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.
Earthquakes and floods are the most frequent, but wildfires, extreme temperatures and droughts can happen.
For traffic/driving offences;
Fines can typically be reduced by 50% if paid within 10 days, but if ignored, fines can escalate, and rental companies may lead to charging your card later on.
Greece also has rules towards tourist, which the fines can be very high. These include the following:
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. 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 licence for at least one year for insurance purposes. UK drivers don't generally need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Greece for short visits, unless they have an older paper licence, one issued from the Channel Islands/Isle of Man, or a rental company requests an IDP. 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 – 9am, Fridays, and Sundays), and when parking in cities, choose accommodations with free parking or use designated lots.
Unleaded 95 (regular), unleaded 98/100 (premium), diesel and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) are the most common in Greece, though LPG is rare for rental vehicles, and fuel prices are relatively high due to high taxes, even higher on islands, tourists areas and especially near ports/airports. Many petrol stations are full-service where you would after after filling, either to the cashier or the attendant who filled up for you. Self-service stations are less common, and some stations do not accept card, so always carry cash. Also, check that the attendant is filling the correct fuel, don't get upsold to unnecessary premium fuel, and don't carry fuel in cans — they are illegal in cars and ferries.
Stations are mainly open 24/7 on motorways and large cities. Anywhere else, they are typically open around 7am – 7/8pm. There are fewer stations in Greece compare to some countries, even less in rural areas, so don't let your tank run too low — keep at least one-quarter in rural areas. And lastly, many rental companies in Greece have a 'full-to-full' policy where you must return the rental with the same level of fuel from when you picked it up, or face a fee.
0.05% BAC for experienced drivers, 0.02% for new drivers.
When driving, all passengers including driver must be wearing seatbelts.
Children under 12 years or under 135cm tall must a suitable child restraint system (car seat or booster) appropriate for their size. Children under 3 must always use a proper restraint.
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