Visiting Greece for a vacation can sometimes be an interesting experience! There are several things which might puzzle, shock, or annoy you that people who live in Greece take for granted. Read on to find out ten things you should know about Greece before you visit!
Ten things you should know about Greece
DO â Be prepared for people smoking indoors
One of the things you should know about Greece, is that smokey places are thriving. Although the anti-smoking law came into effect in 2010, it has not been widely applied in bars, cafes and restaurants. If you are visiting in summer, this is hardly a problem, as you can sit outside and enjoy the nice weather. In winter, however, it might be more of an issue â unless you are a smoker yourself.
If you canât read Greek, this sign says that smoking is allowed! Some laws in Greece are clearly more flexible than others. All is not lost though. This map shows places that actually respect the anti-smoking law! Itâs only in Greek at the moment though. Also, watch out for our
Of all the things you should know about Greece, this is the least likely to affect you. Unless you are actually driving, in which case it is worth keeping it in mind.
DO â Throw toilet paper in the toilet bin
You may have grown up in a country where toilet paper goes down the toilet. This is generally not the case in Greece. The sewage system in the majority of Greek buildings is old, so you need to put the toilet paper in the little bin next to the toilet.
You can probably guess what will happen if you donât, and trust us, you wonât like it!
DO NOT â Assume that everyone is trying to cheat you
You may have been advised to bargain hard when buying souvenirs, and have read that taxi drivers might try to charge you extra. You may think that the waiter will knowingly add a few euros to your bill. While we canât promise that none of this will happen to you, we firmly believe that Greeks are generally honest people. In a way, this may be even more the case since the crisis began.
DO â Relax with a frappe in the sun
We canât stress enough the importance of enjoying an iced coffee in the sun! Greek coffee culture is not really about the coffee. Itâs about meeting a friend or two and going for a chat for a couple of hours. Remember, the siga-siga (slowly) culture is quite prominent in Greece. Most visitors are surprised at the number of Greeks sitting in cafes, despite the crisis. The truth is, staying at home wonât really help get rid of the crisis, so thereâs nothing wrong with meeting friends for a coffee.
Even if the idea of a cold coffee doesnât excite you, give it a go â you may discover your new favourite drink!
DO NOT â Be a prude on the beach
Naturism started becoming popular in Greece in the late 1960s. After Greece joined the EU in 1981, thousands of visitors were happy to spend their summer holidays enjoying fully the Mediterranean sun. Naturism and free camping became quite common at isolated beaches throughout the country. Although both are illegal, they are well tolerated, or even the done thing, in designated beaches. Going topless for women is also fairly common on non-naturist beaches.
Most of the naturist beaches are not easily accessible, so you are unlikely to see something you didnât mean to. That said, if you like isolated bays, you might come across people who took off their swimsuits. If you decide to give it a go, make sure you donât forget your sunscreen! Check out our article on the best beaches in Greece.
DO â Learn some Greek
âItâs all Greek to meâ â you will say, and you will be absolutely right. Learning a few words in Greek, though, will earn you at least some smiles, and possibly some treats! Among the things you should know about Greece, this might be the most beneficial. You can start with having a look at the Greek Alphabet. Chances are that you have seen some of our letters before, especially if you have studied Maths.
If you want to learn a few words in Greek, you can also have a look at our quick guide to learning Greek.
Among the ancient Greek and Roman buildings you will also see Byzantine churches, a few neoclassical buildings and many rather unappealing blocks of flats. Itâs a rather unique combination that makes Athens what it is today!
BONUS: DO â Experiment with Greek food
Souvlaki, moussaka, feta cheese, baklava, Greek salad. Is that all? No way! The Greek cuisine is one of the most varied in Europe, if not the world. Have a look at our section about Greek food, and you will see that there are plenty of Greek dishes that are worth tasting!
Our advice: be bold, experiment, and order dishes you havenât heard of. Chances are, you wonât regret it!
Can you think of any other things you should know about Greece before you visit? Please let us know in the comments!
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