Nomad Guide to 10 Best Map & GPS for Greece [2025]
Make your way through Argos to Ithaca with our 10 best navigation apps
Summary
When in Rome, you do as the Romans do. When in Greece, you can cruise along the Aegean coast, or weave through the lively streets of Athens. Yet, navigating this captivating country, especially for first-time visitors, can present its own set of challenges. To make your Greek odyssey smoother, here is our guide to 10 essential map and GPS apps to navigate Greece with confidence and ease.
Here are the apps we'll cover:
Essential Navigation & GPS Apps
- Google Maps: Your global guide, providing turn-by-turn directions for walking, driving, and public transportation, along with offline maps and real-time traffic updates.
- Apple Maps: A user-friendly navigation app for iPhone users, offering real-time traffic data, turn-by-turn directions, and Siri integration.
- Maps.me: Navigate Greece offline with this app, featuring detailed maps for both urban and rural areas, including tourist attractions.
- Here WeGo: Discover offline maps and navigation for driving and public transportation, ideal for journeys with limited internet access.
Public Transport Apps
- OASA Telematics: Master Athens' public transportation system with real-time updates on buses, trams, and metro schedules.
- Moovit: Plan your public transit routes in Athens and other cities with detailed schedules and real-time information.
- Citymapper: Get precise, step-by-step transit directions for navigating buses, trams, and metros in Athens.
Island-Hopping & Ferry Apps
- Ferry Hopper: Simplify island transfers with real-time ferry schedules and bookings.
- Greek Ferries: Offers ferry schedules and booking services for island-hopping in Greece, with instant booking and real-time updates.
Car Specific Navigation Apps
- Sygic GPS Navigation: Navigate Greece by car with offline maps, real-time traffic updates, and speed limit alerts.
- TomTom GO Navigation: Drive with confidence using this GPS app, offering offline maps, live traffic data, and speed camera warnings.
Navigation & GPS Apps
1. Google Maps
Google Maps is your all-encompassing guide app to navigating Greece, from bustling city streets to winding coastal roads. This global navigation powerhouse offers real-time directions for every mode of transport, ensuring you never lose your way. Think of it as your digital Ariadne's thread, guiding you through the labyrinthine streets of Athens or the scenic routes of the Peloponnese.
Key Features:
- Route Planning: Plan every step of your journey with turn-by-turn directions, whether you're navigating Athens' public transit, driving through the mainland, or walking to a seaside taverna.
- Offline Maps: Download detailed maps of specific regions or entire islands, allowing you to explore even without a data connection.
- Real-Time Traffic Updates: Stay ahead of traffic snarls, especially in Athens, with live updates that help you find the fastest route.
- Explore Nearby: Uncover hidden gems and popular attractions, from ancient ruins to charming restaurants, complete with reviews and contact information.
Why you should get Google Maps: For any traveler in Greece, Google Maps is the most reliable and versatile navigation app. Its familiar interface, combined with powerful features like offline maps, GPS, and real-time updates, makes it an indispensable companion.
Usage Tips: Download maps of the areas you plan to visit before your trip to use offline and avoid roaming charges. Use the 'Explore Nearby' function to discover local dining and attraction recommendations as you wander.
Download it via the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Apple Maps
For iOS users, Apple Maps provides a seamless and intuitive navigation experience, designed to integrate perfectly with your iPhone or iPad. It offers detailed directions and helpful features tailored for your Greek adventures.
Key Features:
- Turn-by-Turn Navigation: Enjoy voice-guided, real-time navigation for driving along the coast, walking through historic towns, or cycling on the islands.
- Siri Integration: Use Siri to request directions, find nearby places, and navigate hands-free, keeping your focus on the road or path.
- Traffic Data: Stay informed about traffic conditions with real-time updates, helping you avoid delays in cities like Athens.
- Flyover: Get a bird's-eye view of major cities like Athens with interactive 3D Flyover views, allowing you to preview your destination.
Why you should get Apple Maps: If you're an iPhone or iPad user, Apple Maps offers a user-friendly and integrated navigation solution. Its Siri integration and real-time traffic updates make it a convenient choice for exploring Greece.
Usage Tips: Take advantage of the 'Look Around' feature to preview street-level views of your destination before you go. Enable real-time traffic updates to navigate Athens' busy streets efficiently.
Download it via the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
3. Maps.me
For off-the-grid explorations in Greece, Maps.me is your reliable companion. This offline map and navigation app offers detailed maps of both bustling cities and tranquil rural areas, ensuring you're never lost, even without a signal.
Key Features:
- Offline Maps: Download maps for entire regions and cities, including the Greek islands, allowing for seamless navigation without data.
- Walking & Driving Directions: Get detailed directions, whether you're navigating city streets or driving on winding island roads.
- Points of Interest: Discover a wealth of information on tourist attractions, restaurants, hotels, and essential services.
- Customisable Map Layers: Tailor your map view to display hiking trails, public transport routes, and other relevant features.
Why it's important: Maps.me is essential for travellers venturing beyond Greece's major cities. Its offline functionality makes it a vital tool for exploring the islands or rural destinations where internet access is unreliable.
Usage Tips: Download the maps for your chosen destinations before arriving in Greece to ensure you can use them offline. If you plan on hiking, especially on islands like Crete or in mountainous regions, utilise the app's hiking trail layers for safe and informed exploration.
Download it via the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
Public Transport Apps
4. OASA Telematics
Navigate the Athenian public transport system with confidence using OASA Telematics. This app provides real-time updates on buses, trams, and metro schedules, making it your key to conquering the city's complex network.
Key Features:
- Real-Time Updates: Stay informed with up-to-the-minute arrival times for buses, trams, and metro trains.
- Route Planning: Find the most efficient routes to your destination, combining different modes of public transport.
- Bus and Metro Maps: Access detailed maps of the Athens metro and bus systems.
Why it's important: OASA Telematics is crucial for tourists exploring Athens. It provides the essential real-time information specifically for the city's public transportation, making it invaluable for daily commutes within the capital. However, its focus is limited to Athens, so the app won't be helpful for navigating other parts of Greece.
Usage Tips: Save your most frequently used routes for quick access, simplifying your daily commutes within Athens. Check the real-time arrival times before heading to the station to avoid unnecessary waiting.
Download it via the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
5. Moovit
Moovit is your global transit guide, extending its reach to Greece. This map and navigation app provides detailed schedules and route planning, simplifying public transport navigation in Athens and other Greek cities."
Key Features:
- Multi-Mode Transport: Plan your journey across metro, bus, tram, and even ferry routes, offering a broader overview of transit options.
- Real-Time Updates: Stay in the know with live data on bus and train arrivals, as well as any delays.
- Route Suggestions: Discover the best way to reach your destination with tailored route suggestions.
Why it's important: Moovit streamlines public transport navigation in Greece's major cities, including Athens and Thessaloniki. The app’s strength lies in its wider map coverage beyond just one city, and its inclusion of ferry routes can be beneficial for those planning trips that involve some island hopping. However, the accuracy of real-time data can sometimes vary.
Usage Tips: Use Moovit to find less crowded routes by checking real-time schedules and alternative options. Take some time to explore the app's features before relying on it to navigate Athens' public transit in any Greek city that you visit.
Download it via the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
6. Citymapper
Citymapper is your dedicated guide to urban mobility, offering detailed transit directions in Athens. This app makes navigating Greece’s buses, trams, and metros a breeze.
Key Features:
- Journey Planner: Plan your trip across various modes of transport, all with the help of real-time data.
- Step-by-Step Directions: Follow clear, turn-by-turn guidance to reach your destination with confidence.
- Live Updates: Stay informed about public transit delays or changes with live, up-to-the-minute information.
Why it's important: Citymapper simplifies your urban exploration within Athens. The map app’s user-friendly interface and real-time data empower you to navigate the city efficiently. However, its primary focus is on Athens, which may limit its usefulness if you're traveling extensively outside the city and around Greece.
Usage Tips: Always check the live updates before you travel to stay ahead of any disruptions. Citymapper is a valuable tool for exploring Athens' less-visited corners using public transport, offering a very granular level of detail for the city.
Download it via the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
Island-Hopping & Ferry Apps
7. Ferry Hopper
For travelers charting a course through the Aegean and Ionian Seas, Ferry Hopper is your essential maritime companion. This Greek navigation app simplifies the often-complex task of booking ferries between Greece's idyllic islands.
Key Features:
- Book Ferry Tickets: Seamlessly reserve your passage between iconic islands like Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete.
- Real-Time Availability: Stay flexible with access to up-to-the-minute ferry schedules and ticket availability.
- Multilingual Support: Navigate the app in your preferred language, designed for ease of use by international travelers.
Why it's important: Ferry Hopper streamlines the island-hopping experience, saving you time and the hassle of navigating Greece’s port ticket offices. This app is your key to unlocking Greece's island treasures.
Usage Tips: Plan your ferry routes well in advance, especially during the peak season, to secure your desired travel times. Explore potential early booking discounts or package deals for multiple island journeys.
Download it via the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
8. Greek Ferries
Greek Ferries is another valuable navigation app for island adventurers. This app offers a straightforward way to book ferry tickets, providing access to routes, schedules, and real-time availability information.
Key Features:
- Wide Coverage: Discover ferry services connecting the mainland to a multitude of Greek islands, from popular hotspots to more secluded destinations.
- Instant Booking: Secure your tickets directly through the app with instant confirmation.
- Real-Time Schedules: Access the latest ferry schedules to plan your island-hopping itinerary effectively.
Why it's important: Greek Ferries empowers you to plan and book your island travel with ease, avoiding the stress of waiting in line at the port and offering a user-friendly experience.
Usage Tips: Use this navigation app to compare ferry routes around Greece, allowing you to select the fastest or most convenient options. Consider booking during off-peak times to potentially avoid crowds and find better deals.
Car Specific Navigation Apps
9. Sygic GPS Navigation
For drivers exploring Greece's scenic roads, Sygic GPS Navigation is a reliable guide. This app offers offline maps and turn-by-turn directions, ensuring you stay on course even in remote areas.
Key Features:
- Offline Maps: Navigate Greece without relying on data, thanks to downloadable maps stored directly on your phone.
- Real-Time Traffic: Stay ahead of traffic with live updates on road conditions, including jams and accidents.
- Speed Limits: Receive timely alerts as you approach speed limit zones, helping you drive safely and avoid fines.
Why it's important: Sygic GPS Navigation is ideal for travelers renting a car in Greece. It provides a smooth and stress-free driving experience, especially when navigating unfamiliar routes in rural areas or on the islands.
Usage Tips: Download the maps of Greece on your app before you travel to avoid incurring international data charges. Leverage the real-time traffic feature to minimise delays, especially in congested cities like Athens or during peak tourist seasons.
Download it via the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
10. TomTom GO Navigation
Explore Greece by car with confidence using TomTom GO Navigation. This trusted navigation app delivers accurate and up-to-date navigation, complete with offline maps and intelligent route planning.
Key Features:
- Offline Maps: Rely on downloaded maps for seamless navigation without an active internet connection.
- Live Traffic Updates: Steer clear of traffic congestion with real-time traffic and route information.
- Speed Camera Alerts: Receive timely notifications as you approach speed cameras along your route.
Why it's important: TomTom GO Navigation is a dependable map & GPS app for tourists driving in Greece. Its accurate directions and live traffic updates ensure a smooth and efficient journey.
Usage Tips: Download the maps of Greece on your app prior to your trip to guarantee uninterrupted navigation. Utilise TomTom's traffic updates to bypass popular traffic bottlenecks, particularly around major attractions.
Download it via the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
Power Your Apps With Nomad Greece eSIM
To fully harness the power of these navigation apps to get around Greece, a reliable internet connection is key. Enhance your Greek exploration with a Nomad Greece eSIM, ensuring seamless access to the best travel apps for Greece across the mainland and islands, without the worry of roaming fees.
