General Information

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EXCHANGE CURRENCIES

Greece is a member of the European Union and the official currency of the country is Euro. Greece uses seven coins following 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, 1€ and 2€ and seven bank note denominations including 5€, 10€, 20€, 50€, 100€, 200€ and 500€. Currency exchange rates are displayed in the banks accepting currency exchange while credit card holders can acquire money from the cash machines (ATM) of the collaborating banks. Banks in Greece are open for the public from 08.00 to 14:30 from Monday to Thursday and from 08:00 to 13:30 on Fridays. The banks are closed on Public Holidays. Foreign currency exchange offices are usually situated in the airports, main ports, large cities and main destinations. A passport is required for exchanging currencies.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Travelling in Greece does not require special vaccination from the travellers but a yellow fever vaccination is required if you are coming from a country considered as an infected area. The World Health Organization recommends to the travellers to be covered for diphtheria, measles, mumps, tetanus, rubella and polio. If you are under a medical treatment, it is advisable to bring the medicines with you, as you might not find the exact medicines in Greece. Travellers from Member States of the European Union must have the European Health Card (EHIC), formerly known as E111, in order to have access to free health treatment provided from the public hospitals of Greece. Travellers from non-Member States of the European Union must refer to their social security agency before travelling in Greece.

WORKING HOURS

Public services and banks work Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 14:00 while shops are open from 09:00 until 17:00 on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday and from 09:00 to 14:30 and 17:00 to 21:00 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. However, the working hours of every city or village may vary. . The majority of the shops are open all day long in the touristic areas in high seasons whereas shopping malls are open from 09:00 until 20.00. It should be mentioned here that every Sunday is considered as a public holiday according to Greek Law but you will find open kiosks and mini markets.

FACTS ABOUT GREECE

Greece is a member of the European Union.

Hellenic Republic is the official English country name.

Athens is the Capital of Greece.

Greek is the official language of Greece.

Greek Christian Orthodox is the main religion in Greece.

Euro (€) is the official currency of Greece.

Presidential Parliamentary Democracy is the legislature scheme of Greece.

Europlug is the Primary Socket Type.

Mediterranean is the climate of Greece.

GMT +2 is the time zone of Greece.

0030 is the calling code of Greece.

11888 is the phone number of the national directory.

10.787.690 is the population of Greece.

166 is the phone number of ambulance service.

1434 is the phone number of pharmacies.

100 is the phone number of the police.

1571 is the phone number of tourist police.

NATIONAL CELEBRATIONS & HOLIDAYS

New Years Day: January 1st is the first day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar falling exactly one week after the Christmas Day of the previous year. On that day, all the families cut the vasilopita, a cake with a coin that brings good luck to the finder, and exchange the gifts of Christmas.

Epiphany: January 6th is one of the three major Christian celebrations of Christmas commemorating the presentation of Jesus Christ to the three wise men. Epiphany is derived from the Greek word ‘epiphaneia’ and means manifestation. In religious use, the term means the appearance of an invisible divine being in a visible form.

Carnival: The carnival period of Greece is called Apokries expressed from three consecutive weeks of feasting and dancing. The carnival is held three weeks before Ash Monday.

Ash Monday: Known also as the Orthodox Shrove Monday, Ash Monday is a movable holiday that begins the season of Great Lent in the Eastern Orthodox Churches. It is also called Clean Monday because Christians should begin the Holy Season with clean hearts and good intentions. In Greece, it usually coincides with the first day of spring celebrated with outdoor activities and picnics including flying kites.

Independence Day: March 25th is the National Independence Day that coincides with the day that Archangel Gabriel announced the incarnation of Christ to Mary. In 1821, the Greeks rose up against the Ottoman Empire leading to the War of Independence. Although the exact day may not have been March 25, it is acknowledged to have occurred in late March. The National Independence Day is celebrated with large parades.

Easter: Easter is the principal religious celebration of the Orthodoxy. The first ceremony is held on Good Friday, where the Epitafios, an imitation of the funeral bier of Jesus Christ, is decorated with flowers from the local women and it is then paraded through the streets of the villages. Another great celebration is held on Good Sunday, the triumphant return of Jesus Christ. On midnight, the lights of the churches are turned off to symbolize the darkness enveloped from the death of Jesus Christ. The, a priest appears holding the Holy Light from Jerusalem. The worshippers share the light with their neighbours and the entire churchyard is illuminated from the candlelight. After midnight, all the families eat  lamb and magiritsa, a soup made from lamb tripe, rice and dill, while the rest of the lamb is grilled on Easter Sunday accompanied from dancing.

Labor Day: Known also as May Day or Worker’s Day, May 1st is associated with the commemoration of the achievement of the labor movement. In Greece, it is called Protomagia, meaning the first day of May, and it is an urban holiday when people traditionally go to the countryside.

Pentecost: Whit Monday is a movable holiday observed fifty days after Easter Sunday. This day marks the end of the period of Easter. The day commemorates the day that the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of flames to the Apostles and asked them to teach Christianity to the world.

Assumption Day: August 15th is one of the most important celebrations of Orthodoxy. It is the principal feast of the Virgin Mary associated the departure of Mary from this life and the assumption of her body into heaven. Virgin Mary is the protector of the country.

Ohi Day: October 28th is the National Anniversary of Greek Independence. It is known as Ohi Day, meaning Day of No, in honour of the negative answer of General Ioannis Metaxas when the fascist dictator of Italy Benito Mussolini demanded them to surrender in the Second World War on October 28, 1940.

17th of November: This day is associated with the day of the students rise against the Junta of 1974. On November 14th, students locked themselves in the Polytechnic School of Athens and protested for the Junta. On November 17th, a tank invaded the School and killed many of the students.

Christmas: Christmas is one of the main religious celebrations of Orthodoxy. December 25th celebrates the Birth of Jesus Christ. On December 24th, children sing the carols of Christmas from door to door.