Information about Greece
Greece is a unique country and the cradle of the European civilization. The European culture, art, drama, theatre, poetry and philosophy all originated and reached their prime here, on the Greek soil.
When in Greece, you will always find so much more than you expect. A hidden treasure awaits you at every corner: magnificent ruins glorifying the great old times, pretty shops brimming with authentic local souvenirs, endless beaches, the sapphire sea, and an unparalleled blend of antiquity and modernity.
The country’s wondrous nature, its mountains and its warm azure sea, its golden beaches, snow-white houses, numerous temples and architectural sites, its evergreens, olive groves, green valleys, the inimitable aroma of strong Greek coffee and, of course, its countless marvellous islands where each one is so different from the other – in a word, the unique atmosphere of Greece will make your vacation unforgettable and mind-blowing.
Important information about Greece:
The capital of Greece: Athens
Official language: Греческий
Currency: euro (€)
Climate of Greece: typical Mediterranean climate with mild and rainy winter and comparatively hot and dry summer
Official religion: Orthodox Christianity
Telephone code: +30
Important information for tourists
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Greece (Athens):
Paleo Psychiko, 28, Nikiforou Lytra str.
Tel: (30 -210) 672-52-35, 672-61-30
Consulate General of the Russian Federation (Thessaloniki):
5, Dimosthenous str.
Tel: (30-2310) 25-72-01
Embassy of Greece in the Russian Federation:
4, Leontievsky str.
Tel: (495) 290-14-46, 775-37-00, 291-8900 (available 24 hours a day)
Useful telephone numbers:
Police: 100
Fire service: 199
Tourist police: 171
Public transport schedule: 1440
Ambulance (Athens): 166
Ambulance (Thessaloniki): 150
Roadside assistance: 04
Medical service
Should you need medical assistance while on vacation, contact your insurance company immediately. The company’s telephone number is indicated in your insurance policy. The insurance company’s employee will instruct you which medical centre or hospital you should go to.
If you call an ambulance or seek medical assistance from a state-funded hospital, you will have to produce your insurance policy. A receipt from a private medical practice will not guarantee you a refund from your insurance company.
Pharmacies in Greece
Mon and Wed : from 09:00 to 14.30
Tue, Thu, Fri : from 09:00 to 13.30
from 17.30 to 20.30
Sat, Sun : closed
Each municipality always has two on-duty pharmacies in the daytime and one in the night-time. All-night pharmacies will serve you after 23.00 only in case of emergency on a doctor’s prescription.
Infrastructure
Stores
Пн, Ср, Сб : from 09:00 to 14.00
Вт, Чт, Пт : from 09:00 to 14.00
from 17.30 to 20.30
In the tourist zones, the stores are open all day, including on Sundays.
Supermarkets and minimarkets
Every day : from 08:00 to 21:00
Street markets
Every day : from 9.00 - 13.30
Street kiosks
Every day : from 07:00 - 23:00
They sell everything, from pharmaceuticals and newspapers to souvenirs and ice-cream. All the stores outside of the tourist zones are closed on Sundays.
Water
Greece’s water supply system meets all the international sanitary norms throughout the country. The tap water is top-quality and safe to drink. You do not have to buy bottled potable water.
Tips
Like everywhere else in Europe, it is customary to tip 10% of your order. At the hotels, you should tip the help staff at around EUR 0.2.
Electricity
Greece’s electricity grid operates in compliance with the European standards (220V, 50 Hz).
Public holidays
New Year on January 1
Epiphany on January 6
Annunciation and Independence Day on March 25
Clean Monday on the first day of the Lent
Good Friday
Easter
Bright Monday on the second day after the Easter
Flower Day on May 1
Trinity Sunday
Assumption Day on August 15
Ohi Day on October 28
Christmas on December 25 and 26.
Climate
Greece belongs to the Mediterranean climatic zone. Accordingly, the country’s climate is subtropic, Mediterranean. It almost never rains in summer, but there are frequent showers in winter time.
Average winter temperature: from +10 to +12°С
Average summer air temperature: from +30 to +35 °С
Average water temperature: from +25 °С to + 28 °С
Acropolis
New Acropolis Museum
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Syntagma Square
Ancient Agora of Athens
Theatre of Dionysus
Mount Lycabettus
The National Garden of Athens
Panathenaic Stadium
National Archaeological Museum
Tower of the Winds
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
