Greece

Европа
Updated26.08.2021
Capital

Athens

Borders

The country is located in Southeast Europe; southern Balkans

Sea

Aegean Sea in the east
Ionian Sea in the west
Cretan Sea and Mediterranean Sea in the north

Borders

Albania in the northwest
North Macedonia and Bulgaria in the north
Turkey in the northeast

Coastline

The coastline is 13676 km

Language

Official – Greek 96.8%
English 1%
Russian 0.8%
Bulgarian 0.5%

Religion
90% Orthodox
4% No religion
3% Other Christians
2 Muslims
Form of government

Unitary parliamentary republic

Validity of visa

Up to 90 days for non-Schengen citizens, indefinite for Schengen citizens
Greece is part of the Schengen Area and uses Schengen visas, you can read more about it here

Validity of passport

You need to have a passport that has at least three months of remaining validity.

Price

Schengen visas vary in price, but the most common price for adult is 80 EUR or 90 USD. Adults from Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan only pay 35 EUR or 39 USD. For children aged 6 to 12 you need to pay 30 EUR or 35 USD.

Types of visa

There are many different types of visa in Greece, but the most important one when travelling is the tourist visa.

How to get visa

To get a Schengen visa, you must fill out the form found here. You need to submit this form at the Greece overseas diplomatic office before going to Greece.

Time for obtaining a visa

To obtain a Schengen visa you must wait around two weeks

Consulate

You can find the address of the nearest consulate or embassy and their contacts on this page (https://www.embassypages.com/)

Customs requirements

There are no limitations to bringing any amount of tobacco or alcohol from EU countries, but it is still advisable to limit your imports.

Import restrictions within EU: Import restrictions outside EU:
1. tobacco products for passengers aged 17 and older: 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos (max. 3 grams each) and 200 cigars 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos (max. 3 grams each), or 50 cigars,
1 kg smoking tobacco or 250 grams of smoking tobacco,
or a proportional mix of all these products
2. alcohol products for passengers aged 17 and older: 11 liters of spirits over 22%, 20 litres of alcoholic beverages below 22% 1 liter of spirits over 22% or non-denatured ethyl alcohol with more than 80% volume, 2 liters of alcoholic beverages below 22%
90 liters of wine (but only 60 liters of sparkling wine) 4 liters of wine
110 liters of beer 16 liters of beer
3. Unlimited amount of perfumes 3. Other goods up to total value of 450 EUR for adults and 150 for children under the age of 15

Other import restriction for all countries:

1. You can import any amount of medicine for personal use
2. If you are importing any kind of gold, you must declare it on arrival
3. Importing meat and milk is only allowed from EU countries and Andorra, Norway, Liechtenstein, San Marino and Switzerland
4. You cannot import protected products such as the ones listed by the CTES
5. You can bring up to 2 kg of baby food, powdered milk or special medical food
6. You can import up to 20 kg of disembowelled fish
7. Any kind of ammunition or firearms must be declared before arriving in Greece

Free export of:

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco
2. 1 liter of wine and 1 liter of spirits
3. 1/4 liter of eau de cologne and 1 bottle of perfume
4. articles for personal use
Children&Pets

Children need to have their own passport or identity card.

Pets need to be identifiable, vaccinated against rabies and have a valid health certificate.

Currency
Import Export
There is no limit within EU. There is no limit within EU.
If coming from outside of EU, you can only import up to 10000 EUR. If you’re going to a country outside of EU, you can only export up to 10000 EUR.
Currency converter
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  • LKR: Sri Lankan Rupee
  • LRD: Liberian Dollar
  • LSL: Lesotho Loti
  • LYD: Libyan Dinar
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  • MDL: Moldovan Leu
  • MGA: Malagasy Ariary
  • MKD: Macedonian Denar
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  • MRU: Mauritanian Ouguiya
  • MUR: Mauritian Rupee
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  • MXN: Mexican Peso
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  • NPR: Nepalese Rupee
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  • PHP: Philippine Peso
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  • SAR: Saudi Riyal
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  • SLL: Sierra Leonean Leone
  • SOS: Somali Shilling
  • SRD: Surinamese Dollar
  • SSP: South Sudanese Pound
  • STD: São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (pre-2018)
  • STN: São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra
  • SVC: Salvadoran Colón
  • SYP: Syrian Pound
  • SZL: Swazi Lilangeni
  • THB: Thai Baht
  • TJS: Tajikistani Somoni
  • TMT: Turkmenistani Manat
  • TND: Tunisian Dinar
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  • XAF: CFA Franc BEAC
  • XAG: Silver Ounce
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  • XCD: East Caribbean Dollar
  • XDR: Special Drawing Rights
  • XOF: CFA Franc BCEAO
  • XPD: Palladium Ounce
  • XPF: CFP Franc
  • XPT: Platinum Ounce
  • YER: Yemeni Rial
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  • ZMW: Zambian Kwacha
  • ZWL: Zimbabwean Dollar
  • AED: United Arab Emirates Dirham
  • AFN: Afghan Afghani
  • ALL: Albanian Lek
  • AMD: Armenian Dram
  • ANG: Netherlands Antillean Guilder
  • AOA: Angolan Kwanza
  • ARS: Argentine Peso
  • AUD: Australian Dollar
  • AWG: Aruban Florin
  • AZN: Azerbaijani Manat
  • BAM: Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark
  • BBD: Barbadian Dollar
  • BDT: Bangladeshi Taka
  • BGN: Bulgarian Lev
  • BHD: Bahraini Dinar
  • BIF: Burundian Franc
  • BMD: Bermudan Dollar
  • BND: Brunei Dollar
  • BOB: Bolivian Boliviano
  • BRL: Brazilian Real
  • BSD: Bahamian Dollar
  • BTC: Bitcoin
  • BTN: Bhutanese Ngultrum
  • BWP: Botswanan Pula
  • BYN: Belarusian Ruble
  • BZD: Belize Dollar
  • CAD: Canadian Dollar
  • CDF: Congolese Franc
  • CHF: Swiss Franc
  • CLF: Chilean Unit of Account (UF)
  • CLP: Chilean Peso
  • CNH: Chinese Yuan (Offshore)
  • CNY: Chinese Yuan
  • COP: Colombian Peso
  • CRC: Costa Rican Colón
  • CUC: Cuban Convertible Peso
  • CUP: Cuban Peso
  • CVE: Cape Verdean Escudo
  • CZK: Czech Republic Koruna
  • DJF: Djiboutian Franc
  • DKK: Danish Krone
  • DOP: Dominican Peso
  • DZD: Algerian Dinar
  • EGP: Egyptian Pound
  • ERN: Eritrean Nakfa
  • ETB: Ethiopian Birr
  • EUR: Euro
  • FJD: Fijian Dollar
  • FKP: Falkland Islands Pound
  • GBP: British Pound Sterling
  • GEL: Georgian Lari
  • GGP: Guernsey Pound
  • GHS: Ghanaian Cedi
  • GIP: Gibraltar Pound
  • GMD: Gambian Dalasi
  • GNF: Guinean Franc
  • GTQ: Guatemalan Quetzal
  • GYD: Guyanaese Dollar
  • HKD: Hong Kong Dollar
  • HNL: Honduran Lempira
  • HRK: Croatian Kuna
  • HTG: Haitian Gourde
  • HUF: Hungarian Forint
  • IDR: Indonesian Rupiah
  • ILS: Israeli New Sheqel
  • IMP: Manx pound
  • INR: Indian Rupee
  • IQD: Iraqi Dinar
  • IRR: Iranian Rial
  • ISK: Icelandic Króna
  • JEP: Jersey Pound
  • JMD: Jamaican Dollar
  • JOD: Jordanian Dinar
  • JPY: Japanese Yen
  • KES: Kenyan Shilling
  • KGS: Kyrgystani Som
  • KHR: Cambodian Riel
  • KMF: Comorian Franc
  • KPW: North Korean Won
  • KRW: South Korean Won
  • KWD: Kuwaiti Dinar
  • KYD: Cayman Islands Dollar
  • KZT: Kazakhstani Tenge
  • LAK: Laotian Kip
  • LBP: Lebanese Pound
  • LKR: Sri Lankan Rupee
  • LRD: Liberian Dollar
  • LSL: Lesotho Loti
  • LYD: Libyan Dinar
  • MAD: Moroccan Dirham
  • MDL: Moldovan Leu
  • MGA: Malagasy Ariary
  • MKD: Macedonian Denar
  • MMK: Myanma Kyat
  • MNT: Mongolian Tugrik
  • MOP: Macanese Pataca
  • MRU: Mauritanian Ouguiya
  • MUR: Mauritian Rupee
  • MVR: Maldivian Rufiyaa
  • MWK: Malawian Kwacha
  • MXN: Mexican Peso
  • MYR: Malaysian Ringgit
  • MZN: Mozambican Metical
  • NAD: Namibian Dollar
  • NGN: Nigerian Naira
  • NIO: Nicaraguan Córdoba
  • NOK: Norwegian Krone
  • NPR: Nepalese Rupee
  • NZD: New Zealand Dollar
  • OMR: Omani Rial
  • PAB: Panamanian Balboa
  • PEN: Peruvian Nuevo Sol
  • PGK: Papua New Guinean Kina
  • PHP: Philippine Peso
  • PKR: Pakistani Rupee
  • PLN: Polish Zloty
  • PYG: Paraguayan Guarani
  • QAR: Qatari Rial
  • RON: Romanian Leu
  • RSD: Serbian Dinar
  • RUB: Russian Ruble
  • RWF: Rwandan Franc
  • SAR: Saudi Riyal
  • SBD: Solomon Islands Dollar
  • SCR: Seychellois Rupee
  • SDG: Sudanese Pound
  • SEK: Swedish Krona
  • SGD: Singapore Dollar
  • SHP: Saint Helena Pound
  • SLL: Sierra Leonean Leone
  • SOS: Somali Shilling
  • SRD: Surinamese Dollar
  • SSP: South Sudanese Pound
  • STD: São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (pre-2018)
  • STN: São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra
  • SVC: Salvadoran Colón
  • SYP: Syrian Pound
  • SZL: Swazi Lilangeni
  • THB: Thai Baht
  • TJS: Tajikistani Somoni
  • TMT: Turkmenistani Manat
  • TND: Tunisian Dinar
  • TOP: Tongan Pa'anga
  • TRY: Turkish Lira
  • TTD: Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
  • TWD: New Taiwan Dollar
  • TZS: Tanzanian Shilling
  • UAH: Ukrainian Hryvnia
  • UGX: Ugandan Shilling
  • USD: United States Dollar
  • UYU: Uruguayan Peso
  • UZS: Uzbekistan Som
  • VEF: Venezuelan Bolívar Fuerte (Old)
  • VES: Venezuelan Bolívar Soberano
  • VND: Vietnamese Dong
  • VUV: Vanuatu Vatu
  • WST: Samoan Tala
  • XAF: CFA Franc BEAC
  • XAG: Silver Ounce
  • XAU: Gold Ounce
  • XCD: East Caribbean Dollar
  • XDR: Special Drawing Rights
  • XOF: CFA Franc BCEAO
  • XPD: Palladium Ounce
  • XPF: CFP Franc
  • XPT: Platinum Ounce
  • YER: Yemeni Rial
  • ZAR: South African Rand
  • ZMW: Zambian Kwacha
  • ZWL: Zimbabwean Dollar
0
  • AED: United Arab Emirates Dirham
  • AFN: Afghan Afghani
  • ALL: Albanian Lek
  • AMD: Armenian Dram
  • ANG: Netherlands Antillean Guilder
  • AOA: Angolan Kwanza
  • ARS: Argentine Peso
  • AUD: Australian Dollar
  • AWG: Aruban Florin
  • AZN: Azerbaijani Manat
  • BAM: Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark
  • BBD: Barbadian Dollar
  • BDT: Bangladeshi Taka
  • BGN: Bulgarian Lev
  • BHD: Bahraini Dinar
  • BIF: Burundian Franc
  • BMD: Bermudan Dollar
  • BND: Brunei Dollar
  • BOB: Bolivian Boliviano
  • BRL: Brazilian Real
  • BSD: Bahamian Dollar
  • BTC: Bitcoin
  • BTN: Bhutanese Ngultrum
  • BWP: Botswanan Pula
  • BYN: Belarusian Ruble
  • BZD: Belize Dollar
  • CAD: Canadian Dollar
  • CDF: Congolese Franc
  • CHF: Swiss Franc
  • CLF: Chilean Unit of Account (UF)
  • CLP: Chilean Peso
  • CNH: Chinese Yuan (Offshore)
  • CNY: Chinese Yuan
  • COP: Colombian Peso
  • CRC: Costa Rican Colón
  • CUC: Cuban Convertible Peso
  • CUP: Cuban Peso
  • CVE: Cape Verdean Escudo
  • CZK: Czech Republic Koruna
  • DJF: Djiboutian Franc
  • DKK: Danish Krone
  • DOP: Dominican Peso
  • DZD: Algerian Dinar
  • EGP: Egyptian Pound
  • ERN: Eritrean Nakfa
  • ETB: Ethiopian Birr
  • EUR: Euro
  • FJD: Fijian Dollar
  • FKP: Falkland Islands Pound
  • GBP: British Pound Sterling
  • GEL: Georgian Lari
  • GGP: Guernsey Pound
  • GHS: Ghanaian Cedi
  • GIP: Gibraltar Pound
  • GMD: Gambian Dalasi
  • GNF: Guinean Franc
  • GTQ: Guatemalan Quetzal
  • GYD: Guyanaese Dollar
  • HKD: Hong Kong Dollar
  • HNL: Honduran Lempira
  • HRK: Croatian Kuna
  • HTG: Haitian Gourde
  • HUF: Hungarian Forint
  • IDR: Indonesian Rupiah
  • ILS: Israeli New Sheqel
  • IMP: Manx pound
  • INR: Indian Rupee
  • IQD: Iraqi Dinar
  • IRR: Iranian Rial
  • ISK: Icelandic Króna
  • JEP: Jersey Pound
  • JMD: Jamaican Dollar
  • JOD: Jordanian Dinar
  • JPY: Japanese Yen
  • KES: Kenyan Shilling
  • KGS: Kyrgystani Som
  • KHR: Cambodian Riel
  • KMF: Comorian Franc
  • KPW: North Korean Won
  • KRW: South Korean Won
  • KWD: Kuwaiti Dinar
  • KYD: Cayman Islands Dollar
  • KZT: Kazakhstani Tenge
  • LAK: Laotian Kip
  • LBP: Lebanese Pound
  • LKR: Sri Lankan Rupee
  • LRD: Liberian Dollar
  • LSL: Lesotho Loti
  • LYD: Libyan Dinar
  • MAD: Moroccan Dirham
  • MDL: Moldovan Leu
  • MGA: Malagasy Ariary
  • MKD: Macedonian Denar
  • MMK: Myanma Kyat
  • MNT: Mongolian Tugrik
  • MOP: Macanese Pataca
  • MRU: Mauritanian Ouguiya
  • MUR: Mauritian Rupee
  • MVR: Maldivian Rufiyaa
  • MWK: Malawian Kwacha
  • MXN: Mexican Peso
  • MYR: Malaysian Ringgit
  • MZN: Mozambican Metical
  • NAD: Namibian Dollar
  • NGN: Nigerian Naira
  • NIO: Nicaraguan Córdoba
  • NOK: Norwegian Krone
  • NPR: Nepalese Rupee
  • NZD: New Zealand Dollar
  • OMR: Omani Rial
  • PAB: Panamanian Balboa
  • PEN: Peruvian Nuevo Sol
  • PGK: Papua New Guinean Kina
  • PHP: Philippine Peso
  • PKR: Pakistani Rupee
  • PLN: Polish Zloty
  • PYG: Paraguayan Guarani
  • QAR: Qatari Rial
  • RON: Romanian Leu
  • RSD: Serbian Dinar
  • RUB: Russian Ruble
  • RWF: Rwandan Franc
  • SAR: Saudi Riyal
  • SBD: Solomon Islands Dollar
  • SCR: Seychellois Rupee
  • SDG: Sudanese Pound
  • SEK: Swedish Krona
  • SGD: Singapore Dollar
  • SHP: Saint Helena Pound
  • SLL: Sierra Leonean Leone
  • SOS: Somali Shilling
  • SRD: Surinamese Dollar
  • SSP: South Sudanese Pound
  • STD: São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (pre-2018)
  • STN: São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra
  • SVC: Salvadoran Colón
  • SYP: Syrian Pound
  • SZL: Swazi Lilangeni
  • THB: Thai Baht
  • TJS: Tajikistani Somoni
  • TMT: Turkmenistani Manat
  • TND: Tunisian Dinar
  • TOP: Tongan Pa'anga
  • TRY: Turkish Lira
  • TTD: Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
  • TWD: New Taiwan Dollar
  • TZS: Tanzanian Shilling
  • UAH: Ukrainian Hryvnia
  • UGX: Ugandan Shilling
  • USD: United States Dollar
  • UYU: Uruguayan Peso
  • UZS: Uzbekistan Som
  • VEF: Venezuelan Bolívar Fuerte (Old)
  • VES: Venezuelan Bolívar Soberano
  • VND: Vietnamese Dong
  • VUV: Vanuatu Vatu
  • WST: Samoan Tala
  • XAF: CFA Franc BEAC
  • XAG: Silver Ounce
  • XAU: Gold Ounce
  • XCD: East Caribbean Dollar
  • XDR: Special Drawing Rights
  • XOF: CFA Franc BCEAO
  • XPD: Palladium Ounce
  • XPF: CFP Franc
  • XPT: Platinum Ounce
  • YER: Yemeni Rial
  • ZAR: South African Rand
  • ZMW: Zambian Kwacha
  • ZWL: Zimbabwean Dollar
0
  • AED: United Arab Emirates Dirham
  • AFN: Afghan Afghani
  • ALL: Albanian Lek
  • AMD: Armenian Dram
  • ANG: Netherlands Antillean Guilder
  • AOA: Angolan Kwanza
  • ARS: Argentine Peso
  • AUD: Australian Dollar
  • AWG: Aruban Florin
  • AZN: Azerbaijani Manat
  • BAM: Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark
  • BBD: Barbadian Dollar
  • BDT: Bangladeshi Taka
  • BGN: Bulgarian Lev
  • BHD: Bahraini Dinar
  • BIF: Burundian Franc
  • BMD: Bermudan Dollar
  • BND: Brunei Dollar
  • BOB: Bolivian Boliviano
  • BRL: Brazilian Real
  • BSD: Bahamian Dollar
  • BTC: Bitcoin
  • BTN: Bhutanese Ngultrum
  • BWP: Botswanan Pula
  • BYN: Belarusian Ruble
  • BZD: Belize Dollar
  • CAD: Canadian Dollar
  • CDF: Congolese Franc
  • CHF: Swiss Franc
  • CLF: Chilean Unit of Account (UF)
  • CLP: Chilean Peso
  • CNH: Chinese Yuan (Offshore)
  • CNY: Chinese Yuan
  • COP: Colombian Peso
  • CRC: Costa Rican Colón
  • CUC: Cuban Convertible Peso
  • CUP: Cuban Peso
  • CVE: Cape Verdean Escudo
  • CZK: Czech Republic Koruna
  • DJF: Djiboutian Franc
  • DKK: Danish Krone
  • DOP: Dominican Peso
  • DZD: Algerian Dinar
  • EGP: Egyptian Pound
  • ERN: Eritrean Nakfa
  • ETB: Ethiopian Birr
  • EUR: Euro
  • FJD: Fijian Dollar
  • FKP: Falkland Islands Pound
  • GBP: British Pound Sterling
  • GEL: Georgian Lari
  • GGP: Guernsey Pound
  • GHS: Ghanaian Cedi
  • GIP: Gibraltar Pound
  • GMD: Gambian Dalasi
  • GNF: Guinean Franc
  • GTQ: Guatemalan Quetzal
  • GYD: Guyanaese Dollar
  • HKD: Hong Kong Dollar
  • HNL: Honduran Lempira
  • HRK: Croatian Kuna
  • HTG: Haitian Gourde
  • HUF: Hungarian Forint
  • IDR: Indonesian Rupiah
  • ILS: Israeli New Sheqel
  • IMP: Manx pound
  • INR: Indian Rupee
  • IQD: Iraqi Dinar
  • IRR: Iranian Rial
  • ISK: Icelandic Króna
  • JEP: Jersey Pound
  • JMD: Jamaican Dollar
  • JOD: Jordanian Dinar
  • JPY: Japanese Yen
  • KES: Kenyan Shilling
  • KGS: Kyrgystani Som
  • KHR: Cambodian Riel
  • KMF: Comorian Franc
  • KPW: North Korean Won
  • KRW: South Korean Won
  • KWD: Kuwaiti Dinar
  • KYD: Cayman Islands Dollar
  • KZT: Kazakhstani Tenge
  • LAK: Laotian Kip
  • LBP: Lebanese Pound
  • LKR: Sri Lankan Rupee
  • LRD: Liberian Dollar
  • LSL: Lesotho Loti
  • LYD: Libyan Dinar
  • MAD: Moroccan Dirham
  • MDL: Moldovan Leu
  • MGA: Malagasy Ariary
  • MKD: Macedonian Denar
  • MMK: Myanma Kyat
  • MNT: Mongolian Tugrik
  • MOP: Macanese Pataca
  • MRU: Mauritanian Ouguiya
  • MUR: Mauritian Rupee
  • MVR: Maldivian Rufiyaa
  • MWK: Malawian Kwacha
  • MXN: Mexican Peso
  • MYR: Malaysian Ringgit
  • MZN: Mozambican Metical
  • NAD: Namibian Dollar
  • NGN: Nigerian Naira
  • NIO: Nicaraguan Córdoba
  • NOK: Norwegian Krone
  • NPR: Nepalese Rupee
  • NZD: New Zealand Dollar
  • OMR: Omani Rial
  • PAB: Panamanian Balboa
  • PEN: Peruvian Nuevo Sol
  • PGK: Papua New Guinean Kina
  • PHP: Philippine Peso
  • PKR: Pakistani Rupee
  • PLN: Polish Zloty
  • PYG: Paraguayan Guarani
  • QAR: Qatari Rial
  • RON: Romanian Leu
  • RSD: Serbian Dinar
  • RUB: Russian Ruble
  • RWF: Rwandan Franc
  • SAR: Saudi Riyal
  • SBD: Solomon Islands Dollar
  • SCR: Seychellois Rupee
  • SDG: Sudanese Pound
  • SEK: Swedish Krona
  • SGD: Singapore Dollar
  • SHP: Saint Helena Pound
  • SLL: Sierra Leonean Leone
  • SOS: Somali Shilling
  • SRD: Surinamese Dollar
  • SSP: South Sudanese Pound
  • STD: São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (pre-2018)
  • STN: São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra
  • SVC: Salvadoran Colón
  • SYP: Syrian Pound
  • SZL: Swazi Lilangeni
  • THB: Thai Baht
  • TJS: Tajikistani Somoni
  • TMT: Turkmenistani Manat
  • TND: Tunisian Dinar
  • TOP: Tongan Pa'anga
  • TRY: Turkish Lira
  • TTD: Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
  • TWD: New Taiwan Dollar
  • TZS: Tanzanian Shilling
  • UAH: Ukrainian Hryvnia
  • UGX: Ugandan Shilling
  • USD: United States Dollar
  • UYU: Uruguayan Peso
  • UZS: Uzbekistan Som
  • VEF: Venezuelan Bolívar Fuerte (Old)
  • VES: Venezuelan Bolívar Soberano
  • VND: Vietnamese Dong
  • VUV: Vanuatu Vatu
  • WST: Samoan Tala
  • XAF: CFA Franc BEAC
  • XAG: Silver Ounce
  • XAU: Gold Ounce
  • XCD: East Caribbean Dollar
  • XDR: Special Drawing Rights
  • XOF: CFA Franc BCEAO
  • XPD: Palladium Ounce
  • XPF: CFP Franc
  • XPT: Platinum Ounce
  • YER: Yemeni Rial
  • ZAR: South African Rand
  • ZMW: Zambian Kwacha
  • ZWL: Zimbabwean Dollar
0
  • AED: United Arab Emirates Dirham
  • AFN: Afghan Afghani
  • ALL: Albanian Lek
  • AMD: Armenian Dram
  • ANG: Netherlands Antillean Guilder
  • AOA: Angolan Kwanza
  • ARS: Argentine Peso
  • AUD: Australian Dollar
  • AWG: Aruban Florin
  • AZN: Azerbaijani Manat
  • BAM: Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark
  • BBD: Barbadian Dollar
  • BDT: Bangladeshi Taka
  • BGN: Bulgarian Lev
  • BHD: Bahraini Dinar
  • BIF: Burundian Franc
  • BMD: Bermudan Dollar
  • BND: Brunei Dollar
  • BOB: Bolivian Boliviano
  • BRL: Brazilian Real
  • BSD: Bahamian Dollar
  • BTC: Bitcoin
  • BTN: Bhutanese Ngultrum
  • BWP: Botswanan Pula
  • BYN: Belarusian Ruble
  • BZD: Belize Dollar
  • CAD: Canadian Dollar
  • CDF: Congolese Franc
  • CHF: Swiss Franc
  • CLF: Chilean Unit of Account (UF)
  • CLP: Chilean Peso
  • CNH: Chinese Yuan (Offshore)
  • CNY: Chinese Yuan
  • COP: Colombian Peso
  • CRC: Costa Rican Colón
  • CUC: Cuban Convertible Peso
  • CUP: Cuban Peso
  • CVE: Cape Verdean Escudo
  • CZK: Czech Republic Koruna
  • DJF: Djiboutian Franc
  • DKK: Danish Krone
  • DOP: Dominican Peso
  • DZD: Algerian Dinar
  • EGP: Egyptian Pound
  • ERN: Eritrean Nakfa
  • ETB: Ethiopian Birr
  • EUR: Euro
  • FJD: Fijian Dollar
  • FKP: Falkland Islands Pound
  • GBP: British Pound Sterling
  • GEL: Georgian Lari
  • GGP: Guernsey Pound
  • GHS: Ghanaian Cedi
  • GIP: Gibraltar Pound
  • GMD: Gambian Dalasi
  • GNF: Guinean Franc
  • GTQ: Guatemalan Quetzal
  • GYD: Guyanaese Dollar
  • HKD: Hong Kong Dollar
  • HNL: Honduran Lempira
  • HRK: Croatian Kuna
  • HTG: Haitian Gourde
  • HUF: Hungarian Forint
  • IDR: Indonesian Rupiah
  • ILS: Israeli New Sheqel
  • IMP: Manx pound
  • INR: Indian Rupee
  • IQD: Iraqi Dinar
  • IRR: Iranian Rial
  • ISK: Icelandic Króna
  • JEP: Jersey Pound
  • JMD: Jamaican Dollar
  • JOD: Jordanian Dinar
  • JPY: Japanese Yen
  • KES: Kenyan Shilling
  • KGS: Kyrgystani Som
  • KHR: Cambodian Riel
  • KMF: Comorian Franc
  • KPW: North Korean Won
  • KRW: South Korean Won
  • KWD: Kuwaiti Dinar
  • KYD: Cayman Islands Dollar
  • KZT: Kazakhstani Tenge
  • LAK: Laotian Kip
  • LBP: Lebanese Pound
  • LKR: Sri Lankan Rupee
  • LRD: Liberian Dollar
  • LSL: Lesotho Loti
  • LYD: Libyan Dinar
  • MAD: Moroccan Dirham
  • MDL: Moldovan Leu
  • MGA: Malagasy Ariary
  • MKD: Macedonian Denar
  • MMK: Myanma Kyat
  • MNT: Mongolian Tugrik
  • MOP: Macanese Pataca
  • MRU: Mauritanian Ouguiya
  • MUR: Mauritian Rupee
  • MVR: Maldivian Rufiyaa
  • MWK: Malawian Kwacha
  • MXN: Mexican Peso
  • MYR: Malaysian Ringgit
  • MZN: Mozambican Metical
  • NAD: Namibian Dollar
  • NGN: Nigerian Naira
  • NIO: Nicaraguan Córdoba
  • NOK: Norwegian Krone
  • NPR: Nepalese Rupee
  • NZD: New Zealand Dollar
  • OMR: Omani Rial
  • PAB: Panamanian Balboa
  • PEN: Peruvian Nuevo Sol
  • PGK: Papua New Guinean Kina
  • PHP: Philippine Peso
  • PKR: Pakistani Rupee
  • PLN: Polish Zloty
  • PYG: Paraguayan Guarani
  • QAR: Qatari Rial
  • RON: Romanian Leu
  • RSD: Serbian Dinar
  • RUB: Russian Ruble
  • RWF: Rwandan Franc
  • SAR: Saudi Riyal
  • SBD: Solomon Islands Dollar
  • SCR: Seychellois Rupee
  • SDG: Sudanese Pound
  • SEK: Swedish Krona
  • SGD: Singapore Dollar
  • SHP: Saint Helena Pound
  • SLL: Sierra Leonean Leone
  • SOS: Somali Shilling
  • SRD: Surinamese Dollar
  • SSP: South Sudanese Pound
  • STD: São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (pre-2018)
  • STN: São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra
  • SVC: Salvadoran Colón
  • SYP: Syrian Pound
  • SZL: Swazi Lilangeni
  • THB: Thai Baht
  • TJS: Tajikistani Somoni
  • TMT: Turkmenistani Manat
  • TND: Tunisian Dinar
  • TOP: Tongan Pa'anga
  • TRY: Turkish Lira
  • TTD: Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
  • TWD: New Taiwan Dollar
  • TZS: Tanzanian Shilling
  • UAH: Ukrainian Hryvnia
  • UGX: Ugandan Shilling
  • USD: United States Dollar
  • UYU: Uruguayan Peso
  • UZS: Uzbekistan Som
  • VEF: Venezuelan Bolívar Fuerte (Old)
  • VES: Venezuelan Bolívar Soberano
  • VND: Vietnamese Dong
  • VUV: Vanuatu Vatu
  • WST: Samoan Tala
  • XAF: CFA Franc BEAC
  • XAG: Silver Ounce
  • XAU: Gold Ounce
  • XCD: East Caribbean Dollar
  • XDR: Special Drawing Rights
  • XOF: CFA Franc BCEAO
  • XPD: Palladium Ounce
  • XPF: CFP Franc
  • XPT: Platinum Ounce
  • YER: Yemeni Rial
  • ZAR: South African Rand
  • ZMW: Zambian Kwacha
  • ZWL: Zimbabwean Dollar
0
Data provided by - Open Exchange Rates Ltd.
Sign

Euro = 100 cents

Code

EUR

Notes and coins

Notes 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euro
Coins 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents

Currency exchange

Where can I change my currency?
You can change your currency at specialized currency exhange offices, automated currency exchange machines or banks. Traveller cheques can be exchanged at banks, mostly Alphabank branches. Banks usually have better rates than exchange offices or automated exchange machines. ATMs and credit cards can also be used to exchange currency and they often provide better rates than other options.

Opening hours
Banks are open from 08:00 am to 14:30 pm, on all five work days. Most currency exchange offices operate similarly.

Commission
As stated, you can find the best rates either at banks or using ATMs and credit cards. In most cases, it is much more economical to exchange larger amounts than smaller.

ATM

ATMs can be found virtually everywhere. Do note that Greek ATMs do not use 5 number pin codes, if your pin code consists of 5 numbers, it is advisable to change it before coming to Greece. Many ATMs have withdrawal limits, but they vary from bank to bank.

Commission
Most ATMs charge 2 or 3 EUR fee for cashing out money. In some smaller villages or more remote locations, some ATMs can charge up to 4 EUR for withdrawing money.

Useful tips

What currency should I take with me?
Besides euros, the most popular currencies in Greece are the American dollar, UK pound, Japanese yen and the Australian dollar. For example, automated exchange machines will only accept these currencies plus most of European currencies. It is highly advisable to have euros but other currencies may suffice too.

Is it profitable to cash and change money at the airport?
Cashing or changing money at airports is usually the same as doing it anywhere else. Airports have no additional fees.

How to pay in hotels, shops, restaurants, taxis?
In many hotels, shops, restaurants and taxis you can pay using a credit card. Cash is good to have if you’re visiting more remote locations or smaller businesses. It is recommended to pay in smaller notes or coins because sometimes change is scarce.

Other
It is not advisable to have notes larger than 50 EUR. There are two reasons for this: 1. change is often scarce and 2. people sometimes think that larger notes are counterfeit.
Tipping in Greece is very uncommon, both in restaurants and in taxis.

 

Current weather
Climate

Greece is a large and topographically diverse country so there are many different climates.
For the most part, the weather follows a typical Mediterranean climate pattern with hot, dry summers and mild rainy winters.
The country receives a lot of sunshine, for which it is rightly famous, and prolonged stretches of rainy weather are uncommon.
There are really only two seasons in Greece: hot and dry between April and September; mild and wet from October to March.

Seasons

The best period for a beach holiday is the long summer, from early June to mid-September.
The best seasons for visiting historic and archaeological sites and cities are spring and autumn.
Winter is cold in the north and in the mountainous regions, while it is windy and rainy in the south and on the islands, so it’s is not the best season to visit Greece.

Average temperatures

The average daily temperature in January is 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) in Iraklion (on the southern island of Crete), 9.5 °C (49 °F) in Athens, and 5.5 °C (42 °F) in Thessaloniki.
Summer is hot: in July and August, the average maximum temperature is 31/32 °C (88/90 °F), but on hotter periods it can easily rise to around 35/36 °C (95/97 °F).

Facts

Greece has one of the oldest cultures in the world, as there’s evidence that Ancient Greece already existed in 12th century BC. As Ancient Greece was a predecessor to the Western civilization, Greece is a very important country in regards to history. Many beautiful and thousand year old ruins litter the country, each with its own importance. Cities like Athens or Rhodes Town are historically important on their own. There are also many museums that house incredible artifacts and other objects. Besides the historical significance, Greece also has many beautiful landmarks. From the never-ending seas and sandy beaches, to stunning mountains, there’s a lot to see in terms of environments. If neither history nor nature is your thing, Greece can offer you other activities. From bustling nightlife in Mykonos, to various restaurants or sports, there are a lot of activities to do in the country.

Athen's Acropolis

Athen’s Acropolis is one of the most recognizable historical landmarks not only in Greece, but also in the world. The historical significance of this landmark cannot be understated, as the Acropolis can be seen as a symbol of the Western Civilization. Located in the hearth of the Athens, Acropolis is composed of three temples that are still standing since the 5th century BC. Parthenon is the most famous of these temples and its a beautiful reminder of the legacy left behind by ancient Greeks. Surrounding the Acropolis are other interesting attractions such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Agora and the Roman Forum.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/YnD2SWFcH24aXazs7
Acropolis is located in the hearth of Athens, making it very easy to reach by any type of transportation.

Santorini

Santorini is a stunning Greek island surrounded by a deep blue sea. Cliff-top cities like Fira and Oia offer stunning views of the sea and the azure skies, views which you won’t find anywhere else. Besides, both of these cities have artful cobblestone streets filled with traditional shops and cozy taverns. On the island you can also find monasteries, churches, cathedrals and other architectural masterpieces. If you’re into extreme sports, this is one the best places for skydiving in Greece. Moreover, you can relax on serene beaches or visit various museums. If all that doesn’t interest you, there’s always an option to check out an active volcano located right on the island.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/8NWiCJQ9oHoruUYK6
From Athens, you can travel either by plane or by a ferryboat. Flying is a faster and more direct option, taking around 40 minutes. Taking a ferryboat is less expensive, but much more time consuming, as it can take you from 5 to 8 hours to reach the island. On the island, you can travel by bus or by taxi.

Mykonos

Mykonos is another beautiful island destination that you should not miss. Mykonos town is constantly bustling with activities, especially in places like restaurants, bars or live music venues. Narrow and tiny streets, whitewashed steps and a whitewashed church, all give Mykonos a unique look and feel. The whole island is very bright in regards to color, with almost all buildings being white. If you want to relax or go swimming, there are many spectacular beaches in Mykonos. Because of all these reasons, Mykonos is a cosmopolitan and a popular destination.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/sqcAaga4pSzyd7fA9
From Athens, you can reach Mykonos either by plane or by ferry. Flying is more expensive but faster, as it takes around 35 minutes to reach Mykonos, and more direct. On the other hand, travelling by ferry is less expensive but takes more time, as it takes from 2 to 5 hours to reach the island. Mykonos can be navigated on foot, by bus or by taxi.

Delphi

Delphi is a sacred Greek site, which is now an UNESCO World Heritage site. Thousands of years ago, Greek citizens came here to pray to the god of light and music Apollo. Today, this site houses the ruins of many spectacular buildings like various temples, a theatre and even a stadium. The theatre is especially beautiful, as it was built in the 4th century and could house around 5000 people. Nearby, there’s a museum that features highly detailed collection of objects from this site.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/YyJffvCcJTcRnNBq8
Delphi is located about 180 km northwest of Athens. To get there, you either to need to ride a car or a bus. By bus, it will take you around 3 hours to reach Delphi, by car the time is shorter, only taking about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your speed.

The Samaria Gorge

The Samaria Gorge is a spectacular 16 kilometer long canyon, that is located within the Samaria National Park. Not only is it long, but also quite narrow, at its narrowest the canyon is only 4 meters wide. This is an extremely popular tourist destination for walking, as it takes from 5 to 7 hours to complete the whole journey. During this journey you will experience rocky and steep hills, forests full of pine trees and beautiful shores that border the Libyan Sea. The Samaria Gorge is a perfect place to relax and enjoy some exercise.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/NMRkBXi7HHbZMkNP7
The Samaria Gorge is located in the western part of Crete, which is about 300 km south of Athens. First of all, you need to get to Crete. To reach Crete, you can take a plane or a ferry. Travelling by plane costs more but only takes around 1 hour. Travelling by ferry is less expensive, but may take from 6.5 hours to 13 hours depending on your ferry. On the island, you can approach the gorge either from south or north. The northern entrance is only accessible by car, while the southern entrance is only accessible by boat.

Acropolis Museum

Acropolis Museum is one of the most popular museums in Greece and is focused specifically on the Acropolis, which is mentioned above. From the Greek Bronze Age to Byzantine Greece, the museum houses over 4000 objects that are historically important. For example, in the museum you can see a statue of young man carrying a calf, called Moschophoros, which dates all the way back to 6th century BC. After observing various objects, you can head to a restaurant located right in the museum. This restaurant offers not only great food but also a spectacular view of the Parthenon.

Website: https://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/en

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/d5QCuLqMM4W6rj1s9
The museum is located in the centre of Athens, making it easily accessible by any means of transportation.

Rhodes Town

Rhodes Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site located on the Rhodes island. This town is a piece of history that is different from destinations like the Acropolis, as Rhodes Town is not a showcase of Ancient Greece but it rather showcases the beauty of the Middle Ages. From its jaw-dropping fortifications and towers, to cobble streets and churches, there is a lot to see in this town. Moreover, there’s a palace called Kastelo, which was the administrative centre of Knights of St John of Rhodes. The whole town is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, which makes Rhodes Town one of the most unique historical destinations in Greece.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/RJMW8935tfbApFGH6
Rhodes Town is located about 450 km southeast of Athens. Like many other islands, it is accessible in two ways: either by plane or by boat. Flying takes around 50 minutes, but costs more. Taking a boat takes a very long time, from 15 to 18 hours, but costs less. Moreover, boats sometimes run only once per day. On the island, you can reach the town either by car, bus, taxi or a transfer.

Myrtos Beach

Myrtos Beach is one of the most popular beach destinations in Greece, even being voted as the best beach in the country 12 times. The main reason of its popularity is the water, as the blue and torquoise contrast very sharply with white colors of the pebbles on the beach. This makes the water look very magical and unusual. Surrounded by tall and steep cliffs, this whole places looks like it’s out of a fairytale.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/Hrappr5ZMCguP7BS8
Myrtos Beach is located on the Kefalonia island, around 300 km west of Athens. From Athens, the island can be reached by plane or by boat. Flying takes around 1 hour, but most flights only operate from May to October. By boat, it takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the island and boats run 4 times per day. On the island, you reach the beach by car or by bus.

Meteora

Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage site that consists of six monasteries that are open to public. The catch? All of these monasteries are located on top of huge boulders and cliffs. Reaching this destination is a challenge itself, as there’s a long staircases that is needed to climb this rocky outcrop. Inside the monasteries you can find various religious icons, incense and Byzantine frescoes. On top of that, an amazing view opens up once you reach the highest boulder, making this an unforgettable experience.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/xpcVgFdu8ZhNKQsR9
Meteora is located about 280 km northwest of Athens. To reach this destination, you can rent a car, take a bus or a train. Both of these options will take you to Kalambaka, which is the base for exploring Meteora. The train runs once a day and takes from 4 to 5 hours to reach Kalambaka. Several buses run from Athens to Meteora, taking about the same time as the train.

Mount Athos

Mount Athos is a mountain and an peninsula located in the Northern part of Greece. The mountain’s peak is around 2 kilometers and its total area consists of around 350 square kilometers. Here you can find 20 Orthodox monasteries that are still used to this day, as around 2000 monks inhabit them. Mount Athos is located within an autonomous state and sadly only male tourists are allowed to enter this part of the country, but everyone can get into boats that run near the mountain. This is an incredibly unique location, as its not only very beautiful but also very secluded and mysterious.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/GabJ4z6jjs1VCaaE8
Mount Athos is located about 220 km northeast of Athens. The easiest way to reach Mount Athos is from Thessaloniki. To reach Thessaloniki, you can ride a bus, train or car from Athens. From there, you can take a bus or a ferry to Mount Athos. To get around the mountain, you can use boats or buses. Walking on foot is also an option.

Emergency phone numbers
Single emergency telephone number 112
Ambulance 166
Police 100
Fire department 199
Coast guard 108
Emergency social assistance 197
Consulate / Embassy

Please visit this page to find your country’s embassy.

Insurance

Travel insurance is not compulsory in Greece, but it’s a good idea to have one. Insurance is issued for each tourist and eliminates the need to pay for medical expenses for emergency medical care. Many insurance also cover things like theft, loss of baggage or even emergency repatriation. Some things that are not covered by insurance in Greece include extreme sports and other high-risk activities, alcohol abuse, natural disasters and things like epidemics or terrorist attacks. There are several types of insurances like single-trip insurance, annual multi-trip insurance and backpacker insurance. On the lower end, insurance may cost from 30 to 100 USD, but it greatly varies. Moreover, if you need a visa to get into Greece, health insurance is mandatory.

Vaccinations

To visit Greece, there are no mandatory vaccination requirements, but some vaccines are recommended. These vaccines are: chickenpox, tetanus, flu, measles and polio. Infants between 6 and 11 months should especially get 1 dose of measles vaccine. If you’re planning on travelling in areas filled with wildlife, a rabies vaccine is highly recommended. Moreover, people who have hepatitis should also have their shots before departing for Greece.

Drinking water, food

Water and food in Greece is almost always safe, there are no huge issues in the country in regards to them. You should only worry about water if you’re in a very rural area, where water is gathered from unregulated wells. When travelling in rural areas, it is advised to have bottled water with you.

Insects and animals

Insects and animals are common in Greece, especially outside major cities. To avoid insect bites, you should try to cover yourself as much as possible and use insect repellent. In hotels or other places of accommodation, you should always make sure there is enough ventilation. DEET is a useful repellent against ticks and mosquitoes. Permethrin coated clothes are also useful for avoiding bites. If you do get bitten, try to avoid scratching the bites and you should apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion. If you do a lot of outdoor activites, you should regularly check your body for tics. Try to avoid any stray or wild animals you may encounter. If you get bit by any animal, you should instantly wash your wound and go to the doctor. If you wake in a room with a bat, also seek medical care immediately.

In case you get sick while travelling
  1. Call the assistance company, which is a partner of your insurance company. Contacts can be found in the insurance policy.
  2. Provide all the necessary information regarding the insured event and the symptoms with which the illness proceeds.
  3. The representative of the assistance company will find a suitable medical institution where you should go. If the clinic is far from your place of stay, ask what type of transport you can use and whether the trip will be paid for by the insurance company later. For payment, keep all documents proving your transportation costs to the medical facility. These documents must reflect the cost and route (if possible).
  4. Upon arrival at the medical facility, do not pay for any services other than those agreed with the assistance company. Do not leave any important documents at registration.
  5. Keep all documents that prove the costs of purchased drugs.
  6. Do not contact medical institutions (individual doctors) before receiving approval from the assistance company. You will have to pay for such requests yourself and there is a high risk that these costs will not be reimbursed by the insurance company in the future.
Hospitals

Healthcare in Greece is of high quality, but it also highly depends whether it’s a private or a public hospital. Private hospitals can be costly, but provide fast and efficient service. Public hospitals can be a bit worse in terms of service, because there might not be enough staff, but the healthcare is still high quality, especially in major Greek cities.

  • General Hospital Ioanninon Chatzikosta
    L. Makrygianni, PC 454 45, Ioannina, Greece
    Phone: +30 26513 66 111
  • Hygeia Hospital
    Erythrou Stavrou 4 & Kifisias, 151 23 Maroussi, Athens
    Phone: +210 68 67 000
  • Mitera General Maternity & Children’s Hospital
    Erythrou Stavrou 6 151 23, Marousi Attica
    Phone: +210 6869 000
  • Regional General Hospital Evangelismos
    Ypsilandou 45-47, PC 10676, Athens
    Phone: +213 2041000
What if you have lost your passport?
  1. Contact the local police as soon as possible, where you will be given a temporary ID. Ask to certify two copies: show one at the embassy, ​​and the second will be useful at home when you restore your passport.
  2. Call the embassy, ​​clarify what documents will be required to restore your identity card, and the time of reception.
    Usually this:
    – two photos;
    – an identity document (civil passport, its certified copy, driver’s license, hunting ticket or any document with your name, photo and seal);
    – if any, electronic copies of the international passport and the general civil passport;
  3. Go to the embassy. If everything is in order with the documents, a certificate of the right to return to your homeland will be issued to you on the same day within a few hours, and you will present it at the airport at passport control on your way home. Keep in mind that this certificate is valid for 14 days, so if you came for a long vacation and lost your passport on the very first day, it is worth doing the restoration no earlier than 2 weeks before departure.
Useful Tips

Greece is generally a safe country, but theft and other accidents can happen. Terrorism, for example, is rare today but is not an impossibility.
Do not take drinks from strangers and do not carry large amounts of money with you, do not display money and valuables, choose main roads and well-lit places.
The sun is very active at summer months, so you should definitely use sunscreen and drink enough water. On the other hand, during winter, you should be prepared for the cold conditions.
Wash your hands often.
Always be aware of what’s happening on public transport.
Earthquakes are the most common natural disasters in the country, so be aware of them.
Forest fires can also occur during summer months, so caution is advised.
If you have a disability, do note that many places in Greece often lack accommodations for the disabled.
Drug usage is punished severely in Greece.
It is illegal to photograph military installations in Greece.

General Information

There are 3 main mobile operators in Greece, with smaller subsidiaries also existing.

Cosmote
Info Cosmote is the fastest and biggest mobile operator in Greece. Frog Mobile is a subsidiary of Cosmote.
Cost 10 EUR for a prepaid SIM card (called the Cosmokarta) + a bonus package
Internet data size 400 MB + 7 GB
Internet speed 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE
Other 300 + 200 domestic call minutes
300 + 200 call minutes to Cosmote mobiles
200 SMS
Valid for 1 month
Where to buy In Cosmote official shops, street distributors or Germanos stores
Official site https://www.cosmote.gr/  
How to recharge You can top up your SIM card at Cosmote official site (minimum recharge amount is 10 EUR), Cosmote or Germanos stores or with a Cosmote app (which is only available in Greek)
Vodafone
Info Vodafone is the second biggest mobile operator in Greece. Tazamobile is a subsidiary of Vodafone.
Cost 8.50 EUR for a prepaid SIM card (Called the Vodafone CU) or 9.95 EUR for a data-only SIM (called the Vodafone Giga Wifi)
Internet data size 500 MB or 40 GB
Internet speed 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE
Other 250 domestic call minutes (none for the data-only SIM)
Valid for 1 month
Where to buy Vodafone stores, various kiosks, supermarkets and other stores
Official site https://www.vodafone.gr/
How to recharge You can top up your SIM card by buying vouchers in Vodafone or other stores or online at Vodafone’s website
WIND
Info WIND is the smallest mobile operator in Greece. Q is a subsidiary of WIND.
Cost 5 EUR for a prepaid SIM card (Called WIND F2G) + 12 EUR for a combo package called Blender
Internet data size 20 MB + 1.5 GB
Internet speed 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE
Other 60 + 450 domestic call minutes
50 + 120 domestic SMS
Valid for 1 month
Where to buy You can buy WIND SIM cards at their stores
Official site https://www.wind.gr/
How to recharge You can recharge your SIM card at the WIND or F2G website or using the F2G app
Useful Tips

All SIM cards in Greece expire if they’re not used for 12 months. Moreover, you have to top up your card every 2 months or else you will lose all your balance.
For more information, you can visit this page

Plug & Sockets

Voltage 230 V
Frequency 50 Hz
Plug type C/F
Useful tips

Check if you need an adapter before starting a trip
Plug type F is useful for the socket C
Some appliances never need a converter. If the label states ‘INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz’ the appliance can be used in all countries in the world

Public Transport

Greece is a country with a relatively modern transport infrastructure. Train infrastructure is not very well developed, but buses and other transport is quite good. Roads themselves are safe and well maintained, but safety and increased caution is advised on Greek roads, due to high rate of car accidents in Greece. Reminder: always validate your ticket on the public transport.
Road traffic is on the right side.

Trains

Trains and railways in Greece are not as developed, but improvements are happening, albeit slowly. Despite this, trains are relatively modern and comfortable, though not very fast. Trains only cover the most major cities like Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra and others, so it’s not possible to get around the whole country solely by train. Thematical trains, trains that solely run on old railways for tourism reasons, are found in Greece and can be a fun experience. In Greece, there are two classes of trains: regular and intercity trains. Trains used to relatively cheap, but since the crisis ticket prices have increased. OSE is the company that runs all the trains in Greece, so if you need more information like schedules, visit their website: http://www.trainose.gr/en/

Bus

Buses in Greece are very well developed and are the most popular method of public transportation. They cover almost all of Greece, including some islands like Corfu and Zakynthos. Buses are very modern, comfortable and fast, thought in some more rural areas buses can be harder to find and they can be a bit older. There are also international bus routes to and from the neighbouring countries. Buses in Greece are run by a company called KTEL, with different branches for each region of Greece. Tickets can be bought from a driver, online or at the bus stations. For more information, go to this website www.ktelbus.com

Metro

Metro in Greece can only be found in Athens, though in 2023 Thessaloniki Metro is scheduled to open. This is a very fast way of getting around Athens and it’s also relatively cheap. Metro runs from 5 am to midnight on most days, but on weekends it can run until 2 am. At peak hours, metro trains run around every 5 minutes.

Tram

Tramways only run in the biggest Greek cities. They can be quite fast, as they have their own set of tracks, which allows them to reach their destination faster than buses or taxis. Tramways run from very early morning, around 5 or 6 am, till midnight or longer, but it depends on the city.

Taxi

Taxis are easy to identify in Greece, as every taxi is equipped with a sign at the top and a meter. You can wave your hand to stop a taxi on a street or find one at their stands. Calling is also possible. It’s easy to find them in cities like Athens, but they can much rarer in more remote areas. As usual, from midnight to 5 am, taxi rates are increased. Taxi meters in all of Greece start from 1.20 EUR and rates vary from city to city. In some places you may be asked to pay a fixed amount of money for the ride.

Car rental

You can easily rent a car at the biggest Greek cities or the most popular tourist destinations. Travelling by car in this country can be quite nice, as roads are well maintained, with exceptions in rural areas. On the other hand, compared to EU, Greece has a higher average of traffic incidents and casualties, so safety and caution is advised. Local rental companies are also cheaper than international ones, especially if you can negotiate. You need to be at least 21 to rent a car in Greece and have either an European driving license or the International Driving Permit.

Bikes

Biking is not very popular in Greece. It is possible to rent a bike, but only in the biggest cities and bike paths are barely existant. Riding a bike on the road can be quite dangerous and not often advised. The best places to rent a bike are regions with a lot of flatness, like the plains of Thrace or the island of Kos. Rental prices start from at least 10 EUR per day.

Boats

There are many ferries operating in Greece, as they are required to reach the Greek islands. There are many ferry operators and most of the schedules only become known when the tourism season starts (usually spring or summer). Furthermore, schedules can often change due to weather. Ferries are much rarer in the winter due to ice and less tourists. Check here for more information https://www.greekferries.gr/

Planes

Domestic flights are also available in Greece but mostly from or to the islands. They are very useful in the winter, when there are less ferries operating.

International Airports

The main international airport in Greece is the Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”

How to get to the city centre

Metro: a short walk from the airport you can find the metro system. There you can take line 3 to reach the centre of Athens.

Price 9 EUR
Schedule 05:35 am to 23:30 pm, every 30 minutes
Duration of the trip 40 to 45 minutes
Waiting time depends when you arrive

Bus: with local buses X93 and X95 you can easily reach the centre of Athens.

Price 6 EUR
Schedule 24 hours, every 15 (X95) or every 50 minutes (X93)
Duration of the trip 50 to 60 minutes
Waiting time not long, as you have two buses to choose from

Rental car: there are many car rental facilities at the airport.

Price at least 15 to 20 EUR per day
Duration of the trip 40 to 50 minutes by car

Taxi: you can find taxis in front of the arrivals. They are costly.

Price 38 EUR
Schedule 24 hours
Duration of the trip 40 to 50 minutes
Waiting time you can depart anytime

Private transfer: it is also possible to book a private transfer

Price at least 40 EUR
Safety

Greece is known for its family oriented lifestly and this also applies to tourists. Your children will be accepted almost everywhere, but some places might not have the accommodations that are specifically designed for kids.

Optimal time to travel with children

Spring and autumn are usually the best seasons to travel with children. The weather isn’t as hot as in the summer, but also not cold like in winter. Moreover, less people go to Greece during these seasons, meaning there are less crowds and you can find accommodations easier.

Infrastructure (hotels, shops, transport)

Many larger hotels have accommodations for children, including their own beds, travel cots and high chairs. Many hotels and public places also have playgrounds. Many restaurants are also very kid-friendly, as many Greek meals and drinks can easily be consumed by children. The staff are also very kind to children, as many people like being to kind to them. Shops are also child friendly, as they have many products that are designed for kids. Most taxis and public transportation won’t have children seats, but if you request a transfer, there is an option to have one. Rental cars have the same problem, as many companies may not offer this optins. On a plus side, young kids can get various discounts when riding public transport.

Baby products (food, care products, diapers, clothes, toys)

In major Greek cities, it’s very easy to find everything you need in terms of children’s products. From milk and baby formula to diapers, many supermarkets and stores have plenty of those products in stock. On the islands, these products can be harder to find though, but it heavily depends on your location and hotel.

Entertainment for children
  1. Water based activities like kayaking, swimming, snorkelling or just having a boat trip can be great experiences for children.
  2. Playgrounds and various children parks are usually very fun and interactive.
  3. Exploring historical locations like the Acropolis, Rhodes Town, Knossos or various museums can be a very educational experience.
  4. You and your children can partificate in various festivals or carnivals, or even watch a football game.
  5. Kids can also participate in various cooking lessons, poterry classes and other workshops.
  6. Activites like cycling, hiking or climbing can be fun for the whole family.
Babysitting

Many hotels will provide various babysitting services plus there are many independent babysitting services.

The best places to stay with children
  • Creta Maris Beach Resort is one of the best resorts for families in Greece. Kids will be accommodated here very nicely and find themselves with a lot of activities.
  • Grecotel Marine Palace & Aqua Park is an amazing place to stay if you love water based activities. There’s a beach, a waterpark and even a fishing village nearby. Moreover, they have specifically designed rooms for families.
  • Atrium Hotel is a good choice to consider, as there’s a pool specifically designed for children and other similar accommodations.
  • Stella Village Hotel & Bungalows is a great place to stay if you have kids. There are various children’s pools, clubs and even a mini circus.
What to take with you?
  • Beach gear and high factor sunscreen. Sunglasses are also very useful.
  • It is advisable to bring some high quality baby food or diapers, in case you won’t be able to find them in nearby stores.
  • Lightweight clothing, preferably natural fabrics.
  • During summer, an umbrella or a hat is advised.
  • During colder months, definitely take warm clothes so your children won’t get cold.
  • Necessary medicines: drugs for headaches, drugs for poisoning and indigestion, cardiovascular and choleretic drugs, eye drops, iodine, brilliant green and dressings.
  • Children seats or strollers can often be useful.
Pet friendly

Greece is a country with loyal attitude towards animals, but it’s a bit harder having your pet here as a tourist

Main rules
1. Chipping Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784 pet microchip that consists of 15 digits.
2. Vaccinations Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies no sooner than 21 day before entering Greece.
3. Rabies Titer Test All pets entering Greece will need to have a rabies titer test. If results are acceptable, your pet is allowed inside the country.
4. Health Certificate The following information only covers non-commercial pet importing. If entering Greece from outside EU, within 10 days of travel you need to have a non-commercial EU health certificate. If entering Greece from a country inside EU, your veterinarian only needs to update your EU Pet Passport.
5. Treatment of ticks and tapeworms You pet must be treated to any internal and external parasites before entering Greece; this must be reflected in the health certificate
6. Transportation by air When arriving at an airport, your pet must be a in good health and not carry any diseases that are communicable to humans. If your pet is not in a good health, it be treated by a veterinarian at your cost.
When arriving from a non-EU country, you and you pet must pass through the Border Inspection Post. Pets can enter Greece in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo.
7. Banned breeds A list of banned breeds in Greece is not published.
8. Other animals Various amphibians, fish, spiders and other invertebrates (except bees and crustaceans) from EU or rabies-controlled countries are not required to have a health certificate. Rabbits, reptiles and rodents, on the other hand, need to have a health certificate issued by a veterinarian.
9. CITES If your pet is not a common like a dog or a cat and especially if it’s a turtle or parrot, it is advisable to check that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case.
Public transport

If your pet is not very big, you can transport your pet on public transport in a suitable carrier. Bigger animals are not allowed on most public transport, with the exception of ferries. In all cases, remember to carry the pet’s ID card and health certificate.

Taxi

It is better to discuss this issue directly with the driver.

Accommodation

Only around 20% of hotels in Greece have accommodations for animals, mostly dogs. On the other hand, many Airbnbns are pet friendly. Most of the time you are not charged extra if you have an animal.

Duties

If all of the above rules are followed, there will be no problems traveling with animals in Greece.

Useful tips

Transporting animals long distances is a huge stress for them. Please consider this fact in order not to harm your little friend.
And if you cannot leave your pet under the supervision of the house, then take care of purchasing the most comfortable carrying and take with you enough medicines to solve the problems of the animal as soon as possible
Some restaurants are animal friendly, but many of them do not allow animals inside.

More information can be found on this website: https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/greece.cfm

Main Information

Road conditions in Greece are generally adequate, but despite that, Greece is a country with the fourth highest fatality rate in the European Union. Drivers are often aggressive, speedy and undecisive meaning you have to be cautious when driving on Greek roads. Weather hazard and poor roads in less popular locations can also be dangerous. If you’re riding a motorbike, a helmet is compuslory. There are some rules that a tourist should keep in mind:

  1. You can be fined for the unnecessary use of a car horn
  2. Talking on a phone while driving is illegal
  3. The use of full-beam headlights in towns is strictly prohibited
  4. It is forbbiden to change lanes at an intersection
  5. Traffic already in a roundabout has to stop and give way to cars entering the roundabout
Rules
Right-hand traffic
Urban 50 km/h
Speed limit Rural 110 km/h
Highway 120 km/h
Fuel Petrol 1.629 EUR/liter
Diesel 1.353 EUR/liter
Alcohol 0.05% (mg/L)
Minimal driving age 18
Age limits
Minimal rental age 21
Seat belts Seat belts must be worn in the front and in the rear
Highway

There are only two road tolls in Greece: from Athens to the Peloponnesus and from Athens to Thessaloniki.

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