Officially known as the Hellenic Republic, Greece is a country in southeastern Europe that's located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The nation is renowned for its rich historical heritage, being the birthplace of Western civilization, democracy, philosophy, and the Olympic Games. It is also famous for its ancient ruins dating back up to 8,000 years, which include the Parthenon in Athens, the sanctuary of Delphi, and the Minoan palace of Knossos in Crete. Additionally, Greece consists of a mountainous mainland and thousands of islands scattered throughout the Aegean and Ionian Seas, with beautiful beaches, traditional villages and vibrant communities through-out.
Its capital, Athens, is one of the world's oldest cities, with a recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. It was the heart of Ancient Greece and remains a powerful symbol of classical civilization; a bustling metropolis that blends ancient landmarks with modern life, with key attractions like the Acropolis, the neighbourhood of Plaka, and the National Archaeological Museum.
UTC+2 daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October.
Earthquakes and floods are the most frequent, but wildfires, extreme temperatures and droughts can happen.
Greece has rules towards tourist, which the fines can be very high. These include the following:
Also, motorhome and wild camping is generally illegal without specific town permissions, and could lead to fines around €300 per person (Repeated violations may result in €3,000 or jail time), and during quiet hours (typically 15:00–17:30 and 23:00–07:00), excessive noise in residential areas can lead to police intervention and warnings (repeated violations may result in fines or even arrest).
The official language of Greece is Greek, but Macedonian, Albanian and Turkish are also spoken.
In Greece, vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road. Visitors from the UK can drive with their valid national licence, but are advise to check International Driving Permit (IDP) requirements and consider getting one for a smoother car hire experience. The driving age is 18. However, drivers must be at least 21 to rent a car (though some rental companies may apply a 'young driver fee' for under 25s), and must held their license for at least one year for insurance purposes. If you are planning to take your rental on a ferry to the islands in Greece, inform the rental company in advance since not all allow this, and insurance may be voided during transit.
Main roads and highways are generally in good shape, but narrow, winding, and cliff-edge routes, especially on islands like Santorini or Crete, can be challenging, and locals may honk frequently, drive assertively, or even reverse on narrow rural lanes. So, stay cautious and expect the unexpected. Also, Rush hour traffic in Athens (especially mornings and weekend transitions) can be very congested (avoid between 8 – 9 AM, Fridays, and Sundays), and when parking in cities, choose accommodations with free parking or use designated lots.
Unleaded petrol (95, 98, and 100 octane), diesel, and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) are the most common in Greece.
0.05% BAC for experienced drivers, 0.02% for new drivers.
When driving, all passengers including driver must be wearing seatbelts.
Appropriate car seats are required (e.g., under age 4 in a restraint; up to 135 cm for ages 3–11).