Greece Travel Guide
Tourist season
Are December and January good months to visit Greece?
December
Shoulder
season
January
Shoulder
season
Did you know?
The Samaria gorge located in the south-western part of Crete is considered to be the longest dry (not river) gorge in Europe. It is 11.2 mi long.
How far is it?
1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings
The distance between Athens (GR) and Washington D.C. (US) is 5128 miles
To calculate distance between your location and Athens click here
Time • Timezone
Safety
General travel safety level in Greece on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).
Level 1 • Exercise normal safety precautions.
Update: 13 Oct 2024Currency
Euro (EUR) - rate compared to selected currencies
GBP 
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With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.
Cities and Top Tourist Attractions
From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Greece
| Miles | Athens | Thessaloniki | Corfu | Heraklion | Delphi | Chania | Rhodes | Piraeus |
| Athens | - | 188 | 237 | 198 | 75 | 171 | 269 | 5 |
| Thessaloniki | 188 | - | 177 | 385 | 151 | 358 | 406 | 190 |
| Corfu | 237 | 177 | - | 413 | 161 | 363 | 505 | 234 |
| Heraklion | 198 | 385 | 413 | - | 261 | 64 | 189 | 198 |
| Delphi | 75 | 151 | 161 | 261 | - | 221 | 344 | 73 |
| Chania | 171 | 358 | 363 | 64 | 221 | - | 244 | 169 |
| Rhodes | 269 | 406 | 505 | 189 | 344 | 244 | - | 272 |
| Piraeus | 5 | 190 | 234 | 198 | 73 | 169 | 272 | - |
A Brief History of Greece
Important historical events that significantly shaped the nation's trajectory throughout the centuries
3000 B.C.
First major civilizationThe first major civilization in the region begins on the island of Crete. Its people, known as Minoans, live peacefully in big cities, trade with other countries and develop Europe's first system of writing.
1550 B.C.
Mycenaean cultureThe Mycenaean culture develops on the Greek mainland. Its people are the first known Greek speakers.
1400 B.C.
Fall of Minoan civilizationA volcanic explosion on the island of Santorini creates tidal waves and earthquakes that destroy the Minoan civilization.
776 B.C.
First Olympic GamesThe first Olympic Games are held at Olympia. The winning athletes receive an olive-branch crown, a symbol of honor. The Games begin as part of a religious festival dedicated to Zeus, king of the gods.
750 - 500 B.C.
City-statesIndependent urban areas called city-states flourish and develop different systems of government. Democracy, or government by popular vote, is first practiced here, and science, culture and fine arts thrive.
546 B.C.
Persians conquering GreeceThe Persian Empire, a large and powerful Asian kingdom, conquers much of Greece.
480 B.C.
Delian LeagueGreek cities defeat Persians at sea. The city-state of Athens becomes the head of a group of city-states known as the Delian League. It is formed to protect Greece's mainland from overseas invaders.
431 B.C.
Peloponnesian WarFighting between the city-states, known as the Peloponnesian War, breaks out. It brings famine and devastation to cities, rural areas and islands. Athens eventually loses this war to the heavily armed Spartans.
338 B.C.
King Philip II of Macedonia conquers GreeceKing Philip II of Macedonia conquers Greece after wars between city-states weaken the country.
336 - 323 B.C.
Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great, son of King Phillip II, expands his father's empire and brings Greek culture to the lands he conquers. Greek becomes a commonly used language among educated people in Asia and other lands.
145 B.C.
Roman invasionRomans invade and conquer the Greek Empire. After years of civil wars, Greece's city-states prosper once again under the rule of the Romans, who greatly admire Greek culture.
1453
Turks conquer the Byzantine EmpireInvaders from Asia known as the Ottoman Turks conquer the Byzantine Empire and take control of Greece. Turkish leaders rule over Greek cities, ports and islands for several centuries afterward. Athens, once wealthy and powerful, becomes a poor farming village.
1821 - 1832
Greek War of IndependenceGreeks, tired of living under Turkish rule, defeat the Ottoman Turks in the Greek War of Independence. They accomplish this with help from France, Britain and Russia, as well as successful Greek merchants and traders.
1896
First modern Olympic GamesThe first modern Olympic Games are held in Athens to build friendship among different countries. Many of its games, including wrestling and discus-throwing, originated in ancient Greece.
1912 - 1913
Balkan WarsDuring the Balkan Wars, Greece gains power over Turkish-controlled land, including Crete and southern Macedonia.
1952
NATOGreece joins NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), a military alliance of several European countries and the United States.
1975
New constitutionNew constitution of the Republic of Greece is approved. It establishes a president as head of state and a prime minister to run the government.
2004
Summer Olympic GamesThe Summer Olympic Games are set to take place in Athens, Greece. They will return to the country that gave birth to the Olympics more than 2,000 years ago and the city that staged the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
2010
Debt crisisGreece faces a major debt crisis. To avoid bankruptcy, the Greek government gets $61 billion from the European Union.
Best Ways to Experience Greece
- Cuisine
- Art
- Animals
Practical Information for Travelers
- Budget
- Currency
- Vaccinations
- Visa
- Electricity
Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country
MoreBackpacker's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).from
Tourist's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.from
Currency
MoreEuro (EUR)
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
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Vaccinations
MoreAll travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Greece.
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
With or without a visa?
Visa requirements for citizens of
- United States
visiting 
Greece for tourism
A visa is not required.
- Allowed stay: 90 days
- 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area
Electricity
230V (50 Hz)
In Greece the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C, F sockets are used.
Click on the socket icon to see more information
Type C
Type FFacts and Figures
Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country
Population | 87 / 231 Ranking | 10 423 054 Greek 93% |
Area | 98 / 230 Ranking | 51 thous. mi² It is approximately 1% of the territory of United States. |
Life expectancy | 31 / 196 Ranking | 81.3 Life expectancy expressed in years.men 78.7women 84 |
Median age | 150 / 157 Ranking | 45.3 Average age of population expressed in years.men 43.7women 46.8 |
Population growth | 154 / 172 Ranking | -0.34% The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss. |
Literacy | 21 / 131 Ranking | 97.9% Ability to read, write and count.men 98.5%women 97.4% |
GDP | 52 / 194 Ranking | 28 377 INT$ GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population. |
North Macedonia