Greece

Greece is a member of the EU and the Schengen Area, so whether you need a visa depends on your nationality — check the rules for your own passport before booking. Citizens of many countries (including the US, UK, Canada and Australia) can enter visa-free for tourism; most other nationalities need a short-stay Schengen visa, applied for through a Greek consulate.

If you're visiting visa-free, the key limit is 90 days within any rolling 180-day window across the whole Schengen Area — not just Greece. Your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your planned departure and have been issued within the last ten years.

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is now operational — non-EU visitors are recorded with biometrics (a photo and fingerprints) instead of a passport stamp. A separate authorisation, ETIAS, is expected later in 2026 for visa-exempt visitors and is not yet in force. Verify entry requirements for your own passport with Greece's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and your government's travel advisory before you book.

Greece uses the euro (€) — foreign currencies are not accepted for everyday purchases. Card payments, including contactless, are now routine in Athens, Thessaloniki and the major islands at hotels, shops and most restaurants.

Cash still matters, though: small village tavernas, beach kiosks, bakeries and rural cafés often prefer or require it, and on smaller islands patchy internet can knock card terminals offline — carry enough euros for two to three days. Withdraw from ATMs attached to Greek banks, and always decline an ATM's offer to bill you in your home currency.

Tipping is appreciated but modest, not obligatory. In casual restaurants and tavernas, rounding up or leaving around 5–10% for good service is normal, and staff generally prefer tips in cash. A euro or two is fine for taxi drivers and hotel housekeeping.

Greeks are warm and hospitable, and a little courtesy goes far. A friendly greeting when entering a shop or café is expected — 'Yiá sas' (hello) or 'Kaliméra' (good morning). A few words — 'parakaló' (please), 'efcharistó' (thank you) — are appreciated, though English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

Greece runs at a relaxed pace — meals are unhurried, dinner is eaten late (often 9pm or later), and it's considered polite to let you linger, so you'll usually need to ask for the bill. Dining is communal, and sharing plates is normal.

For churches and monasteries, dress modestly — shoulders and knees covered. Avoid the 'moútza' gesture (an open palm pushed toward someone), which is a serious insult in Greece. Greeks can be animated and loud in conversation — that's friendly enthusiasm, not anger.

Most visitors arrive at Athens International Airport (ATH); Thessaloniki and seasonal island airports are also well served. Domestic flights connect Athens to many islands quickly.

Ferries are the iconic and essential way to reach the islands. Athens' main port is Piraeus, with Rafina and Lavrio also serving routes. In high season (July–August), popular routes — Athens to Santorini, Mykonos or Crete — sell out, so book two to three months ahead, and build in buffer time for weather delays.

On the mainland, intercity travel runs on the reliable KTEL bus network; trains cover a more limited network. In Athens, the clean, efficient Metro connects the airport, centre and Piraeus. Taxis are metered, and the Uber and FREE NOW apps operate in Athens but typically dispatch licensed taxis. Ride cautiously if renting a scooter or quad bike on the islands.

For EU travellers, 'roam-like-at-home' rules mean your domestic plan generally works in Greece at no extra cost. For non-EU visitors, standard roaming can be steep — an eSIM or local SIM is far cheaper.

An eSIM is the easiest option for most modern phones — buy a data plan online and install it before you arrive. Alternatively, buy a physical prepaid SIM on arrival from Cosmote, Vodafone or Nova; Cosmote has the broadest rural and island coverage.

Wi-Fi is widely available and usually free at hotels, cafés and restaurants. Coverage can thin out in remote mountain areas and on the smallest islands, so a data plan is a useful backup.

Greece is considered a safe destination — the US State Department rates it Level 1 ('exercise normal precautions'). The main concern is petty crime, chiefly pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots — the Athens Metro, busy ferry ports, and areas like Plaka and the Acropolis. Use licensed taxis and metered fares.

Occasional strikes and demonstrations can disrupt ferries, trains and flights with little notice — check ahead if travelling on those days. In summer, heat and wildfire risk are real; follow local guidance during heatwaves.

The EU-wide emergency number is 112, with English-speaking operators. Pharmacies (look for a green cross) are widespread and well stocked. Healthcare is good but not free for visitors, so comprehensive travel insurance with medical cover is strongly recommended. Tap water is safe in Athens, but on some islands — notably Santorini and Mykonos — it is desalinated and many travellers prefer bottled water.

Power: Greece uses 230V / 50Hz with Type C and Type F plugs (two round pins) — standard continental European sockets. Most phone and laptop chargers are dual-voltage and need only a plug adapter.

Language: the official language is Greek. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels and restaurants, but a few Greek phrases are welcomed.

Best time to visit: spring (mid-April to mid-June) and autumn (September to mid-October) are the sweet spots — warm weather, lower prices and thinner crowds. July and August are hot, expensive and busy, with islands at capacity and ferries booked solid.

Time zone: Greece is on Eastern European Time (UTC+2), shifting to Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+3) from late March to late October.