Considered the cradle of Western civilization, Greece is well known for being the birthplace of philosophy, democracy and the modern Olympics. Today, due to mainland attractions in Athens such as the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and ancient Agora, along with popular islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, and Zakynthos, Greece is one of the most popular countries to visit in Europe. Read below to learn more about the country.

The Basics:

• Languages: Greek is the official language, and spoken by every citizen, although about 50% of people speak some level of English

• Currency: Euro, Click here to see the current exchange rate

• Timezone: Eastern European Standard Time (UTC+2)

• Visas: Greece is a part of the Schengen Area. Tourists from other Schengen Area countries, along with many North American, South American, and Eastern Asian countries can also visit Greece visa free for up to 90 days. Starting in 2022, tourists outside of the Schengen Area will need to obtain an ETIAS waiver to enter the Schengen Area for up to 90 days

• Driving side: Right

• Tipping: A small tip of 5%-10% is common at restaurants

Places to Visit and Things to Do:

• Athens: The capital of Greece, Athens is also the largest city and most popular mainland tourist destination in Greece. Home to the Acropolis, Parthenon, former Olympic stadiums, and more, Athens will likely be the starting point to your trip in Greece

• Santorini: Arguably the most recognizable and common scene in Greece, the home of the white walled and blue domed buildings is located on an island about 100 miles off the coast of mainland Greece. Besides taking in the sunset views, Santorini is also known for wine tasting, the Red Beach, and the Black Sand beaches

• Mykonos: Known for its party scene and being visited by celebrities, Mykonos is also known to a small town called Little Venice, its beaches, and having very strong winds that blow across the island

• Meteora: Located in central Greece, further away from the sandy islands and larger cities, Meteora is group of ancient monasteries located on the top of column-like rock formations

• Zakynthos: An island just west of the Greek mainland, Zakynthos is most well known for the Shipwreck Beach, which is home to turquoise blue waters, a cove beach, and a shipwreck

Travel Tips:

• Expect to deal with crowds at some of the main tourist sites if you go during peak travel season. While everyone wants a classic sunset photo over the white and blue buildings at Santorini, the reality is that so does everyone else on the island. This means you’ll either have to show up ridiculously early to get a person-free photo, or have people in your photo

• Consider island hopping if you have a longer trip to Greece. There are ferries and flights that go between the islands, and island hopping allows you to experience multiple types of cultural experiences, attractions, and being able to venture further out from the main tourist islands

• Eat and drink like a local. Greeks tend to have more and smaller meals spread throughout the day, which can allow you to experience more types of cuisine. Walking food tours are a great way to experience the local cuisine, especially in bigger the cities such as Athens