See Also
- Athens Travel Guide
- Mykonos Travel Guide
- Naxos Travel Guide
- Paros Travel Guide
- Santorini Travel Guide
- Mainland Greece Travel Guide
- Peloponnese Travel Guide
Tips & Information for First-Timer Visitors
When to Book Hotels, Flights, Ferries, & Tours
Vehicle transportation is also accessible from the port or airport via taxis, though there are approximately 25 taxis serving the entire island, leading to often waiting; it is advised to schedule a pickup ahead through a private car company to avoid this (I use and recommend Welcome Pickups). Taxis on Santorini do not have meters, so be certain to agree on a cost with the driver before departing. A taxi from the airport to Perivolas will cost roughly €35 to €40. A taxi from the ferry port will cost around €35 to €40. Booking through a private car service will cost only a bit more – about $60 (or €50), but is worthwhile to avoid the wait and for the convenience of paying ahead.
Greek Currency and Tipping in Greece
Greece is part of the European Union and uses the euro (€). Many major shops and restaurants across Greece accept credit cards, but there may be a minimum purchase required for use. ATMs are plentiful in large cities like Athens and generally easy to locate in most Greek villages and beach towns. It is always wise to have some cash on hand for bus trips and small purchases like bottled water and snacks. Most shops in Greece have fixed prices; attempts at bargaining aren’t typically expected or appreciated.
Tips are not anticipated in Greek restaurants, but are appreciated. Restaurant gratuity in Greece is not a percentage of the total, but instead a few euros left on the table in recognition of good service, or simply rounding the bill up to the nearest convenient amount. A small token left in the room for hotel cleaning staff upon departure is also valued; 1-2 euros per night stayed is advised).
Common Greek Words & Phrases
While English is widely understood throughout Greece, learning a few common Greek phrases is a nice courtesy. A simple good morning or good evening greeting to shopkeepers with kaliméra or kalispéra is much appreciated and can go a long way
• Greeting/Farewell: Yeia sas (YEA-sahs)
• Good morning: Kaliméra (kah-lee-MEH-rah)
• Good afternoon/evening: Kalispéra (kah-lee-SPARE-ah)
• Gratitude: Efcharistó (eff-har-ee-STO)
• Thank you very much: Efcharistó polý (eff-har-ee-STO po-LEE) • Please/you’re welcome: Parakaló (par-ah-kah-LO)
• Yes: Ne (neh)
• No: Ochi (O-hee)
• I don’t understand: Den katalavaíno (then kah-tah-lah-VEH-no)
• Farewell: (literally “be happy”): Chaírete (HARE-eh-teh)
• Goodnight: Kalinychta (kah-lee-NEE-htah)
Dress Code in Greece
Appropriate dress customs vary depending on the location when visiting Greece. At beaches, attire is casual. However, bathing suits should only be worn to the beach – refrain from wandering towns in swimwear alone. Topless sunbathing on Greek beaches is common, notably at popular beach clubs even if not customary among locals. Most restaurant dress codes are relaxed, yet for those wearing tee shirts and shorts ensure they are in good condition. Certain monasteries and some churches in Greece may prohibit bare shoulders or knees on visitors, usually providing cloth alternatives for those in need.
Driving in Greece
In Greece, vehicles drive on the right side of the roadway, and the guidance mechanism is on the left. Freeways and major routes in Greece are generally in good repair, with clear signage. Non-resident motorists in Greece necessitate an International Drivers License. If you are leasing a vehicle, it is a wise idea to do so ahead of time, particularly if you demand an automatic transmission. RentalCars.com is the most effective and easiest website for renting vehicles in Greece).
Taxis and Uber in Greece
Vehicles used for hired transport in Greece have a strict restriction of holding four travelers maximum. Sharing rides is typical practice in Greece, and it is acceptable to enter a vehicle that has already picked up others. (Each individual settles their payment privately instead of splitting costs.) Travelers wanting solo rides should notify the driver at the start. Legally, they must agree. Outside of major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki, taxis are typically accessed at designated spots – if an attempt is made to flag one down near an appointed holding area, they will point to the proper location. Additional payment for drivers is not expected customarily, but is appreciated in small amounts like only a few euros or round up the total amount. The ridesharing program Uber is present in Greece, however the mobile app Beat sees more frequent and reliable use. A good pre-booked choice instead of a taxi for port and airport transfer in Greece is Welcome Pickups vehicle servicing. Cost is akin to that of a cab, bigger vehicles are offered for groups over four travelers, and child seats are available upon request).
Smoking in Greece
Smoking tobacco in rolled paper cylinders known as cigarettes is a common practice in Greece, though generally prohibited inside residences selling food. There are many dining establishments that overlook this principle, however. Accommodations in Greece do not offer rooms for smoking, but most hotels allow smoking on a private or shared outdoor balcony or in any of the exterior common areas open to the elements. It is customary for individuals to smoke at tables outside at Greek restaurants exposed to the outdoors, and also typical for smoke from the exterior to blow indoors.
Drinking in Greece
In Greece, the legal drinking age is sixteen years. Locals tend to partake of alcohol accompanying meals rather than on an empty stomach to avoid excess. Furthermore, public inebriation is a frowned upon social taboo. Some restaurants offer complimentary digestifs to patrons at the conclusion of dining.
Commonly Asked Questions about Greek Travel
Is it safe to drink the tap water in Greece?
Across mainland Greece like Athens, tap water is often safe for drinking. However, in coastal towns and the islands, bottled water is generally preferable and inexpensive. When unsure, ask at your lodging – they have a stake in your safety and wellness and will advise if purchasing bottled water is advisable. Even where bottled water is suggested, faucet water remains acceptable for bathing and tooth brushing, though it tends to taste briny on certain islands like Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, and Milos.
I’ve heard you can’t flush toilet paper in Greece. Is that true?
It is important when visiting Greece to properly dispose of toilet paper after use. The pipes in many Greek bathrooms are narrow and prone to clogging. For this reason, locals discard toilet paper in waste bins located in or near each stall rather than flushing it. These bins are usually lined and emptied a few times per day, so cleanliness and odors are typically not concerns. However, if using the bins makes one uncomfortable, travelers can consider bringing biodegradable bags to individually contain and tie off pieces of paper before depositing them.
Do they have siesta in Greece?
In the majority of parts of Greece, constraints on noise levels are enacted and stores, offices, and dining establishments close down for mesimeri (midday), between 2pm and 5pm. It’s discourteous to place phone calls to companies or natives, and if you’re traveling through smaller towns or rural Greece, it is anticipated that you prevent playing music, talking at a loud volume, or causing excess noise during this time. This isn`t the case in more very toured areas like Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos, where business owners cater to the schedules of travelers.
