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
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  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. Agios Eleftherios Church Agios Eleftherios Church
    02 30 min

    Agios Eleftherios Church

    Παναγία Γοργοεπήκοος και Άγιος Ελευθέριος

    Little Metropolis is a small Byzantine church situated in central Athens, near the Metropolitan Cathedral. The church is also known as the Church of St.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  2. Church of Panaghia Kapnikarea Church of Panaghia Kapnikarea
    03 30 min

    Church of Panaghia Kapnikarea

    Παναγία Καπνικαρέα

    The Church of Panagia Kapnikarea is a Byzantine-era church standing prominently on Ermou Street in central Athens. It dates to the 11th century, though portions may reflect earlier construction.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  3. Church of the Holy Apostles
    04 30 min

    Church of the Holy Apostles

    Άγιοι Απόστολοι

    The Church of the Holy Apostles is a Byzantine-era church located in Athens, Greece. It stands within the Ancient Agora archaeological site, one of the most significant historical areas of the Greek capital.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  4. Kaisariani Monastery
    05 30 min

    Kaisariani Monastery

    Kaisariani Monastery is a Byzantine-era monastery located on the slopes of Mount Hymettus, east of central Athens. The site occupies a position within a forested area that has historically provided natural resources including water and botanical materials.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  5. Petraki Monastery
    06 30 min

    Petraki Monastery

    Ιερά Μονή Ασωμάτων - Πετράκη

    Petraki Monastery is a religious site located in Athens, Greece. It stands as one of the city's monastic establishments, contributing to the historical and spiritual landscape of the Greek capital.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  6. Agii Theodori
    08 30 min

    Agii Theodori

    Άγιοι Θεόδωροι

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  7. First Cemetery of Athens
    09 30 min

    First Cemetery of Athens

    Α' Νεκροταφείο Αθηνών

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  8. Pantanassa church
    11 30 min

    Pantanassa church

    Παναγία Παντάνασσα

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  9. Saint George church
    12 30 min

    Saint George church

    Άγιος Γεώργιος

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  10. Agioi Asomatoi Agioi Asomatoi
    14 30 min

    Agioi Asomatoi

    Άγιοι Ασώματοι

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  11. Athens Mosque
    18 30 min

    Athens Mosque

    Ισλαμικό Τέμενος Αθηνών

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  12. Beth Shalom Synagogue
    19 30 min

    Beth Shalom Synagogue

    Συναγωγή Μπεθ Σαλώμ

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  13. Panagia Chrysospiliotissa
    21 30 min

    Panagia Chrysospiliotissa

    Παναγία Χρυσοσπηλιώτισσα

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  14. Etz Chaim Synagogue
    22 30 min

    Etz Chaim Synagogue

    Συναγωγή Ετς Χαΐμ

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  15. Agios Georgios Karytsi
    26 30 min

    Agios Georgios Karytsi

    Άγιος Γεώργιος Καρύτσης

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  16. Hagia Irene Church
    27 30 min

    Hagia Irene Church

    Αγία Ειρήνη

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  17. First Greek Evangelical Church
    31 30 min

    First Greek Evangelical Church

    Α' Ελληνική Ευαγγελική Εκκλησία

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  18. Saint Nicholas church
    32 30 min

    Saint Nicholas church

    Άγιος Νικόλαος

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  19. Second Greek Evangelical Church
    33 30 min

    Second Greek Evangelical Church

    Β' ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΚΗ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  20. Cave of Prophet Elias
    34 30 min

    Cave of Prophet Elias

    Προφήτης Ηλίας

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  21. Holy Apostles church
    37 30 min

    Holy Apostles church

    Άγιοι Απόστολοι

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  22. Katholikon of Moni Petraki
    38 30 min

    Katholikon of Moni Petraki

    Συνοδικό Παρεκκλήσιο Παμμεγίστων Ταξιαρχών

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  23. Agia Dynamis
    44 30 min

    Agia Dynamis

    Αγία Δύναμις

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  24. 01 Filippos
    48 30 min

    01 Filippos

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  25. Agia Filothei
    52 30 min

    Agia Filothei

    Αγία Φιλοθέη

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  26. Agios Artemios
    53 30 min

    Agios Artemios

    Άγιος Αρτέμιος

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  27. Agios Dimitrios
    54 30 min

    Agios Dimitrios

    Άγιος Δημήτριος

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  28. Agios Dimitrios
    55 30 min

    Agios Dimitrios

    Άγιος Δημήτριος

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  29. Agios Georgios
    56 30 min

    Agios Georgios

    Άγιος Γεώργιος

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  30. Agios Ioannis Kinigos
    57 30 min

    Agios Ioannis Kinigos

    Άγιος Ιωάννης Κυνηγός

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  31. Agios Loukas
    58 30 min

    Agios Loukas

    Άγιος Λουκάς

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  32. Agios Meletios Sepolia Old Church
    59 30 min

    Agios Meletios Sepolia Old Church

    Παλιά Εκκλησία Αγίου Μελετίου Σεπολίων

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  33. Ayia Triada
    60 30 min

    Ayia Triada

    Αγία Τριάδα

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  34. Dormition of the Mother of God
    63 30 min

    Dormition of the Mother of God

    Ναός Κοιμήσεως Θεοτόκου (Χρυσοκαστριώτισσα)

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  35. Mary Grigorousa and Great Archangels
    65 30 min

    Mary Grigorousa and Great Archangels

    Παναγία Γρηγορούσα και Παμμέγιστοι Ταξιάρχες

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  36. Moni Koutala
    66 30 min

    Moni Koutala

    Άγιος Γεώργιος Κουταλάς

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  37. Saint Barbara
    67 30 min

    Saint Barbara

    Αγία Βαρβάρα

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  38. Saint Charles
    68 30 min

    Saint Charles

    Άγιος Κάρολος

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  39. Saint Constantine
    69 30 min

    Saint Constantine

    Άγιος Κωνσταντίνος

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  40. Saint Dionysius
    70 30 min

    Saint Dionysius

    Άγιος Διονύσιος

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  41. Saint George of the Rocks
    71 30 min

    Saint George of the Rocks

    Άγιος Γεώργιος του Βράχου

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  42. Saint John
    72 30 min

    Saint John

    Άγιος Ιωάννης

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  43. Saint John the Evangelist
    73 30 min

    Saint John the Evangelist

    Άγιος Ιωάννης Θεολόγος

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  44. Saint John the Theologian
    74 30 min

    Saint John the Theologian

    Άγιος Ιωάννης ο Θεολόγος

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  45. Saint Lazarus
    75 30 min

    Saint Lazarus

    Άγιος Λάζαρος

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  46. Saint Nicholas Rangavas
    76 30 min

    Saint Nicholas Rangavas

    Άγιος Νικόλαος Ραγκαβάς

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  47. Saint Phillip
    77 30 min

    Saint Phillip

    Άγιος Φίλιππος

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  48. Saint Spiridon church
    78 30 min

    Saint Spiridon church

    Άγιος Σπυρίδων

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  49. Saint Symeon
    79 30 min

    Saint Symeon

    Άγιος Συμεών

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  50. Saint Theodores
    80 30 min

    Saint Theodores

    Άγιοι Θεόδωροι

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  51. St. Anna
    81 30 min

    St. Anna

    Αγία Άννα

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  52. St. Athanasios
    82 30 min

    St. Athanasios

    Άγιος Αθανάσιος

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  53. St. Demetrios
    83 30 min

    St. Demetrios

    Άγιος Δημήτριος

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  54. St. Irene
    84 30 min

    St. Irene

    Αγία Ειρήνη

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  55. St. Spyridon
    86 30 min

    St. Spyridon

    Άγιος Σπυρίδων

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Athens
  56. Zen center
    88 30 min

    Zen center

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • 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.