Greece FAQ

Greece is located in southeastern Europe, at the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

The capital of Greece is Athens.

Popular destinations in Greece include Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and Rhodes.

Greece has approximately 6,000 islands and islets, but only around 227 are inhabited.

Greece is located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in the southeastern part of Europe.

Greece is bordered by Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

Greece is located on the continent of Europe.

Mamma Mia was filmed on the Greek island of Skopelos.

Greece uses the Euro (€) as its currency.

The official language of Greece is Greek. About half of Greeks speak fluent English, with more around popular tourist destinations, while the rest of the population have a basic comprehension.

Greece is known for its ancient history, philosophy, democracy, the Olympic Games, beautiful islands, and contributions to arts and sciences.

Greece is famous for its ancient ruins, such as the Parthenon, mythology, and Mediterranean cuisine.

The legal drinking age in Greece is 18 years old.

Greece uses Type C and Type F plugs. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

The population of Greece is approximately 10.4 million as of 2023.

The national animal of Greece is the dolphin, often associated with Greek mythology and seen as a symbol of the sea.

Christmas in Greece is traditionally a solemn and religious holiday, with many attending midnight mass. Many also celebrate with food, music, and decorations.

In Greece, you can visit ancient ruins, explore beautiful islands, enjoy local cuisine, and experience vibrant local culture.

The best time to visit Greece is during spring, when the weather is clear and warm, everything is open, and the crowds are not yet at their worst.

Light, breathable clothing is recommended for Greece’s warm climate. Modest attire is recommended for religious sites.

In Greece, it’s customary to leave a 5-15% tip at restaurants, depending on the service. However, it's typically not expected, particularly if you travel outside of tourist areas where the locals themselves do not tip.

This depends on your spending habits, but a rough estimate could be around €50-€100 per day per person, covering food, transportation, and activities.

In Greece, the plumbing system is not designed to handle toilet paper, as the pipes are around half the diameter of those used in many other countries, leading to blockages. It’s customary to dispose of toilet paper in a bin provided.

The flight duration to Greece depends on your departure city. From New York, it’s about 10 hours non-stop. From the UK, it's typically 3-4 hours.

Island hopping in Greece can be done by ferry or plane. Ferries are more common and offer routes between various islands.

Greece has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

The best time to travel to Greece is during the spring (April to early June) and fall (September and October) when the weather is pleasant and there are fewer tourists.

Summer in Greece is from June to August.

August is typically the hottest month in Greece, with temperatures reaching up to 33°C (91°F) or more.

September in Greece is still quite warm, with average temperatures ranging from 19°C to 29°C.

October in Greece is typically mild, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 24°C. However, rainfall increases during this month.

November in Greece marks the start of the winter season. The weather is cooler and wetter, with average temperatures ranging from 12°C to 19°C.

Mosquitoes in Greece are most active from dusk to dawn, particularly during the warmer months from spring to fall.

Ancient Greece is generally considered to have started around the 8th century BC and ended with the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD.

The civilisation of Ancient Greece emerged into the light of history in the 8th century BC. Modern Greece, as a country, was officially recognised in 1830.

Rome gradually conquered Greece in wars from the 2nd to the 1st century BC.

Greece gained independence from the Ottoman Empire on March 25, 1821.

Greece joined NATO on February 18, 1952.

A typical trip to Greece should last one to two weeks, allowing time to explore Athens and a few islands.

To blend in, opt for stylish, casual clothes. Avoid wearing beachwear in the city. In religious sites, modest attire is required. During the summer, opt for linen and airy, light clothes.

Greece is generally a very safe country to visit, especially when compared to many other tourist destinations. It’s important to take standard precautions anywhere, especially in larger cities.

For travel to Greece, your passport should be valid for at least six months.

To rent a car in Greece, you typically need to be at least 21 years old, and drivers under 25 may incur a young driver surcharge.

In Greece, they drive on the right side of the road.

Greece is approximately 131,957 square kilometres, making it slightly smaller than the state of Alabama in the U.S.

In Greece, you can visit ancient ruins, explore beautiful islands, enjoy local cuisine, and experience vibrant local culture.

Greece is known for dishes like moussaka, souvlaki, tzatziki, Greek salad, and baklava.

Common foods in Greece include olives, cheese, fresh vegetables, seafood, lamb, and dishes like moussaka and souvlaki.

Alongside a strong Greek coffee the Greeks enjoy a range of baked foods and pastries with jams and marmalades, such as koulouri which is a ring of soft bread coated in sesame seeds. They will also eat fruits and nuts with thick, full-fat Greek yoghurt.

Stews, casseroles, gyros (sliced meat in a pitta bread) or meze (small portions of various meats and vegetables) with salad are all popular lunch options in Greece and loved by locals.