Greece is a beautiful country with lots of charming and picturesque islands. If you are making plans for a Greece holiday would be wise to learn as much as possible about the country as not to upset or offend the locals and to ensure that your stay is as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Currently, Greece is experiencing a bit of turmoil and upheaval. There are demonstrations and strikes. This doesn’t mean that the country is off-limits to visitors because it isn’t. Visitors are still welcome. However, it’s a good idea that if you do decide to visit the country that you be aware of their surroundings and steer clear of public protests and demonstrations.

Just like every other country in the world, Greece has its national holidays. Each of them hold a special meaning to its citizens and are celebrated in mass or by a segment of the country’s population. Below, you will find a listing of National Greek holidays, along with their meanings. If you schedule your Greece holiday, during a National holiday, be prepared to celebrate!

If you’re planning to holiday in Greece, you’ll want to learn a few simple Greek phrases. While it’s not necessary to speak the language fluently before you board the plane and head on over, being able to speak and understand a few phrases will help you get along better while in the country. Doing so is likely to endure you do the country’s citizens.

It’s important to note that Greek is a very tough language to learn. Unless you’re planning a trip far in advance, chances are you won’t be able to master the language by the time you leave. However, to help you make your way around the country a little better, we have listed a few simple Greek phrases below. Do your best to memorize these before you holiday in Greece.

When pronouncing the following, the “e” should sound like the “e” in egg and the “th” like the “the” in the word thistle.

Kalimera = Good Morning

Kalinihta = Good Night

Kalispera = Good Afternoon

Herete = Hello (only use this word between (10:00 a.m. - 2:00p.m.)

Vassou = Hello or goodbye (use this version when speaking to a single person or a someone you’re intimately acquainted with)

Vassas = Hello or goodbye (use this version when speaking to multiple persons, someone you don’t know and in more formal settings)

Adio = Goodbye

Yassou file mou Niko = Hello my friend

Tee Connies= How are you?

Nose tee moe= Delicious

Poe Leek’ll la= Very well

Fee Lee= Kiss

Poo Wean Eh Eat 2 Ah Let Ah= Where’s the bathroom?

Sog A Po= I love you

Elly Knee Ah Owed Ah= Greek market

Call Owes See The Tay= Welcome

Ti kanis= How are you?

Poli kala = well/good

Efkharisto= Thank you

Parakalo= You’re welcome/please

Signomi= Sorry

Ne= Yes

Ohi= No

Pos se lene?= What’s your name?

Me lene= My name is

Milas Anglika? =Do you speak English?

Den Katalaveno= Can you help me?

Ti ora ine= What time is it?

Pou ine? =Where is?

Thelo= I want

Poso kani= How much is it?

Aristera= Left

Dexia= Right

Aniktos= Open

Klistos= Closed

Do your best to memorize many of the aforementioned words and phrases before you holiday in Greece. If you can’t commit them to memory, write them down and keep them handy so that you can refer to them as needed.

With the summer time here there will be lots of travelling happening. The key to any holiday is to be prepared to avoid any disappointments. If travelling internationally it is recommended to look into whether you need a visa or not to travel to your chosen destination. This is quite simple to find out, and is better to find out before you travel. For instance if planning a Greek holiday then first do a quick check to see what the Greece Visa requirements are.

Population

11,283,293 (2011)

Embassies

British Embassy
Ambassador:
Dr David Landsman OBE

Address:
Greece, Athens, British Embassy 
British Embassy
1 Ploutarchou Street
106 75 Athens

Switchboard: (0030) 210 7272 600
Phone: (0030) 210 7272 600
Fax: (0030) 210 7272 743

Consular/Visas/Passport Section Fax (0030) 210 7272 720

Website: http://ukingreece.fco.gov.uk

Consular Section
Open to the public: 08.30hrs - 13.00hrs, Monday to Friday

Telephone enquiries: 08.00hrs - 15.00hrs, Monday to Friday
Fax: 0030 210 7272 720
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Visas Section
All applications and enquiries for visas and visas appointments must be made online at www.visainfoservices.com.

Policy Delivery Team
By appointment only. Please call Embassy switchboard to make necessary arrangements.
Public information enquiries: 09.00hrs - 11.00hrs, Monday to Friday
Fax: 0030 210 7272 743
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

U.S. Embassy Athens
91 Vasilisis Sophias Avenue
10160 Athens, Greece

Phone (Main Switchboard/Info): 30-210-721-2951
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Germany Embassy Greece
Karaoli & Dimitriou 3 
PO Box 1175 Athens 
Athen 
Kolonaki 
Greece 
106 75

Phone:+30-210-728-5111 
Fax:+30-210-725-1205

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website URL: www.athen.diplo.de

Religion

The main religion in Greece is Christian Orthodox which compromises 97% of the population. The remaining 3% is comprised of Muslims, Roman Catholic and Jewish.
It is only Greece and the Greek Islands along with Russia that have such a dominant proportion of the Christian Orthodox Faith.

Driving

The Greek nation are not renowned for their driving abilities, in fact, the Greek population have the highest car accident rate in Europe! The accident rates for Greece are not helped by the quality of the roads. It is for this reason that car hire costs are very high.

International Telephone Code

The country code for Greece is 011 + 30 + City Area Code + Number

Time

Greece is in the Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Area

Area: total: 131,957 sq km
land: 130,647 sq km
water: 1,310 sq km

Electricity

The power supply in Greece is 220 V AC at 50 Hz and use the round two-pin sockets. As power cuts are common in Greece, surge protection devices are recommended.