Greece and Italy are two of the most popular European countries for travelers. If you’re debating a vacation to either nation, both are excellent choices. There are some distinct differences, so depending on your interests, you may be better off choosing one over the other.
Geographical proximity, cultural similarities and thousands of years of neighboring and overlapping history have also contributed to many physical similarities. Congenial Greeks and Italians will often compare themselves saying ”Una Faccia, Una Razza,” which translates to ”One face, one race” in English and ”Mia fatsa, mia ratsa” in Greek.
I’m of both Greek and Italian heritage (Greek father and Italian-American mother) who has traveled extensively in both countries over many visits. So I decided to break down some similarities and differences pertaining to culture, art, history, cuisine and natural landscapes. This should give you a clearer idea of whether Greece or Italy is better suited for your vacation!
Currency
Both Greece and Italy are on the Euro currency. This is handy when you are traveling around Europe, perhaps on a cruise or an extended trip. You do not have to exchange money traveling between Greece, Italy and many other European countries that use the euro. A total of 20 European countries use the euro as their currency including Germany, France and Spain.
Prior to the formation of the Euro zone currency in 2001, Greece used the drachma and Italy used the lira as their respective currencies. Around 315 Greek drachmas equaled $1 and around 1,800 Italian lira equaled $1. That made prices confusing for many travelers. Now that €1 equals around $1.09, it really simplifies purchases for many travelers.
Traveling to Greece and Italy
Both Greece and Italy are well connected with international flights. Italy is better connected to neighboring European countries through high speed rail and geography. But especially during the busy summer season, there are flights from many European destinations to hot spots around Greece.
All direct flights from the United States to Greece fly into Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos. As Italy is a much bigger country population wise, you can fly direct to more Italian destinations including Rome, Milan and Venice from the USA. In 2019, I flew direct from Philadelphia to Bologna on American Airlines in June during a seasonal service.
There are some great Mediterranean cruises that cover both Greece and Italy. For many travelers, especially those with limited time, they are a great opportunity to see many of the highlights of both countries.
Greece or Italy for Attractions?
Greece and Italy are both spoiled for choice with a wealth of attractions. Italy is a larger country population wise so it has more cities of significance, notably Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan and Naples among others.
But the Greece islands encompass around 157 inhabited islands along with a huge array of highlights on the mainland, including many wonderful Peloponnese destinations. They combine to offer breathtaking beauty to pair with world class history and attractions.
The Eternal City of Rome offers a treasure trove of highlights including the Sistine Chapel, Colosseum Trevi Fountain and art galore. Florence was the birthplace of the Renaissance, and features a cornucopia of world class art and architecture including Michelangelo’s famous Statue of David. Canal lined Venice is one of the world’s most unique and romantic cities.
Athens, Greece is considered the birthplace of democracy. The Acropolis (city on a hill), highlighted by the Parthenon dates to 432 BC, offering nearly 2,500 years of history. The massive archeological site offers an array of historical sites.
Additional Acropolis highlights include the ancient Agora, Theseum and Odean. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is one of the greatest open air theaters in world history, as it initially opened nearly 1,900 years ago and still hosts performances today!
Both Italy and Greece have a wealth of attractions, beautiful destinations and generally fashionable populations. For those interested in Renaissance art or fashion, Italy is the better choice. For an island hopping vacation, there is no better destination than Greece.
While Rome is often a more aesthetically pleasing city compared to Athens, the Acropolis is truly a marvel.
Dining, Nightlife and Spectacular Views
Athens is also dotted with charming squares including Agia Irini Square that are idyllic for a romantic meal or lively night with friends. The buzzing Psyri neighborhood is wonderful for dining, dancing and listening to live Rembetika (Greek urban blues and folk music) and Laika (Greek popular music).
Psyri has some parallel to Rome’s bohemian Trastevere district. Trastevere is great for dining, craft beer bars and artisan shops.
Athens is also dotted with incredible roof top terraces and vantage points that offer spectacular views across the city and sea. Asides from the Acropolis, Mount Lycabettus also offers spectacular views of Athens and the Saronic Gulf.
Transportation
Italy has a superior train network connecting its cities. Greece has a great ferry network connecting its islands. Depending on your itinerary and length of time, you can also choose both countries by either flying or taking a cruise. Greece and Italy are two of the most popular European Union destinations.
Italy or Greece for Food?
Greece and Italy feature a dizzying variety of fantastic dishes. For pizzas and pastas, Italy gets the nod. For grilled seafood and meats, I give the edge to Greece – the perfectly char-grilled combination of oregano, lemon and spices is difficult to surpass. Both countries typically place a heavy emphasis on fresh ingredients, which is always a winner when it comes to flavorful and nutritious meals.
Bologna is often considered the Foodie Capital of Italy
The Emilia Romagna region is home to rich farmlands and is the bread basket of Italy. So Bologna is often considered the foodie capital of the rich culinary nation. If you love Parmigianno Reggiano, balsamic vinegar and prosciutto and want to learn more about their history, this Modena Food Tour is the best food tour I have ever taken.
Venetian Dining
Venice is one of the world’s grandest and most expensive cities to stay. But one of the beating hearts of both its culinary and cultural scenes are found in bacaros around the town. Bacaros are typical small Venetian taverns where patrons can enjoy Italian style tapas (ciccheti), wines and spirits like a native Aperol Spritz. Ciccheti are small snacks ranging from mini sandwiches to fish balls. The decor of bacaros typically constitutes rustic furniture, primarily crafted from wood.
Greece is also a Food Lovers Paradise
Greece is a foodie destination in its own right. Whether you love meat, seafood, vegetarian dishes, pastas, pastries or all of the above, there are bountiful great choices. The concepts of many dishes, including Greek salads, are much richer in their home nation. Many Greek islands have their own cheeses, meaning each has its own delicious type of salad that goes beyond a topping of rich creamy feta.
Lamb kleftiko which translates to “stolen lamb” is one of my favorite dishes in Greece and a must to try. The slow cooked lamb is prepared with vegetables, potatoes, rosemary and feta cheese, traditionally served in parchment paper. The dish gets its name from the Greek revolution, where bands of fighters occasionally stole a lamb to survive. They would then roast it in a pit in the ground, to seal the flavors, trap the smoke and ultimately hide the lamb during cooking.
Avoid Tourist Trap Restaurants in Greece and Italy
Greece and Italy have an abundance of touristy spots. So unfortunately, there are also many establishments that rely on one time visits from tourists. As a general rule of thumb, do not eat across the street from the Colosseum in Rome if you do not want to overpay for lackluster food (sometimes even microwaved meals).
Likewise, you generally will not get the best meal in Athens if the restaurant offers an impressive view of the Acropolis. Patrons go for the views, which for a one off meal, is worth it on occasion! We have enjoyed it – but experiences can vary wildly there.
Be wary of establishments in cities like Athens and Rome, where restauranteurs stand outside luring potential patrons inside. If the establishment is actually worthwhile, locals will patronize the business, making the job of idly standing by the front menu unnecessary. Signs advertising “best in town” are almost universally a disappointment.
Always check Google reviews carefully, and be way of establishments that have inflated their reviews with hundreds or even thousands of fake reviews. Check their 1 star reviews to see if there are persistent problems with food quality or other concerning issues.
Greek and Italian Cultures Compared
There are some unique differences between Italian and Greek culture. Language is an obvious difference with Greek and Italian the respective languages. The Greek alphabet is also different to the Roman alphabet.
Fortunately for travelers, Greece is a very tourist friendly country as the sector is integral to the nation’s economy. So street signs and announcements in Greece are often also made in English. And pretty much everyone who works in hospitality in both Greece and Italy speaks English in addition to their native tongue. They may even speak French or German as well.
Some of the biggest differences pertain to the cities. But there are some cultural differences in the towns as well. Here is a breakdown of some differences and similarities across these historic nations.
Hospitality
It is common in many Greek restaurants to receive a small complimentary dessert or a mini carafe of ouzo or raki (a grape distilled spirit similar to Italian grappa) following a meal. Albeit this is much less common in touristy restaurants that locals do not frequent. Greeks tend to be generous and the custom is also good for business, because everyone likes to feel appreciated.
While it is possible to receive a complimentary drink or even a free dessert at a restaurant in Italy, it is less customary there. I once randomly had a small batch brewer refuse to take my money for two beers at a festival in San Marino. He insisted I was a guest and they were on him. Italians can also be very warm, hospitable, gracious and generous.
Generally, Italians tend to have a different business model when it comes to operating restaurants. It is more common to pay extra for bread before a meal, as a service charge. That generally will not happen in Greece, especially outside touristy areas.
Greece is renown for hospitality and is considered one of the world’s most hospitable nations. Greece gets the edge over Italy in this regard. Hospitality is one of the many reasons thoughtful travelers love Greece, and plan return visits to the country.
Coffee Culture in Rome compared to Athens
When I first visited Rome around 25 years ago, I found it striking to witness espresso bars where Italians stand for a quick coffee. That is an unthinkable image in Greece, as it simply does not exist in Athens or elsewhere across the country.
Standing for a coffee in Rome is a microcosm of a key cultural difference between Italy and Greece. While Athens is a busy city that encompasses nearly half the population of Greece, the work life balance is generally a bit more relaxed compared to Rome.
Italy is a significantly larger country than Greece, with a population of around 59 million people. Greece has a population of around 10.5 million people. That’s less than half the population of Florida by comparison. Rome is the capital of one of the world’s largest economies, so it is a bigger player in the global economy. Athens is also busy, but its less prominent role in the global economy makes it generally a little more low key.
Small Town Similarities
Of course, there are many charming small towns across Italy where work life balance closely resembles comparable Greek towns. Greeks and Italians both generally embrace the simple pleasures of life: family, friends, great food and enjoying a meal and drinks on a charming terrace.
Afternoon siestas are still common in both Greece and Italy. It is typical for businesses to close shop and go home for lunch and a rest for two or three hour breaks. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, and people generally eat family style. This breaks up the day and means far fewer people are standing on their feet for 8 hours straight. Siestas also take place during the hottest part of the day, and not everyone has air conditioning.
Industrial Northern Italy compared to Greece
Northern Italy especially is generally more industrious compared to much of Greece. Italy is home to motor sports icons Ferrari and Lamborghini. Greece no longer has an automotive industry. Greece does however still maintain a large shipping industry, which along with tourism and agriculture, are the key drivers of the country’s economy.
Southern Italy Differences
Southern Italy is quite different to northern Italy, as it is generally less industrious. Many towns throughout Sicily were originally founded by Greek settlers. Siracusa (Syracuse), was founded by Corinthians around 733 BC. A size-able minority of Greeks remain living in Sicily today.
Cultural Influences
Many Greek towns were colonized by the Venetians during the height of their empire between the 13th and 16th centuries. That is more recent than Roman conquests. This is notably reflected in the colorful architecture of towns like Chania, Crete, one of the culinary capitals of Greece.
Venetian influence can also be found in Nafplion, which was the previously the capital of modern Greece between 1823-1834 after the nation fought and won against Ottoman occupation.
Cultural Influences between Greece and Italy span thousands of years. Italians took the names of many Greek gods and made them their own. Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love became Venus to Italians. Thousands of years of conquests and trading have influenced everything from food to medicine in both countries. But to quote Gus from the movie My Greek Fat Wedding 2, “Greece invented Italy!” 🙂
Greece or Italy for Beaches?
Greece and Italy both have fantastic beach destinations. Beach highlights in Italy include the Amalfi Coast, La Spezia, Sicily and more. Rimini, a sister city of Ft. Lauderdale near gorgeous San Marino, is a popular beach destination with a long stretch of beaches and resorts. Its historic center features the Tiberius Bridge, a Roman bridge built over 2,000 years ago that cars still drive across today!
The Greek islands, as well as the mainland, have a wealth of great beaches. Some of the best islands in Greece for beaches includes Zakynthos, Milos, Crete, Paros, Naxos, Kefalonia, Mykonos, Rhodes, Andros and Santorini. Santorini, which draws huge throngs of tourists features unique black sand beaches from a volcanic eruption in its past. Fortunately, its picturesque caldera lies dormant today.
Italy or Greece for Art?
Italy has an overwhelming amount of art between its many museums, galleries and ornate churches. The Italian Renaissance left behind a treasure trove of phenomenal art. The works of world class artists like Michelangelo dazzle millions of visitors every year. Travelers are simply spoiled for choice during a 2 week Italy vacation, or even longer!
There are fantastic museums and galleries throughout Italy. Additionally, Italy’s Catholic churches are often museums in their own right. Even in lesser known towns like Bergamo and Militello, Sicily, I have marveled at impressive houses of worship.
Classical Greece also left behind a wealth of art, particularly impressive sculptures crafted from marble. These can be found across the country, even in major metro stations in Athens. Hermes of Praxiteles, at the Archeological Museum of Olympia is considered one of the finest sculptures in history.
Athens, Greece is home to world class museums. The state of the art Acropolis Museum houses a wealth of ancient artifacts, including the impressive original caryatid statues from the Acropolis. The National Archaeological Museum in Athens is the largest museum in Greece, housing one of the world’s most significant collections.
Greece or Italy Recap
Greece and Italy both have a wealth to offer visitors. Most travelers are going to have a fantastic time regardless of which country they choose.
Foodies will enjoy both nations, as fresh ingredients are quintessential to both traditional Italian and Greek cooking. But tourists need to be wary of tourist trap restaurants near major attractions that serve an insulting version of traditional dishes (perhaps even microwaved meals).
For an island hopping vacation packed with beautiful scenery and epic sites, there is no better destination than Greece. It is also difficult to top Greece for hospitality, which is a major draw for return visitors to the country.
Art enthusiasts will find a treasure trove in both nations, from Renaissance masterpieces in Italy to magnificent classical sculptures throughout Greece. Happy travels!
Have questions or comments about planning a trip to Greece or Italy? Leave a comment below or email me at [email protected] and I will get back to you. If you enjoyed this article, click on many of the above links, where I cover many of these wonderful destinations in more depth!
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