How Things Work in Greece

Greece does not have a strong tipping culture, but leaving something for good service is warmly received. In restaurants, simply round up the bill or leave small coins on the table rather than adding a formal percentage. Taxi drivers appreciate rounding up to the nearest euro. Service charges are rarely included on the bill, so what you leave is entirely at your discretion.

Athens Metro is modern, reliable, and connects the airport directly to the city centre. KTEL intercity buses reach most mainland towns and are very affordable. For island travel, ferries operated by Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets, and Hellenic Seaways are the backbone of inter-island travel, with frequency varying by season. Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air cover domestic flights for longer distances or remote islands.

Athens and Thessaloniki have well-equipped private hospitals that meet Western standards. EU EHIC cards are valid at public hospitals and clinics, though waiting times can be long. On smaller or more remote islands, medical facilities are very limited and serious cases may require expensive air or sea evacuation to the mainland. Pharmacies (φαρμακείο — green cross sign) are widespread and pharmacists can advise on minor ailments and dispense some medications without a prescription.

Greece enforces drug laws rigorously and even small quantities of illegal substances can result in arrest and imprisonment. It is illegal to remove any object — even an apparently insignificant stone or pottery shard — from an archaeological site, and this offense carries serious criminal penalties. Nudity is only legal on officially designated nudist beaches; on other beaches, topless sunbathing is widely tolerated for women but full nudity is technically illegal and can result in fines. Drones are prohibited over all archaeological sites and many tourist zones without a permit.

The pan-European 112 connects to all emergency services and works from any phone, including without a SIM. The dedicated numbers are: 100 (police/Hellenic Police), 166 (EKAV ambulance service), 199 (fire brigade), and 1572 (Hellenic Coast Guard for sea and maritime emergencies). Operators at 112 can assist in English. When on an island, note that response times may be longer than on the mainland.

Greece has no national dress code for everyday life, and beach culture is very relaxed. However, Orthodox churches and monasteries require covered shoulders and knees for both men and women; some monasteries (particularly on Mount Athos, which admits only men, and Meteora) enforce this strictly and provide wraps or sarongs at the entrance. Topless sunbathing is widely practiced and socially accepted at most beaches. In resort towns, beachwear is acceptable near the waterfront but dressing up slightly for restaurants and bars is appreciated.

Alcohol is legal for those aged 18 and over, and enforcement in tourist areas is relaxed. Ouzo, the anise-flavoured national spirit, is a cultural institution and best enjoyed slowly with meze. Drinking in public is generally accepted and not prohibited by law. Tavernas and bars in tourist zones often stay open until the early hours, and there are no strict national last-orders rules. Drink-driving limits are 0.05% BAC (lower than the UK), so be cautious if renting a car or scooter.

Greece is not a bargaining culture in the way that markets in Asia or the Middle East are. Fixed prices are the norm in supermarkets, pharmacies, and most shops. However, at Athens' Monastiraki flea market, souvenir stalls, and street markets, gentle negotiation — especially for multiple items or near closing time — can occasionally yield a small discount. Haggling aggressively or in a formal setting will likely cause offence.

The Acropolis and the vast majority of Greek archaeological sites permit casual photography for personal use, including video. Professional photography or filming with a tripod requires a permit from the Central Archaeological Council. Military bases, naval facilities, and border installations must not be photographed. Inside churches and monasteries, photography policies vary — follow posted signs or ask the attendant, as some forbid flash or any photography during services.

Greek retail law means that many non-tourist shops are closed on Sundays, though this is changing in larger cities. Supermarkets often operate reduced Sunday hours. Restaurants and tavernas are open seven days a week and often stay open late into the night. Banks are closed on weekends. Orthodox Easter — which falls on a different date from Western Easter — is the most important holiday in Greece, and businesses often close for several days around Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Greek taxis are yellow in Athens and regulated with meters. Uber operates in Athens but uses licensed taxi drivers rather than private drivers (no UberX). Beat is a locally popular ride-hailing app that is widely used by Athenians. Fixed fare zones exist from Athens airport into the city (around €38 daytime). On islands, taxis are often minibuses, and prices should be agreed before departure as meters are not always used. The most common tourist scam is a taxi driver not turning on the meter — always check it is running before departing.

Athens tap water meets EU drinking water standards and is safe to drink. Most of the Greek mainland and larger islands such as Crete and Rhodes also have safe tap water. However, smaller and drier islands — including Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, and many Cyclades — have limited freshwater and the tap water can taste brackish or saline, making bottled water a practical choice. Bottled water is cheap and universally available throughout Greece.

Greece uses the euro and cards are widely accepted in tourist areas, hotels, and most restaurants in larger towns and cities. However, smaller villages, island mini-markets, and some smaller tavernas are cash-only. Euronet ATMs (branded orange and white) charge very high conversion fees and fixed charges — always use bank-branded ATMs. Capital controls imposed during the 2015 financial crisis have largely been lifted. Wise and Revolut cards with fee-free withdrawals work well at bank ATMs.

Greece has three main mobile operators: Cosmote (best coverage overall including remote islands), Vodafone GR, and Wind. Tourist SIM cards with data packages are sold at Athens Airport arrivals, phone shops in cities, and many kiosks (periptero). EU residents can use their home SIM for free under EU roaming rules. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Mobile internet coverage can be patchy on the smallest islands and in the interior of Crete.

Greece uses the standard European plug system: Type C (two round pins) and Type F (Schuko, two round pins with grounding clips). The voltage is 230V at 50Hz, the same as the rest of continental Europe and compatible with most modern electronics. UK visitors need a UK-to-EU adapter. American and Canadian visitors need both a plug adapter and a voltage converter for devices not rated for 110–240V (check your device label — most modern chargers and laptops are dual-voltage).

Athens city centre has a handful of well-documented tourist scams. Taxis, especially around the airport and Monastiraki, sometimes overcharge by not turning on the meter or quoting inflated flat fares. Some tourist-facing restaurants in central Athens show tourists a menu with higher prices than the one given to locals, or add unsolicited items to the bill. The 'lost ring' or 'friendly stranger' scam involves someone pressuring you to keep a gold ring they 'found', leading to a demand for money. Friendship bracelet vendors near monuments can become aggressively persistent.

Greece consistently ranks as one of the safer European destinations for tourists. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The main risks are petty theft: pickpocketing on Athens Metro (particularly Line 3 from the airport), around Monastiraki and Omonia Square, and bag snatching from motorbikes (rare but documented). The islands are extremely safe with very low crime rates. Leaving phones, bags, or valuables unattended on busy beaches is an invitation for opportunist theft.

The concept of philotimo — broadly, a sense of honour, pride, and the duty to be generous and hospitable — underpins Greek social life. Greeks are effusive, expressive, and time-flexible: dinner is eaten late, conversations run long, and schedules are approximate. A head tilted back with a click of the tongue means 'no' (it can look like a nod to outsiders). The open-palm hand gesture (moutza) directed at someone is a serious insult — never raise your palm toward someone. Being a guest is taken seriously, and refusing food or drink from a Greek host can cause genuine offence.

The Greek alphabet can appear daunting, but many tourist signs and menus also include transliterations or English translations. In Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and most main tourist hubs, English is spoken by nearly all service staff and many locals. Away from tourist zones, English ability drops significantly. Even a small effort to use Greek — 'efcharisto' (thank you), 'parakalo' (please/you're welcome), or 'yamas' (cheers) — is met with genuine delight by locals. Google Translate handles Greek well and supports the camera translation feature for menus and signs.

Greek beaches are among the best in Europe, ranging from dramatic volcanic black-sand beaches in Santorini to turquoise-water coves in the Ionian islands. Jellyfish (medousa) are a seasonal hazard, particularly from July to September — lifeguards or beach attendants usually post warnings. Sea urchins are present on rocky shorelines and water shoes are a sensible precaution on any non-sandy beach. Organised beaches (with sunbeds and umbrellas) typically charge around €8–15 per sunbed with umbrella; free public beach access is always available nearby.

Greece drives on the right-hand side of the road. An International Driving Permit is not required for EU, US, or UK licence holders, but it is useful in rural areas. Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 130 km/h on motorways. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC, stricter than in the UK and US. Island roads are frequently narrow, unlit, and winding, and ATV/quad bike rentals are a leading cause of tourist injuries in Greece — exercise extreme caution or avoid entirely.

Greek dining is a leisurely, social affair; dinner typically starts at 9–10pm and locals rarely eat before then. Tavernas serve shared meze (small dishes) and this is the recommended way to eat. Fresh fish is displayed on ice and sold by weight — always ask the waiter to weigh and quote the price before it is cooked to avoid bill shock. Gyros and souvlaki from street kiosks are excellent, cheap (around €2.50–3.50), and a staple for lunch. House wine (hima) served in carafes at tavernas is often locally produced and very affordable.

Greek Orthodox Christianity is the dominant religion and its churches and monasteries are sacred, functioning places of worship as well as tourist attractions. The minimum dress requirement everywhere is covered shoulders and knees. Some monasteries — particularly those at Meteora and on Athos — additionally require women to wear skirts rather than trousers; wraps are often available at the entrance. Photography inside churches varies: some allow it quietly, others prohibit it entirely, especially during services. Mount Athos (the monastic peninsula) is restricted to men only and requires a special permit (diamonitirion).

Greece has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. July and August are the peak tourist months: temperatures regularly exceed 35°C and popular islands like Mykonos and Santorini become very crowded and expensive. The meltemi — a strong northerly wind — can disrupt ferry services across the Aegean in August. April to June offers warm weather, blooming wildflowers, and significantly fewer crowds. September and October are excellent for beach holidays with warm sea temperatures and quieter resorts. Athens is comfortable year-round, even in winter.

Greece can be done cheaply with some planning. Gyros and souvlaki cost €2.50–3.50 and are a satisfying meal. Supermarket wine and ouzo are extremely affordable — a decent bottle of local wine costs €4–6. Standing at the bar counter (rather than sitting at a table) gets you cheaper coffee in Greek kafeneions. All state archaeological sites and museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of the month from October through March. Monasteries are typically free or request a small donation. Public beaches are free; the paid sunbed fee is optional.