Greece
Phone Code
+30
Capital
Athens
Population
10.4 Million
Native Name
Ελλάδα
Region
Europe
Southern Europe
Timezone
Eastern European Time
UTC+02:00
On This Page
Greece is a southeastern European country and EU/Schengen/Eurozone member, widely regarded as the cradle of Western civilization, democracy and philosophy. Athens, the capital, sits beneath the Acropolis. Greece is best known for its islands — over 6,000, of which 227 are inhabited — connected by an extensive ferry network, alongside a deep archaeological record and a Mediterranean cuisine and coastline that draw visitors well beyond the ancient sites.
Visa Requirements for Greece
As a Schengen Area member, Greece follows standard Schengen visa policies. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can enter with just a valid ID card or passport for unlimited stays and can work freely. Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many other countries can enter visa-free for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. Those requiring Schengen visas should apply through Greek consulates or embassies, submitting completed application forms, passport photographs, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, travel insurance meeting the Schengen minimum coverage (check the current threshold), and proof of financial means. Greece is consistently one of Europe's most-visited countries, especially during summer months. Processing typically takes 15 calendar days.
Common Visa Types
Visa-Free Entry (Schengen)
For tourism, business, conferences, visiting friends/family for US, UK, Australia, Canada, and other eligible nationalities.
EU/EEA/Swiss Entry
For EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens for tourism, work, residence, or any purpose without restrictions.
Schengen Visa (Type C)
For short-term stays including tourism, business, cultural events, conferences for nationalities requiring Schengen visa.
National Visa (Type D)
For stays exceeding 90 days including work, study, family reunification, or residence in Greece.
Important Travel Information
Greece splits naturally into two trips that pair well together: Athens and the mainland's ancient sites, and the islands, each chain with its own character — the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, the Ionian and Crete standing apart as a country within a country. Ferries out of Piraeus make island-hopping the quintessential way to see more than one, and over 300 days of sunshine a year, paired with Schengen-zone convenience, make Greece one of Europe's most accessible and rewarding destinations.
Discover Greece
The Acropolis rises 156 metres above Athens and repays an early-morning visit (opens 8 AM) both for the light and for beating the tour-bus crowds that arrive by mid-morning; a combined ticket valid 5 days (confirm the current price) covers the Acropolis plus five surrounding ancient sites including the Ancient Agora, where Socrates taught in the open air. The new Acropolis Museum at the hill's base, with its glass floor over active excavations, houses the Parthenon Marbles that remain in Greece alongside a purpose-built empty space awaiting the return of those held in London. Plaka, the old town beneath the Acropolis, survived 19th-century redevelopment and retains a warren of neoclassical houses, small squares and tavernas — genuinely atmospheric despite the tourist density, especially at dawn or after 9 PM when day-trippers thin out. Modern Athens asserts itself in Kolonaki's boutiques, the street art of Exarchia, and rooftop bars across the city centre where the illuminated Acropolis serves as the view for the price of a cocktail.
Ways to Experience This Destination
Greece has over 6,000 islands (227 inhabited) connected by an extensive ferry network — island-hopping is the quintessential Greek experience. The Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Milos) offer whitewashed architecture and Aegean blue. The Dodecanese (Rhodes, Kos, Patmos) blend medieval history with Turkish influences. The Ionian Islands (Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos) are greener with Venetian heritage. Crete stands alone as Greece's largest island with Minoan ruins, dramatic gorges and its own proud culture. Ferries run from Piraeus (Athens' port) — Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways are the main operators. Book weeks ahead in July-August peak season.
The Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens (the defining monument of Western civilization), the Agora where Socrates debated, Delphi's oracle site on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, the theatre of Epidaurus with its legendary acoustics, the Lion Gate of Mycenae, Olympia — birthplace of the Olympic Games, the Minoan palace of Knossos on Crete (Europe's oldest civilization, 3,000+ years old), and the sacred island of Delos. Greece is a walkable 5,000-year history lesson. A combined ticket covers the Acropolis and five surrounding sites for five days — confirm the current price.
Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) on Zakynthos — accessible only by boat, one of the world's most photographed beaches. Elafonissi and Balos on Crete with their pink-tinged sand and Caribbean-clear water. Red Beach and Perissa's black volcanic sand on Santorini. Sarakiniko on Milos — a lunar landscape of white volcanic rock sculpted by wind and waves. Lalaria on Skiathos, reachable only by sea. Myrtos on Kefalonia. Greece offers everything from organised sun-lounger beaches with bars to hidden coves only reachable by kayak or hiking trail — over 16,000 km of coastline with some of the cleanest water in Europe.
The Samaria Gorge on Crete (18 km, Europe's longest gorge — a full-day hike through towering canyon walls to the Libyan Sea). The Meteora monasteries perched atop 300-metre sandstone pillars — a UNESCO site combining natural wonder with Byzantine spirituality. Vikos Gorge in Epirus (listed by Guinness as the world's deepest gorge relative to width), surrounded by the stone villages and arched bridges of Zagoria. Mount Olympus — seat of the gods, 2,918 m, climbable in two days. The wild trails of the Mani Peninsula in the Peloponnese. Greece is far more than beaches.
Cretan cuisine is considered the healthiest in the Mediterranean — cold-pressed olive oil, dakos (barley rusk topped with tomato and feta), snails, lamb with stamnagathi greens, and raki to wash it all down. Santorini's volcanic terroir produces Assyrtiko — one of Greece's finest white wines, grown in basket-shaped vines to protect against the wind. Taverna culture runs deep: meze plates (tzatziki, taramasalata, dolmades, grilled octopus), ouzo and tsipouro, village salad (horiatiki) with proper block feta, and cheap, ubiquitous souvlaki. Olive oil tastings in the Peloponnese, mastic on Chios (the only place in the world it grows), saffron from Kozani. Simple ingredients, extraordinary results.
The Meteora monasteries in Thessaly — six active monasteries balanced on sandstone pillars rising 300 m above the plains, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Greece's most photographed landscapes. Mount Athos, the autonomous monastic republic on the Halkidiki peninsula — 20 monasteries, men only, special permit required, an unbroken 1,000-year tradition of Orthodox monasticism. The Byzantine churches of Mystras in the Peloponnese, the Cave of the Apocalypse on Patmos where St John wrote Revelation, and countless whitewashed chapels dotting the Cycladic hills — Greece breathes Orthodox spirituality alongside its ancient heritage.
Money & Currency
Euro (EUR)
Currency code: EUR
Practical Money Tips
Currency Exchange in Greece
Greece uses the Euro (EUR), so travelers from other Eurozone countries need no exchange at all. For visitors converting from USD, GBP, or other currencies, ATMs offer the best rates. Dedicated exchange offices exist in Athens (Syntagma Square area), Thessaloniki, and major tourist islands but charge noticeable commissions. Banks exchange currency but with limited hours and longer waits. Avoid airport and hotel exchanges — rates are significantly worse. On smaller islands, exchange options may be limited to a single ATM, so carry enough euros before island-hopping to remote destinations.
ATM Availability
ATMs (called 'ΑΤΜ' in Greek) are widely available in Athens, Thessaloniki, and all major tourist destinations. Major Greek banks include Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank, National Bank of Greece, and Eurobank. On popular islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu), ATMs are plentiful in main towns but may run dry during peak August weekends — withdraw early in the day. On smaller, less-visited islands, there may be only one or two ATMs for the entire island. Daily withdrawal limits vary by bank and card — the machine shows its ceiling before you confirm. Your home bank may add a fee per international withdrawal; check your card's terms, and whether your bank has fee-free European ATM agreements.
Card Acceptance
Card payments have expanded dramatically in Greece since the 2015 capital controls, which pushed the country toward digital payments. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, larger shops, supermarkets, and tourist businesses. Contactless payment works widely in cities and resort areas. However, cash remains important for: traditional tavernas on smaller islands, beach vendors, small kiosks (periptera), local bus fares, boat taxis, and rural areas. Many family-run businesses technically accept cards but prefer cash for small amounts. Always carry a modest cash reserve alongside your cards, especially when heading to islands or villages.
Tipping Customs
Tipping in Greece is appreciated but not obligatory — there is no American-style tipping pressure. In sit-down restaurants, leaving 5-10% is standard if no service charge is included; many Greeks simply round up or leave a few euros. Tipping at tavernas is looser — leaving spare change on the table is common. Hotel porters: €1-2 per bag. Taxi: round up to the nearest euro. Tour guides on day trips: €5-10 per person. Boat captains for private tours: €10-20. Housekeeping: €1-2 per day left on the pillow. In cafés, dropping coins from your change into the tip jar is the local norm. Always tip in cash even if you pay the bill by card.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
Accredited missions for Greece
US, UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Japanese and many other passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, since Greece is part of the Schengen Area. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens enter freely with just an ID card or passport. If your nationality requires a Schengen visa, apply through a Greek consulate before travel — processing typically takes about 15 days.
Ten to fourteen days lets you pair Athens (2-3 days) with two or three islands without feeling rushed — for example Santorini, then Crete or a smaller Cyclades island. A week is enough for Athens plus one island chain; anything under five days is really an Athens-only trip given how much time ferries add between islands.
Santorini and Mykonos deliver the postcard image (caldera views, whitewashed villages, nightlife) but get crowded and pricey in summer. Crete rewards a longer stay with more variety — beaches, mountains, ancient sites, and its own food culture — while needing less island-hopping logistics since it's large enough to fill a week alone. Naxos or Paros are quieter Cycladic alternatives with real village life alongside good beaches.
Visaja keeps this page's contact details and visa guidance under continuous review — still, requirements can change at short notice, so confirm the essentials with the mission or the official government portal before you travel.