Greece

At A glance

Capital City: Athens

Land size: 130,647 sq km

Population: 10,533,871 (2022 est.)

Official language: Greek

Currency: Euro (€ / EUR)

UNESCO properties and sites:

• Acropolis, Athens
• Archaeological Site of Aigai (modern name Vergina)
• Archaeological Site of Delphi
• Archaeological Site of Mystras
• Archaeological Site of Olympia
• Archaeological Site of Philippi
• Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns
• Delos
• Medieval City of Rhodes
• Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios
• Old Town of Corfu
• Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika
• Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos
• Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus
• Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae
• The Historic Centre (Chorá) with the Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Pátmos
• Meteora
• Mount Athos

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/greece/


Prepare to immerse yourself in a country of ancient history, stunning landscapes, and warm Mediterranean hospitality. Greece offers a wide range of experiences that will leave you captivated. Explore the iconic city of Athens, with its ancient ruins, vibrant markets, and panoramic views from the Acropolis. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Greece, visiting historic sites such as Delphi, Olympia, and Knossos, and experiencing traditional dances and music that reflect the vibrant Greek culture. Indulge in the flavors of Greek cuisine, savoring fresh seafood, succulent olives, and traditional dishes like moussaka and souvlaki.

Greece offers a haven for equestrian enthusiasts, with its diverse terrains and equestrian traditions that date back centuries. Discover the sun-soaked islands of Rhodes and Crete, where whitewashed villages, azure waters, and breathtaking sunsets create a postcard-perfect setting for horseback riding adventures. Ride along sandy beaches, explore hidden coves, and feel the gentle sea breeze as you traverse the coastline.

 

Brief History

Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations.

During World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between supporters of the king and other anti-communist and communist rebels.
In 1967, a group of military officers seized power, establishing a military dictatorship that suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country. In 1974, following the collapse of the dictatorship, democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy.

In 1981, Greece joined the EU. It became the 12th member of the European Economic and Monetary Union in 2001.
Greece has suffered a severe economic crisis since late 2009, due to nearly a decade of chronic overspending and structural rigidities.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/greece/

 

Cultural Insights

Much social life takes place within a close circle of family and friends. Group activities revolve around eating, drinking, playing games, listening to music, dancing, and animated debate and conversation. These gatherings often aim at the achievement of kefi, a sense of high spirits and relaxation that arises when one is happily transported by the moment and the company. Drinking may contribute to the attainment of kefi, but becoming drunk is considered disgraceful.

Hospitality is seen as both a pleasure and a responsibility. Hosts are generous, and guests are expected to accept what is offered with only token protests. Hospitality is often extended to foreigners.

Source: https://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Greece.html

 

Transportation

By Air
Most of Greece’s international airports are located on the islands since those are very popular tourist destination.

Athens Airport (ATH), also known under the name of Eleftherios Venizelos Airport is Greece’s primary international airport, serving the capital city. It is the country’s busiest airport and serves as a hub of Aegean Airlines and other national airlines.

Heraklion Airport (HER) or Nikos Kazantzakis Airport is the country’s second busiest airport. It serves as the main point of arrival for the island of Crete and is located 5 km east of Heraklion. It features flight connections to other major European destinations.

Thessaloniki Airport (SKG), also known as the Macedonia Airport (formerly Mikra Airport) is the main airport of Northern Greece and serves the area of Thessaloniki.

Rhodes Airport (RHO) is located on the west side of the Greek island of Rhodes. During high season, it features mostly charter flight to many European destinations.


By Rail
The Greek railway company Hellenic Train operates services between some of the country's main cities including Athens and Thessaloniki. Find train times on the Hellenic Train website: https://www.hellenictrain.gr/en
Most domestic day trains in Greece do not require reservations.

Source: https://getbybus.com/en/blog/airports-in-greece/
https://www.eurail.com/en/get-inspired/top-destinations/greece-train

 

Money

You can withdraw cash using a foreign card up to the daily limit imposed by the Greek banking system (usually €600) or the daily limit imposed by your card issuer - whichever is the lower amount.

You should be able to pay for retail transactions with debit and credit cards as you would elsewhere, but always check beforehand as not all business hold a machine for processing card payments. 
 
Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece

 

Health

From February 1st 2022 uninsured individuals will no longer be able to get medical treatments or diagnostic tests from private doctors in Greece, only from public hospitals and primary healthcare centers.
Prescription medicine for uninsured individuals will only be dispensed from pharmacies at hospitals or those pharmacies registered with the EOPYY healthcare fund.

Treatment and facilities are generally good on the mainland, but may be limited on the islands. The public ambulance service, which will normally respond to any accident, is basic. There are severe shortages of ambulances on some islands.

While pharmacies across the country stock a good supply of medicines, you should make sure you have sufficient medical supplies (including prescription medicines) for the duration of your stay and any unforeseen delays as well as adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 or 166 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment, you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately.

There is a risk of West Nile virus in Greece. You should consider preventative measures to minimize exposure to mosquitoes. Visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre website for more information about the transmission season and advice for travelers.
We strongly recommend that travelers purchase travel insurance before their trips to cover medical evacuation.

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 (relation@eof.gr, 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.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Greece.html

 

Electricity

Greece operates on a 230V supply voltage and uses type C and F plugs.

The Type C electrical plug (or Europlug) is a two-wire plug that has two round pins. It fits into any socket that accepts 4.0 – 4.8 mm round contacts on 19 mm centres. They are being replaced by E, F, J, K or N sockets which work perfectly with Type C plugs.

The Type F electrical plug (also known as a Schuko plug) has two 4.8 mm round pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is similar to the Type E plug but has two earth clips on the side rather than a female earth contact. The CEE 7/7 plug was developed to work with sockets E and F and has grounding clips on both sides (to work with Type F sockets) and a female contact (to accept the grounding pin of the type E socket).

Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs

 

Communication

Time zone in Greece: Eastern European Time (GMT +2)

International country code – 30

Greece’s telecom market is susceptible to the country’s volatile economy. The main networks are concentrating investment on fiber-based next generation networks, enabling them to reach the European broadband targets for 2025. Their work is also supported by government ultra-fast broadband projects, largely funded by the EC and aimed at delivering a service of at least 100Mb/s to underserved areas.
The rapid rollout of 5G encouraged the shut down of the 3G network (a process expected to be completed by the end of 2021) and reallocate for LTE and 5G. 

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/greece/


Phrasebook

English	Greek
Hello!	Geiá sou
Goodbye	Geiá sou
Good morning	Kaliméra
Good evening	Kaló apógevma
Good night	Kalinychta
Please	Parakaló
Thank you	Efcharistó
Yes	Naí
No	Óchi

Source: https://ling-app.com/el/greek-travel-phrases/

 

Entry Requirements

If your country is not a member of the Schengen Agreement, make sure you obtain further information from the Greek Embassy or Consulate in your country before your trip.

If your country of origin is one of the following non-EU countries, your passport allows you to visit Greece and remain in the country for up to three months (90 days) within a six-month period: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Vatican, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Source: https://www.visitgreece.gr/before-travelling-to-greece/travel-tips/

 

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy in Athens
91 Vasilisis Sophias Ave
10160 Athens
Phone: +30 210 721 2951

U.S. Consulate General in Thessaloniki
43 Tsimiski, 7th Floor
546 23 Thessaloniki
Phone: +30 2310 242 905


Embassy of Canada in Athens
48 Ethnikis Antistaseos Street, Chalandri
152 31 Athens
Phone: +30 21 0727 3400

Consulate of Canada in Thessaloniki
19, N. Kountouriotou Street
546 25 Thessaloniki
Phone: +30 2310 256350

Source: for USA: https://gr.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulate/
For Canada: https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/greece-grece/index.aspx?lang=eng

 

UNESCO Sites

Acropolis in Athens
The Acropolis of Athens and its monuments are universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization and form the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world. In the second half of the fifth century bc, Athens, following the victory against the Persians and the establishment of democracy, took a leading position amongst the other city-states of the ancient world. In the age that followed, as thought and art flourished, an exceptional group of artists put into effect the ambitious plans of Athenian statesman Pericles and, under the inspired guidance of the sculptor Pheidias, transformed the rocky hill into a unique monument of thought and the arts. The most important monuments were built during that time: the Parthenon, built by Ictinus, the Erechtheon, the Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis, designed by Mnesicles and the small temple Athena Nike.

Archaeological Site of Aigai (modern name Vergina)
The city of Aigai, the ancient first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia, was discovered in the 19th century near Vergina, in northern Greece. The most important remains are the monumental palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century B.C. One of the royal tombs in the Great Tumulus is identified as that of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander and the expansion of the Hellenistic world.

Archaeological Site of Delphi
The pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, where the oracle of Apollo spoke, was the site of the omphalos, the 'navel of the world'. Blending harmoniously with the superb landscape and charged with sacred meaning, Delphi in the 6th century B.C. was indeed the religious centre and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world.

Archaeological Site of Mystras
Mystras, the 'wonder of the Morea', was built as an amphitheatre around the fortress erected in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. Reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832, leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins, standing in a beautiful landscape.

Archaeological Site of Olympia
The site of Olympia, in a valley in the Peloponnesus, has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In the 10th century B.C., Olympia became a centre for the worship of Zeus. The Altis – the sanctuary to the gods – has one of the highest concentrations of masterpieces from the ancient Greek world. In addition to temples, there are the remains of all the sports structures erected for the Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia every four years beginning in 776 B.C.

Archaeological Site of Philippi
The remains of this walled city lie at the foot of an acropolis in north-eastern Greece, on the ancient route linking Europe and Asia, the Via Egnatia. Founded in 356 BC by the Macedonian King Philip II, the city developed as a “small Rome” with the establishment of the Roman Empire in the decades following the Battle of Philippi, in 42 BCE. The vibrant Hellenistic city of Philip II, of which the walls and their gates, the theatre and the funerary heroon (temple) are to be seen, was supplemented with Roman public buildings such as the Forum and a monumental terrace with temples to its north. Later the city became a centre of the Christian faith following the visit of the Apostle Paul in 49-50 CE. The remains of its basilicas constitute an exceptional testimony to the early establishment of Christianity.

Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns
The archaeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns are the imposing ruins of the two greatest cities of the Mycenaean civilization, which dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century B.C. and played a vital role in the development of classical Greek culture. These two cities are indissolubly linked to the Homeric epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey , which have influenced European art and literature for more than three millennia

Delos
According to Greek mythology, Apollo was born on this tiny island in the Cyclades archipelago. Apollo's sanctuary attracted pilgrims from all over Greece and Delos was a prosperous trading port. The island bears traces of the succeeding civilizations in the Aegean world, from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the palaeochristian era. The archaeological site is exceptionally extensive and rich and conveys the image of a great cosmopolitan Mediterranean port.




Medieval City of Rhodes
The Order of St John of Jerusalem occupied Rhodes from 1309 to 1523 and set about transforming the city into a stronghold. It subsequently came under Turkish and Italian rule. With the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Great Hospital and the Street of the Knights, the Upper Town is one of the most beautiful urban ensembles of the Gothic period. In the Lower Town, Gothic architecture coexists with mosques, public baths and other buildings dating from the Ottoman period.

Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas and Nea Moni of Chios
Although geographically distant from each other, these three monasteries (the first is in Attica, near Athens, the second in Phocida near Delphi, and the third on an island in the Aegean Sea, near Asia Minor) belong to the same typological series and share the same aesthetic characteristics. The churches are built on a cross-in-square plan with a large dome supported by squinches defining an octagonal space. In the 11th and 12th centuries they were decorated with superb marble works as well as mosaics on a gold background, all characteristic of the 'second golden age of Byzantine art'.

Old Town of Corfu
The Old Town of Corfu, on the Island of Corfu off the western coasts of Albania and Greece, is located in a strategic position at the entrance of the Adriatic Sea, and has its roots in the 8th century BC. The three forts of the town, designed by renowned Venetian engineers, were used for four centuries to defend the maritime trading interests of the Republic of Venice against the Ottoman Empire. In the course of time, the forts were repaired and partly rebuilt several times, more recently under British rule in the 19th century. The mainly neoclassical housing stock of the Old Town is partly from the Venetian period, partly of later construction, notably the 19th century. As a fortified Mediterranean port, Corfu’s urban and port ensemble is notable for its high level of integrity and authenticity.

Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika
Founded in 315 B.C., the provincial capital and sea port of Thessalonika was one of the first bases for the spread of Christianity. Among its Christian monuments are fine churches, some built on the Greek cross plan and others on the three-nave basilica plan. Constructed over a long period, from the 4th to the 15th century, they constitute a diachronic typological series, which had considerable influence in the Byzantine world. The mosaics of the rotunda, St Demetrius and St David are among the great masterpieces of early Christian art.

Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos
Many civilizations have inhabited this small Aegean island, near Asia Minor, since the 3rd millennium B.C. The remains of Pythagoreion, an ancient fortified port with Greek and Roman monuments and a spectacular tunnel-aqueduct, as well as the Heraion, temple of the Samian Hera, can still be seen.

Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus
In a small valley in the Peloponnesus, the shrine of Asklepios, the god of medicine, developed out of a much earlier cult of Apollo (Maleatas), during the 6th century BC at the latest, as the official cult of the city state of Epidaurus. Its principal monuments, particularly the temple of Asklepios, the Tholos and the Theatre - considered one of the purest masterpieces of Greek architecture – date from the 4th century. The vast site, with its temples and hospital buildings devoted to its healing gods, provides valuable insight into the healing cults of Greek and Roman times.

Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae
This famous temple to the god of healing and the sun was built towards the middle of the 5th century B.C. in the lonely heights of the Arcadian mountains. The temple, which has the oldest Corinthian capital yet found, combines the Archaic style and the serenity of the Doric style with some daring architectural features.

The Historic Centre (Chorá) with the Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Pátmos
The small island of Pátmos in the Dodecanese is reputed to be where St John the Theologian wrote both his Gospel and the Apocalypse. A monastery dedicated to the ‘beloved disciple’ was founded there in the late 10th century and it has been a place of pilgrimage and Greek Orthodox learning ever since. The fine monastic complex dominates the island. The old settlement of Chorá, associated with it, contains many religious and secular buildings.

Meteora
In a region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks, monks settled on these 'columns of the sky' from the 11th century onwards. Twenty-four of these monasteries were built, despite incredible difficulties, at the time of the great revival of the eremetic ideal in the 15th century. Their 16th-century frescoes mark a key stage in the development of post-Byzantine painting.

Mount Athos
An Orthodox spiritual centre since 1054, Mount Athos has enjoyed an autonomous statute since Byzantine times. The 'Holy Mountain', which is forbidden to women and children, is also a recognized artistic site. The layout of the monasteries (about 20 of which are presently inhabited by some 1,400 monks) had an influence as far afield as Russia, and its school of painting influenced the history of Orthodox art.

Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/gr