Facts & figures: Greece
Climate
The climate in Greece is mostly dry and temperate. In Athens, Southern Greece and the islands, the climate is typical Mediterranean with warm and dry summers and mild winters.
The average temperature during October is 20 oC (68 oF)
Currency
Greece’s currency is the Euro (€).
All major credit cards are widely accepted in Greece.
Population
- Total population in Greece: 10.3 million
- Athens metropolitan area (Attica region): 3,756,607 persons according to the 2001 census
Language
Modern Greek is the official language. English is widely spoken as a second language by the majority of Greeks, while French and German is also spoken at a good extent.
Time
Greece is two (2) hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, seven (7) hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and an hour (1) ahead of Central European Time.
Health
Emergency treatment is free of charge to all Greeks or foreigners, in State owned and University hospitals. Athens also has private hospitals affiliated with national and international institutions.
Visa information
Greece follows the Schengen Agreement for short-term visa issues. Citizens of all countries applying the Schengen acquis in full, plus associated countries enter with any valid I.D. card and are not subjected to border controls. Holders of regular passports from the rest of the world need a visa in order to enter Greece (and the Schengen Area).
You may visit the following web address for a full list of Greek embassies abroad:
http://www.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/en-US/Services/Directory/Greek+Missions+Abroad
Getting to Athens
Athens is easily accessible from all European countries and most destinations around the world. The new Athens International Airport, Eleftherios Venizelos (inaugurated in March 2001) is dedicated to customer satisfaction and provides high security standards and top quality services to all users. It is connected daily with over 50 cities around the world.
The airport is located 33 km southeast of Athens and is easily accessible via Attiki Odos, a six-lane motorway. Public transportation to Athens or to the Port of Piraeus is provided by express airport bus connections on a 24-hour basis, while a direct Metro line connects the airport with the city center. Please visit the Athens Metro website for detailed information: http://www.amel.gr/index.php?id=363&L=1&cHash=37a860319 (airport routes).
Regular motor coach schedules link Athens with the south-eastern European states and the Balkans, while daily ferry services link the port of Patras (2 hours drive from Athens) with Italy.
Local Transportation
Athens features a broad and efficient transportation network consisting of metro, buses, trolley buses, and an electric tram covering the biggest part of the city, as well as taxis and limousines.
ATMs
ATMs are widely available in Greece for Master or Visa cardholders.
Banks
Banks are open from Monday to Thursday, 8:00-14:00 hrs and on Friday, 8:00-13:00 hrs; on Saturdays and Sundays they are closed. Central branches of some banks may be found open until 20:00 daily and from 10:00 to 16:30 on Saturdays.
For further details please consult your hotel concierge.
Electricity
Electricity is 220 V/50 Hz. Plugs are the standard continental (DIN) type with two round pins.
Telecommunications
The international access code for Greece is +30. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the USA or Canada, 0044 for the United Kingdom). Public payphones are available all over Greece and use phone cards, which can be purchased from kiosks. Telephone transmissions are based on GSM technology. For information concerning mobile phone use in Greece, please ask your provider.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory but is quite usual in Greece.
Relevant links
