their influence still visible in fortified villages and harbors.

The fall of Constantinople in 1453 brought the Byzantine era to an end and saw much of Greece come under centuries of Ottoman rule—a period that has also influenced modern Greek life.

Ancient Sites

Colosseum in Rome, Italy

Ask anyone to name the world’s greatest ancient sites, and chances are both Greece and Italy will appear more than once. Athens’ Acropolis and Rome’s Colosseum are the two most obvious choices, but that’s just the beginning.

In Athens, the Theater of Herodes Atticus still stages performances beneath the Parthenon. The Ancient Agora is where democracy was born. Filopappou Hill offers a double dose of ruins and sweeping views.

Roman Forum in Rome, Italy

Rome, meanwhile, has layer on layer of history—from the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to the incredibly well-preserved port city of Ostia Antica.

Ancient history is not just limited to the capitals. In Italy, you can wander the streets of Ancient Pompeii, frozen in time by the 79 A.D. eruption of Mount Vesuvius, see Greco-Roman ruins on Sicily, and take in the impressive ancient temples at Paestum, just south of Naples.

Delos, Greece

Not to be outdone, Greece is home to the birthplace of the Olympic Games at Olympia, the oracle at Delphi, the sacred island of Delos, and the ancient theater of Epidaurus. The latter is still renowned for its near-perfect acoustics, dating from the 4th century B.C.

Natural Wonders

Santorini, Greece

When comparing the natural world of Greece vs. Italy, it’s evident that both are incredibly beautiful and offer a remarkable variety.

Greece is home to one of the world’s most iconic sights: the volcanic sunken caldera of Santorini, where sugar cube houses seemingly cling to the upper rim.

White Mountains in Crete, Greece

Crete is home to the famed White Mountains, with their towering peaks and deep gorges.

Around 50 miles from the northern city of Thessaloniki sits Mount Olympus. Touching 10,000 feet at its highest point, the legendary home of the Greek gods looms over the surrounding coast like a sentinel.

Mount Vesuvius, Italy

Italy’s Mount Vesuvius, responsible for the explosion that took out Pompeii, guards over the iconic Bay of Naples, from where the twists and turns of the Amalfi Coast begin.

Across the Tyrrhenian Sea, the island of Sicily is home to Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest and most active volcano, with vast lava fields to explore. Its presence offers a dramatic contrast to the more bucolic scenes of the Tuscan countryside. Here, the Arno Valley sees a succession of rolling hills, olive groves, and vineyards.

Art & Culture

Vatican City, Italy

In both Italy and Greece, art and culture aren’t confined to museums and galleries. You’ll find them intertwined in the very fabric of the city streets, squares, and even harbors.

Italy’s artistic legacy is the stuff of legend. The Renaissance masterpieces of Florence, from the marbled Duomo to Michelangelo’s David, sit alongside the grandeur of both St. Peter’s Basilica and the frescoed ceilings of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.

St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy

In Venice, St. Mark’s Basilica glitters with Byzantine mosaics, while Palermo’s Norman-Arab architecture and vibrant markets showcase centuries of cultural fusion.

Greece’s cultural richness is every bit as compelling. In Athens, the modern Acropolis Museum is a gem, with a terrace that looks up to the Parthenon itself. Greek artwork and artifacts from ancient to modern times can be found at the fabulous Benaki Museum, housed in a beautiful Neoclassical mansion in Athens.

Parthenon in Athens, Greece

If further proof of Athens’ culture was needed, even the metro stations have displays of ancient relics, discovered when the subway was excavated in the mid-2000s.

Second city Thessaloniki, meanwhile, is often called Greece’s cultural capital. Dotted with UNESCO-listed Byzantine churches and home to the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, it also has a lively contemporary arts scene.

Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, Greece

The Greek Islands have their fair share of art and culture, too. On Rhodes, the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes is a striking reminder of the island’s Crusader past, while Crete’s Ottoman mosques and the Venetian Harbor of Chania again reveal layers of cultural fusion.

Food & Drink

Sorrento, Italy

Choosing between Italy and Greece’s culinary offerings is like asking a parent to pick their favorite child. The two legendary cuisines share a common heritage of using the best local and seasonal produce available.

They also form the foundation of the Mediterranean diet, whose health-promoting qualities are demonstrated by the remarkable longevity of residents in Ikaria, Greece and Sardinia, Italy—two of the original five Blue Zone communities.

Pizza

In Italy, every region—and often every town—has its own signature dishes. Naples is the birthplace of pizza, the Amalfi Coast is home to fresh seafood pasta infused with local lemons, and Tuscany is known for hearty ribollita soup and fabulous wines.

Sicily, meanwhile, is a gourmand’s delight, with signature dishes including sweet ricotta-filled cannoli, arancini rice balls, and seafood couscous.

Greek meze

Greek food has regional variations, too, but appears more uniform to visitors. Meals often start with mezé-style dishes. Vine leaves stuffed with rice, slabs of salty feta cheese, cured meats, zucchini croquettes, and tzatziki dips may all grace a selection of starters.

Meat and fish—fresh and grilled to perfection—follow as a main course. Greek tavernas are famed for their slow-cooked oven meals and tray bakes, like stuffed tomatoes and peppers, beef and orzo pasta, and moussaka. This dish of eggplant layered with ground beef and topped with creamy béchamel sauce is a favorite of many visitors.

Outdoor Activities & Adventures

Capri, Italy

The outdoor lifestyle rules supreme in both countries and, again, it’s hard to separate them in a Greece vs. Italy debate.

In Italy, the varied terrain means you can paddle along the rocky bay of Portofino in the morning and hike along rugged coastal cliffs in the afternoon.

From Naples, you can discover Mount Vesuvius on a Jeep safari or hop on a boat to Capri, where the beautiful Blue Grotto sea cave awaits.

Tiber River in Rome, Italy

Renting a bike is a perfect way to explore the rolling hills of Tuscany, while foodies can embark on a hunt for rare and valuable truffles. Even Rome offers outdoor adventures via rafting on the Tiber River that runs through the city.

Greece’s forays start with the country’s thousands of miles of coastline. Water sports include everything from snorkeling and diving to paddleboarding and speedboat tours.

Kayaking in Santorini, Greece

Rhodes and Santorini both offer kayaking excursions, the first around the southeastern coast of Rhodes, the latter under volcanic cliffs.

Crete’s vast size means there’s much to do, with Jeep tours of the spectacular White Mountains a highlight. For hikers, the slopes of Mount Olympus are within reach of Thessaloniki, offering trails that weave through its forested slopes before opening up to sweeping views of both land and sea.

FAQs

Venice, Italy

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