If you’re planning a trip to Greece, it helps to know a thing or two before you go. To get you started, we’ve gathered 20 essential tips from a local expert in the hospitality industry.
From the best times to visit cultural norms and practical advice, this guide will give you an insider’s perspective on what to expect when traveling to Greece.
Some of them are not very common but are always good to know. There are not described in a particular order but just a flow of thoughts and tips.
1. Don’t worry too much about the language barrier. Most Greeks speak at least a little bit of English, so you should be able to communicate even in remote villages
2. Greek Coffee is not a common taste and if you are not open to tasting new things you better leave it for another time.
3. Greek Lunch is around 14:00 hrs and Dinner for the Greeks rarely starts before 21:00 hrs. Lunch though is a “luxury” and only for people staying at home. Lunch break at work is not a common thing.
4. Hummus is NOT a Greek dish. Hummus, the first written recipe recorded in cookbooks has been found in Cairo and dates back to the 13th century.
5. The traditional cuisine and dishes that Greeks eat at home have a lot of Vegetarian and Vegan influences.
Greeks a couple of decades ago used to eat meat and poultry once a week on Sunday during the wide family lunch.
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6. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout the country, even in small kiosks.
7. A glass of water free of charge is always served as soon as you are sited in a cafe anywhere in Greece. (A bottle of water is usually placed at your table in restaurants but that does not come free of charge).
8. WiFi is available and free everywhere. You just need to ask for the access codes.
9. Greece has some very popular mountain ski resorts and Greeks love their winters. If you are a winter person you may want to check them out too.
10. Avoiding visiting Greece in August is a great idea. Unless you enjoy packed beaches, overcrowded islands, and loads of traffic everywhere you go.
11. Greek culture is known for its warmth and hospitality, and this is evident in the way that strangers are greeted and welcomed.
12. Saying “yassou” or “yassas” when passing someone on the street can make a great impression and even lead to an invitation for some homemade sweets or produce.
13. Prickly pears are abundant, but make sure to wear gloves when picking them – otherwise, you’ll be feeling the prickly aftermath for days.
14. Sea Urchins are delicious as a meal but make sure you don’t step on them at a beach. The experience is truly painful.
15. Indoor smoking is not allowed by law in Greece, and there are no hotels that offer smoking rooms.
16. If you want to enjoy a frappe or any kind of coffee you can order it and enjoy it at any time of the day or night.
17. Kiosks are always a lifesaver since most of them operate 24/7. Kiosks are small covered shops on the sidewalk that sell various everyday items including cigarettes, biscuits, ice creams, gums, candy, sodas, and much much more.
18. Using taxis in Greece is easy and inexpensive in Athens. In other touristy areas though taxis can become quite a luxury. Hiring a car would be a great alternative in most cases.
19. When looking for places to stay and if you do not like unpleasant surprises you may want to just avoid platforms like AirBnB…especially if you are looking for upscale properties.
20. Greeks are famously openhearted and welcoming — it’s simply part of who they are. But like anywhere in the world, customs and boundaries can vary, so always approach with kindness and don’t rush to judge. You’ll find that warmth flows naturally once mutual respect is felt.
With these tips in mind, you’re sure to have a wonderful time exploring all that Greece has to offer.
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