Greece Country Guide
Greece's history and influence on modern Western society is unparalleled. It is a fascinating country with much to offer tourists. Greece is a country that has been firmly entrenched on the tourist map for many years, and for very good reason. More recently, the 2004 Olympics have also rejuvenated much of Greece, particularly Athens, and there are new developments and pedestrian zones throughout the capital.
There has never been a better time to come see all that Greece has to offer!
The Greece Country Guide below gives you some quick facts and background information to let you learn a little more about the country. Our Greece destination guide gives more detailed information about specific cities within Greece. More general information about what there is to see and do can be found on our Greece tours page.
We recommend you read about travel in Greece on GoNOMAD.
Check out the latest Greece Travel features on You Tube.
Greece Country Guide
Useful information on this page includes:
Greece's location gives it a warm Mediterranean climate. The hot, dry days of summer are often freshened by stiff breezes, specifically along the coastal areas and in the north of the country. Athens can be unbearably hot, so visitors should try to do their outdoor sightseeing in the early mornings or late afternoons during the summer months. The evenings are normally comfortably cool. Winters are quite mild in the south but usually much colder in the north. The rainy season runs from November to March.
Click on this Weather link to view the current weather in Greece, then select the city/region you wish to view.
The international dialing code for Greece is +30. To dial internationally from within Greece, dial 00 followed by the relevant country code and phone number.
Emergency numbers in Greece are: Ambulance (112 or 166); Fire (112 or 199); & Police (112 or 100).
Public phones are available throughout most of Greece and many operate on both coins & phone cards. Mobile roaming agreements also exist within Greece, or you can also try buying a local Greek ''Pre-Paid'' SIM card with your existing international phone to save on call rates.
If you are looking to send post overseas in Greece, it takes approximately 5 days for mainland Europe; 6 days to North America; and around 7 days to Australia. Operating hours of most Post Offices in Greece are 7.30am-2pm during weekdays, and 8am-2pm on weekends.
Internet cafes are plentiful in Greece's major cities and on many islands. Depending on the number of competitors, prices can range anywhere from 2-6 EUROS per hour. However some rural areas of Greece you will find limited availability.
The Euro (€) is now the official currency of Greece. 1 Euro = 100 cents. Notes come in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 EUROS. Coins come in denominations of 2, 1 and 50 EUROS, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. For current exchange rates, check OANDA.com the currency site.
Currency Exchange
Foreign currency can be exchanged at all banks and bureaux de change. Exchange rates will often differ from one bank to another, so it's best to look around for the best rate.
Credit/Debit Cards
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and other major credit cards are widely accepted throughout Greece. For further information, check with your credit or debit card company for details of acceptability and other local services which may be useful.
Travellers Cheque Advice
All major currencies of traveller's cheques are widely accepted and can be exchanged quite easily at banks. Commission is generally charged at 2 percent. Best rates are given for traveller's cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.
Banking Hours
Normal banking hours are Monday-Thursday 08:00-14:30, Friday 08:00-14:00. Banks on some of the larger islands will often stay open in the afternoon, as well as during the evening to offer currency exchange facilities during the peak of the tourist season.
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.
To view a list of Greek embassies around the world, as well as foreign embassies within Greece, click on this link to EmbassyWorld.com.
Population: 10.6 million people
Total Area: 131,940 square kilometres
Capital: Athens (3.7 million people)
Time Zone: GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March until the last Saturday in October)
To view the current time in Athens, click on this link to TimeAndDate.com.
The official language of Greece is Greek (Ellenika). However, most younger people or those involved in the tourism industry will speak some English, French, German or Italian. Some common Ellenika phrases include:
YES - ne
NO - okhee
GOOD BYE - kherete
DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH? - meelate angleeka?
OK - enta'ksi
GOODBYE - ghia
CHEERS! - stin ighia' soo!
EXCUSE ME/SORRY - sighno'mi
GOOD MORNING - kalime'ra
GOOD AFTERNOON/EVENING - kalispe'ra
GOOD NIGHT - kalini'chta
HELLO - ghia' soo
HOW ARE YOU? - ti' ka'nis?
THANK YOU - efcharisto
WHATS YOUR NAME? - po's se le'ne?
Greece lies in Southern Europe, and shares its coastline with the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, & the Mediterranean Sea. It shares land borders with Bulgaria, Albania, Macedonia & Turkey. To view a map of Greece, click on this link to WorldAtlas.com.
Greece is 98 per cent Greek Orthodox, as well as having some Muslim, Roman Catholic and Jewish minorities.
Follow the link to view a list of current public holidays in Greece.
Nationals of the United Kingdom, Other EU Countries, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand & Japan do not require visas for stays of up to 90 days. Also, those continuing their journey to a third country within 48 hours do not require visas, provided holding tickets with reserved seats and other documents for their onward journey. (Some countries are excluded).
Travellers must go in person to the Greek Embassy to apply for visas. Applicants residing in the UK can make appointments using the automated booking service. Both photocopies and the original form of all documents are required.
Nationals of certain countries, including the children and spouses of EU nationals, are eligible to receive their visas without any payment. The spouse's passport and marriage certificate, or the child's birth certificate, the latter two in original, must be presented. Travellers are advised to enquire at the Embassy for more details.
Both parents should accompany minors under 18 years. If that is not possible, a letter is required from both of the parents or the legal guardians. This is to authorize the minor to stay and travel in Greece, and also to appoint a person who will be accountable for the minor during that period. A person of law or the consular officer of the applicant's nationality must authenticate the letter. Also required are the minor's birth certificate, the parents' passports and some legal proof of guardianship.
The only requirement for EU and EEA nationals to enter any EU/EEA member state is proof of their identity and nationality. This could be through either a valid passport, or a national identity card. Showing a return ticket, length of validity of the documents, and proof of funds to finance the stay is not compulsory.
Note: Greece refuses admission and transit to holders of travel documents issued by Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic), Holders of travel documents issued by the area of Cyprus not controlled by the Government of Cyprus and holders of Turkish travel documents with visas or stamps indicating previous or planned visits to Cyprus.
The Schengen Visa is issued for tourist, business and private visits. There are three types: Short-stay, Transit and Airport Transit (US$50).
It is advisable to check this information with your relevant embassy prior to travel.
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