Admittedly, Greece is a hospitable country with a friendly as well as charming environment. Below you can find some useful and practical information concerning everyday life in Greece:
Public holidays
The following are national public holidays:
- New Year’s Day– 1 January
- Epiphany – 6 January
- Clean Monday(First day of Lent) – movable (next: 19 February 2018 / 11 March 2019)
- Independence Day and The Annunciation– 25 March
- Good Friday– movable (next 6 April 2018 / 26 April 2019 )
- Orthodox Easter Sunday – movable (next: 8 April 2018 / 28 April 2019)
- Orthodox Easter Monday– movable (next: 9 April 2018 / 29 April 2019)
- Labor Day/May Day– 1 May
- Holy Spirit Monday – 5 June
- Dormition of the Holy Virgin – 15 August
- WWII Day / “OHI (no) Day”– 28 October
- Christmas Day– 25 December
- Saint Stephen’s– 26 December
Weather and forecasts
Greece has a typical Mediterranean climate: Summers are hot and dry with a 7-month period of near-constant sunshine generally from April until November. The remainder of the year is characterized by a relatively cold, rainy period which generally starts sometime in November and lasts until late March or early April. Long periods of sunshine throughout the year are very common.
Weather forecasts:
Shop hours
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 09:00-13.30 & 17.30-20.30
- Monday, Wednesday, Saturday:09:00-15.00
- Sundays:All shops are closed.
Some large department stores are open everyday from 09:00 to 20.30 without a break. Tourist and other shops in tourist areas (like Plaka and Monastiraki in Athens, or other major cities) are usually open for longer hours and on Sundays.
Currency – Banks – ATMs
Greece uses euro (EUR – €) as a monetary unit and no other currency is accepted for transactions. You can exchange dollars or other currency at a bank or at the airport, or at an official exchange shop.
Major international banks, credit card companies and ATMs are plentiful and easy to access across the country. Foreign currencies and travelers’ checks can be exchanged at all banks, exchange counters and many hotels.
Banks are open to the public Monday through Thursday 08:00 to 14:30 and Friday 08:00 to 14:00, except for public holidays. Foreign currency may be exchanged for euros at most Greek and foreign banks.
ATMs are also available in many hotels.
Electric current
The Electric Current in Greece is 220V AC (50Hz). Pictures of power sockets (of type F) and plugs used in Greece are shown below:
Voltage and frequency
You can use your electric appliances in Greece, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220V – 240V. This includes countries in Europe, Australia and most of the Asian and African countries. However, if the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100V – 127V you need a power converter. This refers to the US, Canada and most South American countries.
Depending on your country you may need an adapter, if the power socket of your appliances does not fit into the plug. You can buy the appropriate equipment, like voltage converters and adaptors from many places in Greece, such as electric stores, or local markets. You can even find them at shops located in the airports, before departing from home.
Vegeterians
Lately, more and more Greeks, especially young ones become vegeterians. Nevertheless, Greece cannot be considered as the cradle of vegeterianism, maybee because of the fact that the varied and healthy Greek diet is a priori green, offering many alternatives to meat, with an emphasis on fresh vegetables and fruits, beans, legumes and grains. Greeks consume record amounts of cheese and yoghurt (Greek yoghurt is famous, especially with honey). You will find hummus, eggplant dip, tzatziki, bread, and cheese or spinach pie wherever you go in Greece. Last but not least – fish is also an essential part of Greek nutrition.
