Greece Travel Tips and Information

Tips for Travelers | Travel Information | Tourism Information | Weather Information

Tips for Travelers

Customs

Travelers are not required to pay taxes on an appropriate number of items transported for personal use. However, no more than 1 liter of liquor and 2 liters of wine are permitted at one time, as well as over 200 cigarettes/50 cigars/250 grams of tobacco per consumer.

Banking and Currency

The best exchange rates are available through your credit card when using Greek ATMS. Many banks and post offices will exchange funds as well but will charge a hefty commission when cashing traveler's checks. Typical banking hours are from 8am to 2pm, Monday through Thursday, and 8am to 130pm on Fridays. However, a few locations offer additional hours strictly for exchanging currency. Post offices, on the other hand, charge lower commission rates while converting cash, but do not accept traveler's checks. Please be sure to avoid the illegal street money-exchangers as well as the ubiquitous "bureaux de change" offices as their rates are exorbitant!

Tipping

The best exchange rates are available through your credit card when using Greek ATMS. Many banks and post offices will exchange funds as well but will charge a hefty commission when cashing traveler's checks. Typical banking hours are from 8am to 2pm, Monday through Thursday, and 8am to 130pm on Fridays. However, a few locations offer additional hours strictly for exchanging currency. Post offices, on the other hand, charge lower commission rates while converting cash, but do not accept traveler's checks. Please be sure to avoid the illegal street money-exchangers as well as the ubiquitous "bureaux de change" offices as their rates are exorbitant!

Business Hours

Museums and Archaeological Sites: General hours are from 830am-3pm, Tuesday through Sunday, with free admission on Sundays and holidays.
Post Offices: Most Greek post offices are open from 730am to 2pm during the week. Major city locations may offer longer hours, however.
Restaurants: Lunch usually falls between 1pm and 3pm, while dinner is served between 9pm and midnight.
Shopping: Shopping hours on Mondays and Wednesdays are 9am-5pm, while hours of operation on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are 10am-7pm. Saturday hours, however, are from 830am to 330pm. Smaller establishments may close for lunch, while a few supermarkets stay open as late as 8pm every weekday evening.

Local Tax

Greek value added tax is currently 18%.

Travel Information

Entry Requirements

U.S. and Canadian citizens are not required to purchase a visa when traveling to Greece for visits spanning less than three months. Pets are also welcome, provided they have valid vaccination certificates; the vaccinations must be at least 6 days but less than one year (6 months for cats) prior to the date of entry.

Time Difference

Greece lies within Eastern European Standard Time, which runs seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the United States and Canada.

Language

The official language of Greece is Greek; however, English is widely spoken amidst its many restaurants, hotels, and department stores. Most Tourist Police officers bearing lapel badges of the US or UK flags, speak English as well; however, any effort to speak German is greatly appreciated.

Electricity

Although Greece utilizes the 220V Continental two-round-pin plug, 110 V service still exists is some areas.

Tourism Information

Tourism Contacts

Greek National Tourist Organization
645 Fifth Avenue, 9th Floor
Olympic Tower
New York, NY USA 10022
Phone: 212 421 5777
Fax: 212 826 6940

Embassies

U.S. Embassy
91 Vasilissis Sophia Boulevard
Athens 101 60
Phone: (30) 210 721-2951
Fax: (30) 210 645-2986

Weather

Spring

Spring offers cozy temperatures of 53-68 F and 12-20 C as well an influx of sunny days.

Summer

Average summer temperatures are a scorching 71-90 F and 22-32 C, with the hottest temps in Athens. However, the winds from the surrounding islands help to reduce some of the heat.

Autumn

As rainfall begins to increase, autumn temperatures remain a warm 60-75 F and 16-24 C.

Winter

The winter months tend to be mild in the south and cold in the north, with frequent rainfall throughout the country. Temperatures average between 45 and 57 F and 7 to 14 C.