Rick Steves' Athens and The Peloponnese

by Rick Steves

Travelers can count on Rick Steves to tell them what they really need to know when traveling in Greece. Savvy advice guides visitors to popular sights such as the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, and the National Archaeological Museum. Experience the culture like a local — enjoy an evening meal of souvlaki at a breezy café in Plaka and learn how to navigate Athens on the Metro. With up-to-date advice on which sights are worth your time and money and suggestions on good-value hotels and restaurants, Rick Steves helps travelers get the most out of every day and every dollar.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2009

About the author

Rick Steves is an American travel writer, television personality, and activist known for encouraging meaningful travel that emphasizes cultural immersion and thoughtful global citizenship. Born in California and raised in Edmonds, Washington, he began traveling in his teens, inspired by a family trip to Europe. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in European history and business, Steves started teaching travel classes, which led to his first guidebook, Europe Through the Back Door, self-published in 1980.
Steves built his Edmonds-based travel company on the idea that travelers should explore less-touristy areas and engage with local cultures. He gained national prominence as host and producer of Rick Steves' Europe, which has aired on public television since 2000. He also hosts a weekly public radio show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored dozens of popular guidebooks, including bestselling titles on Italy and Europe at large.
Beyond travel, Steves is an outspoken advocate for drug policy reform, environmental sustainability, and social justice. He supports marijuana legalization and chairs the board of NORML. He has funded housing for homeless families and donates to anti-hunger and arts organizations. In 2019, he pledged $1 million annually to offset the carbon emissions of his tour groups.
Steves is a practicing Lutheran with Norwegian ancestry and continues to live in Edmonds. He has two adult children and is in a relationship with Reverend Shelley Bryan Wee. Despite health challenges, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, Steves remains committed to his mission of helping Americans travel with greater purpose, empathy, and understanding of the world. His work reflects a belief that travel, done right, can be both transformative and a force for peace.

Reviews

[Mrs. Sottiriou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone traveling to Mykonos and Santorini. A great overview of the islands with excellent excursion and dining recommendations. Also includes a guided audio tour of the Acropolis in Athens. My husband and I adored this travel book! Used it to plan our honeymoon. Well worth the read! Will only use Rick Steves travel guides from now on!!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so impressed with this very comprehensive guide to Athens and the islands. Rick thoroughly covers the history, culture, architecture, art, transportation, and food. Our trip will take us to Athens, Mykonos, and Crete. I also watched his excellent video. Between it and this book, I was able to plan our itinerary, armed with all the facts I needed.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great information on how to make the most out of your visit.

[B.C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not really sure how to rate a travel book. I don’t know if it will actually be helpful until I go to Greece, so I rated it equal to my college text books. I normally do wins/loses, but I don’t think I can do that on this book. There was a lot of information and I felt like it was honest information. The massive amounts of information can be very dry at times; especially, if you are not going to some of the places in the book. I skipped over the sections that I knew I would not be visiting. There is a touch of humor mixed in which helps keep it interesting enough to plow through.

The things that I thought were the most valuable are the differences between Europe and America (boy am I in for some serious culture shock, haha). The book also talks about how to manage money as well, which I think will be huge. Lastly, there is a checklist of things I need to make sure I bring with me (you can never have to many checklists when you are going on a long trip).

Overall… I think it was helpful. I got excited about some things, worried about others, but that’s the adventure of travel. I think I will pick through the Italy book, rather than read a majority like I did in this one.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book again had some helpful information to prepare for our trip. I didn't get as much out of it as I did the Italy book. And it covers the entire country. It's helpful to plan your trip too. Because Steves gives you restaurants and all the major sightseeing points. So you can determine what cities you want to go to. Again, I would recommend reading one of his books before going, but just borrow it from a friend and or the library.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rick Steves says that you only need 2-3 days in Athens, and boy was he wrong! (In his defense, other travel writers said the same thing.) We didn't even touch the surface of this wonderful city and cannot wait to go back!

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited to be going to Greece in April.
This is an awesome resource for the places we will see.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The trip would not have been the same without it.