Useful information

Before you travel

Before you travel in Greece, it is advisable to bear in mind the following:

Depending on your country of origin, you might need a passport and a visa; you could obtain a visa through the Greek consulate nearest to your residence.
Call your bank or your credit card company to let them know that you will be using it in Greece.
The Electric Current in Greece is 230V AC (50Hz). Appliances from North America require a transformer and British ones an adaptor.
In order to have access to necessary health care, tourists from member states of the European Union (EU) wishing to visit Greece must be holders of the European Health Card (EHIC) or any other legal Community document issued by their competent social security agency. Tourists from countries other than the member states of the European Union must consult their social security agency for information before travelling.
Contact your phone company in order to make sure that your can use your mobile phone in Greece.
As a consumer, you are protected by Greek consumer protection law for all transactions you make while travelling in the country.

Climate - Weather

Greece has a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures and a limited amount of rainfall. 
Due to the country's geographical position, its rugged relief and its distribution between the mainland and the sea, there is great variation in Greece's climate. 

In summer, the dry hot days are cooled by seasonal winds called the meltemi, while mountainous regions have generally lower temperatures.

The winters are mild in lowland areas, with a minimum amount of snow and ice, yet, mountains are usually snow-covered. Moreover, a common phenomenon is the occurrence of different climactic conditions during the same season (for instance, mild heat in coastal areas and cool temperatures in mountainous regions).

Time Zone & Local Holidays
Time Greece: GMT +2

NATIONAL CELEBRATIONS AND HOLIDAYS

New Years Day: 1st of January
Epiphany: 6th of January. The priests throw the Cross into the sea and young men dive to catch it.
Ash Monday: 41 days before Easter. It is the day people begin the Lent. On Ash Monday Greeks fly kites, eat meatless food and celebrate Koulouma.
Independence Day and Celebration of Evaggelismos: 25th of March. Military parade.
Easter: From Holy Friday until Easter Monday. On Holy Friday evening every church decorates the Epitaph (Bier of Christ). During the procession of the Epitaph the streets of every city or village in the country are full of people. It is a religious procession where everybody holds lit candles in their hands and sings hymns.
Night of the Resurrection: It is celebrated in midnight before Easter Sunday with fireworks and candles.
Easter Sunday: On Easter Sunday Greeks eat barbecue lamb. The celebrations include singing and dancing all day long.
Labor Day: 1st of May. Flower feasts all around Athens.
Pentecost: It is celebrated 50 days after Easter.
Assumption of the Virgin Mary: 15th of August.
28th of October: National Celebration. Military parade.
Christmas: 25th-26th of December.

Health and Safety

In order to have access to necessary health care, tourists from member states of the European Union (EU) wishing to visit Greece must be holders of the European Health Card (EHIC) or any other legal Community document issued by their competent social security agency.
In these cases, the necessary treatment in Greece is provided by:
IKA (Social Security Institute) Health Units (polyclinics) or doctor's offices in the region; 
Regional clinics (former rural clinics) or the Health Centres of the National Health System; and the outpatients' departments of the hospitals on contract
In order to have access to necessary health care, tourists from countries other than the member states of the European Union wishing to visit Greece must consult their social security agency for information before travelling. 

In case of an emergency, call:

Ambulance Service: 166
Duty Hospitals and Clinics: 1434
Pharmacies: 1434
Poisoning First Aid: 210 7793777
Police: 100