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Sim Local is my first choice for staying connected in Greece. I’ve used it first hand, so read my full review and get 10% off with a discount code.
I am convinced that I will retire to Greece. I can just imagine living on the coast, drinking floral white wines and eating crispy calamari as the waves roll in. Hey, I can dream, right?
Until this dream becomes reality, I often travel to Greece to fill myself up. From island hopping to exploring places like Rhodes, there is just so much to see and do in this country. Luckily I’m always connected in Greece so I can tell all my friends, family and followers how much I love this place (I’m sorry I keep talking about it!)
How do I do this without paying a fortune in roaming fees? An eSIM. Unlike a traditional SIM card, an eSIM (embedded SIM card) is built directly into your phone and can be digitally activated in minutes. I remember years ago trying to buy a local SIM card in Corfu and nowhere being open on Sundays. Well, those days are now a thing of the past. You simply purchase a plan online, scan a QR code, and you’re connected before you’ve even packed your bag.
I’ve been using eSIMs when traveling for a few years now and they’ve completely changed the way I stay connected while abroad. On my last trip to Greece I used Sim Local and found it excellent. I never experienced signal failures, even while hiking in remote areas of the islands. I also processed a lot of data along the way by uploading photos and videos to Instagram. It’s all part of the job, promise!
If you want the same stress-free experience, read on. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about Sim Local’s Greece eSIM – including how to get 10% off with my discount code ADVENTURE.
Who are Sim Local and why are they good?
im Local has quietly become one of the most reliable options on the market for travelers. They operate in over 150 destinations worldwide and stand out not only for the breadth of their coverage, but also for the quality of the networks they use.
Many low-cost eSIM providers save money by connecting you to a single, often weaker local network. Sim Local is different. In Greece, your eSIM connects to Wind, one of the largest networks in the country, giving you solid and reliable coverage wherever you are. On the mainland, in the Cyclades, there was a constant strong signal in the middle of a ferry crossing. This reliability is truly impressive and perfect for travelers like me.
They are also completely transparent when it comes to pricing, with no hidden fees or surprise throttling in the fine print. You choose a plan, pay once and that’s it. For a travel blogger who has had to deal with shady providers, this clarity is worth its weight in gold.
There’s also a handy Sim Local app that lets you monitor your data usage, manage your eSIM and even buy top-ups if your credit runs out faster than expected. It’s actually a really useful app that actually works.
How does Sim Local eSIM work?
The process is refreshingly simple, and once you’ve done it, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with physical SIM cards.
Step 1 – Check compatibility. Most modern smartphones – iPhone XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, Google Pixel 3 and newer – support eSIM. If you’re unsure, Sim Local offers a compatibility checker on its website. Your phone must also be unlocked (i.e. not tied to a specific carrier).
Step 2 – Choose your plan. Go to simlocal.com and search for Greece. Depending on the data volume and duration, you will be shown different plans. Choose the one that suits your travel duration and usage habits.
Step 3 – Purchase and receive your QR code. Once you pay, Sim Local will email you a QR code almost immediately.
Step 4 – Install the eSIM. On iPhone: Go to Settings > Mobile data > Add eSIM > Use QR code. On Android it’s a similar process via Settings > Connections > SIM Manager. The entire installation takes about two minutes.
Step 5 – Go Live. You can install the eSIM before leaving home and simply turn it on when you land in Greece. Your UK number remains active on your primary SIM card, so you don’t miss any calls or messages while you’re away. Just a quick note: Make sure you turn off data roaming on your primary SIM card so you don’t get charged double for usage while you’re away.
That’s it really. I installed mine the night before my flight to Athens, turned it on as the plane’s wheels reached the runway, and was connected before I even reached the luggage.
Coverage: Where does Sim Local work?
Greece is a country full of contradictions when it comes to connectivity. Athens and Thessaloniki have excellent 4G and growing 5G coverage; You can stream and surf without worries. Popular islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Crete and Rhodes are equally well connected, with strong 4G in most tourist areas.
Things get more interesting on the smaller, quieter islands and in the rural interior. In very remote places the signal can be patchy – think inland mountain villages or tiny islands that don’t get many visitors. This is where a reliable network like Wind makes a real difference. In my experience, even in the more difficult to reach corners of Greece, I was still able to receive a usable signal in most cases, which is not a given with every provider.
As I explored the remote island of Tinos, I was pleasantly surprised to still have a working 4G connection most of the time. On the ferry between the islands, the signal held up well enough to send messages and surf easily. That’s more than I can say for some European eSIMs I tested, which dropped to zero the moment I was more than a mile offshore.
If you spend the entire trip in Athens or on the main tourist islands, there will be no complaints. If you’re traveling further afield, Sim Local is still the best eSIM option for Greece thanks to the reliable Wind connection.
Sim Local pricing and data plans
Sim Local’s Greece plans are competitive, especially when you consider the network coverage you get. Here’s a rough indication of what to expect:
| Plan | Data | validity | Approx. price |
| Light | 3GB | 30 days | $8.75 |
| standard | 10GB | 30 days | $19.50 |
| Heavy user | 20GB | 30 days | $21.50 |
Unlimited data plans for Greece
- Unlimited PRO 7 days 10GB full-speed data per day: $23.50
- Unlimited 5GB full-speed data per day for 7 days: $18.75
The difference between these two plans is the amount of high-speed data available daily. For example, if a customer uses all 10GB of high-speed data included in Unlimited PRO in a single day, they can continue using the data at reduced speeds. After 24 hours, the daily high-speed quota of 10 GB will be automatically reset.
For most holidaymakers who spend a week in Greece, the 10GB plan is the sweet spot. It’s more than enough for daily maps, social media, news and the occasional streaming session on a ferry. If you’re a remote worker, a heavy social media user, or plan on using your phone as a hotspot for a laptop, I’d go straight to 20GB and not look back.
One thing I appreciate about Sim Local is that they don’t offer meaningless “unlimited” plans with hidden throttling. You know exactly what you’re getting. And with my discount code ADVENTUREyou will get 10% discount some Greece plan. You can find all options HERE.
My experience: 1 week in Greece with Sim Local
To be honest, I’ve used Sim Local a few times already, so I knew what to expect when visiting Greece. Still, I was really surprised at how good the connectivity was on the islands.
I flew to Athens and spent a few days in the city before island hopping. From the moment I cleared customs, the Sim Local eSIM worked without any drama. The maps loaded instantly as I navigated the subway. I strolled through Monastiraki and Plaka, my phone confidently guiding me through the maze of streets. No signal drops, no buffering, no “searching for network” panics.
The real test came on the islands. I took a ferry to Andros and despite my previous experience with eSIMs on island routes, I half expected it, the signal lasted almost the entire crossing. Once on the island, connectivity was excellent. It was fast enough that I was able to upload photos of Chola to Instagram in real time while watching the sunset. (Priorities, of course.)
I also used the hotspot feature to plug my laptop in for a few hours on a quiet afternoon and it coped without flickering. Speeds were consistent and fast enough for email, light work, and a video call at home. I used maybe 6-7GB throughout the week.
The Sim Local app was also very useful. I checked my remaining data every morning and the interface was clean and simple. When I got home I simply switched back to my UK SIM and the Sim Local eSIM stayed in sleep mode, ready for next time.
Especially for Greece, where you’ll be frequently moving between islands, hopping on and off ferries, and exploring places where a single network eSIM might struggle, having a strong network like Wind behind your eSIM is a real advantage. I’ve used enough sketchy eSIMs in Europe to tell the difference, and this one actually worked.
If you are planning a trip to Greece, be it a city break to Athens, a week in Crete or a full island hopping adventure, I would have no hesitation in recommending Sim Local. Get your plan at simlocal.com and use the code ADVENTURE for 10% discount.
