Greece travelplanet.cc Travel Guide 2026

1. Entry Requirements & Documents

Passport / ID Card: Greece is part of the Schengen Area and the European Union. For citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, a valid national ID card or passport is sufficient. For most other nationalities (e.g., U.S., Canada, Australia, UK), a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure date is required. Visa-free for many

Visa: Nationals from more than 60 countries can enter Greece visa‑free for up to 90 days within any 180‑day period for tourism or business. The EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational since April 2026, replacing manual passport stamping with an electronic record of entry and exit. EES active

• Additional Documents: Return ticket, proof of sufficient funds (approx. €50–60 per day), travel health insurance with coverage of at least €30,000.
• Children: Unaccompanied minors need parental authorisation.
• Practical: Digitally secure all travel documents and keep them available offline. A valid International Driving Permit is recommended if you plan to drive.

Official links: Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Visit Greece – Official Tourism

2. Health, Vaccinations & Insurance

Mandatory Vaccinations: No vaccinations are required for entry to Greece. No mandatory jabs

Recommended Vaccinations: All travellers should be up‑to‑date on routine immunisations. The Auswärtiges Amt and Swiss EDA recommend hepatitis A vaccination; hepatitis B, tick-borne encephalitis (FSME), and meningococcal vaccination are advised for special exposure risks. Routine jabs advised Hepatitis A recommended

• Travel Health Insurance: Highly recommended — while the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives access to Greek public healthcare, it may not cover all costs. Many doctors and private clinics expect immediate payment in cash, as trust in public insurance is low. Private clinics are well-equipped, but expensive.
• Medical Care: Good on the mainland, but can be limited on the islands, with hospitals suffering from staff and equipment shortages. Ambulance response times can be significantly longer, especially on islands, which is critical in emergencies.
• Diseases: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever occurs rarely in northeastern Greece, transmitted by ticks. The risk for tourists is extremely low. West Nile virus and leishmaniasis are also present in Southern Europe.
• Water quality: Tap water is generally drinkable, but old pipes or local wells may affect quality. Ask your hotel or host locally.
• Travel pharmacy: Bring essential medications, as availability can be limited on islands. Although many medications are prescription-only, they are often sold without a prescription for cash.

Links: TravelHealthPro – Greece · German Foreign Office – Health

3. Safety & Travel Advisories

Current Situation: Travel to Greece is generally safe. However, travellers should be aware of several risks. Exercise normal precautions

• Forest Fires: Significant risk of forest fires in summer months. Follow local warnings and instructions from authorities.
• Earthquakes: Greece is in a seismically active zone; earthquakes can occur.
• Demonstrations & Strikes: Protests and strikes are common, particularly in Athens. They can disrupt traffic and public transport. Avoid demonstrations and follow media reports.
• Crime: Pickpocketing and bag snatching are very common, especially in Athens (metro, tourist areas). Keep valuables secure and carry a copy of your passport.
• Photography: It is forbidden to photograph military installations, military personnel, or police.
• Legal: Drug offences are punished severely, even for small amounts.
• Border Notice: The land border between Finland and Russia is closed indefinitely at all crossing points.

Official travel advisories: German Foreign Office · Austrian MFA · Swiss FDFA

4. Emergency & Important Numbers

Other services: Hellenic Police · Greek Civil Protection

5. Embassies & Consulates

In emergencies (passport loss, legal trouble, consular assistance), contact the embassy or consulate of your home country in Greece. Most foreign embassies are located in Athens.

• U.S. Embassy Athens: 91 Vasilisis Sophias Ave, 10160 Athens · Tel: +30 210 721 2951
• British Embassy Athens: 1 Ploutarchou Street, 10675 Athens · Tel: +30 210 727 7600
• German Embassy Athens: Karaoli & Dimitriou 3, 10675 Athens · Tel: +30 210 728 1100
• Austrian Embassy Athens: Vas. Sofias 4, 10671 Athens · Tel: +30 210 725 9100
• Swiss Embassy Athens: Iassiou 2, 11521 Athens · Tel: +30 210 723 6111

Search link: All foreign embassies and consulates in Greece · Greek MFA – Diplomatic missions

6. Background on Country & Society

Brief Description: Greece is a country in Southeast Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula, with thousands of islands in the Aegean and Ionian Seas. It is the cradle of Western civilisation, the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, theatre, and the Olympic Games. Today, it is a parliamentary republic and a member of the EU and NATO.

• Capital: Athens
• Population: ~10.7 million
• Economy: Heavily dependent on tourism, shipping, and agriculture (olives, wine).
• Nature: Diverse landscapes — mountains (Olympus), forests, and the longest coastline in the Mediterranean.

Official information: Official Tourism Website – Visit Greece · Prime Minister of Greece

7. Climate, Weather & Clothing

Climate: Mediterranean — hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Regional variations: continental in the north, alpine in the mountains.

• Spring (Mar–May): 15–24°C, mild, occasional rain.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): 24–32°C, very hot, especially inland.
• Autumn (Sep–Nov): 16–28°C, pleasant, cooling down.
• Winter (Dec–Feb): 10–15°C, cool and rainy, snow in the north and mountains.

Clothing recommendations:

• Summer: Light clothing, sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses.
• Winter: Light jacket or cardigan for cooler evenings; warmer clothing for higher altitudes.
• Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing; flip-flops for the beach.
• Cultural: Discreet clothing for churches and monasteries.

8. Language & Communication

Official language: Greek. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, especially by younger people.

9. Voltage & Plug Types

• Voltage: 230 V
• Frequency: 50 Hz
• Plug types: Type C (Europlug) and Type F (Schuko).
• Adapter needed? For travellers from DE/AT/CH: No — plugs are compatible. For UK/Ireland: Yes — need an adaptor. For North America: Yes — need both an adaptor and a transformer for 110‑125 V appliances.
• Voltage converter? Most modern phone and laptop chargers are dual‑voltage (100‑240V), so no converter is needed. For 110‑V devices (e.g., some hair dryers), a converter is required.

10. Money & Finances

• Currency: Euro (€ / EUR)
• Exchange rate (approx., July 2026): 1 EUR ≈ 1.10 USD; 1 EUR ≈ 0.85 GBP.
• Payment methods: Card payments (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted, but cash is still preferred in smaller towns, tavernas, and markets.
• ATMs: Widely available.
• Price level: Medium — comparable to mainland Spain, slightly lower than Northern Europe.
• Tipping: Rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% is appreciated for good service.

11. Transport & Arrival

Airports: The main international airport is Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH). Other major airports: Thessaloniki (SKG), Heraklion (HER) in Crete, Rhodes (RHO), Corfu (CFU).

• From airport to city (Athens): Metro Line 3 – 40 min to Syntagma (€10); suburban rail – 30 min to Larissa Station (€10); bus – 60 min to Syntagma (€6); taxi – approx. €40–50.

Trains: Hellenic Train operates a limited network connecting major cities (Athens – Thessaloniki – Larissa).

Buses: Extensive and budget‑friendly network connecting all major towns and islands.

Ferries: Regular ferry connections between the islands (Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Minoan Lines).

Public transport: Metro, buses, and trams in Athens; buses in other cities.

Taxis: Official taxis are metered. Apps like Uber and Beat are also available in Athens.

Official transport pages: Athens Airport · Hellenic Train · Ferry Travel in Greece

12. Accommodation & Practical Information

• Hotel types: From luxury resorts to mid‑range and budget.
• Apartments / vacation rentals: Widely available via Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies.
• Hostels: Many hostels in Athens, Thessaloniki, and on the islands.
• Safety: Accommodation is generally safe; use hotel safes for valuables.
• Opening hours: Shops: Mon–Sat 10:00–20:00. Many shops close for a few hours in the afternoon (siesta). Supermarkets open 08:00–21:00.
• Local regulations: Smoking is banned in all public indoor spaces and on public transport. Alcohol sale is permitted for those over 18.

13. Food, Drink & Cuisine

Greek cuisine is fresh, healthy, and diverse, with Mediterranean flavours.

14. Time Zone & Public Holidays

• Time zone: EET (UTC+2) · EEST (UTC+3) from late March to late October.
• Time difference to DE/AT/CH: +1 hour (1 hour ahead of Central Europe).

Public holidays in 2026 (selection):

• 1 January – New Year's Day
• 2 April – Maundy Thursday (regional)
• 3 April – Good Friday
• 5 April – Easter Sunday
• 6 April – Easter Monday
• 1 May – Labour Day
• 14 May – Ascension Day
• 24 May – Whit Monday
• 25 March – Independence Day (25 March)
• 15 August – Assumption (Dekapentavgoustos)
• 28 October – Oxi Day
• 25 December – Christmas Day
• 26 December – Boxing Day

Note: Many shops, museums, and attractions close on public holidays. Check Office Holidays – Greece for the complete calendar.

15. Attractions & Highlights

Greece is a treasure trove of ancient history, stunning islands, and diverse landscapes.

Official tourism pages: Visit Greece · This is Athens

16. Nightlife & Events

Nightlife: Greece is famous for its vibrant nightlife, from Athens' buzzing clubs to the legendary beach parties on Mykonos and Ios.

• Athens: The Psiri and Gazi districts are packed with bars and clubs.
• Mykonos: World‑class beach clubs (Cavo Paradiso, Scorpios).
• Thessaloniki: Lively student scene with many bars and live music.

Festivals & events:

• Athens & Epidaurus Festival (June–August) — ancient theatre performances.
• Santorini Jazz Festival (July) — international jazz in a stunning setting.
• Naval Week (July) — on various islands, with sailing regattas and celebrations.
• Ochi Day (28 October) — national holiday with parades.
• Christmas markets — festive markets in Athens and Thessaloniki.

Event calendars: Visit Greece Events · Athens Events

17. Media & Further Links

🇬🇷 Greece — where ancient history meets sun‑drenched islands and warm hospitality.
All information is provided for guidance. Always check official sources before travel.