Practical Info

Shop Opening Hours

Most independent shops open around 09:00 and close at 14:00 or 15:00. Many then reopen from about 17:30 to 21:00 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday only. On Monday, Wednesday and Saturday they often close at 15:00 and do not reopen. Supermarkets, chains and anything in a tourist area usually run straight through, and most close on Sunday.

The Afternoon Quiet, Siesta

The afternoon quiet, mesimeri, runs roughly 15:00 to 17:30. It is not a formal rule but it is widely observed, especially in villages and residential streets. Shops shut, people rest, and there is a legal quiet period covering noise. Avoid phoning anyone, ringing a doorbell or running power tools then, and plan sightseeing or a long lunch instead.

Banks, Pharmacies and Museums

Banks open Monday to Thursday 08:00 to 14:30 and Friday 08:00 to 14:00, and close at weekends. Pharmacies follow shop hours but a rota keeps one open overnight and at weekends in every area, posted on the door. Museums and archaeological sites often have shorter winter hours from November to March.

Public and Bank Holidays

Fixed dates: 1 January, 6 January, 25 March, 1 May, 15 August, 28 October, 25 and 26 December. Moving dates follow the Orthodox calendar: Clean Monday 15 March 2027, Good Friday 30 April 2027, Easter Sunday 2 May 2027, Easter Monday 3 May 2027 and Whit Monday 21 June 2027. On these days most shops, banks and public offices close, transport runs a reduced service, and the days either side get very busy.

Emergency Numbers

Save these before you need them: 112 (EU emergency, English speaking, free of charge, and the same line that sends the emergency text alerts), 100 (police, and you can send it a free SMS if you cannot speak), 199 (fire brigade), 166 (ambulance, EKAB), 108 (coast guard), 1571 (tourist police, not 171), 10400 (ELPA roadside assistance). Greece's own national list adds 1056 for child protection, 116000 for missing children and 116111 for a children and teenagers helpline.

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Tourist Police & Safety

The Tourist Police line is 1571, not 171. 1571 is the number the Hellenic Police list themselves, it runs 24 hours, and it is answered in Greek, English, French and German. It exists to sort out the problems tourists run into, so scams, disputes and lost documents. For a lost or stolen passport, report to the police first, then contact your embassy, most are based in Athens.

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Taxi & Ride Hailing Apps

FreeNow (formerly Beat), Bolt and Uber all work with licensed taxis in Greece at the regulated taximeter rate, a quick, cashless way to book a ride.

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Food Delivery Apps

efood is Greece's biggest delivery app, with the widest range of tavernas and souvlaki shops. Wolt often has the best English interface and a stronger brunch and specialty selection. BOX is handy for chains and frequent discount codes.

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Currency & Money

Greece uses the euro (€). Cards are widely accepted in cities and larger towns, but carry some cash for small tavernas, markets and island villages. Tipping isn't obligatory, rounding up or leaving 5 to 10% is appreciated.

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Useful Apps

Google Maps and Google Translate cover the basics. Ferryhopper is the easiest way to compare and book island ferries. For hire cars, check reviews carefully as availability changes fast in summer.

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Ferry seat classes

Greek ferry tickets come in several classes, economy or deck, "airplane seat" (aircraft style reclining seats), and cabins, with prices and comfort levels varying between conventional ferries and high speed catamarans.

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Proastiakos

Athens' suburban railway network, connecting the international airport with the city centre and outlying Attica towns, offering a faster alternative to buses on some routes.

Photo: A.Savin, CC BY-SA 3.0 (multi licensed, also the Free Art License and CC BY-SA 2.5, 2.0 and 1.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Name day

A tradition where Greeks celebrate the feast day of the saint they are named after, often more important socially than a birthday, with open houses and impromptu visits from friends.

Panigyri

A village festival typically held in honour of a local patron saint's feast day, combining religious tradition with music, dancing and communal food; dates change yearly, check listings.

Photo: Sogal, CC BY-SA 3.0 Greece, via Wikimedia Commons

Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera)

The first day of Lent in the Orthodox calendar, marked across Greece with outdoor picnics, meat free food and traditional kite flying; dates change yearly, check listings.

Photo: Kag427 at English Wikipedia, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Vasilopita

A traditional New Year's cake baked with a hidden coin inside, cut at midnight or on New Year's Day, said to bring good luck to whoever finds the coin.

Photo: Μυρμηγκάκι, Public domain (released by author, PD-self), via Wikimedia Commons

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Greece's entries on the UNESCO World Heritage List range from the Acropolis and Delphi to Olympia, Mystras and the monasteries of Meteora. Meteora and Mount Athos are listed for both their cultural and their natural value.

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