12 Best Books Set in Greece To Travel Vicariously Through
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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.
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)
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)
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)
Quick snapshot: A story of two mothers and how they will stop at nothing to find their daughters. Author Patricia Wilson also penned Islands 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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
Conclusion
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!
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