Money and payments
Cards and cash
ATMs are present almost everywhere, with MasterCard/Cirrus and Visa/Plus being the most widely accepted cards.
Tipping
Traditionally tipping in restaurants is not customary in Greece.
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Europe · Southern EuropeOutline guideCountry in Southeastern Europe
Photo: George E. Koronaios, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Greece.
Cards and cash
ATMs are present almost everywhere, with MasterCard/Cirrus and Visa/Plus being the most widely accepted cards.
Tipping
Traditionally tipping in restaurants is not customary in Greece.
Greek
Greek is the official national language and is the native tongue of the vast majority of the population, although the English speaking visitor will encounter no significant language problem.
There are at least three mobile carriers, Cosmote, Wind and Vodafone all of which require by law presenting some form of identification in order to activate your prepaid plan.
Mobile networks
Tap water in most places a tourist would visit is drinkable; if in doubt, ask your hotel.
The government's austerity program in the 2010s led to a "meltdown" of Greece's previously admired health care system, as the budgets of state-run hospitals have been cut by up to 50%.
Covered in the guide
Greeks rate politeness with a person's behaviour and not their words. Furthermore, there is an air of informality; everybody is treated like a cousin. They use their hands to gesture a lot. Have fun with this.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital and largest city, known for the Parthenon
surrounded by beaches and the Samaria National Park
party capital of Crete in the summer
Crete's largest city and main hub with the archaeological site of Knossos
romantic port city in East Macedonia with many sights and ferry port to the North Aegean Islands.
third largest city in Greece, known for its wine production
impressive medieval structures, nightlife and beaches
second largest city, the main city in the central Macedonia region
the largest island in Greece
large island with many attractions
site of the famous oracle of Apollo, major archaeological site
hilltop monasteries
semi-independent republic, home to many Orthodox monasteries (access restricted)
world famous, sophisticated holidays
sanctuary dedicated to Zeus, site of the ancient Olympics
island with ancient monuments, as well as beaches
Places in Greece on the World Heritage List.
Mount Olympus
Listed 2026
Acropolis of Athens
Listed 1987
Olympia
Listed 1989
Delos
Listed 1990
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Beautiful beaches, ancient sites such as Olympia, Mycenae and Epidaurus, picturesque mountain villages, spectacular gorges such as the Lousios Gorge, and culinary highlights in idyllic coastal towns.
Achaea, Arcadia, Argolis, Corinthia, Elis, Laconia, Messenia
Home to Athens, many wonderful beaches, it also offers some of the most famous sites of ancient history.
Evvia, Attica, Boeotia, Phthiotis, Phocis, Evrytania, Aetolia-Acarnania
Visit the Meteora monasteries, Mount Olympus, the Pelion peninsula and the Northern Sporades island group, and the beaches of the Olympic Riviera.
The large, varied upper half of Greece that is still relatively untouristed, though much of this area offers rewarding destinations that deserve to be better known.
The islands offer stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, picturesque villages, ancient ruins, and delicious food.
Saronic Gulf Islands, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Rhodes, Sporades Islands, East Aegean Islands, North Aegean Islands, Ionian Islands
The largest Greek island and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean, with a rich history, culture, stunning beaches, and delicious food.
Public transport and paid services in Greece.
By bus
Intercity buses are a very popular option for domestic travel.
By train
The railway system in Greece is very underdeveloped compared to other European countries and most of the rail traffic is in the Athens - Thessaloniki corridor and in the suburban railways of these…
By boat
The frequency, reliability and availability of Greek ferries are largely dependent upon the time of year.
By boat
Many major cruise ships visit the islands and there is also the option of hiring your own boat from any main harbour such as Athens, Kos and Lefkas.
By car
Exploring the country by car can be an extremely rewarding experience, allowing you to explore the incredibly scenic and varied terrain of the country's coastlines, interior, and islands, at your…
By rental car
Car rental offices are present throughout Greece, especially in major cities and in highly touristed areas. About 90% of rental cars are manual, for automatics it is advised to reserve one in advance.
By plane
Due to the limited train routes and lengthy travel times using the bus or ferries, flying is worth a consideration for travel between the mainland and the islands, as well as the far reaching major…
By e-hailing
By taxi
There are many taxis in Greece. Over ten years ago, getting one could be quite a challenge, but not any more. You hail taxis on the street like in any other large city.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Greece.
Finding apps for Greece…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Spata-Artemida · International · ATH
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Athens
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 12° | 13° | 15° | 19° | 25° | 30° | 32° | 32° | 28° | 23° | 18° | 14° |
| Avg. low | 6° | 7° | 8° | 11° | 15° | 20° | 23° | 23° | 20° | 16° | 12° | 8° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 66 | 58 | 53 | 30 | 21 | 20 | 11 | 8 | 29 | 49 | 69 | 86 |
| Humidity | 81% | 81% | 77% | 71% | 62% | 55% | 51% | 53% | 61% | 71% | 78% | 81% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$65
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$180
Per person, per day
Luxury
$460
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $30 | $100 | $270 |
| Food and drink | $15 | $40 | $90 |
| Local transport | $10 | $15 | $40 |
| Activities | $10 | $25 | $60 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Greece. Greece is a generally safe destination for travelers. Petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings. Large-scale demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur with little notice. Demonstrations may disrupt transportation and other essential services.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Wildfires in Greece There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. For advice, visit the wildfires section on the Safety and security page. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Greece.
Travel tipsFind out how much does a trip to Greece cost in 2026. Compare daily budgets for island ferries, hotels, taverna dining, and ancient archaeological sites.
8 min read
ItinerariesPlan an ideal 10-day Greek island-hopping itinerary for 2026. Explore Athens, Naxos, and Santorini with ferry tips, timings, and realistic costs.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Greece in 2026. Compare island ferry seasons, sea temperatures, Meltemi winds, ancient ruins weather, and hotel costs.
8 min read
Travel tipsCompare taking a ferry versus flying from Athens to Santorini. Examine transit times, ticket costs, luggage rules, seasickness risks, and scenery tips.
7 min read
Travel tipsLearn how to plan a month-long slow travel stay. Discover tips on monthly rental discounts, choosing walkable base towns, budgets, and local routines.
6 min read
Travel tipsNavigate tipping in Europe with this country-by-country guide for 2026. Learn tipping rules for Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Greece, and the UK.
8 min read
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