Greece

SAFETY: excellent
The whole country is generally considered safe. No particular risks are reported apart from petty crime (suburbs, large cities, etc.).

TRANSPORT: excellent
A comprehensive, modern transport system covering the whole country (air, rail, bus, metro, tram, taxi, ferries) makes it possible to reach any destination or island. Hiring cars, motorbikes, campervans, bicycles and boats is easy and convenient. Well connected to Italy and to all the countries of the Mediterranean basin.

Main airports: Athens, Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Heraklion-Crete, Corfu.
Main ports: Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Agioi Theodoroi, Aspropyrgos (very numerous).

ACCOMMODATION: excellent
Greece offers a wide choice of accommodation of every kind, category and price. The international classification (one to five stars) applies, and there are also farm stays, B&Bs, guesthouses, hostels and campsites, and wellness or spa centres. There are numerous portals and websites useful for bookings. The restaurant scene is equally varied.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Hellenic Republic– Location: Southern Europe. Borders: Albania, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, Turkey and the Aegean Sea to the east, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Ionian Sea to the west – Time zone: UTC +2, one hour ahead of Italy, observes daylight saving time – Area: 131,940 sq km – Capital: Athens – Population: 11,500,000– Religion: 95% Greek Orthodox, 1% Muslim – Language: Greek (official language), Italian fairly widely understood – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: euro – Credit cards: the major credit cards are accepted.

ELECTRICITY: 220 V and 50 Hz (as in Italy) – Sockets: various types; bring an adapter.

DOCUMENTS: identity card valid for travel abroad. There are no customs restrictions on personal luggage (Schengen) – Driving: Italian driving licence – Cars: Italian third-party motor insurance is sufficient for Italian vehicles.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: International dialling code: 0030 – GSM: extensive network covering the whole country. Standards: GSM 900/1800 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators: Cosmote, Vodafone, Wind – Internet: very widespread and of good average quality – Web domain: .gr – Emergency numbers: police 100, fire brigade 199, ambulance 166 (Athens), tourist police 171. 

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: as regards the laws on the use or trafficking of narcotic substances and offences against minors, criminal penalties entirely comparable to those under Italian law are in force. Legislation protecting gay rights is lacking, but the country is very open and tolerant and has for years been a favourite destination for international gay tourism. Mykonos in particular is considered a gay heaven.

HEALTH: good overall standard, with efficient public and private facilities. Italian citizens travelling temporarily who hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) receive the treatment provided by the local public health service. Pharmacies are plentiful and well stocked.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year’s Day; Epiphany; Clean Monday; 25 March, Independence Day; 1 May, Labour Day and Flower Festival; Good Friday; Easter (Orthodox, one week after the Catholic Easter); Easter Monday; 15 August, Assumption; 28 October, National Day; 25 December, Christmas Day; 26 December, Boxing Day.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: plentiful, Mon-Fri 8.00-14.00 – Banks: widespread, with ATM service, Mon-Fri 8.00-14.00 – Shops: Mon-Sat 9.00-20.00 (variable) – Closing day: Sunday.

CLIMATE: the inland and mountain areas have a continental climate, with harsh, wet winters and hot, dry summers; the coastal strip and the Aegean have a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot, dry summers. The regions of Macedonia and Epirus have a Balkan climate with freezing winters and hot, humid summers. The Ionian coast has a milder climate than the Aegean coast.

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USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY

Embassy of Greece
Via Mercadante Saverio 36 – 00198 Rome 
Tel. 06 8537551

Consulate General of Greece
Via Beatrice d’Este 1 – 20122 Milan
Tel. 02 6598624

Greek National Tourism Organisation
Via S. Sofia 12 – 20122 Milan
Tel. 02 860477
www.visitgreece.gr

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN GREECE

Italian Embassy
Odos Sekeri 2 – 106 74 Athens
Tel. 0030 210 3617260/3617263 – Fax 0030 210 3617330
Web: www.ambatene.esteri.it – E-mail: ambasciata.atene@esteri.it