Greece

General

Language:The official language of Greece is Greek. Most people connected with tourism and younger generations generally speak some English, French, German or Italian.National Emergency Numbers:Dial 112 for all emergencies.Public Holidays:The dates of certain public holidays change from year to year – refer below. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, then the Monday is also declared a public holiday.Jan 01 - New Year's DayJan 06 - EpiphanyFeb 27 - Clean Monday (Date varies every year, falls on the 7th Monday before Easter)Mar 25 - Independence DayApr 18 - Good Friday (Date varies every year, falls on the Friday before Easter)Aug 21 - Easter Monday (Date varies every year, falls on the Monday after Easter)May 01 - Labor DayJun 05 - Holy Spirit Monday (Date varies every year, falls on a Monday seven weeks after Easter)Aug 15 - Assumption DayOct 28 - Ochi DayDec 25 - Christmas DayDec 26 - Boxing DaySocial conventions:In general, Greeks are exceptionally friendly and curious, to an extent that can seem intrusive. Don’t be surprised at being asked personal questions, even on short acquaintance, or having your personal space invaded. On the other hand, you’re also likely to be invited to people’s houses, often to meet a large extended family. Should you get such an invitation, you are not expected to be punctual – thirty minutes late is normal – and you should bring a small gift, usually flowers, or cakes from the local cake shop. If you’re invited out to dinner, you can offer to pay, but it’s very unlikely you’ll be allowed to do so, and too much insistence could be construed as rude.Two pieces of body language that can cause unintentional offense are hand gestures; don’t hold your hand up, palm out, to anybody, and don’t make an OK sign by forming a circle with your thumb and forefinger – both are extremely rude. Nodding and shaking your head for yes and no are also unlikely to be understood; Greeks use a slight forward inclination of the head for yes, a more vigorous backward nod for no.Time Zone:Greece is on the EEST (UTC+02:00) and 7 hours ahead of EST.TippingResturantsIn Greece, it's expected that tourists will tip but some restaurants will still round-up the bill, so be careful. Don't leave any extra money if they have. A gratuity of between 5% and 10% is a good guide. Leave it on the table with the bill, give it to the waiter directly, or tell the waiter you don’t want change. In some restaurants, the owner does not allow their staff to keep the tips. You may want to ask if this is the case because if they don’t, you are just paying more for your meal.SpasThe staff at spas will not usually expect gratuities, but it's up to you. How much you leave depends on the quality of the spa and how good the service was. If you do want to leave a gratuity, ask at the reception if they have an envelope you can use.Tour GuidesIt is standard etiquette to tip on tours. For group tours, you can tip between $3 to $5 per person, per day. For private tours, tip $20 per person, per day.TaxisYou won't always be expected to tip your taxi driver. However, some taxi drivers may have grown used to it from tourists. So, it's up to you. If you do decide to tip your taxi driver round-up the fare or leave between 5% and 10%.US EmbassyAddress: 91 Vasilisis Sophias Avenue 10160 Athens, GreeceTel: +(30)(210) 721-2951Emergency After-Hours Tel: +30 210 729-4444 or +30 210 729-4301Fax: +(30)(210) 724-5313Email: [email protected]

Electricity

Plug Type: Type C, Type F 
Voltage (V): 230V 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50Hz 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances. 

Banking

Currency 

Local currency: Euro 
Symbol: € 
ISO code: EUR 
Subunit: Cent 
Banknotes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500 
Coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Yes 
Diner’s club: Yes 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM 
Weekends: Closed 
Public Holidays: No 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Cuisine

Food and water safety: 

Can you drink the tap water: Yes 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: Yes 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes 

 Local cuisine: 

Greek cuisine is known for its fresh ingredients, Mediterranean flavors, and emphasis on olive oil, herbs, and vegetables. Traditional dishes include moussaka, souvlaki, Greek salad, and baklava. Notable local drinks include ouzo, tsipouro, and retsina. 
Tipping: 10% 

Climate

Annual rainfall: 600 - 1100 mm 
Average temperature: 20°C 

Summer: 

Average highs: 30°C 
Average lows: 20°C 

Winter: 

Average highs: 13°C 
Average lows: 6°C 

Best time to visit: 

The best time to visit Greece is from April to October when the weather is warm and ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. 

Transport

Air: 

Main airlines: Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air 
International Airports: Athens International Airport, Thessaloniki Airport 
Domestic Airports: Heraklion Airport, Rhodes International Airport 

Road: 

Driving on the: Right 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: No 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 

Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 

Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: No 

Water: 

Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Dress

Spring and Summer 

Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 

Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 

General 

Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Health

Please consult your health-care provider 4-6 weeks prior to travel to ensure you are receiving all required vaccinations and that the medication has enough time to take effect. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance with medical benefits and that you bring any personal medication with you. Please also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.

Most public medical facilities in Greece offer adequate care, although service quality and hospital appearance may differ from the United States. Some private hospitals have affiliations with U.S. facilities and provide high-quality care. Many doctors trained in the United States or elsewhere in Europe. 

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Greek Embassy or consulate in the United States, the Customs office at Athens International Airport (+30 210-3542126) or the National Organization of Medicines ([email protected], www.eof.gr, +30 213-204-0000) to ensure the medication is legal in Greece. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.
 

Safety

All European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations. Greece’s open borders with other Schengen zone countries, as well as its long coastline and many islands, could permit terrorist groups to enter or transit the country with anonymity. You should remain vigilant and exercise caution. Domestic strikes, demonstrations, and work stoppages are common throughout Greece and can become violent. Stay informed through local news, hotel security, the Embassy website, and the Consular Section’s Facebook page.Transportation sector strikes interrupt traffic, public transportation, taxis, seaports, and airports. Reconfirm domestic and international flights before heading to the airport.

Visa

U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays under 90 days. Non U.S. citizens should consult with your local embassy.