Greece is truly a beautiful place, so it is no wonder that so many people choose to travel to Greece. So, what should you pay attention to when traveling to Greece? Below, our editors will share some tips for our Greece immigration friends, and we hope this helps you!
Safety
Do not leave important items on tour buses or in hotel rooms. Handle them properly and keep them with you at all times to prevent theft. Even if the driver or tour guide agrees to let you leave items on the bus, for safety reasons, please keep them with you or notify the guide to keep them safe. Otherwise, if an incident occurs, you will have to bear the loss yourself.
Greece is one of the safer countries in Europe, but tourists should still be mindful of their personal belongings and personal safety.
Greece has dedicated tourist police responsible for providing information to tourists and helping to resolve certain issues.
Important phone numbers in Greece: Police: 100, Tourist Police: 171, Red Cross Emergency: 150, Fire Department: 199.
Clothing Choices
When visiting temples and churches in Athens, dress more formally. Men should wear long trousers, and women should wear long skirts. At night in clubs or other entertainment venues, there are no specific dress codes. Additionally, remember to bring plastic shoes so you can enjoy your time on the beach. Rubber-soled shoes are also essential; they are most comfortable for climbing the Acropolis or walking on marble ruins. You should also bring high-SPF sunscreen to avoid sunburn. Even in summer, you may need to wear a jacket or a light sweater when going out at night to ward off the cool sea breeze.
Accommodation
Hotels only provide bath towels; they do not provide toothbrushes, toothpaste, slippers, or other disposable items common in China, so you need to prepare these yourself before your trip.
Transportation
Traffic in Greece drives on the right side of the road. Some street signs in urban areas are in English, while others are mostly in Greek.
Taxis in downtown Athens are mostly yellow with a "TAXI" sign on the roof. If there is space in the vehicle, the driver may pick up other passengers heading in the same direction along the way, and the fare is calculated individually based on the distance traveled.
When renting a car in Greece, the rental price depends on the vehicle model, season, and duration of the rental. You must hold a valid driver's license and be over 21 years old (some places require you to be over 25).
Telephone
1) China Mobile and China Unicom GSM have enabled international roaming in Greece. If China Mobile users call back to mainland China, they should dial 0086 or 86. The cost is generally 8-17 RMB/minute, and sending a text message is generally 1.54-1.95 RMB/message. China Unicom CDMA has not enabled roaming in Greece. GSM users calling back to mainland China should dial 86.
2) Buy a phone card from a kiosk, the OTE telephone company, or a vending machine to use at a phone booth. There are coin-operated phones in many hotel lobbies and restaurants.
Note: If you make a call from your hotel room, in addition to the phone charges, you will also have to pay a 100% surcharge.
Credit Cards
Using credit cards for purchases is very common in Greece. Generally, credit cards can be used in hotels, restaurants, and shops in tourist areas. However, budget guesthouses and small restaurants in remote areas may not accept credit cards. Although using a credit card is convenient, it is difficult to bargain when shopping in Greece if you pay by credit card, because if the merchant accepts credit cards, they have to pay a transaction fee to the bank. Therefore, for items worth tens of thousands, there is little room for bargaining unless you pay in cash. VISA and MASTER are the most common and widely accepted credit cards.
Shopping
When traveling, people often like to buy local specialties as souvenirs. Shops in Greek tourist attractions have high marked prices, so tourists need to know how to "bargain." Those familiar with the market can often buy those exquisite handicrafts for less than two-thirds of the marked price. Therefore, we remind you that you can negotiate prices when shopping in Greece, but this does not apply to larger stores that have clearly marked fixed prices.
Tipping
Waitstaff in various establishments in Greece welcome tips. For example, in restaurants, a service charge is already included in the price, but it is customary to leave a small tip. So, when you receive special service that satisfies you, don't forget to leave a tip. Reference standard for tips: around 4-5 Euros.
Power Outlets
Power outlets in Greece are standard European style—220V 50Hz, 2-pin round sockets. It is recommended to buy a travel adapter in China before going to Greece.