Greece is a top travel destination, being the birthplace of innumerable cultural influences from Europe and a land of beautiful scenery. It oozes ancient history and offers plenty of places to explore as an adventure, as well as wonderful islands for romantic getaways or relaxing stays.
It is actually hard to describe Greece, as using a word such as idyllic is Greek itself, which leads to a tautology (which is Greek as well).
The food is amazing, the people are friendly and laid-back, and the sunsets and beaches are mesmerizing. There’s nothing not to like in Greece.
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About
10 million
131,957 km2
78.9/km2
$430 billion
Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Ellinikí Dimokratía
Info & Stats
- Language: Greek is the official language.
- Population: 1.1 million (2019 est.)
- Timezone: UTC +2
- Ethnic Groups: Greek 98%, other 2%
- Religions: Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%
- Political System: parliamentary republic; monarchy rejected by referendum 8 December 1974
- Currency: Euro (EUR).
- Credit Cards: Cards are widely accepted and ATMs are widely distributed. Payment preference though is cash
- Electricity: socket types: Europlug, Schuko, 230 volt / 50 hertz
- Tipping Customs: 10-15% in restaurants and bars
- Haggling Culture: Common in markets and tourist areas
Climate & Seasons
Greece has a well-known, wonderful climate, with Mediterranean hot and dry weather. In the evening, most destinations on the coast or island are hit by a pleasant breeze.
The interiors and northern regions experience instead an alpine climate in the mountainous areas or a continental climate, which is chillier and more humid.
Entry Requirements
Greece is a member of the Schengen Agreement.
Click the map to see details on visa requirements of the Schengen Zone for each country.
Safety
Safety: Greece is very safe to visit and welcoming to tourists. Being a highly sought-after tourism destination, scams, and pickpocketing are relatively common.
Natural risks: There are no major natural risks in Greece.
Emergencies numbers: 112 (European common emergency service), 100 (police), 166 (emergency medical services), 199 (fire department)
See more safety info on the Global Safety Indices page