Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Greece

A photograph of Greece
Photograph · George E. Koronaios · CC BY-SA 4.0

Greece has the longest coastline on the Mediterranean and somewhere between 1,200 and 6,000 islands depending on how an island is counted, of which 227 are inhabited. That figure is the whole planning problem. Around 10 million people live in the country's nine regions, and the three largest cities - Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras - are all on the mainland, while the 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites are spread across mainland and islands alike. Most trips split accordingly: the mainland for antiquity and the mountains that fill the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, the islands for the sea, with Crete, the largest of them, big enough to fill a week on its own.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Greek
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+30
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and F · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No single verified statement covers the mainland and all islands

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Aleka
    02 2 hours

    Aleka

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  2. Anesis Cinema
    03 2 hours

    Anesis Cinema

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  3. Artemis
    04 2 hours

    Artemis

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  4. Astor
    05 2 hours

    Astor

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  5. Asty Cinema
    06 2 hours

    Asty Cinema

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  6. Athenée
    07 2 hours

    Athenée

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  7. Athinaion
    08 2 hours

    Athinaion

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  8. Avana
    09 2 hours

    Avana

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  9. Cine Lila
    11 2 hours

    Cine Lila

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  10. Cinemarian
    13 2 hours

    Cinemarian

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  11. Cine Thision Cine Thision
    15 2 hours

    Cine Thision

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  12. Flery
    22 2 hours

    Flery

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  13. Mikrokosmos
    23 2 hours

    Mikrokosmos

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  14. Newman Cinema
    24 2 hours

    Newman Cinema

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  15. Old School
    27 2 hours

    Old School

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  16. Panathinea
    28 2 hours

    Panathinea

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  17. Riviera
    29 2 hours

    Riviera

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  18. Stella
    30 2 hours

    Stella

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  19. Trianon
    33 2 hours

    Trianon

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  20. WestCity
    35 2 hours

    WestCity

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  21. Zefiros
    36 2 hours

    Zefiros

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  22. Αιολία
    39 2 hours

    Αιολία

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  23. ΒΟΞ
    44 2 hours

    ΒΟΞ

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  24. Δαναός
    46 2 hours

    Δαναός

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  25. Εκράν
    49 2 hours

    Εκράν

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  26. Ελιζέ
    50 2 hours

    Ελιζέ

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  27. Έλλη
    51 2 hours

    Έλλη

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  28. Ίρις Ίρις
    54 2 hours

    Ίρις

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  29. Λαΐς
    55 2 hours

    Λαΐς

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  30. Λάουρα
    56 2 hours

    Λάουρα

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  31. Όασις
    59 2 hours

    Όασις

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens
  32. Φοίβος
    68 2 hours

    Φοίβος

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Athens

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Greece be?

Eight to twelve days can cover Athens, one mainland archaeological route and one island group. Every ferry leg consumes real itinerary time, so collecting ports across several island chains is poor use of a first visit.

What entry documents are needed for Greece?

Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides the visa framework for entry. Passport nationality, stay length and the wider Schengen route determine whether an application is needed and where it must be lodged.

What is the best way to travel around Greece?

Athens is the main gateway, while ferries and domestic flights connect island groups and regional airports. Mainland buses and limited rail corridors require route-specific planning; ferry schedules should be rechecked close to travel.

When is a practical time to visit Greece?

April to June and September to October suit many archaeological and island itineraries without peak midsummer heat. Ferry exposure, island seasonality and mountain weather still vary by destination.

What money and payment basics apply in Greece?

Greece prices transactions in euros (EUR). National card-acceptance and fee details are Not recorded in this bundle; confirm payment expectations with small accommodations, boat operators and remote businesses.

What practical safety details should I save for Greece?

Greece uses 112 for emergency assistance and 230 V Type C and F sockets. A single nationwide tap-water recommendation is Not recorded, so use the relevant island or municipal guidance.