Location
  • Greece
    • Athens
Length
1 to 12 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
605
Price Details
Fully hosted experience from only $605 for 1 week - this includes accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, orientation and 24/7 in-country support.
What's Included
Accommodation Airport Transfers Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Activities Airfare SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa
May 01, 2024
Feb 11, 2025
132 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 136,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in Greece and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 6 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in the safest hands with IVHQ in Greece.

Our affordable projects start from $56/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. Projects run year-round, with durations from 1-12 weeks. Choose from 6 projects, ranging from Homeless Support to Animal Care to Sports & Arts With Refugees in the stunning historical city of Athens. Plus, you’ll stay in a sustainable hostel with other like-minded, impact-focused travelers from around the world (private room options available).

With IVHQ’s superior pre-departure support services, you’ll gain exclusive access to your own Volunteer Travel Specialist, comprehensive preparation tools and volunteer training before you leave home.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Cheapest volunteer programs from $56/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
  • Volunteer for 1-12 weeks, year round start dates most Mondays.
  • 15+ years experience & only B Corp certified volunteer travel organization.
  • Get free changes up to 14 days before you start with our flexible booking policy.
  • Affordable way to earn college credit - gain 5 credits for only US$500!

Popular Programs

Animal Care in Athens

Want to volunteer with dogs in Greece - Athens? International Volunteer HQ’s Animal Care project is based in an animal shelter in Athens that provides a safe space for abandoned and rescued animals. As an animal shelter volunteer in Greece, you’ll help care for, feed, socialize and look after these dogs so that they can find a new and loving home. You may also have the chance to support adoption events and campaigns, and take photos of the animals to support re-homing efforts.

Community Support in Athens

Want to help refugees and asylum seekers in Greece - Athens? International Volunteer HQ’s Community Support project is based in a community center in Athens that provides a safe space for refugees and asylum seekers to upskill, secure steady employment and integrate into Greek society. As a volunteer in Greece, you’ll help local NGOs work together to provide workshops, language classes, and other essential services for refugees.

Homeless Support in Athens

Want to help the homeless in Greece - Athens? International Volunteer HQ’s Homeless Support project is a unique opportunity to get involved with local non-profit organizations that help provide aid to homeless people in Athens. As a volunteer in Greece, you’ll help NGOs provide basic services to vulnerable people, such as food, water, clothing, and help with legal documentation.

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 16 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.85
  • Support 4.65
  • Fun 5
  • Value 5
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 16 reviews
Default avatar
Cynthia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Making an impact no matter how small

I chose community service, and I couldn't be happier to find out I was to help prepare meals for disadvantaged refugees and families in Athens. It felt so rewarding to be able to help in the smallest but most impactful ways. I only regret coming for a short period. I am grateful I got to do my first volunteering abroad with IVHQ, and for all the people I met along the way. I was able to make an impact no matter how small, but also got to enjoy Athens after my shifts. I can't wait to do it again!

3 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Yaxi
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Perfect volunteer trip

At first my father was worried about my safety because my parents thought China was the safest country and Greece was not very safe. But this trip changed my parents' minds. Greece is safe (not absolutely, because there is no absolute security in the world), and I am worried that the people I meet are not very friendly. But the friendliness and enthusiasm of the people broke my worries and my nervousness about coming to a new place. Get along with them, I learned a lot of things, other countries' culture, customs.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Please don't worry too much about this volunteer activity. ivhq's actions will address your concerns and break your fears about a new place
Pros
  • photography
Cons
  • My power of expression
25 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Daniel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable experience.

From the start everything is well managed. I was in touch with the local team before I arrived, and when I did they were on time and professional. The accommodations were comfortable, and all of the information you need to travel from place to place is provided quickly and easily. In no time at all I was living like a local.
This is far better then just touring, as you really experience the local atmosphere and culture by being far from the regular tourist spots. No matter where you work, you will have opportunities to visit places on your own time.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The first day, jet lagged, overtired and overwhelmed, on the other side of the planet from my home, I thought that maybe I made a mistake choosing a program so far away. By the next day I was ready to explore the new place I found myself in, and the anxiety was gone. It was an experience I will never forget.
Pros
  • Famous locations
  • Friendly staff and locals
  • Cats!!!
Cons
  • Very dirty city
  • Long travel times
  • dangerous drivers
26 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Melissa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteer journey

My journey volunteering with Ivhq aboard was most enjoyable incredible experience meeting new people from all over world - is exciting getting know them as also developing friendships - meeting local team the guild as long the way - volunteer job was so fun helping out shelter with animals was fun - cleaning and feeding them was great way connect with people at shelter and touching animals that you don’t often work with is great experience as well - volunteering and traveling is good way to gain independence and getting of your comfort zone . Anyone who wants to should just do it do not over think it !

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
When you volunteer be open minded on your project and try it before thinking otherwise it gives you positive outcome
Pros
  • Working with animals you never prob work with
  • Meeting locals
  • Learning things about the animals
Cons
  • You won’t work with all animals that is in shelter
  • Some days maybe long shifts
  • Heat can be very hot if you volunteer with animals during summer
31 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sabrina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience Of My Life

Before I left for Greece I was super anxious and afraid of the unknown. I was nervous it was going to be a big mistake or not what I expected. 12 weeks later and I can confidently say it was the best experience of my life and I have never been more sad to leave something/somewhere.

The local team was amazing the whole 12 weeks I was there. They were so welcoming and constantly checking in on us, wanting to hear feedback, and making sure we were having a good time. They were always there for any question, comment, concern, or even recommendations of things to do. I even had a unique situation where I unfortunately had to go to the hospital for a week, but the local team was so helpful and there for me every second, bringing me there, bringing me items I needed, and constantly checking in. I’m so thankful to have had them with me during my time in Greece.

Everyone at the dog shelter was also super welcoming and friendly. You can see how much every volunteer loves the dogs and how hard every one of them works to keep them happy, healthy, and well trained. It was so heartwarming to see a dog being adopted, or for one to come in so afraid and then seeing them come out of their shell playing with another dog and being so happy, or even seeing them improve with training or when they wouldn’t react to something they would’ve before. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to volunteer with this shelter.

The accommodation where the volunteers stay was also very good. You stay in a hostel that’s open to everyone, not just volunteers. It’s a really great way to meet so many people from all over the world. The staff at the hostel are the most incredible staff I’ve ever met anywhere. They are all super friendly, fun to talk to, and there for anything you need. The manager's are also very approachable, friendly, and there for any question or concern you may have. The cleaning people go to your room everyday and if you want/need your sheets changed they will do it for you if you ask them directly or reception.

The location of where you’re staying is also really nice because you’re so close to the metro, and popular places like Monastiraki, Plaka, The Acropolis, etc. You also get free time on your weekends and it’s very easy to travel to other locations or islands if you’d like to!

The meals we’re provided are good and come in good sized portions. The only thing is there’s not a big variety for what you can order, but I was also there for so long so I kept getting the same things. Sometimes the volunteers would eat 2/3 free meals and the last meal we’d treat ourselves and go out for it. I felt it was really nice to have those prepaid meals to rely on though.

All in all, I had the most amazing time. This trip was so rewarding and impactful and if I could go back in time and do it all over again, I 100% would. I am already registered for another trip with IVHQ with a volunteer I met on my trip!

56 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Samichha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a lifetime!

I am so grateful I got to go to Greece and meet the amazing people. I got to do some amazing work that helped the community and in that process I got to work with so many other volunteers. There are some things that could've been better such as the transportation or an easier way to get to our shifts because not all places were completely safe and for a foreigner to be thrown in to that is a little hard but other than that I loved my time at Greece with all the wonderful people that I met along the way.

Pros
  • The experience
  • Friends you make
  • To help the community
Cons
  • The transportation to volunteer shifts
  • Your safety is in your own hands
  • Buying your own Metro cards or bus passes
77 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Brittany
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Greece

From turning something off my bucket list into a reality. This program was such a breathtaking experience, from the culture to the people to the set up of the program So happy I found IVHQ to help make my volunteer trip as easy as possible when it came to traveling solo for the first time. Taking pages from my textbooks and putting it right in front of me! My favorite part of the trip was being able to make friends from different parts of the world, walking along the coast of Chios, learning about the culture and helping around the school distract during their summer vacation. Not only did IVHQ allow me to be apart of something meaningful it allowed me to grow as a person and gave me the confidence to continue to travel solo later down the road!

What would you improve about this program?
One thing I believe should improve is the communication of the team organizing this trip. It was hard to get in contact with the head of place.
170 people found this review helpful.
female
Shawna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience!

I spent a week doing food outreach on Chios island in Greece through IVHQ. The support from staff provided clear expectations and helpful info. They were available daily if needed. It was great to help out and yet have time to experience the culture of the island. I had a great group of roommates and enjoyed getting to know people from all over the world. The project was rewarding and the staff was very helpful. I enjoyed having the opportunity to help out and learn about their program. I also enjoyed afternoons enjoying this beautiful island. The people that lived in the village where our accommodation was located were friendly and we enjoyed spending time with them as well. Enough free time to travel and explore. I will definitely be signing up for another project!

158 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Shawna. Thanks so much for your lovely review! It's so great to hear you had an amazing time on our program in Greece and got to experience much of what Chios has to offer. We hope to have you back on another IVHQ program soon. Jamie-Lee - IVHQ Program Manager.

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Questions & Answers

Hi Kobe, Yes, IVHQ has a dedicated Groups Team that can help manage your group. For more details on starting a group, visit our website, www.volunteerhq.org/volunteer-abroad-group/