Here you'll find useful information for preparing your trip to Greece. We give you practical tips on documentation, safety, healthcare, what clothes to pack, currency, tourist cards, public holidays… so you're all set when you arrive.
Capital of Greece : Athens
Official language: Greek
The currency : Euro(€)
Climate: Mediterranean
Population: 11.306.183 (2010 estimate)
The country is a Presidential Parliamentary Democracy
Calling code: The international calling code of Greece is +30
Exchange Currencies
Greece is a Member-State of the European Union and uses its uniform currency – the Euro. Greece, as is the case with the other Member-States of the E.U. uses eight coins as follows: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents (lepta in Greek) and 1 and 2 Euros. The banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros.
Currency exchange rates are clearly displayed in every bank that accepts currency exchange, while credit card holders may acquire money from the ATMs of the collaborating banks. Greek banks are open for the public from 8:00 to 14:30 Mondays to Thursdays and from 8:00 to 13:30 on Fridays. They are closed on Public Holidays.
Euros can also be exchanged for notes of other foreign currencies at exchange offices that are situated at the airport and certain main ports, in the larger cities, as well as at many tourist destinations. A passport is required when exchanging currencies.
National celebrations and Holidays
-New Years Day: 1st of January
-Epiphany: 6th of January. Sea water is consecrated in the area of Piraeus. The priests throw the Cross into the sea and young men dive to catch it.
-Ash Monday: 41 days before Easter. It is the day people begin the Lent. On Ash Monday Greeks fly kites, eat meatless food and celebrate Koulouma. Athenians gather on Philopappou Hill.
-Independence Day & Celebration of Evaggelismos: 25th of March. Military parade.
-Easter: From Holy Friday until Easter Monday. On Holy Friday evening every church decorates the Epitaph (Bier of Christ). During the procession of the Epitaph the streets of every city or village in the country are full of people. It is a religious procession where everybody holds lit candles in their hands and sings hymns.
-Night of the Resurrection: It is celebrated in midnight before Easter Sunday with fireworks and candles.
-Easter Sunday: On Easter Sunday Greeks eat barbecue lamb. The celebrations include singing and dancing all day long.
-Labor Day: 1st of May. Flower feasts all around Athens.
-Pentecost: It is celebrated 50 days after Easter.
-Assumption of the Virgin Mary: 15th of August.
-28th of October: National Celebration. Military parade.
-Christmas: 25th-26th of December.
Useful Telephones
(In all telephone numbers in Athens and Piraeus add the area code 210 except the emergency ones)
Police: 100
Emergency Medical Assistance: 176
First Aid Center: 166
Poison Treatment Center: 7793777
ELPA Tourist Information Service: 174
ELPA Road Assistance: 104
Fire Department: 199
Tourist Police (GNTO): 171
Announcements On Telephone Calls Abroad: 161
Information On Calling Abroad: 162
Instructions for International Calls: 169
Telephoned Telegrams Abroad: 165
Directory Assistance Athens-Piraeus-Suburbs: 11880
Directory Assistance Rest of Greece: 132
General Information Service (OTE): 134
Wake up & Message Service: 182
Accident Hospital - KAT: 8014411
GNTO Offices: 3223111/9
Greek Railway Organisations (Ticket Office): 5222491
Greek Coach Services (100 Kifissou st.): 5124910
Greek Coach Services (260 Liossion st.): 5124910
Pireaus Port Authority: 4511311-21
Pireaus Port Organization (OLP): 4520911
Passport Office : 4171584 - 4523754
Piraeus Customs: 4511217-8
Saronic Shipping Lines: 4124533
Domestic Shipping Lines: 4114785
Foreign Shipping Lines: 4511130
Whilst staying in Athens you may be planning to visit other parts of Greece, either on the mainland or visiting the many islands. A good recommendation is to drop in to the offices of the Greek National tourist Organization GNTO infodesk, at 2 Amerikis Street telephone210-322-3111 Here you can pick up, free of charge, regional, informative pamphlets and maps that contains nearly all the information you may need about useful phone numbers, services, ferry boat schedules and accommodation. You can get as well programs of all the annual festivals held in Athens and all over Greece. These are published in all the main European languages.
