Greece is located at the southeastern tip of Europe. It includes a mainland and several thousand islands, which are scattered around the Ionian Sea and the Aegean Sea. Greece was a center of great influence in ancient times and is still considered the beginning of Western civilization. Athens is the capital of Greece and still has many landmarks from ancient times like the Parthenon Temple. Greece is well-known among tourists for its scenic sandy beaches.
Greece is bordered by Albania in the northwest, Bulgaria and North Macedonia directly north, and Turkey in the northeast. Greece is also considered a crossroads between the continents of Europe, Africa and Asia. The official language of Greece is Greek, and the official religion is Eastern Orthodox. The Grecian climate is mainly Mediterranean, which means it has hot and dry summers with mild and wet winters. The northwest mountain areas of Greece are known to get heavy snow.
The capital of Greece is called Athens and is located in the region of Attica. The city owes its name to the Greek goddess Athena, who is considered the patron saint of the city. An Athens city trip almost feels like a trip back in time.
The Greek island of Corfu belongs to the Ionian Islands in the Greek Mediterranean. It is the second largest and northernmost island of this archipelago. A Corfu holiday is pure relaxation!
The fifth largest island in the Mediterranean is the Greek island of Crete. A holiday on Crete is one of the most popular destinations in Greece.
In the south of Greece, separated from the mainland only by the artificial channel lies the Peloponnese peninsula. This region is one of the most beautiful vacation areas in Greece.
Travel information for Greece
Arrival
By plane
The main airports on the mainland are in Athens and Thessaloniki. In addition, there are other airports on the large Greek islands that are served by international airlines.
By train
International train connections to Greece are almost non-existent. Most connections were discontinued as a result of the financial crisis in 2011. The few remaining connections include the routes to Belgrade and Sofia to Thessaloniki.
By bus
There are long-distance bus connections that go to surrounding countries.
By car
Road connections exist to Albania, northern Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. Mostly, however, the ferry connections from Italy to Greece are used.
The motorways are subject to tolls. The toll must be paid at stations set up in the middle of the motorway.
By boat
Car ferries from Tiest, Venice, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi go to Greece all year round.
Corfu is served from Ancona, Bari and Brindisi.
There are regular ferry connections between some Greek islands and the Turkish mainland, but these are thinned out outside the tourist season.
On the way in …
By car
In Greece, traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 ‰.
The following speed limits apply:
- Urban: 50 km/h
- Country Road: 90 km/h
- Motorway: 130 km/h
In remote areas it is advisable to have some knowledge of the Greek alphabet, as there are not always signs in Latin letters.
Entry requirements / Visa
Entry to Greece is possible for German citizens with the following documents:
Passport,
identity card
Documents other than the temporary identity card must not have been out of date for more than one year. A separate identity document is also required for children.
The requirements of individual airlines regarding the documents to be carried by their passengers sometimes deviate from the government regulations. For example, air travel to Germany can only be commenced with a valid passport/identity card or a substitute passport document issued by the German consular representations in Greece.
Best time to travel
Greece has a Mediterranean climate. During the main tourist season from May to September, it is hot and dry there. In winter it gets much cooler and the likelihood of rain increases.
Language
The national language is Greek. English and German are widely spoken, especially in tourist areas.
Currency
In Greece, the official currency is the euro (€).
Tip
The tip in Greek tavernas is about 5% of the bill. The money remains on the table after payment. If you pay by credit card, the tip is left in cash on the table so that it reaches the service staff.
If you travel by taxi, a 10% tip is a reasonable guideline.
Hotel staff do not earn a lot of money, so the guests’ tips are taken into account. About one euro per day is considered reasonable.
Plug
German travellers to Greece do not need a travel adapter. Type C and F plugs are used in the country.